20 Unmissable Attractions in Austria

Salzburg, considered one of Austria’s most magnificent cities, is picture-perfect. Be beguiled by the delightful atmosphere of the Old Town which is filled with churches, restaurants and museums for every traveller to explore and revel in Austria’s unique culture. Due to there being no cars allowed in the Old Town, it is perfect activity if you fancy a slow stroll surrounded by beauty and bustle.

A playground fit for giants, this surrealist space will make you feel as if you’ve landed in a Dalí painting. Wandering through these gardens, located just outside Graz, you will find twisted metal and dream-like shapes of lurid colour emerging from the ordinary landscape. Marrying nature and art harmoniously, the Austrian Sculpture Park makes for a wonderfully strange day out and will introduce you to the work of some of Austria’s most prominent modern artists, such as Franz West and Erwin Wurm.

What on earth is a Heuriger you ask? In plain terms, they are are wine taverns, where generally the tipple served is made from the grapes in nearby vineyards by local wine makers. Located all over the country, even in the hills surrounding Vienna – a Heuriger is a place in which to feel merry, meet with friends and sample some of the locally grown produce. A few locations to check out in Vienna include Grinzing and Nussdorf. The vineyards of Vienna, easily accessible by train or bus, are a wonderful place for wine lovers to spend an afternoon.

Austria can experience extremely chilly spells in the winter months – with temperatures as low as -30. There’s nothing more comforting than escaping to the steaming pools of a spa set in a snow-tipped mountainous area when the frost starts to set in. There are lots of swimming pools with saunas and steam rooms attached in Vienna, but the most alluring are outside the cities, blending into natural surroundings. The Narzissen Spa is a perfect example, boasting salt water baths with Alpine views, and a sauna and steam room. As is the thermal spa at Rogner Bad Blumau Hotel, in Styria, is one of the most picturesque.

The largest lake in Upper Austria, Lake Attersee is a hotspot for water-sports junkies – attracting swimmers, windsurfers and sailors in the summer months. One of the most popular and lesser-known is Lake Ossiach in Carinthia or Lake Erlauf in Lower Austria near Mariazell. Take a refreshing dip in the glistening blue fresh Alpine water as you are encapsulated in 360 degrees of stunning scenery. Nature doesn’t get more beautiful than this.

Citing itself as “the museum of the future”, the Ars Electronica Center is a museum that explores science, art and technology in a range of mediums. Enjoy a showcase of tantalising modern art and tech, from artificial intelligence and neuro-bionics to autonomous systems and robots. The Ars Electronica Center is an eye into the dynamic future or art and technology, a place where the curious mind of a traveller can truly wander.

Innsbruck is beautiful all year round, but is especially awe-inspiring in the colder months, when it is transformed into a winter wonderland. One of the best places to hike in Austria, it has some incredible alpine views that you won’t want to miss out on. Here you will find The Nordkette aka ‘Jewel of the Alps’ it is a mountain in a city that can be accessed easily from Innsbruck via fernicular.

During the 19th and 20th centuries, many renowned composers called Vienna home – leading to the city earning its current unofficial title as the ‘capital of classical music.’ Schubert, Mozart, Strauss and Beethoven are just a few of the names synonymous with the Austrian capital, and the legacy that they have left continues to enchant tourists today. You won’t struggle to find concerts taking place daily and if visiting in the summer months, you should take advantage of some of the free, outdoor concerts, such as the Schoenbrunn Summer Night Concert, which sees performances from the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra or free outdoor screenings outside the Vienna State Opera House.

Austria’s finest museum of modern art, the Lentos Museum – which opened in 2003 – has a strong collection of works, including many European masterpieces. is not only known for its numerous exhibitions, but also for its excellent restaurant. Guests have a wide choice of breakfast options, ranging from the Lentos breakfast and American breakfast, with bacon, eggs and salmon, to the healthier option, fit in Linz, which includes granary bread and yoghurt with fresh fruit.

