Visiting Laxenburg Castle Park (Easy Day Trip from Vienna)

Are you the type of traveler who never misses going outdoors to breathe some fresh air and unwind in nature during your travels? In Vienna, Laxenburg Castle Park is one of the nicest options you can choose from in this regard. It is Austria’s largest landscaped garden, a beautiful place to spend time with nature while getting an experience that is a blend of fairytale and history.

Good to know: Laxenburg Castle Park, along with other nearby castles from Vienna such as Liechtenstein Castle and Kreuzenstein Castle, is located in Lower Austria. It’s situated just on the outskirts of the city, making it one of the easiest day trips you can take from Vienna. Conveniently, if you depart from the main train station in Vienna, it’s only a 30-to-40-minute bus journey to reach Laxenburg Palace Park.

In this post, I’ll show you some of the beautiful things I discovered in Laxenburg Castle Park as well as the activities that you can try should you decide to visit. 

Overview

Being a wanderer at heart and a big fan of romanticism, I’m always attracted to serene and quaint destinations that inspire me visually and allow for introspection. I think it is this aspect of my personality that draws me to places like Laxenburg Castle Park.

What particularly caught my eye there was the stunning view of Franzensburg, sitting in the middle of a lake. Known as ‘Austria’s little treasure house,’ Franzensburg is a replica of a medieval knight’s castle, designed by Emperor Franz II in the early 19th century. Interestingly, during my research and exploration, I learned that Laxenburg Castle Park is more than a place for recreation and leisure. Its appearance suggests that it has some historical significance, and indeed it does… Laxenburg Castle Park is closely linked to the Habsburgs.

When some members of the Habsburg family wanted to spend quality time during the spring and summer, they stayed here. It also served as their summer residence, much like Schönbrunn Palace. This makes Laxenburg another special destination for history buffs interested in the lives of the Habsburg family. Some of the members of the Habsburg family used the park as their hunting grounds.

Did you know that Empress Sisi spent her honeymoon in Laxenburg Castle after her splendid wedding with Emperor Franz Joseph? Also, her son, Crown Prince Rudolph, was born in Laxenburg Castle. This is why, when exploring the park and the museum in it, you’ll find memorials and exhibits related to the Habsburg family.

Should You Visit

For wanderers, I think Laxenburg Castle Park is a nice place to explore, with little treasures scattered all around. You’ll find follies, natural monuments, romantic bridges, and scenic garden spaces. There’s also a temples perfect for Instagram. I’ve included photos of these, which you’ll see later in this post, so make sure to stick around until the end!

But how about for everybody? Is Laxenburg Castle Park worth visiting or a day trip from Vienna? Okay, let’s get straight to the point: While Laxenburg Castle Park is historically interesting, looks like a fairytale, and is undoubtedly a great place to relax, I have to tell you this—it isn’t as deeply memorable as visiting Vienna’s grand palaces, spectacular churches, and intriguing museums.

Like, you must see how magnificent and picturesque Schönbrunn Palace and its gardens are. Or how spectacular and insightful Hofburg is during a visit. And don’t miss the famous artworks in Belvedere Palace! Vienna also boasts these palatial museums. For instance, the Kunsthistorisches Museum and the Museum of Military History. Lastly, let’s not forget the breathtaking churches in the city. Take a glimpse at the Gothic Stephansdom, the Baroque Peterskirche, or Karlskirche, which blends different architectural styles!

However, if you want to make the most of your time relaxing in nature, you should find Laxenburg Castle Park worthwhile. Don’t you think? It’s a good travel tip during your trip to Vienna to breathe some fresh air, take in picturesque views, and discover something new about Austria all at the same time! It’s an awesome, easy escape from the busy tourist attractions in the city.

Getting There

If you want to visit Laxenburg Castle Park, let’s now get into details. 

Laxenburg Castle Park is precisely located in Laxenburg, a small town about 18 miles or 30 kilometers south of Vienna. Given the town’s size, you should have no trouble finding it. Renting a car to visit Laxenburg Castle Park isn’t necessary unless you plan to continue on to another destination that doesn’t have direct bus or train connections from Laxenburg. For instance, you might consider Liechtenstein Castle, which is another amazing day trip from Vienna.

What to Expect

Really, it’s a big romantic park—that’s the impression that remained in my mind after exploring Laxenburg Castle Park. It’s hard to compare its size to other parks anywhere else, but the numbers should clearly give you an idea: 280 hectares. If you’re planning to explore the entire park, make sure to wear comfortable walking shoes. You might find it hard to believe, but Laxenburg Castle Park boasts about 10 kilometers of pathways.

There are three themed routes named after the Habsburg family members closely associated with the castle park: Sisi-Runde, Franz-Runde, and Rudolf-Runde, listed from longest to shortest. I recommend Sisi-Runde to see all the little gems of Laxenburg Castle Park. What’s nice about these paths is the benches located nearby. If you need to take a breather, you can sit and soak in the beautiful views of the different park’s landmarks and of its lake.

Three main landmarks stand out in Laxenburg Castle Park: Blauer Hof, Altes Schloss, and Franzensburg. Blauer Hof is the grand building you’ll see right at the park’s entrance. Altes Schloss, a large, old structure, is the first thing you’ll notice as you step into the gardens. Architecturally, there’s not much that’s interesting about these two landmarks. The interiors are beautiful, but if you’ve already visited other palaces in Vienna, you can definitely skip this part.

While there’s not much to look forward to in these places, they hold some historical significance. It was in Altes Schloss, in particular, where some of the members of the Habsburg family spent their springtime.

