Austria, which was once a major European power, has maintained much of the splendour of its imperial past. When you think of classical music, architecture, art, and pastries, Vienna is the first city that comes to mind.
Mozart was born in Salzburg, which also happens to be filled with stunning architecture. Despite the fact that its rich history and beautiful architecture are major draws, Austria is so much more.
Top 10 Places to Visit in Austria
The majority of its territory lies within the Alps, making it a favourite destination for outdoor enthusiasts like skiers and hikers. Among the rolling green hills and jagged peaks, you’ll find a number of charming towns.
The allure of fresh mountain air and mountain retreats. The mountains, valleys, and lakes of Austria are a stunning example of their kind. The top tourist destinations in Austria are as follows.
1. Bad Gastein
Bad Gastein, Austria, is a beautiful spa town nestled in the High Tauern Alps. Bad Gastein is well-known for its picturesque setting and Belle Epoque architecture, as it is bordered by verdant forests and towering mountain cliffs.
The Hotel Grand de l’Europe is one of the area’s most recognisable landmarks. This hotel, built over a century ago, is a prominent landmark due to its location on the side of a mountain overlooking the city below. The spectacular Bad Gasteiner Waterfall is a one-of-a-kind attraction due to the fact that it passes through the heart of the city.
The healing properties of the thermal spring waters draw many tourists to Bad Gastein. Radon therapy is offered in a wide variety of local spas and thermal springs for the treatment of respiratory, musculoskeletal, and immune system disorders.
2. Worthersee
Located in southern Austria at the base of the Gurktal Mountains and Karawanks, the Worthersee is the largest lake in Carinthia. It is a popular vacation spot because of the breathtaking scenery. In the summer, the Mediterranean environment and the warm waves attract a large number of tourists.
The lake’s beautiful wooded surroundings allow for some great trekking opportunities. A beautiful biking trail follows the shore of the lake. The Worthersee is an excellent location for outdoor recreation, including golf, tennis, and water sports.
Formerly a popular holiday spot for wealthy Viennese, Austria is now renowned as a more family-friendly version of Monte Carlo. Little, scenic communities sit alongside luxurious spas and buzzing nightclubs on the lake’s shoreline.
3. Graz
Graz, the second-largest city in Austria, is a wonderful destination. Located on the Mur River, its surroundings include agriculture, forest, and hilly terrain. The city has been battled for and ruled by numerous empires throughout history, from the Romans and Hapsburgs through the Hungarians, Ottomans, and Napoleon, all due to its advantageous position in the southeast of the country.
The mediaeval core of the capital of Styria is among the most well-preserved in all of Central Europe. There are centuries-old churches and contemporary museums coexisting with Baroque palaces and Renaissance patios. The hill of Schlossberg, surrounded by trees, rises above the city, and is crowned by the city’s most recognisable landmark, the clocktower.
Graz has a rich history, yet the city now feels modern and boasts a thriving nightlife. Many bars, restaurants, and cafes serve the city’s dense student population due to the abundance of nearby educational institutions.
4. Zillertal Alps
The Zillertal Mountains run parallel to the international boundary between Austria and Italy. The Zillertal Alps are among central Europe’s most breathtaking mountain ranges, with their snow-capped summits, sheer cliffs, and forested valleys.
Several of the Zittertal glaciers are higher than 11,000 feet, and there are more than 85 of them. The Hintertux Glacier is accessible for skiing and trekking all year round and is among the tallest in the area.
It is one of just two ski areas in the world that remain open all year due to its elevation. The Zillertal Alps are a popular destination for mountaineers, hikers, and backpackers due to the hundreds of kilometres of trails found there.
Hikers of varying experience levels can enjoy the High Alpine Natural Park, with shorter hikes along the lower-level pastures suitable for beginners and longer treks for experts. If you’d rather see the sights from inside your automobile, the 30-mile Zillertal High Road is a great alternative.
5. Grossglockner Alpine Road
The trek down Grossglockner Road is widely regarded as Austria’s most beautiful drive, despite being only 30 miles long. The route begins in Bruck and leads to Austria’s highest peak, Grossglockner, at an elevation of 3,798 metres (12,461 feet).
The route winds through Hochtor Pass and across the Alpine divide at an elevation of 2,600 metres (about 8,200 feet), providing stunning vistas of the surrounding valleys and mountains.
Grossglockner Road offers drivers and passengers an exciting experience with its many sharp curves. There are many trails and paths that hikers can take to round the mountain, making it a popular destination.
Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe is a popular vantage point, and the trails that lead up to it are highly travelled. The Alpe Adria Trail is a long-distance route that leads hikers into Slovenia and Italy, while the Gamsgrubenweg path offers spectacular views of Grossglockner.
