What to see in Austria: recommended cities, regions, attractions and itineraries

Austria is a country capable of satisfying a diverse range of tourists: from lovers of art and architecture to nature lovers; from tireless sportsmen to dreamers, who find classic fairytale landscapes in the small villages of Carinthia and Tyrol. Moreover, for this very reason, Austria attracts visitors all year round, as it offers the right range of activities for every season. Moreover, especially from Italy, it is very convenient to reach the Austrian country, either by car, simply by crossing the border, or by train or plane, especially to the big cities.

So let's find out together what to see in Austria: cities, regions, attractions and recommended itineraries!

Austria's main cities

1 - Vienna

Vienna is the capital of Austria and currently has around 1.9 million inhabitants. It is a city in the heart of the country and is above all a destination for history and culture. It is considered to be one of the most romantic cities in the world, so it is certainly suitable for couples' trips, but due to the care of its services, such as the efficiency of transport, it is also suitable for families. For a first approach, we recommend a welcome tour in Italian with a local guide.

Once there, you absolutely cannot miss a visit to the Imperial Palace of Schönbrunn (best booked online), which hosted Princess Sissi, as well as a stroll along the main avenue, full of shops, ending with St Stephen's Cathedral. A taste of Sachertorte is a must.
SEE ALSO: What you must see in Vienna

2 - Salzburg

Salzburg was Mozart's birthplace and his presence can be felt in the city's narrow, crowded streets: in the souvenir shops or pastry shops, with Mozart's famous marzipan balls, everything refers to the famous composer. In this respect, the Mozart concert on the Fortress with dinner is not to be missed.

Salzburg has a population of just over 150,000 inhabitants, in addition to the many visitors who flock to its square every day, which is always full of stalls where you can buy pretzels or flowers. Highlights include Salzburg Cathedral, Mirabell Castle or Hellbrunn Castle, famous for its water games. For an overview of the city, we recommend a hop-on hop-off bus tour.
SEE ALSO: Christmas in Salzburg: Offers, programme and tips

3 - Innsbruck

Innsbruck is the capital of Tyrol and is a jewel set in the Alps. It has more than 310,000 inhabitants and is a destination that, due to its cultural and natural value, can be visited all year round by different travellers, both couples and families. In winter, the city comes alive with Christmas markets, while in summer it offers various hiking routes.

Its historic centre is famous for the not-to-be-missed Golden Roof, while in the immediate surroundings of Wattens you can visit the famous KristallWelten, the Crystal World created by Swarovski, full of brilliant jewellery and sculptures. It is recommended to buy the entrance ticket online due to the large number of visitors. Innsbruck is also the cradle of Tyrolean cuisine, which can be sampled in the typical'stube'.
SEE ALSO: What to see in Innsbruck

4 - Graz

Graz is a fairly large city with more than 400,000 inhabitants and is the capital of Styria, in the southern part of Austria. In fact, it is considered the second largest city in the country, although this does not deny that it has also been given the name'Austria's Green City', thanks to its beautiful parks and gardens, as well as its underground motorway, which does not disfigure the landscape.

Of interest, we undoubtedly have the old town centre, but above all the hill reached by funicular railway, which houses the centuries-old Clock Tower. A quick visit, for couples and families, in a complete tour of Austria, is not to be missed.

5 - Linz

Halfway between Vienna and Salzburg, Linz is a pretty little town on the banks of the Danube River. Since being named European Capital of Culture in 2009, it has been transformed and innovated, so that it knows how to welcome different types of visitors in every season, also due to its proximity to other points of interest.

Linz has just over 200,000 inhabitants and its historic centre is characterised by the presence of important sights such as the Old Town Hall, the Nibelung Bridge, or Linz Castle, which, in some places, resemble Nordic cities.

6 - Villach (Villach)

Villach, also known as Villach, is a small town in Carinthia that serves as a gateway between Italy and Austria. It has just under 60,000 inhabitants and is located right on the border, once you cross Tarvisio.

In addition to its picturesque old town, the village is very popular due to the presence of two beautiful lakes, Lake Ossiach and Lake Faak, which offer activities and walks, especially in summer. But Villach is also a popular destination in winter, when it is taken by storm for its Gerlitzen and Verditz ski resorts. Also not to be missed is the year-round spa complex.

