From the peaks of the Austrian Alps to the elegant streets of Vienna, Austria is an unimaginable vacation spot to find in Central Europe, and this information to one of the best locations to go to in Austria is right here to indicate you why.
Why Go to Austria
A landlocked nation with many hidden gems for the curious traveler, Austria has one thing for everybody, from historical past buffs to nature lovers. Among the greatest locations to go to in Austria are steeped in historical past and tradition whereas others are famend for his or her unfathomable pure magnificence.
The Habsburg Empire dominated present-day Austria from the late thirteenth century by means of the early twentieth century, with holdings that encompassed not simply Austria, but additionally a lot of present-day Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Romania, and extra.
The Habsburg Empire dominated from Vienna, leading to a grand imperial metropolis that’s nonetheless among the many most lovely on the earth. Vienna is called an excellent metropolis of the humanities, and it’s the cultural powerhouse of Central Europe.
Other than Vienna, one other nice vacation spot in Austria is Salzburg, which is situated within the western a part of the nation. This charming historic metropolis is legendary for being the birthplace of Mozart. Additional west is Innsbruck, a preferred vacation spot for winter sports activities within the coronary heart of the Alps.
If you happen to’re in search of outside adventures in Austria, you’ll don’t have any scarcity of actions to select from. You possibly can get pleasure from snowboarding and snowboarding within the winter, or mountaineering, mountain biking, and mountaineering within the hotter summer time months.
Austria can also be recognized for its scrumptious delicacies. Hearty dishes like Wiener Schnitzel, stuffed dumplings, and pretzels are all basic mainstays in Austrian delicacies.
You can also’t go to Austria with out making an attempt among the nation’s well-known desserts like Sachertorte, a wealthy chocolate sponge cake, and Apfelstrudel, a candy apple strudel. Each are among the many greatest desserts to strive in Vienna or elsewhere in Austria.
On account of its central location, you too can simply mix a visit to Austria with visits to close by international locations together with Germany, Switzerland, and Italy.
However for now, let’s give attention to one of the best locations to go to in Austria.
7 Greatest Locations To Go to in Austria
1. Vienna
On the banks of the Danube River, Austria’s capital metropolis Vienna is a must-visit vacation spot on any Austrian itinerary. This metropolis of over two million individuals is a vibrant cultural hotspot with a lot to supply.
Vienna usually ranks as probably the most livable cities on the earth, due to its security and stability, wonderful infrastructure and transportation, low crime price, environmental sustainability, tradition, and extra.
Recognized for its lovely palaces, world-class museums, espresso home tradition, and festive Christmas markets, Vienna isn’t solely an excellent metropolis to dwell in, although. It’s additionally among the finest locations to go to in Austria.
Prime Sights in Vienna
Vienna is residence to a number of imperial palaces, together with Hofburg Palace and Schönbrunn Palace. Grand Hofburg Palace within the historic heart of town was the principal palace of the Habsburg dynasty, whereas the idyllic Schönbrunn Palace on the outskirts of Vienna was the longtime summer time residence for Habsburg rulers.
The palaces are open to vacationers as we speak, and it’s value visiting each of them when you’re concerned about studying extra concerning the historical past of the Habsburg Empire in Austria.
Belvedere Palace is one other must-visit attraction in Vienna. This historic Baroque palace has been remodeled right into a world-class artwork museum, that includes iconic works from Austrian artists like Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele.
There are much more nice museums to find in Vienna within the MuseumsQuartier, an space encompassing dozens of cultural establishments, equivalent to the distinguished Kunsthistorisches Museum that narrates the historical past of artwork by means of invaluable artworks.
It’s best to positively spend a while strolling across the Innere Stadt of Vienna, the oldest and most historic a part of town, with a number of pedestrianized streets lined with outlets, galleries, and eating places.
One of the vital spectacular constructions within the Innere Stadt is St. Stephen’s Cathedral, a medieval church with an ornate glazed tile roof.
