Introduction
When you hear the name Melk, Austria, the first thing that probably comes to mind is the magnificent Melk Abbey.
Many tourists visit Melk specifically to see attractions such as:
However, after walking around the town myself, I realized that Melk is much more than just its famous abbey.
At the foot of the abbey, there is a compact but charming old town with plenty of restaurants, cafés, shops, and souvenir stores.
Another great thing is that Melk is not a huge tourist destination, so you can easily explore most of the town on foot.
In this article, I’ll take a closer look at Melk town itself and share what I found beyond the famous abbey.
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Restaurants in Melk | More Choices Than Expected
There are actually quite a lot of restaurants around the old town at the foot of Melk Abbey.
Before visiting, I had looked at Google Maps and thought,
“There don’t seem to be that many restaurants here…”
But once I actually arrived, I was surprised by how different it felt in person.
In particular, the area around Hauptplatz, the main square in the old town, is lined with restaurants and cafés on both sides.
- Restaurants
- Cafés
- Bakeries
- Ice cream shops
- Wine shops and wine-focused establishments
There is a surprisingly good variety of places to eat and drink.
During the warmer months, outdoor terraces fill the square and give the town a very typical European atmosphere.
Unless you visit on a Sunday or public holiday, you probably won’t have much trouble finding somewhere to eat.
Eating at Josef Sdraule
I decided to eat at one of the local establishments called “Josef Sdraule.” It appears to primarily be a butcher shop, but you can also have a meal there.
I ordered:
- Schnitzel
- Roast beef
- Wurstsalat
The total came to around €32.
Considering how much prices have risen in Austria recently, I thought that was actually quite reasonable for a tourist destination.
Schnitzel
Schnitzel is, of course, one of the classic Austrian dishes.
The meat is pounded thin and fried, but the breading was light and easy to eat.
A squeeze of lemon made it even better.
Roast Beef
This was a much more substantial meat dish than I had expected.
If you are imagining something like the thinly sliced roast beef commonly served over rice in Japan, this is quite different.
It was a very Austrian-style,
“MEAT!”
kind of dish.
Wurstsalat
Wurstsalat is a salad made with sausage.
It has a refreshing, vinegar-based dressing and was surprisingly easy to eat.
With so many hearty meat dishes in Austrian cuisine, the acidity of this salad was especially welcome.
Souvenir Shops | Lots of Marille Products
There are also quite a few souvenir shops in Melk’s old town.
One thing you will see everywhere is products made with “Marille,” a specialty of the Wachau region.
In Austrian German, “Marille” means apricot.
The Wachau Valley is famous for its apricots, and you can find all kinds of Marille products, including:
- Jam
- Liqueur
- Chocolate
- Syrup
- Sweets
There is a surprisingly wide range of products to choose from.
You can often find Marille products in Austrian supermarkets as well, but I felt that there was an especially large selection around Melk.
You can also find:
- Abbey-themed souvenirs
- Wine
- Postcards
- Traditional handicrafts
There was a good mix of classic tourist souvenirs and more upscale products.
Lion Statues | Lions All Around Town
As you walk around Hauptplatz and the surrounding streets, you may notice lion statues and objects.
And there is not just one. They can be found in various places throughout the town.
At first, I wondered, “Why lions?” But in Europe, lions have long been used in castles and historic cities as symbols of:
- Strength
- Authority
- Protection
The lions in Melk blend naturally into the historic streetscape.
Some of them even have a rather cute appearance, making them fun photo spots for visitors.
As you walk around town, you may find yourself thinking, “Oh, there’s another lion!” Searching for them can be a surprisingly fun part of exploring Melk.
The Atmosphere of Melk | A Relaxed Tourist Town
One of the things I like about Melk is that it is a famous tourist destination without feeling overly touristy.
Of course, there are plenty of visitors, but it does not feel nearly as crowded as places such as:
- Vienna
- Salzburg
- Hallstatt
As a result, there is enough space to:
- Walk around at a relaxed pace
- Take a break at a café
- Enjoy the scenery
There is a nice sense of space and relaxation.
In particular, I really enjoyed the view of the town from the slope leading up toward the abbey.
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Conclusion | Don’t Leave Melk After Visiting Only the Abbey
When people think of Melk, the abbey naturally takes center stage.
And the abbey is absolutely spectacular. However, I also found the town itself surprisingly charming.
- Hauptplatz
- Restaurants with outdoor terraces
- Marille souvenirs
- Lion statues
For such a small town, Melk has quite a few things to discover.
Whether you are visiting Melk Abbey or taking a Danube cruise, I highly recommend spending some time walking around the town as well. Even a short stroll through the old town can add a lot to your visit.
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