One Day Trip from Bratislava
Looking for a quick trip from Bratislava? This is the perfect place to visit and it’s only twenty-five minutes away by car. Perfect if you looking for some time to spend away from the city, but don’t want to travel too far. Slovakia has a lot of breathtaking places and castles for you to discover, but with Austria so close to Bratislava it’s worth visiting.
Hainburg an der Donau
The small town is the closest to Bratislava and is perfect for hikers, history lovers, bikers, families, well anyone will find there something for themselves.
The history of the town rich with the first settlers being the Illyrians and the Celtic people. Because of the proximity to the river it became an important point of the Amber Road, an ancient trade route for the transfer of amber, which led from Europe to Asia and back, and from northern Africa to the Baltic Sea. Later in the Middle Ages it was heavily fortified, many towers were built and city walls, which many can be seen today.
This time we visited the ruins and they were amazing.
Accessibility
Hainburg an der Donau is easily accessible by car, bus, train, or even a short bike ride. Tried all of the transportations and it only depends on what you prefer. Note that unfortunately the bus line Bratislava-Hainburg stopped running on the 15th of November, 2021. Personally, we prefer to take the bike, it is a really nice ride to Hainburg.
If your preference is the car, take road 61 in Slovakia to road 9 in Austria, if the roads are clear it will take you about 25 minutes. Note there might be a check at the borders.
A small parking lot is available just below Hainburg Castle which will present a short hike up to the castle, but nothing dramatic. Anyone can manage to waddle up. Apart from the parking lot down, you can choose to park in the city, from which a walking trail to Hainburg Castle presents itself starting off of Alte Poststraße.
The ruins are as well as the parking lot is free of charge and you can be up there and enjoy as much time as possible.
There is even a nice sitting area within the ruins with tables and a pub to relax.
We highly recommend the ruins for families with children. The area is wide and they run around and play.
It’s opened all year long and each season rewards you with a different view. Summer is lovely, but winter holds its own magic.
Hainburg Castle, locally known also as Hainburg, Heimenburg or Heimoburg, lies on a mountain in the town of Hainburg an der Donau, in the province of Lower Austria in Austria.
Read also: Castle Devín Ruins
A little bit of history
- Originally built as a fortress in the 11th century by Emperor Henry III.
- Located on the Castle Hill.
- In the 13th century, the castle became owned by the Habsburgs.
- Later conquered by Mattias Corvinus and then later by the Turks, which burned it down.
- There was an explosion in the 16th century – in the tower where the gunpowder was stored.
- Already in the 17th century, it was being referred to as a ruin since it had undergone so much damage.
- John James Earl of Löwenburg decided at the beginning of the 18th century to have the chapel within the fortress rebuilt.
- Years later, in 1975 The Schloßberg Working Group was established and they began to renovate it.
Impressions
We love everything about this small town and the attractions it holds. The castle offers a small hike up, for some a little harder to waddle, but manageable and believe us, the view is worth it. Beware when hiking up in winter – it can get slippery.
On the way up there is one viewpoint you can take a break. It even has a bench and of course, offers stunning views.
It’s about halfway up the waddle and when you have a snack that’s the time to eat it.
After a quick break, you waddle on.
Slowly the castle ruins come into view and it takes you back in time. Waddling around it reminds me of castles in Scotland.
Enjoyable are as well the seats in front of the castle. The weather was not the best for us, but on a sunny summer day it’s nice to relax there.
Apart from the castle we recommend as well to go up Braunsberg, which is a hill on the opposite side, famous for even better views as it is a little higher than Castle Hill.