Things to do in Pinkafeld

Schischaukel Mönichkirchen-Mariensee GmbH

No. 4 of Night Attractions in Austria

Hofburg Palace

Located just an hour's drive east of Vienna, the Hof Palace is Austria's largest Baroque complex. The former residence of the Austrian Emperor was once considered one of the magnificent castles of the Habsburg Empire. In 1725, the legendary Savoy general, Prince Eugene, owned this splendid castle, splendid art terrace gardens and manor built in the 17th century. Thirty years later, Queen Maria Theresia bought it. She raised the castle one floor and redesigned the rooms on the first floor. Today visitors can visit Prince Eugene's former residence: from the eastern rooms, visitors can also enjoy views of the vibrant baroque gardens, which are dedicated to the life and work of the art-loving Prince Eugene, Prince of Savoy . The path passes through the neoclassical ballroom of the Baroque church and leads to Queen Maria Theresa's room. The rooms and furnishings on the second floor are also for visitors to appreciate and convey the 18th century lifestyle in an authentic way.

2026 Europe 50 - Night Attractions

Hungarian Parliament Building

The Hungarian Parliament Building is located on the banks of the Danube in Budapest, serving as the seat of the National Assembly of Hungary and a grand landmark of the country. Designed by architect Imre Steindl, construction began in 1885 and took nearly twenty years to complete. The building features a Neo-Gothic style, with its central dome standing 96 m high—a number echoing the year 896 when Hungarians settled in the Carpathian Basin. The entire structure stretches along the Danube, its symmetrical façade adorned with approx. 90 stone statues of Hungarian rulers and military figures throughout history, with the coats of arms of kings and dukes carved above the window lintels. The building houses nearly 700 rooms, 10 courtyards, and over 20 doorways, with a total staircase length of approx. 20 km. The core highlights of the visit include the ornate grand staircase, the domed hall, and the former upper house chamber. The domed hall displays the Holy Crown of Hungary and coronation regalia, guarded by royal guards, and is a focal point of great attention in the entire building. The grand staircase is decorated with gilded railings, stained glass windows, and marble columns; climbing the steps offers a panoramic view of Kossuth Square. The walls of the former upper house hall hang a massive oil painting by Hungarian painter Mihály Munkácsy, depicting the historic scene of Hungarians entering the Carpathian Basin. In addition, portraits of historical figures and murals depicting major historical events can be seen throughout the building's interior, and the ceiling features a large ceiling painting created by Károly Lotz.

No. 8 of Best Things to Do in Austria

Austrian National Library

As the central academic library of the Republic of Austria, the Austrian National Library has a long history, with its traditions dating back to the 14th century. It serves as a living bridge connecting the rich heritage of the past with the future-oriented needs of the modern information society. The Austrian National Library carries on the legacy of the Habsburg court library, comprising eight departments that preserve a significant portion of the world's documentary heritage and bear the responsibility of continuing to protect these treasures. Its collections of ancient, medieval, and modern manuscripts span diverse cultural fields and hold immense international significance. Additionally, the library houses music manuscripts, early printed books and rare texts, historical maps, portraits and other pictorial documents, posters, bookplates, pamphlets, as well as the equally important literary estates of Austrian writers. Four museums under the library's management showcase to the public the world's unique collection of historical globes, an impressive Esperanto collection, and a comprehensive archive of Austrian literature. Since 2018, the Austrian National Library has also operated the House of Austrian History, a museum dedicated to presenting modern historical events with a particular focus on Austria's history since 1918. The Baroque-style State Hall was built between 1723 and 1726, designed by Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach, and is hailed as one of the world's most impressive libraries, regularly hosting special exhibitions. The Austrian National Library aims to open its doors to as wide a readership as possible. To achieve this goal, the library regularly holds exhibitions to raise public awareness of its collections and collaborates with other cultural and educational institutions to organize activities such as reading sessions, book launches, seminars and concerts. Through these activities, the Austrian National Library not only fulfills its statutory educational responsibilities but also demonstrates its unique position as a multicultural education center. All staff at the Austrian National Library are committed to ensuring that all tasks are completed quickly and properly. We always adhere to the service philosophy of professionalism, enthusiasm, and attentiveness in welcoming visitors from around the world. We strive to create an engaging library world for our visitors, where historical heritage, modern architecture, and collections spanning the past and present blend seamlessly with library traditions and modern technology, complementing each other perfectly.

