✈️Austria – Travel guide and top destinations

One of the most beautiful countries in Europe, Austria has options for those who enjoy nature, beautiful cities, charming villages, sports and much more. Check out the complete destination guide for you to plan your trip.

Austria is an amazing Central European destination, bordering Germany, Italy and Switzerland. Known for being the heart of classical music on the continent, when strolling through the most popular destinations in the country you will come across several monuments dedicated to the main names that gave the place its fame, such as Mozart and Beethoven.

The country is full of landscapes of lakes, preserved vegetation, alpine mountains and typical houses of the region, being one of the most beautiful to visit on the continent. The capital, Vienna, is a popular tourist center, but there are other beautiful destinations to discover in the interior of the country.

In fact, it is one of the main destinations in the world for those who like to ski, with stations in the Alps full of snowy mountains. But it's not just skiing that makes Austria one of the best European tourist destinations. Here are several tips for cities in Austria to visit, tours and everything you need to know to visit the country.

Want to know more about Austria and the charms of this country? Check it out below.

In this post you will read:

history of austria
tourism in austria
Best time to visit Austria
What to do in Austria
Cities in Austria to Put on the Roadmap
Austria Sights
Austria itinerary
Where to stay in Austria – Our hotel recommendation
- Tips for hotels in cities in Austria:
What to eat in Austria
Internet chip in Austria
Austria travel insurance
Austria car rental
Air tickets to Austria
Read all our tips and posts from Austria

history of austria

First of all, it is worth remembering that Austria is a country rich in history. Currently a member of the European Union, the country was once part of an empire, it was annexed by Nazi Germany in World War II and its cities clearly show all parts of this trajectory.

The capital of Austria, Vienna, is the largest city in the country and one of the most beautiful in the country. It was formerly the capital of the immense Austro-Hungarian empire, and the seat of government of the Habsburg imperial family. The grandeur of the palaces found in the historic center and throughout Vienna shows this well.

The country still keeps memories and memorials of its saddest past: Nazism and the world wars. It is possible to visit memorials in concentration camps, museums, the Jewish quarters in major cities like Vienna, Salzburg and Linz and much more.

Other regions also bring even older history. For example, Hallstatt is home to the oldest mine in the country, and there are ancient artifacts in the region. All this in an area of outstanding natural beauty.

tourism in austria

Austria is a very easy country to visit. Although relatively expensive, especially due to the currency conversion to the euro, it is also possible to find free attractions and cheaper restaurants.

Another difficulty that the Brazilian tourist may encounter is in the language, since in Austria German is spoken. However, many Austrians are fluent in English, especially in more touristy cities. In addition, official tourism information is also easily found in English.

Austria is in the center of Europe and there are no direct flights from España, but it is very easy to get to the Austrian capital with a stopover (usually) in Germany. Vienna is very well located, and an excellent starting point both for heading west, with more Austrian cities and then Switzerland, and for discovering other parts of Europe, such as Eastern Europe.

In a few hours by bus and super cheap trips, it is possible to visit Budapest, Prague, Bratislava and many other beautiful capitals and heritage cities.

Best time to visit Austria

Hard to say a bad time to visit Austria. That's because the country is super adapted to each season of the year. And the seasons are well marked.

In other words, you can enjoy beautiful autumn days, with yellow trees, the cold of winter and skiing in the Alps, parks full of flowers in spring and all the heat and a thousand outdoor events in summer. But, of course, it is worth taking into account that months like August and December end up being more expensive and full.

For those who prefer a quieter tourism, the spring and autumn months are more suitable. Even more so because few people know, but the Austrian summer is very hot, with temperatures above 30 degrees.

What to do in Austria

When visiting Austria, Vienna is the city that stands out the most. The capital is a complete destination for a trip, and has many attractions for those who decide to visit it, such as museums, historic buildings and important monuments.

Include in your itinerary the remarkable Museum Quarter, the Hofburg Imperial Palace, Schönbrunn Palace, Belvedere Palace, and be sure to check out the other options of Sights in Vienna to visit. If you like classical music, attend a concert at the Vienna State Opera – or something cheaper like Mozart at the Golden Hall.

In other Austrian cities you will find wonderful landscapes, with green fields on the slopes of snow-capped alpine mountains, as well as many incredible lakes. Visit cities like Hallstatt, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Graz and Linz to see some of the most beautiful scenery in the country.

Read all our tips:

Austrian Landmarks – 27 Places to See
Vienna Austria – The 10 tips you need to write down in your itinerary
What to do in Vienna from 1 to 5 days in the city
Vienna Sights – 17 Attractions You Must Know
Innsbruck Austria – The Complete Guide for Travelers
Graz Austria – Everything for you to plan your trip
Salzburg Austria – Everything for you to plan your trip
Linz Austria – The Complete City Travel Guide
Hallstatt Austria – The Complete Guide for Travelers

Book all Austria tickets and tours in advance and skip the lines with GetYourGuide

Cities in Austria to Put on the Roadmap

Vienna

Vienna is the capital of Austria and undoubtedly one of the main tourist destinations in the country. The city is beautiful, super well located and easy to get to know. Don't miss tourist attractions like Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna Opera House, Prater Park and much more! Check out several tips and a complete itinerary here on our website.

Vienna Austria – The 10 tips you need to write down in your itinerary
What to do in Vienna from 1 to 5 days in the city
Vienna Sights – 17 Attractions You Must Know
Where to stay in Vienna – Tips for the best neighborhoods and hotels
25hours Hotel, Vienna – Our review

Salzburg

Salzburg is also a very popular city in Austria, especially for fans of the movie The Sound of Music. The whole region is beautiful, with impressive lakes and unforgettable landscapes. In town, be sure to visit the Hohensalzburg Fortress and Hellbrunn and Mirabell castles. Check out all the tips in our special post for the city.

Read more in the complete guide Salzburg Austria – Everything for you to plan your trip

Hallstatt

Close to Salzburg, and certainly a dream destination, is the village of Hallstatt. Despite having less than a thousand inhabitants, it has become one of the main destinations in the country.

It's worth staying there, or in the region, for at least two days, so you can enjoy tours in the Salzwelten, ice caves, and observation points at unmissable heights. The city is small, but so amazing that we made a post just about Hallstatt for you to check out.

Read more in the complete guide Hallstatt Austria – The Complete Guide for Travelers

Innsbruck

Innsbruck is perfect for anyone who is a fan of mountains and winter sports, as it is located in the Austrian Alps and has all the facilities for that. But of course it is also worth visiting in the summer, when the days are long and you can enjoy walks without needing a thousand coats.

Be sure to visit the Hofkirche, one of the most beautiful baroque churches in Austria, check out the Goldenes Dachl and climb Bergisel for a sensational view of the city. Want more information and tips? Then read our full post about Innsbruck.

Read more in the complete guide Innsbruck Austria – The Complete Guide for Travelers

Graz

Graz, the capital of the Styria region, is Austria's second largest city, but has less than 300 inhabitants. Well, the country is full of small and beautiful towns.

In Graz, it is worth visiting the Schloss Eggenberg, the Kunsthaus Graz, which is the home of modern art in the city, and going up the Schlossberg hill. There, you will find the clock tower and incredible views. Graz is a university city and full of great places to visit, so check out all the information in our main post.

Read more in the complete guide Graz Austria – Everything for you to plan your trip

Linz

Linz is not usually the main destination for those visiting Austria, but it is a city full of life and beautiful places. Like many in the country, it is surrounded by impressive nature. The Lentos museum is worth visiting, with a huge collection of modern art.

But the city that is known for its futurism in the middle of Austria has one of the coolest museums in the world, the Ars Electronica Center, which features collections on what the future will be like in sociological and technological terms. See more and other Linz tips in our special post about one of Austria's most amazing cities.

Read more in the post Linz Austria – The Complete City Travel Guide

Austria Sights

Austria has must-see sights. For example, did you know that one of the most beautiful roads in the world is in this country? And the Grossglockner Road, which passes through snowy mountains, wonderful lakes and incredible waterfalls to reach Austria's highest peak, the Grossglockner.

In addition, Austria is also a sensational destination for those who enjoy skiing – in fact, it is the Austrian national sport. Even those who don't know the sport can marvel at how present skiing culture is among Austrians.

The country is also famous in Europe for its wonderful spas. So, you can enjoy the mountain air and hot springs to relax and catch up on your health, too. There are several options for tours and destinations, so check out our exclusive post with some tips on tourist attractions in Austria.

For those who only go to Vienna or want to dedicate extra attention to the capital, we have a post with 17 attractions that you need to know in the city. From palaces to parks and museums, check out several tips and tour suggestions!

