International bars and restaurants, markets, arthouse cinema: when it comes to leisure time activities, the town of Krems can easily hold its own against the big cities. From the vineyards to the River Danube and the old town, we take a look at some of the ways you can spend your free time.
Guide
Top ten Krems tips (plus bonus tip!)
Head up the Kreuzberg hill
Krems is nestled between the Danube and the hillside vineyards. You’ll find great views if you head up into the hills – and not just over the town and the campus; on a clear day you can even see as far as the foothills of the Alps. It’s really idyllic up there! The best way to get there is to take the Kreuzbergstiege steps from the old town – they lead straight to the vineyards on Kreuzberg, a fantastic lookout point! If you would like to stop off for a drink or a bite to eat on your walk, just keep on going until you reach the Schwarzalm restaurant. From there, follow the path directly back to the town centre.
Visit a Heuriger wine tavern
There are lots of traditional Heuriger wine taverns in and around Krems that serve good food and wine at very reasonable prices. Here, the winemakers sell the wine that they make at their cellar doors, accompanied by cold snacks like Geselchtes (smoked meat), roast pork and spreads such as Liptauer. The famous Wachauer Laberl bread rolls are an absolute must. Here is a list of the wine taverns’ opening times:
Heurigenkalender Niederösterreich
An evening in the old town
Are you a pub person or more of a clubber? You’ll find both in Krems’s old town. There are also lots of small bars, like VEIT and Weinhimmel, which are popular with students and locals alike. When the weather’s warm, people sit outside with their drinks – which makes for a wonderful atmosphere in the winding streets around Hoher Markt, Pfarrplatz as well as Obere and Untere Landstrasse. Did you know that the old town is also a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site?
Shopping at the market
Fresh pasta, fruit and vegetables – the market on Pfarrplatz every Saturday morning is a popular meeting place. With row upon row of stands, most of the producers who sell their goods at the market are from the local area. In summertime you’ll also find stands selling coffee, wine and much more. If you’re out and about on a Friday, the farmers’ market on Dreifaltigkeitsplatz is well worth a visit. And a special tip for fans of classic design: the vintage evening market is held every first Wednesday of the month from June to September.
Sublime Stein
Narrow winding streets, petite galleries, international cafes and restaurants – this part of the town has it all. And it’s only a ten-minute walk from Campus Krems, making it the ideal place for a creative timeout between lectures. Hungry? Then try one of the pizzas at Firenze on Schürerplatz or goulash at Salzstadl. Stein, here we come!
A dip in the Danube
There are loads of places to go for a swim along the Danube, including the sandy beach at Weissenkirchen. On the right bank of the Danube, Rossatz-Arnsdorf has a nice little beach with a volleyball court. If you’re more at home in a pool, you can swim a few lengths at Badearena Krems. At the open-air pool in summer there’s also a diving board, volleyball court and lots of shady spots to relax in.
Cinema, concerts and more
The Kino im Kesselhaus cinema at Campus Krems not only shows films, but also stages concerts too – with music from virtually any genre you care to name. A great chance to see Austrian musicians live on stage. On Sundays, you can even catch a movie after breakfast at the Filmbar.
A mile of great art
Just five minutes’ walk from Campus Krems, Museumsplatz has three major museums: Landesgalerie Niederösterreich, Karikaturmuseum Krems and Kunsthalle Krems. With an ever-changing exhibition line-up, there’s plenty to see there all year round. To add to the appeal, on-site restaurant Poldi Fitzka has a range of all-day breakfast options. When the weather warms up, you can enjoy your cappuccino outside on Museumsplatz – ideally on one of the loungers.
Water sports on the Danube
Located right next to the Danube, Krems is the perfect place for water sports. You can hire canoes and stand-up paddle boards in Oberloiben – gliding across the water is a great way to relax after a long day at the university. For fans of team sports, check out Stein Rowing Club. Beginners are also welcome.
Shopping around Göglstrasse
Design, fashion and home accessories – if you’re looking for something special, Göglstrasse, Untere and Ober Landstrasse and the area around Dreifaltigkeitsplatz are the places to go. At many stores, you can also talk to the designers themselves – so you can pick up some useful tips while you shop. Some people call it boutique shopping. If you ask us, Krems has the most beautiful shopping streets in the country!
Bonus tip: cycle to the Wachau Valley
Krems is the gateway to the Wachau – a World Cultural Heritage region. It’s famous for the hillside vineyards stretching as far as the eye can see, the glistening waters of the River Danube, not to mention Heuriger wine taverns and pretty villages. How about hopping on your bike and heading for Weissenkirchen or Spitz? There’s even a cable ferry to take you across to the opposite bank of the river – it’s definitely worth a trip! You can come full circle and ride back to Krems on the other side of the river.