Leslie Massey
Austria is a country of stunning natural beauty, nestled between the soaring Alps, with picture-perfect meadows and grasslands, and stunning baroque architecture. The birthplace of musical geniuses like Mozart, Beethoven, Bach, and Johann Strauss II, it is a country with music flowing through its veins. From the grandeur of Vienna to the rolling green meadows of Salzburg, Austria has something for everyone. So, get ready to explore the best places to visit in this enchanting country!
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Season | Winter for Christmas markets and skiing, Spring for balls and fewer crowds, Summer for hiking and exploring lakeside villages, Fall for wine country and music |
| Cities | Vienna, Salzburg, Melk, Hallstatt, Mauthausen, Innsbruck, Bratislava |
| Attractions | St. Stephen's Cathedral, Kunsthistorisches Museum, Schonbrunn Palace, Belvedere Palace, Imperial Apartments (Sisi Museum), Fortress in Salzburg, Ringstrasse Boulevard, Hofburg Imperial Palace |
| Activities | Hiking, Skiing, River swimming, Visiting Christmas markets, Attending a ball, Exploring museums, cafes, and wine gardens |
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What You'll Learn
Vienna's cafe culture
Historically, Vienna's coffee houses were frequented by intellectuals, artists, writers, musicians, politicians, and revolutionaries, who would spend their days debating world ideas and current affairs. The coffee houses offered a rich daily diet of current and international news through the provision of newspapers and journals, which are still available for customers to peruse today. Some coffee houses also host social events like literary readings and piano performances in the evenings.
Many of the world's most famous historical figures were regular patrons of Vienna's coffee houses, including Beethoven, Klimt, Freud, Trotsky, Stalin, Hitler, and Tito. The Austrian writer Stefan Zweig described the Viennese coffee house as a "democratic club, open to everyone for the price of a cheap cup of coffee".
Today, traditional coffee houses in Vienna range from elegant establishments with large rooms, red velvet seats, and magnificent chandeliers to more casual alternatives like espresso cafes, Starbucks, and mobile coffee carts. In addition to coffee, most coffee houses serve small food dishes like sausages, cakes, and tarts, such as Apfelstrudel and Linzer torte.
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Mozart's Salzburg
Salzburg is a must-visit for music and music history lovers. It is the birthplace of Mozart and the filming location of many scenes from The Sound of Music. The city is filled with tributes to its most famous son, from Mozart chocolates and ice cream to Mozart rubber ducks.
The Mozart Residence on Makartplatz and the Mozart Birthplace on Getreidegasse are now museums dedicated to the composer's life and work. The Mozart Birthplace, with its bright yellow façade, is one of the most visited museums in Austria and the world. Visitors can take a tour through original rooms, including a reconstructed 18th-century middle-class apartment, and see exhibits on Mozart's life, such as original certificates, letters, memorabilia, and historical instruments, including Mozart's own violin and clavichord. The Mozart Residence, where Mozart lived with his family for 26 years, also offers guided tours.
The International Mozarteum Foundation, located across the river, houses the main building of the Mozarteum Foundation and the last resting place of Mozart's father, Leopold, and his widow, Constanze Mozart, in the cemetery of St. Sebastian. Nearby is the Mozart Monument, which has stood on Mozartplatz since 1842.
For a musical treat, visitors can enjoy a "Mozart Dinner Concert" accompanied by a meal at St. Peter Stiftskulinarium. Salzburg also hosts several concert series and festivals, such as Mozart Week, that celebrate the musical legacy of Mozart.
In addition to its musical offerings, Salzburg offers stunning natural scenery. Visitors can hike the hills and mountains that surround the city or take a leisurely walk through the Old Town, following in Mozart's footsteps and discovering the important sites of his life.
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Skiing the Alps
Austria is a haven for skiers, with its majestic mountains, diverse ski terrains, and resorts suitable for all skill levels. The Austrian Alps are divided into several regions, each offering a unique skiing experience.
The Northern Limestone Alps include the Salzburg Alps, renowned for their historic sites and excellent snow conditions, and the Lower Austrian Alps, which provide great skiing with fewer crowds. The Central Eastern Alps, spanning Styria and Carinthia, are known for their temperate climate and warm hospitality. This region boasts acclaimed destinations such as Bad Gastein, Kaprun, Sölden, and Mayrhofen. The Carinthian Alps feature resorts like Nassfeld and Gerlitzen Alpe, known for their cultural blend, while the Styrian Alps, bordering Slovenia, offer cross-cultural charm with resorts like Planai and Tauplitz.
The Southern Limestone Alps are ideal for those seeking serene skiing experiences in a multicultural setting, blending Austrian, Slovenian, and Italian influences. The Western Austrian Alps, including Tyrol and Vorarlberg, are famous for top-notch ski resorts like Kaltenbach and Ischgl. This region offers breathtaking vistas and a variety of slopes, with impressive peaks such as Wildspitze and Arlberg.
