Travel to see the Beauty of Austria: 15 Must-Visit Destinations

aerial photography of city buildings — Photo by Jacek Dylag on Unsplash

Austria is a country renowned for its stunning natural landscapes, rich history, and vibrant cities. From the majestic Austrian Alps to the cultural hubs of Vienna and Salzburg, there are countless places to explore in this Central European gem. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, a history buff, or a foodie, Austria has something to offer for everyone. In this detailed travel guide, we will explore the 15 best places to visit in Austria, each offering its own unique charm and attractions.

1. Vienna

Austria’s capital Vienna is famous for its imperial history spanning over 600 years as the seat of power for the Habsburg dynasty. Major attractions include the magnificent Schönbrunn Palace, which was the main summer residence of the Habsburgs, featuring lavish baroque architecture and expansive gardens for visitors to get lost in. The city center is also home to impressive Gothic architecture such as St. Stephen’s Cathedral, as well as a thriving music and cultural scene that honors the legacy of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and other Austrian greats. Treasure troves of art and artifacts, like the Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna and Vienna State Opera transport visitors to a golden age of music and majesty. A buzzing contemporary nightlife scene also draws younger visitors to Vienna’s modern clubs, whiskey bars, and cozy wine taverns alike.

2. Salzburg

The picture-perfect Baroque city of Salzburg is known worldwide as the birthplace and hometown of legendary composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Parts of Salzburg also served as a filming location for iconic scenes from the beloved musical film The Sound of Music. Like Vienna, Salzburg’s historic Old Town center is dominated by stunning churches and cathedrals, such as the Salzburg Cathedral which now houses sacred art and archaeology museums. Perched atop a hill sits the medieval Hohensalzburg Fortress, which offers panoramic views and museums exploring its history as an ancient stronghold. Salzburg is also home to the lavish Residenz palace complex, once the seat of power for Prince-Archbishops who ruled the city. its formal state rooms and royal apartments open a window into their world of wealth and influence.

3. Hallstatt

The alpine village of Hallstatt is considered one of Austria’s most photographer destinations thanks to its idyllic mountain views and colorful 16th-century Alpine houses lining the shore of the Hallstätter See lake. Its isolated natural setting deep in the Salzkammergut region gives it the air of a fairy tale, with traditional salt mines nearby also attracting visitors underground. Located an hour from Salzburg, Hallstatt provides breathtaking vistas and serene natural beauty, best seen gliding across the mirror-like lake on boat trips to Obertraun village on the opposite shore. The blue waters, soaring peaks, and storybook buildings offer countless picture perfect moments.

4. Innsbruck

Nestled within the snow-capped Karwendel Alps, Innsbruck has twice served as host to the iconic Winter Olympics thanks to its world-class ski resorts and beloved winter sports culture. But this Tyrolean capital offers charming history beyond its Olympic legacy. Important cultural sites include the Late-Gothic Golden Roof, a landmark structure featuring 2,738 fire-gilded copper tiles symbolizing prosperity. The Hofburg Imperial Palace and Hofkirche tomb also transport visitors back to Innsbruck’s imperial past. With mountain vistas rising in nearly every direction, Innsbruck’s unique blend of urban energy and Alpine scenery makes it an unforgettable stop.

5. Wachau Cultural Landscape

Stretching along the Danube River between Melk and Krems, the stunning Wachau valley wine region dates back to medieval times with terraced vineyards, apricot orchards, fragile castles, and idyllic towns. The proudly preserved town of Dürnstein houses the bright blue Baroque Stiftskirche church and ruines of the castle where King Richard the Lionheart was once held for ransom. Other Wachau valley highlights include Weißenkirchen with its wine taverns and pathways along the river, as well as the magnificent fortified Abbey of Göttweig atop a wooded hill. This cultural landscape has evolved harmoniously over centuries to balance nature, architectural heritage, and agriculture in an unmistakably Austrian way.

6. Belvedere Palaces

Considered one of Austria’s most stunning Baroque landmarks, the two Belvedere palaces were built as a luxurious summer residence for renowned military commander Prince Eugene of Savoy. The Lower Belvedere palace now showcases Austrian art spanning five centuries while the Upper Belvedere palace displays masterpieces like Gustav Klimt’s iconic golden kiss against lavish staterooms with frescoed ceilings. The palatial complex is set within exquisite formal gardens designed in the French style, with geometrically shaped parterres, sculptures, tiered fountains and sprawling parklands for idyllic garden strolls.

7. Grossglockner High Alpine Road

One of Austria’s most spectacular feats of engineering, the Grossglockner High Alpine Road is considered one of the country’s greatest scenic driving routes as it winds 36 hairpin turns up the tallest peak. Passing icy blue glaciers, thundering waterfalls, and snow-covered mountainscapes, this scenic road crosses high Alpine terrain to provide jaw-dropping vistas from over 30 peaks in Austria’s highest national park. An excellent stop along the route is the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe viewpoint near the Pasterze Glacier to take in the full sweeping panorama.

