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Austria Travel Guide

There are many ways to experience Austria: skiing and hiking in the alps, touring wine regions, seeing operas, dancing at balls, visiting palaces and abbeys, and eating lots of cake.

And, you absolutely should do all of those things. However, what makes Austria so special and dear to our hearts is the Austrian approach to life.

Austrians cherish Gemütlichkeit, which means comfort and coziness. You’ll find that Austrians experience life more slowly and comfortably.

In the mountains, there are cozy mountain huts, which serve food and drinks throughout the day to day visitors and overnight guests.

In the wine regions, there are family-friendly Heurigen (wine taverns) that offer comfortable spaces for drinking and socializing.

Across Austria, there are elaborate thermal spas that invite visitors to soak in thermal water, sweat in saunas, and rest in relaxation spaces. 

So, what we’re trying to say is that Austria has mastered an elevated style of slow living, which is especially enviable if you’re coming from a workaholic culture. Even in the capital city, Vienna, life is unhurried and relaxed.

Wachau Valley, Austria

Austria Travel Map

In the map below, we’ve marked must-visit cities, towns, river valleys, hiking destinations, mountain huts, and hotels in Austria. For a curated list of top places to visit, read Best Places to Visit in Austria. Also read our seasonal travel guides: Summer in Austria (June – September), Autumn in Austria (October – November), Winter in Austria (December – March).

AUSTRIAN STATES

Vorarlberg

Tyrol

Salzburg

Carinthia

Styria

Upper Austria

Lower Austria

Vienna

Burgenland

Hohenwerfen Castle, Austria

The Best of Austria: Top Travel Experiences

St. Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna Inner City, Austria

Vienna

Vienna’s stunning architecture, pristine streets, and imperial grandeur make it one of the world’s most captivating cities.

As the former heart of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, its legacy still echoes across Central and Eastern Europe, but nowhere more than in Austria’s capital. Expect breathtaking palaces, world-class museums, renowned opera houses, grand traditional coffeehouses, and top-tier restaurants.

To experience local life, visit a Viennese wine tavern, walk the Stadtwanderweg 1, hike in the Vienna Mountains, and uncover Vienna’s hidden gems.

Read Where to Stay in Vienna for insider tips on all the best areas. 

Wachau in Autumn, Austria

Wachau Valley

Just an hour from Vienna, the UNESCO-listed Wachau Valley stretches along the Danube River between Melk and Krems in Lower Austria, offering romantic landscapes, rich history, and excellent white wines.

Explore this cultural region by bike, or by foot along the Wachau World Heritage Trail (we love Stage 1 from Dürnstein to Krems).

Visit Melk Abbey and the Dürnstein Castle Ruins, where Richard the Lionhearted was imprisoned in 1193.

Keen hikers can tackle the Vogelbergsteig Hike in Dürnstein and the Seekopf and Hirschwand Hike

Autumn colors at Vorderer Gosausee, Lake Gosau, Dachstein, Austria

Salzkammergut

Austria’s Lake District is a beloved holiday region full of charming villages, gorgeous crystal-clear lakes like the Gosau Lakes, and gorgeous hiking trails like Tauplitzalm and Gosaukamm Circuit Trail.

Follow our Salzkammergut Itinerary to see the best of Ausseerland and Dachstein-Salzkammergut, including Hallstatt. 

Hochkeil, Salzburg, Austria

Salzburg City and SalzburgerLand

Set in the foothills of the Austrian Alps below the fortress of Hohensalzburg, the alluring city center of Salzburg is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit Salzburg in December to see the seasonal Christmas Markets and Krampus Runs

Salzburg State, lovingly called SalzburgerLand, is one of the nine federal states of Austria, bordering Upper Austria, Styria, Carinthia, and Tyrol. Within its curvaceous borders, you’ll find the Obertauern Ski Resort, the lovely village of Filzmoos, Hochkönig holiday region (Mühlbach High Trail), Zell am See and Kaprun, Lake Tappenkarsee, and Liechtenstein Gorge. Read Best Hikes in Salzburg for an overview of the best trails in Salzburg Province.

Venediger High Trail, Hohe Tauern, Austria

Hohe Tauern National Park

The largest national park in the Alps extends across Salzburg, Carinthia, and Tyrol (Osttirol).

Experience this spellbinding alpine area along the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, the multi-day Venediger High Trail, and the Innergschlöss Glacier Trail, Hohe Tauern

Württembergerhaus Mountain Hut, Lechtal Alps, Tyrol, Austria

Hut to Hut Hiking in the Austrian Alps

The Austrian Alps are a paradise for hikers and mountaineers. One of the most rewarding experiences is trekking from one managed mountain hut (Hütte) to another. These huts provide warm meals, comfortable beds, and refreshments, allowing you to immerse yourself in the breathtaking alpine scenery while enjoying authentic Austrian cuisine.

