Tourist attractions in Austria
Right on the border with Austria is a diverse travel destination that captivates visitors with its numerous natural and man-made attractions. In our neighboring country Austria you will find historical buildings, unique cities, and beautiful natural spectacles.
We have summarized the 10 sights you shouldn’t miss on a holiday in Austria in our list of the 10 most beautiful attractions in Austria.
Table of Contents
Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna
For romantics, nostalgics and Sissi fans, Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna is at the top of the list of Austria’s most popular sights. After all, the famous Empress Sissi once lived in the luxurious walls with her husband Franz Joseph I.
The late baroque palace complex from the 17th century is not only at its best from the outside. The former summer residence of the Habsburgs also leaves nothing to be desired in terms of interior design. Glamorous palace halls with artistic wall paintings, historical paintings, golden ornaments, and princely chandeliers testify to the Habsburgs’ lifestyle.
A walk through the 160-hectare palace park is a must when visiting Schönbrunn Palace. With its orangery, maze, and Crown Prince Garden the grounds have something to offer for every taste of tourist attractions in Austria.
Krimml Waterfalls: Powerful force of nature
The Hohe Tauern National Park near Salzburg attracts visitors with its pure nature one of the tourist attractions in Austria. Densely covered mountains, lush forests, and clear mountain lakes leave city life far behind. The highest waterfalls in Austria pour down amid the romantic natural scenery. The Krimml Waterfalls plunge 385 meters into the depths with a mighty roar over three falls the attractions in Austria.
The unbridled power of the water can be observed up close from the Krimml Waterfalls Trail. The four-kilometre-long hiking trail with its many vantage points gives hikers a wide variety of perspectives on the natural spectacle and leads along all three large falls, the Lower, Middle, and Upper Achenfalls.
You can find out whether the weather is ideal for a hike to the Krimml Waterfalls in our weather forecast for the Hohe Tauern region attractions in Austria.
Vienna Prater: Folk festival charm 365 days a year
A folk festival that never ends – in the heart of Vienna, there is one. The second oldest amusement park in the world can be found here at six square kilometers. It is around 250 years old. From the Punch and Judy show to shooting galleries and ghost trains, the so-called Wurstelprater spoils its visitors all year round with around 250 different attractions in Austria.
The Prater’s Ferris wheel is a crowd puller. The world-famous ride has been turning on its axis since 1897. The 65-meter-high wheel is a gift that was built for the 50th anniversary of Emperor Franz Joseph’s reign. The Ferris wheel rotates quite leisurely in a circle at just 2.7 kilometers per hour. After all, the passengers should be able to enjoy the view of the city of Mozart which is the most famous tourist attractions in Austria.
Mozart’s birthplace: Where music is at home
Mozart’s yellow birthplace in SalzburgThe musical prodigy was born in the bright yellow old building in the heart of Salzburg in 1756.
If anyone is a symbol of classical music, it is Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. His compositions are world-famous and his birthplace in Salzburg has attracted thousands of visitors for many years. In the middle of the Austrian metropolis, the young genius’ love of music was instilled in him from birth.
The historic rooms are now home to a museum that recounts Mozart’s musical development on three floors. From costumes and props to original documents from travels and paintings – the composer lives on here. No one gets wet in the historic walls, even in bad weather. That’s why the Mozart House is a suitable tourist attractions in Austria when it rains.
The Mozart family lived for over a quarter of a century on the third floor of the “Hagenauer Haus”, which is named after its owner and the Mozarts’ friend, the spice merchant Johann Lorenz Hagenauer (1712-1792). In addition to autographs (in facsimiles), certificates and memorabilia, the original portraits of the Mozart family members are also exhibited in the historical rooms. For example, the unfinished oil painting “Mozart at the Piano” painted by Mozart’s brother-in-law Joseph Lange in 1789, as well as the historical instruments (Mozart’s concert grand, the clavichord, Mozart’s concert and children’s violin and his viola).
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s musical instruments came into the possession of the Mozarteum Foundation from his widow Constanze Nissen (1762-1842) and her sons Carl Thomas (1784-1858) and Franz Xaver Wolfgang (1791-1844). The Mozart apartment was carefully restored in 1994 and redesigned by the Viennese architect Elsa Prochazka using the latest museum technology in order to protect the exhibits from damage attractions in Austria.
Hohensalzburg Fortress: Medieval witness
It is considered one of the best-preserved examples of Austrian architectural history: Hohensalzburg Fortress. Salzburg’s landmark is over a thousand years old. The medieval castle complex has towered over the roofs of the city in northwest city attractions in Austria since 1077.
