Lyla Lindsey
Austria is a beautiful country to explore, with its capital, Vienna, being a popular tourist destination. However, there are many other picturesque spots to see, from the high peaks of the Alps to the wine region of Styria. If you're looking for a road trip, Austria is a relatively small country that's easy to navigate by car. Here are some of the best places to visit on your trip to Austria.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tourist Attractions | Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna Woods, Old Town Centre of Salzburg, Melk, Mauthausen, Hallstatt, Wolfgangsee, Gloriette, Kunstkammer Vienna, Saliera, Neue Burg, Vienna's Ringstrasse, Danube Valley, Innsbruck, Dolomites, Bratislava |
| Cities | Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Hallstatt, Zell am See, Mauthausen, Linz, Krems, Mostviertel, Alpbach |
| Natural Attractions | Mountains, lakes, flora and fauna, meadows, pear orchards, snow-capped peaks |
| Cultural Attractions | Baroque castles and gardens, museums, cafes, wine gardens, music scene, historical buildings, monuments, Danube River |
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What You'll Learn
Vienna Woods
Austria is a beautiful country with many popular tourist attractions. The historic centre of Vienna, for example, is rich in beautiful architecture, including Baroque castles and gardens, as well as the late-19th-century Ringstrasse, which is lined with grand buildings, monuments, and parks. The Old Town Centre of Salzburg, also known as the Altstadt, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located on the banks of the Salzach River. It is filled with old buildings and has a lot of atmosphere, hotels, restaurants, bars, and shopping.
Another great place to visit in Austria is the Vienna Woods, a branch of the foothills of the Alps. The Vienna Woods are forested highlands that form the northeastern foothills of the Northern Limestone Alps in the states of Lower Austria and Vienna. The 45-kilometre-long (28 mi) and 20–30-kilometre-wide (12–19 mi) range of hills is heavily wooded and a popular recreation area for the Viennese. The highest elevation in the Vienna Woods is Schöpfl at 893 metres (2,930 ft) above sea level, where you can find the Leopold Figl observatory. The Vienna Woods contain a network of marked walking and hiking paths and are therefore an ideal local recreational area, which can be easily reached using Vienna's public transport system. The true local mountains for the Viennese in the ridge of the Vienna Woods are the Leopoldsberg and the Kahlenberg, on which the Stefaniewarte lookout (named after Crown Princess Stephanie) invites visitors to pay a visit. From here, a view across the city and the Vienna Woods can be enjoyed. On clear days, one can see as far as the Schneeberg and Rax mountains, the last foothills of the Alps, from where the city sources its excellent drinking water.
The Vienna Woods were the royal hunting grounds from the 11th century until 1850. In 1870, plans were brought forward to clear most of the forest, but this caused widespread public resistance. In 1987, the governors of the states of Vienna, Lower Austria, and Burgenland signed the Vienna Woods Declaration to protect nature in the region. In 2005, the Vienna Woods were designated a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO – a designation for areas with a special cultural and natural landscape. The Vienna Woods Biosphere Reserve in Vienna covers an impressive 9,900 hectares and encompasses the seven Viennese districts of Hietzing, Penzing, Ottakring, Hernals, Währing, Döbling, and Liesing.
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Melk, Danube Valley
When considering which part of Austria to visit, there are several options to choose from. The historic centre of Vienna is rich in beautiful architecture, including Baroque castles and gardens, as well as the late-19th-century Ringstrasse, which is lined with grand buildings, monuments, and parks. The Kunstkammer Vienna, featuring the famous Saliera by Benvenuto Cellini, is also located in Vienna. The Old Town Centre of Salzburg, also known as the Altstadt, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located on the banks of the Salzach River. The city boasts well-preserved historic buildings, hotels, restaurants, bars, shopping, and an annual Christmas market.
If you are seeking a more relaxed experience, the Danube Valley between Melk and Krems, approximately an hour's drive from Vienna, is an excellent option. The Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is nestled between the charming towns of Melk and Krems and offers idyllic settings along the Danube River. The area is known for its ancient towns, historic castles, and crumbling ruins. The Benedictine Melk Abbey, beaming proudly over the Danube Valley, is one of Europe's great sights. Established as a fortified Benedictine abbey in the 11th century, the abbey has been restored and what visitors see today is 18th-century Baroque. The Abbey Church is considered to be the finest Baroque church north of the Alps and is famous for its twin towers, 18th-century ceiling paintings, ornate choir stalls, and magnificent high altar. In the shadow of the abbey is the Old Town of Melk, where you can explore the Town Hall Square and winding city streets.
The Wachau Valley is also known for its enchanting landscapes, with rolling vineyards, quaint villages, and medieval castles. A river cruise along the Danube is a popular way to take in the stunning scenery and learn about the region's rich history and culture. During the cruise, passengers can enjoy local wine and traditional Austrian cuisine while taking in the views of charming villages and historic castles. Some popular stops along the way include the town of Krems, with its old town and the Gozzoburg Museum, and Dürnstein, known for its medieval castle ruins and picturesque streets.
