Klosterneuburg Abbey is an Augustinian monastery and cultural complex set on the Danube bank, just 12 kilometres north of Vienna.
This guide was updated in June 2026. Many travel guides and aggregator sites still list the standard adult admission as free or as part of a bundled tour-only model — the current position is different: the official site confirms a self-guided entry ticket of €10 per adult, with free admission for all children and young people up to the age of 14. You can book through GetYourGuide to secure your visit in advance.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Stiftsplatz 1, 3400 Klosterneuburg, Austria |
| Summer hours | Daily 09:00–18:00 (1 May–15 November) |
| Winter hours | Daily 10:00–16:00 (16 November–30 April) |
| Closed | 24–26 December; 31 December–2 January |
| Admission (adult) | €10 (self-guided); €20 day ticket with all tours |
| Admission (under 14s) | Free |
| Admission (disabled visitors) | €8.90 |
| Guided tour add-on | +€7 per tour (abbey tour or wine cellar tour) |
| Parking | Free up to 4 hours with stamped ticket (see Parking section) |
| Nearest transit | Bus 400/402 from U4 Heiligenstadt → Stiftsgarten stop |
| Typical visit | 2–3 hours (self-guided); 3–4 hours with tours |
Opening hours
Klosterneuburg operates a clear two-season schedule with no weekday/weekend variation for general admission.
Summer season: 1 May to 15 November Open daily, 09:00–18:00. The abbey museum (in the imperial wing) opens Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays from 14:00–17:00. The summer annual exhibition is also accessible during this period.
Winter season: 16 November to 30 April Open daily, 10:00–16:00. The abbey museum opens Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays from 14:00–16:00.
Closures: The abbey is shut on 24, 25 and 26 December, and again from 31 December through 2 January. The official site notes that the abbey church may occasionally be closed to visitors during Mass. Check before you go if visiting during a religious holiday.
Ticket prices
All prices are inclusive of Austrian taxes. Children and young people up to the age of 14 enter free.
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult (self-guided) | €10 |
| Child/youth under 14 | Free |
| Disabled visitor | €8.90 |
| Accompanying carer | Free |
| Day ticket (entry + all tours) | €20 |
| Abbey tour add-on (+90 min) | +€7 |
| Wine cellar tour add-on (+90 min) | +€7 |
The day ticket at €20 makes sense if you plan to do both guided tours. There is no separate online pricing discount listed on the official site, though advance booking via GetYourGuide may offer convenience. An ÖBB rail combo ticket is also available through Austrian federal rail, bundling train travel with abbey admission at a reduced combined rate — worth checking if you are travelling from Vienna by train.
Book through GetYourGuide to plan your visit ahead of time.
Why visit Klosterneuburg Abbey?
- 🏛️ The Verdun Altar: A 51-panel enamel masterpiece completed in 1181 — one of the most significant works of medieval art in existence, displayed in the Leopold Chapel.
- 🎟️ Free for under-14s: Children up to 14 enter at no charge, making this genuinely family-friendly without hidden costs.
- 🍷 Working wine estate: The abbey has produced wine continuously for nearly 900 years; the wine cellar tour gives access to cellars not shown on the self-guided route.
- 📜 2026 summer exhibition: Karten auf den Tisch! (1 May–15 November 2026) traces the travels of Augustinian canons, pilgrims and polar explorers through maps and documents from the abbey’s own collection.
- 💰 14-language audioguide included: Every self-guided ticket includes an audioguide covering highlights in German, English, French, Italian, Spanish and nine further languages — no extra charge.
How to get there
By public transport from Vienna: The most direct route is from U4 Heiligenstadt (the last stop on the U4 line). From there, take bus 400 or 402 to the Klosterneuburg Stiftsgarten stop. The walk to the abbey entrance from that stop takes around five minutes. Alternatively, take the S40 suburban rail from U6 Spittelau towards Tulln to Klosterneuburg-Kierling station, then allow around 15 minutes on foot to the abbey.
By public transport from the west: Trains run to Bahnhof Tullnerfeld, where you change to the S40 towards Vienna, alighting at Klosterneuburg-Kierling. The walk from there is around 15 minutes.
By car from Vienna: Take the B14 from the Vienna city boundary. The drive takes approximately 10 minutes from the city limits.
By bicycle: The Danube Cycle Path (Donauradweg) runs through Klosterneuburg. Follow the Überfuhrstraße and Niedermarkt, then the Wiener Straße to the roundabout near the abbey. Covered bicycle lockers and secure stands are available in the abbey’s own bus garage.
