Damon Mcknight
Austria is a popular destination for travellers and expats alike. The country boasts a diverse range of attractions, from its stunning natural scenery and impressive architecture to its rich cultural history and delicious cuisine. Austria's small size and well-connected cities make it easy for visitors to get around and explore its many offerings. The country's high quality of life, low crime rates, clean air, and cheap rents are also attractive features. Additionally, Austria's central location in Europe makes it a convenient stop for those backpacking across the continent. For expats, Austria offers a unique cultural experience with its famous beer hall culture, efficient supermarkets, and interesting traditions, such as separate blankets for each person in a bed.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| History | Austria has a fascinating and turbulent history, with many museums and palaces to explore. |
| Beer hall culture | The experience of eating and drinking in a beer hall is unique and addictive. |
| Food | Austrian food is delicious, including wiener schnitzel, Austrian goulash, and apple strudel. |
| Architecture | The country boasts stunning and diverse architecture, from palaces to apartments. |
| Scenery | The Austrian landscape is characterised by mountains, forests, and lakes. |
| Transport | Austria is easy to get around, with well-connected cities and inexpensive travel options. |
| Classical art and music | Austria has a rich history of classical art and music, with famous composers such as Mozart and Beethoven. |
| Quality of life | Vienna has been named the 'city with the best quality of life' due to low crime rates, clean air, cheap rents, and a rich culture. |
| Hiking | The Austrian countryside offers stunning hiking trails, such as 'The Eagle Walk'. |
| Location | Located in the heart of Europe, Austria is easily accessible from neighbouring countries. |
| Culture | Austria has unique cultural aspects, such as efficient cashiers, a strict naked sauna policy, separate blankets for couples, and dog-friendly spaces. |
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What You'll Learn
Austria's diverse and impressive architecture
Austria's architectural landscape is incredibly diverse, with a range of styles from various historical periods. The country's architecture reflects its rich cultural and intellectual history, with magnificent castles, cathedrals, and palaces that bring the past to life.
Baroque Architecture
During the 47-year rule of Leopold I (1658-1705), Austria witnessed the beginning of the golden age of Baroque architecture. Italian-born Dominico Martinelli designed the Liechtenstein Palace, inspired by the Renaissance-era Palazzo Farnese in Rome. Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach, trained in Rome, transformed the Italianate Baroque style into one that suited the Viennese. His most notable work is the Karlskirche, built in 1713, and the original design for Maria Theresa's Schönbrunn Palace. Fischer von Erlach's style was restrained yet monumental, drawing inspiration from the great buildings of antiquity.
Gothic Architecture
The earliest example of Gothic architecture in Austria is the abbey church of Heiligenkreuz, 15 miles west of Vienna. The most famous building in this style was the first incarnation of St. Stephan's Cathedral in Vienna, which still features a needle-shaped central spire that soars above the city's skyline. St. Stephan's triple naves, each the same height, are a distinctive feature of Austrian Gothic architecture.
Modernism
In the late 1950s through the 1980s, Austria became a hub for extraordinary architectural experimentation. Visionary architects, including Abraham, Rainer, Günther Feuerstein, Hollein, and Walter Pichler, rejected conventional modernism and experimented with radical ideas. Their work introduced new forms and complexity, challenging standard notions of building design and placement.
Earlier, in the 1920s, Austrian architects such as Josef Frank, Otto Wagner, Joseph Maria Olbrich, Josef Hoffmann, and Adolf Loos had a significant impact on European architecture. They experimented with new forms and materials like iron, glass, and concrete. Loos, in particular, favoured garden city developments over large-scale housing blocks and designed the Moller Villa in Vienna, a widely admired modernist work.
Contemporary Architecture
Today, Austrian cities like Salzburg and Vienna showcase impressive contemporary architecture alongside historic buildings. Salzburg's Museum of Modern Art, designed by Zaha Hadid, overlooks the historic centre of the city. The University of Economics and Business campus in Vienna is another must-see landmark for architecture enthusiasts, blending the old with the new.
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The country's rich history and museums
Austria is a country steeped in history, with a rich cultural heritage that dates back thousands of years. From the ancient Roman ruins of Carnuntum to the majestic Habsburg palaces, Austria's historical sites and museums offer visitors a fascinating glimpse into the past.
One of the most popular destinations for those interested in Austrian history is Vienna, the country's elegant capital city. Vienna is home to a wealth of museums and cultural institutions, including the world-renowned Kunsthistorisches Museum (Art History Museum). This magnificent museum, with its impressive octagonal dome, houses an extensive collection of
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The natural beauty of its countryside
Austria is a nature lover's dream, with its majestic mountains, lush forests, and sparkling lakes. The country's diverse landscapes offer something for everyone, from hikers seeking challenging trails to those who simply want to enjoy the peaceful beauty of the countryside.
