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Austria

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Landscape from Hallstatt.

©Miguel Angel Martín Campos/500px

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Overview

No country waltzes so effortlessly between urban and outdoors as Austria. One day you're cresting alpine summits, the next you're swanning around imperial Vienna.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • First courtyard of Baroque Benedictine Abbey Stift Melk.

    Stift Melk

    The Danube Valley

    Of the many abbeys in Austria, Stift Melk is the most famous. Possibly Lower Austria's finest, the monastery church dominates the complex with its twin…

  • Renaissance Schloss Ambras (castle).

    Schloss Ambras

    Innsbruck

    Picturesquely perched on a hill and set among beautiful gardens, this Renaissance pile was acquired in 1564 by Archduke Ferdinand II, then ruler of Tyrol,…

  • Staatsoper (Opera House), Innere Stadt.

    Staatsoper

    Vienna

    Vienna's foremost opera and ballet venue, the neo-Renaissance Staatsoper, is one of the finest concert halls in the world. Even if you can't get tickets…

  • Christmas Market, Christkindlmarkt Hellbrunn Palace, Hellbrunn Advent Magic, Salzburg, Austria, Europe, 19. December 2017
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    Schloss Hellbrunn

    Salzburg

    A prince-archbishop with a wicked sense of humour, Markus Sittikus, built Schloss Hellbrunn in the early 17th century as a summer palace and an escape…

  • Detail of Stephansdom Cathedral roof.

    Stephansdom

    Vienna

    Vienna’s Gothic masterpiece Stephansdom – or Steffl (Little Stephan), as it’s ironically nicknamed – is Vienna's pride and joy. A church has stood here…

  • Festung Hohensalzburg

    Festung Hohensalzburg

    Salzburg

    Salzburg's most visible icon is this mighty, 900-year-old clifftop fortress, one of the biggest and best preserved in Europe. It's easy to spend half a…

  • Rathaus, Vienna

    Rathaus

    Vienna

    Vienna's neo-Gothic City Hall, completed in 1883 by Friedrich von Schmidt (who designed Cologne Cathedral) and modelled on Flemish city halls, with lacy…

  • Mozarthaus Vienna

    Mozarthaus Vienna

    Vienna

    The great composer spent close to three happy and productive years at this residence between 1784 and 1787. Exhibits include copies of music scores and…

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Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip

Best Things to Do

Mountain drives, epic slopes, cozy coffee houses, dramatic palaces – read on for our take on the 10 best things to do in Austria.

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Best Places to Visit

From regal Vienna to the high peaks of the Alps, here are the best places to visit in Austria.

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Best Time to Visit

Snowcapped mountains, swimmable lakes, cultural festivals and unique traditions make exploring Austria a joy to visit at any time of year.

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Things to Know

Find out how to fit in like a local with these tips from an Austrian writer. Whatever you do, don't mention The Sound of Music...

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Transportation

This is your ultimate guide to getting around amazing Austria, from high-speed trains and buses to cable cars and bikes.

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Visa Requirements

From mountain peaks to cultured cities, Austria offers activities galore for nature, sports and art lovers. Here's all you need to know about getting a visa.

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Money and Costs

Austria isn't a cheap destination, but we'll help you find free attractions, discounted museum visits and budget meals to make your travel money go further

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Best Road Trips

Enjoy the freedom of the open road and landscapes that will leave you breathless on these top driving routes in Austria.

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