The Regions of Lower Austria

Lower Austria comprises six holiday destinations, each with its own distinct character:

• The Weinviertel, north of Vienna, is characterised by gently rolling vineyards, wine cellar lanes and delightful cycle routes.
• The Waldviertel in the north of Lower Austria is known for its vast forests, granite formations, ponds, high moors and relaxing nature experiences.
• Danube Lower Austria stretches along the Danube between Upper Austria and the Slovakian border, combining river landscapes, picturesque towns, wine-growing regions and the Wachau UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• The Mostviertel lies between the Danube and the Alps, stretching from orchard meadows in the north to the alpine mountains around the Ötscher and Dürrenstein in the south.
• The Vienna Woods begin right on Vienna’s doorstep and combine vast deciduous forests, ideal for hiking and cycling, with the wine-growing villages of the Thermenregion and their vibrant Heurigen culture.
• The Vienna Alps, south of Vienna, are characterised by high-alpine landscapes, summer resorts and culture centred around the Rax, Schneeberg and Semmering.

• Weinviertel: ideal for wine and leisure holidays centred around wine cellar lanes (former wine production and storage sites), the ‘Heurigen’ culture  (wine taverns) and cycling adventures.
• Waldviertel: perfect for tranquillity, nature experiences and active getaways in peaceful countryside.
• Danube in Lower Austria: combines culture, viticulture and UNESCO World Heritage sites along the river.
• Mostviertel: a varied cycling, hiking and winter sports holiday between the Danube and the Alps.
• Vienna Woods: ideal for wine journeys and a combination of city and nature holidays.
• Vienna Alps: ideal for hiking, mountaineering and winter sports holidays in alpine scenery.

Lower Austria is not called the ‘vast land’ for nothing, and is less crowded than other Austrian federal states. Particularly in the Waldviertel, the Weinviertel and parts of the Mostviertel and the Vienna Alps, there are expansive landscapes offering plenty of space for outdoor activities and experiencing nature. You can also find your own favourite spots away from the well-known tourist destinations, both along the Danube and in the Vienna Woods. 

On the regional pages, as well as on our discovery journeys, city breaks and wine journeys, you will find curated travel tips tailored to different interests and lengths of stay.

The regions of Lower Austria can easily be combined within a single trip. A number of cycling and hiking routes lasting several days pass through multiple destinations, allowing you to experience the changing landscapes.

Cycling tours through several destinations: 

• Iron Curtain Trail through the Waldviertel and Weinviertel
• Kamp-Thaya-March Cycle Route from the Danube through the Waldviertel and Weinviertel
• Vienna Woods Loop through the Vienna Woods, along the Danube and through the Mostviertel
• EuroVelo 9 from the Weinviertel through the Vienna Woods to the Vienna Alps
• From the Danube cycle path, many tours can also be combined as circular routes through several regions, including the Ybbstal Cycle Path and the Erlauftal Cycle Path in a single loop, the Marchfeld Canal Cycle Route, or the Triestingau Cycle Path together with the Thermal Spa Cycle Path.
   

Hiking tours through several destinations: 

• Via Sacra through the Vienna Woods into the Mostviertel as far as Mariazell
• Jakobsweg along the Danube and through the Weinviertel
• The Vienna Pilgrimage Route from Vienna or Perchtoldsdorf to Mariazell
• North-South Long-Distance Hiking Trail 05 – stages from Nebelstein via the Wachau into the Alpine foothills as far as Mariazell
• Lower Austria Regional Circular Trail along the regional border
• Eastern Austrian Border Trail 07 through the Waldviertel, Weinviertel and the Vienna Alps

Thanks to good rail and bus connections, it is also possible to flexibly plan individual combinations of city breaks, nature walks and wine or culinary tours.