Austria is one of Europe's most beautiful destinations, offering a remarkable combination of historic cities, Alpine landscapes, crystal-clear lakes, charming villages, and rich cultural traditions. From the elegant streets of Vienna to the spectacular mountains of Tyrol, there are countless places to discover.
Whether you are planning a city break, a summer adventure in the Alps, a romantic getaway, or a winter ski vacation, this Austria travel guide will help you discover the best places to visit and the top things to do in Austria.
1. Vienna: Explore Austria's Elegant Capital
Vienna is the perfect starting point for an Austria travel guide. The country's capital is famous for its imperial history, grand architecture, museums, classical music, coffeehouse culture, and beautiful parks.
One of the best ways to experience Vienna is simply to walk through the historic center. You can admire St. Stephen's Cathedral, explore the Hofburg Palace, and visit the magnificent Schönbrunn Palace.
Art and history lovers can spend hours exploring Vienna's museums and galleries, while food lovers can enjoy traditional Austrian dishes in historic restaurants and cafés.
Things to do in Vienna
Visit Schönbrunn Palace
Explore the Hofburg Palace
See St. Stephen's Cathedral
Walk through the historic city center
Enjoy traditional Viennese coffee and cake
Visit Vienna's museums
Relax in Stadtpark
Vienna is also an excellent base for exploring other parts of Austria by train.
2. Salzburg: Discover the City of Mozart
Salzburg is one of the most beautiful cities in Austria and a must-see destination for first-time visitors.
Surrounded by mountains, Salzburg combines historic architecture with spectacular scenery. The city is strongly associated with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and is also famous for its musical heritage.
The historic center is ideal for walking. You can explore narrow streets, beautiful squares, historic buildings, and traditional shops before visiting Hohensalzburg Fortress for panoramic views over the city.
Things to do in Salzburg
Explore Salzburg Old Town
Visit Hohensalzburg Fortress
See Mozart's birthplace
Walk along the Salzach River
Visit Mirabell Palace and Gardens
Enjoy traditional Austrian food
Take a day trip into the surrounding mountains
Salzburg is especially attractive for travelers who want to combine culture, history, and nature in one trip.
3. Hallstatt: Visit One of Austria's Most Beautiful Villages
Hallstatt is one of the most recognizable destinations in Austria. Located beside Lake Hallstatt and surrounded by mountains, the village is known for its picturesque scenery and peaceful atmosphere.
Walking through the historic streets and along the lakeside is one of the best things to do here. The surrounding region also offers opportunities for hiking and exploring the spectacular landscapes of the Salzkammergut.
If you are looking for beautiful places to visit in Austria, Hallstatt deserves a place on your itinerary.
Things to do in Hallstatt
Walk around the historic village
Enjoy views of Lake Hallstatt
Take a boat trip on the lake
Explore the surrounding mountains
Go hiking in the Salzkammergut
Take photographs from the lakeside
For a quieter experience, consider staying overnight rather than visiting only as a day trip.
4. Innsbruck: Experience the Austrian Alps
Innsbruck is one of the best destinations in Austria for travelers who want to combine a city break with mountain adventures.
Located in Tyrol and surrounded by the Alps, Innsbruck offers an impressive mountain backdrop almost everywhere you go. The city itself has a historic center with colorful buildings, traditional architecture, and famous landmarks.
At the same time, you can reach mountain areas quickly for hiking, cycling, skiing, or simply enjoying panoramic views.
Things to do in Innsbruck
Explore Innsbruck's Old Town
See the Golden Roof
Visit the Imperial Palace
Take a cable car into the mountains
Go hiking in the surrounding Alps
Ski during winter
Enjoy panoramic mountain views
The combination of urban attractions and outdoor activities makes Innsbruck one of the best cities in Austria for active travelers.
5. Explore the Austrian Alps
No Austria travel guide would be complete without mentioning the Austrian Alps.
The Alps cover a large part of the country and provide opportunities for hiking, cycling, climbing, skiing, and relaxing in traditional mountain villages. Austria's official tourism board highlights the Alps as a year-round destination, with hiking and cycling popular in summer and skiing and cross-country skiing in winter.
In summer, hiking trails lead through forests, valleys, alpine meadows, and mountain landscapes. In winter, the same regions become popular destinations for skiing and other snow activities.
