8 of the Best Tourist Destinations in Austria

Austria has a lot of things going for it - colourful history, picture-perfect natural and man-made attractions, time-honoured traditions, and other unique distinctions. This European country is perhaps best known as one of the most important winter holiday destinations in the continent, thanks to the gorgeous Alpine slopes in its territory.

Summer, on the other hand, is perfect for strolling around the gorgeous cities and charming villages, or maybe hike the Alps. Here are some of the best destinations in Austria that you should check out during your holiday.

Hohensalzburg Castle

This castle is one of the best-preserved medieval castles in the entire European continent. Situated at the peak of Mt. Festungsberg, the Hohensalzburg Castle is an impressive and intimidating shadow looming over the city of Salzburg. Perfect for travelers who love history, art, and architecture.

The Vienna State Opera

Austria is known to be the birthplace of some of the world’s best composers and musicians, and the majestic Vienna State Opera is the perfect temple to experience the best of Austrian music, operas, and ballets. In fact, the orchestra of this opera house is one of the best in the whole world.

Melk Abbey

This picturesque ancient monastery is one of the most photographed locations in Austria, and with good reason. Perched on a cliff overlooking the Danube, this Benedictine abbey was once a royal castle donated to the monks. The classic Baroque architecture of the abbey has been conducive to the flourishing arts and culture movement of the country.

Seefeld, Tyrol

This magnificent winter wonderland is the home to two Winter Olympics. The terrain is ideal for both beginner and intermediate skiers, making it perfect for family holidays. Seefeld is found within a nature reserve that is gorgeous in both summer and winter.

The Hofburg Imperial Palace

This majestic palace in Vienna is currently the official residence of the Austrian president. In the past, the Hofburg Imperial Palace was the main winter residence of royals.

Innsbruck Alstadt

Nestled between picturesque snowcapped mountains, Innsbruck is a charming Alpine town in every sense—and visiting is like staying within a dynamic, three-dimensional postcard. Alstadt, the medieval town, is home to unique architecture and quaint shops. The main attraction of Alstadt is the Golden Roof, a residence built for Maximilian I. The roof is not really made of pure gold, but rather, with gilded copper tiles.

Hallstatt

This picturesque town in the Salzkammergut region remains to be famous for salt production and processing. Salt has long been a valuable commodity (in fact, the word “salary” originally meant a ration of salt), and the abundance of salt in this village has garnered Hallstatt prestige and renown. The baroque village is truly amazing—but do not forget to visit the Hornerwerk Cavern, with an underground salt lake (you might be in for a surprise—a prehistoric human preserved entirely by salt).

St. Anton am Arlberg

A famous Tyrolean ski resort, St. Anton am Arlberg offers challenging ski terrain for serious ski enthusiasts. But while this resort is lovely in the winter, it is also great for a mountain trek during the summer.