Today the fortress serves as a museum. A stroll through the original rooms with their detailed ceiling and wall decorations brings the charm of past centuries to life, while the torture chamber and salt store paint a different picture of the past.
The Mozart city of Salzburg is overlooked by the walls of Hohensalzburg Fortress, one of the largest existing castle complexes in Europe from the 11th century and the attractions in Austria. The impressive building is a remarkable proof of the former striving for representation and the authoritarian-political demonstration of power of the prince-archbishops. The aim of this facility was to protect the principality and the archbishops from attacks. In fact, the fortress never had to demonstrate its defensive function. Most of the time the prince-archbishops lived in the Salzburg Residence, the city palace in the heart of the old town.
Undefeated for 1,000 years
The steep rocky cone has been valued over the centuries as a strategic location on the northern edge of the Alps. In 1077, a fortification was built over the residential city for the first time under the then Archbishop Gebhard I von Helffenstein. The reason for this first construction activity was the investiture dispute between the German Emperor Henry IV and Pope Gregory VII, on whose side the Archdiocese of Salzburg sided. To this day, the Hohensalzburg Fortress has never been taken by military means.
Grossglockner High Alpine Road: Historic Alpine Trail
A road as a tourist attraction? The Grossglockner Alpine Road is the best example. The Alpine pass between Ferleiten in Salzburg and Heiligenblut in Carinthia impresses with its impressive mountain panorama. Celts and Romans crossed the Alps here more than 3,500 years ago to trade is the best tourist attraction in Austria.
The Grossglockner High Alpine Road is far too good to rush through. After all, it is one of Austria’s most extraordinary sights in the mountains. There are enough parking spaces available so that you can take in the picturesque panorama in peace.
Alpenzoo Innsbruck: On the Trail of Alpine Wildlife
An Alpine ibex in the Alpenzoo in Innsbruck The animals kept in the zoo include the ibex, elk, lynx, beaver, and bison. Visitors will also find a variety of different birds, reptiles, and fish. In total, the zoo is home to around 150 different animal species.
The Alpenzoo Innsbruck is a popular attraction in Austria for families. Since 1962, around 2000 animals from the Alpine region have been at home in Europe’s highest zoo at an altitude of 750 meters. Brown bears, otters, golden eagles, wolves, and bearded vultures inhabit the spacious area together with numerous native plant species.
Nature and species conservation are an important theme of the zoo. Its large-scale re-settlement projects for animal species that have become extinct or are threatened with extinction in Tyrol have made the zoo world-famous. It can be easily reached by public transport or in 20 minutes on foot from Innsbruck’s old town.
St. Stephen’s Cathedral: Vienna’s Church Jewel
St. Stephen’s Cathedral can be seen on the left. St. Stephen’s Cathedral is 107 meters long and 34 meters wide and is one of the most important Gothic buildings in Austria.
In the middle of Vienna’s city center on Stephansplatz stands Austria’s most famous church, St. Stephen’s Cathedral. The so-called Steffl has defended its place here since the twelfth century. It is not just its proud age that attracts attention, but also its exterior: four imposing towers form the cornerstones of the building. From the highest tower, the south tower, you can overlook Vienna’s city center from a height of 136 meters.
The journey begins with amazement. Anyone approaching Stephansplatz from Kärntner Straße will slowly and step by step be presented with a unique sight. In the middle of a hustle and bustle of passers-by, coffee house guests and tourists stands this huge cathedral, which seems to push away all the surrounding houses. A place of history and modernity at the same time – architectural styles meet: on the one hand the Gothic cathedral, on the other side the reduced forms of the glass Haas House.
St. Stephen’s Cathedral attracts curious people from afar. The south tower of the cathedral – at over 136 meters the third highest Gothic church tower in the world – towers mightily into the sky. No wonder the “Steffl” has a permanent place in the hearts of Viennese people and is considered the city’s landmark.
Anyone who looks from the lively Stephansplatz to the large entrance portal flanked by the two Heiden towers is already standing in front of the oldest surviving part of the cathedral. Central areas of the network date back to the 13th century and were integrated into the later Gothic new building of the nave.
There is also a lot to discover in the three naves inside St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Colorful stained glass windows, stately chandeliers, high Gothic vaults and numerous relics take you into the world of the twelfth century.
