Austria, thanks to the Alps, is rich with beautiful places. Of course, there are many wonders to discover among the mountains, but it’s not the only worthy destination! Here are 17 of Austria’s most beautiful sights and attractions.
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Best places in Austria
Schönbrunn Palace (Vienna)
Near Vienna’s city center, Schönbrunn Palace and its gardens are Austria’s most visited monuments and attractions.
Built in the 17th century, this Baroque palace was commissioned by the widow of Ferdinand II, Empress Dowager Eleonora, thus named Schönbrunn.
Almost entirely destroyed during the Turkish invasion, it became a central structure under Maria Theresa’s reign, preserving its appearance from that era.
Out of its several hundred rooms, the imperial family’s apartments are the most spectacular open to the public.
Burgenland’s Castles and Thermal Baths
Not highlighting just one place or attraction here, but multiple attractions in the region along the Hungarian border.
Burgenland boasts several beautifully situated castles, with Forchtenstein Castle (Fraknó) being perhaps the most renowned. The castle, rising above the village, is notable for its impressive exhibits and views.
Due to its proximity to the Hungarian border, there are numerous thermal baths. Just a few kilometers away, you can stumble upon the Sonnentherme in Lutzmannsburg.
Hallstatt
Perhaps the most famous rural location in Austria, this small town is popular for its stunning location and has been part of UNESCO’s World Heritage since 1997.
Hallstatt is located in the Salzkammergut region, on the southwestern shore of Lake Hallstatt, north of the Dachstein mountains. Some houses are built on steep slopes, others on piles driven into the lake bed.
The town and its surroundings can be viewed from the Skywalk Hallstatt viewing platform, which is accessible by funicular but is also worth hiking up to, as you pass a beautiful waterfall on the way.
Anyone who’s visited will likely call Hallstatt the most beautiful place in Austria.
Grossglockner High Alpine Road (Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse)
Austria’s highest peak, Grossglockner, stands at 3798 meters, under which you can drive up to an altitude of 2500 meters.
The protected Grossglockner High Alpine Road, spanning 48 kilometers, connects the towns of Heilingenblut and Fusch.
This serpentine road is rightly considered one of Austria and Europe’s most beautiful panoramic routes. There are several stopping points and parking areas along the route, each worth a stop for the breathtaking views.
One of the most beautiful spots can also be approached from here. The Kaiser-Franz-Jozefs-Höhe viewpoint offers a fantastic view of the Grossglockner and Pasterze Glacier. A statue of Franz Joseph is also here, as the emperor himself visited this spot.
The road is toll-based and closed in bad weather.
Salzburg
Located on the Austrian-German border along the Salzach River, Salzburg is known for its lush greenery, significant baroque architecture, and as the gateway to the Alps.
Often referred to as Mozartstadt, it’s the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who spent more than half of his short life here.
Its traditions and history are reflected in Austria’s oldest tunnel (Sigmundstor), Central Europe’s largest intact medieval military building (Festung Hohensalzburg), and the world’s oldest preserved funicular railway (Reisszug).
Lake Constance
Located in Austria’s westernmost state, Vorarlberg, on the Austrian-German-Swiss border, Lake Constance is the third-largest lake in Central Europe after Lake Balaton and Lake Geneva.
Though only a small portion belongs to Austria, the lakeside city of Bregenz is worth a visit.
It’s popular among tourists and cyclists. The approximately 170 km lake circuit attracts many for both the challenge and the stunning scenery.
Lake Constance and surroundings attractions, programs
Wachau
This 30-kilometer-long valley along the Danube, between Melk and Krems an der Donau in Lower Austria, can be considered the Austrian version of the Danube Bend.
The Wachau cultural landscape is part of UNESCO’s World Heritage. The area’s natural environment, secular and ecclesiastical architecture (castles, monasteries, churches, residential buildings) preserves its medieval character and showcases some of Austria’s finest Baroque architecture.
The most impressive architectural sight is Melk Abbey, where monks have lived for over 900 years. It’s the largest Baroque building of its kind in Austria.
Wachau is also popular among cyclists, with a dedicated bike path for visitors.
Graz
Austria’s second-largest city, Graz, has its historic center and Schlossberg listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The city center is particularly beautiful, well-preserved, and its development can be traced back to Gothic times.