The real highlight of Laxenburg Castle Park, though, is Franzensburg, its third main landmark. Built like an old German castle and set in the middle of a lake in the park’s garden, it’s a dream come true for romantics. Nowadays, it functions as a museum.

Come inside to see beautiful interiors: rich furnishings, coffered wood ceilings, and leather wall coverings.

You can also find old items used to decorate the rooms, which are from the late 1500s and 1600s. Most of them are from Lower Austria. The rooms give off the vibe of being designed for legendary knights. It’s an absolute work of art representing Romanticism. This feeling intensifies when you lay eyes on the paintings of Emperor Franz II and Emperor Maximilian I, famously known as the last knight.

For me, the room that stands out the most, both in terms of its impressive architecture and historical significance, is the Habsburg Hall. This is where statues of Habsburg emperors come together in one room, beneath a beautiful Gothic ceiling.

If the weather’s on your side, you can also climb up to the castle’s tower and ramparts. From there, you’ll be treated to a sweeping 360-degree panorama that extends from the Vienna Woods all the way to the Leitha Mountains.

Should you wish to venture inside Franzenburg, please be aware that this is only possible by joining a guided tour. These tours occur four times a day, between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm. You can also visit the tower as part of a separate guided tour, which is charged individually. This tour takes place twice daily, at 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm.

With that in mind, if you’re interested in these experiences, an afternoon visit to Laxenburg Castle Park would be ideal. Please note that schedules can change, so it’s recommended to check the official website of Laxenburg Castle Park, which is linked in the resources section of this post.

As you probably know, exploring Laxenburg Castle doesn’t stop at Franzensburg. Outside the castle walls and along the footpaths, there’s more to discover, such as the Gotischebrücke. This stone arch bridge, found at the lake’s southernmost edge, is, in my opinion, another romantic spot in Laxenburg Castle Park.

A mere five-minute stroll from Gotischebrücke will lead you to Kaskadenbrücke. This bridge, which arches over the park’s 2000-meter-long canal, is among the most picturesque locations, thanks to its position that provides a symmetrical view of the canal.

Here’s a little insider tip: There’s a chair situated near the lower part of the canal close to Kaskadenbrücke. It’s a fantastic place to unwind and soak in the peacefulness of the surroundings.

More Photos

Beyond what I’ve already pointed out, there are a number of other fascinating landmarks within Laxenburg Castle Park. I think it’s best to show them through these photos, so here they are.

Park Map

You’ll find map boards throughout Laxenburg Castle Park to help you locate these attractions. While it’s unlikely you’ll miss them, I’ve included a map below for your convenience.

Attractions & Activities

Actually, there’s more to experiencing Laxenburg Castle Park than just wandering the footpaths. You can board the panoramic ‘Laxenburg Express’ train or take a leisurely ferry ride for an utmost relaxing visit to the castle park. The train journey offers a tour of the park’s monuments and landmarks, while the ferry serves as a convenient shortcut to Franzensburg from the lake’s edge closest to the park’s main entrance.

Although the panoramic train might not be my first recommendation for adults, it’s something that the elderly and kids would probably enjoy. There’s a small charge for the train rides, which run non-stop from 10:00 am until 6:00 pm, making stops at three stations: Schloss, Boat Station, and Frenzensburg. What about the ferry? It provides a quick but charming trip to Franzensburg, accompanied by romantic scenery. With a fare under 1 Euro, it’s certainly worth a try.

Another enjoyable way to spend time at Laxenburg Castle Lake is by renting a boat. Close to the dock, you’ll find electric boats, pedal boats, and even a snug catamaran available for rent for a few Euros for a period of 30 minutes to an hour. The boats come in different sizes, accommodating 2, 4, or 6 people, making it perfect for splitting the deposit fee, which ranges from 30 to 50 Euros. If you do decide to rent a boat and explore the lake, don’t miss the chance to pass under the Gotischebrücke!

One more thing to note is that various events are held at Laxenburg Castle Park all year round. If your visit coincides with one of these events, it could make your trip to Laxenburg Castle Park unforgettable. The last time I checked, Illumina, Austria’s largest light show, was held in Laxenburg Castle Park. Laser lights bathed the park in a radiant glow, and the facade of Franzensburg was adorned with vibrant projections, lending an even more enchanting aura to the palace.

Visiting Tips

• Do you want to experience everything Laxenburg Castle Park has to offer? Plan to spend at least half a day. This should give you enough time to stroll through the forest paths, take a ferry to Franzensburg, explore Franzensburg, and enjoy a boat ride on the lake.
• If you’re staying in Vienna, you could set aside a whole afternoon to visit Laxenburg Castle Park, staying until it closes if you’d like. It’s a great place for an afternoon picnic during the summer, just be sure to follow the park’s rules to keep the area clean and preserved.
• Should you plan to visit during the non-summer months (from November through Easter), please note that certain areas and activities in Laxenburg Castle Park are not accessible. Franzensburg is closed and the ferry service is suspended. As such, you can anticipate a shorter visit to the park during these periods.
• If you were to ask me whether it’s worth visiting Laxenburg Castle Park in the winter, I’d generally say no, although there are exceptions, such as if you’re interested in attending an event like Illumina, which takes place in the winter.

Resources

That covers all the essentials about Laxenburg Castle Park! I hope you found this post useful. For additional details on Laxenburg Castle Park, feel free to check out the linked websites below.

1. Official website of Laxenburg Castle Park (Opening hours)
2. Admission Fee & Activities (official website)

You can purchase tickets online, or if you prefer, they’re also available at the Laxenburg Castle Park’s front desk upon your arrival.

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