The Danube Region
Scenic landscapes, prized cultural treasures plus exquisite culinary delights and wines – the Danube in Lower Austria promises so many precious – and delicious – moments.
The 286 km long section of the Danube flowing through Lower Austria from the Upper Austrian to the Slovak border passes through ancient landscapes shaped by human hands such as Nibelungengau and the Wachau. Then it glides between the gently rolling hills of Wagram, along the broad expanse of the Tulln Basin and on through Vienna. At the city limits it passes into ancient Roman country in Carnuntum Marchfeld and becomes a mix of wilderness, Antiquity and Baroque exuberance.
Superb wines from the Wachau to Carnuntum
Nature is nowhere more glorious than along the Danube, whether untouched as in Donau-Auen National Park or artfully subdued as in the abbey and castle gardens or in gardening exhibitions such as those at Garten Tulln. Another type of garden is a destination for gourmets in particular: the vineyards along the Danube, where some of the world’s finest wines grow. First-class wining and dining has sprung up around the high-caliber wine culture between the Wachau and Carnuntum. The culinary venues vary from rustic heuriger taverns along cellar-lined roads to stylish country inns and award-winning gourmet temples.
By ship, by bicycle
The powers that have held sway in Austria have always left their traces behind along the Danube. Its banks are lined with the remains of Ancient Roman cities and forts, medieval fortresses, Baroque monasteries and castles. The river still serves as a traffic artery today, also for tourism. A cruise on the Danube, especially through the Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage landscape, is a must on any itinerary of Lower Austria. But people also love bicycling along the Danube nowadays–for instance on the Danube Bike Path, the most popular cycling route in Central Europe.