From the peaks of the Austrian Alps to the elegant streets of Vienna, Austria is an incredible destination to discover in Central Europe, and this guide to the best places to visit in Austria is here to show you why.
Why Visit Austria
A landlocked country with many hidden gems for the curious traveler, Austria has something for everyone, from history buffs to nature lovers. Some of the best places to visit in Austria are steeped in history and culture while others are renowned for their unfathomable natural beauty.
The Habsburg Empire ruled present-day Austria from the late 13th century through the early 20th century, with holdings that encompassed not just Austria, but also much of present-day Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Romania, and more.
The Habsburg Empire ruled from Vienna, resulting in a grand imperial city that is still among the most beautiful in the world. Vienna is known as a great city of the arts, and it’s the cultural powerhouse of Central Europe.
Aside from Vienna, another great destination in Austria is Salzburg, which is located in the western part of the country. This charming historic city is famous for being the birthplace of Mozart. Further west is Innsbruck, a popular destination for winter sports in the heart of the Alps.
If you’re looking for outdoor adventures in Austria, you’ll have no shortage of activities to choose from. You can enjoy skiing and snowboarding in the winter, or hiking, mountain biking, and rock climbing in the warmer summer months.
Austria is also known for its delicious cuisine. Hearty dishes like Wiener Schnitzel, stuffed dumplings, and pretzels are all classic mainstays in Austrian cuisine.
You also can’t visit Austria without trying some of the country’s famous desserts like Sachertorte, a rich chocolate sponge cake, and Apfelstrudel, a sweet apple strudel. Both are among the best desserts to try in Vienna or elsewhere in Austria.
Due to its central location, you can also easily combine a trip to Austria with visits to nearby countries including Germany, Switzerland, and Italy.
But for now, let’s focus on the best places to visit in Austria.
7 Best Places To Visit in Austria
1. Vienna
On the banks of the Danube River, Austria’s capital city Vienna is a must-visit destination on any Austrian itinerary. This city of over two million people is a vibrant cultural hotspot with plenty to offer.
Vienna regularly ranks as one of the most livable cities in the world, thanks to its safety and stability, excellent infrastructure and transportation, low crime rate, environmental sustainability, culture, and more.
Known for its beautiful palaces, world-class museums, coffee house culture, and festive Christmas markets, Vienna is not only a great city to live in, though. It’s also one of the best places to visit in Austria.
Top Attractions in Vienna
Vienna is home to several imperial palaces, including Hofburg Palace and Schönbrunn Palace. Grand Hofburg Palace in the historic center of the city was the principal palace of the Habsburg dynasty, while the idyllic Schönbrunn Palace on the outskirts of Vienna was the longtime summer residence for Habsburg rulers.
The palaces are open to tourists today, and it’s worth visiting both of them if you’re interested in learning more about the history of the Habsburg Empire in Austria.
Belvedere Palace is another must-visit attraction in Vienna. This historic Baroque palace has been transformed into a world-class art museum, featuring iconic works from Austrian artists like Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele.
There are even more great museums to discover in Vienna in the MuseumsQuartier, an area encompassing dozens of cultural institutions, such as the prestigious Kunsthistorisches Museum that narrates the history of art through invaluable works of art.
You should definitely spend some time strolling around the Innere Stadt of Vienna, the oldest and most historic part of the city, with several pedestrianized streets lined with shops, galleries, and restaurants.
One of the most impressive structures in the Innere Stadt is St. Stephen’s Cathedral, a medieval church with an ornate glazed tile roof.
Other top things to do in Vienna include catching a performance at the Vienna State Opera, trying Sachertorte at the historic Café Sacher where it originated, or taking a spin on the world’s oldest Ferris wheel in the Prater, a large public park in Vienna.
2. Salzburg
Yet another of the best places to visit in Austria is Salzburg. Baroque beauty meets alpine scenery in this smaller historic city along the Salzach River that’s often considered the most beautiful place in Austria.
Located just under two and a half hours from Vienna by train, Salzburg is a great place to visit in Austria. Known for being the birthplace of Mozart, this musical city was also a filming location for The Sound of Music.
Top Attractions in Salzburg
Salzburg’s Altstadt, or Old Town, is home to several of the city’s most popular attractions. One of these is Hohensalzburg Fortress, a hilltop castle dating back to medieval times.
Touring the fortress is an excellent way to learn more about Salzburg’s history, and you can also enjoy sweeping views over the city and its surroundings.
On your way back down from the fortress on the hill, be sure to stop at the Salzburg Cathedral, an impressive Baroque church housing many treasures.
You can also visit Mozart’s birthplace at No. 9 Getreidegasse. This historic townhouse is where the famous composer was born in 1756, and where he lived as a young boy. It has now been turned into a museum about the life and work of the great composer.
