Austria is well one of the lovely nations on this planet. We journey there usually and each time attempt to plot our transfer to the beautiful Austrian countryside to dwell out our Sound of Music desires.
Suppose hovering Alps, enchanting cities tucked beneath waterfalls, dreamy landscapes, and distinctive baroque structure. Austria packs a complete lotta punch for a comparatively small nation!
From mountain villages, to lovely occasions and the most effective Christmas markets on this planet, there are many causes to journey to Austria. Allow us to enable you select the place the most effective locations to go to in Austria are for you!
Austria Journey Ideas
- Foreign money: Euro
- Language: German. Studying just a few phrases within the native language could also be useful earlier than arriving. Most Austrians communicate English.
- Visa: Austria is a member of the Schengen Settlement; test along with your embassy to see in case you want visas to enter the Schengen.
- What to Pack: An amazing rain jacket, wool sweater, mountain climbing garments, wool socks, journey digicam, & down jacket.
- Consuming water: Austria’s water is rated among the many high 5 greatest consuming water on this planet.
- Greatest time to journey to Austria? Austria is a 12 months spherical vacation spot. Nevertheless the most effective occasions to journey are in the course of the summer season months – June to September. And in the course of the winter for ski.
Greatest Locations to Go to in Austria
Vienna
The capital metropolis of Vienna is a vibrant metropolis located within the coronary heart of Austria alongside The Danube River. It is among the most lovely cities in Europe to go to. Town is understood for its lovely palaces together with Imperial Hofburg Palace, Schonbrunn Palace and Belvedere Palace. It’s additionally identified for its lengthy historical past and colourful tradition, highlighted within the many museums such because the Sisi Museum, the Pure Historical past Museum, Albertina and the Museum of Artwork Historical past.
Right here you’ll see works by Michelangelo, Rembrandt and plenty of others. Different high sights embody St. Stephen’s Cathedral and Vienna Operahouse. Many guests to the town get pleasure from immersing themselves within the espresso home scene that Vienna is famend for.
Innsbruck
Located on the banks of the River Inn, Innsbruck is usually identified for being a high ski space in Austria however the metropolis can be identified for its beautiful alpine surroundings and distinctive structure. Within the pedestrian-only Previous City, you’ll discover lots of the metropolis’s high boutique retailers and eateries. Past the Previous City, there are many issues to do in Innsbruck.
Head as much as the Previous Rathaus Tower the place you may get implausible views of the town and surrounding space and uncover its lengthy historical past on the Golden Roof Museum, Ambras Fort and the Tyrolean People Artwork Museum. Hofkirche gothic church, Alpine Zoo Innsbruck and the favored purchasing space of Maria-Theresien Strabe are among the different notable sights.
Feldkirch
At virtually 800 years previous, you’ll be able to wager that the small city of Feldkirch alongside the River Rhine in western Austria has a lot historical past to be explored! The Schattenburg Museum options an unbelievable artwork assortment housed in a barrack that’s greater than 700 years previous and the stunning Previous City district is residence to many historic fountains and buildings together with Schattenburg Fort.
Different fashionable sights within the city embody the Radio Museum, Wildpark Feldkirch, Kunstpalais Liechtenstein, Rectory St Nicholas and Galerie Sechzig.
Klagenfurt am Worthersee
Klagenfurt am Worthersee is simply a small metropolis but it surely’s massive on historical past, tradition and world-class sights. Located alongside lovely Lake Worthersee, the city dates again to the mid-1100s.
Right this moment, its slender streets and picturesque Previous City District are nice locations to discover in case you’re a fan of baroque structure, galleries, cafes and full of life avenue markets such because the Benedictine Market. Among the best methods to get across the metropolis is by bicycle and you’ll lease one at a number of locations.
There’s a path alongside the close by Drau River that’s nice for biking and mountain climbing. Different notable sights across the metropolis embody Pyramidenkogel Tower, Lindwurm Fountain, the Museum of Trendy Artwork and Reptilienzoo Happ.
