Exploring Austria: A Must-See Travel Guide

Austria is a small country in Central Europe, but it has a lot to offer. From stunning natural landscapes to rich cultural heritage, there are many reasons why Austria is one of the best countries to live in. Here is a list of must-see places in Austria:

- Vienna: The capital city of Vienna is a must-visit. It has grand palaces, museums, the historic Ringstrasse Boulevard, and beautiful parks. You can also enjoy the famous Viennese coffee at one of the traditional cafes.

- Salzburg: The birthplace of Mozart and the filming location of The Sound of Music, Salzburg is a charming city with a beautifully preserved Baroque Old Town.

- Innsbruck: Surrounded by the Alps, Innsbruck is a picturesque city with a mix of historic and modern architecture. It has hosted the Winter Olympics twice.

- Hallstatt: This UNESCO World Heritage Site is known for its alpine lodges and charming streets. It is considered one of the oldest villages in Austria.

- Wachau: This valley along the Danube River is famous for its vineyards, castles, and monasteries. It is a great place for wine connoisseurs and history buffs.

- Zell am See: This town offers international-level ski slopes and a pristine lake. It is a perfect destination for nature lovers and outdoor activities.

- Grossglockner High Alpine Road: This scenic road in Hohe Tauern National Park offers stunning views of the Alps, lakes, and waterfalls. It is a popular drive for those seeking thrilling hairpin bends and breathtaking landscapes.

- Krimml Waterfalls: With a height of 380 meters, these are the highest waterfalls in Austria. The surrounding forested slopes and boulders create a spectacular sight.

- Graz: With six universities and a well-preserved Old Town, Graz offers a blend of history and modern culture. It is also known for its culinary delights, such as pumpkin seed oil.

- Lake Constance: Located between Austria, Germany, and Switzerland, this is the third-largest lake in Europe. It offers beautiful views of the Swiss and German Alps and is a popular summer destination.

Vienna: Coffee, cakes, and palaces

Vienna is a city steeped in history, with grand architecture, opulent palaces, and a vibrant coffeehouse culture. Here are some must-see attractions to explore:

Coffee and Cake

Café Central is a famous coffeehouse that has served as a meeting place for intellectuals, artists, and writers throughout history, including Sigmund Freud and Leon Trotsky. It is known for its elegant atmosphere and delicious pastries.

Café Hawelka is another iconic coffeehouse in Vienna, run by the same family since 1936. It exudes old-world charm and is a great place to indulge in traditional Viennese coffee and pastries.

Café Sperl, opened in 1880, has maintained its original fabric designs, wooden furniture, and lighting fixtures. It offers a glimpse into the past while you sip your coffee and enjoy a slice of cake.

Vollpension is a unique café in Vienna's 4th district, where grandmothers (Omas) are the bakers and servers. They create an array of elaborate cakes and pastries, filling the café with a warm and homey atmosphere.

Brass Monkey is a cosy coffee shop owned by Athina Zoi, a qualified mining engineer, sculptor, and architecture student. It serves heavenly vegan-friendly cupcakes and creamy coffee in a homey setting.

Tart'aTata is a French pâtisserie that will delight you with its hand-crafted chocolates, tarts, eclairs, and other mouth-watering pastries. Be prepared to indulge!

Palaces

Hofburg Palace is Vienna's vast Imperial Palace, serving as the home of Austrian royals for over 600 years. This sprawling complex features 18 wings, 19 courtyards, and 2,600 rooms. Explore the different architectural styles and admire the grandeur of this magnificent structure.

Schönbrunn Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site, started as a hunting lodge but was transformed by the Habsburg rulers. It boasts ornate rooms, formal gardens with mazes, flowers, fountains, and statues. Don't miss the Gloriette, where you can enjoy lunch with a view of the palace.

Belvedere Palace is a Baroque masterpiece built for Prince Eugene of Savoy. It houses some of the most important Austrian artworks, including Gustav Klimt's famous painting, "The Kiss." The palace's state rooms, such as the Golden Room and Marble Gallery, are open to the public and showcase exquisite Baroque architecture.

Mozarthaus is the largest apartment Mozart lived in during his time in Vienna. He resided here from 1784 to 1787 and composed "The Marriage of Figaro" in this very apartment.

