Best Places To Visit in Austria
As someone who lives in Austria and has spent years exploring its hidden corners and world-famous landmarks, I’m excited to share my insider guide to the Best places to visit in Austria.
While Vienna and Salzburg are undeniably stunning and culturally rich, there’s so much more to discover beyond the obvious.
With my deep local knowledge and professional experience in Austria travel, I’ve curated this list to help you uncover the country’s most breathtaking spots.
From snow-capped Alpine peaks and crystal-clear lakes to charming villages, baroque architecture, and imperial heritage, Austria offers unforgettable experiences at every turn.
Whether you’re planning your first visit or returning for a deeper dive, these Top 16 places to visit in Austria should definitely be on your itinerary.
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Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Austria
Top 16 of Austria’s Best Cities, Villages and Towns to Visit
1. Vienna
The capital of Austria, is one of the most beautiful capitals in Europe. Explore Vienna’s rich history, imperial traditions, music, culture, and beautiful architecture. It is a fantastic city for sightseeing, shopping, visiting museums, enjoying musical performances and dining.
Planning on a trip to Vienna- then make sure you check out our Vienna City Guide that has all the essential information you need to plan your trip including Where to Stay in Vienna, Top 30 Things to See & Do in Vienna and our recommended Vienna Tours.
In a Hurry? Wanderlustria Travel Toolkit.
Our Recommendations | Where we stay in Vienna
♥ Perfect for families, we loved staying in a Maisonette (two bedrooms over two floors) at the König von Ungarn -directly in the centre of Vienna behind Stephansdom.
♥ Motel One Staatsoper, a great mid-range choice one block from the Opera and close to everything.
♥ I also love staying at the Hotel Pension Museum in Spittelberg, directly across from the U3 Metro Stop and Museums Quartier and Theaterhotel & Suites Wien in the 8th district- where I used to live, so this hotel feels like home.
You can find more hotel recommendations in our Vienna Hotel Guide
Vienna Concerts
Attending a classical music concert in Vienna, the heart of classical music, is an excellent way to complete your magical visit to the Christmas markets.
♥ Vienna's Opera House is world-class. Tickets go on sale two months in advance on the first day of the month and sell out quickly. Book Vienna Opera Tickets directly
♥ The Musikverein, Vienna’s premier concert hall and home of the Vienna Philharmonic. Book Musikverein Tickets directly.
♥ Popular concerts include Vivaldi-Four Seasons by Orchestra 1756 Concert at Karlskirche and the Mozart Concert in the Golden Hall of Muzikverein.
Vienna Highlights
♥ Visit the Spanish Riding School. Have a look behind the scenes of the 60-minute Guided Tour, witness a Spanish Riding School training session of the Lipizzaners and their riders, or see a Spanish Riding School Performance.
♥ Guided tour Sisi Museum and Imperial Apartments at the Hofburg
♥ Schönbrunn Palace
2. Salzburg
The city of Mozart, the Sound of Music and the capital of Salzburgerland. Salzburg is a quaint city with its UNESCO-listed Old Town, and its 11th-century fortress. It has many attractions, sights, events and activities to entice visitors.
Our Salzburg Guide has all the recommended advice you need to plan your trip, from Where to Stay in Salzburg to our Recommended Top 30 Things to See and do in Salzburg, and recommended Salzburg Tours, plus much more.
Our Recommendations | Where we Stay in Salzburg
♥ As one of the hotels we always dreamed of staying at, we loved the famous luxury Hotel Goldener Hirsch, located directly on Getreidegasse.
♥ I enjoy staying at the charming 3-star Altstadt Hotel Hofwirt, located on the Linzer Gasse pedestrian zone- close to everything.
♥ For budget-conscious travellers, I recommend staying at the Gästehaus im Priesterseminar. I recently stayed in the Seminary Guesthouse located less than 5 5-minute walk from Mirabell Palace and Gardens. It offers great value close to all the major sights.
Our Recommendations | Our Favourite Salzburg Tours & Activities
♥ Festung Hohensalzburg Pre-book your tickets to visit the 900-year-old Salzburg Fortress- perched upon Festungberg Hill. The medieval fortress is one of the largest and best preserved in Europe.
