The best of Krems costs nothing. The town itself is the sight: gates, squares, a baroque column and a staircase with a view, all out in the open, all free to see. This self-guided walk strings those freely accessible places together, from old Krems to Stein on the Danube.
What you can see for free in Krems
You start at the Steinertor, the only surviving city gate, with the imperial eagle above the archway. Nearby stands the Mariensäule, a white baroque column the townspeople raised in gratitude when the plague epidemics finally ended — a detail many visitors miss. Further on you climb the Piarists' Steps for a free view over the rooftops, and at the Simandlbrunnen you laugh at the man kept on a leash by his wife. No ticket required.
Honest note: what does cost admission
A few highlights are indoors, and those you pay for. The Caricature Museum Krems (cartoons and caricature) and the neighbouring Kunsthalle Krems — housed in a former tobacco factory — charge admission, as does the Dominican Church, which now holds a museum on the region's wine tradition. You can happily take in their exteriors and surroundings for free and decide for yourself whether to step inside.
How to string the free stops together
The full route is about 3.5 kilometres and runs from the historic centre to Stein, ending at the Johannes-Nepomuk-Denkmal by the water. Along the way you pass enough facades, glimpses and small squares to fill half a day without spending a cent.
The walk itself is also free to play: no account, no download, straight in your browser. Start the free route in the CityWalkGems app and discover how much Krems offers with no entrance fee.
