20 Lovely Locations To Discover In Austria

2. Hallstatt

Now well-known with Instagrammers, this small scenic city overlooking the serene waters of Hallstatt Lake is one in every of my favorite locations in Europe. I additionally suppose it appears to be like spectacular in each summer time and winter. 

The city is full of chocolate field fairly Sixteenth-century Alpine homes, and its winding cobbled alleyways are dwelling to quaint cafes and unbiased outlets. Some intriguing locations make this space significantly fascinating and give you the possibility to bask in mountain climbing, mountain climbing, and boating.

I like to recommend visiting The Beinhaus (bone home), which shows stacks of human stays taken there because of the scarcity of grave areas. Though it sounds morbid, the expertise could be very completely different; there’s something extraordinary and humbling about visiting the Beinhaus.

For my part, the ice and salt caves, with their spectacular subterranean salt lake, are additionally value visiting and actually spectacular (the funicular railway connects Hallstatt to Salzwelten).

My highlights…

• Taking a stroll alongside the lakefront, full of such picturesque surroundings, it appeared prefer it was straight out of a storybook.
• Exploring the extraordinary ice caves and seeing frozen waterfalls and unimaginable ice formations.
• Take a look at the salt mine, thought-about the oldest on the planet. Youngsters may also adore it there as they’ve an exhilarating miners’ slide!
• Hiring a conventional wood salt boat and exploring the lake!
• Going to 5 Fingers Viewpoint, which provides probably the most spectacular views within the Alps!
• Seeing the colourful half-timbered homes within the central Market Sq. and having dinner at a phenomenal open-air restaurant terrace across the lake.

3. Salzburg 

I utterly fell for Salzburg’s charms; that is additionally the place for music followers! It additionally celebrates its accolade as Mozart’s birthplace by permitting guests into the house the place Mozart was born and operating exhibitions there.

Salzburg could also be dwelling to Mozart and all issues extravagant. Nonetheless, for an astounding 70% of abroad guests, The Sound of Music stays the first purpose for journey to town, with tour firms all around the city providing their model of the Sound of Music tour. I extremely advocate happening one; they’re plenty of enjoyable! 

Additionally brimming with distinctive galleries and museums, a wealthy array of eating places, and a various number of procuring alternatives, from farmer’s markets to upmarket shops, I defy you to not fall in love with this completely charming metropolis, similar to I did!

My favorite highlights…

• Occurring a Sound of Music Tour, which was hours of kitsch enjoyable!
• Wandering across the stunning Previous City, one of many best-preserved metropolis centres north of the Alps, was brimming with beautiful baroque structure.
• Listening to well-known Mozart items carried out contained in the historic fortress citadel on the spectacular Mirabell Palace and Gardens. 
• Wandering down Getreidgasse, a captivating Medieval procuring avenue full of fascinating unbiased outlets.
• Going for a Mozart Dinner Live performance on the Baroque Corridor of St Peter`s Abbey.
• Experiencing Salzburg’s Beer Halls, my favorite was Augustiner Bräustübl Tavern, which had a backyard hooked up to a monk’s brewery.

4. Innsbruck

I believed this was a surprising Alpine gem! The snow-topped mountains and tall, vibrant buildings make it a postcard-worthy alpine vacation spot. It has a number of well-managed ski resorts and wonderful winter sports activities services, excellent for many who like to hit the slopes.

I like to recommend visiting Ambras Fort, the Folks Artwork Museum, and the Court docket Church. Some fashionable hip bars are on the centre of a thriving nightlife, so I counsel taking advantage of these, too.

Serenity has its place right here, although, as nicely, and I fell in love with the mild tempo of life and the various luxurious thermal spas!

My favourite highlights…

• Hanging out within the beautiful Previous City, full of boutique outlets, cafes, and eating places. 
• Visiting Tyrol Panorama, which had a museum and unimaginable views of the encircling areas.
• Taking a cable automotive to Nordkette Mountain Vary and seeing beautiful Alpine surroundings. 
• Swimming in Lake Achensee, Tirol’s largest lake.

5. Vorarlberg

The mountainous area of Vorarlberg boasts stunning surroundings and beautiful structure, and I used to be severely wowed by it after I visited! It’s greater than only a new place to discover; it’s a delight to your eyes to witness, and I extremely advocate it to anybody who loves strolling, biking, snowboarding, and images!

I personally suppose the mountains of Vorarlberg current a singular and creative view for any hiker, explorer, or artist. The landscapes between Lake Constance and the mountains are excellent for lengthy walks, particularly with the mountains reaching as much as 2,000 metres.

