Eisenstadt Visitor Information
Despite being Austria’s smallest provincial capital, this former seat of the noble Esterhazy family and home to some 13,000 inhabitants, has plenty to offer its visitors.
Located in Austria's Burgenland province, it is the most eastern region of Austria. Eisenstadt’s major attraction is Schloss Esterházy (1364). Count Esterhazy restored it initially in Baroque and later in classical style (1663-1672). Today the palace serves as venue for a range of cultural events including the orchestral concerts and operas of the famous Haydn festival.
Joseph Haydn, a leading composer of the classical period, left a lasting impression on Eisenstadt where he lived and worked as Prince Esterhazy’s Kapellmeister (music director) for over 40 years. Today Haydn’s white marble tomb can be seen in the Bergkirche (Haydnkirche). Other sights include the Haydn mausoleum and the Haydn House. A Haydn Festival is staged every year from early to mid September.
Landmarks include the Calvary Mountain, Martinsdom (St. Martin’s Cathedral) dating from the 13th century, and the Gloriette with its formerly baroque gardens that were redesigned as English landscape gardens around 1800.
The historic old town has many protected buildings, and a pedestrian-only area with shops, cafés and restaurants. The districts of St. Georgen and Kleinhöflein are famous for their quaint Heurigen wine taverns ideal to pass away those warm summer nights...
Don't miss the surrounding area of Eisenstadt, where a lush wine growing region offers amazing culinary delights.
Accommodation in Eisenstadt’s university residences
The city is home to universities and colleges and many of the independently-owned student residences offer affordable visitor accommodation in the summer months. It should be understood that these residences are designed primarily for students and not children or adults expecting a high level of luxury. However, with this in mind, the halls do meet a level of comfort that we expect most visitors to be happy with, and we will welcome any feedback where this is not the case.