For those that love food as much as the outdoors, we can’t recommend hut to hut hiking in Austria enough.

Read Trekking Austria – Best Treks and Long Distance Hikes for an overview of the most spectacular hut hikes in Austria, including including Karwendel High Trail in Tyrol, Schladminger Tauern High Trail in Styria, Venediger High Trail in Hohe Tauern National Park, Berlin High Trail in the Zillertal Alps, Tyrol, Rätikon Alps High Trail in Vorarlberg, Eagle Walk Lechtal Alps in Tyrol, Montafon Hut to Hut Circuit in Vorarlberg, and Emperor’s Crown Trail in Tyrol.

Aqua Dome, Tirol, Austria

Thermen: Austrian Thermal Spas

A Therme is a thermal spa complex that houses thermal pools, various saunas, relaxation rooms, and restaurants. Austrians spend hours at Thermen, rotating between resting, sweating, rinsing, swimming, and eating.

Most Thermen are for all age groups, though the sauna area is designated for adults only. Bathing suits aren’t permitted in saunas for hygienic reasons, so be prepared to take it off and rock your birthday suit. Depending on the Therme, the saunas are either separated by gender or integrated. 

Here are some of Austria’s most famous thermal spas: Aqua Dome, Rogner Bad Blumau designed by Hundertwasser, and EurothermenResort Bad Ischl.

Innsbruck, Austria

Innsbruck

Situated in the Inn Valley between the Karwendel mountains and the Tux Alps, the capital of Tyrol is one of the most beautiful cities in the Alps.

In summer and early autumn, visitors can explore the many trails around Innsbruck including Wolfsklamm Gorge, Nockspitze Peak, Hundskopf Via Ferrata, and the Stone Pine Path.

For sightseeing, stay in the town center in Altstadthotel Weisses Kreuz. For a mountainside spa getaway near Innsbruck, stay in Nidum Casual Luxury Hotel. Read Where to Stay in Innsbruck to start planning your trip.

Drachensee, Tyrol, Austria

Tyrol

Tyrol (Tirol) is a magnet for nature lovers all-year-round. Year after year, skiers loyally return to St. Anton am Arlberg, Kitzbühel, Ischgl, and Sölden to relish Austria’s well-prepared pistes and notorious après-ski scene.

In summer and autumn, hikers flock to Mayrhofen, Lake Achensee, and Grosser Ahornboden to hike.

Some of our favorite Austrian day hikes are in Tyrol: Lake Drachensee, Olpererhütte, Seekarspitze – Seebergspitze Ridge Trail, and Gasital Valley – Rotmoosalm Hike.

Krampus Run in Salzburg, Austria

Advent Festivities: Christmas Markets and Krampus Runs 

In the Christian tradition, the Advent season refers to the four-week season of remembering and celebrating the arrival, or birth of Jesus. It’s the countdown to Christmas. 

If you visit Austria in early winter, you can experience Austria’s world-famous Christmas Markets as well as the hair-raising Krampuslauf tradition. 

A Krampuslauf, or “Krampus Run,” is a dramatic spectacle wherein elaborately costumed Krampus figures take part in a procession, led by Saint Nicholas.

Read our guide to Krampus Runs to find out what they are and how to see one. 

Learn more: Salzburg in December, Vienna in December, and Winter in Austria

Schafgafall, Lünersee, Vorarlberg, Austria

Vorarlberg

The westernmost state of Austria is a gorgeous alpine paradise brimming with dazzling destinations like Lake Lünersee and Lake Formarinsee.

Visit Lech am Arlberg and Brand to start exploring Vorarlberg’s best hiking trails

Tauplitzalm - Lake Steirersee Hiking Trail, Styria, Austria

Styria

Under-the-radar Steiermark has it all: wine-growing regions, towering mountains, national parks, charming towns, thermal spas, and ski resorts.

For wine, visit South Styria. For skiing, visit Schladming ski resort.

For hiking, visit Tauplitzalm in Salzkammergut, Hochschwab, Ramsau am Dachstein (5 Huts Trail), Gesäuse National Park, and Schladming, gateway to Schladminger Tauern.

Wiener Schnitzel lunch, Nidum Casual Luxury Hotel, Tyrol, Austria

What to Eat and Drink in Austria


Austrian Etiquette

Prost (Cheers).  In Austrian culture, it’s really important to make purposeful eye contact when you toast.  Say “Prost” or “Zum Wohl.” You should tap glasses with everyone within reach. There’s only one exception to the rule. When you drink Sturm, fermented grape juice, in a wine tavern, say “Mahlzeit.”

Mahlzeit (Bon appetite). You say Mahlzeit right before anyone at your table begins to eat. It means “enjoy your meal.”


Austrian Cuisine

Eierschwammerlgulasch is chanterelle mushroom goulash. This vegetarian dish is usually served with dumplings.

Tiroler Gröstl is pan-fried potatoes combined with beef, pork, and onions. A fried egg is served on top. This hearty meal is really popular in Tyrol.

