Stegersbach

Stegersbach lies in the Pinkatal, the valley of the Pinka river, in the part of Burgenland known as Südburgenland. This is the less-visited half of the state, a region of rolling hills, small villages and farmland that borders Hungary and Styria. The town has a population of a few thousand and works as a regional centre for services and tourism, with a market square, schools and a number of hotels.

The great change in Stegersbach's modern history came with thermal water. In the 1980s, exploratory drilling for oil and gas found hot mineral water instead, and the town developed a spa complex that opened in 1990s and has since grown into one of the largest in Burgenland. The thermal complex includes indoor and outdoor pools, saunas and wellness areas, and several large hotels surround it. The water is rich in minerals and used for relaxation and treatments, and the spa is open all year, drawing visitors from Vienna, Graz and Hungary. Check prices and opening hours before travelling, since offers and seasonal arrangements change.

Golf is another pillar of the town's tourism. The area has some of the largest golf facilities in Austria, with several courses laid out on the rolling terrain, and golfers from many countries come for short breaks combining play with the spa. Walking and cycling are also popular, and a network of trails runs through the surrounding hills, orchards and woods. A cultural landscape trail network around Stegersbach connects villages and viewpoints, and routes are signposted for different levels of effort.

The town's historic buildings are modest but worth a short look. A small Renaissance-style castle, the Kastell Stegersbach, stands near the centre and is used for events and municipal purposes. The parish church of St. Martin, the Pfarrkirche St. Martin, anchors the old centre, and there are churches and chapels in the surrounding villages. Schloss St. Martin, in the neighbouring area, is a noble residence that reflects the history of the local landed families, who played an important role in the Hungarian-influenced past of the region. Traditional Burgenland farmhouses, with long low rooflines and whitewashed walls, can still be seen in the villages.

Wine culture is part of the character of the area. Southern Burgenland produces wines such as Welschriesling, Zweigelt, Blaufränkisch and the local Uhudler, a rustic wine made from old American grape varieties. The Pinka Wine Route leads through villages with cellars, known as Kellerstöckl, and Buschenschank taverns, where growers serve their own wine with cold platters of bread, smoked meat, cheese and spreads. These are seasonal and tend to open at set times, so check locally.

Cuisine in this part of Burgenland combines Austrian and Hungarian influences. Expect dishes such as goulash, roast goose around St. Martin's Day in November, pumpkin seed oil dressings, strudel, and Langosch, a fried dough popular at festivals. Local markets and festivals present regional produce, including apples, honey, sausages and bread, and the autumn season is full of harvest events.

The best months for outdoor activity are May to October, with September and early October especially pleasant for wine tasting, walking and harvest festivals. Summer can be hot, and the thermal baths are a welcome relief. Winters are mild and quiet, and the spa remains busy. The area is flat enough for family cycling.

Stegersbach is about an hour and a half by car from Vienna and an hour from Graz, and public transport is limited, so a car is the practical choice. The thermal town of Bad Waltersdorf and the castle town of Güssing are within easy driving distance, making it possible to combine several places in one trip.