Salzburg: Music, mountains, and markets

Salzburg, a picturesque city nestled in the foothills of the Alps, is a treasure trove of experiences. It is known for its Baroque architecture, cobblestone streets, and rich musical history as the birthplace of Mozart. Here is a guide to help you explore the best of Salzburg:

Music, Mountains, and Markets

Day 1: Exploring the Old Town

• Start your day by visiting the iconic Mirabell Palace, where you can retrace the steps of the Von Trapp family from "The Sound of Music." Wander through the beautiful Mirabell Gardens, which feature in several scenes from the movie, such as the Do-Re-Mi steps and the Pegasus Fountain.
• Head to the Marionettentheater, a charming string puppet theater that brought the "Lonely Goatherd" scene to life.
• Make your way to Winkler Terrace, located atop Mönchsberg mountain. This spot offers stunning panoramic views of the city, including the iconic Hohensalzburg Fortress.
• Stroll along the Salzach River and cross the Mozartsteg, a pedestrian bridge named after Salzburg's most celebrated son, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
• Explore the lively Kajetanerplatz square, a favorite spot for locals to enjoy the regular markets. It features the Kajetanerkirche church and a modern fountain.
• Visit the St. Erhard Church, a humble yet significant part of Salzburg's architectural landscape. It appears in the movie during the "Do Re Mi" montage.
• End your day at the Stift Nonnberg (Nonnberg Abbey), the oldest nunnery in the world. This site is deeply connected to both the real and cinematic worlds of "The Sound of Music."

Day 2: Venturing Beyond the Old Town

• Take a short walk or bus ride to Leopoldskron Palace, a majestic palace with a rich history. While the palace grounds are now restricted to hotel guests, you can enjoy stunning views of the palace from across the lake.
• Continue to Frohnburg Palace, which served as the front of the Von Trapp family home in the movie. You can access the gates and surrounding wall, as well as hear students practicing their instruments from the nearby music academy.
• Next, visit Hellbrunn Palace, known for its romantic gazebo and trick fountains. The gazebo was featured in the iconic "16 Going on 17" and "Something Good" scenes from "The Sound of Music."
• If you're feeling adventurous, take a bus or cable car ride to the top of Mount Untersberg for breathtaking views. This location is featured in the opening scene of "The Sound of Music" and symbolizes freedom.

Where to Stay and What to Eat

Salzburg offers accommodations for all types of travelers, from luxury seekers to budget backpackers. You can find hotels in the heart of the Old Town or opt for quieter neighborhoods with scenic views. As for dining, don't miss out on trying the local specialties, such as Salzburger Nockerl, Apfelstrudel, Schnitzel, and the famous Mozartkugel chocolate.

Innsbruck: Skiing, hiking, and history

Innsbruck is a beautiful city in Austria, famed for its impressive mountains, imperial architecture, and historic sites. With its location in the Alps, it is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, offering miles and miles of hiking trails and world-class skiing. The city is also steeped in history, with medieval houses and royal residences dotting the landscape.

Skiing

Innsbruck has a rich history in winter sports and is known for its wide variety of winter sports events. The city has played host to the Winter Olympics, with the Austrian army even hauling snow to build the courses. The Innsbruck region offers skiers of all ability levels a range of slopes to enjoy. The SKI plus CITY pass Stubai Innsbruck provides access to several ski resorts in the area. Skiers can take advantage of ski buses, which are included for free with the Welcome Card, making travel to and from the resorts convenient and hassle-free.

The region boasts several freeride strongholds, including the Nordkette, Kühtai, Axamer Lizum, and the Stubai Glacier. Skiers can also enjoy unique experiences such as skiing under starry skies, with floodlights illuminating the freshly groomed pistes, and "figln," which involves gliding down slushy spring snow on shorter skis.

Hiking

Innsbruck is an ideal base for hikers, with the ragged Nordkette range soaring above the city and funiculars providing easy access to the slopes. The surrounding Alps offer endless hiking trails for all levels of hikers, from leisurely strolls to challenging peak-bagging multi-day treks. The area also boasts stunning scenery, with rugged mountains, wooded peaks, and sparkling lakes.

