About
Burgenland is Austria's easternmost state, and it feels quite unlike the Alpine image many visitors have of the country. Its landscape is flatter and more open, with a steppe character that owes more to the Hungarian plain just across the border than to the mountains of the west.
The landscape and the lake
The region's centrepiece is Lake Neusiedl, a shallow lake that is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. Around it, the land opens into wide skies and reed belts, and the lakeshore makes an easy base for walking, cycling and watching birdlife. Burgenland's mild Pannonian climate, with plenty of sun, shapes the scenery throughout the year.
Wine and wellness
Vineyards stretch across much of the state, and wine is at the heart of local life. The warm climate suits the grapes well, so a visit often includes tasting in cellars and villages. Thermal spas add a second theme, drawing visitors who want to rest and unwind, and the combination of wine culture and wellness retreats gives the region a relaxed pace.
What a visit offers
- Lake Neusiedl and its surrounding shoreline, a UNESCO World Heritage site
- Endless vineyards and wine culture
- Thermal spas and wellness retreats
- Steppe landscapes that feel distinct from the rest of Austria
- A mild climate that makes the region appealing across the seasons
Burgenland suits travellers who want sunshine, open country and good wine rather than mountain scenery. It works well as a slower trip, with time for the lake, the vineyards and a spa afternoon.
