Lexi Webster
Eastern Austria is a gorgeous mix of landscapes and attractions. The flatlands of the Danube provide opportunities for cycling and walking, and the region is home to two of Austria's great cities, Vienna and Linz. Further east, the land rises towards the Eastern Alps, with the Alpine area of Ybbstal offering excellent walking in summer and skiing in winter. In the southeast corner of the country is Burgenland, a major wine-producing region known for its lavish 18th-century castles. Further south, the Carinthia region is another important wine-producing area, with many Renaissance buildings for history buffs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cities | Vienna, Linz, Graz, Salzburg, Klagenfurt |
| Rivers | Danube |
| Lakes | Hallstattersee, Wolfgangsee, Mondsee, Traunsee, Neusiedler See, Wörthersee |
| Mountains | Tyrolean Alps, Hohe Tauern National Park, Kitzsteinhorn, Grossglockner, Nordkette |
| Castles | Hochosterwitz Castle, Schloss Eggenburg, Schloss Riegersburg |
| Wine regions | Styria, Burgenland, Carinthia |
| Other | Melk Monastery, Old Town of St Polten, Haydn's castle in Eisenstadt, Zell am See, Bregenzerwald |
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What You'll Learn
Explore the cities of Linz and Vienna
Linz and Vienna, two cities in eastern Austria, offer a plethora of attractions for visitors. From historical landmarks to cultural experiences, here is a guide to help you explore these fascinating cities.
Linz, located in Upper Austria, is a city with a rich history and culture. One of the top attractions is the Pöstlingbergbahn, a mountain railway that takes you up to the pilgrimage basilica, Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows. This 18th-century church, with its stunning views of the city and the River Danube, is a must-see. Linz also offers interactive experiences such as the CITY QUEST LINZ, where you can uncover the secrets of the city, and the Linz Tourist Board provides valuable information for visitors.
For those interested in history, a visit to the museum dedicated to national-socialistic forced labourers is essential. It tells the stories of men, women, and children through 38,000 documents and survivor testimonies. Additionally, St. Florian and St. Peter's Abbey are notable sites to explore.
Now, let's move on to Vienna, Austria's capital, which is steeped in history and cultural significance. The Historic Centre of Vienna, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a great place to start your exploration. Here, you can visit the Schönbrunn Palace, once the summer residence of the Habsburg rulers, and admire its ceremonial rooms and gardens. The Kunsthistorisches Museum, with its classical concerts, is another must-see, as it showcases art and history.
Vienna is also known for its art museums, including the Belvedere, home to Gustav Klimt's famous painting, "The Kiss". The Albertina is renowned for its prestigious art exhibitions, featuring world-famous artists. Don't miss the Heeresgeschichtliches Museum, which displays items like the car and clothes of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, with bullet holes and stains from his assassination, an event that sparked World War I.
Lastly, for a unique architectural experience, visit the Hundertwasserhaus, an apartment block designed by Friedensreich Hundertwasser, with its colourful and quirky features. Vienna's traditional coffee houses, such as Café Central and Café Sacher, are also worth a visit, as they have been hubs for conversation, literature, and even political movements.
Both Linz and Vienna offer a wealth of cultural and historical experiences, making them captivating destinations in eastern Austria.
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Tour the wine-growing villages of Styria
Eastern Austria is a gorgeous mix of landscapes and attractions. The region is known for its flat, reedy countryside, which is ideal for cycling and touring the pretty wine-growing villages nearby. One such village is Ehrenhausen, which offers unique walking and hiking trails that wind through local vineyards, providing magnificent views and scenery. Ehrenhausen is also home to the Berghausen Bear Farm, the wooden ball track, and the Villa Retznei Museum.
For those interested in wine, the Styria wine region is a must-visit. Although the quantities of wine produced here are low, the quality is exceptional. The region is characterised by rolling green hills, forests, and quaint villages filled with magical winery taverns known as buschenschank, where you can pair Steiermark wine with local dishes. The three sub-regions of Styria—Vulkanland, Weststeiermark, and Sudsteiermark—offer unique wine experiences. For example, the Südsteiermark region is known for its Riedenweine, the highest-quality wines made from grapes sourced from a single vineyard.