Seebensee and Drachensee
Seebensee and Drachensee are two of probably the most lovely lakes in Austria, and the hike to them has positioned only a 1.5-hour drive away from Innsbruck. Among the best days out within the mountains you’ll be able to have is mountain climbing to those lovely alpine lakes.
Seebensee is a excessive mountain lake that sits at 1,657 meters. It’s surrounded by colossal peaks that make up the Wetterstein mountains and Mieminger Chain. Reaching the lake requires a little bit of mountain climbing, however you’ll be able to reduce among the mountain climbing out by taking the Ehrwalder Almbahn (cable automobile) to Ehrwalder Alm to begin your hike. The hike to Seebensee is a simple hike alongside a well-maintained path that can take you anyplace between 3-5 hours.
For a bit extra Austria mountain climbing, proceed mountain climbing 250 meters as much as the Coburger Hütte for a implausible apple strudel and to get the most effective views of Drachensee. From the Coburger Hütte, you’ll be able to hike right down to Drachensee to get an up-close have a look at it! We cherished our day trip mountain climbing to those two lakes and take into account the day journey among the finest issues to do in Innsbruck.
Montafon
Montafon is a good looking lengthy valley in Vorarlberg. In each winter and summer season it gives guests a staggering quantity of issues to do.
In summer season, there are 1,161 km of mountain climbing trails surrounded by three completely different mountain ranges – Rätikon, Silvretta, and Verwall. Wander the paths whereas passing Austria’s most well-known residents – cows. Whereas mountain climbing you’re by no means too far-off from mountain huts and huts and alpine taverns.
Bike excursions are fashionable right here, with e-bikes taking on so out of doors fanatics can go deeper into the mountains. We advocate the Wasserstubental Tour, which is nearly 60 km of pure magnificence.
You don’t need to work too exhausting right here although to benefit from the views as there appear to be an infinite quantity of cablecars to get you excessive within the alpine.
Within the winter this space is a snowboarding mecca, with the small city of Gargellan being a selected spotlight. Come January and February there are some epic powder dumps right here. With the children? Get pleasure from evening tobogganing beneath the celebs!
Grossglockner Excessive Alpine Highway
The Grossglockner Excessive Alpine Highway (in German Großglockner Hochalpenstraße) is the best surfaced mountain highway in all of Austria. The highway is conveniently named after Grossglockner, which is the best mountain in Austria.
You’ll be able to even see the Grossglockner from a viewing space, the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe. You may also hike to stand up shut and private to Grossglockner (the picture above is from an epic hike we did). Severe mountaineers and alpinist also can summit Grossglockner.
The highway was constructed as a scenic route, and each summer season, you’ll discover a whole bunch of bikers and motorists driving the highway on any given day. Driving or biking this highway is among the greatest issues to do in Austria!
The highway begins close to lovely Fusch and ends in Heiligenblut, each beautiful cities in their very own proper.
Alpbach
If there ever was an Alpine city that appears like a postcard, it must be Alpbach in western Austria. It’s lovely, that’s for certain! But it surely’s additionally serene and remoted which implies it’s a perfect place to move to while you simply wish to get away from all of it.
In winter, it’s the snowboarding that pulls many guests. Within the hotter months, mountain climbing is a well-liked exercise however there are a lot of pure areas which you can escape to the place you’ll be able to admire the wonder and simply benefit from the peacefulness.
Linz
Located in northern Austria alongside the Danube River, the attractive metropolis of Linz isn’t a high vacationer vacation spot however there are a lot of the reason why it must be and why you need to test it out in case you’re planning a visit to the nation.
This metropolis has all of it: historical past, structure, tradition, beautiful surroundings, world-class purchasing and interesting sights.
Linz Fort is the most well-liked attraction however different must-see sights embody the 8th-century St. Martin’s Church, Linz Botanical Backyard, Stift St. Florian Abbey and Mauthausen Memorial.
Wels
Wels is a picturesque metropolis alongside the banks of the Traun River. Town is understood for its vibrant downtown district stuffed with historic buildings and for its central location which makes it a perfect base for exploring the area.
