The best things to do in Austria sit across a country that keeps exceeding expectations at every turn.
Imperial palaces built over centuries, alpine villages perched above glacial lakes, salt mines older than recorded history, and coffee houses where time genuinely slows down. In fact, Austria holds more within its borders than most travellers account for on a first visit:
This guide covers all 13, with the specific detail that actually makes planning work with your Austria tourist visa from UK.
| Detail | What You Need to Know |
| Country | Austria (Österreich), Central Europe; landlocked and borders eight neighboring nations |
| Capital | Vienna (Wien); cultural and political heart with a population growing past 2.04 million as of recent census records. |
| Official Language | German; English is widely spoken in service sectors, hotels, restaurants, and main tourist areas. |
| Currency | Euro (€); widely accepted card networks include Visa and Mastercard, but carrying cash is essential for small mountain huts, rural bakeries, and coin-operated parking meters. |
| Time Zone | Central European Time (CET / UTC+1); observes Daylight Saving Time (CEST / UTC+2) from late March to late October. |
| Getting There | Direct flights connect major UK hubs like London to Vienna International Airport (VIE) in approximately 2 hours 15 minutes. Alternative entry hubs include Salzburg and Munich. |
| Best Time to Visit | Shoulder seasons (April–May and September–October) offer mild weather and fewer crowds; winter (November–March) is best for world-class Alpine skiing and traditional Christmas markets. |
| Getting Around | Efficiently connected by ÖBB Railjet and regional trains; a rental car is unnecessary unless you plan to explore remote Alpine trailheads. Note: Highways require a toll sticker (Vignette). |
| UNESCO Sites | Home to 12 total UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Hallstatt-Dachstein landscape, Salzburg Historic Centre, Semmering Railway, and the Palace and Gardens of Schönbrunn. |
| Average Daily Budget | €80–€150 per day for mid-range travel; covers sit-down meals, public transit passes, and museum entry fees, excluding accommodation and international flights. |
| Recommended Stay | 5 to 7 days for a core imperial city itinerary (Vienna, Salzburg); 10 to 14 days for a comprehensive cross-country circuit including the Tyrol and Salzkammergut lake regions. |
Austria’s reputation rests on three interconnected elements: imperial history, classical music, and alpine landscapes. Vienna served as the capital of the Habsburg Empire for over six centuries, producing the concentration of Baroque architecture, grand museums, and ceremonial culture still visible across the city today. Salzburg is the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, born there in 1756, and its Austrian culture extends well beyond that single legacy to encompass theatre, opera, and the annual Salzburg Festival, which draws performing arts audiences from across the world every summer.
The Austrian Alps cover approximately 62 per cent of the country’s total land area, placing dramatic mountain scenery at the centre of Austria’s geographic character. Visitors encounter this alongside centuries of classical music traditions, coffeehouse culture — where a Wiener Melange is effectively a social institution — and hearty regional cuisine.
Austria holds 12 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, among the highest concentrations in Central Europe, and several rank among the most beautiful places in Austria to visit.
The most significant Austria tourist attractions in this category include:
Interesting fact: The Semmering Railway, which opened in the 1854, is widely recognised as the world’s first true mountain railway and has held the UNESCO World Heritage status since 1998, according to the UNESCO.
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The 13 experiences below cover Austria’s four primary travel regions: Vienna, Salzburg, the Salzkammergut lake district, and Tyrol. Each can be reached by public transport and woven into a five-to-ten-day Austria itinerary without hiring a car.
Vienna concentrates more Austria tourist attractions per square kilometre than any other city in the country, most within or close to the historic First District — making it the natural starting point for any visit. The best things to do in Vienna span imperial palaces, world-renowned concert halls, and a coffeehouse culture with UNESCO recognition.
Schönbrunn Palace, the former summer residence of the Habsburg dynasty, sits 5 kilometres southwest of Vienna’s city centre and is reachable via the U4 underground line (Schönbrunn station) in under 20 minutes from Karlsplatz. The palace encompasses 1,441 rooms and receives over two million visitors annually, making it Austria’s most visited cultural attraction.
To see the historic interiors, book the Grand Tour (40-room itinerary) directly on the authorised Imperial Tickets platform — adult tickets cost approximately €38 in peak season; verify current rates before booking. The palace gardens extend across 160 hectares, include the hilltop Gloriette monument with panoramic views across Vienna’s skyline, and are entirely free to enter. Arriving before 9:30 AM on a weekday avoids the heaviest tour groups, particularly in July and August.
