Discover Purkersdorf

Purkersdorf combines nature experiences in the Vienna Woods with a remarkable local history and several options for active days. Anyone looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home can tailor their stay according to whether hiking trails, animal enclosures, historic buildings or family-oriented experiences are to be the main focus. The main entrance at Kellerwiese is particularly convenient for travelling to the nature park: it is just a few minutes from the REX50/S50 railway station Purkersdorf-Zentrum and directly next to the Purkersdorf-Kellerwiese bus stop.

Nature park, trails and special insights

Purkersdorf Nature Park offers a variety of impressions. A large animal enclosure with sheep and donkeys, as well as three wildlife enclosures, make observing nature an engaging part of the stay. The “Blind Date” themed trail appeals to the senses and offers an experience of nature in every season. Purkersdorf is therefore also suitable for a day of travel focused not on a long hike, but on consciously experiencing the surroundings.

For longer tours, there is the “Tut gut!” hiking trail. It starts at the Hochramalpe leisure inn and, since 2022, has comprised three routes totalling 29.3 km. Another option is the first section of the Austrian Way of St. James west of Vienna. It starts at the gate of St. James’ Church and leads from Purkersdorf to Göttweig. This allows you to choose between a designated hiking offering and a longer pilgrimage route without presenting the two experiences as one continuous route.

The Vienna Woods House is also located in the nature park. As the “First Austrian Self-Service Shop-Window Museum”, it provides insight into the living quarters of the Vienna Woods farmers and their way of life and work 100 years ago. The Rudolfshöhe observation tower adds a distinctive viewpoint to a visit to the nature park: the timber-framed structure has a covered platform at a height of 26 metres and stands within the municipality of Purkersdorf.

Castle, museum and historic features

Purkersdorf Castle dates back to the early Babenberg period and was originally built as a moated castle with strong walls. At the entrance there is a display garage containing a postal bus from the second half of the 19th century. The vehicle operated on the Vienna–Purkersdorf–Sieghartskirchen route, had 14 seats in three fare classes and is considered the only surviving vehicle of its type in Europe.

The Purkersdorf Town Museum has been housed on the ground floor of Purkersdorf Castle since 1986 and documents the history and development of the town. Visits are possible by prior appointment; the museum is not open continuously, and visitor enquiries should be made by email. The former Josef Hoffmann Sanatorium is also noteworthy for visitors interested in culture: it is a unique example of Art Nouveau architecture. Plan visits of this kind into your daily schedule, taking their respective conditions into account.

Active days and suitable travel planning

Purkersdorf Adventure Park provides another focal point. There you will find challenging obstacles, Flying Fox lines, as well as rope and bridge structures. There are seven courses in total, with different difficulty levels at heights of 2 to 14 metres. Since 2022, the offering has also included two exclusively children’s trails and three exclusively Flying Fox courses. This makes it possible to plan a stay around different activity preferences without giving every outing equal weight.

The farmers’ and weekly market of the Municipality of Purkersdorf on the main square can also form part of a travel itinerary. Purkersdorf Sanatorium railway station is one of the four railway stations in the Municipality of Purkersdorf and is located as the last stop before Vienna in the Lower Austrian Vienna Woods region. Depending on the focus of your trip, you can therefore choose holiday accommodation based on the desired balance between nature, culture and excursions towards Vienna.

Other places in the surrounding area

For further searches, you can also look at Klosterneuburg, Tullnerbach-Lawies, Pressbaum, Gablitz, Irenental, Schwechat-Mannswörth, Untertullnerbach and Fischamend Dorf. Purkersdorf itself is particularly interesting if you want to combine a nature park, hiking trails, historic sites and family-oriented activities in one trip.

For the higher-level travel overview: Vienna Surroundings.