Best Things to Do in Eisenstadt: See Esterházy Palace & More

I originally came to Eisenstadt just to see the famous Esterházy Palace. With such a small city, in fact, Eisenstadt calls itself “the smallest big city in the world”, I didn’t expect much else to do.

But I was pleasantly surprised. While it still feels more like a small town, Eisenstadt has a handful of charming sights and hidden corners that are well worth exploring.

If you visit with the right mindset, you’ll find a relaxed little city full of history, music, and a few unexpected gems. In this post, I’ll share the best things to do in Eisenstadt, so you can plan your own visit.

1. Visit Esterházy Palace

Esterházy Palace is easily the top attraction in Eisenstadt. The palace interiors are beautiful (some even rival those at Schönbrunn in Vienna), and it’s home to the stunning Haydnsaal, one of the most famous concert halls in the world.

You can also explore the colourful Joseph Haydn exhibition, visit the Wine Museum in the cellars, and relax at the courtyard café. Some rooms are only accessible with a guided tour, but there is plenty to see on your own too.

For all the details and tips for visiting, read my full guide to Esterházy Palace in Eisenstadt.

2. Stroll Through Schlosspark

Schlosspark Eisenstadt is a popular spot for locals to relax, have a picnic, or go for a walk. What I really liked is the mix of more manicured areas and wilder, overgrown corners, a lovely balance between cultivated beauty and natural charm.

Here are a few highlights to look out for:

• Orangery Palace
  You can’t go inside, but it’s absolutely worth stopping by for a look. I especially loved that the beds in front of it weren’t just flowers, they also had lots of herbs and vegetables in it.
• Schlossteich and Leopoldinentempel
  The prettiest spot in the whole park. The small lake had tortoises swimming in it, I even saw a tiny baby one (adorable!). The Leopoldinentempel looks beautiful from a distance, though up close you’ll notice it could use some restoration.
• Outdoor swimming pool
  If you’re visiting in summer and want to cool off, there’s even a public outdoor pool within the park, great for a quick dip on a hot day.

3. See the House Where Haydn Lived

If you’re a music lover, or just curious about local history, Haydn-Haus is worth a visit. This is the former home of composer Joseph Haydn, who lived here while working for the Esterházy family.

Inside, you’ll find exhibits about his life and work, original furnishings, and personal objects. It’s a small museum but very thoughtfully presented, and gives you a real sense of Haydn’s connection to Eisenstadt.

Tip: Even if you don’t go inside the museum, check out the gorgeous courtyard.

4. Explore the Bergkirche (Haydn Church)

Bergkirche is one of the most unusual churches I’ve ever visited, and definitely a hidden gem in Eisenstadt.

At the front, there’s a small chapel with steps leading up to it, but the main entrance is actually at the back. Inside, you’ll see an incredible ceiling fresco (it’s free to visit).

If you want to explore more, there’s a ticket (for the Haydn Mausoleum alone, or a combined ticket, which I’d recommend).

• Haydn Mausoleum
  This is where composer Joseph Haydn is buried. I found it a bit underwhelming, it’s a single small room where you can view the marble sarcophagus.
• Church Treasury
  A very small collection of religious artefacts. Honestly, it’s not very impressive compared to major treasuries like the one in Vienna.
• Kalvarienberg
  This was the real highlight for me. A door behind the altar leads to a cave-like tunnel system filled with statues depicting the Stations of the Cross. The best part: you can climb up to the roof for unique architecture and great views.

5. Enter the Dombastei (“Pulverturm”)

The Dombastei, also known as the Pulverturm, is one of the last remnants of Eisenstadt’s old city wall. You can go inside for free, it’s a small space, but worth a quick stop.

There’s a bench inside where you can sit and take in the atmosphere. It only takes a few minutes to visit, but it’s a nice little piece of local history to add to your walk through the old town.

6. Admire St. Martin’s Cathedral

St. Martin’s Cathedral is another spot you can visit for free while exploring Eisenstadt.

I especially loved the colourful, tilted windows, when the sun shines through them, the light inside is beautiful. The cathedral itself isn’t huge, but it’s a peaceful place to step inside for a few minutes and enjoy the atmosphere.

7. Stroll Through Matthias-Marckhl-Gasse

Matthias-Marckhl-Gasse is a small alley that connects St. Martin’s Cathedral to Hauptstraße. It’s a really charming little street, I loved the atmosphere here.

