Are you looking for the perfect destination for your next vacation? Look no further than Austria! Located in the heart of Europe, this landlocked country offers you stunning views, charming villages, and exciting activities. Hence, this beautiful country is the perfect place to explore and enjoy for a vacation, making it one of the best travel destinations in Europe. For that reason, we have compiled a list of the best things to do in Austria for your next exploration in Austria.
What are the best things to do in Austria?
- Stroll around Vienna
- Visit Salzburg
- Stay in Innsbruck
- Visit Hallstatt
- Ski in Arlberg
- Snowbomb in Mayrhofen
- Boat on the Zell am See Lake
- Hiking Boots in Tirol
- Climb the Grossglockner
- Go into the Eisriesenwelt
Stroll around Vienna
Vienna is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. So, you should put Vienna on the list of things to do in Austria. With stunning architecture, unique culture, and traditional restaurants and cafes, no wonder it attracts almost 4 million tourists each year! Vienna’s Baroque architecture is truly breathtaking. Everywhere you look, you will see opulent buildings, heavily decorated monuments, grand city palaces, museums, and music venues scattered around the capital city.
For instance, explore the 13th-century-old Hofburg Palace and see the collections held inside. Or visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Schönbrunn Palace. Do not forget to enjoy orchestra or other music events while you are here. After a day of sightseeing, spare your time to enjoy the best of Vienna’s restaurants and cafes. Some have been around for hundreds of years, welcoming guests from near and far with traditional Viennese cuisine.
Visit Salzburg
Salzburg is a historic city with various cultural events and iconic architecture. It is a popular tourist destination, famous for being the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Visiting Salzburg is one of the top-rated things to do in Austria because there are many tourist attractions you can enjoy and explore. For example, visit Mozart’s family home, Salzburger Dom (cathedral), the Residence Palace, St. Peter’s Abbey and Cemetery, and Café Tomaselli.
Furthermore, have you ever watched the 1965 movie “The Sound of Music”? The old musical movie was actually filmed in Salzburg. Therefore, Salzburg is one of the great destinations for movie fans to visit. There are even some tours you can join to learn more and even stroll around the city of Salzburg to visit the film sets of the musical movie. So, visiting Salzburg is one of the best things to do in Austria that you should not miss out on.
Stay in Innsbruck
Innsbruck, located in the picturesque Inn Valley of Tirol, is a historic town surrounded by high mountains with abundant historic monuments, museums, and vibrant urban life. The capital of Tirol is a great destination for winter sports, making it a great holiday destination for those who want to explore, discover, learn and have fun outdoors. Thus, you should put visiting Innsbruck on your list of the best things to do in Austria.
Winter season is the best time to visit Innsbruck. You must visit its charming Christmas market, with its gilded alcove balcony known as the Golden Roof providing a traditional magnetic atmosphere. More into an outdoor adventure? Its 16th-century Ambras Castle and the Bergisel Ski Jump provide great city views. Ski slopes surround the town and offer plenty of chances to get active in the crisp Alpine air, which will be the best outdoor experience you will ever have.
Visit Hallstatt
Dating back thousands of years ago, Hallstatt is a picturesque village nestled along the banks of the Hallstätter lake. The beauty of Hallstatt is unparalleled. The Alpine mountains in the background, the colorful buildings, and the sunsets across the lake make it a photographer’s dream. Moreover, its impressive salt mine, underground salt lake, and the Dachstein Giant Ice Cave offer stunning photo opportunities.
Visiting Hallstatt is one of the most impressive things to do in Austria because Hallstatt attracts skiers and snowboarders looking to take advantage of the snow and mountains during the winter. Besides, you can also engage in activities such as hiking, biking, boating, and swimming in the lake in the summer. Remember to spare time to go to the 5fingers viewing platform, 400 meters above the ground. Then, adore the magnificent views of the snow-covered Alps in this place.
Ski in St. Anton am Arlberg
Many popular ski resorts are entrenched in the Arlberg mountain range, popularly known as the cradle of skiing in the Alps. The Arlberg ski resort is a favorite amongst both professionals and beginners. The Ski Club Arlberg is one of the oldest ski clubs in the world. Therefore, it made it to the list of Europe’s most popular ski destinations. So, if you love winter sports, skiing in St. Anton am Arlberg is one of the things to do in Austria.
