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Ultimate Guide to Austria

Austria preserves the beauty and charm of a romantic past that captivates all who visit. Known for classical music, baroque architecture, and stunning mountain landscapes, Austria is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. Discover the endless activities and attractions waiting for you in Austria.​

Best Time to Visit Austria

Austria is a wonderful destination for all seasons. The summers are warm and sunny, perfect for hiking and cycling trips. The picturesque lakes and natural parks truly shine in the summer months. June to August is also the high season for tourists.

If you want pleasant weather and fewer crowds, visit during the shoulder months, between April – May and September – October.  In the winter, Austria world-renowned for its ski resorts, winter sports, and après-ski towns. Peak ski season is between mid-December through March.

Things to do in Austria 

Austria's long history means that there are endless cultural treasures and historical sights to experience. The major cities have an interesting mix of architecture including imperial palaces, Art Nouveau buildings, modern glass complexes, and colorful homes. Just walking along the streets is a feast for the eyes. Shopping, entertainment, and gastronomy are also high on the list of things to enjoy in Austria.

• Visit the palaces and castles: Schönbrunn Palace, The Hofburg Palace, Belvedere Palace, Fortress Hohensalzburg, Castle Liechtenstein
• Tour famous museums: Kunsthisorichse Museum, Linz-Ars Elecontrica Center, MUMOK Vienna, Lentos Museum
• Discover the natural beauty: Lainzer Tiergarten, Zwölferkopf Mountain, Schlegeis Alpine Road
• Explore the romantic cities: Halstatt, Innsbruck, Salzburg

Best Cities in Austria

Austria is more than mountains and nature. The country has a number of beautiful cities that are ideal for a city break trip. The great thing about Austria is that it is easy to coordinate a road trip around the country. Austria is not much bigger than Maryland (about one-third the size of the UK) and the beautiful landscape makes the drive go by quickly. 

• Vienna: As the capital of Austria, Vienna is home to more than a quarter of Austrians. During a tour of this former imperial city, you will encounter buildings from the distant past on every corner. The bohemian coffee houses invite you for coffee, cake, and discussion. The charm of this diverse city will remain etched in your memory for a long time.
• Salzburg: Salzburg is only the fourth-largest city in Austria. The historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is easily walkable. In addition to the Salzburg Festival, the city is known for being the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Step back in time to the 18th century and tour Mozart's home, the "Hagenauer Haus," which has been turned into an impressive museum.
• Innsbruck: The capital of the Tirol region, Innsbruck, is a beautiful combination of city and mountains. From here, you can easily plan further trips to explore the nearby mountains.

Winter in Austria

The Austrian Alps are a stunning mountain range that is home to a variety of winter sports, including skiing, snowboarding, sledding, snowshoeing, and ice skating. There are a few regions in Austria with pristine ski conditions, great snowfall, and vibrant apres-ski.

• Tyrol: Situated in the heart of the Alps, Tyrol is home to the largest and most famous ski resorts are located in the Tyrol region. Some of the top ski towns in Tyrol include Kitzbühel, Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau, Kitzbüheler Alpen, Innsbruck, Tiroler Zugspitz Arena, and Sölden / Ötztal
• Salzburgerland: Deriving its name from it's capital, Salzburg, the region of Salzburgerland is home to incredible resorts such as Obertauern, Zell am See-Kaprun, and Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn.