Burgenland: Nature, Culture and Culinary Delights

At Illmitzer Sandeck, the view from the border tower stretches across the vast reed belt of the nature zone in Neusiedler See–Seewinkel National Park. A visit also offers the chance to see White Donkeys. Burgenland’s tourism offerings combine experiences like these in nature with culture, wine, health and sport—giving you several reasons to plan your trip around your own interests.

Experience nature and explore by bike

More than 340 different bird species have been recorded in the area around Lake Neusiedl. Protecting individual species is also part of Burgenland’s natural history: over recent decades, cooperation between nature conservation and agriculture has saved the Great Bustard from extinction. If you are looking for guided experiences, the region’s nature parks offer hikes with trained nature guides and canoe trips through river landscapes. Themed tours lasting around three hours are offered year-round in Neusiedler See–Seewinkel National Park; guided tours through the Seewinkel landscape are also available.

Cycling routes also offer different perspectives on the region. The National Park Cycle Route is a cross-border circuit through Neusiedler See–Seewinkel National Park and along the Einser Canal on the Hungarian side. The B10 Lake Neusiedl Cycle Route is suitable for family outings as well as sporty cyclists. Bicycle ferries dock at the small harbor next to Illmitz lido. If you plan to use one for your trip, check the timetable beforehand. The lido also has two children’s playgrounds; as facilities like these can change seasonally or after renovations, it is a good idea to check the latest information before your visit.

For getting your bearings in Eisenstadt, the tourist information office provides hiking and cycling maps. This makes it possible to treat activities such as a guided hike and a bike ride as separate items on your itinerary, rather than focusing on the same thing throughout your stay.

Cultural landscape and history

The Fertő/Neusiedlersee cultural landscape has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2001. It is considered a meeting place of different cultures for eight millennia—a long history that invites you to look beyond individual sights to the interplay of landscape and cultural heritage. In Rust, the historic old town is protected as an architectural ensemble.

Another way to explore cultural history is to visit the Haydn House in Eisenstadt, the former home of composer Joseph Haydn. Original furnishings from Haydn’s time are on display there. Together with Rust’s protected urban ensemble, these places offer different points of interest: one focuses on a composer’s life and preserved furnishings, while the other showcases the historic old town as a whole.

Wine, cuisine and regional routes

Wine and culinary events take place throughout the year across Burgenland, from north to south. One recurring wine tradition is Martiniloben: wine lovers go from cellar to cellar to taste, assess and name young wines. The Burgenland Culinary Route includes around 200 businesses, from Lake Neusiedl to southern Burgenland, and includes tours of the participating businesses. The number of participating businesses may change, so check the latest route details before planning.

The “Pannonian Delights” route passes through a total of eleven villages and towns in southern Burgenland. It brings together nature, cultural treasures and culinary highlights and can be explored by car. “Delights in Uhudlerland” features traditional vintner’s snacks; local agriculture and traditional crafts are presented as part of southern Burgenland’s culinary diversity. This makes it possible to combine culinary experiences with insights into regional traditions.

Health and hotel planning

Health is another topic with a specific local connection: AVITA Therme in Bad Tatzmannsdorf in southern Burgenland has more than 2,000 m² of water surface across 15 different thermal-water pools. These figures may change following renovations. Your reason for travelling can help determine your choice of hotel: a roughly three-hour national park tour, a cross-border cycling circuit, or a visit focused on culture and cuisine each brings a different emphasis to your stay.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Eisenstadt, Mattersburg, Oberpullendorf, Güssing, Neusiedl Am See, Oberwart, Rust, Jennersdorf.

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