Amstetten is situated between Linz (60 km; 40 miles) and Vienna (120 km; 75 miles) on the highway and just over an hour from Vienna by highspeed-train, and lies on the river Ybbs and Url [de] as well near the Danube river.

During World War II, there were two subcamps of the Mauthausen-Gusen concentration camp in Amstetten.

There are two second hand shops in Amstetten where good quality clothes can be purchased cheaply.

For detailed information of events in Amstetten, the City Hall (Rathaus) can provide programmes and leaflets.

This includes performances from the Amstetten Symphony Orchestra and local Amateur dramatic groups, as well as professional theatre, cabarets, story-telling, lectures and exhibitions.

[8][9] From the station, there are direct rail services to Vienna, Munich and Salzburg as well as local tourist attraction Melk.