Käsespätzle is cheesy egg noodles. Across the Austrian Alps, spätzle is sautéed with a variety of pungent mountain cheeses and garnished with fried onions and chives.

Kaspressknödelsuppe is cheese dumpling soup. One or two large flat-pressed dumplings, made with bread, eggs and cheese, are served in a clear broth soup.

Wiener Schnitzel is thin, breaded and pan fried cutlets of veal. Squeeze a slice of lemon on this quintessential Viennese dish before digging in. Traditional Wiener Schnitzel is always made with veal. Many restaurants also offer Schnitzel vom Schwein (pork), Schnitzel von der Pute (turkey), and Schnitzel vom Huhn (chicken). Schnitzel is typically served with an Austrian potato salad, or mixed salad.

Tafelspitz is boiled beef. This Viennese specialty was actually Emperor Franz Joseph’s favorite dish. The tender beef is served in a pot of broth with bone marrow. The dish is accompanied by sides of fried potato rosti, vegetables (spinach, string beans), horseradish and apple sauces.


Austrian Desserts

Kaiserschmarrn is shredded pancakes topped with powdered sugar and sometimes rum-soaked raisins. If you don’t want the raisins say, “Bitte ohne Rosinen.” Traditionally, it’s served with a side of plum sauce. 

Marillenknödel are apricot dumplings covered in powdered sugar, best sampled in the Wachau region of Lower Austria. 


Austrian Wine

If you want to order a glass of wine, you should say “ein Achtel” (an eighth of a liter), which is the common serving size.

Weisswein gespritzt is white wine mixed with sparkling water. If you like sweeter alcoholic drinks, order a Kaiserspritzer in Vienna, which is a Weisswein gespritzt with Holunderblütersirup (elderflower syrup).

Sturm is fermented grape juice that is only served in early autumn in wine taverns in Eastern Austria. Unlike all other alcoholic beverages, you don’t say Prost (Cheers) before drinking. Instead, you say Mahlzeit. If you make the mistake of saying Prost, there’s an unwritten rule that says you’re obliged to pay for a round of drinks.


Non-Alcoholic Austrian Beverages

Soda Zitrone is sparkling water with lemon juice.

Johannisbeersaft gespritzt is black currant juice mixed with sparkling water.

Marillensaft gespritzt is apricot juice mixed with sparkling water.

Almdudler is a carbonated lemonade (soda) flavored with alpine herbs.

Krampuslauf, Krampus Run in Salzburg, Austria

Getting around Austria


Public Transit

Austria has an excellent public transportation system, which you should absolutely take advantage of. Here are your options:

The ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways) is the #1 train transit system in Austria. 

WESTbahn is a train transit system that connects Vienna with western Austria. It’s an alternative to ÖBB. 

Wiener Linien (subway, trams, and buses) and the ÖBB (S-Bahn = trains) provide a very extensive public transportation system in Vienna.


Car

We recommend renting a car if you want to explore the Austrian Alps. Use these 3 road trip itineraries for inspiration:

We recommend using the Discovercars.com car rental reservation platform to search for and book car rentals in Europe. This easy-to-use booking platform compares car rental deals from 500+ trusted providers, so that you can choose the best option for your trip.

Tip: If you can only drive automatic transmission cars, as opposed to manual transmission cars (stick shift), book your car rental as early as possible.

Check car rental rates here

Important | If you’re driving into Austria from a neighboring country, you must purchase a vignette, a toll sticker. A vignette allows you to drive on the Austrian autobahn (highways). Learn more about purchasing a digital toll sticker here.


Bus

The most inexpensive way to travel through Austria is with Flixbus. These buses are punctual, clean, and provide wifi. 

Karwendel Mountains, Austria

Austria Facts 

Official Name |  Republik Österreich (Republic of Austria)

Capital | Wien (Vienna)

Government |  Federal Republic

Regions | Austria is divided into 9 states: (1) Vienna (Wien), (2) Lower Austria (Niederösterreich), (3) Upper Austria (Oberösterreich), (4) Styria (Steiermark), (5) Tyrol (Tirol), (6) Carinthia (Kärnten), (7) Salzburg, (8) Vorarlberg, and (9) Burgenland.

Population | 9 Million

Language | German. In specific regions, Croatian, Slovenian and Hungarian are recognized.

Currency | Euro

Tipping Etiquette | 5-10%, Cash Only.

Water Quality | Excellent

Something Interesting | The bodies of the Hapsburg Emperors are buried in three different burial sites in Vienna. Their intestines are stored in urns in St. Stephan’s Cathedral, their bodies are buried in the Kapuzinerkirche (Capuchin Church), and their hearts are buried in Augustinerkirche (Church of the Augustinians).

Austrian Saying | Nur net hudln. Don’t Rush. Take Your Time.

Lechtal Alps, Austria

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