7 - Klagenfurt am Worthersee

Despite being the capital of Carinthia, the centre of Klagenfurt is indeed very small, but infinitely pretty. Arriving in its centre, there is immediately an explosion of colours, given by the buildings and street decorations. The symbol of the city, with just under 100,000 inhabitants, is a winged dragon called the Lindwurm, which stands in the centre of the Neue Platz.

Klagenfurt gives the image of being very fresh and bubbly, so it is well suited to both young people and families, lovers of culture but, above all, of nature. The main attraction is Lake Worther, along whose shores one can enjoy beautiful walks or sports.

8 - Hallstatt

Hallstatt is a small Austrian village with less than a thousand inhabitants and located in the Salzkammergut region, not far from Salzburg. It is a truly enchanting location on the western shore of the lake of the same name.

A visit to Hallstatt means first of all a romantic journey, lost in the suggestiveness of the place, and then the discovery of nature, thanks to the nearby Waldbachstrub waterfalls and the Echerntal valley. Also not to be missed are the salt mines, which can be reached by funicular railway, and the foundry, now considered one of the oldest in Europe.
Perfect as a day trip from Salzburg or Vienna

9 - Kitzbuhel

Kitzbuhel, in the heart of the Alps, is considered the queen of Austrian skiing and is well known in Europe and the rest of the world thanks to the Hahnenkamm race.
It has about 8,200 inhabitants and is frequented every year not only for its winter sports opportunities, but also for its lively, yet very lively and activity-packed historic centre with its medieval character.

Once in town, you can also visit the Kitzbühel Museum, which retraces the history of skiing and also offers a fantastic view of the city, thanks to its panoramic terrace.

10 - Melk

Melk is a small town of just over 5,000 inhabitants located in Lower Austria. It lies along the banks of the Danube, but its main attraction, which invites thousands of visitors to the town every year, is its world-famous Benedictine abbey and its library. Apart from being a medieval masterpiece, the library of the Benedictine monastery is well known for having inspired Umberto Eco's The Name of the Rose: Adso da Melk, one of the novel's protagonists, had studied inside it.

Today, following renovations, the complex has undergone changes, but still retains its charm. In addition, there is a wonderful view of the Danube and the city from the abbey terrace.

10 things to see: Austria's most important sights

Grossglockner High Alpine Road

Swarovski Crystal World of Innsbruck

Nock Road and Villach Spa

Salzgkammerkut and Lake Traun

Carinthian lakes and its elegant centres

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1. Schönbrunn Palace: Vienna's famous imperial palace was the seat of the Imperial House of Habsburg. The Imperial Palace complex includes a vast garden and the large building that was the seat of the Habsburg Empire - more info

2. Grossglockner High Alpine Road: one of Europe's most beautiful scenic roads near Salzburg, offering hikers spectacular views of the Grossglockner, Austria's highest mountain

3. Innsbruck's Swarovski Crystal World: Not far from the capital of Tyrol, in Wattens, an impressive world made solely of Swarovski crystals with gardens, fountains and children's play areas. We recommend purchasing the entrance ticket online

4. Nock road and Villach thermal baths: in Carinthia, you can decide whether to dedicate yourself to nature, along the Nock road, which leads to the discovery of alpine pastures and glaciers, or to relax, perhaps at the Villach thermal baths, after a walk in the city centre

5. Lake Worthersee: just a few kilometres from Klagenfurt is Lake Worthersee, ideal for relaxing walks and sports activities

6. Tyrolean castles: although they are never majestic, the castles in the Tyrol are very impressive and worth a visit. Among the most popular are Ambras Castle, perched on a small mountain and surrounded by a small but beautiful garden, and Tratzberg Castle, completely surrounded by forest

7. Linz and Hallstatt: After a day spent in the beautiful old town of Linz, characterised by Frederick III's castle, we move on to the enchanting town of Hallstatt, which overlooks the lake of the same name, creating a picture-postcard spectacle

8. Salzkammergut and Lake Traun: the Salzgkammerkut is a tourist area with several villages and nature trails, including the ascent to the Schafberg peak. Not far away, there is also Lake Traun, on which stands a small but spectacular castle, Castle Ort. The tour between lakes and mountains from Salzburg is beautiful.

