Leslie Massey
Austria is a European country known for its picturesque natural scenery, including the snow-white peaks of the Tyrolean Alps, and its sophisticated cities, quirky places, and breathtaking architecture. Vienna, the capital and largest city of Austria, is known for its lavish palaces, coffeehouses, and grand buildings. The historic centre of Vienna, including Baroque castles and gardens, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Outside of Vienna, there are many other places to visit in Austria, such as Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart and the setting of The Sound of Music, and Graz, the second-largest city in Austria, known for its well-preserved Old Town, museums, and culinary delights. Nature lovers will enjoy visiting Lake Constance, the Hoher Dachstein mountain, and the resort town of Zell am See.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Most visited tourist attraction | Schönbrunn Palace |
| Cultural capitals | Vienna |
| Best places to visit for music | Salzburg |
| Best places to visit for architecture | Vienna |
| Best places to visit for nature | Styria, Salzkammergut, Lake Constance, Zell am See, Hoher Dachstein |
| Best places to visit for history | Graz |
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What You'll Learn
Vienna's palaces, museums and monuments
Vienna is a city steeped in history, art, music, and culture. With over 100 museums, it is impossible to cover all of Vienna's museums, palaces, and monuments in a short trip. Here is a selection of some of the best palaces, museums, and monuments to visit in Vienna.
Palaces
The Hofburg Palace is one of the world's biggest palace complexes and is Vienna's most popular monument. It is also home to the Austrian National Library, the largest of its kind in Europe. The library holds over 200,000 books, as well as Venetian Baroque globes and marble statues. The palace has been added to over many centuries, with parts dating back to the 13th century. The Spanish Riding School has been located in the Hofburg since the 1730s. Schönbrunn Palace is another enormous palace and the former summer residence of the Austrian Imperial family, the Hapsburgs. The Grand Tour takes visitors through around 40 rooms, including the private apartments of Franz Joseph and Sisi. The palace is surrounded by a park and gardens, providing a popular recreational area for Vienna's population. The Belvedere Palace was built as a summer residence for Prince Eugene of Savoy, and the stunning Baroque palace complex is another unmissable visit in Vienna. Other palaces to visit include Palais Harrach, Palais Auersperg, Palace of Justice, and Rudolf Steiner School Potzleinsdorf.
Museums
The Kunsthistorisches Museum boasts the world's largest collection of paintings by Bruegel. The Vienna Museum of Fine Arts was built in 1891 to hold the wide-ranging imperial collections, including antiquities from Egypt, the Near East, Greece, and Rome. The Picture Gallery includes masterpieces by Caravaggio, Velázquez, Rembrandt, Rubens, and Dürer. The Kunstkammer Vienna features the famous Saliera by Benvenuto Cellini, as well as major works by Dürer, Raphael, Titian, and Velázquez.
Monuments
The Ringstrasse boulevard is home to some of Vienna's most important architectural masterpieces, including the Austrian Parliament building. St. Stephen's Cathedral is a magnificent piece of Gothic and Roman architecture and the mother church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vienna. The cathedral's imposing height, mosaic roofs, and elaborately designed exteriors and interiors make it an iconic attraction. The Danube Tower (Donauturm) is the tallest structure in Vienna, offering panoramic city views from its observation deck. The Augustinian Church is one of the oldest and most important buildings in Vienna, dating back to the 1300s. It was the court church for the Habsburg family and the site of Napoleon and Marie Louise's wedding.
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Salzburg's music, food and scenery
Salzburg is a city with a rich musical heritage, unique food, and stunning scenery.
Music
Salzburg is the birthplace of Mozart, and the city is filled with music. There are dozens of concert halls, churches, and other venues to enjoy music. The Marble Hall is an imposing venue for concerts, and the Salzburg Palace Concerts are a must-see. The city also offers Mozart dinner concerts, where you can enjoy a meal and a concert simultaneously. The old town of Salzburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is also home to the Dom Salzburg, which was built in 1628. You can also take a boat trip on the Salzach River, which includes a Mozart concert.