Different prime issues to do in Vienna embrace catching a efficiency on the Vienna State Opera, making an attempt Sachertorte on the historic Café Sacher the place it originated, or taking a spin on the world’s oldest Ferris wheel within the Prater, a big public park in Vienna.
2. Salzburg
Yet one more of one of the best locations to go to in Austria is Salzburg. Baroque magnificence meets alpine surroundings on this smaller historic metropolis alongside the Salzach River that’s usually thought of essentially the most lovely place in Austria.
Situated slightly below two and a half hours from Vienna by practice, Salzburg is a good place to go to in Austria. Recognized for being the birthplace of Mozart, this musical metropolis was additionally a filming location for The Sound of Music.
Prime Sights in Salzburg
Salzburg’s Altstadt, or Outdated City, is residence to a number of of town’s hottest points of interest. Certainly one of these is Hohensalzburg Fortress, a hilltop fort courting again to medieval occasions.
Touring the fortress is a superb strategy to be taught extra about Salzburg’s historical past, and you too can get pleasure from sweeping views over town and its environment.
In your method again down from the fortress on the hill, you’ll want to cease on the Salzburg Cathedral, a formidable Baroque church housing many treasures.
It’s also possible to go to Mozart’s birthplace at No. 9 Getreidegasse. This historic townhouse is the place the well-known composer was born in 1756, and the place he lived as a younger boy. It has now been changed into a museum concerning the life and work of the nice composer.
Close by throughout the river, you too can tour the Tanzmeisterhaus, a residence the place the Mozart household lived in a while.
Mirabell Palace and its gardens are one other main attraction in Salzburg. You may acknowledge the gardens as a filming location from The Sound of Music. A well-liked exercise right here is having fun with a classical music live performance within the historic rooms of the palace.
If you happen to’re visiting Salzburg in the summertime months, don’t miss the Salzburg Pageant, a celebration of music honoring the best composers of the final centuries.
3. Hallstatt
Usually described as a fairytale village, Hallstatt is a vacation spot that appears prefer it was lifted straight from a postcard. This charming lakeside village is situated in a mountainous area within the state of Higher Austria, about one hour and fifteen minutes from Salzburg by automotive.
This picturesque village within the coronary heart of Austria was named a UNESCO World Heritage Web site in 1997 as a result of its excellent pure magnificence and cultural heritage.
Though it’s a preferred day journey vacation spot from Salzburg, spending an evening or two in Hallstatt will help you actually discover the encircling space and luxuriate in a good looking getaway in nature.
Prime Sights in Hallstatt
Being such a small village, you possibly can discover the whole thing of Hallstatt on foot in an hour or two. The city is made up of quaint pedestrian streets lined with colourful gingerbread-like homes alongside the shores of picturesque Lake Hallstatt.
That is the proper place to decelerate and luxuriate in a meal at one of many conventional eating places on the town, a few of which supply idyllic waterfront views.
A well-liked attraction for individuals who aren’t afraid of heights is the Hallstatt Skywalk, a wide ranging commentary deck providing 360-degree views of the lake and the encircling mountains, perched about 1,150 ft above the city.
You will get to the Hallstatt Skywalk both by mountaineering for roughly one hour or by taking the funicular, which supplies scenic views and is an attraction in itself.
One other attention-grabbing place to go to close by is the Hallstatt Salzwelten, an outdated salt mine. It’s also possible to get right here by mountaineering or using the funicular. This salt mine is the oldest on the earth, with a legacy courting again greater than 7,000 years. Taking a tour of the salt mine affords a novel perception into the salt mining historical past of Hallstatt.
4. Innsbruck
Shifting additional west, Innsbruck is an Austrian metropolis within the mountainous Tyrol area. This famend winter wonderland within the coronary heart of the Alps is lower than two hours by practice from Salzburg. The capital of Tyrol, Innsbruck was a two-time host of the Winter Olympics in 1964 and 1976.
