We asked you what your favorite day trip destinations near Vienna are, and this monastery was mentioned frequently. In the heart of the southern Vienna Woods, kestrels and peregrine falcons nest on nearly 900-year-old stone towers, while below, around 100 monks follow their daily rhythm. Anyone who thinks that traditional monastic life has long since died out will be proven wrong just about 30 kilometers west of Vienna.
A Cistercian community has existed here continuously since 1133, combining historic architecture with an extremely modern online presence. Before you even get in the car, you can conveniently explore the sprawling grounds via a virtual 360-degree tour on their website.
Grand halls and bookshelves like at Hogwarts
However, Heiligenkreuz Abbey offers tangible impressions on site that no screen can replace. The gigantic library, in particular, with its massive, book-filled walls and painted vaulted ceiling, is strongly reminiscent of the sets from Harry Potter. For fans of lavish gold ornamentation and opulent stucco, the Kaisersaal with its huge ceiling paintings is also an absolute must-see.
The large monastery courtyard with its Trinity Column and the monastery’s inner courtyard are accessible to you free of charge and without a ticket. By the way: If you want to stay up to date on exciting places, news, and activities in and around Vienna, feel free to follow us on Instagram or Facebook !
Real monks and awesome food
The best way to see the monastery’s inner core—the 12th-century medieval abbey church and the early Gothic cloister —is on a guided tour with an audio guide, offered daily in the morning and afternoon. For larger groups, the monks even organize personal tours led by a monk from the abbey upon prior registration via email. At 12:00 noon, you can also listen to the monks’ choral singing!
If all that history makes you hungry, just stroll over to the monastery’s own inn, where you’ll be served a truly delicious meal in the shaded outdoor area. And if you’d like to stretch your legs a bit more, you’ll find the Way of the Cross and the Lourdes Grotto in the adjacent green area—perfect for resting and admiring the scenery.
📍 Heiligenkreuz Abbey 1, 2532 Heiligenkreuz in the Vienna Woods
💶 Admission (audio guide): Adults €12.90, seniors €11.70, students €7.80. (The church and monastery courtyard are free)
⏰ Gate opening hours: Daily 8:00 AM – 12:30 PM and 1:00 PM – 5:15 PM. Audio guide admission: Mon–Sat 9:00 AM–10:30 AM & 1:30 PM–4:30 PM; on Sundays and holidays, only in the afternoon (1:30 PM–4:30 PM).
