Austria is a country in Central Europe, which is also known for its iconic architecture, natural beauty, and its mountainous Alpine surroundings. Places to visit in Austria will make a perfect vacation destination for visitors.
There are thousands of travelers who visit the country for winter sports enthusiasts to ski and snowboard on the slopes of the Austrian Alps.
But that doesn’t mean the only attraction is snow-related. In fact, Austria has some historic architecture in all Europe and myriad towns and cities with their own unique cultural feel. Austria is one of the most beautiful countries on the European Continent. One of the best European cities to visit in winter.
15 Best Places To Visit Austria
- Salzburg
- Vienna
- Zell Am See
- Innsbruck
- Hochosterwitz Castle
- Hallstatt And The Dachstein Salzkammergut
- The Grossglockner Alpine Road
- Graz
- Bad Gastein
- Wachau
- Alpbach
- Worthersee
- Finkenberg
- Eisriesenwelt
- St Anton Am Arlberg
- Worthersee
1. Salzburg
Salzburg is located in central Austria, near the German border, Salzburg is a historic city, which gives you a variety of cultural events and historic architecture.
The city also has wonderful arts, and it hosts approximately 4,000 cultural events every year.
Salzburg is probably best known as the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Salzburg is one of the best places for all music lovers.
The tourists are also very attracted to see the iconic scene from the movie “The Sound Of Music”.
The old town Aldsten with its stunning baroque building is a UNESCO world heritage site.
Things To Do In Salzburg
- Hellbrunn Palace
- Nonnberg Abbey
- Salzburg Cathedral
2. Vienna
Vienna is the largest city and capital of Austria, it is popular for grand palaces and museums. It attracts almost 4 million tourists every year, the city still holds more than 200 balls each year.
The city is also known for classical composers such as Mozart, Brahms, Beethoven, and Schubert. And gaze in wonder at the world-famous opera house.
You can also visit the Hofburg Imperial Palace, which houses the Hapsburg ruler’s imperial jewelry, and the Kunsthistorisches, a museum that has an outstanding collection of painting.
Vienna is also very famous for its restaurants, cafes, and that count the hundred years of history. Vienna is one of the most beautiful cities in Austria.
Things To See In Vienna
- Hofburg Imperial Palace
- Opera House
- St. Stephen’s Cathedral
- Schonbrunn & Belvedere Palace
- Kunsthistorisches
3. Zell am See
Zell is See lies in the state of Salzburg, it is surrounded by majestic alpine mountains, world-class ski slopes, and tranquil blue lakes.
It is one of the most gorgeous places in Austria, It provides Austria finest sailing, hiking, mountain biking, scenic driving, and skiing.
It gives the tourists a chance to take a casual stroll on his elevated panoramic road. When you saw the blue sky is reflected in such clear Lake, it’s hard for nature to not fall in love with this piece of beauty.
In Innsbruck, Every year more than a million visitors from around the world visit Zell Am See, in search of new sites and a new adventure.
Things To Do In Zell Am See
- Lake Zell
- Zell am See-Kaprun
- Schmittenhöhe
- Zell am See esplanade
- Pinzgauer Lokalbahn
- Elisabeth Park
- Casino Zell am See
- Tauern Spa Straße
4. Innsbruck
Innsbruck is the capital Austria western state of Tyrol and the fifth-largest city in Austria. Tourists are not only attracted to winter sports, but it also gives the Tyrolean Folk Art Museum, one of the finest museum for regional heritage.
And Innsbruck has world-renowned ski resorts which can be enjoyed in the winter. It is one of Austria’s most scenic cities.
Tourists can also enjoy going hiking up the gorgeous meadows, bungee jumping, or take the thrilling funicular ride up Nordkette Mountain Range.
It is widely known for its winter sports, it even has hosted a few Winter Olympic, the city gives you a great ski experience. It is one of the most magical places in Austria in winter.
Things to do in Innsbruck
- Goldenes Dachl
- Hofburg
- Triumphal Arch
- Ambras Castle
- Court Church
- Bergisel Ski Jump
- Alpine Zoo Innsbruck
- Nordkette Cable Car
5. Hochosterwitz Castle
Hochosterwitz Castle is the most impressive castle in Austria, It’s hailed one of the most magnificent Citadels in all of Europe. The castle is built on a 172-meter-high dolomite rock.