Town blends basic imperial structure with fashionable design. It’s recognized for winter sports activities like snowboarding and snowboarding, but it surely’s additionally a improbable vacation spot for the summer time season. Through the hotter months, you possibly can get pleasure from mountaineering, biking, and mountaineering within the Alps.
Prime Sights in Innsbruck
We’ve already coated that Innsbruck is a good base for outside adventures any time of the 12 months, and no matter climate situations. However what else is there to do within the metropolis past outside actions?
The Schloss Ambras is a Renaissance palace in Innsbruck that now homes a museum with a group of artwork and artifacts. Hofburg Innsbruck is a Sixteenth-century imperial Habsburg palace that can also be value a go to.
You possibly can simply spend a number of hours wandering the historic streets of Innsbruck’s Outdated City, which is stuffed with distinctive outlets and eating places serving Tyrolean delicacies.
If you wish to get a birds-eye view of town and the encircling mountains, take a journey on the scenic Nordketten Cable Automotive. Simply outdoors town, you possibly can go to Swarovski Crystal Worlds, an attraction highlighting the fantastic thing about Swarovski glass, which comes from this a part of Austria.
For extra adrenaline-pumping actions, you possibly can strive paragliding, skydiving, ziplining, and alpine coasters in and round Innsbruck.
5. Graz
If in case you have extra time to spend on this lovely nation, Graz is one other metropolis that’s value including to your itinerary. Though it’s the second largest metropolis in Austria after Vienna, Graz stays one thing of an underrated gem in the case of tourism.
Situated within the southern area of Styria, Graz is 2 and a half hours by practice from Vienna. The historic heart and well-preserved Outdated City of Graz is a UNESCO World Heritage Web site, whereas the remainder of town is infused with a contemporary, artistic power.
Prime Sights in Graz
One of many icons of Graz is the Schlossberg, a hilltop park that’s residence to a historic fortress. The views from the highest of the Schlossberg are gorgeous, and you’ll attain it by funicular, elevator, or on foot – however be ready to climb 260 stairs!
Down under, the enticing Outdated City of Graz is value exploring. The cobblestone streets and historic buildings provide a distinction to the trendy structure throughout the river.
One other notable place to go to in Graz is the Kunsthaus Graz, a recent artwork museum with a hanging design. Close by, the Murinsel Graz is a novel metal island of kinds in the midst of the river, functioning as a bridge, but additionally providing a café and cultural area for performances.
On the outskirts of town, among the finest issues to see is Schloss Eggenberg, a good looking Baroque palace that’s thought of to be crucial imperial palace within the Styria area.
6. Kufstein
Shifting again to the Tyrol area of Austria, Kufstein is without doubt one of the greatest locations to go to in Austria if you wish to get pleasure from breathtaking pure magnificence, historical past, and tradition.
This city is situated between Salzburg and Innsbruck, proper alongside the border with Germany. Though you possibly can go to Kufstein on a day journey from both of those cities, it’s additionally the perfect place to decelerate for an in a single day or weekend journey.
Prime Sights in Kufstein
The spotlight of Kufstein is Kufstein Fortress, a historic hilltop fortification courting again to the thirteenth century. The views from the fortress are spectacular, and you’ll attain it by a steep hike or a extra stress-free funicular journey.
Again down within the city heart, you possibly can discover the centuries-old cobblestone streets of Kufstein, which date again to medieval occasions. There are many charming conventional eating places within the Outdated City the place you possibly can get pleasure from hearty Tyrolean delicacies.
For extra scenic views, you possibly can head to the Kaiserlift Kufstein, a vacationer cable automotive that takes you excessive up into the mountains.
For hikers, the Kaisertal is a picturesque valley close to Kufstein providing many strolling trails. Throughout the Kaisertal, probably the most standard hikes results in Tischofer Cave, a big cave trying over the forest that was used as a weapons cache throughout the Napoleonic Wars.
