Austria Travel Guide:

Best Places to Visit in Austria

 

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A visit to Austria provides the opportunity to see stunning mountain vistas, explore beautiful pastoral landscapes, discover world-famous cities and walk in the footsteps of history.  Austria is a destination that has much to offer and like a good wine, this is a destination that you should "savor". We recommend that you sample the local cuisine, try Austrian beers and wines, and attend the opera or a symphony to listen to the classical music for which this country is so well known (although all types of music are popular in Austria).   If you have some extra time, consider walking, hiking or bicycling  the countryside to experience the richness of this idyllic country. Read on for our recommendations on the best places to visit in Austria.

Read our sections on Austria Travel Information and Austria Facts to complete your basic preparation for vacationing in Austria.

Be sure to see our detailed highway map of the best places to visit in Austria.  It can be used to calculate routes between the places we recommend, if you are interested in driving the spectacular Austrian countryside.  In addition, using the satellite tab, you can see beautiful aerial views of the best places to visit in Austria.

If you plan to travel in Austria, read the information you need to know about driving, health care, and more in our section: Austria Travel Information

 

If you are interested in finding out more about Austria, its people, history, economy and geography,  visit our section: Austria Country Facts

• Vienna    

  • Regarded as one of the most interesting and pleasant cities in Europe, tourist Vienna is timeless, romantic and enchanting. Starting as a Roman settlement, Vienna eventually became a capital of the Hapsburg Empire and classical and other forms of architecture are well developed here. It is not surprising that this historic gem has an Arts Quarter offering world-class museums and galleries. 
    

  • You will want to focus your visit on  the "historic center", the area within the Ringstrasse, which surrounds Vienna's Old Town.  Many of the city's leading attractions sights are inside or on this two and half mile long road, which replaced the city walls and battlements that once protected Vienna's core.  You will not want to hurry your tour of the "Ring" and its wonderful buildings.  There is much to see and do in addition to admiring Vienna's visual history and architectural treasures.

   

  • Be sure to see:

    • The Hofburg - a stunning castle/palace with sections dating from the 13th century.  The Hofburg became the formal palace of the Hapsburgs at the peak of their power and the family endlessly tinkered with the architecture of the  building over successive generations.  The Hofburg (the Imperial Palace) is extremely impressive and not to be missed.

    • The beautiful Stephansplatz  surrounds the noted Stephansdom (St. Stephen's Cathedral) that towers over the city  The Cathedral has many notable features, but most visitors climb the south tower for an incredible view of the Vienna.  The Crypt Tour is also highly recommended.

    • The Karlsplatz sets the stage for the Karlskirche (St. Charles's Church), regarded by many as the finest example of Baroque architecture in Vienna. The two front columns framing the dome of the church make a dramatic and powerful statement.

    • A visit to Vienna would not be complete with without a stop at the Oper - Vienna's famous Opera House.  If you are interested in opera, consider taking a guided tour. See the Wiener Staatsoper website for information on touring.

    • Vienna has numerous palaces, museums and galleries to attract your attention, so be sure to budget your time wisely.

      • While you are thinking about what to see, stop at Demel's (the city's most famous coffee shop/sweetshop) for a taste treat, as well as to soak-up of some of this pastry shop's incredible ambiance.

    • The Belvedere Palace (outside the Ring) consists two stunning buildings surrounded by lovely gardens

      • The Palaces house two wonderful art museums.  Be sure to visit the world famous art collection - Österreichische Galerie Belvedere - at the Belvedere Palace.  See this site for details. 

    • The Schönbrunn Palace (Schloss Schönbrunn)  was the summer home of the Hapsburgs and, along with its gardens, is extremely elegant.  Be sure to take a guided tour for access to details that you will likely not recognize on an individual tour. The Schloss Schönbrunn  is one of the great palaces of Europe.

    • For more information on Vienna tourism, see this official website

• Salzburg        Click to see our detailed Guide to Salzburg.  Or continue below for a concise review of what to see and do in Salzburg.

  • Mozart's hometown celebrated the Master's 250th birthday in 2006, but his music continues on and Salzburg continues to serve as an impressive setting for Mozart's accomplishments. Music is an integral part of  this city's essence and those interested in Mozart may want to see the his statue in Mozart Square (the Mozartplatz).

  
  

  • Salzburg's Old Town, a wonderland of Baroque architecture, is a "must visit". Most of the Old Town is pedestrian-only, which makes it even more delightful to explore. 

    • During your tour of the Old Town, be sure to explore Cathedral Square for its beautiful and historic Cathedral (the Salzburger Dom).

    • Continue across the street to explore the  impressive Residenz Palace, the former home of the Prince-Archbishops of Salzburg.

    • Also, budget time to tour the Hohensalzburg Fortress (often called the Festung), which has dominated the Salzburg skyline for over a thousand years.

    • When you have seen enough monuments and historic buildings, stop in a cafe for a delicious treat or wander along the Getreidegasse,  for the city's best shopping .

      • By the way, this is the street where Mozart's family lived and where he was born in 1756.

        • The house is located at # 9 Getreidegasse, and is now a small museum.

  
  

  • Don't pass up the Mirabel Palace and its delightful gardens on the right bank of the Salzach River (across the river and north of the Old Town, but south of Saint-Julien Strasse). The gardens are beautiful when they are in bloom and this is an excellent location for snapping some prized vacation photos.
    