Nestled on a rough patch towering rock, the castle gives an excellent view of the famous Salzachtal valley. It gives pollution-free air up top in an open environment.
Deep inside the castle’s dungeons sits the gruesome instruments of the medieval era — a sultry remembrance of the proximate past.
Tourists can walk along through the 14 defensive gates to the beautiful arcade courtyard where you’ll find the little chapel with its wall and ceiling paintings.
Things to Do Near Hochosterwitz Castle
- Salzachtal Valley
- Neuer Platz and the Dragon Fountain
- Happ Reptile Zoo
6. Hallstatt And The Dachstein Dachstein Mountains
Salzkammergut is an Austria wonderful resort area surrounded by serene blue lakes, verdant hill, and snow-peaked mountain ranges. It situated by lake Hallstatt and included on UNESCO world heritage sites.
Outdoor activities are prominent in this area, including mountaineering, horseback riding, swimming, and cycling. It serves countries as one of the prime tourist destinations.
It is also very famous for its luxurious spa and resorts, and the ice caves and salt caves are also worth visiting and are truly spectacular.
Top things to do in Dachstein Mountains
- Mirabell Palace
- Fortress Hohensalzburg
- Gosauseen
- Reiteralm
- Salt mine Hallstatt Austria
- Krippenstein
- 5 Fingers
- Hoher Dachstein
7. The Grossglockner Alpine Road
The Grossglockner is the highest mountain in Austria, this road is right in front of Hohe Tauern National Park. It is one of the most beautiful roads in Europe.
The road is around 22 kilometers along the mountain at an altitude of more than 2,000 meters. And you can take the best view of Grossglockner road at the height of 3,798 meters.
The interesting fact of the pyramid-shaped peak itself, which actually is made of two pinnacles. And this is not a difficult mountain to climb.
Grossglockner road is wind past alpine meadows, thundering waterfalls, imposing cliffs and snowfield that remain frozen even in the summer.
If you are love climbing then you must take the experience in this mountain, it attracts around 1 million tourists each year.
The road is mainly open for the beginning of May to the end of October.
Things To See Near Alpine Road
- Franz-Josefs-Höhe Viewpoint
8. Graz
Graz is the second-largest city in Austria after Vienna, also is known as a city of students, with six universities having almost 60,000 students.
Graz has one of the best-preserved old towns in central Europe, which reflects the culture of the Balkan States and Italy.
The historic center was added to the UNESCO list of world heritage sites. There has a number of museums, impressive baroque & renaissance style buildings, and a unique forested hill.
Things To Do in Graz
- Eggenberg Palace
- Kunsthaus
- Altstadt Von Graz
- Hauptplatz
- Graz Cathedral
- Clock Tower
- Landeszeughaus
- Murinsel
- Schloßberg
9. Bad Gastein
Bad Gastein is located in St. Johann im Pongau district of the state of Salzburg, Austria. It is popular for the Gastein Waterfall and a variety of Belle Epoque hotel buildings and Enticing Fir Forests.
Bad Gastein gives the best experience, who like to Skiing/Snowboarding in winter, hiking or biking in the mountain trails.
It is the best place for Spas, health resort and natural springs that have made the Gastein Valley a major international tourist destination.
Things To Do In Bad Gastein
- Molltaler Gletscher
- Stubnerkogel
- Schreck
- Graukogel
- Mölltaler Gletscher
10. Wachau
Wachau is an Austrian valley, Which lies on the bank of the Danube river. It one of the most attractive tourist destinations in northeastern Austria.
Wachau is known for producing the best dry wet wine in the world. This place is also very famous for the large number of medieval fortresses, monasteries, and castles.
It has been designated a UNESCO world heritage site, because of its natural beauty and culture.
The valley has more than 500 historic monuments. And this spot is one of the best places to visit in Austria.
Top Things To Do in Wachau
- Aggstein Castle
- Dürnstein
- Melk Abbey
- Spitz an der Donau
- Grafenegg Castle
- Göttweig Abbey
11. Alpbach
Alpbach is a town in Austria in the state of Tyrol, Alpbach is one of the prettiest villages in Austria. The village is situated in between majestic snow-capped mountains and allows access to the perfect ski slopes.