If you are an adventurous spirit, the Austrian Alps offer numerous day-trip options, including hiking around the mountain lake Wolfgangsee or taking the gondola up Dopplersteig Mountain.
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Hallstatt
The village has a population of around 800 residents and offers a range of attractions for visitors. One of the most popular spots is the viewing platform, "World Heritage View," located 360 meters above the rooftops of Hallstatt. It provides a spectacular view of the Salzberg (salt mountain) and is a must-visit for those seeking Instagram-worthy snapshots. Hallstatt has become a popular location on social media platforms, such as Instagram and TikTok, due to its resemblance to the city in the movie "Frozen" and its feature in a South Korean TV show. The latter gained so much popularity in East Asia that China built a replica village.
The Salt Mine in Hallstatt is another notable attraction. The mine maintains a constant temperature between 8 and 10 degrees Celsius year-round, providing a cool respite from the crowds and offering a unique experience. The Glacier Garden, located in the Hallstatt Echern valley, is also a natural monument worth visiting. It is a relic from the last Ice Age, and nearby, you can find the "Waldbachstrub" waterfall.
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Old Town Centre of Salzburg
Austria is a country full of gorgeous places to visit, from the mountains of Tyrol and Salzburgerland to the rolling meadows of Mostviertel. One of the best-preserved city centres north of the Alps, however, is the Old Town Centre of Salzburg, also known as the Altstadt or Historic Centre of the City of Salzburg. This picturesque area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognised since 1996/1997 for its cultural significance as the residence of Prince Archbishops and as a spiritual centre of Central Europe.
The Old Town Centre of Salzburg is famous for its Baroque architecture, alpine setting, and picturesque location on the Salzach River. The skyline of the Old Town is defined by the spires and cupolas of numerous churches, and the colourful Baroque facades of burgher houses line the narrow cobblestone streets and small squares of the Old Town on both sides of the river. The Old Town has a Baroque appearance due to the work of Italian architects Vincenzo Scamozzi and Santino Solari.
The Old Town is overlooked by its key landmark, the medieval castle Hohensalzburg Fortress, the largest fully-preserved fortress in Central Europe. The fortress can be reached via a funicular railway. On the way up to the fortress, you will likely come across the Kapitelplatz, or Chapter Square, which features an art piece called "Sphaera", a large golden sphere with a man perched on top.
The historic centre is home to several landmarks, including the magnificent Baroque Salzburg Cathedral (Salzburger Dom), dedicated to Saints Rupert and Virgil, the vast Residence Square (Residenzplatz) surrounded by beautiful Baroque buildings, the 17th-century Mirabell Palace and Gardens, and the 7th-century St. Peter's Abbey, one of the oldest Benedictine monasteries in Austria. Mozart's Birthplace, the house where the famous composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born and spent his early years, is now a museum displaying many of Mozart's personal belongings, including his childhood violin.
The Old Town is also filled with specialty shops, offering a diverse range of souvenirs and local treasures, as well as many restaurants.
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The Austrian Alps
The best months to hike in the Austrian Alps are July, August, and September. It is possible to hike in June, but you may encounter snow. October is promising for day hikes, but conditions depend on the weather and snow levels.
The Silvretta Alps stretch across Tirol and Vorarlberg and into Switzerland. This crystalline range boasts razor-sharp 3000+ meter peaks, glaciers, and verdant river valleys. The Silvretta mountains can be approached from Paznaun Valley in Tirol or Montafon Valley in Vorarlberg. Vorarlberg’s highest mountain, Piz Buin, stands at 3312 meters. The Silvretta Alps attract both casual walkers and serious mountaineers. The 4-5 day Montafon Hut to Hut Circuit is a fun introduction to the region and the culture of the Montafon Valley. If you only have time for one hike in the Silvretta range, try the Hohes Rad loop trail from Silvretta Bielerhöhe to Wiesbadener Hütte.
The Lechquellen Mountains (Lechquellen Gebirge) are a mountain range within the Northern Limestone Alps in Vorarlberg. The range is popular because of the Lechweg long-distance hiking trail and its proximity to Lech am Arlberg. It is a well-known summer destination for Germans, Swiss, Austrians, and Brits.
From Salzburg, you can take a local bus to the Wolfgangsee, a beautiful mountain lake surrounded by lodges that you can hike around. You can also take the bus to Dopplersteig Mountain, which you can hike up and then ride the gondola down.
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Frequently asked questions
Austria is full of natural wonders, from the Austrian Alps to the Schonbrunn Gardens. For a breath of fresh air, try the mountain lake Wolfgangsee, which you can hike around, or take a gondola up Dopplersteig Mountain.
Vienna is a cultural hub, with museums, concert halls, and grand buildings. Salzburg is another city with plenty to offer, including the Old Town Centre (Altstadt), a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Austria is rich in history, with sites like the 900-year-old clifftop fortress in Salzburg, the Schonbrunn Palace in Vienna, and the two Belvedere Palaces built in the early 18th century.
