{"id":36881,"date":"2025-05-06T12:57:27","date_gmt":"2025-05-06T10:57:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/checkinblog.it\/?p=36881"},"modified":"2025-05-06T12:57:27","modified_gmt":"2025-05-06T10:57:27","slug":"what-to-visit-day-trip-lower-austria","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/checkinblog.it\/en\/what-to-visit-day-trip-lower-austria\/","title":{"rendered":"Maria Enzersdorf and M\u00f6dling (Lower Austria): a day trip from Vienna with history, castles, and unspoiled nature"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lower Austria<\/strong> is the largest federal state in the country and includes the city of Vienna<\/strong>. Crossed by the Danube<\/strong>, this territory boasts a great variety of landscapes<\/strong> and is therefore the ideal destination for those who want to take a day trip from the capital<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

In my case, I travelled about 20 km south of Vienna<\/strong>, in the heart of the Wienerwald<\/strong>, between the towns of Maria-Enzersdorf and M\u00f6dling<\/strong>. I was able to admire three castles<\/strong>, walk along various paths<\/strong> that cross the area and that tell part of its history and then enjoy the relaxed atmosphere<\/strong> that still characterizes these two towns close to the Austrian capital city.<\/p>\n

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Maria-Enzersdorf and M\u00f5dling, an excursion in Lower Austria from Vienna<\/span><\/h2>\n

Both locations are well served by regional trains<\/strong> from the capital and are therefore ideal destinations for those who want to travel by public transport<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

More information about this is reported at the end of the article.<\/p>\n

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Schloss<\/span> Hunyadi
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From the Brunn-Maria Enzersdorf railway station, I take about twenty minutes to arrive in front of this late-Baroque castle<\/strong> that takes its name from the family that lived here between the 19th-20th centuries<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Today, the fortress and surrounding gardens are owned by the Municipality and are used for weddings and other private events<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"Hunyadi<\/a>
The Schloss Hunyadi<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Liechtenstein Castle and Park<\/span><\/h3>\n

I need another ten minutes to reach the vaste<\/strong> green area<\/strong> that borders parts of the towns of Maria-Enzersdorf and M\u00f6dling. Inside, there is a dense network of mostly flat paths<\/strong> that allow you to discover various points of interest. You walk immersed in unspoiled nature<\/strong>, and sometimes only the echo of passing airplanes reminds me that Vienna is just a few kilometers away.<\/p>\n

\"Walks<\/a>
Along the hiking path around Burg Liechtenstein<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The first must-see stop is Burg Liechtenstein<\/strong>, one of the most famous attractions of the Wienerwald<\/strong>, the Vienna Woods that extends to the west of the Austrian capital. This is a picturesque castle rich in history as it was erected around 1130<\/strong>. It is here that the Liechtenstein dynasty originated<\/strong>, which is the princes of the state located between Austria and Switzerland.<\/p>\n

\"Castles<\/a>
Burg Liechtenstein<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Over the centuries, the estate had other owners and returned to the original family at the beginning of the 19th century. Despite various interventions (and damages), some of the original Romanesque parts have still been preserved<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Ps: the word Liechtenstein<\/strong> means “light stone<\/strong>” and derives from the type of material used for the construction<\/strong> of the building, an unusual choice in this area.<\/p>\n

The castle<\/strong> is open all year round<\/strong>, with variable hours depending on the season. There are only guided tours<\/strong> (also in English).<\/p>\n

All information is provided on the Burg Liechtenstein website<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Entrance<\/strong> is free<\/strong> with the Vienna Pass<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Day-out<\/a>
Panoramic view of Burg Liechtenstein<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Then, I enter in the surrounding park where some remains of structures erected by the princes of the House are scattered.<\/p>\n

The amphitheatre<\/strong> is one of the best examples. Dating back to 1810-1811<\/strong> and clearly inspired by the Roman \u201cColosseo<\/em>\u201d, it was commissioned by Prince Giovanni I Giuseppe<\/strong> to embellish the pine forest he had planted a few years earlier.<\/p>\n

