Exploring Austria: Must-Visit Attractions And Destinations

Austria is a country of soaring mountains, stunning architecture, and beautiful landscapes. From the cities of Vienna and Salzburg to the natural wonders of the Austrian Alps, there is plenty to see and do in this European country.

Vienna, the capital of Austria, is a city steeped in culture and grandeur. Visitors can explore the opulent Schönbrunn Palace, take in the views from St. Stephen's Cathedral, and enjoy the music of Mozart and Beethoven. Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart, is another must-see, with its stunning baroque architecture and surrounding Alpine landscapes.

For nature lovers, there is the Hohe Tauern National Park, the largest national park in the Alps, and the Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its wine and picturesque landscapes. The Austrian Alps offer plenty of opportunities for skiing and hiking, with popular resorts such as St. Anton am Arlberg and Zell am See.

Other highlights include the picturesque town of Hallstatt, set on a lake amidst the Dachstein mountains; the spa town of Bad Gastein; and the historic city of Graz, with its well-preserved old town.

With its mix of culture, history, and natural beauty, Austria has something for everyone.

Vienna – Walk down the glorious past

Vienna is a city steeped in culture and grandeur. Known as the city of grand palaces and museums, Vienna is also the home of Opera and Beethoven. The city's beautiful Ringstrasse Boulevard is lined with royal buildings like the Hofburg Imperial Palace and many beautiful parks.

Start at the Vienna State Opera

The Opera House (Wiener Staatsoper) is a great starting point as it is a main landmark and a local urban transport junction.

Explore Kärntnerstrasse and side alleys

Take a walk in the city centre and you will soon come across Kärntnerstrasse, the prime shopping promenade and part of a large pedestrian area full of history. Watch out for the beautiful facade and shop of glassware manufacturer Lobmeyr, a former Imperial Supplier to the Court.

St Stephen's Cathedral

As you continue, you will eventually hit the city's most famous landmark, Stephansdom (St. Stephen's Cathedral). Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart got married here, as did countless Habsburg Emperors. Take a few minutes to glimpse into its interiors and perhaps return later to see the cathedral in more detail, and for brilliant panoramic views from the North Tower.

Albertina

Just opposite St. Stephen's Cathedral is the ultra-modern Haas Haus, which reflects the gothic cathedral. Head left from the cathedral to visit the Albertina, a superbly renovated imperial palace and museum.

Coffee and Sandwiches

Add some fuel to your walk with a snack in a 1950s Viennese snack bar, Trzesniewski, or head to Café Hawelka, Vienna's most famous artists' and writers' coffeehouse.

Café Central

Naglergasse, off Kohlmarkt, is a long, narrow street full of nice little shops and bars. Before you enter Freyung square, head down left into Strauchgasse. At the end, you'll find legendary Café Central. Walk back through Herrengasse and into Freyung passage shopping mall until you arrive at Freyung square. The major building complex on Freyung belongs to Schottenstift, a monastery built by monks from Ireland in the 12th century.

Mölkerbastei

On to Mölker Bastei, one of the most picturesque corners of the city. This is one of the few visible remains of Vienna's old city wall.

Salzburg – A date with Mozart

Salzburg, the birthplace of the genius composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, is a charming city surrounded by rolling green meadows and majestic historical buildings. It is one of the must-see places in Austria and tops the list of top places to visit in the country. The Old Town Aldsten with its stunning baroque buildings is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, while the imposing Hohensalzburg fortress is Europe’s last preserved castle.

The Mozart Birthplace museum, located in the house where Mozart was born, is a must-visit for any Mozart fan. The museum invites you to take a tour through original rooms and a middle-class apartment reconstructed as it would have been in the 18th century. Original certificates, letters, memorabilia, portraits, and historical instruments, including Mozart's own violin and clavichord, document Mozart's life in Salzburg. The museum also features an annual rotating exhibition with fresh appeal and, since the end of March 2024, an art project featuring Mozart's musical notes dancing across the façade of the building.

The Mozart Residence on Makartplatz, where Mozart lived with his family for 26 years, is another museum that reminds visitors of his extraordinary childhood.

Salzburg offers numerous concerts, festivals, and guided tours that keep Mozart's spirit alive. The Dinner Concerts are a particularly delectable musical treat, combining music with fine cuisine. These events are held at St. Peter Stiftskulinarium, where Mozart himself once dined, as well as at the Hohensalzburg Fortress, and traditional restaurants such as St. Peter Stiftskeller and Sternbräu.

The Salzburger Festspiele, a grand extravaganza of culture, music, and the arts held during the summer, is an unforgettable experience.

Innsbruck – The picture-postcard town

Innsbruck is the capital of Tyrol, a region in the heart of the Austrian Alps, where majestic mountains and enchanting landscapes await. This idyllic alpine town, surrounded by high mountains, has plenty of options to make your stay worthwhile.