7. Wachau Valley
The Wachau Valley is a picture-perfect area alongside the Danube River recognized for its rolling hills, vineyards, fruit orchards, quaint villages, and historic monasteries.
Whether or not you’re concerned about wine tasting, exploring gorgeous monasteries, or cruising down the Danube River, the Wachau Valley is the proper vacation spot for leisurely exploration.
You possibly can entry this area within the state of Decrease Austria on a day journey from Vienna when you’re quick on time, however you too can simply spend a number of days discovering this charming valley.
Among the prime cities within the Wachau Valley that you just shouldn’t skip embrace Melk, Durnstein, and Krems, that are all situated inside a 25-mile stretch alongside the Danube River.
Melk
Melk is without doubt one of the most lovely cities within the Wachau Valley. Situated alongside the Danube River, this beautiful city is most well-known for Melk Abbey.
Though the monastery is the primary attract Melk, the city itself is a beautiful place to wander, with colourful homes, eating places, and outlets.
Prime Sights in Melk
Melk Abbey is a Benedictine monastery perched on a rocky outcrop above the city, overlooking the Danube River. Though the monastery dates again to the eleventh century, the present Baroque construction was constructed within the early 18th century.
This magnificent monastery is without doubt one of the best examples of Baroque structure in Europe, and guests can tour the opulent interiors, together with the abbey church and a shocking library with greater than 100,00 books.
Durnstein
Durnstein is one other picturesque riverfront city within the Wachau Valley. It’s well-known for its vineyards, which produce grapes of the Riesling selection.
The city can also be recognized for its connection to Richard the Lionheart. The well-known English king was imprisoned in Durnstein Fort in 1192 after being captured in close by Vienna.
Prime Sights in Durnstein
In the present day, one of many prime points of interest in Durnstein is Durnstein Abbey, which dates again to the 14th century. Though not as grand as Melk Abbey, this monastery remains to be value a go to as a result of its hanging pale blue church.
It’s also possible to go to the ruins of Durnstein Fort, excessive up on a hill above the city, the place Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned centuries in the past and held for ransom.
After touring the monastery and the fort ruins, you possibly can loosen up at one of many native wineries in Durnstein, the place you possibly can pattern the white wines the city is thought for.
Krems
One other vacation spot within the Wachau Valley that you just shouldn’t miss is Krems. This bigger city is only a fifteen-minute drive from Durnstein, so you possibly can simply go to each on the identical day.
Like many different close by cities within the Wachau Valley, Krems can also be residence to a historic monastery, in addition to a number of vineyards and wineries.
Prime Sights in Krems
The most important attraction in Krems is the sprawling Gottweig Abbey, a Benedictine monastery constructed on a hilltop surrounded by forests and vineyards. The monastery dates again practically 1,000 years, however the present construction was constructed within the Baroque model within the early 18th century.
On a tour of Gottweig Abbey, you possibly can marvel on the magnificent interiors of the monastery and take within the spectacular views of the encircling countryside.
Within the city of Krems, there are many eating places and cafés the place you possibly can seize a chunk to eat, or you possibly can try artwork museums just like the Kunsthalle Krems and the Karikaturmuseum.
Discover Austria With JayWay Journey
If you happen to’re keen to find one of the best of Austria, our knowledgeable journey planners got here up with this Grand Tour of Austria, a captivating itinerary that features stops in virtually the entire greatest locations to go to in Austria talked about on this article.
Alternatively, chances are you’ll go for a journey throughout Austria and Germany’s hidden gems or a quest to unveil the magic of the Alps in Austria and Switzerland. Regardless of your journey model and preferences, you’re in one of the best fingers with JayWay when you’re in search of a stress-free journey expertise.
Born and raised in Athens, Maria’s keen about journey and storytelling, a mix that makes her excellent for her position as our content material supervisor.
