Top Things to Do in Austria
20 must-see attractions and experiences
Austria is a country where imperial grandeur, alpine landscapes, and musical heritage converge with an intensity few European nations can match. From the baroque splendor of Vienna and Salzburg to the dramatic peaks of the Tyrol, this compact country packs an extraordinary density of cultural and natural attractions into an area smaller than Maine. The Habsburgs left behind a legacy of palaces, churches, and coffeehouses that remain central to Austrian identity, while the Alps provide a year-round playground for hikers, skiers, and those simply seeking sublime mountain views. Beyond the famous concert halls and ski slopes, Austria rewards deeper exploration. The Wachau Valley's terraced vineyards produce excellent wines, medieval castles perch above the Danube, and small alpine towns preserve centuries-old traditions with genuine pride rather than tourist artifice. The Austrian commitment to quality — whether in a Wiener Schnitzel, a Klimt exhibition, or a mountain trail — is palpable everywhere, making this a country where the details consistently delight.
Don't Miss These
Our top picks for visitors to Austria
Schönbrunn Palace
Museums & GalleriesThe Habsburgs' magnificent 1,441-room summer residence in Vienna, a UNESCO World Heritage Site whose opulent state rooms, imperial gardens, and the world's oldest zoo make it Austria's most visited attraction. The palace served as the primary residence of Empress Maria Theresa.
Schönbrunner Schloßstraße 47, 1130 Wien, Austria ·View on Map
Prater
EntertainmentVienna's beloved public park and amusement area, featuring the well-known 1897 Giant Ferris Wheel (Riesenrad) immortalized in 'The Third Man,' alongside a large fairground, tree-lined promenades, and the Hauptallee boulevard stretching 4.4 kilometers through the park.
1020 Vienna, Austria ·View on Map
St. Stephen's Cathedral
Cultural ExperiencesVienna's Gothic masterpiece and the spiritual heart of Austria, crowned by its distinctive multicolored tiled roof and 136-meter south tower. The cathedral has stood watch over the city since the 12th century, surviving Ottoman sieges and WWII bombing.
Stephansplatz 3, 1010 Wien, Austria ·View on Map
Belvedere Palace
Museums & GalleriesA impressive baroque palace complex built for Prince Eugene of Savoy, housing Austria's premier art collection including Gustav Klimt's well-known 'The Kiss.' The Upper and Lower Belvedere are connected by formal gardens with views across Vienna to the Alps on clear days.
1030 Vienna, Austria ·View on Map
Hofburg
Museums & GalleriesThe vast imperial palace complex in Vienna's center that served as the Habsburg seat of power for over six centuries. Today it houses the Spanish Riding School, the Imperial Treasury (with the Holy Roman Empire crown), the Sisi Museum, and the Austrian National Library.
1010 Vienna, Austria ·View on Map
Fortress Hohensalzburg
Museums & GalleriesPerched atop Festungsberg hill above Salzburg, this imposing 11th-century fortress is one of the largest and best-preserved medieval castles in Europe. The fortress offers panoramic views of the Salzburg cityscape and the surrounding Alps.
Mönchsberg 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria ·View on Map
Mirabell Palace
Notable AttractionsA graceful baroque palace in Salzburg built by Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich for his mistress, famous worldwide for the garden scenes in The Sound of Music. The marble staircase inside is considered one of the finest examples of baroque architectural sculpture in Austria.
Mirabellplatz 4, 5020 Salzburg, Austria ·View on Map
St. Charles's Church
Cultural ExperiencesVienna's most impressive baroque church, built by Fischer von Erlach as a thanksgiving for deliverance from the plague. The facade combines a classical temple portico with twin columns modeled on Trajan's Column in Rome, and the interior dome features impressive frescoes.
