Burgruine Aggstein
Burgruine Aggstein
4.5
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
Landmark in the Wachau High above the Danube, with a breathtaking view of the world cultural heritage site, the Wachau, lies Aggstein - Austria`s most famous castle ruin. The imposing fortress has a truly adventurous history. You can still feel this today in the carefully restored walls. Dive into the Middle Ages! 900 years of eventful history The history of den ruins of Aggstein dates back to the beginning of the 12th century. Some of its former owners played a significant role in the Danube region. Some of them used theur power for personal enrichment. Their misdeeds and the changing history of the castle are still part of the legends and stories surrounding Aggstein. Fabulous castle experience Whether you are coming from Maria Langegg via the trail of St. James or by car, whether you are visiting one of our events or organising a celebration in our premises: the ruins of Aggstein always offer the perfect sitting an a fantastic backdrop for an unforgettable experience!
Duration: 1-2 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
The area
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
10 within 5 kms
Attractions
37 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
200 reviews
Excellent
125
Very good
54
Average
12
Poor
4
Terrible
5
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.
Dream45489673377
1 contribution
Nov 2024 • Family
ATTENTION!
The Advent market is not recommended with dog and/or stroller!
The shuttle bus is too packed for a stroller and does not allow dogs. You can't go up directly and the only alternative is a min. 45-minute, intensive hike with 20% gradient and the risk of being mowed down by one of the buses.
We had to give up with a small dog and stroller after 20 minutes when a bus almost forced me into a stream.
We drove over an hour from Vienna for nothing.
The Advent market is not recommended with dog and/or stroller!
The shuttle bus is too packed for a stroller and does not allow dogs. You can't go up directly and the only alternative is a min. 45-minute, intensive hike with 20% gradient and the risk of being mowed down by one of the buses.
We had to give up with a small dog and stroller after 20 minutes when a bus almost forced me into a stream.
We drove over an hour from Vienna for nothing.
Automatically translated
Written 10 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Annah
Yerevan25 contributions
The Burgruine Aggstein castle ruins are in a very good conditions. Situated in a high level of Danube it has a fantastic view to both sides. You may sit and watch the Wachau valley and the river side. The wine yards are on the other side. We walked there through the forest and also watched the birds and plants.
Written 19 May 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Blackth0rn
Bristol, UK1,383 contributions
Jun 2017 • Couples
The ruins of an old castle perched atop a steep hill, we were initially unsure how to get there as our sat-nav had informed us that it was on a road with limited access and signs at the bottom seemed to indicate that you couldn’t drive up. Ignore these and persevere though, and you’ll find plenty of parking at the top, which is just as well as it would have taken a long time to walk!
Most of the castle is open air with the roof and floor having collapsed long ago and replacement wooden stairs and walkways fitted. Interior rooms were largely restricted to cafes and so on, although there was also a chapel and a vault with various models in. Not entirely sure what that was all about, unfortunately all the signage around the castle was in German only. We did see a couple of people with audio guides, although we were not offered these – perhaps they too are German only.
It’s an interesting castle to wander around and quite interesting despite the lack of information. Views are great too, especially if you climb up to some of the upper areas. Entry price is quite reasonable, overall I’d say well worth a visit.
Most of the castle is open air with the roof and floor having collapsed long ago and replacement wooden stairs and walkways fitted. Interior rooms were largely restricted to cafes and so on, although there was also a chapel and a vault with various models in. Not entirely sure what that was all about, unfortunately all the signage around the castle was in German only. We did see a couple of people with audio guides, although we were not offered these – perhaps they too are German only.
It’s an interesting castle to wander around and quite interesting despite the lack of information. Views are great too, especially if you climb up to some of the upper areas. Entry price is quite reasonable, overall I’d say well worth a visit.
Written 7 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sandra D
United States923 contributions
Sept 2015 • Couples
First of all, follow the signs that say Burgruine Aggstein, NOT Aggstein wanderweg. The road gets narrow and looks more like someone's driveway but just keep going up,there's a parking lot at the top. We saw some people who obviously had parked at the bottom of the hill (where it looks like you should park) and they had quite a hike up to the top.
The ruins are pretty cool and have wonderful views of the Danube and part of the Wachau Valley. If you look far enough to the left, you can see all the way to Schonbuhl Castle. Lots of chambers and areas to explore, sturdy wooden stairs and platforms take you all over the ruin. They have a cafe there but we didn't have anything to eat.
The ruins are pretty cool and have wonderful views of the Danube and part of the Wachau Valley. If you look far enough to the left, you can see all the way to Schonbuhl Castle. Lots of chambers and areas to explore, sturdy wooden stairs and platforms take you all over the ruin. They have a cafe there but we didn't have anything to eat.
Written 19 September 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ruisenor_NatalyS
Voronezh, Russia337 contributions
Oct 2014 • Friends
It's a medieval ruins situated right on the top of the hill.
There is nothing besides ruins but due to this fact you can see how it was during medieval times...
You can feel a spirit of real history there - while walking there it's so easy to imagine knights & battles...
Moreover, you'll enjoy wonderful views of surroundings - the Danube river, small towns & hills covered with trees...