Vorarlberg has a number of pure wonders. Certainly one of my private favourites is the Verwall space in Montafon. Verwall in Vorarlberg is likely one of the largest European Safety Areas within the Natura 2000 community.

I really like that the views you may get pleasure from as you hike alongside its routes are as stunning and numerous because the mountains! 

My private highlights…

• Mountaineering the Silvretta-Staumauer – Silvretta Wasserfall loop which was a simple hike which took me previous beautiful Alpine surroundings and turquoise blue lakes.
• Eating on roasted dumplings on the Panoramarestaurant Karren, the views of the mountains have been simply unimaginable! 
• Attending the artistic summer time Bregenz Competition, the enormous floating stage in the midst of Lake Constance, was an unimaginable sight! 

6. Graz

Regardless of being Austria’s second-largest metropolis, I beloved Graz’s relaxed location. Though the city is overflowing with stunning structure, I really like that town has a youthful vibe.

That is all the way down to its younger, pleasant inhabitants and the handful of spectacular fashionable buildings dotted round.

There are a lot of nice issues to do in Graz. This metropolis has a vibrant arts centre that enhances its Renaissance courtyards and baroque palaces. Because of the massive pupil inhabitants (round 50,000 college students unfold throughout 4 College campuses), the nightlife in Graz is booming! 

My highlights…

• Visiting the Schloss Eggenberg Parkland Palace Gardens, I beloved the beautiful peacocks! 
• Exploring the Previous City, I extremely advocate stopping by the upTownArt Store and the placing Island within the Mur which has a spectacular domed glass roof. 
• Occurring a enjoyable cellular scavenger hunt via town which was an effective way to discover its points of interest. 

7. Zell am See

Whenever you go to Zell am See, I can inform you you will notice some incredible sights! The primary one more likely to seize your consideration is the gorgeous bluer-than-blue lake, Zeller See! 

You may dive into the beautiful lake and cycle round its picturesque, plant-filled shores. Mountaineering and snowboarding within the mountains are additionally obtainable. When you have or hire a automotive, I like to recommend driving up excessive onto the very scenic and well-known Grossglockner Highway.

Over 1,000,000 guests worldwide go to Zell am See yearly for brand new websites and adventures. When the sky’s blue is mirrored in such a transparent lake, it’s a genuinely beautiful sight!

My highlights… 

• Eating on tasty semolina dumplings on the fashionable Luis Gardens.
• Going snowshoeing within the winter, the snowy landscapes have been so dreamy! 
• Going tobogganing on the three-kilometre-long Maisi Flitzer run which was a fantastic family-friendly exercise! 

8. Mostviertel

I personally suppose Mostviertel is Decrease Austria’s most charming area. It combines rolling inexperienced meadows within the North with snow-laced rugged peaks within the South.

This mix of landscapes contributes to the area’s infinite appeal. It boasts Europe’s largest steady space of pear orchards.

Its chocolate-box surroundings makes it a surprise for adults and kids alike. The area provides museums, monuments, household actions, and ski alternatives.

My private highlights…

• Staying in a single day on the Resort Gasthof Zur Linde, I beloved the bike rental choices!
• Making an attempt a Lillet Prosecco on the Chameleon Bar.
• Mountaineering the Mendlingtal Valley, which took me previous beautiful gorges and scenic canyons. 

9. Alpbach

Alpbach has been voted the prettiest village within the nation, and after I visited, I instantly noticed why! The candy village is nestled between a cluster of majestic snow-capped mountains, permitting entry to the proper ski slopes whereas sustaining a strong alpine custom.

Alpbach is filled with picturesque wood farmhouses, cattle fields, and locals expert in conventional crafts. When you fancy a style of how this nation was and benefit from the expertise of time standing nonetheless, then in my view, Alpbach is the place for you! 

I might counsel attempting Bikepension Gästehaus Larch Alpbach or Alphof Resort Alpbach for locations to remain right here.

My favourite highlights…

• Taking an exhilarating trip on the Alpine curler coaster on a two-seater sledge.
• Taking a trip on the cable automotive to the highest of Wiedersbergerhorn mountain, the panoramic views have been beautiful! 

10. Tirol

I discussed above the historic outdated city of Innsbruck inside stunning Tirol. This unimaginable area is value exploring! 

I personally suppose it’s a very beautiful spot steeped in folklore, mountains, and ski resorts. It makes a incredible vacation spot on this nation, both in summer time or winter—the surroundings is actually breathtaking!