The Austrian Alps form the backbone of the country, with rugged mountains and magnificent scenery. The western states of Vorarlberg, Tirol, and Salzburg are especially known for their high-altitude beauty, with towering peaks and breathtaking views. The Tirolean Mountains, in particular, are a hiker's paradise, offering challenging trails and stunning natural beauty. 'The Eagle Walk' is one of the most famous routes, spanning over 400 kilometres (248.5 miles) of breathtaking landscapes.
In addition to its mountains, Austria is also characterised by its many lakes, which are a legacy of the Pleistocene Epoch. The largest of these lakes, Lake Constance (Bodensee), lies in the western part of the country, while the marshy Neusiedler Lake (Neusiedlersee) can be found in the east. These lakes provide a peaceful contrast to the rugged mountains, offering opportunities for swimming, boating, and simply enjoying the tranquil beauty of the water.
The Danube River is another defining feature of the Austrian landscape. It winds its way through the country, emerging from between the mountains into the drier plains near Vienna. The river is a vital part of the country's geography, with nearly all Austrian territory draining into its system. The areas surrounding the Danube are lush and green, with wooded foothills and valleys that have served as passageways to the east and southeast of Europe for centuries.
Austria's natural beauty is easily accessible, with convenient train and bus routes connecting the major cities and countryside areas. The country's small size makes it easy to hop from one city to another, and the well-connected transport system makes exploring the countryside stress-free. Whether you're a hiker seeking challenging trails or a nature lover looking for peaceful scenery, Austria's countryside has something for everyone.
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Its central location in Europe
Austria is located right in the heart of Europe, sharing borders with Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Switzerland, Italy, and Croatia. Its central location makes it a convenient destination for those travelling around Europe, whether by bus, train, or plane. The country's small size means that distances between locations are relatively short, and the cities are well-connected by road and rail routes, making it easy and affordable to get around.
Being centrally located in Europe, Austria has historically been a passageway to the east and southeast of the continent, and even to the Holy Land during the time of medieval pilgrims and crusaders. Today, its location and excellent transport links make it a convenient base for those looking to explore other parts of Europe. For example, it is a relatively easy bus or train ride to the sunny shores of Croatia and Italy, and its proximity to Germany, Switzerland, and other neighbouring countries makes them easily accessible too.
Austria's central location has also contributed to its rich history and cultural offerings. The country has a fascinating and turbulent past, with an abundance of museums and palaces to explore, including the Hofburg and Schönbrunn Palace. Vienna, the nation's capital, was a powerhouse of art, music, and culture during the 19th century, and this legacy continues today. The country has produced several notable names in classical music, including Mozart, Franz Liszt, Johann Strauss II, Joseph Haydn, and Beethoven.
In addition to its cultural attractions, Austria's central location in Europe has contributed to its diverse and innovative architectural styles. The country's landscape is characterised by mountains and forests, with the Austrian Alps forming the physical backbone of the country. The diverse geography has influenced the development of unique architectural styles, such as the innovative social housing that emerged during the 'Red Vienna' era between 1918 and 1984.
Finally, Austria's central location in Europe has likely contributed to its strong economy. The country ranks fifth in the European Union in terms of GDP per capita, well above the EU average. Its economic strength and central location make it an attractive destination for business and investment, further contributing to its appeal for visitors and expatriates. Cultural attractions, such as the sauna culture, also draw people to the country.
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The unique culture and food
Austria has a unique food culture with influences from other countries, although its traditions are firmly entrenched. Austrian food is simple and hearty, with meat and potatoes as staple ingredients. Meals are celebrated, and mealtimes are often long, social affairs. The concept of Gemuetlichkeit is distinctive to Austrian culture, referring to a sense of cosiness, social acceptance, and wellbeing. This is reflected in the country's local taverns, restaurants, and cafes, where people gather to enjoy food, drinks, and conversation.
Austrian cuisine has been influenced by its history as a multinational empire, with various cultures contributing their nuances. The Habsburg Empire, which ruled from 1278 to 1918, included over a dozen nationalities and stretched from Switzerland to Hungary, Italy, and Slovenia. As a result, Austrian dishes have been influenced by the cuisines of these countries, as well as Germany, France, and Turkey. For example, Austrian goulash, or gulasch, originates from Hungarian goulash and always contains paprika. Similarly, Wiener Schnitzel likely originated in Northern Italy, while the popular Apfelstrudel is an Austrian take on a Turkish delicacy.
Austria is also known for its wine-making tradition, particularly in Vienna, which is the only capital city in the world with its own winemaking industry. Heurigen, or wine taverns, are very popular, and visitors can take wine tours to learn about urban winemaking and taste local wines. In addition to wine, Austria also has a strong coffee culture, with Vienna's famous coffee houses playing an important role in the country's history and culture.
While traditional Austrian dishes are a draw for tourists, the country also offers a diverse range of international cuisines in its major cities. Pizzerias, sushi counters, and Asian restaurants are common in Vienna and Graz, reflecting the modern Austrian appetite for international flavours. However, traditional dishes like Käsespätzle (an Austrian take on mac n' cheese), Blunzngröstl (a combination of sautéed potatoes, onions, and blood sausage), and various types of wieners and sausages remain popular.
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