Vienna: Wienerwald Tour, Underground Lake & Wine Tasting

The Vienna Woods Hide an Underground Lake, and a Wine Bar Worth Finding

You ride through Vienna's outer districts to Liechtenstein Castle, take a boat across an underground lake kept at freezing temperature year-round, then taste three local wines at a working wine bar in the Vienna Woods. The guide is English-speaking, transport and all admissions are included, and the tour wraps by late afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Vienna Central Cemetery30m
2. Vienna State Opera1m

Vienna Forest Tour with Lake and Wine

• Ride through Vienna city
• Visit Liechtenstein Castle outside
• Boat trip on underground lake
• Drive with views in Lower Austria
• Visit local wine bar and taste wine
• Drive through picturesque Lower Austria
• End of the tour

The experience

You don't expect to find a lake inside a mountain, especially not one you can actually boat across. The Wienerwald tour starts with a drive through Vienna itself, passing the Vienna State Opera and Vienna Central Cemetery as the city gradually gives way to forest. The whole thing takes a day, but not a full one. It's the kind of outing that leaves your afternoon open.

Liechtenstein Castle appears first, though you see it from outside. The real draw is what comes next. The underground lake sits on private property, and the boat trip across it is the centerpiece: the water stays at 9 degrees Celsius year-round, so the air inside feels different, almost otherworldly. If the lake is temporarily inaccessible for technical reasons, the tour substitutes Schlosspark Laxenburg or Heiligenkreuz Abbey, so you're not left with a half-day. The drive through Lower Austria between stops is genuinely scenic, the kind of winding road through vineyards and small villages that makes you understand why people live out here.

After the boat, you stop at a local wine bar. This isn't a tasting room trying to sell you bottles. It's a working place where people actually drink wine. The guide walks you through three local wines and pairs them with a snack, explaining how the Vienna Woods region produces wine that doesn't get exported much because locals drink it all. The whole experience, from pickup to drop-off at the Vienna State Opera, fits into one afternoon, and the air-conditioned vehicle means you're not sweating through the scenic parts.

What’s included

• Professional English-speaking guide.
• air-conditioned vehicle with scenic drives through Vienna, the Vienna Woods, and Lower Austria.
• exterior view of Liechtenstein Castle.
• admission and boat trip on the underground lake.
• visit to a local wine bar with tasting of three wines and a snack.

Options for this experience

3 options

Guide in English09:00 and 14:00

Guide in English09:30 and 14:00

Guide in English09:30 and 14:00

Options with the same name differ in details you'll see when you pick a date.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday to SundayDepartures at 09:00, 09:30 and 14:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (7 and older) · Under 7: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 100

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48h

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Metatours e.U.

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see Vienna's less-known side without renting a car or planning multiple stops: the fixed route and included transport mean you show up and spend the afternoon discovering what's beyond the city center.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

What happens if the underground lake is closed when I visit?

The tour substitutes Schlosspark Laxenburg or Heiligenkreuz Abbey, so the day's structure stays the same.

How long is the full tour?

It's a half-day experience that leaves your afternoon free.

Is the wine tasting included, or do I pay extra?

Three wines and a snack are included in the tour price.

Do I need to be fit for the boat trip on the underground lake?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels, though the lake is not recommended for people with claustrophobia due to the enclosed underground space.

What should I wear?

In summer, bring a jacket and closed shoes. The underground lake stays at 9°C (48°F) year-round, so it's cold inside regardless of season.

Is this a private tour or a group tour?

Both group and private options are available.

Where does the tour start and end?

You're picked up and dropped off at Vienna State Opera.