green grass field near lake under blue sky during daytime
a train traveling down tracks next to a river
a car is parked on the side of the road
a river running through a lush green forest
a large building with a lawn in front of it

Holiday in Lower Austria

Region in Austria — tips, highlights & best time to visit 🇦🇹

Country

Austria

Type

Region

Best time to travel

Apr–Oct (Wachau/Wine), year-round (Thermal Spas)

Budget/day

80–130 €

Getting there from Germany

Accessible by train via Vienna. By car via the A1 (Westautobahn). Vienna International Airport is located in Lower Austria.

About Lower Austria

Lower Austria, the largest federal state of Austria, encompasses the capital Vienna and offers an astonishing landscape and cultural diversity. The centerpiece is the Wachau, a 36-kilometer stretch of the Danube between Melk and Krems, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2000. Steep vineyard terraces, medieval castle ruins like Dürnstein and Aggstein, as well as the magnificent monasteries of Melk and Göttweig — both masterpieces of Baroque architecture — shape this unique cultural landscape. The Weinviertel in the northeast is Austria's largest wine-growing region and delights with gentle hilly landscapes, idyllic wine cellar lanes, and the characteristic Grüner Veltliner. In the south, the Vienna Woods impress as the green lung at the gates of Vienna, while the Mostviertel offers a natural spectacle with its blooming pear tree avenues in spring. The thermal spa line on the eastern edge of the Alps attracts with wellness and enjoyment. For nature lovers, the Danube-Auen National Park is a paradise — one of the last large river floodplain landscapes in Central Europe with beavers, sea eagles, and primeval forest-like woods. The Danube Cycle Path runs through the entire federal state as one of Europe's most popular long-distance cycling routes. Culturally, the Festspielhaus St. Pölten, the Kunstmeile Krems, and numerous castle concerts set accents throughout the year. Lower Austria combines nature experiences, wine culture, and Baroque splendor in a compact space.

Nature
100
Safety
93
Culture
70
Adventure
70
Food
65

Top 5 highlights in Lower Austria

The places you absolutely must not miss.

1

Wachau

The UNESCO World Heritage Danube Valley between Melk and Krems with vineyard terraces, apricots, and the ruins of Dürnstein.

2

Stift Melk

The magnificent Benedictine monastery above the Danube is a masterpiece of Baroque architecture and the inspiration for Umberto Eco.

3

Semmering

The Semmering Railway (UNESCO World Heritage) and the historic grand hotel flair of a legendary spa resort.

4

Weinviertel

Gentle hills, wine cellar lanes, and excellent Grüner Veltliner – Austria's largest wine-growing region.

5

Schneeberg

Lower Austria's highest mountain (2,076m) is easily accessible via the Salamander cog railway.

Hotels in Lower Austria

Vergleiche tausende Hotels, Apartments und Resorts auf Expedia – mit Bestpreis-Garantie, kostenloser Stornierung und Bonuspunkten.

Über 700.000 Hotels
Kostenlose Stornierung
Bestpreis-Garantie
Hotels in Lower Austria vergleichen

* Weiterleitung zu Expedia.de. Es gelten die dortigen Nutzungsbedingungen.

Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen

Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie

Best time to travel for Lower Austria

Recommended travel time

Apr–Oct (Wachau/Wine), year-round (Thermal Spas)

Summer

22–30 °C, Pannonian warm

Winter

-2–5 °C

How much does a holiday in Lower Austria cost?

Average costs per person per day

🎒

Budget

45–70 €

Hostel, Street food, Public transport

🏨

Mid-range

80–130 €

Hotel, Restaurant, Excursions

🌟

Luxury

150–280 €

Boutique hotel, Fine dining

Book a package holiday to Lower Austria

Compare thousands of package holidays to Lower Austria and find the best deals with flight & hotel.

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5 travel tips for Lower Austria

Insider knowledge that makes your holiday better.

The Wachau Cycle Path along the Danube is one of the most beautiful cycling routes in Europe.

Wachau apricot is a protected specialty – try it in June.

Heurigen culture: Wineries serve their own wine with cold platters.

The Lower Austria Card offers admission to over 300 excursion destinations.

Stift Melk and Stift Göttweig can be easily combined as a day trip from Vienna.

Food & drink in Lower Austria

These specialties you must try!

Wachau apricot dumplings
Grüner Veltliner
Mostviertler pear cider
Waldviertler poppy specialties
Wachau rolls
Heuriger spread platter
Suitable for:WineDanubeUNESCOCyclingEnjoyment

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