You’ll find small local shops, a few cosy cafés, and even a record store. It’s a great spot for a slow wander, and perfect if you’re looking to snap some pretty photos of Eisenstadt’s old town charm.

8. Enjoy Drinks or Vegan Food on Hauptstraße

You’d expect Hauptstraße to be a typical main street, but in Eisenstadt, it feels more like a main square. It’s a wide pedestrian area (no cars allowed, except for delivery vehicles). When I visited, they were even setting up for a local festival the next day.

The square is lined with cafés and restaurants, most with plenty of outdoor seating, perfect for people-watching or taking a break between sightseeing.

I had lunch at Altes Backhaus and really enjoyed it. They offer a daily changing menu, with one vegan option. The day I visited, they had vegan wraps, which were very fresh and tasty. They also serve vegan cakes if you’re just after coffee.

Tip: Don’t miss the beautiful facade of City Hall (Rathaus).

9. Visit the Landesmuseum & Landesgalerie Burgenland

The Landesmuseum Burgenland is currently closed for renovations until the end of 2026. However, since I want this to be a complete guide, I still wanted to include it, normally it’s one of the main cultural museums in Eisenstadt.

In the meantime, you can also check out the Landesgalerie Burgenland, which is usually open. Unfortunately, it was also closed when I visited, but in general it’s a good option for art lovers.

Tip: Be sure to check the gallery’s official website for current opening times, the times listed on Google are not always reliable.

10. Visit the Österreichisches Jüdisches Museum

Right next to the Landesmuseum Burgenland, you’ll find the Österreichisches Jüdisches Museum (Austrian Jewish Museum).

This small but important museum offers insight into Jewish history and life in Burgenland and the wider region. It’s housed in a historic building and includes exhibits on Jewish traditions, community life, and the local Jewish cemetery.

11. Hike to the Marientempel (Gloriette)

If you’re up for a walk, you can hike up to the Marientempel (also called the Gloriette), which sits on a hill above Eisenstadt. Be prepared, it’s quite a long uphill walk, taking at least 30 minutes from the city centre.

To be honest, I expected the view to be a bit better, because the area is surrounded by trees, the view is somewhat limited. But if you have the time, it’s still a nice spot.

The old temple is now home to a restaurant called Die Alm. They do have a few vegan dishes on the menu, so it’s a nice spot to take a break and enjoy a meal or just a drink after the walk.

12. Watch a Opera in the Quarry

Römersteinbruch Sankt Margarethen is a truly unique place to experience, it’s an ancient Roman quarry that’s now used as an open-air opera stage. Seeing a performance here is really special with massive stone backdrop.

The operas are performed in their original language with German subtitles. Whether it’s worth attending without being able to follow the subtitles is up to you.

If you have tickets for a performance, you can also join a guided stage tour beforehand (also in German).

Getting there is fairly easy:

• You can book a direct shuttle from Eisenstadt (or even from Vienna).
• Alternatively, take regional bus 285 from Eisenstadt train station towards Mörbisch am See, get off at St. Margarethen Abzw. Berg, and walk about 7 minutes from there (bus tickets can be purchased directly on board).
• If you have a car (or take a taxi), it’s about a 15-minute drive from Eisenstadt.

13. Relax at Lake Neusiedl

If you’re spending more than a day in Eisenstadt, Neusiedler See makes for a perfect side trip. This large steppe lake is a UNESCO World Heritage site and offers a completely different experience compared to the city sights.

Whether you enjoy walking, cycling, birdwatching, or simply relaxing by the water, there’s plenty to do around the lake.

Several small lakeside towns like Rust, Mörbisch am See, and Podersdorf am See are easy to reach from Eisenstadt and are great for a relaxed day by the lake.

Is Eisenstadt Worth Visiting?

If you enjoy exploring smaller, less touristy places with plenty of history and charm, then yes, Eisenstadt is absolutely worth visiting.

I’ll be honest, this isn’t the kind of place you visit endless attractions. But if you come with the right mindset, there’s definitely enough here to make for an enjoyable day.

Between the stunning Esterházy Palace, the beautiful park, the quirky Bergkirche, and a few hidden gems around the old town, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked my time in Eisenstadt.

And the good news is: you can easily see the highlights on a day trip from Vienna. For all the details, how to get there and how to fit the best things into one itinerary, check out my full post on my Eisenstadt day trip from Vienna.

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