Best Alpine activities in Austria
Hiking
Mountain biking
Skiing
Snowboarding
Cable-car excursions
Scenic mountain walks
Visiting Alpine villages
Enjoying traditional food in mountain huts
If you love nature and outdoor adventures, spending several days in the Austrian Alps is one of the best things to do in Austria.
6. Discover the Salzkammergut Region
The Salzkammergut is one of Austria's most beautiful regions, particularly for travelers who enjoy lakes and mountains.
The region is home to spectacular lakes, traditional villages, forests, and mountain landscapes. Hallstatt is one of its best-known destinations, but there are many other places worth exploring.
Lake Wolfgang, Lake Attersee, Lake Traunsee, and other lakes offer opportunities for swimming, boating, hiking, and relaxing beside the water.
The combination of clear lakes and mountain scenery makes the Salzkammergut a fantastic destination for a summer Austria vacation.
7. Visit Graz: Austria's Creative Side
Graz is Austria's second-largest city and offers a different experience from Vienna and Salzburg.
Its historic center combines medieval architecture with modern design, creating a fascinating atmosphere for travelers interested in culture and architecture.
The Schlossberg is one of the city's most recognizable landmarks and offers excellent views across Graz.
Things to do in Graz
Explore the historic Old Town
Climb or take transportation up the Schlossberg
Visit the Graz Clock Tower
Discover local museums
Walk along the Mur River
Try Styrian cuisine
Explore the city's cafés and restaurants
Graz is a good choice for travelers who want to discover a less obvious side of Austria.
8. Explore Zell am See
Zell am See is an excellent destination if you want mountains and a beautiful lake in the same place.
The town sits beside Lake Zell and is surrounded by impressive Alpine scenery. During warmer months, visitors can enjoy hiking, cycling, swimming, and boat trips.
In winter, the region becomes a popular destination for skiing and snow activities.
Things to do in Zell am See
Walk around Lake Zell
Take a boat trip
Go hiking in the mountains
Enjoy panoramic viewpoints
Go skiing in winter
Explore nearby Alpine villages
Zell am See is particularly attractive for travelers who want an active holiday surrounded by spectacular scenery.
9. Visit Wachau Valley
For a completely different Austrian experience, head to the Wachau Valley along the Danube.
The region is known for its vineyards, historic towns, castles, monasteries, and scenic river landscapes. It is an excellent destination for travelers interested in food, wine, history, and cycling.
You can explore the valley by bicycle, take a boat along the Danube, or simply stop in some of the historic villages.
Wachau is also a great option if you want to experience Austria beyond its famous Alpine destinations.
10. Experience Austrian Food and Culture
One of the best ways to experience Austria is through its food.
Traditional Austrian cuisine includes hearty dishes, pastries, cakes, and regional specialties. Some of the foods worth trying during your trip include Wiener Schnitzel, Tafelspitz, Kaiserschmarrn, Apfelstrudel, and Sachertorte.
Don't forget to visit a traditional Austrian café. Coffeehouse culture is an important part of the country's lifestyle, particularly in Vienna.
For a more authentic experience, try regional restaurants and Alpine mountain huts where you can enjoy traditional food while surrounded by spectacular scenery.
Best Things to Do in Austria
Austria offers activities for almost every type of traveler. You can spend a morning exploring a historic city and an afternoon hiking in the mountains.
Here are some of the best things to do in Austria:
Explore Vienna's historic center
Visit Schönbrunn Palace
Discover Salzburg Old Town
Visit Hohensalzburg Fortress
Photograph Hallstatt and Lake Hallstatt
Hike in the Austrian Alps
Take a scenic cable-car ride
Explore mountain lakes
Go skiing in Tyrol
Cycle along the Danube
Discover Austrian castles and palaces
Try traditional Austrian cuisine
Relax in a traditional café
Explore the Wachau Valley
Austria's combination of mountains, lakes, cities, culture, and outdoor activities makes it suitable for travel throughout the year.
A Perfect 7-Day Austria Itinerary
If you are visiting Austria for the first time, a one-week itinerary can combine several of the country's major highlights.
Day 1: Vienna
Explore the historic center, visit St. Stephen's Cathedral, and discover the Hofburg area.
Day 2: Vienna
Visit Schönbrunn Palace and spend the afternoon exploring Vienna's museums and cafés.
Day 3: Salzburg
Travel to Salzburg and explore the historic Old Town, Mirabell Gardens, and the Salzach River.
Day 4: Salzburg
Visit Hohensalzburg Fortress and enjoy the surrounding mountain scenery.
