Exploring Austria: A Worthwhile Adventure?

Austria is a small country in central Europe, but it has a lot to offer. From its rich history and cultural diversity to its stunning natural sites, there are plenty of reasons to visit.

Austria's capital, Vienna, is a great place to start. The city is known for its impressive architecture, culture, music, and charming atmosphere. Some of the top attractions in Vienna include the Schönbrunn Palace, the historic centre, the Kunsthistorisches Museum, and St. Stephen's Cathedral.

Outside of Vienna, there are many other beautiful places to explore. Salzburg, the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, is a scenic city with a rich history. The Old Town of Salzburg, or SalzburgerLand, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Other notable destinations in Austria include Hallstatt, a picturesque small town and UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Innsbruck, a city known for its picturesque Old Town and the Golden Roof, a relic from the Habsburg monarchy.

Whether you're interested in history, culture, nature, or outdoor activities such as skiing and hiking, Austria has something to offer. So, if you're considering a trip to Austria, the answer is definitely yes!

Vienna's culture and sights

Vienna is a magical metropolis that offers it all. The city is packed with beautiful architecture, museums, and cultural institutions.

Vienna's Culture

Vienna is known for its art and music scene. The city has produced several legendary creatives, including Klimt and Mozart. The Belvedere Museum and the Leopold Museum are must-visits for art lovers, with works by Klimt and Egon Schiele. The Haus der Musik is a museum dedicated to sounds and music, with exhibitions on Mozart, Beethoven, and other great composers.

The Vienna State Opera is an enormous opera house that hosts ballets, operas, musical concerts, and the exclusive Vienna Opera Ball. The Burgtheater, Europe's second-oldest theatre, is another notable cultural venue.

Vienna's Sights

The city's most important religious building is St. Stephen's Cathedral, a Romanesque and Gothic cathedral dating back to the 14th century. The Schönbrunn Palace, a magnificent example of Rococo architecture, is another popular attraction with 1441 rooms to explore.

The Old Town is the historic centre of Vienna, where you can admire the beautiful architecture. The Hofburg complex, the former residence of the Habsburgs, includes the Imperial Apartments, the Sisi Museum, and the Imperial Treasury. The Stephansdom cathedral and the Albertina, a renowned art museum, are also located in the Old Town.

The Kunsthistorisches Museum, one of the world's greatest museums of art history, and the Natural History Museum are both located near the Old Town. The Museumsquartier, a modern art quarter, is home to several museums, including the Leopold Museum and the Museum of Modern Art.

The Prater is a large parkland area and entertainment complex, featuring the famous Riesenrad Ferris wheel, as well as restaurants, cycle paths, playgrounds, and more.

Other notable sights in Vienna include the Imperial Crypt, the Spanish Riding School, the Giant Ferris Wheel, and the Donauturm observation tower.

Austrian food and drink

Austria is known for its delicious food and drink. Here is a guide to some of the culinary delights you can expect to find there.

Savoury Dishes

Austria's most famous export is the Wiener Schnitzel, a breaded and fried veal escalope. However, it is also common to find schnitzel made with chicken or pork. Schnitzel is traditionally served with lingonberry jam, rather than sauce. Tafelspitz, a beef dish boiled in broth, is another classic Austrian meal.

Austria also has a variety of sausages, including the Frankfurter, Käsekrainer, and Debreziner. The Bosna or Bosner, a spiced bratwurst in a hot dog roll, is a typical fast-food option.

If you're looking for something more substantial, try a Brettljause, a selection of cured meats, cheese, and bread. This is often served on a wooden board. Another popular lunchtime option is the Jause, a slice of bread topped with cheese or ham. For something more filling, order a larger version called a Brettljause.

Other savoury dishes include Styrian breaded chicken salad, cheese ravioli from Carinthia, and Austrian cheese noodles. If you're craving something more familiar, try Austria's answer to mac and cheese: spaetzle, egg noodles with melted cheese.

Sweet Treats

Austria is internationally known for its pastries, cakes, and desserts. The Sachertorte, a rich chocolate cake with apricot jam, is perhaps the most famous example. The Mozart torte, a chocolate, pistachio, and nougat cake, is another must-try.

If you're visiting a traditional cafe, be sure to try the Apfelstrudel (apple strudel). Palatschinken, Austrian pancakes filled with apricot jam, are another tasty option. For something more savoury, try Kaspressknödel, traditional Austrian cheese dumplings.

Drinks

When it comes to drinks, Austria has something for everyone. Coffee lovers will want to sample the famous Viennese coffee, served in a variety of styles. The Mokka or kleiner Schwarzer is similar to espresso, while the Melange is half Mokka and half heated milk.

For something stronger, try the national drink of Austria, Almdudler, made from mountain herbs. Or, if you're looking for something refreshing, Skiwasser, a mix of water, raspberry syrup, and lemon juice, is a popular choice.

Of course, no discussion of Austrian drinks would be complete without mentioning wine. The Grüner Veltliner grape produces some of the country's most notable white wines, while Zweigelt is the most widely planted red wine grape.

Finally, beer lovers will want to try the Märzen, a pale lager, or the Zwicklbier, a naturally cloudy beer.