Try the Thirteenth-century Ledererturm Tower and admire the traditional stained-glass home windows at Stadtpfarrkirche Church. Native historical past and tradition are alive and nicely within the Museum Angerlehner, the Austrian Pastry Museum and the Stadtmuseum Burg Wels Museum.
Don’t miss the Welser Tiergarten Zoo, Welios Science Heart and Zoo Schmiding that are only a few of the numerous high sights within the metropolis. In case you occur to be there in December, be sure you take a look at the superb Christmas markets which are arrange.
Sankt Polten
Sankt Polten is the largest metropolis in Decrease Austria, however with solely 55,000 residents, it actually isn’t all that massive.
It’s simply large enough to be residence to many superb sights however sufficiently small to get pleasure from a soothing trip near sprawling countryside and nature areas. Study in regards to the area’s previous on the Decrease Austria Museum, Home of Historical past and Stadtmuseum St. Pölten Museum.
Escape the city panorama at Hammer Park or Ratzersdorfer See Lake. Admire historic structure at Herzogenburg Monastery and luxuriate in beautiful vistas from the Klangturm remark deck.
Villach
Situated alongside the Drava River in a mountainous area in southern Austria, Villach is a high vacation spot for individuals in search of ultimate snowboarding and mountain climbing situations. Fishing on Lake Faak, paragliding at Gerlitzen Mountain and mountain climbing alongside the Alpe-Adria-Path are simply among the fashionable out of doors pursuits in Villach.
Different fashionable actions in and across the metropolis embody trying out the retailers, galleries and cafes of the Previous City Sq., stress-free within the thermal swimming pools at KärntenTherme Warmbad spa and exploring the numerous sights together with the 14th-century Parish Church of St. Jakob, Landskron Fort, Dobratsch Nature Park and Affenberg Landskron Animal Park.
Eisenstadt
Eisenstadt is one other small Austrian metropolis positioned within the jap area of the nation. It’s principally identified for its excessive variety of historic sights that spotlight the area’s lengthy historical past reminiscent of Österreichisches Jüdisches Museum and Landesmuseum Burgenland.
One more reason why so many individuals select to go to Eisenstadt is its beautiful palaces together with, Esterhazy Palace and the Baroque Palace of Schlosspark.
Dangerous Ischl
In case you’re trying to get away from all of it and sit back within the lap of luxurious, Dangerous Ischl is the place to be!
Situated in Higher Austria alongside the Traun River, the remnants of salt mining within the space gave method to a singular alternative that resulted within the city being famend for its spas and salt swimming pools which are stated to have therapeutic powers.
Once you’re not stress-free at one among these spas, there are a lot of museums and historic locations to take a look at round city together with Kaiservilla residence, Stadtmuseum Dangerous Ischl Museum, Leharvilla Museum and Sisi’s Cottage. Don’t overlook to take the Katrin Cable Automobile to go to an unbelievable nature reserve!
Maria Alm
The enchanting village of Maria Alm is a picture-perfect instance of a rural Austrian city with huge fields, chalets, mountains and out of doors markets and, in winter, it’s one of the beautiful ski areas within the nation. Discover the quaint little village and its cafes and retailers or spend a day mountain climbing at Hundstein Mountain and Schönfeldspitze.
Lech Am Arlberg
If we have been to choose one among our favourite ski resort cities in Europe, it might be Lech Zurs Arlberg in Vorarlberg. Lech is precisely what you could possibly need out of a winter journey to Europe.
The village ambiance is hard to beat as a result of a big selection of boutique resorts, all intimate in dimension as a result of strict ordinance legal guidelines. You gained’t discover mega resorts or international investments on this former farming village.
It’s all distinctly Austrian, with eating places, resorts, bars, chalets, and B&Bs run by native households. All the things within the village is trendy and splendid however understated so that you simply gained’t be fully gobsmacked right here. This appeal is what continues to attract regulars from around the globe 12 months after 12 months.
Dürnstein
So far as small cities go within the Decrease Austria area, none are fairly as fairly as Durnstein. Located alongside the Danube River, it’s principally identified for its wine manufacturing, and colourful buildings. The city is residence to many historic websites too together with Stift Dürnstein Monastery, Göttweig Abbey and the ruins of Burgruine Durnstein which was the place Richard the Lionheart was as soon as imprisoned.