The Western Alps, including renowned resorts like St. Anton am Arlberg and Lech, offer picturesque landscapes in regions such as Styria and Carinthia. The Eastern Alps provide legendary peaks and varied terrain, catering to both leisurely skiing and challenging mountaineering.
Austria's ski resorts cater to all levels of skiers, from beginners to experts. The large resorts offer varied slopes, fun parks, and modern cable cars, ensuring unforgettable ski experiences. The country's ski schools are known for their expertise, providing instruction in proper pole technique and mastering the ski lift.
Whether you're a beginner or an experienced skier, the Austrian Alps offer a range of skiing options, from serene multicultural slopes to challenging mountaineering adventures, all set against the backdrop of breathtaking mountain scenery.
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Austrian wine country
Austria is a country with a rich history of viticulture, with wine-growing areas such as "Weinland" and "Steirerland". The country's wine regions are characterised by medieval villages, baroque monasteries, and castles. The wine culture in Austria is thousands of years old and has been passed down through the generations. The country's wine scene is dominated by family businesses, with a focus on small-scale production and environmental protection.
The largest wine-making region in Austria is Lower Austria, located on the banks of the Danube River. It is one of the most historical wine regions in the country, with ancient wine traditions, cosy villages, and local delights cooked from fresh produce. Lower Austria is further divided into several generic wine-growing areas, including Wachau, Weinviertel, Kamptal, Kremstal, and Traisental. The region is known for its Grüner Veltliner, a white wine variety with spicy and peppery notes, as well as red wines such as Zweigelt and Blaufränkisch.
Another important wine region in Austria is Burgenland, located in the easternmost part of the country and sharing a border with Hungary. The region is known for its unique 'Wine Architecture' and produces opulent red wines, complex whites, and fine sweet wines. The typical Blaufränkisch from Burgenland has a dark ruby red colour and combines aromas of blackberries, dark cherries, and spicy notes. Burgenland is also a wonderful holiday destination, offering wine tastings and tours.
Styria, also known as "Steirerland", is another wine region in Austria known for its distinctive wines. While the region produces wines with lower alcohol content, they are known for their fresh, brilliant, and elegant expression of origin. The Vineyards of Winery Tement in Styria offer wine tastings and tours, providing authentic wine experiences that showcase local culture, heritage, and gastronomy.
The city of Vienna itself also has vineyards that play a key role in the local economy and help preserve the green belt surrounding the city. These urban vineyards produce high-quality wines and are a great attraction for those interested in wine tourism.
The best time to visit Austrian wine country is during the fall, when new symphony, orchestra, and opera productions are debuted in Vienna and Salzburg. This season offers the perfect opportunity to explore the wine-producing areas and experience the charming atmosphere of the Christmas markets in Vienna and Salzburg.
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Imperial palaces
Austria's imperial history has left the country with a plethora of magnificent palaces. One of the most famous is Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. The palace was once the residence of Emperor Franz Joseph and his wife, Empress Elisabeth. It features elegantly furnished staterooms and apartments, a maze and labyrinth in its park, and a children's museum. The palace's Yellow Salon offers a glimpse into the evolving tastes and influences of its imperial residents over the centuries.
Another important palace from the Habsburg Empire is the Schloss Hof Estate in Marchfeld, the biggest rural palace in Austria. This nearly 300-year-old former imperial seat was built for Prince Eugene of Savoy, an iconic military commander, art lover, and connoisseur. The palace features a beautifully terraced garden and an estate farm that hosted festivities during the reigns of Prince Eugene and Maria Theresa, who later purchased it from him. The first floor now hosts a permanent exhibition showcasing different aspects of Prince Eugene's life, as well as temporary events such as food exhibitions.
Ambras Castle, located just outside the old town, was built by Archduke Ferdinand II for his commoner wife, Philippine Welser, who was not allowed to live in the official residence. The castle features a Habsburg portrait gallery of around 300 works from the 15th to the 19th centuries, the Spanish Hall with detailed wood ceiling and wall paintings, and an armoury. The Chamber of Art and Curiosities is unique in that it remains in the same location where it was first assembled in the 16th century.
The Imperial Apartments in Vienna, also known as the Sisi Museum, are lavishly decorated in Baroque and Rococo styles. The museum covers the life of Empress Elisabeth, who was beloved by the Austrian people despite being Bavarian.
Other notable places to visit in Austria include Vienna, the capital city, for its café culture and museums; Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart and a filming location for The Sound of Music; and the Danube Valley, which can be cruised.
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Frequently asked questions
Vienna, the capital of Austria, is a must-visit. The city is known for its cafe culture, museums, palaces, and music scene. Another city to visit is Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart and filming location of The Sound of Music. Surrounded by mountains, Salzburg is a great place to visit in the summer.
Austria is known for its winter activities, including skiing in the Alps and visiting Christmas markets. The Christmas markets in Vienna and Salzburg are particularly famous.
In the summer, you can go hiking in the Alps and explore lakeside villages. You can also go river swimming in some of the cleanest rivers in Europe or take a boat cruise.
