Does Austria appeal to you? Discover the most beautiful places to visit during your next adventure in Central Europe!
If you’re planning a trip to Austria, you’ve come to the right place! From its illustrious history, Austria has preserved sublime buildings with dazzling architecture, but also places of culture and an ever-sparkling spirit, as evidenced by the modern art that rubs shoulders with the old in the capital, Graz or Linz. In addition to this cultural and historical aspect, there are breathtaking mountain landscapes, magnificent lakes, picturesque villages, snow-capped peaks for skiing in winter and deep valleys to discover on foot or by mountain bike in summer. One thing’s for sure when you come to Austria: it’s impossible to get bored!
So if you’re planning to visit Austria, here’s our list of 16 of the most beautiful places you absolutely must see in this fascinating country!
1. Vienna
Visiting Austria without discovering the Imperial, its sublime capital, is unthinkable! Vienna is one of the historic hearts of Europe.
Once the capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Vienna is home to architectural and cultural gems such as the Imperial Hofburg Palace, the Belvedere Palace, the Stephansdom and Hundertwasser’s whimsical house. As well as visiting its iconic monuments, be sure to explore the fascinating museums of the MuseumsQuartier, enjoy a classical music concert at the Vienna Kursalon or an opera performance, or take a stroll along the banks of the Danube.
2. Hallstatt
After the capital, one of the most charming places to visit in Austria is of course the village ofHallstatt, a jewel on the shores of Lake Hallstättersee. Listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site since 1997, it’s famous for its pastel-colored houses, picture-postcard scenery and wonderful surrounding landscapes. This typical Austrian village is also home to an Iron Age site from the civilization to which it is named, the Hallstatt civilization.
3. Salzkammergut
Home to Hallstatt, Salzkammergut is the perfect place to discover natural landscapes. One of the region’s distinctive features is its alternation of gentle hills, wide, serene plains and steep mountains, whose cliffs suddenly drop into deep, calm lakes.
Salzkammergut also offers plenty of opportunities for walking and sporting activities. For example, you can enjoy water sports on the Mondsee and Gosau lakes, or stroll through the tourist village of Sankt Wolfgang, which is almost as pretty as Hallstatt.
4. The Dachstein massif
Just a stone’s throw from Hallstatt, the Dachstein massif is famous for its ice caves, another must-see tourist attraction in the region. From the town of Obertaun, a cable car takes you to the entrance of the caves.
You can admire the « Rieseneishöhle » (giant ice cave) with its « King Arthur’s Cathedral » and « Ice Palace », as well as the « Mammuthöhle » (mammoth cave). You can then take the cable car back to The 5 Fingers, a panoramic platform offering breathtaking views of the mountains and the Hallstättersee lake! The more adventurous can also visit the « Treppe ins Nichts » (Stairway into Nothingness), a suspension bridge and glass-floored observation platform offering spectacular views of the surrounding Alps.
5. Salzburg
To appreciate Salzburg, there’s nothing better than strolling through its colorful houses and along the river. A typical Austrian town, it was the birthplace of the illustrious Mozart! Nestled between the mountains, it is protected by the impressive Hohensalzburg fortress, where a breathtaking panorama of the city awaits you. Lively, charming and picturesque, Salzburg is also known for its prestigious music festival: the Salzburg Festival, held from mid-July to early September.
6. The Grossglockner
If you’re visiting Austria, don’t miss the legendary Grossglockner route, only accessible from May to November. Linking the Salzburg region to Carinthia, it offers travelers exceptional panoramic views of the Hohe Tauern mountain range. The 48-kilometer route is punctuated by 36 hairpin bends, and features lookouts, parking lots, restaurants and information points.
In the region, you can enjoy hiking, observe the local inhabitants such as the beautiful marmots and, above all, discover the Grossglockner, Austria’s highest peak!
7. Hochosterwitz Castle
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What to do in Austria? Come and discover one of Austria’s most impressive medieval castles. Situated on a 175-metre-high peak, this immense castle is not far from the charming town of Klagenfurt. From its ramparts, you’ll have a sublime view of the surrounding region. The most courageous can reach the castle on foot!
8. Graz
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If you’re planning a visit to Austria, you can’t miss Graz! Capital of Styria and the country’s second-largest city, Graz is renowned for its universities and rich cultural life. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, its Old Town is home to one of the finest Renaissance ensembles in Central Europe. During your stay, you can visit Eggenberg Castle, the Cathedral and its mausoleum, or the astonishing Kunsthaus Graz art museum!
9. Grüner See
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Here’s a really special place to visit in Austria! The » Green Lake » only fills up once a year, when the snow melts. Located at the foot of the snow-capped Hochschwab mountains, it is only one or two meters deep in winter. The surrounding area is a nature park, popular with hikers.
In summer, it reaches its maximum depth of around 12 meters. This is the perfect time to discover it by scuba diving. You’ll be able to see beautiful meadow flowers in full bloom underwater, as well as benches, a bridge and footpaths! If you’re planning to visit Austria in June, don’t miss this unique spot.
10. Tyrol
Head for the Tyrol, Austria’s most emblematic mountainous region. It’s the most visited region in the country. It’s particularly famous for its folklore, traditions, preserved culture and typical architecture. It’s also a winter sports paradise. Tyrol boasts several hundred kilometers of ski slopes. And when you know the quality of this ski area, you can’t help but enjoy it without stopping! In summer, Tyrol has no shortage of splendor. You’ll be able to admire superb landscapes on foot or by bike.
11. Innsbruck
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While you’re in Tyrol, don’t miss a visit to the charming medieval town of Innsbruck, a winter sports destination par excellence. Take the opportunity to admire the Mausoleum of Emperor Maximilian I or discover the Imperial Palace. The town is also home to a cable car, accessible to all, which takes you up to 2,256 meters into the Alps! Up there, you can take in the panoramic views, go hiking in summer or enjoy winter sports!
12. Linz
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After Vienna and Graz, Linz is the third most populous city and capital of Upper Austria. Particularly modern and contemporary, it boasts a superb historic center, with a beautiful central square, Renaissance buildings and charming cafés. During your stay, be sure to visit the new Mariendom Cathedral, the largest in Austria! From the top of the bell tower, you’ll enjoy a breathtaking view of the whole of Linz.
13. Melk Abbey
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Situated on a rocky spur above the Danube, Melk Abbey is one of the finest examples of Austrian Baroque in its heyday. If you’re visiting Austria, don’t miss this unique historical and cultural site just 1 hour from Vienna. Inside, you can admire the church, the imperial apartments converted into a museum, and above all the impressive library for which the abbey is famous!
14. Feldkirch
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What to do in Austria? Visit more picturesque towns, of course! Feldkirch, a Unesco World Heritage site as well as a historic monument, is the best-preserved medieval town in Vorarlberg. At the crossroads of Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany and Italy, it is renowned for its well-preserved medieval charm.
Here you can admire numerous buildings from this period, including Schattenburg Castle, the Cat Tower (Katzenturm), a Romanesque cathedral and ancient ramparts. The town also hosts the Poolbar Festival, a music festival that attracts over 20,000 visitors every year and lasts 6 weeks in July and August! As you’ll see when you visit, Feldkirch comes alive and vibrates with joy as soon as the first rays of sunlight kiss it.
15. Bregenz
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Situated on the right bank of Lake Constance and at the foot of the German Alps, Bregenz is the perfect place to visit the beautiful Lake Constance and Voralberg region, where Feldkirch is also located. Every summer, it also hosts a festival, the more traditional Bregenz Festival, which focuses on classical music.
16. Saint-Florian Abbey
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To round off this list of the most beautiful places to visit in Austria, why not discover the country’s largest and most famous Baroque abbey? Located near Linz, it’s one of the oldest working abbeys in the world. Inside, you can’t help but marvel at the abbey’s immense, richly-decorated library of 150,000 books, and its Bruckner organ with 7,343 pipes!
Hotel and accommodation map – Austria