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The Hofburg served as the Habsburg winter residence from the 13th century until 1918 and now houses the Imperial Apartments, the Silver Collection, and the Sisi Museum. A combined entry ticket for all three sections costs €25.50 per adult.
The adjacent Spanish Riding School operates as a separate institution within the complex. The most affordable way to experience it is the public Morning Exercise (Morgenarbeit), where the famous Lipizzaner stallions train to classical music at a fraction of the evening performance price. Directly behind the Hofburg lies the Burggarten, a public park home to the city’s most photographed Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart statue.
The coffeehouse tradition of Vienna holds recognition from the UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, acknowledging its role as a genuine social institution rather than just another tourist trap. The Café Central on Herrengasse, dating back to the1876, operates beneath grand vaulted ceilings in a former stock exchange building.
When visiting a traditional café, look for a table not marked Reserviert, wait for the Herr Ober (waiter) to take your order, and enjoy a classic Wiener Melange paired with an Apfelstrudel (typically costing between €12 and €17 combined). Traditional Austrian food extends beyond café pastries to :
The Vienna State Opera stages over 300 performances per season. Standing room tickets (Stehplatz) start at €13 to €15, released online at 10:00 AM on the day of performance — the most accessible entry point for budget-conscious travellers. The physical box office on Operngasse opens 60 minutes before curtain.
If you secure a standing position on the Stehparterre (ground floor), the local convention is to tie a scarf or ribbon to your rail to hold your spot during intermissions. Evening performances carry a smart-casual dress expectation; standing room is more relaxed.
For classical music in Vienna beyond the Opera, daytime matinée concerts at the Musikverein, home of the Vienna Philharmonic — or free outdoor opera screenings during summer are both strong additions to any visit. All of these are some of the best things to do in Austria for first-time visitors!
Salzburg sits 300 kilometres west of Vienna, reachable via the ÖBB Railjet in approximately 2 hours 30 minutes from Wien Hauptbahnhof, with advance Sparschiene fares from €29. The best things to do in Salzburg are concentrated within the UNESCO-protected Altstadt, all walkable from a single base.
Salzburg’s Altstadt earned UNESCO World Heritage status in 1997 as one of the best-preserved Baroque city centres in the German-speaking world. The historic core is tightly contained between the Salzach River and the steep Mönchsberg cliff face, centring on the grand Domplatz and the pedestrianised Getreidegasse.
Dominating the skyline is the Hohensalzburg Fortress, perched on the Festungsberg cliff above the city. Accessible via the funicular railway, a Basic Ticket with Funicular costs €15.50 per adult; an All-Inclusive pass including the Prince’s Chambers costs €19.20. The ramparts provide a panoramic lookout across the Altstadt rooftops and the sweeping alpine basin below. To avoid the tour groups that congest Getreidegasse, plan your exploration on a weekday morning before 11:00 AM.
Located at Getreidegasse 9, Mozart’s Birthplace (Mozarts Geburtshaus) is open daily with a standard adult entry fee of €15. The bright yellow townhome contains original historical instruments, early childhood correspondence, and personal artefacts from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s formative years in Salzburg.
Travellers with a deeper musicological interest should add Mozart’s Residence (Mozart-Wohnhaus) on Makartplatz, where the composer lived during his later years in the city. A combined ticket for both properties is available from the Mozarteum Foundation for €23 per adult. Outside peak summer season, the adjacent Mozartplatz — home to the city’s 1842 commemorative statue — serves as a practical navigation point through the historic centre.
Insider Travel Tip: If you plan to visit the Fortress and both Mozart properties, skip individual tickets. The official Salzburg Card covers full entry to all major sights and all local public transport for a single daily rate from approximately €35 — verify current pricing at salzburg.info before booking.
The Salzkammergut region sits beautifully between Salzburg and Linz, packing over 70 distinct alpine lakes into a compact mountain landscape. It is one of the most scenically concentrated regions in Central Europe for an iconic day trip or short stay.