Day 5: Hallstatt and Salzkammergut
Travel into the Salzkammergut region and spend the day exploring Hallstatt and the surrounding lakes.
Day 6: Innsbruck
Head toward Innsbruck and discover the Old Town before taking a cable car into the mountains.
Day 7: Austrian Alps
Spend your final day hiking, sightseeing, or enjoying an Alpine village before continuing your journey.
If you have more than one week, consider adding Graz, Zell am See, the Wachau Valley, or additional Alpine destinations.
Best Time to Visit Austria
Austria is a year-round destination, but the best time to visit depends on what you want to do.
Spring is a good choice for city sightseeing, cultural attractions, and enjoying nature without the busiest summer crowds.
Summer is ideal for hiking, cycling, swimming in lakes, and exploring the Austrian Alps.
Autumn is a beautiful season for city breaks, countryside trips, wine regions, and scenic landscapes.
Winter is perfect for skiing, snowboarding, Christmas markets, winter walks, and enjoying Austria's Alpine resorts.
Austria's official tourism information also describes the country as a year-round destination, with summer focused on hiking, cycling and lake activities and winter offering skiing and other snow experiences.
How Many Days Do You Need in Austria?
For a first trip, 7 to 10 days in Austria is a good starting point.
With seven days, you can combine Vienna, Salzburg, Hallstatt, and an Alpine destination.
With ten days or more, you can travel at a slower pace and add Innsbruck, Graz, Zell am See, or the Wachau Valley.
Austria is also well suited to longer trips because cities and many regions are connected by trains and buses. A car can be useful when exploring remote Alpine valleys, but it is not essential for a classic city-focused itinerary.
Austria Travel Tips
Here are a few practical tips to make your trip easier:
Book popular accommodation in advance during peak summer and winter periods.
Use trains for travel between major cities.
Consider regional or city cards when available.
Bring comfortable shoes because many historic centers are best explored on foot.
Pack layers if you are visiting mountain areas.
Check mountain weather before hiking.
Try regional food instead of staying only with international restaurants.
Allow extra time for scenic stops when traveling through the Alps.
Is Austria Worth Visiting?
Absolutely. Austria offers an impressive variety of travel experiences within a relatively compact country.
You can explore imperial palaces in Vienna, discover Mozart's Salzburg, photograph the mountain scenery around Hallstatt, hike through the Alps, relax beside beautiful lakes, and enjoy traditional Austrian food.
Whether you are planning a short European city break or a longer outdoor adventure, Austria offers plenty of places to visit and experiences to remember.
If you are looking for a destination that combines culture, nature, history, food, and outdoor activities, Austria is an excellent choice.
Frequently Asked Questions About Austria
What are the best places to visit in Austria?
Some of the best places to visit in Austria include Vienna, Salzburg, Hallstatt, Innsbruck, the Austrian Alps, the Salzkammergut, Graz, Zell am See, and the Wachau Valley.
What are the best things to do in Austria?
Popular activities include sightseeing in historic cities, hiking in the Alps, skiing, exploring mountain lakes, visiting castles and palaces, cycling, taking scenic train journeys, and trying traditional Austrian food.
How many days should I spend in Austria?
A trip of 7 to 10 days allows you to see several major destinations without rushing. Longer trips are ideal if you want to explore more Alpine regions.
Is Austria good for a summer vacation?
Yes. Summer is an excellent time for hiking, cycling, swimming, exploring lakes, and discovering Austria's mountain regions.
Is Austria good for a winter vacation?
Yes. Austria is one of Europe's most popular destinations for skiing and other winter activities. The Austrian Alps offer numerous ski resorts, while cities such as Vienna and Salzburg provide cultural experiences and festive winter atmospheres.
What food should I try in Austria?
Try traditional dishes and desserts such as Wiener Schnitzel, Tafelspitz, Kaiserschmarrn, Apfelstrudel, and Sachertorte.
Final Thoughts
Austria is a destination where historic cities and spectacular natural landscapes come together.
From Vienna's imperial architecture to Salzburg's musical heritage, Hallstatt's lakeside scenery and the dramatic Austrian Alps, there is something for every type of traveler.
Take your time, explore beyond the most famous attractions, and leave room for unexpected discoveries. Some of Austria's most memorable experiences can come from a quiet mountain village, a lakeside walk, a traditional café, or a scenic train journey through the countryside.