9. Graz and Dachstein mountain: the medieval city of Graz, which is very young thanks to its six university campuses, boasts a UNESCO-protected historic centre. In addition, nature trails on the Dachstein mountain can be explored in its vicinity

10. Carinthian lakes and their elegant centres: not only Lake Worthersee, near Klagenfurt, but also the small lakes of Millstatt and Velden, which, in addition to offering numerous bathing and sports activities, are surrounded by elegant shopping towns such as Spittal and Velden

The main itineraries in Austria

Austria is a very diverse country, which is why the itineraries can be very different from each other, really satisfying all types of travellers, from those who love art and culture, to those who want to experience a holiday full of sport and adrenaline, to families with children

1. The big cities: a tour between Austria's 2 major cities, Vienna and Salzburg. At least 5 nights recommended (3 in Vienna, 2 in Salzburg, train connections). The tour is full of imperial palaces and castles with beautiful gardens, characterised by the strong presence of their illustrious personalities: Princess Sissi and the composer Mozart.

2. The Christmas markets: this is the time of year when Austria is at its most splendid. In addition to the big cities (Vienna, Salzburg and Innsbruck), we suggest a stop in Klagenfurt and Graz. Both cities are connected by direct train (2 h), minimum recommended time 5 nights

3. Thebest of nature: in summer Carinthia and Salzburg are tinged with green, and nature lovers and summer sports enthusiasts can find mountain trails and a variety of activities. We recommend a car and at least five nights' stay. Cities to base yourself in Rennweg am Katschberg, Spittal an der Drau or Bad Gastein

4. Romantic and atmospheric Austria: in addition to Vienna and Salzburg, this itinerary includes stops in two very small and often little-mentioned towns. These are Linz, the capital of Upper Austria, and Hallstatt, which overlooks the lake of the same name. Car and at least 6 days recommended

5. All sports: Alpine sports are one of Austria's major attractions. The most popular region for ski enthusiasts is Tyrol, both because of its proximity to Italy and the famous Kitzbuehel ski resort. A week in the resort is the minimum, a car is recommended for getting around.

Where it is located

Austria is located in what is known as Mitteleuropa, or Central Europe. From Friuli Venezia Giulia and South Tyrol it is possible to reach Austria directly by simply crossing the border. Furthermore, Austria borders Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Slovakia and Hungary.

When to go to Austria: best time to travel

Austria is a very small country and, therefore, its climate is fairly uniform throughout. However, because of the scenic features and attractions they have to offer, we will group the nine Laender into three macro areas.

Keep in mind, however, that due to the variety of activities on offer,Austria can be visited all year round. Then the choice of the best time of year depends very much on the type of holiday you want to experience: between visits to historical cities, nature treks and skiing holidays.

1. South-West Region (Vorarlberg, Tyrol, Carinthia): to fully enjoy what it has to offer, the recommended periods are summer and winter, as they are rich in events and sports possibilities. Spring and autumn, on the other hand, are the least active seasons.

2. Central Region (Salzburg, Styria, Burgenland): this is the region of landscapes, so the best times to visit it are spring and autumn, with mild and pleasant temperatures. However, summer is the season when the many music events take place, so music lovers should plan a visit at this time.

3. North-Eastern region (Upper Austria, Lower Austria, Vienna): winter makes this region of the imperial cities truly magical, not least because of the beautiful and opulent Christmas markets or, for example, the Vienna New Year's Concert, which kicks off the music festival season

The main tourist regions

Austria, despite being a small state, boasts no less than nine regions. However, only six of these are known, thanks to the large cities and itineraries most often offered. In addition, each of them differs from the others in the characteristics of its tourist offer, which makes Austria a country for every need.

1 - Laender of Vienna

The Laender of Vienna is naturally the most important region, since it is home to the country's capital and is the only one with a mayor.

Vienna is a city that lends itself to being visited all year round, because its history and architecture are of such importance that it cannot be relegated to a single season. Of course, as is often the case, it is at Christmas time that the city is at its most splendid, thanks to the beautiful decorations and the Christmas Markets.

• Main cities: Vienna (capital city)

• Main attractions: St. Stephen's Cathedral, Hofburg, Schonnbrunn Palace, Prater, City Hall, Vienna Opera House

• Best time to visit: Vienna can be visited all year round, thanks to the wide range of activities on offer - find out more

2 - Salzburg

On the one hand, the Salzburger Land is of course known for its capital, Salzburg. Besides being a beautiful city full of important monuments, such as Hohensalzburg Castle, it is also steeped in the history of the composer Mozart: his birthplace, the world-famous marzipan balls, the numerous annual festivals. Here, everything speaks of him.