Nearby across the river, you can also tour the Tanzmeisterhaus, a residence where the Mozart family lived later on.
Mirabell Palace and its gardens are another major attraction in Salzburg. You might recognize the gardens as a filming location from The Sound of Music. A popular activity here is enjoying a classical music concert in the historic rooms of the palace.
If you’re visiting Salzburg in the summer months, don’t miss the Salzburg Festival, a celebration of music honoring the greatest composers of the last centuries.
3. Hallstatt
Often described as a fairytale village, Hallstatt is a destination that looks like it was lifted straight from a postcard. This charming lakeside village is located in a mountainous region in the state of Upper Austria, about one hour and fifteen minutes from Salzburg by car.
This picturesque village in the heart of Austria was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997 due to its outstanding natural beauty and cultural heritage.
Although it’s a popular day trip destination from Salzburg, spending a night or two in Hallstatt will allow you to really explore the surrounding area and enjoy a beautiful getaway in nature.
Top Attractions in Hallstatt
Being such a small village, you can explore the entirety of Hallstatt on foot in an hour or two. The town is made up of quaint pedestrian streets lined with colorful gingerbread-like houses along the shores of picturesque Lake Hallstatt.
This is the perfect place to slow down and enjoy a meal at one of the traditional restaurants in town, some of which offer idyllic waterfront views.
A popular attraction for those who aren’t afraid of heights is the Hallstatt Skywalk, a breathtaking observation deck offering 360-degree views of the lake and the surrounding mountains, perched about 1,150 feet above the town.
You can get to the Hallstatt Skywalk either by hiking for approximately one hour or by taking the funicular, which provides scenic views and is an attraction in itself.
Another interesting place to visit nearby is the Hallstatt Salzwelten, an old salt mine. You can also get here by hiking or riding the funicular. This salt mine is the oldest in the world, with a legacy dating back more than 7,000 years. Taking a tour of the salt mine offers a unique insight into the salt mining history of Hallstatt.
4. Innsbruck
Moving further west, Innsbruck is an Austrian city in the mountainous Tyrol region. This renowned winter wonderland in the heart of the Alps is less than two hours by train from Salzburg. The capital of Tyrol, Innsbruck was a two-time host of the Winter Olympics in 1964 and 1976.
The city blends classic imperial architecture with modern design. It’s known for winter sports like skiing and snowboarding, but it’s also a fantastic destination for the summer season. During the warmer months, you can enjoy hiking, cycling, and mountain climbing in the Alps.
Top Attractions in Innsbruck
We’ve already covered that Innsbruck is a great base for outdoor adventures any time of the year, and regardless of weather conditions. But what else is there to do in the city beyond outdoor activities?
The Schloss Ambras is a Renaissance palace in Innsbruck that now houses a museum with a collection of art and artifacts. Hofburg Innsbruck is a 16th-century imperial Habsburg palace that is also worth a visit.
You can easily spend several hours wandering the historic streets of Innsbruck’s Old Town, which is filled with unique shops and restaurants serving Tyrolean cuisine.
If you want to get a birds-eye view of the city and the surrounding mountains, take a ride on the scenic Nordketten Cable Car. Just outside the city, you can visit Swarovski Crystal Worlds, an attraction highlighting the beauty of Swarovski glass, which comes from this part of Austria.
For more adrenaline-pumping activities, you can try paragliding, skydiving, ziplining, and alpine coasters in and around Innsbruck.
5. Graz
If you have more time to spend in this beautiful country, Graz is another city that’s worth adding to your itinerary. Although it’s the second largest city in Austria after Vienna, Graz remains something of an underrated gem when it comes to tourism.
Located in the southern region of Styria, Graz is two and a half hours by train from Vienna. The historic center and well-preserved Old Town of Graz is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, while the rest of the city is infused with a modern, creative energy.
Top Attractions in Graz
One of the icons of Graz is the Schlossberg, a hilltop park that’s home to a historic fortress. The views from the top of the Schlossberg are stunning, and you can reach it by funicular, elevator, or on foot – but be prepared to climb 260 stairs!
Down below, the attractive Old Town of Graz is worth exploring. The cobblestone streets and historic buildings offer a contrast to the modern architecture across the river.
Another notable place to visit in Graz is the Kunsthaus Graz, a contemporary art museum with a striking design. Nearby, the Murinsel Graz is a unique steel island of sorts in the middle of the river, functioning as a bridge, but also offering a café and cultural space for performances.
On the outskirts of the city, one of the best things to see is Schloss Eggenberg, a beautiful Baroque palace that’s considered to be the most important imperial palace in the Styria region.