Karlskirche, Karlsplatz 10, 1040 Wien, Austria ·View on Map
Schlossberg
Natural WondersThe wooded hill rising 473 meters above Graz, topped by the well-known 28-meter clock tower (Uhrturm) that has become the symbol of Styria's capital. A glass-walled funicular, a scenic stairway, and an elevator carved through the rock provide access to the summit.
Am Schlossberg, 8010 Graz, Austria ·View on Map
Golden Roof
Notable AttractionsInnsbruck's most famous landmark, a late-Gothic oriel window covered with 2,657 fire-gilded copper tiles, built in 1500 for Emperor Maximilian I to observe festivities in the square below. The small museum inside recounts the emperor's life and times.
Herzog-Friedrich-Straße 15, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria ·View on Map
Cultural Experiences
Gothic cathedrals, baroque churches, and Benedictine abbeys form the spiritual architecture of Austria, each representing the highest artistic achievement of their respective eras.
Melk Abbey
Cultural ExperiencesA spectacular Benedictine abbey perched on a rocky bluff above the Danube at the entrance to the Wachau Valley. The baroque interior — the library with its ceiling frescoes and the abbey church's gold and marble splendor — represents the high point of Austrian baroque architecture.
Stiftsstr. 1, 3390 Melk, Austria ·View on Map
Natural Wonders
Austria's natural attractions range from manicured palace gardens and Danube Valley castle ruins to wild alpine gorges and hidden waterfalls, reflecting the country's extraordinary geographic variety.
Mirabell Gardens
Natural WondersSalzburg's most famous formal gardens, laid out in baroque style with geometric flower beds, fountains, and marble statues. The gardens became globally famous through The Sound of Music and offer well-known views of Hohensalzburg Fortress across the old town rooftops.
Mirabellplatz 3, 5020 Salzburg, Austria ·View on Map
Aggstein Castle
Natural WondersA dramatic ruined castle perched 300 meters above the Danube in the Wachau Valley, with origins dating to the 12th century. The castle's history includes tales of robber barons who reportedly imprisoned captives on a narrow ledge above the cliff face.
Kuenringerstraße 13, 3394 Aggstein, Austria ·View on Map
Nationalpark Gesäuse
Natural WondersAustria's most rugged national park, where the Enns River has carved a dramatic gorge through limestone mountains in Styria. The park offers challenging hiking, excellent rock climbing, and white-water rafting through some of the most dramatic alpine scenery in the Eastern Alps.
Weng 2, 8913 Admont, Austria ·View on Map
Wasserfall Bischofshofen (UNESCO-Geopark Erz der Alpen)
Natural WondersA scenic waterfall near Bischofshofen in the Salzburg region, located within the UNESCO Geopark Ore of the Alps. The falls cascade through a geological landscape that tells the story of the region's ancient mining heritage.
5500 Bischofshofen, Austria ·View on Map
Kreuzstein Wasserfall
Natural WondersA lesser-known but beautiful waterfall in the Austrian Alps, where water cascades over moss-covered rock faces in a secluded forest setting. The falls reward those willing to seek out Austria's quieter natural attractions.
4866, Austria ·View on Map
Notable Attractions
From Hallstatt's fairy-tale viewpoint to Innsbruck's Golden Roof and powerful alpine waterfalls, Austria's notable attractions combine historical landmarks with natural spectacle.
Panoramic Viewpoint - Hallstatt
Notable AttractionsThe famous elevated viewpoint above Hallstatt that captures the village's fairy-tale lakeside setting with the Dachstein Alps rising behind — one of the most photographed views in Austria and frequently cited as one of the most beautiful village views in the world.
Gosaumühlstraße 67, 4830 Hallstatt, Austria ·View on Map
Traunfall
Notable AttractionsA powerful waterfall on the Traun River near Roitham, where the river crashes over a series of rock ledges in a wide cascade. The falls are easily accessible and impressive after heavy rainfall or snowmelt.
