A stunning church perched right by the Danube. It's bright blue and white makes it pop in the decor. If you have time, the interior is also pretty.

This small picturesque town is in the centre of the Wachau Valley and most notable for the fact that King Richard 111 - the Lionheart was held hostage as he returned from the 3rd Crusade. The Abbey is impressive!

The striking blue color of the Durnstein Abbey is very different from most other churches. The church, and the neat town, made for a pleasant (too short) stop along our Wachau Valley tour.

There are numerous tourists from the cruisers enjoying (enduring?) the guided tours of the village and they all seem to stop in the courtyard - but then move on - confirmed by the very pleasant and helpful woman at the desk. We avoid guided tours like the plague so were able to go into the abbey itself - and had it virtually to ourselves to explore it. If you like Baroque then you'll love this. So, break away from the guided tours of the village and explore the abbey instead.

Situated in a little village with spectacular views over the Danu river. Austria like you have seen it in the Sound of Music.

This former monastry is easily recognised structure in Durnstein but its elevated position and the sky blue colour in the Wachau Region. We walked past this structure on our way to visit the town. It was built in 1372 so has enormous historical value.

Dürnstein Abbey (Stift Dürnstein) was established in 1410 by Canons Regular from Třeboň and from 1710 rebuilt in a Baroque style according to plans by Joseph Munggenast, Jakob Prandtauer and Matthias Steinl. The monastery was dissolved by order of Emperor Joseph II in 1788 and fell to the Herzogenburg Priory. It is famous for its blue tower, which is clearly visible from the river. I truly believe that this abbey is best seen from the Danube.

Theabbey with itsdistinctive blue tower arestandout images in this attractive wine town.Perhaps best seen from the river it is well walk a walk round and a visit toone or two of the wine sho[s will give you a taste of this region

We stopped here whilst on a river cruise. The town is gorgeous and the chapel is a beautiful standout from the mountain range behind. Gorgeous blue colour.

What a beautiful place the wachau valley is in Austria. Lovely September day cruising the river Danube. Wine 🍷 producing area as well

Although we took a little train into the striking little village the walk from our boat moored on the Danube takes minutes. What a fabulous location for a village of distant memory. We had a tour guide so we got the full history but dominating the village without being imposing is a wonderful blue Abbey and when I say wonderful I'm understating it. A great exhibition, art and character, not to be missed. I wish I'd also walked the village in the evening but hey ho I didn't. Thank you Village Durnstein.

Only if you visit the exhibition you in fact get into the church outside of religious services. If you want to see the cloister, then you have to book a tour (for those who live in the are, the Niederösterreich card is not valid here). While the monastery is overshadowed by the closeby Melk and Göttweig Abbeys, it still has nice interesting things going for it. It is very rare that a monastery has a full baroque cloister with several chapels attached to it. Particularly intriguing was the interpretation of the Holy Tomb, where colourful lights (originally candle-lid, nowadays with electric lights) illuminate the chapel. The tour lasts about 1 h

Our river cruise docked outside of town sometime in the evening. About 10:30p I decided to go for a walk and happened into the center of Durnstein. It was beautiful in a eerie kind of way. I didn't see a soul while I was wandering. Muted lights on the buildings highlighted its wonderful architecture and I took lots of photos. It was just as picturesque the next day in full light.

Very photogenic with its blue tower. The town itself is lovely to stroll through and look at all the little shops and boutiques selling delicacies such as apricot wines etc all available for tasting. Interesting to look at the high water marks showing how the Danube ebbs and flows over the years.

Allow time to stroll the quaint village of Durnstein. A historical town with history and beauty around every corner.