Sankt Andrä am Zicksee: Lake, Nature and Culture

In Sankt Andrä am Zicksee, the lake, seasonal nature and church history exist side by side. When planning a stay, the changing seasons, connections to cycling routes and opportunities for a short visit to the monastery offer practical points of reference. Regional specialties also help shape the character of the town.

Water, Birds and the Zicksee

The Zicksee has a water surface of more than 120 hectares (1.2 km²). When full, it is more than 1.5 metres deep; the water level can vary. These figures describe the lake’s size and depth, while its actual water level remains changeable.

The Sankt Andräer Zicksee is an important stopover for various species of waterfowl, especially in autumn. The birds also occasionally use the lake during the winter months. The seasons therefore differ markedly: autumn is the main season, while birds may also be present in winter, though this should not be expected throughout the season.

Ground squirrels and campers also live side by side at the campsite. The ground squirrels are present seasonally; as protected animals, they should not be disturbed. Surfing is among the leisure activities mentioned at the Zicksee and in Sankt Andrä am Zicksee. Conditions and availability may depend on the season or water level.

On Foot, by Bike and at the Horse Farm

Starting points for walking and running routes can be found at every front door in the town. This provides general guidance for these activities, without referring to a specific route or distance.

Sankt Andrä am Zicksee is listed as one of the named places along the 154.08-kilometre NP1 Neusiedl am See National Park Cycling Route. The town is also listed as one of the places along the 8.67-kilometre St. Martins Therme (B28) connecting cycle route. These figures refer to the total length of each route, so they represent two different scales: a longer national park cycling route and a shorter connection.

At Reiterhof Romy, the Göghhof in Sankt Andrä am Zicksee, horse lovers can meet horses. If you would like to include this in your plans, confirm current arrangements directly with the provider.

Church, Monastery and Historical Connections

The Catholic parish church of St. Andrew is dedicated to Saint Andrew and is protected as a historic monument by regulation. The monument register entry is dated 28 May 2024. The parish of Sankt Andrä am Zicksee was first mentioned by name around 1700. The two dates have different meanings: around 1700 refers to the parish’s first mention by name, while 2024 is the date of the register entry.

Since December 2001, Sankt Andrä am Zicksee has been a World Heritage municipality in the Neusiedler See region. The region is part of the cross-border UNESCO World Heritage Site. The townscape thus brings together local church history and a regional, international connection.

The Monastery of the Protection of the Most Holy Mother of God and Saint Paisios of Mount Athos welcomes visitors for short visits outside its opening hours, provided they call or send a message in advance. If you are planning such a visit, arrange it directly with the monastery beforehand.

Regional Specialties and When to Visit

Regional specialties include ice wines, Trockenbeerenauslese wines, honey wine and sweet dessert wines. The selection combines different wines with honey wine, giving the town a culinary connection as well. If regional specialties are of interest when planning your trip, these specific names offer a taste of the town’s character.

When choosing when to visit, it is useful to compare the nature-related activities: the stopover of various waterfowl species is especially significant in autumn and occasionally also takes place in winter. Surfing is also mentioned as a leisure activity, though conditions may depend on the season and water level. This lets you plan your visit around your interests without treating the seasonal differences as equivalent.

Discover more destinations: Jois, Halbturn, Pamhagen, Frauenkirchen, Illmitz, Tadten, Nickelsdorf, Gols.

For the regional travel overview: Neusiedl Am See.