9. Tscheppaschlucht in Carinthia: High-altitude ride between rock and water
The waterfalls in the TscheppaschluchtThe highlight of the Tscheppaschlucht is the Tschaukofall: Here the water falls from a height of 26 meters into the Loiblbach.
The spectacularly shaped Tscheppaschlucht, created by the falling water masses of the Loiblbach, is considered one of the most adventurous sights in Austria in the Karawanks. Visitors who want to experience something special, are good on foot, and want to enjoy a fantastic spectacle of nature with all their senses have come to the right place.
The Tscheppaschlucht in the Carinthia region can be explored on various paths. Those looking for adventure choose the path over the roaring Loiblbach. Those who prefer something quieter can do something good for their feet on the barefoot hiking trail. A suspension bridge leads straight to the idyllic Tschaukofall and the mysterious rock gate. The legendary Devil’s Bridge is also on the way. You can find even more tips for hiking in Austria here.
Minimundus in Klagenfurt: Around the world
From the Taj Mahal in India to the Sydney Opera House and on to the Eiffel Tower in Paris: visitors to Minimundus, the miniature park on Lake Wörthersee, can make this cost- and time-saving journey in two to three hours – and admire other world-famous buildings, ships and trains is the best tourist attraction in Austria.
159 models of world-famous buildings from 40 countries can be viewed on a scale of 1:25, for a change from a bird’s eye view rather than a worm’s eye view.
The best thing: The world in miniature can be discovered not only outdoors. In the indoor world, the expedition continues on 150 square meters. This makes the miniature world in Klagenfurt an ideal place to visit in Austria when it rains.
Belvedere Palace in Vienna: Art inside and out
With expansive gardens, elegant facades, and turquoise domes – the Belvedere Palace in Vienna is a true work of art from the Baroque era. Since the end of the 17th century, the picturesque palace complex, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has delighted residents and visitors to the Austrian capital.
Art lovers get their money’s worth inside the palace. The most important Austrian art collection from the Middle Ages to the present day is now housed in the historic halls. Visitors can also admire works of art by international greats such as Van Gogh, Monet and Beckmann.
If the weather is good, a trip to the gardens is worthwhile. As early as 1700, before the palace was built, the gardeners laid the foundation stone for the outdoor area. The garden with its twelve fountains is therefore the oldest part of the royal estate.
Golden Roof: A jewel in the heart of Innsbruck
The Golden Roof at the New Court in InnsbruckTo this day, the 2657 fire-gilded copper shingles of the roof provide moments of splendor in Innsbruck’s old town is the best tourist attraction in Austria.
The Austrian rulers have always had a weakness for gold and silver. They not only liked to decorate themselves with precious metals but also their buildings. This is how the Golden Roof, a magnificent oriel in the middle of Innsbruck’s old town, was built between 1497 and 1500.
The valuable construction was commissioned by Emperor Maximilian I to mark the turn of the century. Since 1996, the Golden Roof has served as a museum, as there are exciting stories to tell about both the past of the famous house and its builder, Emperor Maximilian I.
With its 2,657 gold-plated copper shingles and rich fresco and relief decoration, the magnificent dungeon in the middle of Innsbruck’s old town was an eye-catcher not only when it was built around 1500. Even today, over 500 years later, the Golden Roof captivates thousands of visitors every day and is Innsbruck’s most famous attraction – far beyond the borders of Austria.
Emperor Maximilian I had the Golden Roof built between 1497 and 1500. Nikolaus Türing the Elder is considered the master builder, and the fresco decoration is attributed to Jörg Kölderer, the court painter of Emperor Maximilian I.
The eighteen reliefs, artfully carved from sandstone, show the stylistic transition from the late Gothic to the early Renaissance and are considered one of the most important works of art in Tyrol due to their quality and motifs. To protect them from damage, they were replaced by copies in 1952. Six original reliefs can be admired – completely restored and up close – in the museum.
Hallstatt in the Salzkammergut: Picture-book idyll on the lake
Hallstatt on Lake Hallstatt Hallstatt is located directly on Lake Hallstatt. Here, visitors can cool off in the clear water of the mountain lake in summer at a water temperature of just under 23 degrees.
The tranquil community is considered the most beautiful village in Austria. The charming little houses with the shimmering Lake Hallstatt in the foreground and the impressive mountain panorama in the background are the epitome of Austria’s charm for many visitors. Alexander von Humboldt was no different: for the German scientist, Hallstatt was the “most beautiful lake town in the world”.
