zoom_in Click to enlarge

Austria

▲ ▼

description Austria Overview

Austria is a landlocked federal republic in Central Europe with Vienna as its capital. For centuries it was the center of the Habsburg monarchy, and imperial buildings such as the Hofburg and Schönbrunn Palace remain in the capital. Composers including Mozart, Haydn, and Strauss worked in Vienna, which continues to host major orchestras and opera houses. Most of Austria's terrain lies within the Eastern Alps, and the country is a destination for alpine sports.

help Austria FAQ

What are the top things to see in Vienna?

Schönbrunn Palace, the Habsburg summer residence with around 1,441 rooms, the Belvedere where Klimt's The Kiss hangs, and the State Opera top the list. Viennese coffee-house culture is even recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage.

Is Salzburg worth visiting if I don't care about The Sound of Music?

Absolutely: it is Mozart's birthplace, with his childhood home on the Getreidegasse, and its UNESCO-listed old town is crowned by Hohensalzburg, one of Europe's largest fully preserved medieval fortresses. Sound of Music tours are optional, not obligatory.

When is ski season in Austria?

The core season in regions like Tyrol and St. Anton runs December through March, with glacier resorts extending well into spring. Christmas and February half-term are the priciest and most crowded weeks.

Is Hallstatt worth the day trip from Salzburg?

The UNESCO-listed lakeside village is about an hour's drive from Salzburg and is stunningly picturesque, but its tiny streets get extremely crowded with day-trippers by midday. Go early or stay overnight to actually enjoy it.