If you're looking for a more active wine-tasting experience, the Styrian Wine Country cycling tour might be perfect for you. This 400-kilometre circular route takes you through three wine-growing areas, including the capital of the Schilcherland region, Deutschlandsberg, and the historic village of St. Ruprecht an der Raab. Along the way, you can sample Styria's famous pumpkin seed oil and other regional delicacies like Vulcano ham and hand-made Zotter chocolate.
For a more urban experience, Graz, Styria's provincial and culinary capital, offers plenty of attractions, including castles, museums, walks along the river Mur, and a lively nightlife. Graz was named the European Capital of Culture in 2003, and it attracts many visitors with its historic roads, lanes, squares, and courtyards.
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Visit the medieval monastery in Melk
Eastern Austria boasts a gorgeous mixture of scenery and attractions. The majestic Eastern Alps, the atmospheric wetlands bordering Hungary, and the flat countryside of quaint villages and lush farmland along the Danube River are all sights to behold. Among these attractions is the medieval monastery in Melk, a must-see destination that stands as a testament to the region's rich history. Here are some insights into this remarkable place:
The Abbey's History
Melk Abbey, founded in 1089, has a long and fascinating history. The current Baroque structure, built between 1702 and 1736, replaced an earlier abbey that was sacked and left in ruins by the Turks in 1683. Abbot Berthold Dietmayr, elected in 1700, envisioned a grand building to raise the abbey's profile, leading to the construction of the lavish church and monastery in the Baroque style.
Architectural Marvels
The abbey is renowned for its stunning architecture, offering postcard-perfect views over the Austrian town of Melk. The eastern facade, with its small balcony where the abbot greeted guests, is particularly striking. Inside, the two-story Benedict Hall leads to the Prelate's Courtyard, where you'll find the imposing church, Stiftskirche. The church's design exudes a quiet grandeur, and its simple exterior belies the artistic treasures within.
Library and Treasures
The library of Melk Abbey is a true highlight, with eleven rooms housing approximately 100,000 volumes. The artistic decoration reflects the monks' high regard for their library, second in importance only to the church. The abbey also features a unique exhibition of art and multimedia in the Abbey Museum, showcasing the monastery's 900-year history. Among the treasures on display are a reusable coffin and a highly intricate treasure chest.
Gardens and Surroundings
The abbey is surrounded by beautiful gardens, providing a peaceful escape for visitors. The abbey overlooks the tiny village of Melk, which can be reached via the "Beggars Staircase." The Wachau Valley, a UNESCO cultural site, adds to the natural beauty of the area. The nearby Babenberg Towers, part of the former fortress, and the Gatekeeper's Courtyard further enhance the historical ambiance of the abbey and its surroundings.
Cultural Significance
Melk Abbey has been a premier monastic academy for centuries and is known for its academic stature. Notable alumni include prominent Austrian composers, musicians, writers, and painters. The abbey's scriptorium and extensive manuscript collection have contributed to its reputation as one of Austria's top historical attractions and a "Best Historical Destination," as named by National Geographic Traveler Magazine in 2008.
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Discover the natural beauty of the Eastern Alps
The Eastern Alps are a sight to behold, with breathtaking scenery and a dramatic landscape. Stretching from west to east, the Austrian Alps have been inhabited for thousands of years. The range is broader and less arched than the Western Alps, with majestic peaks soaring above 9,750 feet and glaciers that give way to sweeping Alpine meadows. The land is full of ice caves, salt mines, deep gorges, and hot springs, with new and exciting sights around every corner.
The Eastern Alps include the eastern parts of Switzerland, all of Liechtenstein, and most of Austria, from Vorarlberg to the east. The Swiss canton of Grisons is the source of the Alpine Rhine, which flows through the valley and forms the border between Switzerland and Liechtenstein before separating Switzerland from Austria to the east. The landscape is diverse, with a predominance of hilly and mountainous terrain, as well as glaciers and forests.
