Best Places to Visit in Austria

What a wonderful world! Enchanting Austria, located in the heart of Europe, draws you in with all its charms, from fascinating history to intricate and captivating architecture. The capital city, opulent Vienna, has housed legendary musicians. The devastatingly beautiful Zell am See is adorned by the dazzling Lake Zell, and Innsbruck is the winter sports haven. Elevate your travel experience, visiting the best places in Austria and discovering the wonders they have to offer. Opt for a Walking Holiday or get active on a Cycling Holiday in Austria.

 

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Photo credit: Leyre

Vienna

Vienna, the capital of Austria, is a dream. The city is filled with artistic, historical, and intellectual charms, immersing you in every step you take. Vienna has served as a home for famed historical figures, including musicians Beethoven, Mozart Schubert, and even the Father of Psychology, Sigmund Freud. In this gorgeous city, you’ll be transported back in time as you traverse breathtaking palaces such as the Schonbrunn and Hofburg palaces. Vienna is also renowned as the "City of Music," so you should experience Vienna's music at any of its majestic concerts, such as the Musikverein and Staatsoper.

 

Visiting Vienna during Christmas time makes this city even more worthwhile as it has some of Europe’s best Christmas markets. The energy is radiant, the Christmas charm is captivating, and the aroma of gingerbread and chestnuts fills the air. You’ll hear joyful melodies and chatter everywhere you go; it’s truly magical. Explore our range of Vienna Tours.

 

Photo credit: Zhang Xiaoyu

Salzburg

Austria's fourth largest city, Salzburg, sits on the border with Germany.  It is famous for being the shooting location of the iconic "The Sound of Music" and the birthplace of the composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Divided into the Old City (Altstadt) and the New City (Neustadt) by the Salzach River, Salzburg features breathtaking landscapes and stunning baroque architecture.  There are so many attractions to explore, including the well-preserved Hohensalzburg Fortress, the Mirabell Palace with appearances in "The Sound of Music," the charming Getreidegasse, and the striking Untersberg Mountain. While here, savour delectable Austrian cuisine such as the Wiener Schnitzel (a thin breaded meat), Salzburger Nockerl (a sweetened soufflé) and Bosna (similar to a hotdog). Discover our collection of Salzburg Holidays from walking, cycling to a European River Cruise.

 

Photo credit: Andi Steiner

Zell am See

The picturesque town of Zell am See occupies the shores of Lake Zell, one of the most stunning lakes in Austria, and is decorated by awe-inspiring peaks of the Hohe Tauern. This gorgeous alpine resort, about 750 m (2,460 ft), is adorned with traditional Austrian architecture and oozes historical charm. Zell am See provides ample opportunities to swim, sail, and kayak in the breathtakingly blue waters, take in the gorgeous surroundings as you sip coffee at one of the many cafes, and trek and hike trails of varying levels. 

 

Photo credit: Michael Schreiber

 

Bad Gastein

Bad Gastein ("Bad" meaning "Spa"), one of the major ski towns in the Gastein Valley, occupies an altitude of approximately 1,000 m (3,280 ft) in the Hohe Tauern mountain range. Despite giving off the aura of a small town, Bad Gastein features imposing belle epoque buildings and a 341 m (1119 ft) cascading waterfall. Enjoy heart-stopping vistas of the area from the Stubnerkogel Suspension Bridge, savour mouthwatering local and international cuisines at any of the town's restaurants, indulge in hiking and biking, visit rejuvenating hot springs or get some radon therapy, which Bad Gastein is famed for.

 

Photo credit: Sarah Donisi

Innsbruck

Innsbruck, the capital of the western state of Tyrol, has many sides, making it an ideal destination regardless of the season. This city, encircled by captivating peaks like the Nordkette that make up the Tyrolean Alps, is brimming with history and culture. It features architectural treasures like the legendary Golden Roof (Goldenes Dachl), built by Emperor Maximilian I in the 15th century, and the majestic baroque-style Innsbruck Cathedral. Innsbruck is also famous as a winter sports haven, gathering attention since 1964 and 1967 when it hosted the Winter Olympics. The city has towering mountains, rising to 2200 m, and impressive facilities that make it a skiing hotspot. You can also enjoy other activities like hiking, mountaineering, and mountain biking and witness festivities like the Innsbruck Festival of early music.

 

Photo credit: Willian Justen De Vasconcellos

Hallstatt

Hallstatt, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the oldest salt mines is an enchanting village in the Salzkammergut mountains. From the 19th century, this village began attracting attention from tourists because of its stunning and idyllic setting. The city is a romantic destination featuring peculiar and scenic houses reflected in the glistening waters of the Lake (Hallstatt). While in this region, you could stroll down the lakefront, tour the ancient salt mine, soak in awe-inspiring vistas from the Hallstatt Skywalk, and enjoy a boat ride on the serene lake.

 

Fun Fact: Hallstatt’s attraction grew exponentially owing to speculations that it was the inspiration behind the kingdom of Arendelle in the Disney animation “Frozen”

 

Photo credit: Geekybirdeyes

Burgenland

Burgenland, Austria's easternmost and sunniest state, is characterised by vineyards, pasturelands, and undulating terrains. There's so much to do in Burgenland, but one thing you must do is wine tasting. This state is one of Austria's top wine-producing regions, with special attention on its red wines. Burgenland also holds a diverse cultural history due to its ties with Hungary and Croatia, which is reflected even in their cuisines. Aside from delighting your tastebuds, you can do other things in Burgenland, including birdwatching at Lake Neusiedl and touring the capital city of Eisenstadt.

 

Experience The Best Austria Offers

Being in Austria feels like a fairytale; from living out the magical scenes of “The Sound of Music” in Salzburg to exploring the peaks of the Tyrolean Alps and unearthing the history of Austria’s past, the spirit of adventure never dies here.