But in the surroundings of this lively city lies a region rich in nature, thanks to the Grossglockner mountain and all the routes that wind around it. Not to be missed is the quaint town of Hallstatt, which can also be visited on various half-day tours departing from Salzburg, transport included.

• Main cities: Salzburg (capital), Bad Gastein

• Main attractions: Salzburg old town, Salzburg salt mines, Bad Gastein ski resort, Grossglockner nature trail, Liechtenstein Gorge, Eisriesenwelt cave

• Best time: all year round, thanks to the variety of attractions, both natural and cultural

3 - Tyrol

Tyrol is the most widely known region, firstly because it is one of those bordering Italy and therefore easily accessible. Moreover, its typical flower-adorned houses represent the typical landscape of Austria.

However, the Tyrol is also very popular for its many attractions, available all year round: from the enchanting cities such as Innsbruck and Lienz, to the very long ski slopes, which in summer turn into popular trekking routes, for nature lovers and more.
SEE ALSO: Travel in Tyrol: useful info and recommended itineraries

• Main cities: Innsbruck (capital), Kitzbuehel, Lienz, Wattens, Kufstein

• Main attractions: Innsbruck Golden Roof, Swarovski Kristallwelten, Ambras Castle, Tratzberg Castle, Lienz old town, Kitzbuehel ski resort

• Best time: all year round. In summer for sightseeing and nature treks, in winter for alpine sports and to enjoy the Innsbruck Christmas markets

4 - Carinthia

Carinthia could probably also be called the Lake Region because the most important lakes in Austria, including the Millstätter See and the Worthersee, belong to it. And it is precisely around these lakes that numerous activities are developed, such as nature trails or water sports.

But also simple strolling and shopping in the main towns are very often sought after attractions: Klagenfurt, Villach, as well as Spittal, in fact, attract many visitors for their centres and monuments.
SEE ALSO: What to see in Carinthia: must-see towns and attractions

• Main towns: Klagenfurt (capital), Villach, Spittal, Rennweg am Katschberg, Velden

• Highlights: Klagenfurt old town, Worthersee lake, Nockalmstrasse, Villach thermal baths, Millstattersee lake, Hochosterwitz castle

• Best time of year: all year round. From spring to autumn for nature trails in favourable weather, in winter for the many ski resorts in the surrounding area and the cities' Christmas markets

5 - Styria

Styria is the most mountainous region in Austria and its landscape is dominated by forests and hills that blend in with the surrounding towns.

Graz, its capital, not only boasts a fascinating medieval old town, but is also a very modern creative centre. It is also popular for its proximity to thermal spas, making it a very trendy and sought-after destination.

But Styria is also attractive for its old buildings, such as the Admont Abbey and Steinz Castle, a former hunting lodge.

• Main cities: Graz (capital), Admont, Riedersburg

• Main attractions: Graz old town, Eggenberg Palace, Dachstein mountain, Admont Abbey, Mariazell Basilica, Steinz Castle, Riedersburg Castle.

• Best time: all year round for the proposed activities. Spring and summer for sightseeing and trekking excursions, in autumn for the landscape tinged with the colours of foliage in the forests, in winter for winter sports

6 - Upper Austria

Thanks to its picturesque landscapes, Upper Austria is one of the most romantic regions in the country. Just think of its most iconic town, Hallstatt, which overlooks the lake of the same name: this town is visited all year round by more than 30,000 visitors a day and its panorama is the most photographed in the region.

The same applies to Ort Castle on Lake Traun, which is a small jewel on a lake. Of course, the capital city of Linz, which in the past also had the honour of hosting the composer Mozart, is also much visited.

• Main towns: Linz (capital), Hallstatt, Bad Ischl

• Main attractions: Linz old town, Hallstatt Lake, Ort Castle, St. Florian Monastery, Kaiservilla in Bad Ischl

• Best time of year: in summer, in order to appreciate the scenery, also along panoramic trails. In winter there are numerous ski resorts for winter sports

Informed travel: useful info

• Inhabitants: 8,902,600

• Capital: Vienna

• Languages: Austrian German

• Local currency: euro (€)

• Climate: mainly Alpine, with average temperatures around 15° C

• Distance from Italy: 1,300 km from Rome to Vienna (1h 45 min flight)

What to do in Austria: activities, excursions and tours