The Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Austria

A small country in Central Europe, Austria has so many, actually endless absolutely stunning places to visit that it’s almost impossible to list all of them down. Here, we have tried to low-down on some of the very best places to visit in Austria.

With its gorgeous Alpine peaks, sparkling lakes, tiny rustic hamlets, and romantic capital city, Austria is a quintessence of beauty. Also, Austria is famous for its stunning castles and palaces, and other architectural wonders.

Perched right in the heart of Europe, Austria is relatively small yet presents incredible opportunities for travelers.

It, in fact, has quite a big feel-good factor to it.

Read More: 10 Days in Europe: Suggested Europe Itineraries

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Best Places to Visit in Austria

This exhaustive guide to the best places to visit in Austria includes the tourist spots as well as hidden gems in the nine provinces or states of Austria.

Best Places in Austria – Cities, Towns, & Villages

These stunning cities, towns, and villages in Austria are reason enough to plan a trip to Austria!

1. Vienna – One of the Most Beautiful Capital Cities in Europe

Time and again raked as the most liveable city on the earth, Vienna is the epitome of elegance, charm, and royalty. It’s a must-do when in Austria.

I loved the chilled-out vibes of the city. From grand palaces with imperial gardens, grand squares, historical streets, and Viennese wine to Viennese coffee culture, musical legacy, and architectural masterpieces – Vienna has all that a visitor desires and more.

Dine at Griechenbeisl while having a date with Viennese history. Founded in 1447, Griechenbeisl is the oldest restaurant in Vienna. It boasts of welcoming visitors like Wagner, Schubert, Beethoven, Strauss, Mozart, and Mark Twain in the past.

You know, you can take some amazing side trips from Vienna to the capitals of other European countries like Bratislava, Budapest, and Prague. Isn’t that a huge plus point?

In short, Vienna’s a stunner!

We recommend staying at Hotel Sans Souci Wien in the heart of Vienna just opposite the Museumquartier.

And, don’t forget to check our complete guide to visiting Vienna!

 Check out some of the best family hotels to stay in Vienna.

2. Salzburg – One of the Most Beautiful Cities in Austria

Add some love, romance, music, and art to history – That’s Salzburg!

Close to the border of Germany, Salzburg sits on the banks of the Salzach River and brags of being the birthplace of a child prodigy, Mozart.

The historical and picturesque streets and the squares of Salzburg still echo the compositions of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, one of the best classical composers of all time.

The UNESCO-listed Altstadt (Old Town) of Salzburg retains its old-world charm. It doesn’t seem to have changed much since Mozart’s time.

The most famous landmarks in Salzburg include Festung Hohensalzburg, a 900-year-old cliff-top fortress, and DomQuartier, a cathedral-museum complex.

The American classic and the most popular musical movie of all time The Sound of Music was filmed in and around Salzburg.

You can visit the movie locations and can also stay in the same house where the Von Trapp family once lived. Check the availability of Villa Trapp.

We strongly recommend our readers stay at Hotel Schloss Mönchstein in Salzburg. Why? Well, you’ll have to stay here to know 😉

Buy the Original Mozartkugel at Café-Konditorei Fürst. They make a perfect souvenir.

3. Innsbruck – One of the Best Cities to Visit in Austria

Erstwhile capital of the Hapsburg Empire and the present capital city of the Austrian state of Tyrol, Innsbruck is an eclectic mix of old and new. It’s known to be the heart of the Austrian Alps.

Innsbruck Old Town with its Imperial Palace and the church feels like a picture-book town while Swarovski Crystal World in Wattens exudes contemporary innovation.

Watching over Innsbruck, the Nordkette Mountain Range is an adventurer’s playground. Getting up to the Alpine playground is easy and fast and offers jaw-dropping views, hiking, skiing, rock climbing, and more.

And you know, you can wine and dine at Cloud 9, an igloo bar at Station Seegrube. At 1,905m, it’s the highest nightclub in the Alps.

It’s open daily starting from December through April from 9 am to 4 pm.