Anticipate miles of strolling and mountain climbing trails throughout nature, recent air, and clear mountain streams. Historical past lovers may also benefit from the record-breaking suspension footbridge that’s Highline179, and I might extremely advocate visiting it.

This exceptional construction is 114 meters excessive and 406 meters lengthy; it connects Ehrenberg Fort to the stays of the Seventeenth-century Roman Fortress Claudia available in the market city of Reutte.

My favourite highlights…

• Visiting the suspended terrace of Café 3440 (pictured above), which sits 3,440 m above sea stage the place I noticed unimaginable uninterrupted panoramic views of the gorgeous Alpine surroundings.
• Occurring the Nordkette Cable Automobile, a gondola elevate from Innsbruck to the Nordkette.
• Going mountain climbing, mountain climbing, biking, and taking advantage of the Alpine surroundings!
• Eating on selfmade muffins at afternoon tea on the fashionable Das Schindler in Innsbruck.  
• Going to the TOP OF TYROL, a surprising mountaintop viewing platform.

11. Grossglockner Excessive Alpine Highway

This well-known winding, precarious, fantastically scenic street is wow-inducing! It would lead you to the center of the Hohe Tauern Nationwide Park and up the giddy heights of the Grossglockner (Austria’s tallest mountain), passing via the Pasterze glacier.

For my part, it’s an excellent strategy to expertise the panorama at its greatest, as you’ll move via mountain forests, alpine meadows, ice plains, and sheer cliff faces.

You may rent a classic automotive, take a bus, trip a motorbike, go by bike, or enterprise by foot; both manner, the expertise is jaw-dropping! Villa Orania and Schiefe Alm Resort Dangerous Gastein are beautiful lodging choices within the space.

My private highlights…

• Stopping on the viewpoints and photographing the unimaginable views. 
• Mountaineering the unimaginable Glockner Path, which took me via the beautiful Hohe Tauern Nationwide Park. 

12. Nationalpark Gesäuse

The latest of this nation’s stunning Nationwide Parks, Gesäuse, is ready in mountain ridges, deep valleys, and dense forests. I feel it’s the proper location for exploring unspoiled nature and is a favorite for rafting connoisseurs and hikers.

Of the six mountain peaks over 2000 meters within the park, Hocktor is the best and hottest amongst visiting hikers – reaching a staggering 2369 meters in top.

I personally suppose artists, photographers, and journey bloggers would reap the advantages of visiting such a phenomenal setting—if they will attain the highest! 

My highlights…

• Tenting out in a single day on the tranquil Campingplatz Forstgarten campground.
• Mountaineering the scenic Copper Path Johnsbach, the Alpine views have been beautiful! 

13. Saalbach-Hinterglemm

Within the district of Zell am See, you will discover a municipality recognized for its snowboarding, mountain biking, and different tough and difficult out of doors sports activities. It’s positioned within the Saalbach Valley, which has some breathtaking views at any time of day, particularly for those who’re coming in from Bründlkopf.

This peaceable location primarily consists of small cities and has a number of transport hyperlinks – together with Zell am See, which is round 20km away.

The city itself is primarily oriented in the direction of tourism, however that doesn’t make it any much less of an ideal place for exploring and having fun with the outside and all it has to supply; I stayed in an eco-hotel right here for a number of days, and I fell in love with the uncrowded, stunning, and tranquil landscapes! 

My private highlights…

• Staying at Gartenhotel Theresia, a comfortable, eco-friendly resort with a soothing spa and sauna.
• Mountaineering the Wurzel Path summer time mountain climbing path, which took me via lush meadows and Alpine buildings.

14. St. Gilgen

A stroll via the village of St. Gilgen (in Salzburg) is a welcome breath of recent air for any journey. The city takes you by the northern shore of Lake Wolfgangsee and is coupled with magnificence and trendy aptitude.

It’s a village teeming to the highest with traditions, tradition, structure, and distinctive vacationer places. I believed it was charming, particularly for those who’re in search of a spot full of Austrian custom!

The legendary Oxen Cross island might be discovered close by, subsequent to Fürberg Cove; each can provide any vacation explorer a sight to behold.

Lastly, I like to recommend taking the Zwölferhorn Mountain cable automotive to the height immediately from the village. It’s a severely beautiful view! 

My favorite highlights…

• Mountaineering from From Reid to St Gilgen which adopted the gorgeous lake shore.
• Having newbie snowboarding classes (within the winter), sadly, I wasn’t superb! 

