Austria is a country rich with history, beautiful places, traditions and activities that are distinct to the area. Along with neighboring Switzerland, it is the winter sports capital of Europe. However, Austria is just as popular for summer tourists who visit its historic cities and villages and hike in the magnificent scenery of the Alps.
In order to help guide you in building a trip itinerary, below are some of the top tourist attractions in Austria that are sure to make your trip extra special.Boasting the rugged tips of the Eastern Alps and the glacial caps of the Hohe Tauern, quaint medieval towns built with timber and set in the shadow of soaring mountaintops, regal cities forged by the hands of Habsburgs and Holy Roman Emperors, the world’s most famous coffee culture and sweeping forests of fir, beech and hornbeam, there’s no question that Austria is one of the most handsome countries on the European continent! Here, we delve into its major metropolises and backcountry spots to spy out all the must-see destinations this glorious nation of ski fields and strudels has to offer. Enjoy our list of the best places to visit in Austria!
1. The Spanish riding school
This School dates back to the time of Emperor Maximilian II, the man introduced the famous Lipizzaner horses into Austria in 1562.The stunning public performances by these Spanish horses will leave you spellbound in the astounding white, beige and light gray winter riding school. This is the sole place in the world where classical techniques of riding, the one which is the first preference of the aristocrats is still in practice. Built in 1735, the magnificent hall was designed for the nobility to demonstrate their riding skills. Till date, its tickets are sought after, so book online as soon as possible and enjoy the spectacular show.
2. The Grossglockner
Enveloped in snow and cloaked in secrecy this majestic mountain one of the most striking elevations in the Eastern Alps and a summit of passion for many a mountaineer. The mighty Grossglockner soars to a whopping 3,798 meters above sea level.The veritable roof of Austria as a whole makes its home amidst the chiseled summits and rugged peaks of the Hohe Tauern massif.
3. Alpbach
Often hailed as the most handsome of Austria’s many winter resorts, Alpbach sits more than 1,000 meters up in the midst of the Tyrolean Alps. Surrounded by blooming meadows of buttercups, poppies and rock jasmine by summer and more than 145 kilometers of groomed skiing runs by winter, travelers can explore a medley of timber chalets and traditional Austrian homes adorned with cascading bougainvillea and carved balconies, not to mention the gorgeous St Oswald Church, where the eminent Erwin Schrödinger lays resting.
4. Finkenberg
The charming little Tyrolean town of Finkenberg can be found cascading down a hillside in the depths of the magnificent Zillertal Valley, a medley of rustic timber homes and Austrian taverns that are draped in pillows of packed snow by winter and enfolded by evergreen Alpine peaks during the warmer months of the year. And aside from its pretty appearance, the quaint little village is also home to the Finkenberger Almbahnen, which transports skiers and boarders to the celebrated pistes of Mayrhofen, while just a little further down the Zillertal, the mighty Hintertux glacier offers year-round snow sports and fantastic panoramas over the Trentino-Alto Alps in Italy to the south!
5. Imst
Nestled in the very heart of the western Tyrol on the central valley of the River Inn, pretty little Imst clings to the base of the Austrian Alps and the downhill pistes of the Hoch-Imst ski area. The town itself is a charming affair of tight-knit roadways watched over by the occasional Germanic church spire or snow-dusted onion dome, while the bucolic surroundings consist of rolling farm fields, soaring limestone summits, sweeping spruce and fir forests, the occasional timber barn and countless winding hiking and mountain biking trails to boot!
6. Kitzbüheler Horn
At 1,998 meters, the Kitzbüheler Horn in the Tyrol region is one of the most picturesque of Austria's many summits. Accessible by cableway via the Pletzeralm or by climbing from the village of Kitzbühel, the summit affords glorious views: to the south from the Radstädter Tauern to the Ötztal Alps; to the north, the nearby Kaisergebirge; to the west, the Lechtal Alps; and to the east, the Hochkönig. To the south of the Kitzbüheler Horn rises the 1,772-meter-high Hornköpfli, also reached by cableway. In addition to the great views, on the summit, you'll find the Gipfelhaus, a unique mountaintop home; a chapel; a restaurant; and an Alpine garden.
During the ski season, the mountains in the immediate vicinity of Kitzbühel bustle with skiers from all over the world.