6. St Anton am Arlberg
St. Anton am Arlberg, in the heart of the Tyrolean Mountains, is one of Austria’s most well-known and visited ski destinations. The entire area is a skier’s paradise, with terrain suitable for beginners and experts alike.
Skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels will enjoy Valluga Mountain, which towers 9,215 feet into the sky. Two aerial tramways, the Vallugabahns, transport visitors to the peak, where they can take in breathtaking vistas of the surrounding Lechtal Alps.
St. Anton am Arlberg is a popular holiday spot in both the winter and summer. The grassy meadows and lush, tree-lined forests are great for hiking, cycling, and mountain biking once the snow melts.
St. Anton am Arlberg is an attractive destination in its own right, even without the snow-capped mountains that surround it. St. Anton am Arlberg may be a small town, but it’s packed with charming cafes and restaurants.
7. Zell am See
The alpine city of Zell am See is as picturesque as they come, nestled as it is in a valley surrounded by the Kitzbuhel Alps. The town takes its name from the bright blue lake that sits at its centre, and the surrounding hills are covered with flowering meadows and quaint chalets.
In the summer, the town attracts people who want to go hiking, biking, or partake in water sports; in the winter, however, the magnificent mountains and ski resorts in the area draw skiers and snowboarders.
Despite its modest size, the town centre is charming year-round with its cosy alpine aesthetic. The elevated path leading up to the Romanesque St. Hippolyte’s Church has been there since the early 16th century and is a major tourist attraction.
Zell am See’s picturesque location is a major draw for visitors. For the remainder of the Salzburg area, it serves as a crucial transportation centre. Nearby is Austria’s tallest mountain, Mount Grossglockner. Below the town, on the High Alpine Road, many people travel to experience its enchantment.
8. Innsbruck
Innsbruck is on the banks of the Inn River, surrounded by soaring mountains that reach heights of almost 2,000 metres. While many visitors come to take in the stunning vistas, others will find the city’s fascinating blend of history, culture, and architecture to be the primary draw.
Due to its advantageous position in the Alps, Innsbruck flourished as a political and cultural hub for all of Europe under the reigns of the Counts of Tyrol and Emperor Maximilian I. Its mediaeval old town is filled with stunning architecture including the Baroque Saint Jacob Church, the Renaissance-style Hapsburg Imperial Palace, and the 16th-century Castle Ambras.
Skiing is a must in the winter, and the “Capital of the Alps,” as it is often called, has a plethora of fantastic hiking paths to explore any time of year. You may get amazing views of the city and the surrounding mountains by taking the Nordkettenbahnen cable car from the city centre to the top of Nordkette mountain.
9. Salzburg
Salzburg, Austria, lies in central Austria, close to the German border, and is most famous as the place where Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born. Visitors to Austria’s fourth-largest city can see the landmarks that provided the inspiration for some of the country’s most enduring musical works.
Salzburg is a beautiful city that attracts tourists year-round because to its hilltop castle, attractive Altstadt old town, and breathtaking Alpine surroundings. Salzburg is a historic city that seems like it was plucked straight from a fairytale, and it stretches along the banks of the Salzach River.
Must-sees for fans of the 1965 film “The Sound of Music” include the Baroque Mirabell Palace and Gardens, the gazebo in the gardens of Schloss Hellbrunn, and the genuine von Trapp family house, which is now a hotel.
Fans of Mozart may see the spot where he was born and tour a recreated version of his home that includes period instruments, photographs, and musical scores. The Festung Hohensalzbury is a 900-year-old stronghold that rises 120 metres (400 feet) above the city and was designed more for aesthetics than protection.
Most of the mediaeval castle’s antiquities were stolen by Napoleon’s forces, but the fortress’s breathtaking views represent the castle’s true value. The castle can be reached by foot or a fast ride on a funicular from the 19th century.
Salzburg is a wonderful holiday spot since it offers something for everyone, from seeing the historic Altstadt district to taking in the city’s abundance of Baroque buildings to chilling out in a beer garden while sampling the local fare.
10. Vienna
Vienna, the largest city in Austria, is synonymous with elegant waltzes and Johann Strauss; the city still hosts over 200 balls annually. In addition to Mozart and Beethoven, Brahms and Schubert are also household names in Vienna.
The Ringstrasse, a circular road that follows the line of the historic city’s walls, is home to the majority of the city’s most important buildings. The city is home to a wide variety of architectural styles, from Gothic churches to Art Nouveau museums, from Baroque mansions to contemporary art galleries.
Belvedere Palace, which houses a collection of Gustav Klimt paintings, and the 1,400-room Schönbrunn Palace are two further highlights. The city’s music scene is equally diverse.
The State Opera House is an impressive venue for performances by the world-famous Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, and the city’s hottest nightclubs are where visitors can experience the new Vienna sound, pioneered by local DJs. Sausage and schnitzel, as well as chocolate and cakes, are only two of Vienna’s many delicious treats.