Visit it - I think you won't be disappointed !!
There is nothing besides ruins but due to this fact you can see how it was during medieval times...
You can feel a spirit of real history there - while walking there it's so easy to imagine knights & battles...
Moreover, you'll enjoy wonderful views of surroundings - the Danube river, small towns & hills covered with trees...
Visit it - I think you won't be disappointed !!
Written 4 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JeffinPrague
Prague, Czech Republic3,797 contributions
Jun 2014 • Family
...and I've been to a lot.
Aggstein is an amazing castle even today as ruins; it must have been spectacular in its heyday. It is very well preserved, and the amenities for visitors are excellent, from the visitors' center to the audio tour to the wooden walkways that take you to all around the castle to the surprisingly affordable and high-quality restaurant in the courtyard. The only complaint is that the signs are only in German - English would have been nice.
One thing I recommend is to climb up the hill behind the castle for amazing views of the castle and the Danube River below it. There are two rock outcrops - one near and one farther away. We climbed up to the higher one and were rewarded with the most spectacular view imaginable (see my pictures). It only took us 10 minutes or so to get there, and the trail is very manageable. Although it isn't marked, you can't get lost if you stay along the ridge.
Aggstein is an amazing castle even today as ruins; it must have been spectacular in its heyday. It is very well preserved, and the amenities for visitors are excellent, from the visitors' center to the audio tour to the wooden walkways that take you to all around the castle to the surprisingly affordable and high-quality restaurant in the courtyard. The only complaint is that the signs are only in German - English would have been nice.
One thing I recommend is to climb up the hill behind the castle for amazing views of the castle and the Danube River below it. There are two rock outcrops - one near and one farther away. We climbed up to the higher one and were rewarded with the most spectacular view imaginable (see my pictures). It only took us 10 minutes or so to get there, and the trail is very manageable. Although it isn't marked, you can't get lost if you stay along the ridge.
Written 8 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tadtv
California222 contributions
Aug 2011 • Couples
Great castle ruins to explore- especially if it's not crowded like the day we went. Its a very steep drive up to the castle, but don't be alarmed (like we were) the narrow road opens up to a nice large parking area at the top. It's about a kilometer drive up the tiny access road to the parking lot. Great views of the river. The audio guide is great for only a Euro. Has neat sounds in the back ground. We even ate at the restaurant there. Pretty tasty. NIce free clean restrooms. Not good for strollers or wheel chairs. Lots of stairs to climb.
Written 8 September 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ArijLor
522 contributions
Jan 2018 • Friends
Little cute Austrian village you enter, from here you get up with the stairs all the way to the top of the castle. You need good shoes and water for the walk. It's pretty steep going up on the old rocky stairs. Not for people who are scared of hight and don't have a good condition. You can have a few stops and enjoy the view. Castle on top is very nice!
Written 2 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
knj_from_fr
Vienna, Austria66 contributions
Oct 2015 • Family
The castle has unique view over the Danube and the Wachau valley. You can take the car and park upstairs. Entrance fee is not very cheap, but you can take your time to visit.
The restaurant is great value for money for lunch, in a large castle antique room. The few tables at the window have an incredible view. The "ritterteller" will satisfy the appetite of the most hungry ones. Will definitely go back again.
The restaurant is great value for money for lunch, in a large castle antique room. The few tables at the window have an incredible view. The "ritterteller" will satisfy the appetite of the most hungry ones. Will definitely go back again.
Written 15 January 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barry D
Palmyra, PA254 contributions
Aggstein was built high above the Danube and the views of the Wachau Valley are not better anywhere. Parts of the ruins are very well preserved and are more than worth the travel to get there. Unless you are used to steep inclines, I recommend taking the shuttle from the parking lot which is located across the street from the gasthaus near the river. Pictures included are from inside the castle, a view if the river below, the infamous "rose garden," and the chapel. This is a special stop you should not miss.
Written 19 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello Austrian travellers and Aggstein castle staff
Please could you let me know if there is a way to take public transportation or a tour bus from Melk up to the top of the hill at Aggstein Castle? My parents would not be able to make the long trek uphill on their feet. We would like to start the bus trip or tour in Melk in early October 2019. I have not been able to find an option departing from Melk in my online searches so far.
Thank you in advance
Stephanie
Written 15 September 2019
The main road along the river is o the opposite side of the castle. It will be very hard to get to the castle There is a system of post buses that stop at a tavern/resturant at th base of the hill where It might be possible to arange for a private ride to the top. The walk is steep and over 1000 feet elevation, but if walked slowly, possible. I do not thinf there is any public transport to the top. The scenery is pleasant. but there are no places to sit I am not sure of the Post bus schedulel, but I think you can find it on some Austria websites. My grandmother lived in the ruin for a while as a child. Her father could not afford a home at the time. If you have more questions. please ask.
Written 15 September 2019
when was the fire damage cleaned up? What happened to the old iron stove that was in the ruins? My grandmother hid her dolls in that stove.
Written 4 March 2016
There was a fire the lower part of the castle, but all signs of the fire have been removed. I am probably the only person alive today who knows when and how it started and who died in that fire
Written 4 March 2016
Showing results 1-5 of 5
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing