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    Austria

    Travel Guide Austria

    Alpine Country and Imperial City Austria lies in the heart of Europe, reaching from Lake Constance in the west to the Pannonian Plain in the east.

    by Felix Gillen

    Contents

    • Why go
    • Highlights
    • Explore regions
    • Round trips
    • Local food
    • Good to know
    • Best time to visit
    • Travel advice

    Why Go To Austria?

    Austria compactly links imperial cities like Vienna and Salzburg with the Eastern Alps, covering two-thirds of the country. One day you stroll through museums and coffee houses; the next, hike alpine pastures, swim in Salzkammergut or Carinthia's lakes, or cycle Wachau's vineyards. A dense rail and bus network makes the country easily explorable without a car.

    Where in Austria?

    Pick a region. The highlights, road trips and places below follow your choice.

    Wien
    Highlight 1 of 8

    Wien

    Austria's capital on the Danube was for centuries the residence of the Habsburgs. Around St. Stephen's Cathedral are the Hofburg, State Opera and the Ringstrasse; to the west is Schönbrunn Palace, and in the Prater, the Giant Ferris Wheel spins.

    Discover
    Wachau
    Jakub Hałun / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
    Highlight 2 of 8

    Wachau

    The Danube Valley west of Vienna with wine terraces, apricot orchards, and abbeys. Between Melk, Dürnstein, and Krems, you cycle along the river, stop at wineries, or travel by boat from place to place.

    The Valley between Melk and Krems For about 35 kilometers, the Danube winds its way through the Wachau, from Melk to Krems. Since 2000, this cultural landscape, with the monasteries of Melk and Göttweig and the old town of Krems, has been a UNESCO World Heritage site.

    Discover
    Salzburg
    Highlight 3 of 8

    Salzburg

    Mozart's birthplace on the Salzach River is known for its Baroque Old Town and the Salzburg Festival. The historic center on both sides of the river, with Mönchsberg, Festungsberg, and Kapuzinerberg, has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1996.

    Discover
    Hallstatt
    Highlight 4 of 8

    Hallstatt

    The small village on Lake Hallstatt in the Salzkammergut is nestled between the lakeshore and steep mountain slopes. Hallstatt belongs to the UNESCO World Heritage Region Hallstatt-Dachstein/Salzkammergut, which has been on the list since 1997.

    Discover
    Innsbruck
    Highlight 5 of 8

    Innsbruck

    The capital of Tyrol is located in western Austria right in front of the Alps. In the Old Town, the Golden Roof shines with its 2,657 gilded copper shingles; from there, the Hungerburgbahn, designed by Zaha Hadid, takes you up to the Nordkette.

    Discover
    Großglockner High Alpine Road
    Highlight 6 of 8

    Großglockner High Alpine Road

    The 47.8-kilometer toll panoramic road runs from Bruck in Salzburger Land, over the Hochtor at 2,504 meters, to Heiligenblut in Carinthia.

    Discover
    Kärnten Lakes
    Carsten Steger / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
    Highlight 7 of 8

    Kärnten Lakes

    Carinthia in the south is Austria's land of bathing lakes: Wörthersee, Millstätter See, and Klopeiner See, which warms up to 28°C in midsummer. On the eastern shore of Lake Wörthersee lies the provincial capital Klagenfurt with its Lindwurm Fountain.

    Bathing Lake in the South Carinthia's best-known lake is Lake Wörth, 16.5 kilometers long, and its surface temperature often exceeds 25°C in summer. You'll usually find water temperatures above 20°C from late June to September.

    Discover
    Graz
    Ralf Roletschek / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 at
    Highlight 8 of 8

    Graz

    Styria's capital on the Mur combines an old town with red-tiled roofs, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1999, with modern architecture like the Kunsthaus.

    Discover

    More highlights in Austria

    Unique experiences that make Austria unforgettable.

    Neusiedler See

    Neusiedler See

    Europe's westernmost steppe lake is located in Burgenland, on the border with Hungary, and, at around 320 km², is Austria's largest lake. It is only one to two meters deep, fringed by reeds, and the heart of the Neusiedler See – Seewinkel National Park, one of Central Europe's most important bird sanctuaries.

    How to plan your trip to Austria

    From the guide to the road: here is what comes next.

    1. 1
      Sunrise over alpine peaks and a sea of clouds
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      Round trip

      12 days · 4 stops

      Saved

      Pick a route

      Pick a ready-made one or save places and plan your own.

      Browse routes
    2. 2

      Trip to Austria

      Live
      • 1Wien3 days
      • 2Wachau4 days
      • 3Salzburg5 days
      Budget

      Plan your trip

      The planner sorts stops, days and budget. Plan together in real time.

      Go to My Trips
    3. 3
      9:41 No signal
      Austria
      Available offline

      Use it on the road

      Download the guide to your phone and use it on site, even offline.

    Regions to Discover

    Explore the diverse regions of Austria.

    Bregenz & Bodensee

    Bregenz & Bodensee

    In the very west, Vorarlberg borders Lake Constance. Bregenz is home to the Seebühne, where summer operas are staged directly on the water.
    Salzkammergut

    Salzkammergut

    Lakes and mountains between Salzburg and the Dachstein: Hallstätter See, Wolfgangsee, and Traunsee, Austria's deepest lake at 191 meters. The Hallstatt-Dachstein/Salzkammergut, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1997; Emperor Franz Joseph I. spent his summers in Bad Ischl.
    Hohe Tauern & Großglockner

    Hohe Tauern & Großglockner

    In the Hohe Tauern National Park stands the Großglockner, at 3,798m Austria's highest mountain; at its foot lies the Pasterze, the country's largest glacier. The Großglockner High Alpine Road leads up to the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe with views of peaks and glaciers.
    Linz & Danube Region

    Linz & Danube Region

    The Upper Austrian state capital Linz is on the Danube and embraces contemporary art, like the Lentos Art Museum right on the riverbank.
    Vienna & Region

    Vienna & Region

    The capital in the east is most travelers' starting point: Hofburg, Schönbrunn and Stephansdom, coffee houses and Heurige in the outlying vineyards. Vienna is one of the four official UN seats, next to New York, Geneva, and Nairobi.
    Wachau

    Wachau

    The Danube Valley west of Vienna with wine terraces, apricot orchards, and abbeys. Between Melk, Dürnstein, and Krems, you cycle along the river, stop at wineries, or travel by boat from place to place.
    Innsbruck & Region

    Innsbruck & Region

    The Tyrolean state capital lies in the Inn Valley directly in front of the mountains. In the Old Town stand the Golden Roof with its copper shingles and the Hofburg; mountain railways lead from the city's edge into the high mountains.
    Salzburg and Region

    Salzburg and Region

    The provincial capital Salzburg is Mozart's birthplace and every summer hosts the Salzburg Festival. Its historic center on both sides of the Salzach, with Mönchsberg, Festungsberg, and Kapuzinerberg, has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1996. From here, it's only a short distance to the Salzkammergut.
    Neusiedler See

    Neusiedler See

    Europe's westernmost steppe lake is located in Burgenland, on the border with Hungary, and, at around 320 km², is Austria's largest lake. It is only one to two meters deep, fringed by reeds, and the heart of the Neusiedler See – Seewinkel National Park, one of Central Europe's most important bird sanctuaries.
    Kärnten Lakes

    Kärnten Lakes

    Carinthia in the south is Austria's land of bathing lakes: Wörthersee, Millstätter See, and Klopeiner See, which warms up to 28°C in midsummer. On the eastern shore of Lake Wörthersee lies the provincial capital Klagenfurt with its Lindwurm Fountain.
    Graz & Styria

    Graz & Styria

    Styria in the southeast is known for vineyards, pumpkin seed oil, and its provincial capital Graz. Its historic center around Hauptplatz and Eggenberg Palace are part of the UNESCO World Heritage.

    Recommended Itineraries

    Discover the best routes through Austria.

    Austria Classic: Vienna to Innsbruck

    Austria Classic: Vienna to Innsbruck

    After three days in Vienna, you head to the Wachau to explore Melk Abbey and Krems from Dürnstein. Continue to Salzburg and Hallstatt in the Salzkammergut, with a side trip to Bad Ischl. Lastly, you reach Innsbruck in the Inn Valley. A rental car is best for Wachau and Salzkammergut; Vienna, Salzburg, and Innsbruck are connected by Westbahn.

    12 Days
    Open jaw
    Stops at a glance
    1. 1.Wien
    2. 2.Dürnstein
    3. 3.Salzburg
    4. 4.Hallstatt
    5. 5.Innsbruck
    View Route Details →
    The South: Graz, Wörthersee and Großglockner

    The South: Graz, Wörthersee and Großglockner

    Von Graz mit Schlossberg und UNESCO-Altstadt bringt Dich die neue Koralmbahn in rund 40 Minuten nach Klagenfurt an den Wörthersee. Mit dem Auto geht es weiter durch das Mölltal nach Heiligenblut und über die 47,8 Kilometer lange Großglockner-Hochalpenstraße hinunter ins Salzachtal. Zum Abschluss erreichst Du Salzburg. Die Hochalpenstraße ist im Winter gesperrt, je nach Wetter etwa von Ende Oktober bis Anfang Mai.

    9 Days
    Open jaw
    4 stops

    What you eat in Austria

    Wiener Schnitzel

    Wiener Schnitzel

    Breaded Veal Schnitzel

    A thinly pounded veal cutlet, breaded in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs, and fried golden brown. Traditionally, potato salad and cranberries accompany it. The cheaper pork variant is called "Wiener Schnitzel vom Schwein" or "Schnitzel Wiener Art".
    Tafelspitz

    Tafelspitz

    Cooked Beef Preparation

    A piece of beef, long-cooked in broth and served in slices. Served with apple horseradish, chive sauce and pan-fried potatoes; the hearty beef broth often served as a starter.
    Sachertorte

    Sachertorte

    Chocolate torte with Marille apricot jam

    The Viennese chocolate cake dates back to Franz Sacher, who created it in 1832 as a 16-year-old apprentice chef for Prince Metternich. Underneath the chocolate glaze is apricot jam. The “Original Sacher-Torte” is only available at Hotel Sacher; Demel sells its “Eduard-Sacher-Torte”.
    Kaiserschmarrn

    Kaiserschmarrn

    Pieces of Torn Pancake

    A thick pancake batter, often with raisins, is pan-baked, torn into pieces, and dusted with icing sugar. Traditionally served with plum compote, it is often enjoyed as a main course in ski huts and alpine pastures.
    Board snack

    Board snack

    Cold plate at the Heurigen

    The typical Buschenschank dish: a wooden board with cold cuts, bacon, cheese, spreads, and bread. With it, you drink the house wine, often as a G’spritzter with soda.

    Good to Know

    Essential info for your trip planning.

    Land & People

    Austria, a country in the heart of Europe, is characterized by a rich history, breathtaking alpine landscapes, and a…

    History & Society

    From the heart of a multinational empire to a neutral EU state: Austria's history explains much of what you see today…

    Food & Drink

    Austrian cuisine carries the legacy of the Danube Monarchy: Bohemian pastries, Hungarian goulash, and Alpine dumplings…

    Practical Info

    For current and binding travel, safety, and health information, please consult the Auswärtiges Amt, linked on this…

    Getting Around

    Getting to AustriaBy Plane: The main airport is Vienna International (VIE).

    RV Travel

    Lakes, Alpine passes, and wine regions within short distances make Austria an excellent destination for RV tours.

    Traveling with Kids

    Austria is well-equipped for families: short distances, numerous mountain railways with family rates, lakes for…

    Best Time to Visit

    When is the best time for your trip?

    May
    June
    July
    August
    September
    15–21°C·70–81 mm(moderate rain)
    From May to September, alpine pastures, lakes, and mountain railways operate, and in cities, you enjoy long outdoor evenings. July and August are the warmest, but also the months with the most thunderstorms and visitors. May, June, and September are often more pleasant for city trips and hikes. For ski holidays, travel between December and March.
    Monthly averages show Vienna's climate (average of daily highs and lows). The east around Vienna and Lake Neusiedl is the driest part of the country, with around 600 mm of annual precipitation. The northern fringe of the Alps sees significantly more: Salzburg reaches almost 1,200 mm, with peaks in summer. In the mountains, it is considerably cooler depending on the altitude, and the weather can change rapidly.

    Seasons

    Jan
    Feb
    Mar
    Apr
    May
    Jun
    Jul
    Aug
    Sep
    Oct
    Nov
    Dec
    Summer High Season
    Winter season in the ski resorts
    Off-season, good for cities and hiking
    A peaceful interlude
    Best Time to Visit
    ▶Show detailed monthly data
    MonthTemp (°C)Rain (mm)
    January-0.539
    February1.043
    March5.551
    April10.553
    May15.071
    June18.581
    July20.577
    August20.570
    September15.571
    October10.547
    November5.051
    December1.044

    Travel advice

    Safety, entry requirements and health: the official, up-to-date advice for Austria is published by the UK government on GOV.UK.

    Go to GOV.UK

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Wikimedia Commons, Unsplash, Pexels. Each photo carries its credit.
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI
    Felix at Kuirau Park in Rotorua, New Zealand

    Who's behind Fernweh?

    Hi, I'm Felix.

    I love to travel, and I love planning even more. Fernweh.guide is my attempt at building a really good online travel guide.

    About Fernweh

    All places in Austria

    • Bad Ischl
    • Bregenz
    • Bregenz & Bodensee
    • Döbling & Grinzing
    • Dürnstein
    • Graz
    • Graz & Styria
    • Großglockner High Alpine Road
    • Hallstatt
    • Hohe Tauern & Großglockner
    • Inner City
    • Innsbruck
    • Innsbruck & Region
    • Kärnten Lakes
    • Klagenfurt on Wörthersee
    • Landstrasse & Belvedere
    • Leopoldstadt & Prater
    • Linz
    • Linz & Danube Region
    • Melk Abbey
    • Neusiedler See
    • New Building & Museums Quarter
    • Rust
    • Salzburg
    • Salzburg and Region
    • Salzkammergut
    • The Krimml Waterfalls
    • Vienna & Region
    • Wachau
    • Wieden & Naschmarkt
    • Wien

    More about Austria

    • Best Time to Visit Austria
    • Austria with Kids
    • Austria by RV