Engelhartszell offers several ways to experience the Danube: at the Mini-Danube water experience, the focus is on river dynamics and native fish, while the Donaunixe-Isa hike provides a designated route for walking. Other highlights include landmarks from church history, a Roman burgus, Austrian art of Classical Modernism and the landscape of the Upper Danube Valley. When choosing your stay, you can start by deciding whether you would rather explore the river, go hiking, or discover culture and nature.
Experience the Danube and its waters
At the Mini-Danube water experience, six interactive miniature construction areas offer insights into river dynamics, landscapes and life along the water, from the Danube’s source to its mouth. The large aquarium features native Danube fish, especially sturgeon species, and is Austria’s largest flowing-water aquarium. The exhibits thus cover everything from the river’s course to its native fish. The water experience also includes a cable ferry, which visitors can take to cross to the other bank.
Hiking and nature in the Upper Danube Valley
The Donaunixe-Isa hike, route no. 1, is an easy 6.8-kilometre route in Engelhartszell. It offers scenic views and idyllic paths along the Danube. You can use the route length as a practical guide when planning your day’s hike.
The NATURA 2000 information point uses fifteen display cases to showcase animals from the hillside and ravine forests of the Upper Danube Valley. In the Upper Danube Valley Natura 2000 area, the steep rocky slopes of the Donauleitn are among the most impressive landscape features. The area is also home to open pine and oak stands. The difference from the hike is clear: here, the focus is on wildlife and the landscape, while the hike follows a designated route along the Danube.
Church, abbey and art
Engelszell Abbey Church was built in the Rococo style between 1754 and 1764. Engelszell Abbey was once Austria’s only Trappist monastery. The Roman burgus at Oberranna is around 1,700 years old and is the best-preserved ancient building in Upper Austria. Augmented reality can bring it to life. At the Schütz Art Museum, the collection focuses on Austrian fine art of Classical Modernism.
Taken together, the cultural highlights range from monastic history and Rococo architecture to Roman antiquity and Austrian art of Classical Modernism. You can factor a range of historical and artistic interests into your travel plans.
Getting here and finding accommodation
Engelhartszell can be reached from Passau and Linz by Wurm + Köck scheduled boat service. If you plan to arrive by boat, check the timetable in advance. When looking for hotels in Engelhartszell, you can start with the main focus of your stay: the water experience, hiking, or cultural history and art.
Discover more destinations: Suben, Sankt Roman, Sankt Aegidi, Eggerding, Taufkirchen an der Pram, Altschwendt, Vichtenstein, Diersbach.
Return to the overview of destinations: Schärding.
