Exploring Austria: Must-Sees And Dos

Austria is a country of stunning natural beauty, with soaring mountains, picturesque meadows and grasslands, and beautiful baroque architecture. From the famous cities of Vienna and Salzburg to the hidden gems of Bregenz and Wachau, Austria has something for everyone. Here are some of the must-see attractions and must-do activities in this enchanting country:

- Explore the historic city of Vienna, including the Ringstrasse Boulevard, the Hofburg Imperial Palace, St. Stephen's Cathedral, and the Schönbrunn Palace.

- Take a coffee break in one of Vienna's traditional coffee houses and try the famous Viennese coffee.

- Indulge in some delicious Austrian cuisine, such as Wiener Schnitzel and Sacher Torte.

- Visit the Kunsthistorisches Museum and the Albertina to admire artworks by masters such as Dürer, Raphael, and Titian.

- Take a drive on the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, one of the most scenic routes in the country.

- Hike through the Hohe Tauern National Park and admire the Krimml Waterfalls, the tallest waterfall in Austria.

- Enjoy winter sports in Innsbruck, with its world-renowned ski resorts.

- Visit the birthplace of Mozart in Salzburg and explore the city's musical heritage.

- Relax in the spa town of Bad Gastein and take a dip in the healing hot springs.

- Discover the picturesque village of Hallstatt, set on a lake in the Alps, and explore the ancient salt mines.

- Cruise along the Danube River and explore the charming towns and vineyards of the Wachau Valley.

- Visit the Eisriesenwelt ice cave, the largest in the world, and marvel at the sparkling ice formations.

- Take a trip to Tyrol and enjoy outdoor adventures such as rafting, paragliding, and hiking.

- Experience the cultural delights of Graz, with its impressive baroque and renaissance-style buildings and unique forested hill.

Vienna: Coffee, cake, palaces, and art

Vienna, Austria's capital and largest city, is a cultural hub brimming with grand palaces, museums, and coffee houses. Here is a guide to help you make the most of your visit to this magnificent city:

Coffee and Cake

Viennese coffee house culture is a "must-experience" part of the city's heritage. Coffee houses played a significant role in shaping Viennese culture and are listed as an "Intangible Cultural Heritage" by UNESCO. Spending time in these coffee houses will give you a glimpse into the local lifestyle and a taste of traditional coffee and pastries. Here are some notable coffee houses to visit:

• Café Central: This famous coffee house has served as a meeting place for intellectuals, artists, and writers, including Sigmund Freud and Leon Trotsky. It is known for its elegant atmosphere and delicious pastries.
• Café Hawelka: A family-run coffee house since 1936, offering a cozy and traditional ambiance.
• Café Sperl: Established in 1880, Café Sperl exudes old-world charm. It has maintained its original fabric designs, wooden furniture, and lighting fixtures, creating an authentic historical experience.
• Café Sacher: Known for its chocolate cake, this chandelier-lit café offers a luxurious setting.
• Vollpension: This unique café in Vienna's 4th district stands out for its homely atmosphere, with grandmothers (Omas) as the bakers and servers, creating a warm and inviting space.
• Brass Monkey: A cosy café with a quirky décor, owned by Athina Zoi, a qualified mining engineer, sculptor, and baker of heavenly vegan-friendly cupcakes.

Palaces

Vienna boasts magnificent palaces that were once home to royalty and are now open to the public. Here are some of the notable palaces to visit:

• Hofburg Palace: This vast complex, serving as the Imperial Palace for over 600 years, features an array of architectural styles and 2,600 rooms. It houses several museums, including the Imperial Apartments, the Sisi Museum, and the Imperial Silver Collection.
• Schönbrunn Palace: A UNESCO World Heritage Site and a former summer palace, Schönbrunn is known for its beautiful gardens and offers a glimpse into the imperial lifestyle with its original furnishings and decorations.
• Belvedere Palace: Built for Prince Eugene of Savoy, this Baroque palace is now an art museum housing important Austrian artworks, including Gustav Klimt's famous painting, "The Kiss."

Art

Vienna is a city steeped in artistic heritage and is known for its rich history of music and art. Here are some places to immerse yourself in Vienna's art scene:

• Kunsthistorisches Museum: One of the world's foremost art museums, it showcases a vast collection spanning five millennia, including works by Dürer, Raphael, Titian, and Velázquez, as well as the largest collection of Bruegel paintings.
• Albertina: Located in the heart of Vienna, this museum houses important art collections, including masterpieces by Da Vinci, Raphael, and Michelangelo. The Batliner Collection, featuring modern artists such as Monet and Picasso, is permanently on display.
• St. Stephen's Cathedral: This magnificent cathedral, known for its intricately tiled roof and towering spires, is Austria's most prominent national symbol. Climbing the South Tower offers breathtaking views of the city.
• Mozarthaus: Mozart's residence from 1784 to 1787, where he composed "The Marriage of Figaro."

Salzburg: Mozart, music, and mountains

Salzburg is a city steeped in music and history, with a stunning backdrop of the Austrian Alps. Known as the birthplace of the genius composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, the city is a must-see destination for anyone interested in music, architecture, and natural beauty. Here are some highlights of what Salzburg has to offer:

Mozart, Music, and More

Salzburg is synonymous with Mozart, who was born in the city in 1756. The city's rich musical history is celebrated every summer during the renowned Salzburg Festival, a five-week-long festival of music and drama established in 1920. Mozart's operas are a highlight, with an annual performance of Hofmannsthal's play "Jedermann" being a tradition. The festival takes place in various venues, including the historic concert halls of the Festival District, such as the Grosses Festspielhaus and the Haus für Mozart.

