Above the eponymous village in the Upper Val Pusteria valley Heinfels Castle, “the Queen of the Val Pusteria”, rises
Image gallery: Heinfels Castle
The mighty Heinfels Castle (Burg Heinfels) is located in the Upper Val Pusteria at 1,130 m a.s.l. In 1243, the castle and Knight Otto von Heunvels were first mentioned in a document but it is expected that the castle is much older. Until the 16th century, it was known as "Huonenfels", because its origins are presumed to date back to the Huns in the 5th century AD. But presumably it were the Avars who built the castle complex in East Tyrol.
The castle is conveniently located and offers a beautiful panoramic view until the Gailtal valley. Due to its position, Heinfels Castle is visible from afar, one reason why it is called "Queen of the Val Pusteria". Through the centuries, it had numerous owners - in the 16th century, the area was known as ideal for the chamois and lynx hunt. In 1613, a fire destroyed big parts of the castle.
After years of planning works and renovation, Heinfels was reopened to the public in 2020: It includes a museum of 1,000 sqm, a shop, and a castle tavern. 38 arrow slits and so-called storm piles, which prevented that the walls could have been climbed up at the outside, characterize the castle still today. It can be reached on several paths, already the gorgeous view is worth the ascent!
Contact info
- Panzendorf 1 - 9919 - Heinfels
- +43 664 1677 078
- info@burg-heinfels.com
Opening times
Despite careful control we cannot guarantee the correctness of the provided data.
Admission
guided castle tour (interiors with castle chapel and museum):
€ 15.90 adults
€ 15.90 young people (15-18 years)
€ 9.50 children (7-14 years)
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panoramic tour (outdoor areas of the castle, without guided tour):
€ 9.50 adults
€ 9.50 young people (15-18 years)
€ 6.50 children (7-14 years)
free for children under 7 years
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special guided tour:
€ 139.00 flatrate (up to 10 persons)
€ 13.90 per person (more than 10 persons)
More information
Heinfels Castle stays open from early May to the end of October: from July 7 to September 7, 2025, every day, outside of these times from Thursday to Sunday. Private guided tour for one and more persons and tours for groups, however, are avaiable all year round.
The interiors of the castle are accessible only during a guided tour (approx. 90 minutes) - online reservation on burg-heinfels.com/ticket-en.html. The outdoor areas of Heinfels Castle may be discovered during the panoramic tour - tickets are available on-site. Dogs have no access.
The shop of the museum and the castle tavern are freely accessible: The tavern stays open from July 7 to September 7, 2025, every day from 10 am to 5 pm, and offers drinks, cakes, ice cream, and snacks. In the western wing of the castle, a restaurant featuring 160 seats will be opened in early summer 2026, following the conclusion of the current construction works.
Season start 2025 on the 1st of May.