♥ Sound of Music Tours Find where the 'Hills are alive with the Sound of Music' on the Panorama Bus Tour (Read our Bus Tour Review).
I highly recommend the Fräulein Maria Bike Tours for a fantastic day exploring the sights in Salzburg.
♥ Concerts Enjoy classical music, operas, performances- and of course Mozart in breathtaking venues such as Mirabell Palace and Best of Mozart at the fortress.
♥ Cooking Classes and Food Tours Learn to cook Austrian Classics such as Schnitzel and Apple Strudel, Food tours and Wine or Beer Tastings
3. Innsbruck
The city in the Alps and the capital of Tirol (Tyrol). Innsbruck offers the best of both city and mountain! Within minutes, you can go from spectacular mountain vistas to great shopping, restaurants, and culture in the centre of the city.
4. Hallstatt
The perfect lakeside village of Hallstatt- tucked between the majestic Hallstatter See (Lake Hallstatt) and the Dachstein mountains. Wander through the lakeside village, swim or cruise on the lake, visit the salt mine and the alpine wonders in the mountains.
Need local recommendations to plan your dream holiday to Hallstatt? Look no further—check out our Hallstatt Guide, which has all the essential information on How to get to Hallstatt, Where to Park in Hallstatt, Where to Stay in Hallstatt, the Top 15 Things to do in Hallstatt, our recommended Tour operators, and much more.
Our Recommendations | Where we Stay in Hallstatt
♥ The first time we visited with our family we stayed at the fabulous Seehotel Grüner Baum, in a suite with a lakeside balcony.
♥ I also like Gasthof Simony, located next door to the Seehotel Grüner Baum. This is the most economical place to stay, lakeside, in the centre of Hallstatt. There are rooms with shared bathroom, but I stay in the Double Room with Balcony, Lake View and private bathroom.
Check out some other recommendations
Romantic Hotels | Family-Friendly Hotels | Guest Houses and Pensions
5. Zell am See-Kaprun
I may be a little biased, as Zell am See-Kaprun is my home, but it is a destination that is not well-known beyond European travellers.
Both a fantastic winter ski resort and summer resort for sports enthusiasts, sightseers and enjoyers of all things leisure.
Zell am See sits on the beautiful glacier Lake Zell (Zeller See), under the Schmittenhöhe Mountain. Kaprun is nestled in the valley of the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier, surrounded by mountains and lush valleys.
Planning your trip to discover how wonderful Zell am See-Kaprun is (you will not be disappointed) check out my Zell am See-Kaprun Guide, learn how easy it is to Get to Zell am See-Kaprun, Discover Summer Adventures in my top Summer Zell am See-Kaprun Bucket List Activities , driving on the Großglockner High Alpine Road and much more.
Our Recommendations | Where we recommend friends to stay in Zell am See-Kaprun
Zell am See-Kaprun is our home, but we recommend our friends and family to stay at:
In Zell am See:
♥ The Grand Hotel Zell am See is located directly on the lake. The hotel has a restaurant, wellness centre and indoor pool.
♥ The family-run Hotel zum Hirschen is located in the centre of Zell am See. The hotel has a two toques restaurant, bar, spa and wellness centre and indoor pool.
♥ Salzburgerhof This luxurious, family-run 5-star hotel is in Zell am See's centre. The hotel has a restaurant, bar, spa and wellness centre, and indoor pool.
In Kaprun:
♥ The 4-star superior Taurenspa Hotel . The hotel has one of Austria's largest spas- a large indoor and outdoor spa, outdoor heated pools with views of the Kitzsteinhorn glacier, massage and spa treatments and six different restaurants, bars and cafés.
*Non-hotel guests are able to visit the pools and spas too!
♥ The family-run 4-star Kaprunerhof hotel, has a restaurant that offers half-board (breakfast and dinner), spa and an indoor swimming pool.
♥ The 4-star Sonnblick Hotel has a luxurious spa area, a heated outdoor pool and a restaurant.
