Austria is seen basking in natural beauty, which has resulted in being one of the most important attractions in Central Europe. The country has a lot to offer beyond its beauty, architecture, music, cafes and sports like skiing. There are several places to visit in Austria right from the ancient backdrops to colorful mismatched homes. With a place to chill out, savor and appreciate the culture and traditions of the country of years in the making. So, pack those bags and explore every corner of Austria.
Top 12 Places To Visit In Austria: Magical Landscape and Picturesque Meadows
Grossglockner national park, Zillertal Arena, Kunsthaus Graz, Wörthersee, Kunsthaus Bregenz, Vorarlberg Museum, Tyrolean State Museum, Schlossberg, Schloss Esterházy and Hallstätter See offer tourists a magical opportunity presented in their rich history. The natural landscapes are haven on earth and the adventure getaways bring out the excitement in people.
Majestic palaces and museums are seen in Vienna and the rolling meadows and heritages sites are seen sitting in Salzburg, places found in Austria. With six universities in Graz, people should explore the old churches, monasteries, streets and squares in Krems. Visit some of the top attractions in Austria with your loved ones and create long lasting memories. Tourists from around the world are given a wholesome experience in the country’s history, heritage, architecture and beauty.
1. Worthersee
Found at the foot of the Gurktal Alps and Karawanks mountain range, Worthersee is one of the largest lakes in Carinthia. It is one of the ideal places to visit in Europe for its stunning settings and scenery. People swim in the warm waters and bask under the Mediterranean climate in the summers. Surrounded by green forests, hiking is an adventure activity people can enjoy by the lake. People can even enjoy biking along the lakeside. Horseback riding, golf and watersports are some of the outdoor activities people can enjoy at the lake.
Worthersee was once known as Austria’s monte Carlo because of the Viennese nobles and bourgeoisie. The charming, picturesque towns to the spas and exciting nightlife make it the ideal place to explore.
Attractions: Charming towns and spas
Hotels: Ibis Woerthersee, Boutiquehotel Worthersee, Lake's- My Lake hotel and Barry Memle SeeResort
Nearest Airports: Klagenfurt Airport
Best time to visit: May- September
2. Vienna
Filled with architectural wonders, sweet music and restaurants and cafes lined up along the streets, Vienna is one of the most stunning capitals of Europe. Vienna’s charm is seen in its museums and the blend of old and new. The city is one of the best places to visit in Austria for its quality of life and artistic skills. The raw beauty and charm of the capital city of Austria is absolutely stunning. People will get to see a glimpse of the past through the historic buildings and culture dominated by Vienna’s rich history. It is one of the major tourist attractions in Austria, sitting on the stunning Danube River.
Some of the most stunning historic sights, museums, live events and entertainment define Vienna. The exhilarating legacy of artists and musicians like Beethoven, Strauss, Mozart, Schubert and Gustav Klimt are rivaling. The modern environs, coffee houses, horse- can ride and walking along the clean streets makes Vienna a place to visit.
Attractions: Historic buildings and Danube River
Hotels: Parkhotel Schonbrunn, Ambassador Wien, H+ Hotel Wien and Melia Vienna
Nearest Airports: Vienna Airport
Best time to visit: April to May or September to October
3. Zillertal Alps
Home to breathtaking glacial peaks, jagged mountain cliffs and tree-lined valleys, Zillertal Alps are seen snaking along Austria’ borders. One of the most stunning landscapes in central Europe, the Zillertal Alps stand at a height of 11,000 feet above sea level.
The tallest Hintertux glacier is perfect for skiing and hiking, which is open all year round. Mountaineers, hikers and backpackers will enjoy the hundred miles of outdoor trails. Professional hikers can choose to high through the high Alps nature park, and beginners can trek along the lower- level pastures. The alps are one of the stunning places to visit for its beauty and nature.
Attractions: Hintertux Glacier
Hotels: Amonti and Lunaris Wellness resort, Hotel Sonja, Hotel Alpenblick and Hotel Gallhaus
Nearest Airports: Innsbruck airports
Best time to visit: June- August
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4. Bad Gastein
Are you looking to be spoiled and pampered? The thermal springs of Bad Gastein should be on your bucket list of places to visit in August in the world. Tourists from around from the world come to stay at the resorts and thermal baths in Austria’s high Tauern mountains. The forests and steep mountain slopes make it perfect for hikers and skiers to visit during the winters. The Grand hotel of Europe, sitting pretty on the mountainside, is a place one can stay at.
One of the most unique places to explore in Austria is the Bad Gastein Waterfall, flowing through the center of the town.
Attractions: Forests and Steep Mountain slopes
Hotels: Sanotel Bad Gastein, Mondi Hotel Bellevue Gastein, Hotel Salzburger Hof Bad Gastein and Selina Bad Gastein
Nearest Airports: Salzburg
Best time to visit: August
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5. Burgenland
Burgenland is not like any other destination in Austria as there are no mountains and barely any snow. Every worshipper of the sun finds the Neusiedler See heaven. The largest steppe lake in Austria stretches over 320km and is no more than 1.8 deep. During the summers, it becomes quite popular with the families as the shallow waters warms up quickly. Burgenland is a hidden gem for all the wine lovers as the wine experience only begins in Vienna, Austria. The lakeside vineyards are heaven for all the dessert wine lovers. The shallow steppe lake is magical and offers a misty condition for noble red.