\"Roman-style<\/a>
The “Roman Amphitheatre” near Burg Liechtenstein<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The green area around the Kalenderberg hill<\/strong> is crossed by numerous paths<\/strong>, and therefore various detours are possible. In this Komoot track<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/a> you get an idea of the route I had planned, even if once there I followed it only in certain sections.<\/p>\n

The Pfefferb\u00fcchsel<\/strong> (point no. 2<\/em> on the map) is what remains of the Chapel of Giovanni del Pellegrino<\/strong> built by the prince himself in 1818<\/strong>. It was destroyed thirty years later without ever having been repaired.<\/p>\n

\"Pfefferb\u00fcchsel<\/a>
The remains of the Pfefferb\u00fcchsel<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Continuing towards M\u00f6dling<\/strong>, you walk uphill until you reach a panoramic point<\/strong> (no. 3<\/em>) overlooking the castle<\/strong> situated on the other side of the valley and which I will reach shortly.<\/p>\n

The last stop on this side is near the Schwarzer Turm<\/strong>, the \u201cBlack Tower<\/em>“, also built by Prince Giovanni I Giuseppe<\/strong> on the land where an ancient lookout post once stood. From here you enjoy a splendid view of the aqueduct<\/strong> that supplies the city of Vienna.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>
The view over the Black Tower and the Aqueduct in M\u00f6dling<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Burg M\u00f6dling<\/span><\/h3>\n

My hike continues on the opposite side, and to go down to the valley I decide to pass by the staircase at the foot of the Black Tower<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

I suggest paying a little attention because the stone steps<\/strong> are quite irregular<\/strong> and can be slippery<\/strong> in the event of rain (there is a handrail). I guess there’s a simpler alternative anyway.<\/p>\n

Crossing the bridge over the river M\u00f6dlingbach leads to a cycle and pedestrian path<\/strong> that connects some of the villages in the area.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>
Along the cycle-pedestrian trail in M\u00f6dling<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I follow the flat stretch until I take the detour<\/strong> on the left that goes up into the woods towards the Burg M\u00f6dling<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

It is a castle dating back to the 12th century<\/strong> used as both a noble residence and a defensive structure. For this reason, it was destroyed and rebuilt several times until it was finally abandoned in the seventeenth century.<\/p>\n

The fortress has however been secured<\/strong> and is therefore freely accessible<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"Castles<\/a>
The remains of Burg M\u00f6dling<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Where to eat in M\u00f6dling<\/span><\/h2>\n

Back on the cycle-pedestrian path, I pass a series of houses that lead me to the gardens at the foot of the Aqueduct<\/strong>. I am now near the city centre of M\u00f6dling<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"Charming<\/a>
Wandering across M\u00f6dling city centre<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

My choice for lunch – which then proved to be a good one – was the Maut Wirtshaus tavern<\/strong>, equipped with outdoor tables and I gladly take advantage of it given the beautiful spring day. As a main course<\/strong>, I ordered the Steirischer Backhenderlsalat<\/strong>, that is a fried chicken salad in the Styrian style accompanied by mixed vegetables.<\/p>\n

For dessert<\/strong>, I went for a classic of Austrian cuisine<\/strong> and one of my absolute favorites, the Apfelstrudel<\/strong>!<\/p>\n

\"Traditional<\/a>
The Steirischer Backhenderlsalat<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The experience was definitely good, also considering the price<\/strong>, which was cheaper<\/strong> compared to the average in Vienna. In total, I spent 25 \u20ac, 10% tip included<\/strong> (which is almost mandatory here).<\/p>\n

The menu can be consulted on the restaurant’s website<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

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How to reach Maria-Enzersdorf and M\u00f6dling from Vienna<\/span><\/h2>\n

Organizing this excursion by public transport<\/strong> was really easy because the connections, both by road and rail, are frequent, punctual, and also economical.<\/p>\n

I traveled by train<\/strong>, deciding to get off at Brunn-Maria Enzersdorf and then return to Vienna from M\u00f6dling. Both stations are located just over 1 Km from their respective urban centers.<\/p>\n

Travel times and walking distances<\/strong> are approximately:<\/p>\n