8. Zell am See

Nestled on the shores of the crystal clear Lake Zell, Zell am See charms visitors as a traditional Austrian mountain village that comes alive for alpine sports and recreation. In warmer months, Zell am See draws swimming, sailing, hiking and mountain biking enthusiasts who ride the gondola lift up the Schmittenhöhe mountain for even higher vistas across quaint red-roofed villages surrounding the lake. Come winter, world-class skiing and snowboarding at Schmitten take center stage, along with ice skating across Lake Zell and horse-drawn sleigh rides through the valley below.

9. Krimml Waterfalls

Located within Hohe Tauern National Park, the thundering Krimml Falls cascade nearly 400 meters down the valley in three impressive tiers, making them Europe’s tallest waterfall and fifth highest on earth. These towering cascades turn the Krimml Ache stream into billowing veils of tumbling deluge that visitors can see, hear, and even feel from well-marked viewing platforms offering different perspectives. Formed by glaciers, the falls symbolize the power of nature in Austria’s high alpine regions. Well-groomed paths connect viewpoints while longer hiking trails like the Wasserfallweg lead deep into the valley for visitors to experience the full force of Krimml.

10. Lake Neusiedl

Straddling the Austrian-Hungarian border, Lake Neusiedl is Central Europe’s second largest steppe lake, covering 315 square kilometers yet rarely exceeding 1.5 meters depth. Surrounded by reed beds that attract diverse bird species, Lake Neusield and its environs form an important protected biosphere reserve. The shallow waters create a Mediterranean microclimate that fuels Austria’s easternmost wine region. Quaint villages, vineyards, medieval castles and baroque palaces dot the hilly landscape surrounding this unique lake. Visitors boat, swim, fish and cycle along trails, stopping to enjoy wine and local cuisine in lakeside towns that host cultural events and festivals in summer.

11. Melk Abbey

Dramatically perched atop a rocky bluff overlooking the Danube River, Melk Abbey is an active Benedictine monastery first founded in 1089 AD. Its church houses the tombs of many Babenberg dynasty rulers of medieval Austria along with stunning Baroque architecture, Rembrandt original paintings, and other religious treasures spanning its thousand-year history. Sprawling palace-like wings house a library, school and monastic quarters, while sculpted grounds include landscaped gardens and pathways offering breathtaking river views.

12. Hellbrunn Palace Gardens Near Salzburg

Just outside Salzburg lies beautiful Hellbrunn Palace and Gardens built in the early 17th century, featuring trick water fountains and grottos designed to drench unsuspecting guests at the push of a lever. Beyond the quirky tricks, visitors enjoy exploring the spacious gardens, gazebos, exotic birds, and stone figures that characterize this unique UNESCO World Heritage Site. The mechanical theater with singing birds and music is another highlight. The Italianate villa also offers guided tours taking in views of the picturesque landscape where the Alps provide a scenic backdrop from every angle.

13. Riegersburg Castle

Perched dramatically atop a volcanic cone in eastern Styria, Riegersburg Castle is a privately owned medieval fortress that uniquely transports visitors back to the Middle Ages through guided tours exploring its formidable dungeons, expansive weapons room, displays of authentic armor and historical pottery. Visitors brave enough to make the steep climb are rewarded with sweeping panoramas across Styria from walkways high atop the castle walls. Riegersburg has been strategically refortified and rebuilt numerous times over 700 years, standing today as a proud ancient stronghold with unmistakable allure.

14. Wörthersee

Nestled amid breathtaking Alpine scenery under the impressive peak of the Pyramidenkogel, Austria’s warmest and largest Alpine lake Wörthersee offers stunning turquoise waters fringed by mountains, hilltop castles, and resort villages. Visitors enjoy boating, swimming, fishing and miles of trails perfect for walking, hiking and biking around the lake. Picturesque lakeside towns like Pörtschach, Krumpendorf and Velden provide relaxing cafes, lively bars, fine dining and nightlife during summer when Wörthersee comes alive through art festivals, car shows, music concerts and more.

15. Hohenwerfen Castle

With 900 years of dramatic history, Hohenwerfen Castle sits perched atop a 155-meter cliff in the Tennengebirge Mountains, about 40 kilometers from Salzburg. This impressively preserved medieval clifftop fortress offers guided tours of ancient weapons like crossbows or armour in action, a cutting-edge falconry center with flying displays from the fortress battlements, as well as fascinating sound and light shows reenacting everything from medieval jousting festivals, witch burnings and torture sessions to more recent times as a state prison. The fortress tavern also boasts magnificent views across the valley below.

Top 15 places to visit in Austria:

References

[1] https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g190410-Activities-Austria.html

[2] https://www.roadaffair.com/best-places-to-visit-in-austria/

[3] https://www.thecrazytourist.com/15-best-places-to-visit-in-austria/

[4] https://traveltriangle.com/blog/places-to-visit-in-austria/

[5] https://youtube.com/watch?v=V__uF_3zstY