Austria itinerary

An interesting route, which passes through the main Austrian cities, would be to start in Vienna. From there, head to Linz, possibly making stops in cities like Krems and Melk, for example. Afterwards, you arrive in Salzburg and Hallstatt, where it is worth staying for two to seven days. Finally, the Austrian Alps in Innsbruck. From Innsbruck, you can go to Graz and back to Vienna. This itinerary can be done easily in two weeks.

Another idea is to head west and enter Switzerland, Italy or Germany. From Austria in general it is very easy to visit popular destinations like Munich, Budapest and Prague. Or discover Slovenia, Slovakia and northern Italy.

Where to stay in Austria – Our hotel recommendation

Austria – Travel guide and top destinations — A good accommodation in Vienna is the **25hours Hotel** – Click on the photo and book

Austria has accommodation options for all tastes! From budget hostels (but still super comfortable and well located) to literally palaces.

Check out the best places to stay in Austria in the dedicated posts for each destination in the country. Also read our comprehensive guide Where to stay in Vienna, with tips on the best neighborhoods and hotels.

Tips for hotels in cities in Austria:

in Vienna – Wombats City Hostels Vienna – Naschmarkt ($) | Motel One Vienna State Opera ($$) | Hotel Sacher Wien ($$$)
Salzburg - Keep Eco Residence ($) | Villa Verde ($$) | Hotel Schloss Moenchstein ($$$)
Hallstatt – Hallstatt Lakeside ($) | White Lamb ($$) | Hallstatt Hideaway ($$$)
Innsbruck - Hostel Marmota ($) | Stage 12 ($$) | The PENZ Hotel ($$$)
Graz – Minihotel Graz ($) | Star Inn Hotel Premium ($$) | Grand Hotel Wiesler ($$$)
Linz – 7 Days Inn Premium ($) | Star Inn Linz ($$) | Hotel Am Domplatz ($$$)

Read also:

Where to stay in Vienna – Tips for the best neighborhoods and hotels
25hours Hotel, Vienna – Our review
Innsbruck Austria – The Complete Guide for Travelers
Graz Austria – Everything for you to plan your trip
Salzburg Austria – Everything for you to plan your trip
Linz Austria – The Complete City Travel Guide
Hallstatt Austria – The Complete Guide for Travelers

Find the best accommodation in Austria on Booking.com

What to eat in Austria

In Austria there are many typical dishes that you need to try. The Wiener Schnitzel, made from empanada veal, is super typical and a good tip to start your gastronomic itinerary.

For dessert, you can't miss a strudel. A good tip is to participate in a class and tasting experience of this typical sweet. However, if you want something with chocolate, Sachertorte is the ideal choice – a pie that is a symbol of Vienna, which can be tasted at the Sacher Hotel, icon of the city.

Finally, have a café melange – the Vianese version of cappuccino – at one of Vienna's many cafés, such as Cafe Central, Cafe Pruckel or Cafe Ritter.

Internet chip in Austria

It's getting easier and cheaper to have unlimited internet throughout your trip to Austria. Nowadays you can buy an international cell phone chip online while you're still here in España. We always use and love it!

You receive the sim card at your address and then just insert it into your cell phone to reach your destination with unlimited 4G internet working.

Want to have unlimited internet throughout your trip?
Compare prices and buy your international travel chip in advance at America Chip.

Austria travel insurance

Having travel insurance for Austria is a requirement to enter the country, which is part of the Schengen Treaty and requires medical and hospital coverage of at least €30 for travelers. In addition to being mandatory, insurance is a great way to ensure a smoother trip. Also enjoy our Insurance Promo discount coupon. - SEE PRICES

Read all about travel insurance:

Is Austria Travel Insurance mandatory? we tell you everything
Documents to enter Europe – See which ones you need
Travel Insurance Europe – Complete Guide on How to Hire
How much does travel insurance for Europe cost?
What is the Cheapest Travel Insurance – Tips on How to Save
How to Get Travel Insurance – 5 Easy Steps [DISCOUNT]
Which Travel Insurance to Choose – 3 Infallible Tips to Help
Best Travel Insurance Europe – Which one to choose for your trip?
International Travel Insurance – Step-by-step How to Hire

Austria car rental

Renting a car in Austria is a great idea. In addition to optimizing your time a lot, you will be able to enjoy it more without having to depend on public transport.

We really like Rent Cars to find the cars we use on our travels. It is the only one in Spain that compares the best rental companies in the world, but lets you pay in reais, without IOF. In addition, it is also the only one that lets you pay in 12 interest-free installments. It is worth it!