We recommend staying at Aqua Dome 4 Sterne Superior Hotel & Tirol Therme Längenfeld or Das Central – Alpine. Luxury. Life for the alternative and out-of-the-ordinary experience. They are about an hour away from Innsbruck in Tirol’s exclusive towns of Längenfeld and Sölden.

Check out the best hotels in Innsbruck.

4. Graz – One of the Most Beautiful Small Cities in Europe

Austria’s second-largest city, Graz has been named the Cultural Capital of Europe (2003) and UNESCO City of Design (2011) for its thriving art, culture, and design scene.

The historic city is full of cute cobbled streets and alleyways adorned with pastel-colored buildings and charming squares. I love towns like Graz that have a relaxed vibe.

And, there are a plethora of green spaces around the corner.

Once here, visit Kunsthaus Graz (Graz Art Museum), and Eggenberg Palace, and hike the Schloßberg for stunning views over Graz.

Surrounded by lush farmlands and vineyards, Graz offers amazing farm-to-table experiences that make it a well-deserved Culinary Capital of Austria. Graz hosts the Long Table, one of the most unique culinary events around the world that should be on every food lover’s list.

Our pick for the best place to stay in Graz is Schlossberghotel – Das Kunsthotel, an artistic hotel in the heart of the city.

Check out the best hotels in Graz, Austria.

5. Linz – One of the Most Creative Cities in Austria

Settled along the banks of the Danube, Linz seamlessly blends the historic vibe of the Old Town and the contemporary feel of the emerging city of innovation.

The cobbled streets, centuries-old buildings, picturesque squares, and quaint cafes of the Old Town of Linz reflect the beautiful past of this beautiful Austrian city while the state-of-the-art buildings reveal the impressive future of Linz.

With a thriving culture, art, and technology scene, Linz has come a long way to become one of the UNESCO Creative Cities of Media Arts.

Exciting modern art installations like Mural Harbor which turns out to be one of the biggest graffiti galleries in Europe, unique museums like Ars Electronica Center which hosts astonishing exhibitions on art, technology, and society, and architectural gems like Musiktheater that’s counted among Europe’s cutting-edge opera houses make Linz a perfect place for those looking for an alternative experience.

A cruise on the Danube and a tram up the Pöstlingberg mountain promise a different perspective of Linz.

And when you are all done absorbing the sights, sit back and relax and relish Linzer Torte (the oldest cake in the world) because you can only have this special delicacy in Linz. You can even learn to bake as well as taste the original Linzer Torte at Jindrak.

FEWO am Neuen Dom is a lovely apartment to stay in Linz. It’s located right in the heart of the city and is rated highly for its location and amenities.

6. Hallstatt – One of the Most Magical Towns in Austria

A stunning tiny village on Lake Hallstatt (Hallstätter See) surrounded by Dachstein Alps in the Salzkammergut region in Austria, Hallstatt is said to be the oldest still-inhabited village in Europe.

Hallstatt is a place to be if you’re on a relaxing vacation.

A town so tiny and idyllic that gives you time to sit at a cafe by the lake and enjoy the scenery or paint the scenery or just watch people walk by, Hallstatt is a photographer’s or a writer’s or a poet’s or a painter’s or a creative soul’s paradise.

If you’re extra zestful and don’t want to just sit, drive to the other gorgeous places in the Salzkammergut region like Attersee-Attergau, Ausseerland, Bad Ischl, Dachstein, Fuschlseeregion, Mondsee-Irrsee, Traunsee-Almtal, and Wolfgangsee.

Oh, and you can’t miss the impressive Dachstein Ice Caves and 5 Fingers, 15 minutes away from Hallstatt.

We loved the Restaurant Gimsenwirt in St Gilgen in every aspect. They serve tasty fresh local food with warm smiles on their faces. A plus.

Check out the most highly-ranked hotels in Hallstatt.

7. Sankt Pölten: One of the Oldest Cities in Austria

The capital of Lower Austria, St. Pölten might be the youngest state capital but is the oldest documented city in Austria.

A visit to this ancient Austrian city assures a delightful package to its visitors that combines a thoughtful dose of rich history and culture, avant-garde architecture, and delicious food.

With the striking old town squares, beautiful churches and cathedrals, unique museums, intriguing Baroque and Jugendstil architecture, innovative modern architecture, and plenty of green spaces – St. Polten is well worth a visit when in Austria.

St. Pölten is also famous for its vibrant nightlife. The flourishing number of bars, music venues, and fringe theatres bring the night to life.

Sankt Pöltens City Center Apartment is a perfect accommodation if you plan to spend a night in the Lower Austrian state capital.

8. Alpbach – One of the Most Beautiful Villages in Austria

Nestled between the Kitzbühel Alps, Alpbach is a rustic alpine village where time stands still. The unique traditional wooden houses and vibrant flower fields are a reason enough to visit the village.

Once you visit, you’ll see why Alpbach earned the title of being the most beautiful village in Austria.

It’s beautiful no matter the season. It’s transformed into a winter wonderland during winter while spring and summer bring floral extravaganza when colorful flowers adorn the balconies and window sills of pretty wooden houses as well as the flower fields bloom.

The village effortlessly preserves the age-old traditions which makes it an ideal place to experience the ancient side of Austria.

And while there, you must try their specialty, Löffelmilch, a sweet alcoholic milk beverage.

Gästehaus Larch and Chalet Innerhof are our recommendations for a beautiful & comfortable stay in Alpbach.

Most Beautiful Places in Austria – Wine Regions

From Niederösterreich and Vienna (Lower Austria) in the northeast to Burgenland in the east to Styria in the south – a visit to the beautiful wine regions in Austria is a window into the age-old culture of winemaking.

9. Wachau Valley – One of the Most Beautiful Wine Regions in Austria

Just an hour away from Vienna, Wachau is a gem of a place in Austria. It’s a stunning region brimming with vast vineyards and orchards, historic castles and monasteries, cute little villages, forests, and river trails.

A 180 km long, Wachau World Heritage Trail is the best way to get the essence of Wachau Valley.

Or drive through the region in a rented car while stopping by famous attractions on the way.

Known as the World Cultural Heritage Region, Wachau starts at the town of Krems and ends at Melk, an Austrian town best known for its 11th-century monastery, Melk Abbey.

A sub-region of Niederösterreich, Wachau is a well-known wine region in Austria. It’s famous for its full-bodied and peppery Grüner Veltliner and steely and dry Riesling. The wines are classified as Steinfeder, Federspiel, and Smaragd based on their nature.

Domane Wachau’s Terrassen Riesling and Emmerich Knoll’s Grüner Veltliner are said to be the best wines in Wachau.

For wine lovers out there, Domäne Wachau and Weingut Lagler are two of the best wineries in Wachau for wine tasting and tours.

Where to eat in Wachau? Well, there are a number of good places to eat in the Danube Valley but Landgasthaus Essl stole my heart. Beautifully located on the bank of the Danube in the tiny village of Rührsdorf, Essl offers good food, good wine, good service, and good views.

Our top pick for a stay in Wachau Region is Hotel Schloss Dürnstein. Uniquely located on a rock overlooking the Danube at the heart of the Wachau, this luxurious hotel is highly rated by travelers.

Check out the best places to stay in and around the Wachau region.

10. Southern Styria – Hidden Gem of Austrian Winemaking

South Styria (Südsteiermark) is one of the most amazing wine regions in Austria. Out of three subregions, It’s the largest wine-growing subregion in Styria (Steiermark).

With wild rolling hills and panoramic vine terraces, the region is extraordinarily stunning. The extremely photogenic lush viticulture landscape is the reason the state of Styria is awarded the title of the Green Heart of Austria.

The region produces fresh, fragrant, and flavorful white wines. Though Südsteiermark is known for the production of the world’s finest Sauvignon Blanc, the region’s Welschriesling, Weissburgunder, Muskateller, and Morillon (Chardonnay) are worth a shot!

The best way to take in the wine-growing culture of the region is by driving one of the many Styrian wine roads.

The South Styrian Wine Route is one of the most beautiful wine roads in southern Styria that takes you through charming villages, steep vineyards, fruit orchards, lush forests, and flower fields – an absolute feast for the eyes.

The trail starts in Ehrenhausen and ends in Leutschach. The awe-inspiring wineries, renowned restaurants, and rustic Buschenschänken (traditional wine taverns) dot the route.

The Weingut Tauss, Weingut Jöbstl, and Weingut Hannes Sabathi are some of the best wineries along the route.

As you try wine at a Buschenschank, you must pair it with regional culinary delights like Brettljause.

Apart from wine tasting, you can hike one of the many beautiful hiking trails along the wine road and enjoy the breathtaking views and untouched wild landscapes.

Located at the highest point of the South Styrian Wine Road with a delightful view of the hill country, WURZENBERG Hotel Lodges Südsteiermark is a perfect place to stay in the south of Styria.

Best Places in Austria to Visit – Castles & Palaces

11. Schönbrunn Palace – One of the Most Beautiful Places in Austria

Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna is one of the most important Baroque complexes in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Once the imperial summer residence of the Habsburgs, Schonbrunn is a significant historic and cultural attraction today.

Exploring the grand imperial apartments is a treat to the eyes and soul. It’s a remarkable journey into the lives of the royals of Austria.

The palace’s elegant and exquisite park and gardens are free to roam around. The palace complex also houses the oldest zoo in the world that’s worth a visit, especially, if you are visiting with kids.

12. Burg Hohenwerfen – One of the Most Magnificent Castles in Austria

Perched on a cliff overlooking the Austrian town of Werfen in the Salzach Valley, Hohenwerfen is a stunning medieval rock castle. It was the setting for the 1968 war movie – Where Eagles Dare.

You can hike or ride a funicular to get to the top. A walk to the castle through the woodlands is a bit strenuous but worth it.

A guided tour of the castle lets you easily explore the various sections like a chapel, armory, clock tower, and more, and also gives you a greater insight into its history.

And kids particularly love the falconry show.

The sweeping view of the surrounding mountains, valleys, and winding rivers from the castle tower is the special highlight!

If you plan to stay near the castle, try Landgasthof Reitsamerhof or Haus Alpenflora or Almchalet Alpenflora!

Best Places to Go in Austria – Scenic Roads

13. Grossglockner High Alpine Road – One of the Most Beautiful Alpine Roads in Austria

You can’t leave Austria before you take one of the best road trips in Austria. A drive through Austria’s most beautiful mountain pass road – Grossglockner Hochalpenstraße is clearly the boss of all the scenic road journeys not only in Austria but in Europe and all over the world.

The alpine road connects north to the south while passing through the heart of the Oldest National Park in Austria, Hohe Tavern National Park.

It’s a road trip that combines equal measures of thrill and beauty. Please drive this BEAUTY.

It’s not just a mountain pass road but a destination in its own right. The road is lined with mind-boggling activities and attractions for kids and adults.

We drove the entire stretch in a day with brief stop-overs but if you want to take one of the many amazing hiking trails, there are a ton of places to stay near the Grossglockner.

Our recommendations? Hotel Riederalm in Leogang and Biohotel Daberer in Dellach.

Check out other best hotels near the Grossglockner.

Most Beautiful Places in Austria – Lakes, Waterfalls, & National Parks

14. Traunsee – One of the Most Beautiful Lakes in Austria

Located right in the heart of the Salzkammergut region at the foot of Traunstein massif, Traunsee or Lake Traun is the deepest lake in Austria.

The activities on and around the lake involve bike ride or walk along the lake shores, a boat trip on the lake, hiking, and water adventures like surfing, waterskiing, swimming, and fishing.

On a tiny island in the lake sits Schloss Ort, a beautiful castle that has been the filming location for a TV series Schlosshotel Orth.

An easy hike up the hill with a cute little chapel is all you need to admire the beauty of the lake and its surroundings.

Gmunden, Traunkirchen, and Ebensee are pretty lakeside resort towns to base yourself on.

While in Gmundane, take a peek into its 500-year-old pottery industry. The little town is known for handcrafting unique green and white ceramics.

