The Transformation of the Hatě Customs Zone
Following the fall of the Iron Curtain in 1989 and the subsequent expansion of the European Union, the border checkpoint between Hatě and the Austrian village of Kleinhaugsdorf evolved from an armed frontier into a sprawling leisure, retail, and commercial nexus. What was once the sole administrative customs station—Stará Celnice—stands today at the heart of this vibrant district.
Austrian travelers from Vienna and Lower Austria flock here for favorable pricing on fashion, dining, fuel, and entertainment, while Czech visitors utilize the route as a primary gateway toward the Weinviertel and Danube basin.
Freeport Fashion Outlet & Duty-Free Retailing
Only a short walk or drive from Stará Celnice is the Freeport Fashion Outlet, one of the earliest and largest designer outlet shopping centers in Central Europe. Spanning over 22,000 square meters of covered retail floor space, the facility hosts more than 250 international brands across approximately 75 flagship retail boutiques.
The center is designed with an atmospheric Venetian ceiling painting concept and features substantial discount structures on designer fashion, sportswear, footwear, and leather goods. Because it operates 365 days a year—including Austrian Sundays when stores across Lower Austria remain closed by law—it acts as a magnet for cross-border weekend shoppers.
Excalibur City & Merlin's Kinderwelt
Adjacent to Freeport sits Excalibur City, an eclectic border shopping wonderland founded by entrepreneur Ronnie Seunig. Marked by fantastical castle turrets, dragon iconography, and architectural eccentricities, the complex includes extensive shopping arcades, beauty salons, specialized spirits emporiums, and duty-free tobacco outlets.
For families visiting the region, Merlin's Kinderwelt provides over 200 indoor and outdoor amusement rides, go-kart circuits, rollercoasters, and aquatic attractions, offering diverse entertainment beyond adult casino gaming.
Crossing into Lower Austria: The Weinviertel
Transitioning across the border into Austria requires merely crossing the former barrier line into Kleinhaugsdorf. The landscape immediately shifts into the rolling vineyard hills of the Weinviertel, Austria's largest designated wine-growing district. Notable nearby excursions include:
- Haugsdorf Cellar Lanes (Kellergassen): Traditional whitewashed underground press houses built side-by-side along sunken rural roads, where small vintners pour Grüner Veltliner during seasonal Heuriger celebrations.
- Retz Underground Cellars (Retzer Erlebniskeller): Located 15 km west of Hatě, Retz boasts an underground labyrinth larger than its above-ground street network, excavated in fine marine sandstones.
- Thermalbad Laa an der Thaya: Located 35 km east, this renowned Austrian thermal wellness complex features mineral-rich therapeutic indoor and outdoor baths.
"Schengen regulations mean physical border checks are typically dormant; however, spot checks by Czech and Austrian border police occur regularly. Always carry your valid national passport or photo ID card."
Strategic Logistics for Stará Celnice Guests
Staying at ADMIRAL Stará Celnice places guests at the optimal nexus of both territories. One can easily enjoy retail therapy at Freeport in the morning, savor traditional Austrian tavern dining in Haugsdorf by midday, and return to the tranquility of your hotel room and the gaming tables by evening.