A must-do whereas within the space is wine tastings and Domäne Wachau Vineyard and Weingut Tegernseerhof Vineyard are two fabulous locations to check out some native wine.
Hallstatt
Hallstatt has an extended historical past that dates again to the Iron Age. This small city on Lake Hallstatt within the lovely Salzkammergut area is understood for its Sixteenth-century properties, quaint alleyways lined with retailers and cafes and abundance of outside pursuits together with snowboarding and snowshoeing in winter and mountain climbing within the hotter months.
Go to the world’s oldest salt mine at Salzwelten Hallstatt and go to among the historic sights together with Museum Hallstatt and Charnel Home. Care to see some phenomenal Alpine views? Try the Treppe ins Nichts Viewing Platform. (Psst – go to in October for among the greatest fall colours in Europe!)
Bregenz
Lake Constance is the third largest lake in Central Europe and positioned round it are lovely cities and villages together with Bregenz. Step again in time on the ruins of Burgruine Hohenbregenz and Gebhardsberg and take a hike alongside one of many trails at Pfander Mountain that are accessed by way of a cable automobile.
Alpine Wildlife Park, Eagle Observatory and Kunsthaus Bregenz Museum of Modern Artwork are among the different must-visit sights within the space.
Zell am See
Hit the slopes or the paths early and sit back in a spa all earlier than dinner which could be loved in one of many beautiful eating places within the medieval city heart. That is life within the lakeside village of Zell am See.
Lake Zell is a well-liked leisure space for guests who get pleasure from paddleboarding and crusing and a visit on the scenic Pinzgauer Lokalbahn mountain railway is nicely price it! A number of the notable sights within the city embody St. Hippolyte Church, Schmittenhöhe Mountain and Gipfelwelt 3000 Viewing Platform.
St. Gilgen
St. Gilgen is a tiny village located in a scenic setting on Lake Wolfgang surrounded by rolling hills. Maybe the setting will look acquainted; some scenes from the Sound of Music have been filmed right here!
A well-liked factor for guests to do within the village is to take a cruise on the lake to get a greater have a look at the superb surroundings however mountain climbing at close by Fuschlsee Lake can be fashionable. Make a journey to the summit of Schafberg Mountain the place you’ll discover an incredible restaurant and study native historical past on the Museum Zinkenbacher Mahlerkolonie.
Melk
Melk is positioned in a scenic location on the mouth of the Wachau Valley alongside the Danube River. Like lots of the small cities round Austria, the middle of life in Melk principally takes place within the historic Previous City District.
That is the place you’ll discover the very previous buildings that give the town its character and plenty of retailers and eating places. Atop a hill above this district is the large Eleventh-century Melk Abbey which is a baroque Benedictine monastery. Schallaburg Fort, Paradiesgarten Backyard, Albrechtsburg Fort and Schloss Artstetten Fort are among the different fashionable sights.
Lienz
Medieval appeal, distinctive tradition, the good outside and world-class historic sights. These are simply among the issues that draw guests to the attractive village of Lienz. Try Bruck Fort the place you’ll admire a 500-year-old artwork assortment and study 750 years of historical past.
Take a cable automobile up Lienzer Bergbahnen – Zettersfeld and luxuriate in spectacular mountain views. Go to Osttirodler Sommerrodelbahn Hochstein Lienz and catch some thrills on the curler coaster or take a hike alongside one of many trails.
Spend a day at Journey World Assling the place you’ll discover a summer season toboggan run and a wildlife park.
Bludenz
Mountains and valleys make up the attractive panorama surrounding Bludenz and among the finest methods to get pleasure from these views is with a visit in a cable automobile to the summit of Muttersberg.
In case you like to golf, you’ll love the difficult recreation that awaits you on the scenic 18-hole Golfclub Bludenz-Braz. For non-golfers, mountain climbing at Mondspitze is a well-liked alternative. Different notable sights embody Gayenhofen Fort and Museum der Stadt Bludenz Oberes Tor.
