Dürnstein

Dürnstein is a small town in the Wachau in Austria, on the river Danube. Together with the neighbouring villages of Oberloiben and Unterloiben it is one of the main wine-producing centres of the region, and attracts nearly 1.7 million visitors annually.

Dürnstein derives its name from the ruined castle overlooking the town. The earliest historic records of the settlement date to the late 12th century, when Richard I of England was imprisoned in the castle by Leopold V, Duke of Austria, following the Third Crusade. Today the town is known primarily for its wine production and, along with the Wachau, as a popular tourist destination.

• Tourist Information Centre, Dürnstein 25 (Stadtgemeindeamt Dürnstein, +43 2711 219. M 08:00-12:00, Tu 08:00-12:00 13:00-18:00, Th 08:00-13:00, F 08:00-12:00.

Tourist Information Centre, Dürnstein 25 (Stadtgemeindeamt Dürnstein, +43 2711 219. M 08:00-12:00, Tu 08:00-12:00 13:00-18:00, Th 08:00-13:00, F 08:00-12:00.

• Burgruine Dürnstein. All hours. Built in the 12th century, the castle is best known for being the prison of King Richard the Lionhearted of England from December 1192 to March 1193, after he was captured by Austrian Duke Leopold V while returning from the Third Crusade. In 1635, toward the end of the Thirty Years' War, the Swedes captured the castle and later destroyed the outer gate. After serving as a refuge during the Austro-Turkish War a couple decades later, it was ultimately abandoned and fell into disrepair. In the late 17th century the castle was purchased by an Austrian noble family, which still owns it today. Free.
• Stift Dürnstein, Dürnstein 1, +43 2711 227. Apr-Oct: M-F 09:00-18:00, Su and holidays 10:00-18:00; last admission at 17:30; Nov-Mar: guided visits on Su only in groups of 20+. The former monastery was founded in 1410, and forcibly closed in 1788 by order of Emperor Joseph II. It is today managed by a consortium of several Augustine monastic orders, and its distinctive blue and white bell tower is considered to be an icon of the Wachau region. Independent visitors can access the courtyard, church, and main terrace. Guided tours (in German, English, and French) also allow access to the crypt and the cloister; tours take place every Sunday at 12:00 or at other times if booked in advance, and last about an hour. Without guide: €3.50 (adults), €2.60 (students), €1.50 (children 6-14); with guide: €6 (adults), €3.50 (students), €3 (children 6-14).
• Kunigundenkirche. The former parish church is the oldest church in Dürnstein and dates from 1200. In 1783 most of the church was rebuilt, but the original tower and sacristy remain.

Burgruine Dürnstein. All hours. Built in the 12th century, the castle is best known for being the prison of King Richard the Lionhearted of England from December 1192 to March 1193, after he was captured by Austrian Duke Leopold V while returning from the Third Crusade. In 1635, toward the end of the Thirty Years' War, the Swedes captured the castle and later destroyed the outer gate. After serving as a refuge during the Austro-Turkish War a couple decades later, it was ultimately abandoned and fell into disrepair. In the late 17th century the castle was purchased by an Austrian noble family, which still owns it today. Free.

Stift Dürnstein, Dürnstein 1, +43 2711 227. Apr-Oct: M-F 09:00-18:00, Su and holidays 10:00-18:00; last admission at 17:30; Nov-Mar: guided visits on Su only in groups of 20+. The former monastery was founded in 1410, and forcibly closed in 1788 by order of Emperor Joseph II. It is today managed by a consortium of several Augustine monastic orders, and its distinctive blue and white bell tower is considered to be an icon of the Wachau region. Independent visitors can access the courtyard, church, and main terrace. Guided tours (in German, English, and French) also allow access to the crypt and the cloister; tours take place every Sunday at 12:00 or at other times if booked in advance, and last about an hour. Without guide: €3.50 (adults), €2.60 (students), €1.50 (children 6-14); with guide: €6 (adults), €3.50 (students), €3 (children 6-14).

Kunigundenkirche. The former parish church is the oldest church in Dürnstein and dates from 1200. In 1783 most of the church was rebuilt, but the original tower and sacristy remain.