The Feuerkogel cable car in Ebensee takes you to the mountain village at 1600 meters to enjoy a panoramic view of Dachstein and the lake region. You can book a stay at one of the charming Alpine lodges or indulge in numerous sporting adventures.

The beautiful Seehotel Schwan in Gmundane is a great choice to stay around the lake area. It affords a 360 degrees view of the lake and the surrounding mountains.

15. Achensee – One of the Largest Austrian Lakes

Located north of Jenbach in Tirol, Achensee or Achen Lake is another scenic mountain lake in Austria that’s fondly called the Fjord of the Alps and The Sea of Tyrol.

From surfing, swimming, and boating to walking, hiking, cycling, mountain biking, paragliding, and kitesurfing – the lake offers a host of amazing activities for visitors during summer.

You can also enjoy riding the one-of-a-kind oldest steam-driven railway in Europe, Achenseebahn from Jenbach to Seespitz.

Another star attraction is five summits via ferrata in the Rofan mountains that offers fabulous views.

And you can just lie down, relax, and take in the beauty of the lake and its surroundings! It looks stunning especially when the sun hits its turquoise waters.

Or grab a seat at one of the many charming cafes and restaurants on the shore and enjoy a cup of coffee & snacks while drinking in the views.

Achenkirch, Maurach, Pertisau, Steinberg, and Wiesing are beautiful lakeside villages and towns.

Familienresort Buchau in Maurach and Hotel der Wiesenhof in Pertisau are great places to stay in the Achensee region.

16. Grüner See – The Magical Austrian Lake

Located at the foot of the Hochschwab Alps near the town of Tragöess in Styria, Grüner See (literally translates to Green Lake) is as emerald as it gets, true to its name. It’s rightly nicknamed the Caribbean of the Alps.

An oasis of tranquility, the lake is unique in its own way. During spring, the snow from the mountains melts down creating an incredibly clear green color lake submerging the benches, a footbridge, trails, and tree trunks. The water is so clear that you can see the underwater park at a depth of about 39 feet. It looks and feels almost surreal.

As winter comes, the lake disappears. There remains only a 3 to 6 feet deep pond and the benches, a footbridge, and trails become accessible to the visitors.

Plan a visit around mid-May to the end of June to witness the lake in its full glory. A walk around the lake through the woodlands is a beautiful way to appreciate the beautiful scenery.

17. Krimml Waterfalls – One of the Best Waterfalls in Austria

At 380 m, Krimml Waterfalls are the highest waterfalls in Austria and Europe. You can witness this natural wonder in the Hohe Tauern National Park, the largest and the biggest nature park in the Alps.

Those who want to feel this beauty up close can take a winding Waterfall Trail. The observation platforms along the trail offer perfect photography opportunities.

And the best part is that the waterfalls are known for their healing powers. As per the medical description, the fine spray helps to heal the ailments like asthma and many allergies.

It takes about an easy 15-minute walk from the parking area to reach the lowest point of the waterfalls.

18. Gesäuse National Park – One of the Most Beautiful National Parks in Austria

The untamed and wild landscape of Gesäuse National Park in Styria sets it apart. Youngest among all the Austrian National Parks, Gesäuse is a haven for outdoor and photography enthusiasts.

From towering mountains and rapids to lush forests, deep valleys, and exciting biodiversity – Gesäuse offers a lot of adventure activities like hiking, mountaineering, rafting, canyoning, mountain biking, and many more.

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So, these were a few of our favorites of endless gorgeous places to visit in Austria. What’s your favorite city, town, or place in Austria? Do share in the comments section below. We love it when our readers reach us.

Recommended Reading:

Renting a Car in Europe
Schengen Visa for Europe
How to Plan a Trip to Europe
Austria Itinerary
10-Day Central Europe Itinerary
Things to do in Vienna, Austria
Where to Stay in Vienna, Austria
Best Day Trips from Vienna, Austria
Vienna Quotes
Wachau Valley, Austria
Things to do in Salzburg, Austria
Best Hotels in Salzburg
Things to do in Hallstatt
Grossglockner High Alpine Road

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