Best Places To Visit in Austria
Austria is not just Vienna and Salzburg. Although undoubtedly, two famous and beautiful Austrian cities, Austria has many more locations for tourists to visit.
Austria has beautiful Alpine scenery, lush verdant forests, pristine blue lakes, baroque architecture, Imperial history, quaint villages and opulent cities.
Everywhere you turn there is an amazing location in Austria. Deciding which Austrian cities, towns and villages to visit on your holiday is a challenge.
Here is our recommendation on the Top 16 Austrian Places that you should include in your holiday itinerary.
Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Austria
Top 16 of Austria’s Best Cities, Villages and Towns to Visit
1. Vienna
The capital of Austria, is one of the most beautiful capitals in Europe. Explore Vienna’s rich history, imperial traditions, music, culture, and beautiful architecture. It is a fantastic city for sightseeing, shopping, visiting museums, enjoying musical performances and dining.
2. Salzburg
The city of Mozart, the Sound of Music and the capital of Salzburgerland. Salzburg is a quaint city with its UNESCO-listed Old Town, and its 11th-century fortress. It has many attractions, sights, events and activities to entice visitors.
3. Innsbruck
The city in the Alps and the capital of Tirol (Tyrol). Innsbruck offers the best of both city and mountain! Within minutes, you can go from spectacular mountain vistas to great shopping, restaurants, and culture in the centre of the city.
4. Hallstatt
The perfect lakeside village of Hallstatt- tucked between the majestic Hallstatter See (Lake Hallstatt) and the Dachstein mountains. Wander through the lake-side village, swim or cruise on the lake, visit the salt-mine and the alpine wonders in the mountains.
5. Zell am See-Kaprun
Both a fantastic winter ski resort and summer resort for sports enthusiasts, sightseers and enjoyers of all things leisure. Zell am See sits on the beautiful glacier Lake Zell (Zeller See), under the Schmittenhöhe Mountain. Kaprun is nestled in the valley of the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier, surrounded by mountains and lush valleys.
6. Graz
Austria’s second-largest city is the capital of Steiermark (Styria). Graz sits on the River Mur and is famous for its UNESCO World Heritage Status Mediterranean-esque Old Town. It is a relaxed city with a Mediterranean vibe and a modern cultural hot spot with its beautiful historical centre and a kaleidoscope of influences from the Baroque to the Renaissance, Art Deco and Medieval.
7. Linz
Linz is the capital of Oberösterreich (Upper Austria), situated on the Danube. Linz’s picturesque Old Town is perfect for strolling down its pedestrianised streets and quaint alleys. Linz manages to keep its old-town heart while also embracing modern life.
8. Bregenz
Bregenz sits on the shore of Bodensee (Lake Constance) and is the capital of Vorarlberg. Its lakeside location is enticing all year long. Bregenz combines nature, Alps and Austrian Gemütlichkeit.
9. Bad Ischl
Bad Ischl is the historic Spa town famous for its Imperial history and opulent architecture. Nestled in the picturesque Salzkammergut Lake District it was once the summer refuge for the Habsburg emperor
10. Bad Gastein
Bad Gastein is a spa town nestled in the valley of the High Tauern mountains with beautiful Belle Epoque-style hotels and villas. Bad Gastein is known for its thermal baths, unique architecture, and as a winter ski resort.
11. Kufstein
Kufstein is known as the ‘Pearl of Tirol’, and has one of Austria’s best-preserved small historic villages. Kufstein is fairly small, and all attractions can easily be reached by foot.
12. Villach
Villach is nestled between two mountain ranges in southern Austria, close to the borders of Italy and Slovenia, in the heart of Kärnten (Carinthia). Villach sits on the Drava River and has an alpine Adriatic feeling with a charming old town. It is the centre for the Kärnten lake district and popular with cyclists.
13. Klagenfurt am Wörthersee
Klagenfurt am Wörthersee, the capital of Kärnten (Carinthia), located in southern Austria on Lake Worthersee. Klagenfurt has a vibrant old town and is home to a various museums and galleries. The Mediterranean climate ensures pleasant summer days, sunny winters, colourful autumns, and mild springs.
14. Alpbach
Alpbach, in the state of Tyrol, has been voted the most beautiful village in Austria. It is a picturesque rustic, alpine village with traditional chalets surrounded by meadows and mountains.
15. St Pölten
Lower Austria’s capital, features a quaint Old Town and contemporary architecture.
16. Eisenstadt
Eisenstadt is the capital of Burgenland, Austria’s most eastern state. It is famous for its grand Esterházy Palace and landscaped gardens. Nearby, Lake Neusiedl is famous for wind-surfing and is surrounded by small villages, vineyards and a network of bicycle paths.
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Wanderlusting where else to visit in Austria?
Trip Planning Guides
How To Plan your Austria Trip
Our Austria Trip Planning Guides has all information to answer all your questions:
- When to visit Austria?
- How to travel around the country?
- Budget
- What to Eat?
- Do I need Euros?
- Austrian language and culture….and much, much more.
Top tips and insider knowledge from a local who lives in Austria to help you plan your trip to Austria
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