Kayaking in Wachau Valley: 33 km with wine tasting

Paddle the Danube's most beautiful stretch, tasting wine where the vineyards meet the water

Kayak 33 kilometers down the Danube through Wachau Valley between Melk and Krems, paddling past castles and terraced vineyards while stopping to taste Austrian wines in villages like Spitz and Durnstein. A native English-speaking kayak guide and wine expert lead the day, which includes double touring kayaks, safety gear, wine tastings of Riesling and Grüner Veltliner, and hotel pickup from Vienna or the valley itself. The activity requires prior kayaking experience and strong swimming ability.

The Experience

The day starts with pickup around 8am from your Vienna hotel, or 9am if you're already staying in the Wachau. After a safety briefing and equipment check near Melk—home to the famous baroque abbey—you launch into the first stretch of the valley. The initial paddle takes you downstream through west Wachau, where forested hills rise above the river and castles perch on the banks. This is the main focus: you're operating the kayak, reading the current, moving through the landscape under your own power.

The first stop lands in Spitz, a postcard village where you'll taste several Wachau specialities—Riesling, Grüner Veltliner, Neuburger—with someone who knows the region's wines. After a brief paddle downstream, you'll pull ashore for lunch in a small historic hamlet (bring money or arrange food beforehand, as lunch isn't included). The second half of the day continues to Durnstein, the valley's most picturesque village. Your guide provides photo service throughout, capturing the river, vineyards and the ruins of Durnstein Castle, which you can climb if you want the views from above.

The full day runs 10.5 hours from pickup to drop-off. You'll need prior kayaking experience and be a very comfortable swimmer—this is a working paddle, not a float. Double touring kayaks, dry storage, and life vests are provided. The guide speaks English natively and knows both the water and the wine, so you're not managing logistics or navigation yourself.

What’s included

• Double touring kayaks, personal flotation device, and dry storage for your belongings.
• a native English-speaking kayak guide and Wachau wine expert leading the full day.
• wine tastings of Riesling, Grüner Veltliner, Neuburger and other regional specialities in Spitz.
• photo service provided by your guide.
• hotel pickup from Vienna or the Wachau and return drop-off at the end of the day.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by Venture Vienna - Outdoor Activities & Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to paddle actively for a full day rather than join a group tour—your instructor guides you through 33 kilometers while you do the work, with wine tastings and village stops as breaks, not the focus.

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Top questions

What's the kayaking like on the Danube between Melk and Krems?

The 33-kilometer stretch is downstream paddling through Wachau Valley, moving past forested hills, castles and villages. You'll stop twice—once in Spitz for wine tasting and once in a small hamlet for lunch—then continue to Durnstein. The current helps you move, and the guide handles navigation while you paddle.

Do I need kayaking experience to book this?

Yes. You must have prior kayaking experience and be a very comfortable swimmer. This is an active paddle down a river, not a guided float, so the guide expects you to operate the kayak and manage the water.

What wines do you taste, and where?

You'll taste several Wachau specialities—Riesling, Grüner Veltliner, and Neuburger—during an extensive tasting stop in the village of Spitz. The guide is a Wachau wine expert, so you'll learn about the region's vineyards and what makes these wines distinctive.

Is lunch included, and where do you eat?

Lunch is not included. You'll stop in a small historic hamlet in the afternoon where you can buy food, or you can bring your own. The guide will point out options, but you'll need to arrange and pay for your meal.

How does pickup work if I'm staying in Vienna?

Hotel pickup is included. If you're in Vienna, the driver collects you around 8am and brings you to the launch point near Melk. If you're already staying in the Wachau, pickup is at 9am from your accommodation. Drop-off is at the end of the day to either Vienna or the valley, depending on where you're based.

What happens at Durnstein, the last village?

Durnstein is the final stop and the valley's most picturesque village. You'll have free time to explore, and you can climb the ruins of Durnstein Castle if you want—the views from above look out over the river and the terraced vineyards below. Your guide provides photo service throughout the day to capture these moments.