Surrounded by mighty peaks, St. Anton am Arlberg offers you 305 kilometers of groomed pistes. In addition, there are 200 kilometers of off-pister with deep-powder runs. With this condition, the place is a perfect destination for both beginner and advanced skiers. If you only want to adore the beauty of St. Anton am Arlberg without putting more effort, you can use the cable cars and ski lifts to go to every corner of the ski resort.
Snowbomb in Mayrhofen
If you want a unique and exciting way to spend your April vacation, come to Mayrhofen for a week-long festival filled with music, events, and activities! Not only does the picturesque Alps provide a stunning backdrop for the festivities, but you can also get a taste of the Ibiza-like atmosphere that draws in European youth year after year, making it one of the best things to do in Austria during the early spring season.
Moreover, are you an adrenaline junkie? You can also get involved in the “Ride & Seek” competition. The “Ride & Seek” competition allows you to witness professionals pull off amazing stunts in the snow. More importantly, you can also try to ski and snowboard the Mayrhofen ski area yourself if you want to! Sounds enthralling, right? So, if you like this kind of activity, you should not miss out on this one-of-a-kind experience.
Boat on the Zell am See Lake
Zell am See is a stunning lake in Austria, measuring only four kilometers long and one and a half kilometers wide. If you love water sports, this place is a one-go-to place and one of the best things to do in Austria. Boating is popular here, with kayaks, canoes, and electric boats permitted. Unfortunately, motorized boats are not allowed. It is to maintain the cleanliness and serenity of the area.
However, you can still enjoy sailing, stand-up paddling, and pedal boating in the Zell am See Lake. Even more, you can also enjoy the beaches around the lake. More interestingly, amenities such as heated pools and water trampolines are available. The nearby town of Zell am See offers plenty of dining options and hiking trails on the lake’s forested slopes. In winter, the lake freezes and becomes an ideal spot for ice skating.
Hiking in Tirol
Are you an avid hiker? If so, you certainly do not want to miss out on this one of the best things to do in Austria. From short day hikes to long-distance treks, the Tirol region is especially renowned for its extensive network of marked trails, spanning over 24,000 kilometers. It will be one of the best hiking journeys in your lifetime. However, you must notice that the total elevation gain comes in at 31,000 meters, which might be challenging.
However, if you are not up for the full 413-kilometer Eagle Walk across the Lechtal Alps, you can still enjoy the hut-to-hut route, split into more manageable sections. Additionally, there are also plenty of easier trails to explore. For instance, you can go to the Gschlößtal Valley or Ahornspitze. Both places provide a ride up via the mountain’s cable car. So, you can still see the true beauty of Tirol from above with less effort than hiking.
Climb the Grossglockner
Standing 3,800 meters tall, the Grossglockner, a pyramid-shaped summit in Austria, is the country’s highest peak, boasting a large glacier. Although it sounds pretty tough to climb on, it can still be accessed easily to climb it. The difficulty of the ascent can range from a Class II, which is scrambling and possibly using your hands or crawling, but no equipment necessary, to a Class IV+, depending on the route and weather conditions.
Do not worry if you are not an experienced climber. Climbing the Grossglockner is still one of the best things to do in Austria. You can attempt the ascent in the summer months, which is much easier than wintertime. Also, join a program or a guided tour to ensure a safe and successful climb. Additionally, you can also spend overnight at the Stüdl-Hütte refuge at 2,801 meters. This way, you can spare time and energy for some breaks over the journey.
Go into the Eisriesenwelt
Looking for a unique adventure? Going on a trip to Eisriesenwelt is one of the best things to do in Austria. Eisriesenwelt is the world’s biggest ice cave. Located about 40 kilometers outside Salzburg, this 42-kilometer-long cave will take your breath away with its spectacular ice formations and frigid temperatures. Moreover, you can even explore inside Eisriesenwelt and witness the hidden beauty of the cave.
Guided sightseeing tours are the only way to enter the cave and provide fascinating information about the cave’s formation. Inside, you can discover its tower-like stalagmite and a 25-meter-tall ice formation. Moreover, there is even the Ice Palace, which is an icy room 400 meters underground. With its magnificence and mystery, Eisriesenwelt is an unforgettable experience you will have in your life.
As you can see, there is no shortage of things to do in Austria. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing vacation or an action-packed adventure, this beautiful country has something for everyone. JoinMyTrip has a lot of upcoming trips to Austria and the world. Guided by our experienced TripLeaders, you can enjoy your vacation without hassle. So what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and start planning your trip to Austria today!