History

Innsbruck's historic old town, with its pastel-painted medieval houses, is a delight to explore. The Golden Balcony, originally constructed as a royal box for the emperor, is a notable attraction. The city is also home to several impressive royal residences, including the vast, exuberant Hofburg, and the baroque-gone-mad Schloss Belvedere.

Innsbruck has a strong connection to the Winter Olympics, with the U.S. ski team training in the area before the 1964 Games in Innsbruck. The U.S. team went on to win several medals, with American skiers using Head skis, which were designed with an innovative metal construction.

Hallstatt: Alpine village and salt mine

Hallstatt is a stunning Austrian village nestled in the Alps, a short distance from Salzburg. It is one of the most picturesque villages you will ever come across, with its colourful houses and stunning backdrop of mountains and lakes. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its beauty is sure to leave you speechless.

The village has a rich history, with a centuries-old salt mine that was once the main driver of its economy. You can take a tour of the salt mine and even slide down wooden slides that were used by miners to travel to lower levels. At the top of the mine, you will find an observation deck offering breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding mountains.

Hallstatt is also known for its staircase passages between houses, and during the summer, you can take a boat out on the lake or go for a swim. There are also ice caves just outside the village that can be visited by bus.

The village can get quite busy with tourists during the summer, so it is recommended to visit during spring or autumn if you prefer a more peaceful experience.

Hallstatt is truly a magical place that will leave you with unforgettable memories. Whether you are exploring the village, enjoying the lake, or learning about its history, Hallstatt is sure to charm you with its natural beauty and unique culture.

Wachau: Wine, abbeys, and castles

Wachau is a valley in Austria, midway between the towns of Melk and Krems, and is one of the most prominent tourist destinations of Lower Austria. The valley is 36 kilometres long and was settled in prehistoric times. It is known for its picturesque landscape, formed by the Danube River, and its high-quality wines. The Wachau Valley was inscribed as a "Wachau Cultural Landscape" in the UNESCO List of World Heritage Sites in 2000, in recognition of its architectural and agricultural history.

Wine

The Wachau Valley is well-known for its production of grapes and complex white wines. It is home to steeply terraced vineyards and quaint historical villages, complete with castles and adorned churches. The valley's rolling vineyards produce some of Austria's most prized dry Rieslings and Grüner Veltliners. The temperature variation in the valley between day and cold nights plays a significant role in the process of ripening the grapes. The heat retained in the water and the stony slopes with thin soil cover facilitates this process, resulting in the sophisticated wines produced in the region.

The Wachau Valley region is small, with 124 vineyards and 650 growers cultivating 3340 acres of land. The main grape varieties grown in the region are Riesling and Grüner Veltliner. Grüner Veltliner thrives on the Loess (wind-blown) sandy soils in the lower slopes, while Riesling is reserved for the highest and steepest sites on infertile gneiss soils.

Abbeys

The Wachau Valley is home to several abbeys, including the Melk Abbey, the Dürnstein Abbey, and the Göttweig Abbey.

The Melk Abbey, founded in 1089 CE, is a Benedictine abbey located above the town of Melk on a granite rocky outcrop overlooking the Danube River. The abbey has a late Baroque exterior and a Gothic and Neo-Gothic interior. It is one of the world's most famous monastic sites and is known for its extensive library collection.

The Dürnstein Abbey, located in the town of Dürnstein, was commissioned by Elsbeth of Kuenring in 1372. The abbey chapel was expanded over time to accommodate the growing congregation and now features a stunning blue-and-white bell tower dating back to 1733.

The Göttweig Abbey, founded in 1083, is a Benedictine monastery located near Krems. The abbey is also known as the "Austrian Montecassino" and is famous for its high altar and impressive library collection.

Castles

The Wachau Valley is also known for its castles, including the Schloss Schönbühel, the Burgruine Dürnstein, and the Schloss Dürnstein.

The Schloss Schönbühel is a 12th-century castle that towers over the Danube River from its high rocky prominence.

The Burgruine Dürnstein is a medieval castle located above the town of Dürnstein. It is known for being the prison of King Richard I of England, who was held captive by Leopold V, Duke of Austria.

The Schloss Dürnstein is a castle located above the town of Dürnstein, offering sweeping views of the surrounding area.

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