  
  

  • Salzburg has a number of quality museums, mostly focused on art.  For more information, see the city's official tourism site.

  
  

  •  Visit St. Gilgen if your schedule permits and you are in the looking for a memorable example of idyllic life in the Austrian countryside. The village is about 25 miles east of Salzburg on the banks of Wolfgangsee Lake and makes a pleasant day trip   .

  
  
  

  • If you find the Hohensalzburg fortress interesting, you might be interested in Castle Werfen, one of its sister fortresses, about 30 miles south of the city.  It is one of the most scenic of Austria's hilltop castles.

• Innsbruck     

  • Twice chosen to host the Winter Olympics, Innsbruck is one of the "ski" capitals of Europe. In summer, the area is a hiker's paradise with twenty five holiday villages to use as destinations for outings. In addition to its natural assets, Innsbruck is blessed with notable cultural attractions. Innsbruck's setting and scenery are gorgeous - don't miss it.

    
    

• Graz 

  • The historic center of Graz is considered one of Europe's best preserved "Old Towns". A city of narrow lanes, numerous architectures, and beautiful, ornate courtyards, Graz beckons the tourist to explore its paths. Be sure to see the Chateau Eggenberg, the marvelous clock tower at the Glockenspieplatz, the Italian renaissance Landhaus, and the Cathedral and Mausoleum.  See this official website for more information about Graz .

• Danube Valley

  • The Danube Valley is one of the major attractions of Austria and a unifying theme for the country.  The best way to see it is from the water, sitting on the deck of a river cruiser or one of the sightseeing boats that ply its channel.  If you have the chance, take an extended river cruise that explores the Danube Valley.  If you do, you will find a pleasant way to explore beautiful countryside, dramatic castles, and delightful towns.




• Other towns in Austria  that may be of interest include:

  • Klagenfurt

    • Klagenfurt, the regional capital of Carinthia, is an 800 year old city whose Old Town is graced with more than its share of stately mansions, historic houses, museums and galleries.  The city sits nested along Lake Wörthersee,  known for its  swimming,  recreation,  as well as housing Gustav Mahler's "Composer's Lodge" on its south bank.  In addition, Klagenfurt is surrounded by beautiful countryside, more than 20 castles and numerous castle ruins. Some of the castles are now being used as hotels and serve as pleasant bases for exploring this interesting area.  More information on Klagenfurt can be found at this site.

     

  • Eisenstadt 

    • Eisenstadt, the capital of Burgenland, is an interesting baroque town where Joseph Haydn worked for over thirty years while composing some of his most famous works. Haydn labored in the Chapel Church of Prince Nicholas Esterhazy during its peak in the 18th century. If you are a "Haydn" fan, be sure to visit the Esterhazy Palace and the Haydn Church (Bergkirche). See this site for more information.

     

  • Bregenz 

    • Bregenz, in Vorarlberg, Austria's westernmost province, is a two thousand year old town on the banks of delightful Lake Constance. A visit to Bregenz offers relaxing vistas, good recreational opportunities and a summer music festival with performances on a stage floating in the Lake.

           

   

  • Linz  

    • Linz, the capital of Upper Austria, is nestled along the bank for the Danube River.  It has an interesting Old Town, especially the Altes Rathaus (Old City Hall), which dates from the early 16th century. Be sure to see the Linz Castle dating from the 8th century, but rebuilt and redesigned numerous times. Today the castle functions as the Upper Austrian Castle Museum and contains an interesting collection of medieval items. Also see the Lentos Museum of Modern Art featuring works by Klimt, Schiele and others in a dramatic new building that overlooks the Danube. Linz has been designated at the European Cultural Capital for the year 2009.

       

  • The Wachau and Melk   

    • The landscape between the towns of Melk and Krems is called the Wachau and is named after the Wachau River whose watery fingers tie the area together. The Wachau area is a visual treat, although it is better known as one of Austria's premier wine growing regions. The Wachau combines agriculture, urbanism and historic sites in a blended and seemingly naturally integrated setting so unique that it has been awarded UNESCO World Heritage Status.

      Melk is the premier town in this area and there are many reasons to visit it environs.  The leading attraction, however, is Melk's scenic, thousand year old Benedictine abbey perched on a hilltop above the town. The Abbey's most popular attraction is the fascinating Abbey Museum, which should not be missed if you are in the area. For more information, visit this site. 

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                     Map of the leading tourist destinations in Austria

If you are planning your first trip to Austria, we suggest you head for Vienna, then:

• Tour Salzburg, then head for a  local wine growing village like Hoeflein or Gumpoldskirchen and visit a Heurigen (a vintner who sells his own wine).
• If you are in shape, take a hike in the Alps
• Visit Melk  and its monastery, and return through Wachau (a white wine making region in a narrow bend on the Danube) to Düernstein (where Richard the Lionhearted languished in a dungeon after his return from the Crusades) and onto Krems to visit its Old Town. If possible, take the boat to return to Vienna.  

• Vienna

• Salzburg

• Graz

• Melk

• Burg Hochosterwitz ( This is a glorious castle that is spectacularly sited on top of small rock knob in the Austrian region of  Carinthia).