Austria Travel Guide

Vienna

The capital of Austria, Vienna is its largest and, perhaps, its most beautiful city. Having been the home of the Austrian emperors for centuries, the city has all the trappings of your standard European imperial city with baroque castles and historic city centre. In fact, the city is often called an Open Air Museum because of the sheer number of monuments and historic artefacts you will see. We recommend putting aside at least a few days for Vienna during your Austria travel planning. And make time for stops at St Stephen’s Cathedral, the Museum of Fine Arts, and a stroll down Ring Road that will take you past the best things to see in Vienna. A cultural powerhouse for centuries, Vienna will leave you wanting more.

Salzburg

Synonymous with Mozart and the Sound of Music, Salzburg is charming city sprawled across the banks of the Salzach river. The city’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to many museums, churches and mansions that date back to the 17 th century. Some of the best attractions in Salzburg include Helbrunn Palace, Hohensalzburg Fortress, the birthplace of the classical composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and the Salzburg Museum of Modern Art. And no Austria travel guide worth its salt will not let you leave Salzburg without a Sound of Music tour. Pick a tour that will take you to all the filming locations of the iconic Hollywood movie including Hallstatt, Berchtesgaden and Eagle’s Nest up in the Bavarian Mountains.

Innsbruck

Located deep in the Austrian Alps in the province of Tyrol, Innsbruck is a delightful town on our list of Places to Visit in Austria. Called the “Largest Ski Resort in the Alps”, Innsbruck is a popular winter destination that attracts skiers, snowboarders, and ski jumpers among others and has hosted the Winter Olympics twice. If you do happen to visit the city in the summer, you still have tons to see and do. There are scores of churches, castles and museums to pick from. St Jacob’s Cathedral is one Salzburg attraction you must make a part of your Austria travel planning.

Linz

With a little under 200,000 inhabitants, pint sized Linz is one of the largest cities in Austria. The city is surrounded by rolling hills and the Danube river that you can explore on a hike to the outskirts of the city. The historic centre of the city is beautifully preserved and is home to many churches, museums and galleries just like the rest of Austria. Pay a visit to the New Cathedral, the largest in Austria, the 17 th century Old Cathedral and Linz Castle that dates to 799 AD. The city also hosts several cultural festivals and events that you must make part of your Austria travel planning, should you decide to visit Linz. The annual Ars Electronica Festival, an electronics arts event, and a music festival called Klangwolke attract culture vultures from across the world and are defini

Schönbrunn Palace

The 300-year-old Schönbrunn Palace is one of the most important historical, cultural and political buildings in all of Austria. That importance as well as its beauty make a visit to the palace one of the top things to do in Austria. The pastel hued palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known across the world for its sprawling gardens replete with fountains and a zoo. When you do visit this astounding specimen of Baroque architecture, stop by the Gloriette. Built by Empress Maria Theresa, the gloriette houses a café and an observation deck that promises panoramic views of the palace and its grounds.

Hofburg

One of the most popular spots to see in Austria, the Hofburg is the official residence of the President of Austria. The palace was built in the 13th century and was once home to Austrian monarchs which, perhaps, explains its grandeur. Your trip to this iconic Viennese attraction must include the imperial apartments where the royal family lived, the Sisi Museum, and the legendary Spanish Riding School. The school find itself in most Austria travel guides. Located within the Baroque style palace, the School is one of the last remaining places where you can learn classical equestrian riding. If horse riding isn’t up your alley we suggest taking a guided tour of the stables instead.

St. Stephen's Cathedral

One of Austria’s most visited landmarks, St. Stephen's Cathedral is a gothic structure known for its distinctive tiled roof. Besides the roof, look for “Christ with a toothache”, Giant’s Door and the stone pulpit; attractions that make St Stephen’s a mainstay of Austria Travel Guides. Also, worth exploring is the church’s catacombs which hold a relic of saints as well as the tomb of Emperor Frederick III. You will love the interior of the structure with its intricately carved ceiling, stained glass windows and many small chapels.

Hagenauer House

Hagenauer House’s claim to fame is its most famous resident, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The classical composer was born in this very house on January 27, 1756. Now a museum, the house recreates the Mozart’s domestic life in the 18th century with furniture and décor that recreates that era. You will also see portraits, musical instruments and documents that belonged to the legendary composer in the third floor of the building where he was born.