Schloss Hof in spring – The perfect day trip from Vienna
Spring is here, the days are getting warmer, and my desire to go on little adventures is growing. Do you feel the same? Then I’ve got a great tip for you! Schloss Hof, located in the Marchfeld region of Lower Austria, just about an hour from Vienna, is the perfect place for a springtime getaway. There’s so much to explore: strolling through the Easter market, visiting the estate, taking a walk through the stunning baroque gardens, or maybe even joining a guided tour of the palace. In this post, I’ll take you along on a springtime adventure and show you all the wonderful things Schloss Hof has to offer!
The Easter Market at Schloss Hof
Every year, on the weekends leading up to Easter, Schloss Hof hosts its traditional Easter market. The entire area is beautifully decorated for the occasion with adorable bunny figures, colorful Easter eggs, and the first blooming spring flowers. It’s the perfect place to get into the Easter spirit.
The market stalls are spread across the estate, some outdoors and others inside buildings like the Orangerie West and the Tenne. There’s an amazing selection of handcrafted arts and crafts from ceramics, wooden decorations and jewelry to natural cosmetics, flower bulbs, and garden accessories. If you’re looking for special Easter gifts or charming decorations, you’ll definitely find something here.
Tip: Families can enjoy a fun Easter program with craft workshops, an Easter bunny scavenger hunt, and an exciting search for the golden egg!
And let’s not forget the food, there are plenty of stands offering treats, from Spätzle and burgers to hot dogs, sausages, fish specialties, and churros.
Tip: The Kräutergarten restaurant serves a special three-course Easter menu on all market days!
But it’s not just that, with your Easter market ticket you can also explore the entire estate and its many animals! With wide green meadows, a petting zoo, plenty of space to relax, and great playgrounds, it’s a fantastic destination for a fun day out. More on that below!
Your Easter market ticket also gives you access to the palace grounds and the impressive baroque gardens, all for just € 10! I think that’s an amazing (and super affordable) way to experience Schloss Hof. If you’d also like to visit the palace interiors and the special exhibition on Prince Eugene, you can get a day ticket Schloss Hof Estate & Schloss Niederweiden that includes both the Easter market and palace entry. You’ll find all the ticket and opening time details below.
EASTER MARKET OPENING TIMES:
March 15 – April 21, 2025
Saturdays and Sundays, plus Good Friday and Easter Monday 10 am – 6 pm
TICKETS:
Easter Market: Adults: € 10, Children (6-18): € 5
Day ticket Schloss Hof & Schloss Niederweiden: Adults: € 24, Children (6-18): € 13,50
Tip: It’s best to buy your tickets online in advance!
The estate
In the past, the estate was used to supply the prince’s household, but today, there’s so much to discover! The themed gardens, such as the herb garden and the Allerlei garden, are particularly beautiful, and there’s even a rose garden. Next time, I’m especially looking forward to the berry and snack garden, where you can pick your own fruit!
At the Herrenhof, you can watch artisans as they demonstrate their traditional techniques. There are also two historic orangeries filled with beautiful plants, they’ll be on display in the gardens outside soon. The entire estate is vast, offering plenty of space to explore and relax. There’s an open-air area with animals, stables, a petting zoo, and playgrounds for children, it’s a perfect place to spend a wonderful day! Let me now introduce you to two highlights from the estate:
Restaurant Kräutergarten
What’s a day trip without good food? Of course, I had to try the culinary offerings at Schloss Hof, and I can absolutely recommend the Restaurant Kräutergarten! The menu features a great selection of snacks, such as sausages, beef tartare, and pulled pork buns. If you’re hungrier, you’ll find classics like Wiener schnitzel, crispy chicken salad, and goulash. And, of course, delicious desserts are a must!
Tip: On all Easter market days, there’s a special three-course Easter menu available with meat or as a vegetarian option. The menu includes delights like grilled asparagus, wild garlic malfatti, and limoncello crème brûlée. It costs €29.90 per person, and no pre-order is needed.
The Restaurant Kräutergarten is located right in the heart of the estate and was recently renovated, making it even more inviting. On sunny days, you can enjoy your meal on the terrace with a view of the estate, it’s great for a little break!
Tip: I recommend reserving a table in advance, as the restaurant is very popular and can get quite busy, especially around lunchtime.
OPENING HOURS:
Daily during Schloss Hof’s regular opening hours from 10 am – 6 pm.
RESERVATIONS:
Online reservation available
The animals of Schloss Hof
Schloss Hof is home to around 200 animals, and you can meet them either while strolling through the vast pastures or by visiting them in the estate’s stables. There’s also a petting zoo where you can get up close to some of the animals. But for me, the open enclosures were the true highlight!
