Dinner was excellent and savory aboard the river boat. It was our welcome dinner. We were in Vienna and getting ready to sail for Dürnstein. As we lay on bed that night, we could feel the rumble of the boat’s engines. There was a very slight swaying. Anchor had been raised as we were starting to cruise the Danube river.

Dürnstein is a small town along the Danube river. It is approximately 80 kilometers upriver from Vienna.

The town from the river boat’s deck

Morning found us looking at Dürnstein as we stood on river boat’s roof deck. The sun was rising. There was a slight wind that was biting cold on the face. Fog was shrouding over the houses on the southern and northern banks of the Dürnstein. We had two and a half hours to explore the town.

What makes Dürnstein popular?

We think that three things make the town popular. First, it is a wine-growing area that is popular for its Riesling wine. Second, the distinct blue tower of Dürnstein Abbey is clearly visible and attractive from the Danube river. Third, Dürnstein Castle, seated on the town’s rocky cliff, was historically a prison castle for King Richard l of England (Richard the Lion Heart).

Exploring the town

We started following the westward paved path that ran parallel to the Danube river. It is a paved path that also runs parallel to Dürnstein Federal Highway. In between the path and the highway is the town’s main alleyway. We learned that there is a train station near the east side of town. We were thinking that this is one of the ways to reach the town aside from the river.

Dürnstein Castle and Dürnstein Abbey were visible at a distance. Grapes were growing on vineyards beside the path. The paved path eventually took us beside the iconic blue bell tower. Past the tower, tunneled steps took us to the main alleyway of the town. There we found the town’s shops.

The town was just waking up. Most shops still had their doors closed. We continued following the alleyway further westward until we reached an overlook. There we were able to appreciate a panoramic view of the south bank of the Danube river. We didn’t go any farther since it was already up a cliff and past the town.

We gradually backtracked our way through the alleyway. The souvenir shops were starting to open up. It was a good time to pick up some souvenirs.

It’s not our thing to tour cemeteries. We were enticed by talk that there is a pile of bones in one of the mausoleums. We went a found a small well-maintained cemetery. True enough, we found the pile of bones.

It was back to the river boat to continue our cruise toward Melk.

Some of the photographs are posted at gsilvosatrekpix.pixels.com. In this website, the photographs can be viewed and printed as decoration on walls or on accessories. Please visit the site and help support this website. Thank you!