Often known for the art it inspired, Austria mixes quaint Alpine charm with abundant opportunities for arts and culture, set against a sweeping Sound of Music landscape. The capital, Vienna, beckons with its rich musical history, plentiful cafes, and emphasis on the arts. A walking tour through the city reveals a mix of architectural styles, from Gothic and Renaissance to art nouveau, which serve as testament to Vienna's ability to seamlessly blend old and new and St. Stephen's Cathedral, with its fairy-tale appearance, is a particular must-see. In the city center, join the ranks of artists and thinkers such as Beethoven, Sigmund Freud, and Gustaf Klimt by tucking into apfelstrudel and sipping a famously thick hot chocolate at one of Vienna's many cafés. If you've got music on the brain, a nighttime visit to the Schonbrunn Palace or the State Opera House will only highlight the immortality of classical tunes. Further afield, its from Salzburg—the picturesque birthplace of Mozart, with its river cruises and fortresses—that the mountain landscape of Bavaria unfurls. Many tours take travelers through the valley for visits to salt mines, wine tastings, and bicycling; and getting back to nature is a year-round option, with ski opportunities in the winter and hikes in the summer. Alternatively, soak up one of the world's happiest destinations in comfort during a train trip through the country to see the imposing Austrian Alps, deep lakes, and idyllic villages.
The Sound of Music almost perfectly summed up what Austria is known for with the line “the hills are alive with the sound of music.” Other Austrian staples include skiing, schnitzel, and fairytale-looking castles.
...MorePicking the most beautiful part of Austria is like picking a favorite child, but many would say that the popular, picturesque alpine lake town of Hallstatt with its epic mountain backdrop deserves the title.
...MoreChoosing between Austria or Switzerland will depend on a number of things. Both countries have the Alps for you to explore, but they also have their differences. Austria has musical and imperial heritage, while Switzerland has diverse regions and a fondness for cheese.
...MoreSchönbrunn Palace in Vienna is Austria’s most popular tourist attraction, receiving around 4 million visitors in 2019. Once the summer residence of the Habsburg monarchs, the baroque palace is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
...MoreNo, Austria is not part of Germany and has been an independent country since 1955. Austria was a part of Germany from 1938 to 1945.
...MoreYes, tourists generally find Austria an easy country to visit thanks to its modern transportation networks, established tourism industry, and widespread use of English. However, Austria has ranked low on surveys of the most welcoming countries, possibly because of the residents’ typically reserved and formal demeanor.
...MoreNumber of Attractions | 175 |
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Number of Tours | 1,339 |
Number of Reviews | 35,820 |
Currency | EUR |
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