It is one of the most beautiful places in Vienna for all the wine lovers as they can simply open a bottle of wine and enjoy it with barbecued meat. The wine makers are offered intense flavors of wine which will leave a long-lasting taste in their mouth.
Attractions: Esterhazy palace, Esterhazy winery and Forctenstein Castle
Hotels: St Martins Therme and Lodge, Falkensteiner Balance Resort Stegersbach, Hotel and Spa Larimar and Hotel Maria Theresienhof Loipersdorf
Nearest Airports: Vienna Airport
Best time to visit: May- September
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6. Salzburg
Right out a fairytale book, Salzburg is the ideal places to go to in Austria to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city life. Tourists will enjoy walking down the streets surrounded by the countryside. Salzburg has something in store for everyone right from Mozart and the sound of music to ice caves, salt mines, churches and castles. Check. These are things that pop up in one’s mind when talking about Salzburg.
The art science, the stunning parks and several concert halls are certain things that define Salzburg. To explore the city in detail, one can walk up to the Hohensalzburg Fortress and Mirabel Garden, go shopping at Getreidegasse street, explore the salt mines and ice caves. The beauty of the place is seen in Salzach River, that flows across the entire place. The history and architecture buffs will enjoy exploring the city.
Attractions: Fortress Hohensalzburg, Mirabell Palace and Schloss Hellbrunn
Hotels: Holiday Inn Salzburg City, An IHG hotel, Meinnger Hotel Salzburg City Center, H+ Hotel Salzburg and Austria Trend Hotel Salzburg Mitte
Nearest Airports: Salzburg Airport
Best time to visit: September- October
7. Krimml Waterfalls
Krimml Waterfalls are one of the most unique and mystical places that offers a magical experience. Tourists from around the world are fascinated with this grand natural spectacle and the healing power that exists in the water. The waterfalls have an interesting history and people are awe-struck with the way the waterfall rumbles down into the valley. People should let themselves be surprised by the beauty and grandeur of the waterfalls.
Over 400,000 people from around the world are spellbound by the magical natural spectacle. The Krimmler Ache water pours across the slopes which is one of the best things to see in Vienna. What more can anyone ask for when it comes to getting a glimpse of the waterfalls?
Attractions: Grobvenediger, Gerlos Pass, Wildkogel, Water worlds Krimml and Kreuzjoch
Hotels: Hotel Post Krimml, Hotel Krimmlerfalle, Hotel Krimml and Panoramahotel Burgeck
Nearest Airports: Vienna Airport
Best time to visit: 09:00 am - 01:00 pm
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8. Dürnstein
Durnstein is a small town nestled on the Danube River, making it one of the best places to visit in Austria. Wine-lovers will find this place haven on earth as it has vineyards along the river that create Reisling and Gruner Veltliner grapes. The ruins of the Durnstein castle are steeped into history, sitting on a rocky hill overlooking the town. Duke Leopold V in 1193 had held Richard 1 of England captive during the third crusade in this small town. It will take about 20 minutes to explore the town on foot.
Along the cobbled streets of this town, there are several stunning buildings to explore which include Kremser Tor, Kunigunden Church, and the Poor Clare Monastery. The most ideal way of exploring this quaint town is on bike along the river. Melk, Krems, Willendorf and Spritz are some of the nearby towns people should visit.
Attractions: Melk, Krems, Willendorf and Spri
Hotels: Relais and Chateaux Hotel Schloss Durnstein, Gartenhotel and Weingut Pfeffel Durnstein, Gasthof Alte Post E Brunner Gesmbh and CO KG and Hotel Richard Lowenherz
Nearest Airports: Vienna Airport
Best time to visit: June- September
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9. Vorarlberg
Voralberg is one of the most stunning sceneries that are a dream place for hikers and skiers. Nestled on the border with Germany, people are given a stunning view of the forested trail routes. The stunning lakes, gorges and eco walls are some of the most stunning places to discover. People can enjoy the stunning view of the valley from the cable cars with a warm drink in their hand.
Home to some of the most stunning nature spots, especially the Verwall area in Montafon, people will never want to leave. Lake Constance, Bregenz, Dornbirn, Hohenems and Feldkirch are some of the most stunning places to visit. Cultural festivities, museums and buildings are some of the things the place is known for.
Attractions: Lake Constance, Vorarlberg Museum, Pfänder Mountain, Pfänderbahn, Rolls-Royce Museum, Rappenloch Gorge, Bürserschlucht Gorge
Hotels: Hotel Valavier GmbH, Hotel Arlberg, Four Points By Sheraton Panoramahaus Dornbirn and Post Lech Arlberg
Nearest Airports: It doesn’t have its own airport. The closest international airport is in Zurich and Munich.