• Kuenringerbad, Donaulände 36 (Oberloiben, +43 2711 320. Daily 09:00-19:00 (in good weather). The outdoor natural swimming pool is fully maintained with biological means only and no chemicals. There is a children's section and an adult section, as well as a lawn for relaxing and sporting facilities. Full day: €4.50 (adults), €4 (concessions), €2.50 (children); half day (after 12:00): €3.50 (adults), €3 (concessions), €2 (children); loungers €2; parking free.

Kuenringerbad, Donaulände 36 (Oberloiben, +43 2711 320. Daily 09:00-19:00 (in good weather). The outdoor natural swimming pool is fully maintained with biological means only and no chemicals. There is a children's section and an adult section, as well as a lawn for relaxing and sporting facilities. Full day: €4.50 (adults), €4 (concessions), €2.50 (children); half day (after 12:00): €3.50 (adults), €3 (concessions), €2 (children); loungers €2; parking free.

• Bäckerei & Konfiserie Schmidl, Dürnstein 21, +43 2711 224. Apr-Oct: M-Sa 07:00-18:00, Su and holidays 08:00-18:00; Nov-Mar: M-F 07:00-11:00, Sa 07:00-12:00. Operating since 1780, in 1905 this was the birthplace of the Wachauer Laberl, a wheat and rye sourdough roll which is commonly served in Heurigen. The well-known establishment has a small café serving various pastries and coffee, and also sells its own version of the local Marillenmarmelade (apricot jam).
• Alter Klosterkeller, Anzuggasse 237, +43 2711 292. Apr-Oct: M-F 15:00-, Sa Su and holidays 12:00-. Located in the former monastic cellar, with a nice garden overlooking both vineyards the Danube, the restaurant serves local dishes with local wine only (no beer). Reservations can be made online.
• Weinschenke Altes Presshaus, Dürnstein 10, +43 699 154 40 212. Su 10:00-22:00, Tu-Sa 11:30-23:00. Located in an early 18th-century house close to the centre of town, this is a good place not only to sample the local wine but also regional cuisine, in a rustic atmosphere. Many dishes have creative twists on traditional specialties as well as more modern creations, all made from locally-sourced ingredients. Seating is available indoors as well as in a pleasant shaded courtyard.
• Restaurant Loibnerhof, Unterloiben 7 (Unterloiben, +43 2732 828 90. W-Su 11:30-24:00, kitchen 11:30-21:00; open holidays. The family-run vineyard is especially known for Riesling and Grüner Veltliner, and has a well-known restaurant specialising in Wachauer cuisine. In the summer guests can dine outdoors in a large apple orchard. Reservations can be made online.

Bäckerei & Konfiserie Schmidl, Dürnstein 21, +43 2711 224. Apr-Oct: M-Sa 07:00-18:00, Su and holidays 08:00-18:00; Nov-Mar: M-F 07:00-11:00, Sa 07:00-12:00. Operating since 1780, in 1905 this was the birthplace of the Wachauer Laberl, a wheat and rye sourdough roll which is commonly served in Heurigen. The well-known establishment has a small café serving various pastries and coffee, and also sells its own version of the local Marillenmarmelade (apricot jam).

Alter Klosterkeller, Anzuggasse 237, +43 2711 292. Apr-Oct: M-F 15:00-, Sa Su and holidays 12:00-. Located in the former monastic cellar, with a nice garden overlooking both vineyards the Danube, the restaurant serves local dishes with local wine only (no beer). Reservations can be made online.

Weinschenke Altes Presshaus, Dürnstein 10, +43 699 154 40 212. Su 10:00-22:00, Tu-Sa 11:30-23:00. Located in an early 18th-century house close to the centre of town, this is a good place not only to sample the local wine but also regional cuisine, in a rustic atmosphere. Many dishes have creative twists on traditional specialties as well as more modern creations, all made from locally-sourced ingredients. Seating is available indoors as well as in a pleasant shaded courtyard.

Restaurant Loibnerhof, Unterloiben 7 (Unterloiben, +43 2732 828 90. W-Su 11:30-24:00, kitchen 11:30-21:00; open holidays. The family-run vineyard is especially known for Riesling and Grüner Veltliner, and has a well-known restaurant specialising in Wachauer cuisine. In the summer guests can dine outdoors in a large apple orchard. Reservations can be made online.