The focal point is the Schlossberg area and its most famous landmark, the Clock Tower (Uhrturm). Its main square is also impressive, housing several palaces.
Not just the city center is worth exploring. The Eggenberg Palace in the city’s west is Styria’s most significant Baroque castle. Its excellently preserved interiors and extensive, spectacular park elevate it among Austria’s most valuable cultural treasures.
Wörthersee
One of Austria’s large lakes, Wörthersee is the largest in Carinthia’s lake region, located in the Klagenfurt Basin, at the foot of the Karawanks mountain range.
Its fame is enhanced by the A2 motorway running alongside, a major route towards Italy. From a parking area along the motorway, there’s a splendid view of the lake and surrounding mountains.
The lake’s shores have developed a Mediterranean-like microclimate, making it a popular bathing paradise. Despite its depth, the lake’s upper layers warm up to 28 °C in summer.
Bad Gastein
Located among the High Tauern mountains, this town attracts tourists for its thermal baths and ski slopes.
Its unique location, with its center developed alongside steep slopes near the Gastein Waterfall, gives it a city-like atmosphere with narrow, steep streets and limited buildable areas.
It’s also popular in summer, as several hiking trails are available in the vicinity.
Krimml waterfalls
In the Hohe Tauern National Park, near the Italian border, lies Austria’s highest waterfall.
The waterfall’s three stages start from an altitude of 1470 meters, with the upper stage at 140 meters, the middle stage at 100 meters, and the lower stage at 140 meters, totaling 380 meters in height!
Easily accessible via a developed tourist path that’s 4 km long with 10 viewing platforms. It’s about a 10-minute walk to the waterfall’s lower stage, and the uppermost point of the path can be reached in about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Innsbruck
The capital of Tyrol province, Innsbruck, is an excellent starting point for excursions in the Alps. It’s a prime location for skiers and hikers.
Situated along the Inn River, this city is close to Italy and Germany, making it an important hub in Western Austria.
Innsbruck attractions, museums, weather
Hochosterwitz
One of Klagenfurt’s symbols is the castle standing on a 175-meter high dolomite rock.
It’s best to walk up, as the journey involves passing through 14 large gates to reach the castle’s core. The upper castle, a separate fortification, has gates made of red sandstone and green slate, adorned with white limestone and marble, showcasing remarkable examples of Mannerist architecture.
Kufstein
Located in the valley of the Inn River, on the border with Germany, it is notable for the white castle that towers above the city.
The 13th-century castle became significant during the reign of Emperor Maximilian I. In 1512, he fortified the castle, during which the Kaiserturm (Emperor’s Tower) was built, with walls 4-8 meters thick, capable of withstanding any siege of that era. One of its main attractions is its organ; the music can be heard up to 15 km away through the open windows of the tower. It is played every noon.
Klagenfurt
The city, located at the eastern end of Lake Wörth, is the capital of Carinthia. It is a popular tourist destination with its historical old town and cultural institutions.
The cathedral is a prominent building in the city center. The St. Egidius Cathedral is a wonderful mix of late Gothic and Baroque styles. It is telling that there are about twenty castles in the city. Among those open to the public, the most famous is the Maria Loretto Castle, located on the shore of Lake Wörth.
Among its many museums, the Carinthian State Museum stands out. Its exhibitions are themed around archaeology, art, ethnography, natural history, and it also has a musical instrument exhibition.
There is also a miniature park here, Minimundus. It features over 150 miniature models of buildings from around the world, such as the Statue of Liberty in New York, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, or the Sydney Opera House.
Zell Am See
Popular among fans of both winter and summer sports, thanks to its excellent ski slopes, as well as sailing, cycling, hiking, and other outdoor activities.
Besides skiing, Lake Zell is a major attraction. On the 4-kilometer-long and 1.5-kilometer-wide lake, one can enjoy boating with a wonderful panorama, and ice skating in winter.
The city itself is worth a walk, as it is rich in historical and cultural sights.
Sankt Anton am Arlberg
Often simply referred to as St. Anton, this world-famous ski resort is located in the westernmost part of Tyrol.
A true Tyrolean small town, with neat, flower-lined streets and plenty of restaurants and accommodations. It is especially known for its excellent ski slopes, advanced lift system, and lively après-ski social life.
