A Guide to Melk Abbey (a Beautiful Day Trip from Vienna)
This post might contain affiliate links.
As a wanderer with a Catholic background, I’ve found no better day trip from Vienna than Melk Abbey.
It’s one of Austria’s gems, offering a unique blend of spirituality, history, and beauty. Actually, even if you’re not Catholic, I’d still highly recommend a visit. The place is simply stunning.
The sheer size and beauty of this monastery might make you think you’ve stepped into a palace. The grandeur of its Baroque architecture is everywhere you look, and it’s hard to believe it wasn’t a residence of a monarch. A unique experience.
The sense of awe I experienced while exploring Melk Abbey was on par with what I felt at Karlskriche, Stephansdom, and Peterskirche in Old Town Vienna.
Let me guide you to Melk Abbey here.
Good to know
Just an hour’s train ride from Vienna, it’s a perfect and fascinating day trip for visitors to the Austrian capital.
The Best Abbey to Visit in Austria
If there’s one thing to know before visiting Melk Abbey, it’s this: You won’t just see the beautiful church. You can also check out other amzing architectural features like the library, marble hall, and imperial staircase.
Melk Abbey is considered an architectural highlight of Austria, and that alone is reason enough to go.
But then again a visit to Melk Abbey isn’t just about architecture. During a visit, the experience includes museums and exhibitions that house remarkable treasures and artifacts. You can also access the Abbey park with its beautiful gardens.
When it comes to the value you’ll get, Melk Abbey is undoubtedly worth it. Particularly if you opt for a guided tour, a visit to Melk Abbey promises a wealth of new knowledge.
The tour covers the history, construction, functions, and even the political significance of the abbey. All these—that’s why I’m recommending Melk Abbey to everyone, not just to my fellow Catholics.
And for the photographers out there, Melk Abbey won’t disappoint.
Situated on a hill overlooking the Danube River, it’s not just a romantic destination, but also a picturesque one that’s begging to be photographed. Many travelers describe Melk Abbey as a visual feast, and I can’t agree more.
However, it’s unfortunate that photography isn’t allowed in certain parts of Melk Abbey. Despite this, you’ll still find some daring visitors sneaking a few pictures.
Here are some of the eye-pleasing views/parts of Melk Abbey:
A Day Trip from Vienna
One of the advantages of taking a day trip from Vienna to Melk Abbey is that you’ll be visiting an area that opens up more travel opportunities.
Melk Abbey is located in the town of Melk within Wachau Valley, which, as you may already know, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Wachau Valley, stretching from Melk to Krems, is rich in history and dotted with hidden gems, from charming villages to the ruins of medieval castles.
Some people take a boat cruise along the Danube River to see some of the highlights of this area, including Melk Abbey.
If you are staying in the Wachau Valley for a couple of days, you can rent a bike and cycle along the scenic paths between destinations in the region.
Among the scenery you’ll encounter throughout your adventure are the vast vineyards, which suggest more activities available for you, such as wine tasting.
The Wachau Valley is famous for its wines, particularly the Riesling and Grüner Veltliner varieties. If you finish visiting Melk Abbey a bit early during your day trip, wine tasting activities and tours can fill up the remainder of the day for a well-rounded visit to the region.
As a wanderer, I prefer visiting the quaint villages, which are quite scenic with mountains and hills in sight.
Although these villages aren’t as stunning as the Swiss Alps (for example, Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald), the villages along the Wachau Valley have a different charm with their cobblestone streets, baroque architecture, and unique landmarks.
One village worth exploring is Dürnstein, which is only a 45-minute bus ride (#715) from Melk. It has a church with a beautiful blue spire and quaint houses.
However, the highlight is definitely its ruined castle on a hilltop, which overlooks the village and offers panoramic views of the valley.
If you are interested in discovering more about the Wachau Valley, I have linked some helpful articles in the resources section at the end of this post.
Things to Do & Places to See
Melk Abbey is unlike any other abbey I know, such as the Senanque Abbey in the South of France or the Nonnberg Abbey in Salzburg.
The size of Melk Abbey is astounding — it’s massive!
In a way, Melk Abbey is comparable to a small village or even a palace. It is similar to those located in Vienna like Schonbrunn Palace, Imperial Palace, and Belvedere Palace, with hundreds of rooms tucked away inside. The official website states that it has close to 500 rooms.
What’s exciting about a trip to Melk Abbey is that you can access some of the most beautiful spots within the abbey. Some of these are so unique, they’re unlike anything you’ll find in most other places.
If you’re planning to visit Melk Abbey in the shoulder seasons or summer, you’ve got two options: You can either explore the abbey on your own or join a guided tour.
The rest of the year, the only option you got is the guided tour. With the guided tour, you won’t miss a thing. It covers all the highlights and must-see spots in the abbey.
But if you’re more of a DIY explorer, don’t worry. I’ve got a list of attractions in Melk Abbey that will help you get the most out of your trip.
Just a quick tip: Make sure to download the audio guide onto your smartphone if you’re going solo on your Abbey tour. I think it’s a must for deeper insights into the abbey’s history and functions. Check out the resources section of this post for the link.
1. Imperial Corridor — History Immersion
A visit to Melk Abbey isn’t complete without walking down the Imperial Corridor.
This important part of the monastery shows the abbey’s rich history and the Habsburg Empire’s legacy. The corridor is almost 200 meters long and runs nearly the entire length of the southern wing.
It looks like it goes on forever when you look at it from one end.
2. Imperial Staircase — Fairytale-like Scene
If you’re visiting Melk Abbey in search of beauty, you may already feel accomplished when you see the Imperial Staircase of the Melk Abbey.