♥ Dorf Chalets Kaprun has six fully self-contained chalets and two apartments with views of the Kitzsteinhorn and the surrounding mountains.
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6. Graz
Austria’s second-largest city is the capital of Steiermark (Styria). Graz sits on the River Mur and is famous for its UNESCO World Heritage Status Mediterranean-esque Old Town. It is a relaxed city with a Mediterranean vibe and a modern cultural hot spot with its beautiful historical centre and a kaleidoscope of influences from the Baroque to the Renaissance, Art Deco and Medieval.
View of Schafberg © WTG
7. Wolfgangsee (lake)
The beautiful lakeside villages of St Wolfgang, St Gilgen and Strobl in the Salzkammergut are often overlooked for their more flashy neighbour Hallstatt. But Wolfgangsee should be on your list! One highlight is to take the Schafberg cog train or the Zwölferhorn cable car for fantastic views. Many activities are centred on Wolfgangsee, from boat rides to swimming beaches. There are also bike paths around the lake.
8. Bregenz
Bregenz sits on the shore of Bodensee (Lake Constance) and is the capital of Vorarlberg. Its lakeside location is enticing all year long. Bregenz combines nature, Alps and Austrian Gemütlichkeit.
© Christiane Setz – visitbregenz
9. Bad Ischl
Bad Ischl is the historic Spa town famous for its Imperial history and opulent architecture. Nestled in the picturesque Salzkammergut Lake District it was once the summer refuge for the Habsburg emperor
10. Bad Gastein
Bad Gastein is a spa town nestled in the valley of the High Tauern mountains with beautiful Belle Epoque-style hotels and villas. Bad Gastein is known for its thermal baths, unique architecture, and as a winter ski resort.
© Gasteinertal Tourismus GmbH, auswegerdaniel.at
© TVB Kufsteinerland_Chris Borg
11. Kufstein
Kufstein is known as the ‘Pearl of Tirol’, and has one of Austria’s best-preserved small historic villages. Kufstein is fairly small, and all attractions can easily be reached by foot.
12. Villach
Villach is nestled between two mountain ranges in southern Austria, close to the borders of Italy and Slovenia, in the heart of Kärnten (Carinthia). Villach sits on the Drava River and has an alpine Adriatic feeling with a charming old town. It is the centre for the Kärnten lake district and popular with cyclists.
© Tourismus Region Klagenfurt am Wörthersee / arnold_poeschl
13. Klagenfurt am Wörthersee
Klagenfurt am Wörthersee, the capital of Kärnten (Carinthia), located in southern Austria on Lake Worthersee. Klagenfurt has a vibrant old town and is home to a various museums and galleries. The Mediterranean climate ensures pleasant summer days, sunny winters, colourful autumns, and mild springs.
14. Alpbach
Alpbach, in the state of Tyrol, has been voted the most beautiful village in Austria. It is a picturesque rustic, alpine village with traditional chalets surrounded by meadows and mountains.
15. Linz
Linz is the capital of Oberösterreich (Upper Austria), situated on the Danube. Linz’s picturesque Old Town is perfect for strolling down its pedestrianised streets and quaint alleys. Linz manages to keep its old-town heart while also embracing modern life.
16. Wachau Valley
The Wachau Valley is located on the Donau (Danube River) between Krems an der Donau and Melk in Lower Austria, about 80 kilometres west of Vienna. The 36-kilometre stretch of the river was named a World Heritage Site in 2000 by UNESCO. The Wachau Valley is dotted with small villages, castles and terraced vineyards and is famous for its wine and apricots. Visit the beautiful villages of Melk and its 11th-century Benedictine Abbey, Dürnstein and Krems.
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Chief Wanderlust’er and Austria travel expert, I’m on a mission to help you uncover the magic of Austria — from fairytale cities and alpine villages to awe-inspiring landscapes and rich cultural traditions.
As the founder of Austria Wanderlust Travel Planning, the Austria Travel Planning Facebook Group, and director of Wanderlustria eU, I provide trusted tips, local insights, and curated resources to make your Austrian adventure seamless, authentic, and unforgettable.