Throughout the year, Salzburg's orchestras, such as the traditional Mozarteum Orchestra and the visionary Camerata Salzburg, perform the works of Mozart and other famous composers. The Dinner Concerts are a unique offering, combining fine cuisine with musical performances in intimate settings like the Hohensalzburg Fortress and the Sternbräu inn.

Architectural Marvels

Salzburg is home to stunning architectural landmarks, including the Hohensalzburg Fortress, a magnificent 11th-century castle that overlooks the city. The Old Town of Salzburg, or Salzburger Altstadt, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its beautiful baroque buildings. The city also boasts impressive religious sites, such as the Salzburg Cathedral and the Nonnberg Abbey.

Natural Wonders

Salzburg is surrounded by natural beauty, with the Austrian Alps providing a breathtaking backdrop. The city is an excellent base for outdoor adventures, with hiking trails, whitewater rafting, and paragliding opportunities nearby. The Krimml Falls, located about 50 km from Salzburg, are a spectacular natural wonder, with a 380-meter drop that makes them the highest falls in Europe.

A City of Contrast

While Salzburg is known for its rich history and architectural grandeur, it also offers a glimpse into the life and times of Mozart. Getreidegasse, the street where Mozart was born, is a narrow lane on the left bank of the Salzach River, contrasting the baroque splendour of the rest of the city.

Hallstatt: Alpine village and salt mine

Hallstatt is a beautiful village in the Alps, not far from Salzburg. It is set alongside a lake, with houses and buildings built up the side of the mountain, making it uniquely beautiful. The lake is a compulsive viewing, but there is much more to do in this village.

A funicular can take you up to Salzwelten, where you can race into the depths of the world's oldest salt mine on miners' slides and take a romp through 7000 years of history. You can also brave a stroll on the Skywalk platform, which juts out over the lake and mountain, offering breathtaking views.

Hallstatt is also known for its centuries-old salt mine, which once drove the town's economy. At the top of the mine, you will find stunning views of the lake and surrounding mountains from an observation deck. The mine features wooden slides that were used to travel to lower levels, as well as ice caves just outside of Hallstatt that can be visited via a local bus route.

In the summer, you can take boats out on the lake or even take a chilly swim. There are also lakeside cafes where you can relax and take in the view. Hallstatt is a must-visit destination in Austria, offering a combination of stunning scenery, historical sites, and outdoor activities.

Grossglockner: High Alpine Road and National Park

The Grossglockner High Alpine Road is a 30-mile-long road with 36 hairpin bends that winds through Hohe Tauern National Park, taking you on a rollercoaster ride through the Austrian Alps. The road is a feat of meticulous engineering, completed in 1935, and today it's a popular route for driving enthusiasts. Along the way, you'll be treated to breathtaking views of jewel-coloured lakes, waterfalls, and snow-capped mountain peaks. The route includes several lookout points, such as the Swarovski tower, the Edelweissspitze viewing tower, and the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe overlook, where you can admire the mighty Grossglockner, Austria's highest peak, and the Pasterze Glacier. The road is typically open from June to May, and it's best to start early to beat the crowds and enjoy the drive at your own pace.

Hohe Tauern National Park is one of Europe's biggest nature reserves, spanning across three states: Tyrol, Carinthia, and Salzburgerland. The park boasts incredible natural diversity, with glinting glaciers, ice-capped peaks, blue lakes, and roaring waterfalls. It's a paradise for hikers, climbers, and skiers, offering a vast network of trails and ski routes. The park is also home to Grossglockner, the highest mountain in Austria, and the Pasterze Glacier. A visit to the park is a chance to immerse yourself in raw, untouched nature and enjoy the stunning landscapes that Austria has to offer.

Krimml Falls: Spectacular waterfalls

The Krimml Falls are one of the most breathtaking destinations in the entire Alpine region, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors from across the globe each year. The falls are located in the Hohe Tauern National Park in the Pinzgau Valley in Salzburgerland. The park is a protected area that also harbours the famous Grossglockner High Alpine Road, about an hour's drive away.

The Krimml Falls are the highest waterfall in Austria, with a drop of 380 metres. The falls are made up of four major drops, with a grand total height of 381 metres, making them one of the tallest year-round waterfalls in Europe. The falls are also the fifth-highest in the world. The particularly impressive location at the end of the valley, the large masses of water, and the extraordinary drop height make the Krimml Falls an impressive natural spectacle.

The Austrian Alpine Association (ÖAV) has created a 4-kilometre trail that leads up close to the Krimml Falls, with numerous viewpoints and pulpits. The lowest waterfall is just a 10-15 minute walk from the car park. The trail is open from mid-April to the end of October and usually stays open until the end of October. The trail up to the Krimml Falls is quite steep in places, but the view from the top is amazing and well worth the effort. It takes about two hours to hike to the top of the falls and back. The trail is very accessible and suitable for all ages, with plenty of viewing platforms.

The Krimml Falls are a popular attraction, with gift shops, restaurants, tour buses, food stalls, and other amenities. There are several car parks available for visitors, including a free P4 lot for visitors to the Wasserwelten Krimml (Krimml Water World) exhibit. There is also a ticket booth at the entrance to the falls, with an admission fee of 4 euros for adults and 1 euro for children from April through October. Peak season prices as of 2018 were about 4-5 euros for parking.

The Krimml Falls are best seen from certain angles, notably the Wasserfallweg (Waterfall Trail), a path that zigzags up through the woods to viewpoints commanding photogenic close-ups of the three-tiered falls. Factor in around two hours for the return walk. For a longer hike, you can continue your trek up to the Krimmler Achental, a wild Alpine valley where you can stop for lunch at the rustic mountain hut, Hölzlahneralm. This is a four-hour return walk from the trailhead of the falls.

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