In my opinion, the Imperial Staircase is an architectural highlight of the abbey.
3. The Marble Hall — Mesmerizing Frescoes
On the southern side of the abbey, you’ll find the Marble Hall, another stunning part of the abbey.
This space made me feel like I was in a palace, not a monastery. It reminded me of the Marble Hall in Vienna’s Upper Belvedere Palace.
The beautiful golden baroque details on its marble columns, and the huge ceiling painting, left me breathless for a moment.
4. Melk Abbey Library — An Extraordinary Place
If you think the Marble Hall of Melk Abbey is amazing, wait until you see the abbey library.
It’s one of the most beautiful libraries in Austria. It’s so magical, it feels like a place from Hogwarts. The library’s design is stunning, from the bookshelves to the golden sculptures and the ceiling painting.
This might be the most unique part of Melk Abbey, making it a must-see, especially if you love exploring, just like me.
5. Abbey Church — Spectacular God-Inspired Art & Architecture
Like the other amazing parts of Melk Abbey, the church between the library and the Marble Hall is very impressive.
Opulence and magnificence are the best words to describe it. The church is full of these qualities.
ith its golden Baroque features and statues, it shows its divine creation and aims to awe its worshippers. I was fascinated by every detail for a few minutes.
6. Abbey Park — A Beautiful Touch of Nature
If you have a guide, touring the grand interiors of Melk Abbey usually takes about an hour. If you go alone, it might take a bit longer.
If you have extra time, check out Abbey Park. It has many attractions and is quite large, so a slow walk could take about an hour.
7. Museums and Exhibitions — Beautiful Insights and Interesting Discoveries
Melk Abbey also has a museum inside.
If you’re at the Imperial Staircase or Imperial Corridor, the museum is right next to you. It’s in the old Imperial guest rooms.
There, you can see exhibits about the abbey’s history and its current purpose.
Visiting Tips
The official website of the abbey recommends a stay of at least 2.5 hours for a complete visit. An hour would suffice to see the highlights, such as the library, Marble Hall, balcony, abbey church, and museum.
However, the time you might spend in Melk Abbey depends on how quickly you check out different parts of it. If you are a curious wanderer like me who likes to see everything in the place, it might take you three to five hours. The longer duration includes the abbey park, which I think is a great place to visit as well. It is beautiful and relaxing there.
That said, if you are going to visit Melk Abbey from Vienna, it would be practical to dedicate the whole day to a day trip and visit other attractions in the Wachau valley as well. For example, you could leave Vienna by eight and reach Melk by nine. You could spend the rest of the morning in Melk Abbey until lunch.
In the afternoon, you could make the most of your visit to the area by exploring other attractions, which we will discuss next. Love photography? Be sure to factor in time for capturing the beauty of the monastery grounds. You’ll find countless spots to inspire you – get ready to snap some amazing photos!
What to Do After
There are many activities and attractions in Wachau Valley aside from Melk Abbey. However, some of the things that a wanderer would like to do are listed below. Aside from visiting Dürnstein and climbing up to its ruined castle, they are:
(1) Take a stroll through Krems. It’s a lot like Dürnstein, which I brought up earlier. This town is filled with charming streets that are perfect for a leisurely walk, and the best part is, it won’t cost you a penny.
Make sure to explore its pedestrian-friendly center and don’t miss out on Obere Landstrasse! The town is dotted with cozy wine taverns and historical landmarks that will take you back in time. One such landmark is the Stein Tor, a 15th-century gate that’s definitely worth a visit.
(2) Immerse yourself in the romance of the area by visiting the ruined castles scattered throughout. Honestly, it might feel like you’re exploring northern Italy right in the Wachau Valley, thanks to these castle ruins.
Some are perched on hilltops, offering breathtaking views that are perfect for soaking in the dramatic golden hour over the valley. And let’s not forget about Dürnstein Castle, which was once the prison of England’s King Richard the Lionheart.
You can also check out Aggstein Castle and Artstetten Castle. Both are home to medieval artifacts and offer stunning views.
(3) Take a bike ride along the Danube. If you’re making your way to Krems from Melk, cycling is a great way to do it!
The path is mostly downhill and the views are scenic. You can easily rent a bike in Melk, and don’t worry about getting back — there are boats that can shuttle you from one side to the other, making it a breeze to return your rental.
If you want, there’s an available tour letting you see Krems, Durnstein, and Melk Abbey all on the same day without hassle. For more details about the Wachau Valley, feel free to check out the resources section.
You might find these interesting!
Resources
That wraps up everything about Melk Abbey! If you’re thinking about visiting, I highly recommend checking out Melk Abbey’s official website for the most current visitor information. Be sure to read the FAQs for guidelines on your visit.
Whether you’re traveling solo or in a group, you can grab your tickets right at the ticket office located in the first courtyard of the abbey.
To make your experience even better, convenient I must say, think about joining a guided tour day trip to Melk Abbey and Wachau Valley.
Traveling in a group? This private tour on a car will spoon feed you the best experiences in Wachau Valley.
If you’re interested in exploring Melk Abbey and the Wachau Region on your own, the links below should come in handy.
- Danube in Lower Austria (official website) — Wines, bikes cycle paths, and other information in Wachau and surrounding area
- Bike Rentals in Wachau Valley (official website)
- Wachau Valley (UNESCO website)
- Melk Abbey Audio Guide (iPhone)
- Melk Abbey Audio Guide (Android)
Plan Your Trip Now
Here are my recommended services
Explore more amazing destinations in Vienna and find guides to help you get the most out of your trip!
Guides & Itineraries
Lists & New Ideas
Top Attractions