Hallstatt is a lakeside village of approximately 800 permanent residents, compressed into a narrow shelf of land between the sheer Dachstein mountain face and the Hallstätter See. The entire settlement holds UNESCO World Heritage designation, awarded in 1997 as part of the Hallstatt-Dachstein/Salzkammergut Cultural Landscape. Among the best things to do in Hallstatt, exploring the village on foot and visiting the salt mine are the most rewarding.
To get here, take the regional train to the unstaffed Hallstatt Bahnhof on the opposite bank of the lake. From the platform, walk to the pier and board the Hallstättersee-Schifffahrt ferry, timed to connect with the main train arrivals during the operating season. The 10-minute crossing costs €4.00 one way (€8.00 return) and is cash-only. Vehicle parking inside the village is heavily restricted and group tour buses require pre-booked timed slots; independent travellers arriving by train and ferry face no entry restrictions.
Perched above the village is the Hallstatt Salt Mine (Salzwelten), in continuous operation for over 7,000 years. A standard adult ticket covering the funicular railway and guided underground tour costs €49.00. This also grants access to the Skywalk viewing platform, positioned 350 metres above the village with panoramic views across the Hallstätter See.
The broader lake district encompasses the Wolfgangsee, Mondsee, and Traunsee — each with a distinct alpine character and reachable via regional Postbus lines or trains from Salzburg.
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Innsbruck, the capital of Tyrol, sits deep within the Inn valley with the Nordkette mountain range rising steeply to the north and the Patscherkofel summit to the south, giving the city one of the most distinctive mountain settings of any European urban centre.
The Goldenes Dachl (Golden Roof) on Herzog-Friedrich-Straße is the city’s most recognised landmark. Built in 1500 under Emperor Maximilian I, it is decorated with 2,657 gilded copper tiles. The surrounding historic core is compact enough to explore comfortably on foot in a morning, with the Court Church (Hofkirche) and the grand imperial palace within easy walking distance.
Entry to the historic Imperial Palace Innsbruck costs €16.00 per adult. At the southern end of Maria-Theresien-Straße sits the Triumphal Arch (Triumphpforte). Regularly passed without pause by visitors focused on the historic core, its carved reliefs commemorating the 1765 marriage of Archduke Leopold are highly detailed and well worth a brief photography stop.
Insider Travel Tip: If you plan to tour the palace, visit the Golden Roof museum, and take the cable car, purchase an official Innsbruck Card. It bundles full city transit, museum entries, and mountain lift access into a single, high-value pass.
The Austrian Alps offer world-class winter sports conditions from late November through to April across expansive, interconnected ski networks. Reflecting recent peak-season adjustments, single-day adult lift ticket baselines include:
Summer hiking across the same terrain is extensive and well-waymarked, making Tyrol and the broader Austrian Alps one of Europe’s most popular Austria hiking destinations. The Nordkette Cable Car departs from the Innsbruck Congress station and reaches the 2,256-metre Hafelekar summit station in approximately 20 minutes, connecting travellers to high-altitude walking routes from the city centre.
The Großglockner Hochalpenstraße runs for 48 kilometres between Bruck in Salzburg and Heiligenblut in Carinthia, crossing the Hohe Tauern National Park via 36 hairpin bends at a maximum altitude of 2,504 metres through the Hochtor pass.
The road is strictly seasonal, opening from early May to late October depending on snowfall. The standard day toll is approximately €46.50 for a petrol or diesel car, discounted to €40.00 for fully electric vehicles — verify current toll rates at grossglockner.at before travelling. The Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe viewing platform at 2,369 metres provides direct sightlines to the Pasterze Glacier, the largest remaining glacier in the Eastern Alps. The drive takes approximately 1 hour 45 minutes each way at a steady pace, not including stops at the panoramic pull-offs en route.
Austria’s festive Christkindlmärkte typically open in mid-November and run through to 24 or 26 December across all major urban centers, with each city market boasting a distinctly unique regional character:
All major Austrian Christmas markets are entirely free to enter. Expect a hot mug of Glühwein (mulled wine) or Punsch to cost around €4.50 to €5.50.
The “Pfand” System Warning: When buying hot drinks at any market stall, you will be charged a mandatory €4.00 to €5.00 mug deposit (Pfand) on top of the drink price. You can keep the beautifully designed, city-specific ceramic mug as a holiday souvenir, or return it to any drink stall to receive your deposit back in cash.