You could enjoy a leisurely walk through the old town and marvel at the glittering Goldenes Dachl, adorned with more than 2500 shiny tiles. Get a glimpse into the Tyrolean Folk Art Museum, one of the finest museums for regional heritage in Europe.

Innsbruck has world-renowned ski resorts, making it a destination for all seasons and one of the most magical places to visit in Austria in winter. Adventure enthusiasts can go hiking up the gorgeous meadows, bungee jumping at Europa Bridge, take the thrilling funicular ride up the Nordkette mountain range, and even check out the Innsbruck nightlife.

The best time to visit Innsbruck is during winter, from December to April. The summer months are also pleasant, with cool evenings, making it ideal for hiking and exploring the town.

Some of the must-visit attractions in Innsbruck include:

• Goldenes Dachl
• Hofburg
• Triumphal Arch
• Bergisel Ski Jump
• Nordkette Cable Car
• Tyrolean Folk Art Museum

Hallstatt – Scenic lake views

Hallstatt is a small town in the state of Upper Austria, known as the "land of white gold" due to the thick layers of rock salt carried by its mountains. It is a popular tourist destination, known for its ancient culture, scenic views, peaceful atmosphere, and minimalism. Here is some essential information about Hallstatt's scenic lake views:

Lake Hallstatt

Lake Hallstatt is one of the best-maintained swimming lakes in the area, offering a range of activities such as beach volleyball, barbeque areas, boating, water slides, and free parking. The lake is surrounded by majestic mountains and wooden houses, creating a fairytale-like setting. The reflection of the town's colourful buildings and cafes in the lake's tranquil waters is truly breathtaking and a dream for photographers.

Getting to Hallstatt

To get to Hallstatt from Salzburg, you can drive via road 158, then take road 145 to Bad Goisern, and finally switch to road 166 before arriving in Hallstatt. Alternatively, you can take bus 150 to Bad Ischl, followed by a train to Hallstatt and a ferry across the lake.

Places to Eat in Hallstatt

• Cafe Konditorei Maislinger: A cosy bakery and confectionery in Bad Goisern serving homemade pastries, desserts, and coffee specialities.
• Steegwirt Restaurant: Located directly on the lake, this restaurant has been serving since 1571 and specialises in freshwater fish.
• Braugasthof Lobisser: A family-run restaurant in the heart of the town, offering authentic food and a cosy ambience.
• Seehotel Gruner Baum: A hotel with a terrace offering stunning views of Marktplatz and the village's architecture.

Wachau – Best wines and a dose of history

The Wachau Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognised for its cultural significance and natural beauty. Flanking the Danube River, the valley is known for its monasteries, castles, fortresses, and some of the best white wines in the world. The Wachau corresponds to the stretch of the Danube valley between Melk and Krems, and its steep terraced vineyards produce extraordinarily distinctive wines. The best vineyards here produce some of the world's finest white wines with decades of ageing potential, especially those produced from Grüner Veltliner and Riesling grapes. The story of how this fascinating wine-growing region came into being is quite exciting. Over the course of millions of years, the Danube carved a winding path through solid gneiss and amphibolite, and during the ice ages, rock dust blew in and settled in the lee of the mountains, covering the hard rocks of the eastern slopes in layers of loess. Some of the greatest, most robust Grüner Veltliners are grown on this very soil.

The Wachau Valley is also home to quaint historical villages, complete with castles and adorned churches. The Melk Abbey, for example, was founded in 1089 and has a late baroque exterior and a Gothic and Neo-Gothic interior. The old abbey on the hill at Durnstein, the village of Spitz, and the fortified church square of Weissenkirchen are also well worth a visit.

The Wachau region is known for its full-bodied, pepper-tinged Grüner Veltliner and rich, steely Riesling. The Wachau Grüner Veltliner is arguably the most iconic of all Austrian wine styles, with zesty citrus notes and a zing of white pepper. Neighbouring Kremstal and Kamptal are the only other regions capable of producing Grüner Veltliner like this.

The Wachau Valley is located 90 miles from the Slovakian border and is an easy one-hour drive from Vienna. The climate is central European (continental), marked by short, cold winters and a long, dry growing season. The harvest time is often late in the season (into November) due to the moderating effect of the Danube River.

The valley can be divided into three main sections, each with a different wine style: the Western Wachau, the Central Wachau, and the Eastern Wachau. The Western Wachau is influenced by cooling breezes from the northern Waldviertal forest, resulting in leaner wines with fresh and vibrant acidity levels. The Central Wachau is influenced by warming Pannonian Basin breezes, resulting in slightly richer styles. The Eastern Wachau, surrounding Durnstein, has an even warmer climate, resulting in more fleshy and richly textured styles.

The Wachau's unique wine designations include Steinfeder (a type of feather grass indigenous to the region), Federspiel (referring to falconry), and Smaragd (referring to the emerald-green lizards found on terraces).

Frequently asked questions