Melk Abbey (Stift Melk)

The town of Melk lies at the western end of Austria’s Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site. While the abbey can be visited independently between April and October, most visitors choose to stop by on a full-day tour from Vienna. Said tours often combine an abbey visit with wine tastings in the valley, a boat cruise along the Danube River, a trip to nearby Salzburg, or a jaunt across the Czech border to Cesky Krumlov.

• A visit to this monastery is a must for history buffs and architecture lovers.

• The abbey is open to independent visitors without a tour guide from April to October; guided tours are available year-round.

• Guided tours of the abbey last about an hour.

• Melk Abbey tours from Vienna typically include round-trip transportation for added convenience.

• A restaurant, gift shop, and restrooms can be found on-site.

• The abbey is accessible for wheelchair users.

Perched on a hilltop overlooking the town, the Melk Abbey can be reached on foot from the Melk train station (a 10-minute walk) or by brief taxi ride. Most visitors opt to visit on a day trip from Vienna—50 miles (90 kilometers) east—but it’s equally accessible from Salzburg, 70 miles (115 kilometers) west, or Spitz, 12 miles (20 kilometers) north.

The Melk Abbey is open all year round, but from November through March, visits are only possible by guided tour and must be booked in advance. The abbey can get busy in July and August, so plan an early morning or late afternoon start to avoid the crowds.

Melk Abbey is famous for its exquisite baroque architecture, the work of architect Jakob Prandtauer. Highlights include the Marble Hall, with its magnificent ceiling frescoes by Johann Michael Rottmayr; the opulent library, filled with priceless manuscripts; and the Abbey Church, with its dazzling gold altar.

Most guided tours last around an hour, taking in star sights such as the Marble Hall, balcony, museum rooms, and the library. If you plan to take a more in-depth look at the site, consider staying longer to scope out the abbey park (open April–October) and other special exhibitions.

Melk Abbey can be reached by foot from the Danube River, where many sightseeing cruises stop, or from the Melk train station. It’s a 30-minute walk to the abbey from the pier and the station. Otherwise, drivers can leave their cars in the on-site parking lot for free.

There are some complicated rules about photography at Melk Abbey, so it’s best to check with the attraction if you want to get snap happy. Officially, photos are forbidden inside but allowed outside as long as the pictures are for private use—for example, on personal social media accounts.

Yes, Melk Abbey is still in use as a cultural and spiritual center, and monks still live, work, and pray there—as they have for hundreds of years. Select worship services and daily prayer sessions offer a way to experience the abbey’s ambiance and take place throughout the year.

Yes, a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Melk Abbey is always worthwhile. The interior areas are incredibly fascinating from both historical and visual standpoints. The Marble Hall, library, and the hugely ornate Melk Abbey Church are all highlights here, along with the Danube River views from the panoramic terrace.

Tourists can visit Melk Abbey year-round, but there are different timings and options for tours and unguided visits between the off-peak months from November through March. Tour timings and the need for prior reservations seem complicated, so it’s best to check directly with Melk Abbey before a visit.