The 16 most beautiful places to visit in Austria

Are you attracted to Austria? Discover the most beautiful places to visit during your next adventure in Central Europe!

If you have planned to go to the discovery of Austria, know that this is an excellent idea! From its illustrious history, Austria retains sublime buildings, dazzling architecture, as well as places of culture and an ever-thinking spirit, attests to the modern art that closes the old in the capital, in Graz and Linz. This cultural and historical aspect is also complemented by breathtaking mountain landscapes, magnificent lakes, picturesque villages, snow-capped peaks where winter skiing and deep valleys to discover on foot or mountain biking in the summer. What is certain if you come to Austria is that you will not be bored!

So if you have planned to visit Austria, here is our list of the 16 most beautiful places you should absolutely discover in this fascinating country!

1. Vienna

Visiting Austria without discovering the imperial, its sublime capital, is unthinkable! Vienna is one of the historical hearts of Europe.

Formerly, the capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, it houses architectural and cultural jewels, such as the Imperial Palace of the Hofburg , Belvedere Palace , Stephansdom or Hundertwasser's fancy house. In addition to visiting its emblematic monuments, don’t miss discovering the exciting museums of the MuseumsQuartier, enjoying a classical music concert at Kursalon de Vienne or an opera show, or walk on the Danube.

2. Hallstatt

After the capital, one of the most charming places to visit in Austria is obviously the village of Hallstatt , a jewel deposited at Lake Hallstättersee. Inscribed to Unesco’s world heritage since 1997, it is known for its pastel-colored houses, its postcard decors and its surrounding wonderful landscapes. This typical Austrian village also houses a site of the Iron Age, from the civilization to which it was named, the civilization of Hallstatt.

3. Salzkammergut

Region hosting Hallstatt, Salzkammergut is the perfect place to discover natural landscapes. One of the peculiarities of the region is this alternation of soft hills, large plains and serene with steep mountains whose cliffs suddenly fall into deep and calm lakes.

Salzkammergut also offers many opportunities to walk or to practice sports activities. For example, you can indulge in water sports on the lakes of Mondsee and Gosau, or walk in the tourist village of Sankt Wolfgang , which is almost as pretty as Hallstatt.

4. The Dachstein massif

Located close to Hallstatt, the Dachstein massif is known for its ice caves, another must-see tourist place in the region. From the city of Obertaun, a cable car will take you to the cave entrance.

You can admire the Rieseneishöhle (Great Ice Grotto) with its "Royal Arthur Cathedral" and its "Ice Palace", but also the mammoth Cave (Mammuthöhle). You can then take the cable car back to The 5 Fingers, a panoramic platform offering stunning views of the mountains and Lake Hallstättersee! The most expensive ones can also visit the Treppe ins Nichts (near staircase), a suspended bridge and a glass floor observation platform that offers spectacular views of the surrounding Alps.

5. Salzburg

To enjoy Salzburg, nothing better than walking in the middle of its colorful houses and along the river. A typical Austrian city, she saw the illustrious Mozart born! Nestled between the mountains, it is protected by the impressive fortress of Hohensalzburg , where you expect a striking panorama of the city. Anime, coquette and picturesque, Salzburg is also known for its prestigious music festival: the Salzburg Festival, which takes place from mid-July to early September.

6. The Grossglockner

If you come to visit Austria, don’t miss out on the mythical route of Grossglockner, only accessible from May to November. Connecting the Salzburg region to the Carinthia, it offers exceptional views of the mountain range of the Hohe Tauern. A 48-kilometre long and 36 pin corners, you will find viewpoints, car parks, restaurants and information points.

In the region, you can hike, observe local inhabitants as beautiful marmots and especially discover the Grossglockner the highest summit in Austria!

7. Château d’Hochosterwitz

What to do in Austria? Come and discover one of the most impressive medieval castles in the country. Located on a peak of 175 meters high, this huge castle is located not far from the charming city of Klagenfurt . From its ramparts you will have a sublime view of the surrounding area. The bravest will be able to reach the castle on foot!