Witness the breathtaking beauty of the Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy its beautiful rolling vineyards of Grapes and Apricots and the picturesque flow of the River Danube, creating the ultimate nature wonderland with lots to be explored. A stunning representation of a living cultural landscape that contributes beautifully to contemporary society in Austria.

There are many assets to the Belvedere Palacein Vienna. This imperial attraction includes the incredible Botanic Gardens and a delightful view of the city from the top of the hill. Here you can find exhibitions that cover ages of history and art from across Austria. Whilst the palace is a true art piece in itself, take a step inside to explore the rich array of art that Austria has to offer.

This attractive village, located in the Salzkammergut Region, is one of the most charming in all of Austria, with wooden alpine houses, 16th-century architecture and mountainous landscapes. Straddling a glistening lake beneath forest-covered peaks lies Hallstatt, an Austrian wonderland of distinct European flair. Hallstatt is rapidly emerging as one of the most popular stopping-off points for travellers on the road between the cities of Salzburg and Graz. Along with the ancient history of the nearby Salzwelten and its high-altitude trails ready for hiking, it’s not surprising.

This Museum of Modern Art is located in the cultural hub of the Museum Quarter, Vienna – a must-see for contemporary art lovers. It is the largest museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art in Central Europe. It possesses an excess of prestigious international art, as well as special and exclusive exhibitions that run temporarily. Be sure to check what’s on ahead of your trip so you don’t miss out.

One of the most impressive buildings in the Ringstraße area of Vienna, the Kunsthistoriches Museum houses an impressive collection of historical artworks, many from the House of Habsburg, a royal German family and one of the chief dynasties of Europe from the 15th to the 20th century. The art history museum is located directly across from the Museum of Natural History, and the buildings mirror each other exactly. Inside, you’ll find a huge collection of historical Austrian pieces from the Habsburg era, as well as a range of new and exciting exhibitions throughout the year. One of the museum’s most appealing characteristics is perhaps its picturesque café, which is beautiful from a bird’s eye view.

A magnificent gothic masterpiece, St. Stephen’s Cathedral was almost entirely destroyed during WWII. The colourful mosaic roof is especially impressive. It is the most important piece of Gothic architecture across the whole of Austria, known affectionately by the local Austrian’s as ‘The Steffl’. It is a historical landmark, a symbol of Austria’s identity representing the reconstruction of the Republic after the Second World War. Construction of the Cathedral started in the 12th century. Whilst its interior changed repeatedly over the centuries until it was finally given its current Baroque appearance.

This Medieval castle sits upon a dormant volcano. It is worth the intimidating hike up to the top for some spectacular views of Styria. The castle first appeared in written record in 1138 and has been standing tall since. Surrounded by strong fortifications, it was known as the strongest fortress in the West.

As long ago as Roman times this area was inhabited, and during Austria’s imperial era it was transformed into a hunting ground. Today, the Lainzer Tiergarten is a public nature reserve and part of the Vienna Woods. In this park there is a big wildlife stock, and animals like deers roe deers and wild boars live there. Besides, it is a popular attraction for hikers, runners families and day-trippers. And people interested in culture can visit the Hermesvilla, which is a culture and exhibition center.

Known as ‘The Cheese Road’, Bregenzerwald Cheese Road is one of the most unique attractions in Austria. Along the road you can find 17 Valley Dairies and 90 Alpine Farmsteads. Along the way, you can sample the regional speciality, Bergkäse (mountain cheese) in Vorarlberg, which has over 40 varieties of cheese.

Vienna is extremely proud of its coffee-house culture, a tradition that dates back to the 16th century. Known as the ‘heart of Vienna’ Café Central is one of the most authentic and delightful locations to enjoy a cup. Located right in the centre of Vienna, it is the perfect place to enjoy a morning cup of coffee ahead of exploring the centre of the beautiful city. Don’t miss out on experiencing authentic Viennese culture at Cafe Central.

Most Austrians head to the hills to ski during the winter break, where you can find endless mountains coated in fresh snow. Whilst it can be difficult to decide where to book your winter adventure, due to how beautiful the winter wonderland of the Austrian Alps becomes, this area is one of the most breathtaking.