15. Hochosterwitz Fort

Many contemplate it probably the most spectacular medieval citadel within the nation, and with good purpose. It stands proudly on prime of a 160-meter-high Dolomite rock formation, and I personally suppose it appears to be like like one thing out of a fairytale!

Between Easter and the top of October, guests are allowed inside sure components of the citadel every year, and I might extremely advocate visiting for those who’re right here throughout these months.

I counsel strolling alongside the 620-metre pathway via 14 intriguing fortified gates earlier than you attain the beautiful façade of the citadel. If you wish to keep close by, attempt the Artwork Lodge or Chalet Resort Senger.

My highlights…

• Seeing the unimaginable Renaissance work displayed right here.
• Attending the enjoyable Knight’s Competition, which was full of medieval-style battles and jousting. 

16. Krems an der Donau

Krems an der Donau is a postcard-pretty riverside city in Decrease Austria’s Danube’s Wachau Valley vacationer area. It’s famend for its wine manufacturing and exquisite historic centre (which has earned it a UNESCO Heritage Website standing), and I beloved this place! I believed it was charming, relaxed, and extremely photogenic! 

Located on the gateway to the World Heritage cultural panorama of the Wachau, it shows probably the most beautiful stretches of river valley in Europe, so don’t overlook to deliver your digital camera!

I counsel Wein-Intestine Hutter or Gourmethotel Am Förthof for elegant and distinctive locations to remain.

My private highlights…

• Going wine tasting and sampling the unimaginable rieslings.
• Eating on high quality, artistic Mediterranean delicacies at Kaiser Von Österreich. I extremely advocate the wild garlic mushrooms.

17. Kitzbuhel

When you’re an avid skier and searching for one of many prime ski resorts within the nation then I might say you could look no additional than Kitzbuhel! 

Legends, together with three-time Olympic medallist Toni Sailer, have been born on these slopes, so that you’ll be in nice firm! 

However fairly Kitzbuhel started life within the Sixteenth century as a mining city catering to silver and copper mining. Right this moment, it nonetheless has a captivating historic really feel and has preserved a few of its medieval structure.

My highlights…

• Visiting the Krampus Museum which is devoted to the distinctive historic custom. 
• Watching the skilled skiers on the downhill racecourse. 

18. Thayatal Nationwide Park

Thayatal Nationwide Park is positioned near the Czech Republic’s border. This distinctive location is the nation’s smallest nationwide park and one in every of central Europe’s final pure valleys.

The park itself is technically two parks break up throughout the border. The panorama consists of a deep canyon with steep slopes and quite a few rock formations. When you’re within the Czech Republic, the Thaya River (or the Dyje River) cuts throughout the canyon, making for actually spectacular views.

I personally suppose this deserves a spot on this checklist for its unimaginable surroundings, quite a few mountain climbing trails, well-preserved citadel ruins, and wildlife recognizing, together with the European otter, the black stork, and the Wild Cat.

My highlights…

• Mountaineering the scenic Hardegg mountain climbing path which loop took me to a viewpoint the place I may see the city from above.
• Recognizing wildlife like cute otters and the gorgeous Black Stork.  

19. Dürnstein

I used to be an enormous fan of this nearly impossibly photogenic spot! On the Danube, Durnstein is understood for its stunning buildings and scenic riverside location.

It’s additionally a historic hotspot for anybody wishing to go to the citadel the place the Lionheart, Richard the First of England, was as soon as imprisoned! 

Nonetheless, I like to recommend that you simply plan your journey to this wondrous space in the summertime when it’s busy with guests and vacationers and there’s a actual buzz in regards to the place. Durnstein basically closes up within the winter.

It’s a dream for photographers, with massive, sweeping landscapes, excessive hilltops, and beautiful structure. The citadel ruins sit excessive up on the inexperienced hills in opposition to the blue sky, making for some excellent pictures.

My private highlights…

• Visiting Domäne Wachau vineyard and tasting the Grüner Veltliner white wine. 
• Visiting the Durnstein Fort, the views from the highest made the climb to it value it! 

20. Faaker See 

Faaker See is an alpine lake within the state of Carinthia. It’s the state’s fifth-largest and probably the most stunning, famed for its superb, clear azure water.

I fell completely in love with this stunning spot and its tranquil vibe after I visited. I additionally beloved that the lake stretched on for miles! 

In style with locals and vacationers alike, you may bathe and go boating right here, however I might counsel simply kicking again and taking within the stunning surroundings! Take pleasure in! 

My private highlights…

• Going paddleboarding (there are leases within the space).
• Hiring a pedalo and going swimming within the clear blue waters.