Ybbs on the Danube: Old Town, Power Plant and Imperial Castle
Renaissance houses, Danube engineering and views of Persenbeug
HighlightsNiederösterreichPhoto: Hans Koberger, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- Languages
- German, English
This private walking tour of Ybbs on the Danube combines a charming old town with Austria's first Danube power plant. Across the river stands Persenbeug Castle, birthplace of the last Austrian emperor.
Ybbs lies at the start of the Nibelungengau region and was an important Danube trading town in the Middle Ages. Salt, wine and iron were traded here. The old town preserves townhouses with Renaissance arcades, oriel windows and courtyards, as well as parts of the town wall.
Between Ybbs and Persenbeug the Ybbs-Persenbeug power plant was built in the 1950s, the first run-of-river plant on the Austrian Danube and a symbol of postwar rebuilding. A road runs across the dam to the other bank, where Persenbeug Castle sits on a rock. Charles I, the last emperor of Austria, was born here in 1887.
Your guide tells of boatmen, floods and crafts and shares tips for the town's quirky bicycle museum and rides on the Danube Cycle Path.
Highlights
- Renaissance townhouses with courtyards
- Austria's first Danube power plant
- Views of Persenbeug Castle
- Birthplace of Emperor Charles I across the river
- Boatmen and trading history
The route
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1Main square
Start in the heart of the old town.
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2Townhouses
Arcades, oriels and courtyards.
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3Riverside
Shipping, salt trade and floods.
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4Power plant
Engineering and rebuilding on the Danube.
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5Promenade
Finish with views of Persenbeug.
Who this tour is for
For Danube cyclists, cruise guests and small-town lovers exploring the Danube beyond the Wachau.
Frequently asked questions
Are entrance fees included?
No, entrance fees are never included in the tour price. When you book, we are happy to tell you which admissions apply to your group.
How is the price calculated?
This is a private tour for your group only. The price is per group, not per person, which makes it great value for families and friends traveling together.
Can the tour be combined with a bike ride?
Yes, Ybbs lies right on the Danube Cycle Path. The tour makes a great stop, and bikes can be rented or arranged on request.