Parking
Visitors arriving by car receive up to four hours of free parking on the abbey’s own parking areas, subject to having their ticket stamped at the visitor reception in the Sala terrena on arrival. Take your parking ticket with you when you enter. Note that this free parking does not apply during special events such as the annual orchid exhibition.
Six electric vehicle charging points are available on the abbey’s parking areas. These are pay-to-use via card or a Smatrics partner card. Dedicated disabled parking spaces are located in the underground car park (P1, entrance on Pater Abelstraße 19). Coach parking is also available free of charge in the same underground garage.
Five great things to do while you’re in Vienna
- Take a guided bike tour through the Old City and along the Danube.
- Enjoy a classical music concert at St Peter’s Church.
- Taste gruner veltliners and much more on a wine tour through the Weinviertel region.
- See the World Heritage-listed sights of the Wachau Valley on a super-scenic day trip.
- Explore Vienna’s food scene in café’s and markets with an expert guide.
How long to spend
A self-guided visit with audioguide takes most visitors around two hours. Add a 90-minute abbey tour or wine cellar tour and you are looking at a half-day. If you intend to do both guided tours and have time for the Vinothek afterwards, budget a full four hours.
Why book the Vienna Pass for sightseeing?
- Free entry to top attractions: Visit dozens of Vienna’s must-see museums, palaces, churches and cultural sites without paying separate admission fees.
- Hop-on hop-off bus included: Use the sightseeing bus service to explore the city at your own pace with panoramic views and easy access to key stops.
- Flexible pass durations: Choose from 1-, 2-, 3- or 6-day options to suit your travel plans and how much you want to see.
- Mobile ticket convenience: Use your pass on your phone with digital entry to attractions — no printing or queuing required.
- Extra savings and discounts: Enjoy special offers at partner tours, restaurants and experiences throughout Vienna.
Accessibility
The main visitor entrance via the Stiftsplatz is accessible, though the cobblestones on the square cause some unevenness underfoot. Two lifts serve the site: one connects the car park level to the Sala terrena visitor reception, and a second runs from the Sala terrena up to the imperial apartments on the first floor. Level differences in the medieval cloister area are managed by two stairlifts. Wheelchair loan is available free of charge from the visitor reception.
Important limitations: The abbey gardens and the museum on the second floor of the imperial wing (Kaisertrakt) are not wheelchair accessible. Visitors with mobility restrictions should be aware that not all parts of the complex can be reached by lift. Accessible toilets are located in the Sala terrena area. Guide dogs are welcome throughout the abbey.
What to see
The Verdun Altar is the single most important object in the abbey’s collection and one of the great surviving works of medieval art in Central Europe. Created by Nikolaus of Verdun and completed in 1181, it consists of 51 enamel panels arranged in three horizontal tiers representing the stages of salvation history. The enamel has survived more than eight centuries in near-perfect condition. The altar is displayed in the Leopold Chapel and is accessible on a guided tour.
The Sala terrena is where every visit begins. This unfinished baroque garden hall has been frozen in the state it was left when construction halted in 1740. The massive Atlas figures supporting the ceiling are immediately striking, and the room itself is an unusual relic of interrupted imperial ambition.
The Stiftskirche (Abbey Church) is a functioning Augustinian collegiate church with a richly decorated baroque interior. Mass is held daily, and the church may be closed to visitors during services. Visitors who time their arrival well can hear the historic festival organ, one of the instruments that gave the abbey a lasting musical reputation.
The Imperial Apartments (Kaiserzimmer) occupy the first floor of the imperial wing and reflect Emperor Charles VI’s unrealised vision for an Austrian Escorial — a palace-monastery complex that was meant to rival Philip II’s famous Spanish complex. The Marble Hall within the suite contains ceiling frescoes by Daniel Gran depicting the union of the Houses of Habsburg and Lorraine.
The Abbey Museum covers the collection from the Babenberger family tree — a remarkable 13th-century genealogical painting — through to the gallery of modern art. The museum opens on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays only (14:00–17:00 in summer, 14:00–16:00 in winter).
The Wine Cellars run beneath the abbey and form part of one of Austria’s oldest and largest monastic wine estates. The 90-minute cellar tour is one of the highlights for visitors interested in Austrian wine history. The Vinothek (wine shop), open Monday to Friday 10:00–18:00 and Saturday 10:00–17:00, is accessible without a tour ticket.