7. Krimmler Ache: Austria's Tallest WaterfallsThe Krimmler Ache plunges 380 meters in three tremendous cascades and makes for an excellent excursion from the nearby village of Krimml. At an altitude of 1,076 meters, Krimml - perched high above the Salzachtal in a wooded valley - is a wonderful place to stop for a few days if you're into hiking.
8. Dachstein Salzkammergut and the Giant Ice Cave
Hallstatt, undoubtedly one of the most picturesque small towns in Austria,
is a good place from which to explore the spectacular Dachstein Salzkammergut region, a UNESCO World Heritage site. You'll be rewarded with a chance to explore the Dachstein Caves, one of Europe's most impressive cavern networks, which are, in places, up to 1,174 meters deep. Highlights include the Giant Ice Cave with its sub-zero summer temperatures and huge caverns with magnificent frozen waterfalls, and the Mammoth Cave with its huge pipe-shaped galleries formed by an ancient underground river. Above ground, visitors can tackle the superb 5 Fingers viewing platform, an incredible metal structure hanging over a 400-meter sheer drop with excellent views of the surrounding Alps.
9. Innsbruck
Centred on one truly gorgeous Old Town of Baroque palaces and Tyrolean mansions, Innsbruck is every inch the onetime residence of revered Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I. Weaving between the cobbled lanes and old imperial palaces left over from Habsburg rule, visitors here can spy out sights like the Golden Roof and the grand whitewashed Hofburg. And then there are armouries to see, and glorious Ambras Castle on the ridges above the city, not to mention the wealth of lively little Bavarian-style beer halls and energetic apres joints touting schnitzel and strudel near the base of the nearby pistes!
10. Zell am See
Austria’s quintessential Alpine lake town, Zell am See hugs its eponymous cobalt-blue waters right on the edge of the mighty Hohe Tauern ranges. From its enclave of fir-clad ridges and snow-mantled peaks, the spot has become a veritable outdoorsy paradise, drawing millions of adventure travelers each year with the promise of some of Austria’s finest sailing, hiking, mountain biking, scenic driving and – of course – skiing, which takes place mainly on the icecaps of the Kitzsteinhorn above nearby Kaprun. And as if that’s not enough, Zell am See is also home to one seriously handsome centre of ice-cream coloured chalets, while rhododendron and Edelweiss bloom from the timber verandas and earthy eateries of Dreifaltigkeitsgasse (the town’s main drag).
11. Mondsee
One of the jewels of the north Austrian lake district that straddles the borders of the Salzburgerland and Upper Austria regions, Mondsee will be recognizable to some as the backdrop to some of the central scenes in The Sound of Music (the famous wedding took place in the historic and beautiful Mondsee Abbey). Gloriously located along the banks of its eponymous lake, shrouded by a phalanx of Alpine peaks – the Drachenwand and the hills of Innerschwand – and loaded with everything from UNESCO-attested cave dwellings to golf courses and sailing clubs, it’s easy to see why this postcard-perfect retreat remains uber-popular amongst locals looking to escape the city.
12. Graz
A glorious Old Town heart and a lively student vibe make Graz one of Austria’s best-loved and most fun-loving cities. Anchored on one seriously attractive Innere Stadt that fuses everything from Renaissance to Gothic to Slavic architectural styles between its cobbled streets and sea of red-tiled roofs, the centre here is awash with fascinating historical sites, like the Schlossberg hill, complete with one curious clock tower, and the Styrian Armoury, where a whopping 32,000 guns, swords, suits of armour and more stand testimony to the city’s onetime place on the frontier between the Ottoman Empire and Western Europe.
13. Medieval Burg Hochosterwitz
Soaring more than 170 meters above the rolling fields and pine-clad hills that bubble up so beautifully on the Zollfeld plains between the Julian Alps and the Eastern Alps proper, Hochosterwitz Castle is a Game of Thrones-esque symphony of crenulated bulwarks, spiked turrets, and formidable gatehouse keeps. It’s hailed as one of the most magnificent citadels in all of Europe and boasts a history going back more than 1,000 years, encompassing tales of Carinthian dukes, Habsburg emperors and the fear of Turkish invasions from the east. Travelers can scale to the top of Hochosterwtitz along the old fortified entrance path, passing no fewer than 14 defensive gates as they go and watching as panoramas of Slovenia and East Austria unfold on all sides.