After an extended day, head to Fohrenburger Brewery which is among the high breweries within the nation.
Salzburg
Situated on the River Salzach within the northwest area of the nation, Salzburg is extensively identified for being the birthplace of Mozart but it surely has a lot extra to supply to guests! The Previous City district is the place you’ll discover many Sixteenth and Seventeenth-century landmarks such because the Residenzbrunnen fountain, the Salzburg Residenz and the Getreidegasse pedestrian zone.
Search for and also you’ll see the majestic Hohensalzburg Fort towering above the district. Different sights embody Mirabell Palace, Salzburg Cathedral and Salzburg Zoo Hellbrunn.
After all, you too can go to the birthplace of one of many biggest composers of all time, and don’t overlook to take a look at the beautiful Baroque Gardens the place scenes from The Sound of Music have been filmed.
Dangerous Gastein
Dangerous Gastein is a reasonably spa city located in a excessive valley of the Hohe Tauern Mountains. The city is understood for its pristine nature which incorporates the must-see Gastein Waterfall, thick forests, sheer mountain cliffs and the mountain climbing areas of Ankogelbahn and Graukogel.
The middle of city is understood for its distinctive Belle Epoque structure and can be the place you’ll discover The Gasteiner Museum. Don’t miss the Stubnerkogel Suspension Bridge the place you’ll have the ability to admire beautiful mountain views.
Finkenberg
Situated within the Tuxer Valley, Finkenberg is a good looking mountain city identified for its ski tradition and abundance of locations to downhill ski in winter and hike in the summertime. In winter, Penken Mountain, Horbergbahn – Mayrhofner Bergbahnen, Rastkogel Bahnen and Harakiri, which is Austria’s steepest ski run, are high locations to be. Within the hotter months, guests take to the paths at Tuxertal, Rastkogel and Ahornspitze.
Krems an der Donau
Krems an der Donau is a good looking small metropolis alongside the Danube River within the Wachau Valley in Decrease Austria. This historical metropolis is understood for its wine manufacturing and historic structure.
There are a lot of nice sights across the metropolis together with Kunsthalle Krems Artwork Museum, Landesgalerie Niederösterreich, Karikaturmuseum Krems Artwork Museum and Göttweig Abbey.
Graz
Graz is a pretty big metropolis that’s stated to be one of the fantastically preserved in all of Central Europe. Right this moment, the town is a UNESCO World Heritage Web site identified for its vibrant tradition and exquisite Baroque structure.
Town’s historical past and tradition is highlighted within the many museums such because the Mohren Apotheke’s Theriak Museum, Graz Municipal Museum, Robert Stoltz Museum, Graz Artwork Museum and Landeszeughaus Armory Museum.
At Schockl, you’ll be able to take a gondola to a mountain peak the place there are mountain climbing trails and lots of the metropolis’s retailers and eating places could be discovered within the Previous City District. Different fashionable sights embody Mariatrost Basilica, the Seventeenth-century Schloss Eggenberg Palace, Schloßberg Park, Uhrturm and the museum and birthplace of Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The place are the most effective locations to go to in Austria for mountain climbing?
- Innsbruck
- Lech
- Dachstein
- Zillertal Alps
- Silvretta Alps
The place are the most effective locations to go to in Austria for snowboarding?
- St. Anton am Arlberg
- Lech-Zürs am Arlberg
- Mayrhofen
- Sölden
- Alpbach
- Innsbruck
Tips on how to journey round Austria?
The best methods to journey round Austria are by practice and by automobile. Seek for practice timetables and tickets in Austria on OBB.
It’s additionally attainable to lease a automobile in Austria (or close by Germany) and highway journey across the nation, which is a implausible method to discover the countryside.
13 Useful Automobile Rental Ideas For First Timers
The place are probably the most lovely cities in Austria?
There are such a lot of lovely cities and cities. We advocate Innsbruck, Salzburg, Hallstatt, and Lech!
What number of days in Austria is sufficient?
You would spend months doing all the most effective issues to do in Austria, however in actuality, you most likely don’t have that a lot time. We advocate spending no less than per week in Austria, however 10 days can be ultimate.