6. Kufstein
Moving back to the Tyrol region of Austria, Kufstein is one of the best places to visit in Austria if you want to enjoy breathtaking natural beauty, history, and culture.
This town is located between Salzburg and Innsbruck, right along the border with Germany. Although you can visit Kufstein on a day trip from either of these cities, it’s also the ideal place to slow down for an overnight or weekend trip.
Top Attractions in Kufstein
The highlight of Kufstein is Kufstein Fortress, a historic hilltop fortification dating back to the 13th century. The views from the fortress are spectacular, and you can reach it by a steep hike or a more relaxing funicular ride.
Back down in the town center, you can explore the centuries-old cobblestone streets of Kufstein, which date back to medieval times. There are plenty of charming traditional restaurants in the Old Town where you can enjoy hearty Tyrolean cuisine.
For more scenic views, you can head to the Kaiserlift Kufstein, a tourist cable car that takes you high up into the mountains.
For hikers, the Kaisertal is a picturesque valley near Kufstein offering many walking trails. Within the Kaisertal, one of the most popular hikes leads to Tischofer Cave, a large cave looking over the forest that was used as a weapons cache during the Napoleonic Wars.
7. Wachau Valley
The Wachau Valley is a picture-perfect region along the Danube River known for its rolling hills, vineyards, fruit orchards, quaint villages, and historic monasteries.
Whether you’re interested in wine tasting, exploring stunning monasteries, or cruising down the Danube River, the Wachau Valley is the perfect destination for leisurely exploration.
You can access this region in the state of Lower Austria on a day trip from Vienna if you’re short on time, but you can also easily spend several days discovering this charming valley.
Some of the top towns in the Wachau Valley that you shouldn’t skip include Melk, Durnstein, and Krems, which are all located within a 25-mile stretch along the Danube River.
Melk
Melk is one of the most beautiful towns in the Wachau Valley. Located along the Danube River, this lovely town is most famous for Melk Abbey.
Although the monastery is the main draw in Melk, the town itself is a lovely place to wander, with colorful houses, restaurants, and shops.
Top Attractions in Melk
Melk Abbey is a Benedictine monastery perched on a rocky outcrop above the town, overlooking the Danube River. Although the monastery dates back to the 11th century, the current Baroque structure was built in the early 18th century.
This magnificent monastery is one of the finest examples of Baroque architecture in Europe, and visitors can tour the opulent interiors, including the abbey church and a stunning library with more than 100,00 books.
Durnstein
Durnstein is another picturesque riverfront town in the Wachau Valley. It’s famous for its vineyards, which produce grapes of the Riesling variety.
The town is also known for its connection to Richard the Lionheart. The famous English king was imprisoned in Durnstein Castle in 1192 after being captured in nearby Vienna.
Top Attractions in Durnstein
Today, one of the top attractions in Durnstein is Durnstein Abbey, which dates back to the 14th century. Although not as grand as Melk Abbey, this monastery is still worth a visit due to its striking pale blue church.
You can also visit the ruins of Durnstein Castle, high up on a hill above the town, where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned centuries ago and held for ransom.
After touring the monastery and the castle ruins, you can relax at one of the local wineries in Durnstein, where you can sample the white wines the town is known for.
Krems
Another destination in the Wachau Valley that you shouldn’t miss is Krems. This larger town is just a fifteen-minute drive from Durnstein, so you can easily visit both on the same day.
Like many other nearby towns in the Wachau Valley, Krems is also home to a historic monastery, as well as several vineyards and wineries.
Top Attractions in Krems
The biggest attraction in Krems is the sprawling Gottweig Abbey, a Benedictine monastery built on a hilltop surrounded by forests and vineyards. The monastery dates back nearly 1,000 years, but the current structure was built in the Baroque style in the early 18th century.
On a tour of Gottweig Abbey, you can marvel at the magnificent interiors of the monastery and take in the spectacular views of the surrounding countryside.
In the town of Krems, there are plenty of restaurants and cafés where you can grab a bite to eat, or you can check out art museums like the Kunsthalle Krems and the Karikaturmuseum.
Explore Austria With JayWay Travel
If you’re eager to discover the best of Austria, our expert trip planners came up with this Grand Tour of Austria, a fascinating itinerary that includes stops in almost all of the best places to visit in Austria mentioned in this article.
Alternatively, you may opt for a journey across Austria and Germany’s hidden gems or a quest to unveil the magic of the Alps in Austria and Switzerland. No matter your travel style and preferences, you’re in the best hands with JayWay if you’re looking for a stress-free travel experience.
Born and raised in Athens, Maria’s passionate about travel and storytelling, a combination that makes her ideal for her role as our content manager.