Traunfall 4661, 4693 Desselbrunn, Austria ·View on Map
Hallstätter Wasserfall
Notable AttractionsA striking waterfall cascading down the mountainside above the famous village of Hallstatt, visible from the lakeside promenade. A trail leads up through the forest to closer viewpoints of the falls.
Müllerstiege 32, 4830 Hallstatt, Austria ·View on Map
Museums & Galleries
Austria's palaces and museums represent six centuries of Habsburg collecting and patronage, from Klimt's masterpieces at the Belvedere to the Holy Roman Empire crown jewels in the Hofburg Treasury.
Schloss Ambras Innsbruck
Museums & GalleriesA Renaissance castle and former Habsburg residence on the outskirts of Innsbruck, housing an extraordinary Cabinet of Curiosities (Wunderkammer), an impressive armor collection, and the Spanish Hall — one of Europe's finest free-standing Renaissance halls.
Schloßstraße 20, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria ·View on Map
Planning Your Visit
Best Time to Visit
June through September for hiking and outdoor sightseeing; December for Christmas markets; January-March for skiing. April-May and September-October offer pleasant weather with fewer crowds.
Booking Advice
Book Spanish Riding School performances, popular Vienna concerts, and Hallstatt accommodation well in advance. Most museums and palaces offer online ticket booking that saves queuing time.
Save Money
The Vienna Pass covers most major attractions and unlimited public transport — it pays for itself in two days of serious sightseeing. Many churches, parks, and gardens are free.
Local Etiquette
Greet with a handshake and use formal titles (Herr, Frau) until invited to be informal. In coffee houses, the waiter will never rush you — ordering a single melange entitles you to sit for hours, which is exactly what you should do.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top tourist spots in Austria?
Austria's most visited attractions include Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna (a baroque imperial summer residence), the historic old town of Salzburg (Mozart's birthplace), and Hallstatt village in the Salzkammergut lake region. The Hofburg Palace, St. Stephen's Cathedral, and the alpine region around Innsbruck are also consistently popular with visitors.
What places should I see in Austria?
Beyond Vienna's palaces and museums, consider visiting the Wachau Valley wine region along the Danube, the medieval town of Graz, and the lakeside town of Hallstatt. If you enjoy mountains, the Grossglockner High Alpine Road and the villages of Tyrol offer impressive scenery. The Melk Abbey and the ice caves at Werfen are also worth including in your itinerary.
What should I see in Austria?
Start with Vienna's Ringstrasse boulevard, which connects major sights like the Opera House, Museums Quarter, and Hofburg Palace. In Salzburg, walk through the Altstadt (old town) and visit the fortress on the hill. For natural beauty, the alpine lakes of Salzkammergut and the mountain villages of Tyrol show Austria's landscapes well.
Why should I visit Austria?
Austria has a combination of imperial history, classical music heritage, and alpine landscapes that's hard to find elsewhere in Europe. The country is compact enough to see multiple regions in one trip, has excellent public transportation, and the cities are walkable and safe. The coffee house culture, traditional cuisine, and well-preserved baroque architecture add to the experience.
What are Austria's main tourist attractions?
The main attractions include Schönbrunn Palace (entry from €20), Hofburg Palace complex, and St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna, plus Hohensalzburg Fortress in Salzburg. Natural attractions like the Krimml Waterfalls (Europe's highest), Hallstatt village, and the alpine regions of Tyrol and Salzkammergut draw many visitors. The Swarovski Crystal Worlds near Innsbruck and the historic center of Graz are also popular.
What are the best places to visit in Austria?
Vienna deserves at least 2-3 days for its palaces, museums, and cafés, while Salzburg works well as a 1-2 day stop. Hallstatt is a popular day trip but can get crowded in summer, so consider staying overnight or visiting Gmunden or St. Wolfgang nearby. Innsbruck is a good base for exploring Tyrol, and the Wachau Valley is good for a relaxed day of wine tasting and river views.
Book Your Experiences
Guided tours, tickets, and activities in Austria