Alpbach resorts sit more than 1,000 meters up in the Tyrolean Alps. And its Surrounded by blooming meadows of buttercups, poppies and rock jasmine by summer.
It becomes heaven for skiers, with more than 145 kilometers of groomed skiing runs by winter.
Things to do in Alpbach
- St. Oswald Church
- Gratlspitze
- Großer Beil
- Großer Galtenberg
- Wiedersberger Horn
- Schatzberg
- Lauserland
- Alpbacher
- Church Alpbachtal
12. Worthersee
Worthersee is Carinthia’s biggest lake, and it is one of Austria’s most famous summer destinations.
This beautiful lake gives opportunities for swimming, boating, and canoeing in the summer months.
The Water surface can reach up to 25 C in summer, in winter, the region is often covered with snow and approximately every 10 years the lake freezes over and attracting numerous ice skaters.
And one of the most interesting parts is that it is the hometown of Porsche. Or while vintage car enthusiasts may enjoy a visit to Gmund, and Villach Automotive Museum with its collection of cars, motorcycles and more.
Things To Do In Worthersee
- Wörthersee Lake
- Casino Velden
- Hafnersee
- Garden Europe
- Minimundus
- Reptilienzoo Happ
- Pyramidenkogel
13. Finkenberg
Finkenberg is the largest municipality in Zillateral Valley, This village is situated in the rear Zillertal valley where the Tuxertal valley begins.
A tour of Austria cannot be complete without a visit to Finkenberg until you see the rustic settings in the Tavern and the houses, thick snow sheets, thick clouds during the winter.
The Finkenberger Almbahn takes you on the Penken mountain, which is a popular hiking and skiing area in winter. And During winter, It is the most beautiful place in Austria.
Things To Do In Finkenberg
- Hintertux Glacier
- Hochsteg Brücke bridge
14. Eisriesenwelt
The Eisriesenwelt is a natural limestone and ice cave lies in Werfen, Austria. At 42 km long it is the biggest ice cave in the world.
It is one of the most important ice caves in the world and easily allows anyone to explore and admire it.
While winding along the Great Ice Wall, you’ll be confronted by the massive Hymir Hall with its impressive ice formations and icicles.
Stone steps lead to the Visitor, or Ice Gate, a spectacular 1,775-meter-high wall of ice, and the great Ice Palace.
Things To Do Near Eisriesenwelt
- Great Ice Palace
- Hymir Hall
15. St Anton Am Arlberg
St Anton Am Arlberg is one of the best ski resorts in Austria, which is located in the state of Tyrol. And the resorts provide wonder trails, gear, and impeccable services.
This resort boasts almost 100 chairlifts that bring skiers up as high as 2,811 meters. And the resorts have luxurious spas, an indoor rock climbing center and plenty of excellent restaurants.
The Ski Club Alberg is one of the oldest ski clubs in the world, whose members include Olympic and World Champions.
Things to See Near St Anton am Arlberg
- Verwallstube
- St Anton Museum
16. Worthersee
Worthersee is one of the most beautiful places in Austria. It is in the south of Austria, a very unique lake of its kind in the world. Lake Worthersee is covering an area of 90 sq Kilometers.
It is one of the most popular bathing lakes. It is also a magnet for art and artists, they come here for the inspiration it gives which is the meeting point of man and nature. It is not like any other lake.
This lake has 2 Islands, You can also visit these islands and get the best out of nature. It has a much important conservation area as well. It is one of the warmest water lakes. It only freezes over when the winter is too much.
Conclusion
Hope this post gives you an idea of your travel planning to visit Austria. And there is so much more to experience this beautiful country and in Europe Too.
So if you’re looking for one week or longer vacations, Austria is one of the best places to visit in winter. And you must visit Austria, it is a great tourist destination in Europe Continent.
I hope this blog had helped you to select the right place for your visit to the Austria. These are handpicked best places, you can give a try to all the places enlisted. You will get different cultures blending together in this big European country. You will never regret the time spent in such an amazing place.
Thanks for reading…
