Lower Austria: Experience cultural history and nature

A railway line through the high mountains, historic palace complexes and a river landscape with vineyard terraces, forests and settlements along freely flowing water give Lower Austria a range of travel themes. Those who want to combine cultural history and nature will find a variety of ideas for planning their trip here.

Railways and cultural landscapes

The Semmering Railway was built through the high mountains between 1848 and 1854, covering 41 kilometres, and is still in operation. To experience this UNESCO World Heritage route on foot, you can start the Railway Hiking Trail at Semmering station. It follows the railway line and offers panoramic views. Check current operating details before travelling by train; conditions on the hiking trail can also change.

The Wachau cultural landscape brings together water, natural and near-natural areas, vineyard terraces, forests and settlements along the freely flowing Danube. It preserves material evidence of its historical development over more than two millennia. In this way, the landscape offers a perspective on a history that reaches far beyond individual periods.

Palaces, Romans and museums

In eastern Lower Austria, the more than 70-hectare Schloss Hof estate includes the two-storey palace, gardens and farmyard. The ensemble is of particular artistic and cultural-historical significance. The reconstructed garden can be experienced in its 18th-century appearance all the way to the final terrace. If you plan to visit the garden, check its current presentation in advance: details may change following restoration work.

The history of Schallaburg began around 1,000 years ago with the construction of a fortified residential castle. Its defensive complex still stands in front of the Renaissance palace built later. Almost 500 years ago, Schallaburg was expanded in the Italian style into the most magnificent Renaissance palace north of the Alps. Since its renovation 50 years ago, it has established itself as one of Austria's largest exhibition centres. The family programme covers themes ranging from the 1970s to Byzantium and the Danube; individual exhibitions change.

At the Roman town of Carnuntum, a fully functioning Roman city district has been rebuilt at its original location. The programme includes guided tours of Roman houses with tastings of Roman food and drink, gladiator shows and the interactive guided tour “Caesar Trophy.” These activities depend on scheduling and availability; check dates for your visit in advance.

Museums also have their own areas of focus: The Museum Niederösterreich presents special exhibitions that change every year at the House of History and the House of Nature, as well as guided tours and interactive programmes related to the exhibitions. The Tulln City Museum brings together the Roman Museum, a permanent exhibition documenting the imperial convent for women and the Virtulleum. Schloss Grafenegg is distinguished by a soaring tower, magnificent façades, elegant staircases and atmospheric arcades. The chapel houses a 15th-century altar.

River floodplains and mountain landscapes

The Donau-Auen National Park preserves the last large river floodplain landscape in Central Europe across more than 9,600 hectares. The Lower Austrian section extends to the Austrian state border with Slovakia near Bratislava. Marked hiking trails make it possible to explore on foot; the national park can also be experienced by bike or from the water.

The Ötscher-Tormäuer Nature Park combines gentle alpine pastures, deep gorges, waterfalls and caves in the rugged natural landscape around Ötscher. It is accessible by public transport on the Mariazell Railway. The seven nature park stations include Winterbach, Puchenstuben, Gösing, Reith, Wienerbruck, Erlaufklause and Mitterbach. Check current train connections before travelling.

When choosing a hotel, it helps to first decide on the focus of your trip: a railway and hiking experience, historic sites or nature. Check railway operating details and the dates and availability of activities that require advance scheduling for your travel dates. If you plan to visit several destinations, compare the specific connections. This will help you choose a hotel location that suits your itinerary.

Discover more destinations: Waidhofen an der Thaya, Gmünd, Hollabrunn, Mistelbach, Zwettl, Horn, Krems-Land, Tulln, Melk, Gänserndorf, Scheibbs, Mödling, Wien-Umgebung, Waidhofen an der Ybbs, Baden, Amstetten, Neunkirchen, Lilienfeld, Wiener Neustadt, Bruck an der Leitha, Korneuburg, Sankt Pölten, Felixdorf.

See the overview of destinations for the wider region: Austria.