Food
Salzburg is known for its gastronomy and unique delicacies. Some of the special foods you can try include:
- Schnitzel: A thin slice of breaded meat, an Austrian staple.
- Salzburger Nockerl: A souffle dessert unique to Salzburg.
- Backhendl: Fried chicken, claimed to be the best in Austria by the restaurant Barenwirt.
- Bretzel: A pretzel from the Original 1. Salzburger Brez’lstand in Kapitelplatz.
- Salzburger Mozartkugel: A speciality chocolate created in 1890 by the Salzburg confectioner Paul Furst.
- Mozart almond milk: A specialty drink from Café Tomaselli, the oldest coffee house in Austria, where Mozart used to hang out.
Scenery
Salzburg offers breathtaking views and scenic spots. Here are some of the best places to take in the scenery:
- St. Peter's Church: You can walk through the graveyard for free and climb the catacombs for a unique view of the city.
- Hohensalzburg Fortress: This fortress offers panoramic views of Salzburg, especially from the North Terrace.
- Museum der Moderne Salzburg: Take the lift up from Gstättengasse street to enjoy views from the museum's viewing platform.
- Mönchsberg Hike: A hiking path that leads to the Winkler Terrace, providing one of the best panoramic views of the city.
- Salzburg Castle: The castle offers stunning views of the city and beyond.
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Graz's old town, culinary delights and vineyards
Graz, Austria's culinary capital, is a city for gourmets, gastronomes and grazers. The city has been awarded the title of 'Capital of Delight' for the wonderful catering skills of its restaurateurs, who rely on their own regional produce, paired with the courage to be creative. The city is surrounded by rolling hills, farms, vineyards and orchards, and is blessed with a Mediterranean climate.
Graz has one of Europe's best-preserved old towns, with a unique forested hill in the centre of the city offering panoramic views. The historic centre of Graz is a treasure trove of Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Art Nouveau architecture. It's no wonder the old town, along with Schloss Eggenberg, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Feast your eyes on the grand Habsburg residences, along with the magnificent Landhaus Courtyard, cathedral, monastery, old university and castle. The river Mur cuts through Graz, separating the charming old town from the edgier bohemian district of Lend. The design-led Murinsel island and countless bridges connect one side of the city to the other.
Graz is the capital of Styria, a province in the southwest of the country, known as the 'green heart' of Austria. It's packed with vineyards, agricultural land, forests and mountains and is home to the Styrian Wine Road. The region dishes up an abundance of excellent local food and drink options paired with a sustainable ethos. Local produce can be sampled in the city's vibrant and colourful markets, such as the Kaiser-Josef-Markt, or from charming delis, street cafes and farm-to-table restaurants.
The culinary delights of Graz include traditional Austrian food, such as Backhendl (deep-fried chicken) and Käsespätzle (think mac 'n' cheese with crispy onion on top). Vegetarians will love the Käsespätzle, served with a refreshing local beer or a glass of crisp Schilcher. For something different, visit Aiola im Schloss, set next to a small castle with gardens and fountains. The city also boasts speciality shops and innovative culinary creativity. Sample local produce such as local honey, organic breads, mouth-watering cured 'volcano' ham, pungent truffles and wines full of character.
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Zell am See's lake, mountains and igloos
Austria is a gorgeous country with many attractions for tourists. One of the most popular destinations is Zell am See, a charming mountain town nestled between glaciers, mountains and Lake Zell. The town has approximately 10,000 inhabitants and offers impressive scenery, with crystal-clear lake waters framed by the majestic Schmittenhöhe and Kitzsteinhorn mountains.
The lake is central to this small city, providing a picturesque setting for various leisure activities. Swimming, sailing, and leisurely strolls along the shore are popular choices for visitors. The town also boasts a casino, located directly on the lake's shore in the Grand Hotel, which attracts those looking for excitement and luck. Lake Zell's shape has been described as resembling a peanut, covering an area of 4.7 square kilometres.