Best time to visit: June- August
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10. Salzkammergut
Salzkammergut is one of the most stunning parts of Austria, stretching over Salzburg to the Daschstein Mountains. The glimmering lakes, rolling hills, alpine valleys and mountain ranges are some of the most stunning places people should explore in Salzkammergut. For those who have seen the sound of music will have an idea as to what the lake looks like as the movie was filmed around the city and in its neighboring region.
The mecca of nature and outdoor enthusiasts with hiking and mountain biking, Salzkammergut is a beautiful wild and untouched parts of Austria. Swimming, fishing and boating are some of the activity's tourists can enjoy on the Hallstatter See, Mondsee, and Wolgangsee lakes.
It’s history dates back to Neolithic times and is named after the salt mines. St Wolfgang and St Hallstatt are some of the charming lakeside towns people should explore for its spellbinding settings. This wild and untouched parts of Austria is often known as the pearl of Austria. Unwinding at Bad Ischl, the spa town, the Dachstein Ice caves, that are underground at Obestrau and Krippenstein mountains for paragliding are some of the thing's tourists can enjoy. When it comes to having the best time of one’s life, people can think of this charming town.
Attractions: Hallstatter See, Mondsee, and Wolgangsee lakes, Dachstein Ice caves, and Krippenstein mountains
Hotels: Hotel Stadler am Attersee, Dormio Resort Obertraun, Hotel Seevilla Wolfgangsee and Weissen Rossl
Nearest Airports: Salzburg Airport
Best time to visit: December- April
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11. Wachau
Wachau is known for its stunning agricultural lands, nestled on the banks of the Danube River. People are attracted to something that is can’t be described in words. For several years, the region has seen drastic changes and has shown several adaptations made by climate and market. The mediaeval landscape along with the architecture of the town and villages are well preserved, which will change with the change in time.
Danube has influenced several romantic legends for years as every building has a romantic story to tell. Story goes King Richard the lionheart of England was held captive and his love would sing specific songs, a way of being able to respond back from prison. The ideal way to enjoy the landscape is to trace the path of the Danube River as it snakes its way through the countryside.
Tourists from around the world will be awe struck by the river banks, vineyards, towns and villages. People can visit Melk and the Benedictine Abbey, known for their Baroque architecture. On the other hand, tourists can explore the castles and wineries along the river are the place’s cultural and natural highlights.
Attractions: Hallstatter See, Mondsee, and Wolgangsee lakes, Dachstein Ice caves, and Krippenstein mountains
Hotels: Hotel Stadler am Attersee, Dormio Resort Obertraun, Hotel Seevilla Wolfgangsee and Weissen Rossl
Nearest Airports: Salzburg Airport
Best time to visit: December- April
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12. St Anton am Arlberg
One of the most well-known ski resort towns in Austria, St Anton am Arlberg is found at the heart of Tyrolean Alps. It is a dream for most people who love skiing and other adventure activities. The main highlight for skiers and non-skiers is the Valluga mountains. People can reach the two aerial tramways with enjoying the stunning views of the awe-inspiring Lechtal Alps.
When people think of St Anton am Arlberg, they think of winters, even though it is a popular summer place. Hiking, cycling and mountain biking are some of the activities people can enjoy once the snow melts in the lush green forests. St Anton am Arlberg has a charm of its own as it is surrounded by snow covered mountains. The town has several restaurants and cafes people can visit, despite being a small.
Attractions: Fervall Gruppe, Valluga, Klostertaler Bergbahnen Gmbh, Spullersee, Hoher Riffler and Galzig
Hotels: Valluga Hotel, Wellness and Beauty Hotel Alte Post St Anton, Skihotel Galzig and Hotel Arlmont
Nearest Airports: Innsbruck airport
Best time to visit: March
With a million places to visit in Austria, people can explore each corner of the country and have the best time of their lives. The rich history and culture has always been one of the major attraction for tourists around the world. Austria has something for every independent traveler. So, what you waiting for? Go ahead and pack those bags and go on the much needed vacation.
Places To Visit In Austria - FAQs
Some of the most stunning parts of Austria are:
- Salzburg
- Innsbruck.
- Hallstatt.
- Grossglockner High Alpine Road
- Alpbach
- Bregenz
- Bad Gastein
The castles, palaces and buildings are some of the things Austria is famous for. Some of the popualr castles in Austria include Festung Hohensalzburg, Burg Hohenwerfen, Castle Liechtenstein, and the Schloß Artstetten.
The best parts of Austria are:
- Vienna
- Salzburg
- Innsbruck
- Salzkammergut
- Graz
- Worthersee
- Bad Gastein
People can spend at least 5 days in Austria.
People can explore Vienna in 2 days.
Summers is said to be the best time to visit Austria for most tourists. Most travelers prefer the winters, which is December to February.
People speak German in Austria.
Lake Constance, Vorarlberg Museum, Pfänder Mountain, Pfänderbahn, Rolls-Royce Museum, Rappenloch Gorge, Bürserschlucht Gorge are some of the main attractions in Voralberg.