Karten auf den Tisch! (2026 summer exhibition) traces journeys made by Augustinian canons, pilgrims, Arctic explorers and archaeologists through maps, documents and artefacts drawn from the abbey’s own archive. Running from 1 May to 15 November 2026, it is included in the standard admission ticket.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Take your parking ticket inside | Have it stamped at the Sala terrena reception to unlock up to four free hours; without the stamp, normal parking charges apply. |
| Book guided tours on the day | Abbey and wine cellar tours depart at fixed times; ask at the reception desk on arrival, or book in advance to guarantee your preferred time. |
| Check church opening before a specific visit | The Stiftskirche is closed to tourists during Mass — times vary by day, so check the schedule on the official site if the church is your main reason for visiting. |
| Visit the Vinothek separately if you skip the cellar tour | The abbey wine shop is open Monday to Saturday without a tour ticket and stocks wines from the estate’s own vineyards. |
| Arrive before midday in summer | Coach parties tend to arrive mid-morning; being at the gates at 09:00 means a quieter experience in the main rooms. |
FAQ
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Do I need to book in advance? | Advance booking is not mandatory, but it is worth doing in busy months. Book in advance through GetYourGuide to avoid queuing at the ticket desk in peak season. |
| Is the abbey open every day? | Yes, daily throughout the year except 24–26 December and 31 December–2 January. |
| Are children free? | Yes — under-14s enter free of charge on individual tickets. Group bookings for children follow separate pricing. |
| How does Klosterneuburg compare to Melk Abbey? | Both are major baroque Augustinian monasteries within an hour of Vienna. Klosterneuburg is closer to the city and holds the Verdun Altar, a unique medieval artwork. Melk is more completely baroque and offers Danube views from its clifftop setting. |
| Can I visit the abbey church without an entry ticket? | Yes — the Stiftskirche is open for prayer and Mass free of charge. However, entering the broader complex (treasury, museum, imperial apartments) requires a ticket. |
Things to do nearby
Stadtmuseum Klosterneuburg sits a short walk from the abbey in the old town and explores the civic history of this ancient Danube town, offering a good counterpoint to the abbey’s religious and aristocratic narrative.
Klosterneuburg old town (Altstadt) rewards a half-hour stroll: the medieval Babenbergergasse and the riverside Niedermarkt retain a compact historic streetscape largely unchanged since the abbey’s heyday.
Danube riverside walk — the towpath between Klosterneuburg and the boat landing offers views back towards the abbey’s distinctive green copper domes and towers, particularly striking in the afternoon light.
Leopoldsberg and Kahlenberg — two forested hilltops overlooking the Danube a short drive or bike ride south, with panoramic views across Vienna and the Vienna Woods; the Leopoldsberg church is named after the same saint who founded the abbey.
Klosterneuburg Vinothek — the abbey’s own wine shop on the Stiftsplatz stocks wines from what is one of the oldest continuously operating wine estates in Austria, and is worth a browse or a tasting even for visitors who skipped the cellar tour.
What to visit tomorrow
If Klosterneuburg has whetted your appetite for Austrian abbeys and monastery complexes, these are worth the journey.
Melk Abbey (Stift Melk) is arguably the most spectacular baroque monastery in Austria, perched on a rocky promontory above the Danube at the western end of the Wachau Valley. The journey from Klosterneuburg by car takes around 80 minutes. The library, church and terrace views over the river are exceptional.
Göttweig Abbey (Stift Göttweig) crowns a forested hill above Krems in the Wachau and is sometimes called the “Austrian Montecassino.” It is around 70 minutes from Klosterneuburg by car and has a notable imperial staircase and outstanding Danube Valley views.
Heiligenkreuz Abbey (Stift Heiligenkreuz) in the Vienna Woods is the oldest continuously inhabited Cistercian monastery in the world, founded in 1133 — the same year that Leopold III brought the Augustinians to Klosterneuburg. It is around 40 minutes by car and retains a medieval cloister largely intact.
Klosterneuburg Cistercian Monastery at Zwettl (Stift Zwettl) is a 12th-century Cistercian abbey in the Waldviertel region, around 90 minutes north-west of Klosterneuburg. Its medieval church and cloister are among the best-preserved Romanesque-Gothic complexes in Lower Austria.
Herzogenburg Abbey (Stift Herzogenburg) is a baroque Augustinian monastery about 55 minutes from Klosterneuburg, with a richly decorated church and a collection of Gothic panel paintings that would interest anyone who has been captivated by medieval art at Klosterneuburg.
More Austria travel
Other Austria travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- What to see at the Belvedere Palace in Vienna.
- A practical guide to the House of Music in Vienna.
- What to expect at the Mozarthaus Vienna.
- How to visit the Imperial Apartments and Sisi Museum in Vienna’s Hofburg.
- How to ride the Wiener Riesenrad – the oldest Ferris Wheel in the world.
