Never mind the industrial name (Eisenstadt means 'The Iron City' in German), iron might be the last thing you'll find in this miniature town surrounded by the lush vineyards and gardens of Burgenland. Instead, the capital of Austria's smallest province is a pleasant retreat that offers much more to see and do than your average town of about 13 thousand people. Formerly the family seat of Count Esterházy, Eisenstadt is located just 12 kilometers from the Hungarian border and has preserved much of its multicultural character. The town's main
landmark, the Esterházy Castle surrounded by luxurious gardens, is a venue for cultural events and a museum of local history and culture. For forty years it was also home of one of the world's most renowned classical composers Joseph Haydn, who served here as the Kapellmeister to the Eszterhazy family in the 18th century. Haydn's house and his final resting place in the Burgkirche are also open to visitors. And if this was not sufficient to commemorate this outstanding man, there are streets, restaurants, an annual classical music festival and even a local pastry named after him. Eisenstadt's pedestrian center with
numerous shops and cafes is a wonderful place to spend a relaxing afternoon.

Getting there: Regional trains in the direction of Deutschkreuz depart Wien Meidling Station every hour and will bring you to Eisenstadt in one hour with a change of trains in Wulkaprodersdorf (connection time is four minutes). Direct trains are available on weekends. One-way train fare is €12.80. Buses from Wien Südtiroler Platz depart hourly and will get you to Eisenstadt Domplatz in 1 hour 20 minutes (Look for Postbus 566).