Advent markets
From the end of November until Christmas, Rathausplatz is transformed into a magical Christmas market every year. The scent of Christmas baking, hot punch and roasted almonds fills the air. The old town and shopping streets are decorated with festive lights and put the city in a Christmassy mood.

We recommend a visit to the following Advent markets:
Rathausplatz (29 Nov. to 22 Dec.)
Opening times: MO - DO: 16:00 to 20:00 & FR, SA, SO: 13:00 to 21:00

The monastery shines its splendour far beyond Melk. Today's baroque building was constructed by Jakob Prandtauer between 1702 and 1746 and is one of the most important baroque buildings in Austria. The monastery is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Abbey Museum, which is housed in the former imperial rooms, presents the more than 930-year history of the abbey in a varied way under the title ‘On the way from yesterday to today’. The Benedictine Abbey Library in Melk is one of the most extensive collections in Europe. The abbey garden, open from May to October, invites visitors to relax. The baroque garden pavilion with its frescoes, the paradise garden and the meditative Benedictine path are waiting to be discovered. The most extensive private collection of minerals in Lower Austria can also be found in Melk Abbey in the Prelate's Hall.

Lower down in the town, the ‘House of the Song of the Nibelungs and Sand Gate’ tells the story of the town and the importance of the Danube. The so-called Sandtor marks the entrance to the landing stage and the crossing over the Danube. The semi-circular toll tower was also once part of the town fortifications, and was later used by the salt toll collector. A memorial plaque refers to two verses of the Song of the Nibelungs: Lord Astolt welcomes Kriemhild and her companions in ‘Medelick’ and shows them the way to today's Mautern an der Donau.