Austria Travelers Recommend

Vienna is a city awash with history, culture and music, ornate palaces, fabulous museums and galleries and it’s impossible to catch everything in one visit. Taking a tour guarantees that you’ll see all the amazing sights, and as all these walks are led by history buffs who are expert in their chosen fields, you’ll have the added benefit of all their knowledge. Historical Tour of Vienna If you’re short on time in Vienna, the best way to see the significant landmarks is by taking a three-hour guided walking tour. The route passes the Viennese Parliament, City Hall, the Burgtheater, the University, a clutch of museums and the Hofburg Palace. On arriving at the majestic Schonbrunn Palace, you get to skip the line and take a guided tour of the former summer residence of the Habsburg monarchy.

Home to the Habsburg dynasty since the 15th century and once the de facto capital of the Holy Roman Empire, Vienna is one of the finest and most historic cities in Europe. In addition to its vast imperial history, Vienna’s impressive musical legacy is evident in the city’s many theaters, opera houses and concert venues. Day One: The Heart of Vienna Kick off your visit by picking up the Vienna Card at your hotel or the tourist information center. Then, get a feel for the city by circling the Ringstrasse via the Vienna Ring Tram. Day Two: Museum-Hopping Today, dig a little deeper by visiting some of the city’s top museums. Day Three: Vienna’s Imperial Past Start your third morning with a visit to the Naschmarket, an open air market on the edge of town that has been around since the Middle Ages. Then, explore more of Vienna’s imperial past at the enchanting Schoenbrunn Palace and Park.

There is so much to see in romantic Vienna, from Baroque palaces to world-class museums and classical concerts. And if that is not enough, any of the suggestions below make a diverting day trip from the city of Strauss and white horses. Wachau Valley Wine Tasting Take day trips from Vienna on the Danube River to learn about Austrian wines in the Wachau Valley, and enjoy lunch at a typical Austrian heurige (inn) before exploring the medieval UNESCO World Heritage Site of Dürnstein, where English King Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned on his way back from the Crusades in 1192. Salzburg Explore the birthplace of Mozart, a beautiful city mad on music with splendid castles, great museums, and the Baroque Schloss Mirabell with its extraordinary gardens full of trick fountains. The journey is half the fun here as the road winds past lakes Fuschl and Wolfgang and the snowy peaks of the Alps, providing panoramic mountain views.

It’s no surprise that Salzburg has been such a draw for tourists over the last several hundred years. Sitting on the Salzach River and a stone’s throw away from the Bavarian Alps, the local geography is breathtaking. But it’s not just the landscape that drives people there – the city is rich in exciting history. Salzburg is the birthplace of Mozart and where he performed his earliest concerts as a child prodigy, it boasts a wide array of beautiful Cathedrals which dominate the skyline of the old city and – of course – it was the setting for Julie Andrews’ Oscar-winning musical phenomenon, The Sound of Music. For many people, the greater musical draw to Salzburg is The Sound of Music. Tours take place frequently and often burst into song, so make sure you’ve warmed up your vocal chords! You’ll be taken to the Von Trapp house and shown the boating lake, the Cathedral where Julie Andrews tied the knot with Mr. Von Trapp and many other noticeable locations.

Vienna, the home of classical music, was famously home to Mozart and many other composers. With opera houses and concert halls all over the city, Vienna has continued to be the first-port of call for music lovers and classical musicians alike. Every night the Viennese concert halls are alive with Mozart and Strauss’ compositions, brought to life by some of the best orchestras in the world. If it’s Mozart that you’re looking for then there are several venues that you can check out. Expect to be taken on a journey back in time as the performers dress in traditional 18th century clothing and wigs to make your night all the more authentic and magical. There are three main halls which host the Mozart music nights. The Musikverein was inaugurated in 1870 by the Emperor Franz Joseph and the Golden Hall is the permanent home of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.

Hop on the famous Sound of Music bus tour to see the original settings for the film, and learn unknown facts about the filming of the classic musical. Be sure to bring your vocal chords with you, because you’ll be treated to sing-a-long renditions of the classic songs all day. The tour starts at the Schloss Leopoldskron, which was used for the exterior of the Von Trapp house, and is the location of the boating lake where the young actress playing Gretl nearly drowned when the Von Trapp’s boat capsized on screen. The glass rotunda used for “I am Sixteen, Going on Seventeen” was originally located in the garden of this great house, but so many people broke in to re-enact the scene that it has now been moved and put on public display. The tour then heads out to the Lake District and the small town of Mondsee. This is home to the cathedral where Maria and Colonel von Trapp tied the knot. It is also a great place to buy an apple strudel, and sample the Austrian countryside.

Warmer months mean longer days and more time to explore. The city of Vienna offers travelers plenty of ways to capitalize on sunshine with numerous cultural, historical and sightseeing options. The gilded city of Vienna is the perfect place for travelers who want to experience the royal treatment. Visitors can float along the picturesque Danube River and stop at the incredible Schonbrunn Palace, where breathtaking interiors and historic artifacts tell the story of kings and queens. While city highlight tours prove a popular choice for first-time visitors, Vienna offers up several options that cater to specific interests. Whether it’s a wine-tasting bike tour, walking tour of the historic district or guided journey that ends with a Mozart concert, there’s a tour in Vienna for almost anyone. The city’s close proximity to other popular destinations also makes it an ideal place for day tours to places such as Viena Woods, Bratislava or Melk Abbey.