Things to do in Durnstein
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Top 10 attractions in Durnstein
Ruine Hinterhaus
Krems-Land District · 9.4 km from Durnstein
BRANDNER Cruises (DST no. 24)
Krems an der Donau · 5.1 km from Durnstein
Donaupark Camping Krems
Krems an der Donau · 5.4 km from Durnstein
St. Stephen's Cathedral
"St. Stephen's Cathedral is located in Stephansplatz in the center of Vienna's old town. It is the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Vienna and one of the city's symbols. The church was first built in the 12th century as a Romanesque parish church. In the 14th century, under the leadership of Duke Rudolf IV, it underwent large-scale expansion and gradually took on the form of a Gothic cathedral. From the late 15th century, it became the cathedral of the Bishop of Vienna. A fire at the end of World War II destroyed the roof, which was later rebuilt after the war. Over the centuries, many weddings and funerals of the Habsburg dynasty were held here. Mozart was married in this church, and his funeral also took place here. Particularly striking is the church's colorful roof: hundreds of thousands of glazed tiles form diamond patterns, with the Habsburg double-headed eagle emblem embedded on the southern slope and the coats of arms of Vienna and Austria on the northern slope, shimmering brilliantly under the sunlight. The roof has an extremely steep pitch, allowing rainwater to wash it clean and preventing snow from accumulating. The Gothic main tower on the south side stands over 130 m tall and is affectionately called "Steffl" (Little Steffl) by the locals. It once housed the watchmen's quarters, where they kept watch for fires across the city and sounded the alarm bells. The north tower, halted due to construction difficulties, reaches only half the height of the main tower. Upon entering the church interior, the baroque high altar at the far end depicts the martyrdom of the patron saint Stephen; the Wiener Neustadt altar on the north side is a gothic double-winged altar, revealing gilded wood carvings of the Virgin Mary's life when opened on Sundays, with Emperor Frederick III's "A.E.I.O.U." motto still visible on its base. The stone pulpit in the central courtyard features reliefs of the four doctors of the church, adorned with carvings of a toad and lizard biting each other on its handrail, while a self-portrait of the sculptor peeking from a window hides beneath the pulpit steps; the crucifix playfully nicknamed "Jesus with a toothache" by Viennese locals is also worth pausing to admire. The catacombs house remains of over ten thousand individuals, including victims relocated after plagues and the sarcophagi/copper urns of dozens of Habsburg family members; beside the apostle choir stalls, Frederick III's red marble sarcophagus carved with over two hundred figures is regarded as a masterpiece of medieval stone sculpture. If your physical condition allows, you can climb the observation deck via the over 300 spiral stone steps of the south tower to overlook the continuous red-tiled roofs of Vienna's old town. The north tower has an elevator, allowing you to admire the approx. 20-ton "Pummerin" bell up close—one of the few giant bells in Austria and among the top-ranking surviving large bells in Europe. It only rings during important festivals like Christmas and New Year, with its deep chimes resonating throughout the entire old town on New Year's Eve.Vienna · 66.6 km from Durnstein
Burgruine Senftenberg
Gemeinde Senftenberg · 6.5 km from Durnstein
BMW Museum
The BMW Museum is located in the BMW brand experience center in Munich, the global headquarters of BMW, and is the core component of the BMW brand experience center. The museum has a total area of 5,000 square meters and is designed in a "bowl" shape. Next to it is the BMW "four-cylinder building" headquarters. The exhibition hall of the BMW Museum is designed as a wrap-around space and is divided into seven themed exhibition areas. According to different eras and periods, various samples of BMW cars, BMW motorcycles, Qingqi and some special-purpose vehicles produced over the years are displayed. Using modern sound, light, electricity, multimedia and other high-tech means as well as picture and audio-visual materials, it enhances the artistic space of product display, and fully interprets the growth and development history of BMW Motor Company. In the BMW Museum, in addition to seeing the ancestors of various BMW cars, representative vehicles of different periods, modern racing cars, avant-garde concept cars and other rich physical vehicles and models, you can focus on car posters and license plates of various eras. Peripheral items, you can also experience exciting racing games or watch interactive facilities such as realistic videos, which is very enjoyable.Germany · Munich
ÖAMTC Krems/ Donau
Krems an der Donau · 6.4 km from Durnstein
Kunsthalle Krems
Krems an der Donau · 5 km from Durnstein
Hofburg Palace
Located just an hour's drive east of Vienna, the Hof Palace is Austria's largest Baroque complex. The former residence of the Austrian Emperor was once considered one of the magnificent castles of the Habsburg Empire. In 1725, the legendary Savoy general, Prince Eugene, owned this splendid castle, splendid art terrace gardens and manor built in the 17th century. Thirty years later, Queen Maria Theresia bought it. She raised the castle one floor and redesigned the rooms on the first floor. Today visitors can visit Prince Eugene's former residence: from the eastern rooms, visitors can also enjoy views of the vibrant baroque gardens, which are dedicated to the life and work of the art-loving Prince Eugene, Prince of Savoy . The path passes through the neoclassical ballroom of the Baroque church and leads to Queen Maria Theresa's room. The rooms and furnishings on the second floor are also for visitors to appreciate and convey the 18th century lifestyle in an authentic way.Vienna · 66 km from Durnstein
Rotes Tor
Krems-Land District · 8.3 km from Durnstein
Experiences you can't miss in Durnstein
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Featured Food & drink in Durnstein
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What travelers say about Durnstein
RuthRMay 3, 2025
4.0
Wonderfull place, so many Architecture and i hope i can back again
St. Stephen's Cathedral
Anonymous userOctober 1, 2026
5.0
If you are a fan of BMW and car, it is very interesting to learn the history and progress of BMW with so much information to learn.
BMW Museum
Seay DoerAugust 1, 2026
5.0
Hofburg Palace is one of Vienna's most iconic attractions, showcasing the grandeur of the former imperial residence of the Habsburg dynasty. The palace complex is vast, with beautifully preserved architecture, elegant courtyards, and fascinating museums that offer a glimpse into Austria's royal history. The Imperial Apartments, Sisi Museum, and the Imperial Silver Collection are particularly worth visiting, each telling a different part of the empire's story. Walking through the palace feels like stepping back in time, with every room reflecting the luxury and sophistication of imperial life. The surrounding area is equally impressive, with charming streets, cafés, and historic buildings that make it easy to spend several hours exploring. Whether you're interested in history, architecture, or royal heritage, Hofburg Palace provides an enriching experience and is undoubtedly one of the highlights of any trip to Vienna.
Hofburg Palace