The estate specializes in preserving rare Austrian livestock breeds and endangered species. You’ll find white baroque donkeys, Carinthian spectacled sheep, four-horned goats, and many more. I was especially fascinated by the stunning horses, including Lipizzaners, Norikers, Nonius horses, and adorable Shetland ponies. But meeting giant donkeys, llamas, alpacas, and Bactrian camels was also an incredible experience.
Tip: From Thursday to Sunday, you can take a carriage ride across the grounds (€2). During the Easter market (and other events), children can enjoy pony rides (€1) or, if the weather is bad, pony grooming in the stables.
The Palace
The heart of the estate is the magnificent two-story palace! Originally built as a hunting lodge for Prince Eugene, it was later taken over by Maria Theresa. After years of restoration, visitors can now experience the palace as it was in the 18th century.
Inside, you’ll find lavish rooms, a beautiful chapel, and fascinating insights into the lives of past residents. A special highlight is the exhibition on Prince Eugene, perfect for those who want to learn more about this famous military commander!
The Baroque Garden
The view from the castle over the garden is simply stunning, even during my visit in March, although the flowers hadn’t bloomed yet. The Baroque garden, commissioned by Prince Eugene, stretches over seven terraces with countless fountains (which will be back in operation starting in April), sculptures, and beautifully landscaped flower beds. It really feels like something out of a fairy tale! And when around 35,000 flowers bloom in spring/summer, it will look even more magical. Definitely a good reason to come back soon!
Events at Schloss Hof
There’s always something happening at Schloss Hof! In addition to the many highlights, there are various events, special tours, and exhibitions throughout the year, so it’s worth stopping by regularly.
In spring, you can enjoy a variety of tours and festivals, in addition to the Easter market. With “The Unknown Schloss Hof”, you can discover mysterious rooms, admire the magnificent halls and current special exhibitions during a castle tour, and dance traditionally at the Maypole Festival.
Tip: A real highlight is the horse show “Magic of the Elements,” where you’ll be transported into a world full of adventure and magic. Expect horses, fearless riders, mysticism, excitement, and a great supporting program.
When: Saturday, May 10, and Sunday, May 11, 2025
Tickets: The show is included in the entry ticket!
Useful information for your visit to Schloss Hof
OPENING HOURS
Summer Season from March 15 to November 2, 2025
- Daily 10 am – 6 pm
- Last ticket sale: 5.30 pm
Winter Season from November 3 to March 6, 2026
- Daily 10 am – 4 pm
- Closed on December 24, 2025
- Last ticket sale: 5.30 pm
TICKETS (as of March 2025)
Day Ticket Schloss Hof & Schloss Niederweiden
- Adults: € 24
- Children and young people (6-18 years): € 13,50
- Children under 6: Free
- Discounted: € 22,50
Students 19 – 25 years, seniors from 60, people with disabilities
Easter Market
- Adults: € 10
- Children (6 – 18 years): € 5
The Easter Market ticket includes access to the entire Schloss Hof estate, including the farm, Baroque gardens, Orangery, etc., but not the castle interiors or special exhibitions.
Tip: Buy your tickets online in advance!
Annual Pass
- Adults: € 49
- Children (6 – 18 years): € 28
The annual pass is valid for one year from the issue date, giving you access to Schloss Hof and Schloss Niederweiden (during the summer season), all day events, and special exhibitions. You also get a 10% discount at the Kräutergarten Restaurant and Café Arkadenhof, and 5% off in the shops.
GETTING THERE
- Address: Schloss Hof, 2294 Schloßhof 1
by car
- about 1 hour from Vienna
- Free parking available directly in front of the castle
- Via the Flughafenautobahn A4 (exit Fischamend), B9, or B49.
by public transport
- From Vienna Hausfeldstraße, take bus 540 directly to Schloss Hof
- From Vienna Central Station, take the train to Schönfeld-Lassee, then transfer to the Vor-Bus 540 to Schloss Hof (approx. 1.5 hours from Vienna Central Station)
From Vienna Hausfeldstraße, take bus 540 directly to Schloss Hof
From Vienna Central Station, take the train to Schönfeld-Lassee, then transfer to the Vor-Bus 540 to Schloss Hof (approx. 1.5 hours from Vienna Central Station)
Whether you’ve been to Schloss Hof before or are visiting for the first time, there’s always something new to discover here! Especially in spring, it’s a dreamy destination, and with only an hour’s drive from Vienna, it’s easy to reach. I hope you enjoyed my little insight!
Have you ever been to Schloss Hof, or is it now on your bucket list?