Hallstatt

Hallstatt is located on the shores of Lake Hallstatt in Salzkammergut, Austria,surrounded by the peaks of the Alps. In 1997, it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The town prospered because of salt, with salt mining dating back approx. 7,000 years. The early European Iron Age "Hallstatt culture" is named after this town. The town's colorful wooden houses are built in layers on the steep hillside, reflected in the calm lake water. From the lakeside promenade, the painted wooden houses, church spires, and the lake and mountain scenery blend together. Take a cable car up the hillside where the salt mine is located, and from theSky Walkviewing platform, you can overlook the town and the panoramic lake and mountain views. The salt mine is open to visitors, who can go deep into the mine tunnels and experience thousands of years of salt mining history. And the bone house next to Basilika St. Michael is another unique view in Hallstatt.

Sonnenerde

No. 5 of Night Attractions in Austria

Vienna Operahouse

The Vienna Operahouse is located next to Vienna's Ringstrasse and is one of the earlier landmark buildings completed along this boulevard. In 1869, it opened its premiere with Mozart's "Don Giovanni," attended by Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth. The theater's performance tradition can be traced back to the 17th-century court opera in the Hofburg Palace. After the imperial era ended, it became state-owned and acquired its current name. This neo-Renaissance-style building was designed by architects Sicardsburg and Van der Nüll, though neither lived to see its completion. The opera house interior has many highlights: the marble-clad foyer and grand staircase are magnificent, the lounge preserves murals painted by artist Moritz von Schwind, and the horseshoe-shaped multi-tiered auditorium with standing room can accommodate over 2,000 spectators. In 1945, the theater caught fire during an air raid, nearly destroying the auditorium and stage, though the foyer, grand staircase, and murals survived. During postwar reconstruction to its original design, extensive wood was used to optimize acoustics, and it reopened in 1955 with Beethoven's "Fidelio." Maher, Richard Strauss, Karajan, Abbado and other masters have conducted here. Some rules established by Maher are still followed today, such as latecomers having to wait until the intermission to enter after the performance begins. The theater still maintains a repertoire rotation system, with dozens of operas and ballets staged in rotation during a performance season, offering almost nightly performances that rarely repeat. The musicians of the Vienna Philharmonic are selected from the theater's orchestra. During the carnival season, the venue transforms into a dance floor for the Vienna Opera Ball. Even without attending a performance, you can join the theater's guided tour, walking from the main staircase to the lounge and auditorium, savoring the architectural and mural details. If you haven't secured a seat in advance but still wish to experience an opera, try the long-standing tradition of standing tickets, which are sold in limited quantity before the show—popular productions may require early arrival to queue. Whichever way you choose to enter, you'll genuinely feel the daily life of this music capital intertwined with opera.

REITERS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

No. 6 of Night Attractions in Austria

Votive Church

The Votive Church is located next to Vienna's Ringstrasse, facing the main building of the University of Vienna across the street. It is a neo-Gothic Catholic church, often referred to as the Church of Thanksgiving due to its origin as a votive offering. In 1853, Emperor Franz Joseph I survived an assassination attempt when the blade was deflected by his stiff collar during a walk near the old city walls. His brother, Archduke Maximilian, subsequently initiated a fundraising campaign across the empire to build this church in gratitude for the emperor's narrow escape. Construction took over twenty years, and the church was finally completed in 1879 for the silver wedding anniversary of the emperor and Empress Elisabeth. The facade follows a typical Gothic layout: two nearly 100 m high openwork spires stand symmetrically on either side, with a gallery of saints above the three pointed-arch doorways, while rose windows and flying buttresses outline its soaring silhouette. Due to its white stone construction and colorful patterned roof tiles, travelers often mistake it for St. Stephen's Cathedral, though the two buildings are separated by over seven centuries. Inside, notable features include the gilded canopy above the high altar, the hexagonal marble pulpit—bearing a relief portrait of architect Heinrich von Ferstel at its base—and the Renaissance-style sarcophagus of Count Niklas Salm, who defended Vienna during the 1529 Ottoman siege. The open green space in front of the church offers expansive views and is an ideal spot for photographing the twin spires, whose silhouettes stand out distinctly at dusk. This location can be combined with visits to other Ringstrasse landmarks like the University of Vienna main building and City Hall.

Aussichtswarte am Hutwisch