Weißenkirchen in der Wachau

Pfarrkirche Mariae Himmelfahrt

Weißenkirchen in der Wachau is a small town in the Wachau valley, on the northern side of the Danube River.

Understand

Named after the large fortified church which dominates the town (Weißenkirchen = 'white church'), the town began in the 9th century as a monastic vineyard. Today it is still known for its excellent wines, and attracts many tourists travelling through the Wachau region.

• 1 Tourismusinformation (Tourist Information), Wachaustraße 242, ☏ +43 2715 2600, info@weissenkirchen-wachau.at. Apr-Oct: M-Sa 10:00-13:00 15:00-18:00. Staff can help with reserving accommodation, and also have on hand town maps, hiking maps, and Heuriger schedules. (updated Oct 2016)

Get in

By car

Weißenkirchen is located midway between Spitz and Dürnstein on the B3 regional highway, which follows the Danube River along its northern bank.

By train

A regional train passes through 1 Bahnhof Weißenkirchen connecting Krems with Emmersdorf (four times daily) and Spitz an der Donau (three times daily). Use ÖBB's SCOTTY to look up train information online.

By boat

• 2 Brandner, ☏ +43 7433 2590 21, schiffahrt@brandner.at. Operates twice daily between Melk, Emmersdorf, Weißenkirchen, Dürnstein, and Krems. Timetables and fares can bee seen here. Tickets can be purchased online. Bicycles (€2) and dogs (free, muzzle and leash required) permitted on board. (updated Oct 2016)

Get around

The town centre is very compact, although visiting nearby vineyards or sights may require a bit of a hike.

By bicycle

• Nextbike, ☏ +43 2742 22 99 01 (hotline). After registration (online or by mobile), pick up a bicycle at any Nextbike location, and drop it off at the same or any other Nextbike spot. A map of pickup and drop-off points can be found here (click 'Wachau' for Weißenkirchen); a brochure for the Wachau region is available for download. €1/hr, €10/day. 

See

Teisenhoferhof with the Wachaumuseum

• 1 Pfarrkirche Mariae Himmelfahrt (Church of the Assumption of Mary). The Gothic 14th-century fortified church dominates the town, and is additionally surrounded by a defensive wall with watchtowers. It was built in several phases between the 13th and 18th centuries. The smaller tower is the original church tower and dates from 1330, while the larger tower was built in 1531 as a defensive structure against Turkish invaders. The interior is a mix of late Gothic and Baroque. (updated Oct 2016)
• 2 Wachaumuseum, Weißenkirchen 117 (Teisenhoferhof), ☏ +43 2715 2268. Apr-Oct: Tu-Su 10:00-17:00. The 15th-century building is a venue for exhibitions by local Wachau artists. €5 (adults), €2.50 (children). (updated Oct 2016)
• 3 Wehrkirche St. Michael (Fortififed Church of St. Michael) (2km W in St. Michael). A succession of churches have been built in this spot atop a small Celtic sacrificial site. The current structure dates from around 1500 with later Baroque additions and renovations. (updated Oct 2016)

Do

Heuriger at Gästehaus Turm Wachau

Eat

Most inns and hotels in the area also have good onsite restaurants; see the 'Sleep' section below for individual listings.

• 1 Restaurant Heinzle, Wachaustraße 280, ☏ +43 2715 2231, restaurant@heinzle.at. W-Sa 11:30-21:00 Su 11:30-19:00. Serves regional cuisine with an emphasis on local fish and produce, using both traditional and modern recipes and techniques. In nice weather diners can enjoy the pleasant garden which directly overlooks the river. (updated Nov 2016)

Drink

• 1 Weingut Hermenegild Mang, Landstraße 38 (Weißenkirchen), ☏ +43 2715 2276, fax: +43 2715 2276 6, astrid.mang@gmx.at. Apr-Oct daily 12:00-; closed Nov-Mar. The family-run vineyard has been operating since 1919, and has won multiple awards for its Grüner Veltliner as well as its Riesling. Their Heuriger serves typical regional cold dishes, with a few vegetarian options. It is situated in a pleasant garden, with a large play area for children, and has extra indoor seating for inclement weather. (updated Oct 2016)

Sleep

Weingut & Gästehaus Thurnhof

Budget

• 1 Gästehaus & Heuriger Turm Wachau, Auf der Burg 140, ☏ +43 664 2013850, rosenberger@turm-wachau.at. Check-in: 15:00-18:00, check-out: 08:00-10:00. The comfortable guesthouse also operates a pleasant Heuriger. Free Wi-Fi and nearby parking. €30+ (room), €64 (holiday apt). (updated Oct 2016)
• 2 Weingut & Gästehaus Thurnhof, Thurnhof 76, ☏ +43 2715 2503, gaestehausthurnhof@aon.at. €37-43, including breakfast. (updated Oct 2016)

Splurge

• 3 Hotel-Restaurant Kirchenwirt Wachau, Kremser Str. 17, ☏ +43 2715 2332, hotel@kirchenwirt-wachau.at. Check-in: 15:00-18:00, check-out: 08:00-11:00. Has an onsite restaurant which can accommodate special diets, including vegetarian; the restaurant is closed from mid-November to mid-March. Free Wi-Fi, free parking, and pets permitted on request. €129+, including breakfast. (updated Jan 2017)
• 4 Raffelsberger Hof (Flammhof), Freisingerplatz 54, ☏ +43 2715 2201, fax: +43 2715 2201 27, office@raffelsbergerhof.at. Check-in: 14:00-22:00, check-out: 08:00-11:00. The restored Renaissance castle is now a four-star hotel, open mid-April to November. Facilities include an outdoor pool, spa, and onsite restaurant. Free parking, free Wi-Fi, pets permitted. €148+, including breakfast. (updated Nov 2016)