Intercity train travel in Austria via the ÖBB Rail network is fast, punctual, and highly efficient, rendering a rental car entirely unnecessary for standard tourist routes. Sleek Railjet (RJ) express trains handle major routes with high-speed regularity:
For travelers planning extended stays or digital nomad stints, the nationwide annual Klimaticket Ö Classic grants unlimited travel on all public and rail networks throughout the country for €1,400 per year.
If you are a frequent independent traveler but staying for a shorter period, a standard ÖBB Vorteilscard Classic costs €71. It reduces all standard, last-minute ticket purchases by 50 percent and is a smart investment if you plan to buy multiple long-distance train tickets on short notice.
However, if your itinerary dates are completely locked in, you can easily save money without buying a card by booking non-refundable Sparschiene discount tickets directly on the ÖBB Tickets platform several weeks in advance.
Did you know? Hallstatt is home to the world’s oldest known salt mine, with evidence showing that people were exploiting its salt resources as far back as 7,000 years ago, according to the Natural History Museum Vienna.
Austria is a genuine year-round destination, and the season you visit shapes both what is available and how crowded the main sites will be.
Alpine Weather Warning: High-altitude mountain weather changes rapidly. Even during peak summer, alpine temperatures can plummet close to freezing after a rainstorm, requiring high-quality layers and waterproof gear.
A focused 5-day Austria itinerary covers the absolute highlights of the country : Vienna ( two days ), Salzburg ( one day ), and the lakeside village of Hallstatt ( one day ), utilizing the final day for the transit flexibility.
A 10-day Austria itinerary expands the route to include the Innsbruck, the iconic Großglockner high alpine drive as well as the multiple relaxation days in the Salzkammergut lake district.
First-time visitors frequently underestimate the transit times between regions. For example, the Vienna-to-Innsbruck journey takes a solid four hours by the rail, making buffer days a smart layout choice rather than an overly cautious one.
Austria boasts one of the most comprehensive public transportation networks in the Europe, making the car-free travel incredibly rewarding.
High-speed ÖBB Railjet trains link all the major city hubs of the Austria, while regional lines like the Salzkammergut Bahn transport you straight to the Hallstatt Bahnhof pier.
For mountain villages as well as the remote trailheads not accessed by train tracks, the ÖBB Postbus regional network bridges the gap seamlessly.
The only notable exception to this public transit rule is the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, which lacks a regular public transit route and requires hiring a rental car or joining a private day tour.
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Worth knowing: Austria’s ÖBB rail network spans approximately 5,000 kilometres and serves around 1,048 stations, according to ÖBB Infrastructure official network data.
The best things to do in Austria cover a far wider range than imperial palaces alone. Alpine hiking trails, UNESCO lake villages, centuries-old Christmas markets, and one of Europe’s most reliable rail networks sit within hours of each other, making the country genuinely manageable for independent travellers on any budget.
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Whether your focus is on the Vienna’s concert halls, Hallstatt’s glacier-fed lake, or the Grossglockner’s 36 bends of alpine engineering, Austria delivers on what it promises. Just grab the Austria visa and head over to this fascinating country for a riveting time with your loved ones!
Austria offers a high concentration of distinct experiences within a compact and well-connected geography. The combination of well-preserved imperial cities, UNESCO-protected landscapes, and a reliable rail network makes it practical and genuinely rewarding for most travel styles. English is widely spoken in tourist areas, infrastructure is reliable, and the country is safe for independent travellers.
Austria is most closely associated with classical music (especially Mozart, the Vienna Philharmonic, and the Vienna State Opera), its Habsburg imperial history, alpine skiing, and Hallstatt’s lakeside landscape. The Viennese coffeehouse tradition and the Sachertorte also carry significant international recognition well beyond travel audiences.
Yes. The ÖBB rail and Postbus networks cover the majority of the tourist destinations of the Austria. These include the Hallstatt, Innsbruck, as well as the smaller alpine towns. The Grossglockner Hochalpenstraße is the notable exception, requiring a private vehicle. A hire car adds flexibility for mountain touring but is not essential for a standard seven-to-ten-day Austria itinerary.
Five days covers the Vienna, Salzburg, and Hallstatt core with reasonable depth. A ten-day visit allows for Innsbruck, the Tyrol region, and the Salzkammergut lake district without feeling rushed. First-time visitors frequently plan two days in Vienna and find on arrival that three would have served them better.
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