Austria has many special cities. Many cities that are popular with international tourists. And the most famous one – Hallstatt, an alpine village of 700 inhabitants that is overrun by tourists every day.
But there are so many other beautiful villages in Austria that hardly get international attention. For this village – no, it is actually a city – this is definitely true. With the size of a village, it is the smallest Austrian city: Hardegg. A real hidden gem on the border to the Czech Republic and Austria’s smallest national park. It is the perfect weekend getaway from Vienna or a stopover when traveling from Austria to the Czech Republic.
The fascinating history of the underrated town Hardegg
The name “Hardegg” was first mentioned in 1145. It is believed that municipal law existed here before 1290. Archaeological discoveries indicate that the area was inhabited as far back as the Neolithic period.
Hardegg, located near the Moravian region of what is now the Czech Republic, held strategic importance throughout history. Its most notable landmark at this hidden gem is the medieval castle, originally built as a wooden defense structure in the 10th century. Over time, the castle was expanded and transformed into a fortified residence. The town once boasted five city gates.
Just outside Hardegg lies another fortified castle, Kaja, which you can visit nowadays.
In addition to farming, craftsmen also lived and worked in the area. However, with industrialization, the traditional crafts gradually disappeared, leaving only the nacre (mother-of-pearl) industry as a notable remnant.
As industrialization progressed, infrastructure such as roads and railways improved, which eventually brought tourists to this charming Austrian town. Many artists and city dwellers spent their summers here, enjoying its tranquil beauty.
Today, Hardegg is no longer a major tourist destination. One reason for this is that the construction of the dam in the Czech Republic meant that the water in the Thaya became much colder. Therefore it was not an ideal summer getaway anymore.
These days a few accommodations and two restaurants remain for visitors in Hardegg. However, you can still explore the town’s rich history and its sights through a self-guided walking tour. You can enjoy the tranquility of nature and its beauty. Or challenge yourself with a dip in the water. It is really refreshing after a long day cycling or hiking through the national park.
A interactive tour through the hidden gem
In Hardegg you have the opportunity to do a self guided city tour. Which is unfortunately only in German or Czech. You can download an app and listen to audio files, while exploring the city or even while you rest at some benches at the riverbed of the Thaya.
However, you can also visit the main sights of Hardegg for free. The tollhouse and the old primary school are accessible for free. Inside those places are information boards and exhibits of the past.
In the main square you find the old town hall, which is a really tiny house and has one room. Nowadays it is used as an art gallery. At the backside of the building you can find a tiny library. A few houses further you can find the only bakery in town.
The clocktower is close to the castle and is another important landmark. Unfortunately, the clocktower and the castle are not open to the public. You can only visit the castle on specific days during a night watch tour.
The Thaya Bridge, which links Austria and the Czech Republic, has an important history. The bridge fell into disrepair during the Iron Curtain period and was reopened in 1990. On the bridge you can see pictures of the reopening ceremony and other intercultural events that took place on the bridge.
There is also a toll station on the Czech side where there is an exhibition. Don’t forget your ID when crossing the bridge – no one checks, but just in case.
Walking through this hidden gem in Austria, showcases you the rich history of Hardegg and gives you insights on life here in the past.
Other activities around Austrians smallest city
Besides historical exploration you can enjoy multiple sport activities in the area. Behind trees on the way to Felling you can find a public outdoor swimming pool. Where you can cool off on hot summer days. You can also explore the beautiful nature of the national park via foot. There are multiple hiking trails. At Hardegg directly you have the “Hardegg Rundwanderweg” which is a circular path that takes around 1 hour and reveals great views of Hardegg.
Hardegger Warte is on the opposite side of the town. From Hardegg you can see a gazebo in the rocks. To get there you have to cross the bridge into the Czech Republic. Follow the paved road uphill until you see the sign and the path into the woods on the left. Soon you reach the gazebo. From there you overlook the castle and surrounding forest. It takes around 30-45 minutes to get there.
The hermit’s path takes you to the hermit’s bridge and the cave in about 1 hour. You can extend the walk to include the Henner viewpoint. The hiking paths are all a bit hilly and rated moderate hiking paths.
If you want to explore the nearer surroundings of Hardegg you can visit the Castle Kaja. There you find exhibitions and historical information. The nacre manufactory is in the neighboring village Felling. It offers guided tours of the manufacturing industry.
Another activity in Hardegg is cycling, an extensive cycle path runs through the nationalpark and takes you all the way to Vranov in the north or Retz to the south.
For animal lovers, you can watch wildcat feedings in the national park center in Hardegg. This center is also the information center of the region. It has a small cafe and a huge outdoor area.
A highlight of this hidden gem in Austria is the arrival, in case you are traveling by public transportation. You can take a nostalgic train from Retz, not all the way to Hardegg, but it’s part of the journey. Just make sure you check the times for the train. It only runs during high season at the weekend.
This underrated Austrian city has a lot to offer, as you can see. You can explore it at your own pace, discovering its beautiful nature and fascinating history.
The author of the blog
Lisi is an adventurous, mostly solo traveler from Austria. She likes to travel slowly, discover underrated countries/regions, and of course, learn about cultures. She has been traveling the world and creating travel content since 2016. With a degree in tourism management and a passion for travel and cultures, she wants to tell stories that inspire her readers and help them travel more consciously.