Austria's cable cars provide eco-friendly access to the mountains, allowing visitors to explore the peaks sustainably. The country's hiking trails offer a variety of natural experiences, from majestic Alps and rolling hills to crystal-clear mountain lakes. Along the way, rustic mountain huts offer a cosy atmosphere and regional specialties. The Salzkammergut, known as Austria's lake district, is easily accessible and boasts beautiful still lakes surrounded by mighty peaks. It offers a range of activities, including swimming, watersports, and skiing.
The Eastern Alps also encompass parts of Southern Germany, northwestern Italy, northeastern Italy, and northern Slovenia. In the south, the range is bound by the Italian Padan Plain, while the Danube River separates it from the Bohemian Massif in the north. The Hohe Tauern National Park, located in the Central Eastern Alps in Austria, is the source of the Mur River, a 464-kilometre-long river in Central Europe.
Whether you're hiking, skiing, or simply taking in the views, the Eastern Alps will leave you in awe. The region's dramatic countryside, majestic peaks, and abundant natural wonders will create unforgettable experiences and a deeper appreciation for the natural world.
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Cycle through the flat, reedy countryside
Eastern Austria is a gorgeous mix of landscapes and attractions. The flat, reedy countryside is ideal for cycling and exploring the pretty wine-growing villages nearby. If you're looking for a holiday on two wheels, Austria has countless cycling paths for all ages and skill levels. Biking has become one of the most popular ways to experience the country's countryside, small towns and cities.
In Eisenstadt, you can tour the Esterházy Palace, where composer Joseph Haydn spent most of his life. Graz in Styria is Austria's second-largest city and a great base for exploring the region. There are plenty of things to see and do, including castles, museums, walks along the River Mur, strolls in the old town, and a lively nightlife.
The fertile plain of the Danube provides wonderful opportunities for cycling, walking, and nature-watching among timeless villages and lush farmland. The Danube Valley is one of the parts of Austria that is most suitable for settlement, with arable and climatically favourable conditions. The river flows through the provinces of Upper Austria and Lower Austria, and the historic German border town of Passau is a great place to start your cycling journey. The trail follows the Danube through the beautiful landscape of the Upper-Danube Valley to Vienna, passing towns from Roman times, Baroque monasteries, and churches. Along the way, you'll see the city of Linz, the Baroque abbey of St. Florian, many nearby castles, and the famous "Wachau" region with its charming villages, vineyards, and romantic fruit orchards. Don't miss a visit to the Baroque Abbey of Melk, which overlooks the Danube.
For a longer cycling adventure, you can continue past Vienna to the Hainburg area, close to the border with Slovakia, which is the end of the marked bike trail. This trail features mostly traffic-free paths along the Danube River, with flat or slightly downhill sections. Some points of interest will require short uphill battles.
If you're looking for a more challenging ride, head to the Austrian Alps, which offer plenty of opportunities for mountain biking and gravel biking. The Salzkammergut region, easily accessible from Salzburg or southern Germany, is Austria's lake district, with beautiful still lakes surrounded by mighty peaks. The main town of the area, Bad Ischl, is an attractive and lively spa town. A suggested cycling route takes you from Salzburg to St. Gilgen on the Wolfgangsee lake, then along to St. Wolfgang and Bad Ischl, where Emperor Franz Joseph once stayed. Further south, the trail will lead you to the picturesque town of Hallstatt, with its Celtic museum.
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Frequently asked questions
Vienna and Linz are two of the great cities of Eastern Austria. Vienna is one of the cultural and commercial centres of Europe, rich in history and architecture.
The Eastern Alps, the Salzkammergut lake district, and the Neusiedler See, Austria's largest lake, are all popular natural landmarks in Eastern Austria.
Melk, St Polten, Graz, and Zell am See are all popular towns to visit in Eastern Austria.
Cycling, walking, nature-watching, and touring vineyards are all popular activities in Eastern Austria.
