Lower Austria: Castles, Vineyards, and River Valleys

Lower Austria is a region of quiet beauty, rich history, and some of the country’s most scenic landscapes.

The Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is famous for its rolling vineyards, medieval towns, and the blue Danube winding through it. Beyond the Wachau, you’ll find fairy-tale castles, deep forests, and peaceful countryside perfect for hiking and cycling.

Although it’s often overshadowed by nearby Vienna, Lower Austria offers a slower, more authentic side of Austrian life, with plenty of wine taverns, historic villages, and hidden gems waiting to be discovered.

Map of Lower Austria, a state in northeastern Austria, highlighted in green on the inset map. The capital St. Pölten is marked with a red square, and additional towns shown with red dots include Amstetten, Waidhofen an der Ybbs, Scheibbs, Melk, Lilienfeld, Wiener Neustadt, Neunkirchen, Baden, Mödling, Bruck an der Leitha, Gänserndorf, Korneuburg, Mistelbach, Hollabrunn, Horn, Krems an der Donau, Tulln an der Donau, Zwettl, Waidhofen an der Thaya, and Gmünd.