Danube bike path | Passau-Budapest

Stroll through the ‘new centre’ of the three-river city of Passau, which has been completely redesigned as a car-free pedestrian zone. Information talk and bike hire in the evening (if booked).

Cycle along the Danube via Obernzell to Engelhartszell (Austria's only Trappist monastery). Through the Donauleiten nature reserve you reach the Schlögener Schlinge on the northern side. Here, the granite has proved to be an insurmountable opponent, forcing the Danube to change direction by 180 degrees. While a ferry takes you to your hotel on the other bank, you have time to admire this natural phenomenon.

Today you cycle through the greenery of the Eferding Basin via Donaumarkt Aschach, Ottensheim and Wilhering to the Upper Austrian capital of Linz. According to the motto: ‘It all starts in Linz’, the numerous restaurants in the historic old town are the perfect place to stop for a bite to eat. Other highlights of the European Capital of Culture 2009 include the marvellous view from the Pöstlingberg or a walk along the banks of the Danube. Continue in the direction of Strudengau and Nibelungengau to Grein/surroundings.

From the baroque town of Grein with the oldest municipal theatre in Austria, you cycle further downstream. In Melk, you should pause for a moment and look upwards - otherwise you will miss the beauty of the abbey that towers above the Danube. Via the wine towns of Spitz and Weißenkirchen and past the Dürnstein castle ruins, you reach your accommodation in Krems. Of course, a wine tasting is a must in the Wachau, and you should definitely plan time for this!

From the 1000-year-old town of Krems, you cycle via Traismauer and visit the Roman town of Tulln along the way. Here you can once again enjoy the tranquillity and culture (e.g. with a visit to the Egon Schiele Museum) of the rural region before heading to the Danube metropolis. In Vienna, treat yourself to an ‘Verlängerter’ and a slice of the famous Sachertorte in one of the typical coffee houses or explore the most important sights on a ride in one of the famous ‘Fiaker’ horse-drawn carriages.

The first section of your cycle tour today takes you through the Donau-Auen National Park. You will encounter a rich variety of flora and fauna as well as diverse landscapes. Passing Orth Castle and Eckartsau, you quickly reach Bad Deutsch-Altenburg, from where you can take a trip along the Roman Trail to Carnuntum. The archaeological park is considered one of the most important excavation sites in Austria. After Hainburg, you pass the border with Slovakia, whose capital Bratislava is also your next overnight stop.

Your cycle tour only takes you a short distance on Slovakian territory before you cross the Hungarian border at Rajká. On your first few kilometres in Hungary, you will cycle through charming little villages. The entire section is characterised by agriculture. Your cycle tour will take you through the so-called Szigetköz, the small island of the Schütt. This section is characterised by countless side arms of the Danube and a huge floodplain area. Your cycle tour ends in the pretty little town of Mosonmagyaróvár, also known as the town of 17 bridges. After a short stop, you can travel comfortably by train to Györ, where you should plan enough time for a tour. The county capital has many sights and a breathtaking baroque old town centre.

The first section leads you from Györ to the divided town of Komárom/Komárno on a newly constructed cycle path, always close to the course of the Danube. Here it is worth visiting the Monostor fortress, which was built in the middle of the 19th century and is one of the largest fortresses in Central Europe. The thermal baths are also a great place to relax. Your route continues close to the river in the flat Danube valley. You pass a wide variety of villages and can watch the vineyards pass by in the background. Those interested in history should plan time for the Kelemantia Roman fort, which is located directly on the Danube. However, the absolute highlight of today's stage destination is Esztergom, also known as the ‘Hungarian Rome’. Its basilica is Hungary's largest church.

The royal palace and castle of Visegrád will amaze you and the open-air museum and the baroque town centre of Szentendre invite you to linger and enjoy. The first part of your cycle tour takes you through the impressive Danube Bend, probably the most attractive section along the Danube. You will soon reach the Hungarian capital, where you can take a stroll through the city in the evening and reflect on the many impressions of this wonderful cycle tour.

After breakfast, individual return journey, return transfer or start of your extension.