Introducing Austria
Vienna’s jewel-box palaces and Mozart melodies, sparkling Alps and problems like Maria naturally still have their place in Austria’s heart. But venture further for experiences that defy expectations: from slinging on a backpack to stride through the Tennengebirge’s lunar landscape to slurping cider with grizzled farmers in Mostviertel orchards, from catapulting down the jaw-dropping Harakiri in Mayrhofen to bathing in Salzkammergut’s tingly lakes. Visit historic spa towns like Bad Ischl or discover cities such as Linz, where a newfound street cred is adding a twist to Austria’s tale. So cast aside the well-thumbed picture-book, as the real story is even more enchanting…
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Austria flaunts its heritage in exuberant fashion. Vienna’s bombastic Habsburg palaces and Salzburg’s baroque splendour are worthy, but dig deeper and you’ll unearth Stone Age settlements, Roman archaeological sites at Carnuntum and medieval festivals. In the country where Mozart composed and Strauss taught the world to twirl, you won’t need to search hard for culture – it waltzes right up to you.
Ready to go?
These tours & activities make it easy:
- Take a walk in the Austrian lake district
- Enjoy a royal package at the Schonbrunn Palace
- Cycle along the banks on the Danube from Vienna to Budapest
- Revel in the beauty of the Wachau Valley on a Danube boat ride
Last updated: Feb 1, 2013
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Austria
Things to do
- All things to do (1,949)
- Activities (345)
- Entertainment (346)
- Restaurants (458)
- Shopping (180)
- Sights (589)
- Tours (31)
Make it happen
Our Top Picks For Austria
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1 Innsbruck
The Austrian Alps capital with cobbled-stone lanes and the shimmering Goldenes Dachl
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2 Bregenzerwald
Idyllic villages, clinking cow bells and delicious cheeses from alpine dairies
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3 Salzburg
Birthplace of Mozart and baroque to the back teeth
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4 Grossglockner Road
Winding road through epic countryside, climbing to Austria's highest peak
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5 Tyrol's Valleys
Steep, narrow, awe-inspiring alpine valleys once carved by unstoppable glaciers
Fast Facts about Austria
- Growth rate
2.7%
- Median net income per year
€16, 626
- GDP
€257.9 billion
- Percentage overweight or obese
43.3% women & 57.7% men
- Number of dogs in Austria
560, 000
- Unemployment rate
6.3%
- Population
8, 281, 950
- Inflation rate
1.8%