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5 Beautiful Castles Near Vienna You Can Visit Without A Car

ByTina Riegelnegg Updated on

Vienna is famous for its grand imperial palaces, but venture just a little beyond the city and you’ll discover castles that feel straight out of a fairytale, minus the crowds.

Some perch dramatically on forested hilltops, others are surrounded by peaceful parks or lakes. And the best part? You don’t need a car to reach them.

Since moving to Vienna, I’ve made it a personal mission to explore the most beautiful castles near the city by public transport, from medieval towers and royal ballrooms to quiet corners perfect for escaping the busy city life.

In this post, I’ll take you through my favourite easy castle day trips from Vienna, with tips on how to get there, what to expect, and who each one is best for.

1. Laxenburg Castle

Aerial view from the castle tower, showing Franzensburg Castle's spires and courtyards nestled beside the park lake, with a distant mountain backdrop.
View from the tower of Franzensburg

If I had to pick a personal favorite among all the castles near Vienna, it would be Laxenburg Castle Park, and not just because it’s so easy to reach. The park is beautiful, and feels more like a natural landscape than a manicured palace garden.

At the heart of the park sits Franzensburg, a romantic “show castle” built on an island to resemble a medieval fortress. You can take a guided tour of the towers, and I highly recommend it for the views alone!

  • How to Get There: Take bus 200 or 210 from Wien Hauptbahnhof to Laxenburg Franz-Joseph-Platz (about 35 minutes). Then walk 5-minute to the park entrance.
  • Best for: Anyone looking for a relaxing escape into nature with a touch of imperial charm. Perfect if you enjoy long walks, lake views, and unique architecture.
  • Reasons Not to Visit: While beautiful, Laxenburg is more about peaceful park strolls than palatial interiors. If you’re hoping for opulent ballrooms, this might not be your top pick.

👉 Read my full guide to Laxenburg Castle Park

2. Schloss Hof Estate

Expansive front view of Schloss Hof palace, with a manicured garden in the foreground and bright yellow and white baroque architecture.

If you’re looking for a grand palace experience without the crowds of Schönbrunn, Schloss Hof is a hidden gem worth discovering. Located near the Slovak border, it offers lavish rooms and peaceful baroque gardens.

Inside the palace, you’ll find elegant rooms (mostly reconstructions), a dramatic chapel, and rotating exhibitions. The real highlight, though, is the expansive garden, complete with fountains, flower beds, and plenty of quiet spots to relax.

  • How to Get There: Take the U2 metro to Hausfeldstraße, then catch bus 540 to Schloßhof Prinz-Eugen-Straße. The bus ride takes 1 hour, then it’s a 10 min walk.
  • Best for: Garden lovers, history buffs, and families. A perfect day trip if you want something regal and off the beaten path, without the hustle of the city.
  • Reasons Not to Visit: The bus schedule is limited, and Schloss Niederweiden, the nearby palace included in your ticket, isn’t worth it.

👉 Read my full guide to Schloss Hof

3. Esterházy Palace

Wide view of the grand Haydnsaal concert hall in Esterházy Palace, adorned with vivid ceiling frescoes and ornate baroque walls under elegant lighting.

Located in Eisenstadt, Esterházy Palace is one of Austria’s most elegant Baroque palaces, and a great day trip from Vienna. Once home to one of Central Europe’s most powerful noble families, it showcases lavish interiors and interesting exhibits.

Inside, you’ll find beautifully decorated rooms, the famous Haydnsaal concert hall, and exhibits on Joseph Haydn and the modern Esterházy family history. There’s also a quirky Wine Museum in the cellar. And don’t miss the beautiful palace park.

  • How to Get There: Take a train or bus from Wien Hauptbahnhof to Eisenstadt (~1 hour). From the train station, it’s a 15-minute walk, the bus stops right in front.
  • Best for: Lovers of elegant interiors, classical music fans, and anyone looking for a cultural day trip that’s easy to reach from Vienna without a car.
  • Reasons Not to Visit: It’s less dramatic from the outside than some medieval castles. There’s only one daily English tour, but you can visit without one.

👉 Read my full guide to Esterházy Palace

4. Liechtenstein Castle

View of the grand Liechtenstein Castle from below, with its fortified stone walls, towers, and red-tiled roofs rising against a clear blue sky, partially framed by green tree branches.

Perched on a cliff at the edge of the Vienna Woods, Liechtenstein Castle looks like it’s been lifted from a medieval fantasy. It’s the ancestral seat of the princely House of Liechtenstein, the royal family of the country with the same name.

The interior was rebuilt and furnished with historical pieces so the castle retains its charm. It has even featured in films like Robin Hood and The Three Musketeers. One of the highlights is the ornate spiral staircase, added during restoration.

  • How to Get There: Take a 20-minute train from Wien Hauptbahnhof to Mödling, then the bus 262 to Maria Enzersdorf Siedlungsstraße. From there, it’s a 10-minute walk.
  • Best for: Castle lovers, film fans, and anyone looking for a scenic, easy-to-reach day trip from Vienna without needing a car.
  • Reasons Not to Visit: You can only visit the insides with a tour. No photos allowed inside, and while beautiful, the rooms aren’t original.

👉 Read my full guide to Liechtenstein Castle

5. Kreuzenstein Castle

A frontal wide-angle view of Burg Kreuzenstein showing its high walls, watchtowers, and intricate gothic features, including pointed gables and fortified stone battlements. The bridge in the foreground adds to the fortress feel.

Just north of Vienna, Kreuzenstein Castle looks like something from a fantasy film, perched on a hill with towers and a drawbridge. It’s a 19th-century reconstruction, built by Count Wilczek on the ruins of a medieval fortress.

What makes it unique is that it was rebuilt using real medieval elements sourced from across Europe, giving it a dramatic and authentic look.

  • How to Get There: Take the S3 or S4 train from Wien Praterstern to Leobendorf Burg Kreuzenstein (about 30 minutes). From the station, it’s a slightly uphill 40-minute walk.
  • Best for: Travelers who enjoy fairytale-style castles and peaceful forest walks. A great choice if you’re based in Vienna or looking to explore lesser-known spots.
  • Reasons Not to Visit: The journey takes much longer than the time you’ll spend at the castle, and the tour can be underwhelming, my guide was unenthusiastic and didn’t offer an English explanation, even when asked.

👉 Read my full guide to Kreuzenstein Castle

Final Thoughts: Best Palaces Near Vienna

Whether you’re a fan of medieval towers, elegant ballrooms, or just looking for a peaceful spot away from the busy streets of Vienna, there’s a castle nearby that’s perfect for you.

The best part? With a bit of planning, all of these castles can be reached by public transport, no car needed, no tour required.

If you’re inspired to explore more of Austria beyond the capital, check out my full guide to the best day trips from Vienna by public transport. It’s packed with easy, no-car-needed ideas for exploring more hidden gems across the region.

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A travel collage titled “Most Beautiful Castles near Vienna,” featuring four striking photos: a woman overlooking Burg Liechtenstein, the towering medieval Burg Kreuzenstein, the cliff-top Burg Hohenwerfen, and a bright yellow baroque palace with formal gardens. Bold white and yellow text is centered, along with the Austrian flag and the URL AustrianVeganderlust.com.
Best Castles Near Vienna Austria to Visit Without a Car

Tina Riegelnegg is the founder of Austrian Veganderlust. After travelling the world and documenting her adventures on Veganderlust, she created this blog to share the beauty of her home country, Austria. Tina now focuses on helping travellers discover the best spots in Austria, including where to find the most delicious vegan food.