8. Graz

If you have planned to visit Austria, you can’t miss Graz! Capital of the Styria and second city of the country, Graz is renowned for its universities and for its rich cultural life. Inscribed to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, its Old Town houses one of the most beautiful Renaissance ensembles in Central Europe. During your stay, you can discover the Eggenberg Castle , the Cathedral and its mausoleum or the amazing Kunsthaus Graz Museum of Fine Arts!

9. Grüner See

Here is a really special place to visit in Austria! “ Lake Green Indeed, only once a year is filled with snow melting. Located at the foot of the snowy mountains of the Hochschwab, it is only deep one or two meters in winter. Its surroundings are then a natural park, appreciated by hikers.

During the summer, it reaches its maximum depth of about 12 meters. This is the perfect time to discover it in scuba diving. You can then observe beautiful grassy flowers, in full bloom under the water, but also benches, bridge and hiking trails! If you plan to visit Austria in June, don’t miss this unique place.

10. Tyrol

Direction Tyrol a mountainous and emblematic region of Austria. This is the most visited country. It is particularly known for its folklore, traditions, preserved culture and typical architecture. It is also the paradise of winter sports. Tyrol has several hundred kilometres of ski slopes. And when you know the quality of this ski area, you can only enjoy it without stopping! In summer, Tyrol does not lack splendour. You can admire beautiful landscapes during hiking or cycling.

11. Innsbruck

During your visit to Tyrol, visit the charming medieval town of Innsbruck, the destination for winter sports. Enjoy your visit to admire his Mausolée by Emperor Maximilian I or to discover his Imperial Palace. The city is also home to a cable car accessible to all, which reaches an altitude of 2,256 metres in the Alps! Up there you can enjoy the panorama, start a hike in the summer or enjoy winter sports!

12. Linz

After Vienna and Graz, Linz is the third most populous city and the capital of Upper Austria. Particularly modern and contemporary, it has a superb historic centre, with a beautiful central square, Renaissance buildings and charming cafés. During your stay, do not miss visiting the new Cathedral Mariendom the largest in Austria! At the top of the bell tower, you will enjoy a breathtaking view of all Linz.

13. Melk Abbey

Located on a rocky grove, above the Danube , the abbey of Melk is one of the most beautiful examples of the Austrian baroque in full glory. If you are visiting Austria, don’t miss this unique historic and cultural site just 1 hour from Vienna. Inside, you can admire its church, the imperial apartments converted into a museum, and especially its impressive library that made its fame!

14. Feldkirch

What to do in Austria? Visit more picturesque cities, of course! Ranked to UNESCO’s World Heritage and Historic Monument, Feldkirch is the best preserved medieval city of Vorarlberg. At the cross between Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany and Italy, it is known for its preserved medieval charm.

You can admire many buildings of this time, such as the Schattenburg Castle, the cat tower (Katzenturm), a Romanesque cathedral and ancient ramparts. The city also hosts the Poolbar Festival, a music festival that drains more than 20,000 visitors every year and lasts 6 weeks in July and August! You will see it by visiting it, Feldkirch animates and vibrates with joy as soon as the first rays of the sun come to embrace it.

15. Bregenz

Located on the right bank of Lake Constance and at the foot of the German Alps , Bregenz is the perfect city to visit the beautiful region of Lake Constance and Voralberg, where Feldkirch is also located. Each summer, it also hosts a festival, the Bregenz Festival, which is more traditional and honours classical music.

16. Abbaye de Saint-Florian

To finish this list of the most beautiful places to visit in Austria, why not discover the largest and most famous baroque abbey in the country? Situated near Linz , it is one of the oldest abbeys in the active world. Inside, you can only be marvelled in front of its huge library of 150,000 books, richly decorated, as well as its organ of Bruckner and its 7343 pipes!