Transport and accommodation

Transport

Austria has an extensive and well-connected transport system, with trains, buses, and trams. The country is small, so it doesn't take long to get from one place to another.

Trains

Two companies operate the trains: ÖBB and Westbahn. The former has a reputation for great service, with a 97% punctuality rate, and offers international and national routes. Westbahn is a newer operator, serving the main train connection between Vienna and Bregenz, including the cities of Innsbruck, Salzburg, and Linz.

You can buy train tickets online, through apps, or at the train station. If you plan to take multiple train journeys, you can sign up for a Vorteilscard online. It costs €66, is valid for a year, and entitles you to a 50% discount on all train journeys operated by ÖBB (except night trains).

Buses

Postbus, the national bus company, operates bus services to smaller towns and regional areas. Tickets are cheaper if bought online, rather than on the bus. Buses in every state look different, and some have WiFi.

Trams

Trams are available in Vienna, Graz, Linz, Salzburg, and Innsbruck.

Flying

Austria has six international airports, including Vienna International Airport, which is the largest, and Salzburg Airport, which is the second largest.

Cycling

Cycling is a popular way to get around in Austria, with most cities and regional areas offering facilities for renting bikes.

Accommodation

Accommodation-wise, you can find anything from luxury hotels to budget hostels.

Vienna

• Vienna International Airport has four terminals and flights all over the world.
• Vienna has a metro system, as well as an S-Bahn and U-Bahn network.
• The WienMobil app brings together all of Vienna's transport systems and is the most popular app for local public transport.
• The main train station in Vienna is called Wien Hauptbahnhof.
• Vienna is known for its art and music scene. You can visit the Belvedere Museum, or the Mozart House.
• Vienna is also known for its Christmas markets.

Salzburg

• Salzburg Airport is just 3.1km from the city centre.
• Salzburg has an eco-friendly transport system made up of electric trams and buses.
• The city is known for its picturesque old town, adorned with churches, castles, and palaces. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Salzburg is also the birthplace of Mozart.

Innsbruck

• Innsbruck Airport is in the Alps but reachable by motorway.
• Innsbruck is a charming city nestled in the heart of the Alps and known for its historical architecture.
• The city has its own S-Bahn train system.

Hallstatt

Hallstatt is a picture-perfect town nestled on the banks of the teal Hallstatter Lake in the shadows of the stunning Salzkammergut mountains.

Alpbach

The village of Alpbach is known for its floral displays in the summer and ski resorts in the winter.

Durnstein

The cute town of Durnstein sits on the Danube.

Language and customs

German is the official language of Austria, with 98% of the population speaking it as their mother tongue. However, there are distinct differences between the many regional dialects, and the 'standard' Hochdeutsch spoken varies from region to region. For example, the Central Austro-Bavarian dialects are more intelligible to speakers of Standard German than the Southern Austro-Bavarian dialects of Tyrol. Additionally, Slovene is an official language in the southern province of Carinthia, and Croatian and Hungarian are recognised as official languages of autonomous population groups in some regions.

Austrians are generally conservative, prudent, and moderate in their behaviour. They place a lot of importance on presentation and dressing well. They are also very punctual and expect the same from others. Punctuality is considered a sign of respect, and being delayed may be seen as extremely rude.

Austrians are also very direct and straightforward in their communication. They are not big on small talk and prefer to focus on accomplishing business objectives and goals. They are meticulous about details and like to have back-up material to defend their points.

In terms of social etiquette, Austrians are quite formal. Greetings usually involve a quick, firm handshake with eye contact. Some older Austrian men may kiss the hand of a female, but a male from another country should not do this. Austrians also place a lot of importance on titles and surnames. It is customary to use a person's title and surname until invited to use their first name.

When invited to an Austrian's house, it is customary to bring a small gift, such as chocolates or flowers (but avoid red carnations, lilies, or chrysanthemums). Punctuality is important, and it is respectful to dress conservatively and elegantly. Table manners are also important. It is customary to put your napkin on your lap as soon as you sit down and to wait until the hostess says 'mahlzeit' or 'Guten Appetit' before beginning to eat. It is considered a compliment to the cook to cut as much of your food with your fork as possible, indicating that the food is very tender. Finishing everything on your plate is also appreciated.

Beyond Vienna

Another village worth visiting is Durnstein, on the Danube, or the floral village of Alpback, which transforms into a ski resort in the winter. The Krimml Waterfalls in Tauern National Park are also a must-see, as they are the tallest falls in Central Europe. If you're looking for peace and quiet, Tyrol is home to glistening lakes and hiking trails, such as Lake Schlegeis, Vilsalpsee, and Kaunergrat.

If you're visiting in the winter, be sure to check out the Christmas markets in Salzburg or Innsbruck. And if you're an art and music lover, don't miss the Mozart House in Salzburg and the Belvedere Museum in Vienna.

For those interested in history, a trip to the birthplace of Mozart, Salzburg, is a must. The picturesque old town is adorned with churches, castles, and palaces and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Lastly, don't forget to try the local cuisine! Austrian food is hearty and sweet. The famous Wiener Schnitzel is a must-try, but remember to avoid pouring sauce over it and opt for lingonberry jam instead.

Frequently asked questions