14. Vienna State Opera
In Vienna’s inner city is the Ringstraße, or Ring Road, along which countless landmarks are found. Just one of these landmarks is the Vienna State Opera House. The structure itself was constructed in the 19th century in a Neo-Renaissance style. Marble staircases and painted ceilings make this is a truly grand destination. After bombing in World War II, the structure was rebuilt to be true to the original style. While a tour of the building is wonderful, what is even better is attending a musical performance or even a ball, many of which are held annually at the Vienna State Opera
15. Mirabell Palace
The Mirabell Palace in Salzburg, known to the locals as Schloss Mirabell, is a beautiful early 16th century structure built by Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich for his mistress. Considerable renovations in the 17th century mean that the palace now boasts a baroque interior with countless embellishments. The interior is laden with marble, stuccoes and enormous frescoes on the walls. The Marble Hall is noteworthy for being among the most picturesque wedding spots in the city. Outside, the gardens are every bit as impressive, and the sculpture collection is world-class.
16. Schafberg
In the heart of the Salzkammergut Mountains is one peak called Schafberg. This mountain is part of the Limestone Alps, and it boasts a truly incredible view overlooking the Wolfgangsee Lake. What makes Schafberg a top destination is that it is easily accessible with a steam railway. Known as the Schafbergbahn, this train chugs from the town of St Wolfgang all the way to the mountain’s summit. Featured in the Sound of Music, the railway is an iconic attraction that shouldn’t be missed.
17. Hohenwerfen Castle
The medieval Hohenwerfen Castle is perched on a craggy outcropping that overlooks the Salzachtal Valley, but the landscape views come second to the incredible castle itself. The castle is a way to truly get to know medieval life, and the falconry in particular is a big draw for travelers. The belfry offers picturesque vistas and fresh air, while the opposite is found in the dungeons. The dungeons still contain original instruments and are a macabre but fascinating part of the castle.
18. Seefeld, Tyrol
Home to the Winter Olympics twice, Seefeld is an important cross-country skiing center with terrain that is compatible for beginner and intermediate skiers. Located on a spectacular nature reserve, it is the perfect spot, not only for cold-weather sports, but for warm-weather strolls and hiking. Offering the most luxuriously upscale accommodation, Seefeld is your relaxing resort getaway.
19. Melk Abbey
One of the most famous monasteries in the world, Melk Abbey is situated high up on cliff. Overlooking the calming waters of the Danube river, rests the peaceful Benedictine abbey. The castle of Leopold II gave the structure to the monks, who transformed it into a place of tranquillity and learning in 1089. The impressive spiritual center has become one of the greatest examples of Baroque architecture and the flourishing musical and liberal arts of its time.
20. Hofburg Imperial Palace
One of Vienna’s most stunning attractions the Hofburg Imperial Palace is a complex that served as the official royal residence of the Habsburgs until the First World War.The palace was built in stages, adding on places like the stables. From the entrance in the Michaelerplatz, visitors can tour several onsite museums and even get a look at former royal apartments as well as the glittering Imperial Silver Collection.
21.St. Anton am Arlberg
Another famous ski resort area worth visiting in Austria is St Anton am Arlberg Located in Tyrol, this village offers serious, legendary ski terrain for those thrill-seeking and adventures souls. The vast landscape welcomes its loyal winter crowd, as well as its summer mountaineers, who come to trek the landscape each year. If you are looking for a good time, St Anton is the place to be.
22. Durnstein
Cruising along the Danube, this adorable small town will definitely mesmerise you. It's worth stopping off to see in its entirety. There is a medieval castle looming over the river dating back at least to the 10th century, and the centre is full of beautiful buildings from across all sorts of architectural styles. Keep in mind that Durnstein is right in the middle of an important Austrian wine-growing region, so you’ll be able to check out some of the wine that Austria is known for. The most famous varieties are dry white wines, particularly the Gruner Veltliner.
23. Lienz
You know a city’s going to be pretty when it calls itself the ‘Sun Town’ – which is exactly what Lienz does. It’s in the Tyrol province of Austria, so it’s very close to the country’s southern border with Italy. People have been living here since the Bronze Age about 4000 years ago, and throughout the ages, it’s been part of the Roman Empire, the Hapsburg Monarchy, and Nazi Germany. When you go to see it now, you can see architecture from across the ages that complement the natural beauty of the mountains and green landscapes that surround it.
24. Lake Attersee
One of the largest lakes in Upper Austria, Lake Attersee is a hotspot for water sports junkies – attracting swimmers, windsurfers, and sailors in the summer months.