Zell am See is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, offering ideal conditions for hiking and skiing. The Schmittenhöhe mountain, standing at 2,000 metres, presents beautiful hiking trails and ski slopes accessible by cable car. The mountain caters to skiers of all levels, with slopes ranging from beginner to advanced and an illuminated night slope near the centre. During the summer, the Schmittenhöhe transforms into a hiking paradise, offering diverse walks such as the "Sisi Trail" and the challenging heights of the Sonnkogel.
The town itself exudes charm, with lovingly restored old houses and a rich history. It offers a blend of urban flair, sophisticated shopping, and culinary delights. Visitors can explore elegant boutiques, traditional souvenir shops, and department stores. The culinary scene combines modern restaurants with traditional recipes and local products, ensuring a unique dining experience.
Zell am See has a fascinating history, dating back to the 19th century when it was known as "Zelle im Pinzgau." The construction of the railway line in 1875 played a pivotal role in its development, and it soon became known as a pearl of recreation between the mountains and the lake. Today, it is a popular tourist destination, attracting over two million overnight stays annually and becoming a favourite summer vacation spot for wealthy Russians and Arabs.
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Hoher Dachstein's glaciers, caves and fossils
Located at the border of Upper Austria, Styria, and Salzburg, Hoher Dachstein is the second-highest mountain in the Northern Alps. It is a paradise for nature lovers, with its natural charm, fossils, and caves. Hoher Dachstein is home to some of the largest glaciers in the Alps, as well as some of the largest caves in Austria, such as the Mammuthhöhle and the Hirlatzhöhle. The glaciers on the Dachstein are the largest, most northernmost, and most easternmost in the Alps, including the Hallstätter Gletscher ("Hallstatt glacier"), the Großer Gosaugletscher ("great Gosau glacier"), and the Schladminger Gletscher ("Schladming glacier"). Several smaller ice fields also exist, such as the Kleine Gosaugletscher ("lesser Gosau glacier") and the Schneelochgletscher ("snow-hole glacier"). These glaciers are rapidly retreating and may disappear entirely within 80 years, with the Hallstatt glacier alone withdrawing by 20 meters in 2003.
The Dachstein is also famous for its fossils, including Megalodonts, which can be found along the Linzer Weg and are referred to as Kuhtritte ("cattle footprints"). The summit of Hoher Dachstein was first reached on July 18, 1834, by Peter Karl Thurwieser, guided by the brothers Adam and Peter Gappmayr, via the Gosau glacier. A wooden cross was erected at the summit to commemorate this ascent.
One of the highlights of a visit to the Dachstein is the Giant Ice Cave, a world of natural wonder with fantastic ice formations. Visitors can take a 50-minute tour led by experienced guides through ice-free passageways and a stalactite hall down to 'St. Arthur's Dome', where the bones of cave bears have been found, bearing signs of human processing. From the 'ice palace', the route leads on to the 'Parsifal Dome' and the 'Big Ice Mountain', a ball of ice over 9 meters tall. A connecting passageway runs along the 25-meter-thick ice floor of the adjacent 'Tristan Dome', while the descent down to the 'Big Ice Chapel' creates a lasting impression of underground beauty.
The Alpine scenery of the massif attracts skiers and mountain climbers, and the ice and limestone caves of the Dachsteineishöhle and Koppenbrüllerhöhle are also popular attractions.
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Frequently asked questions
Salzburg is a great place to visit in the summer. You can enjoy the Salzburger Festspiele, a grand extravaganza of culture, music, and the arts.
Vienna is the place to go to learn about Austria's former Imperial past, especially the Habsburg Dynasty. You can visit the Schönbrunn and Hofburg Palaces, the Vienna Opera House, and Saint Stephen's Cathedral.
Hoher Dachstein, located at the border of Upper Austria, Styria, and Salzburg, is the second-highest mountain in the Northern Alps. It is home to some of the largest glaciers in the Alps and offers breathtaking views.
Graz, Austria's second-largest city, is known for its well-preserved Old Town, museums, and impressive Baroque and Renaissance-style buildings.
Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart and the setting of The Sound of Music, offers a year-round programme of classical music concerts and festivals.
