thrillophilia-logo
INR
Login

Austria

Experiential journeys will make you a storyteller
About Austria

Want to know about the tourist places in Austria and Austria itself? Lush Meadows, snow-covered alps, glittering lakes and dainty mountain villages. Sounds much like the background of a dreamy song sequence? Well that’s Austria for you. The magical landlocked country of Austria is a classic combination of nature and a rich history and culture. Austria is famous for its winter activities, classic wine tours, rich heritage, nature parks, wonderful lakes and the mighty Danube River.

There is so much to explore in Vienna, Salzburg, Graz, Linz and Innsbruck. Be it shopping in the longest shopping streets of Vienna, strolling amidst the beautiful baroque city architecture of Salzburg, enjoying a local Viennese dessert in street cafes and bells or indulging in thrilling water sports in Innsbruck, Austria has so much to offer for both nature enthusiasts and lovers of art and food. Famous for its cafes and bistros, Austria offers some excellent desserts to satiate your sweet tooth.

The iconic Wiener schnitzel, Tafelspitz and Selchfleisch are a gastronomical delight. Enjoy winter sports amidst snow capped alps or throng the outdoor Christmas markets. Take off on foot on a bright summer afternoon through the unprecedented museums, parks and hike the famous Wachau Valley. Whether you visit this beautiful country in winter or summers, you can be sure of getting equally mesmerized.

Austria is home to several stunning lakes that provide for excellent scuba diving activities when the snow melts. It is also famous for its spectacular summer music festival. After all, how can we expect anything less than Unrivaled classical music from the land of Beethoven and Mozart! Head to Austria and visit the tourist places in Austria for an unforgettable European Excursion anytime you wish to. It is ever welcoming and cheaper than most other fancy European countries.

Read More

Austria FAQ's

Which are the best places to visit in Austria?

1. Vienna: Vienna, one of the major cities of Zurich is famous for its excellent food culture, architecture and nightlife. The city is well known amongst the tourists all over the world for its music citing, musical legacy and magnificent beauty. You can discover the St. Stephen’s Cathedral which can be admired for its beautiful gothic architecture or many more.

Another popular attraction of the city is the Schönbrunn Palace, a must visit attraction featuring gardens with exotic flower species. Additionally, Schönbrunn zoo is also a famous place that can be visited to check out the world’s biggest pandas and more than 8000 animal species. 

2. Salzburg: 
Salzburg is one of the famous cities that neighbors Germany. The city is popular for its historical architecture and alpine. The famous places that are best to visit in Salzburg are Mirabell Palace with gardens and more. Untersberg, one of the northernmost massifs of the Berchtesgaden Alps also offers breathtaking views to the city.

You can also explore the prominent spur straddling the border between Berchtesgaden, Schloss Hellbrunn, Salzburg cathedral, Red Bull Hangar and more. Some other major attractions, St Peter's Abbey, DomQuartier Salzburg, Haus der Natur, Salzburg's Residenzplatz and Petersfriedhof. History lovers can also explore the old town, Fortress Hohensalzburg situated in Salzburg.

3. Innsbruck: There are several attractions in the picturesque mountain town, Innsbruck, that will make your visit worthwhile. You could take a leisurely stroll through the old town and see the Goldenes Dachl, which is covered in more than 2500 brilliant tiles. Do not forget to visit the Tyrolean Folk Art Museum, one of the best regional history museums in all of Europe.

Innsbruck features world-famous ski resorts that can be enjoyed in the winter, making it a destination for all seasons and one of the most magical spots to visit in Austria in the winter. Hiking up the lovely meadows, bungee jumping off the Europa Bridge, riding the exhilarating funicular up the Nordkette mountain range, and even checking out Innsbruck's nightlife are all options for adventure seekers.

4. Graz: Graz is the second-largest city of Austria famous for its historical heritage and food culture. The local food culture that has earned it the title of Austria’s culinary capital is worth exploring. One can also go sightseeing in 17th-century architectural buildings. The major attraction of Graz is Uhrturm - a 90-foot (28 meters) clocktower, the world’s largest historical armory, Sporgasse, Doppelwendeltreppe - a double spiral staircase, Landhauskeller - a restaurant inside a stunning Renaissance courtyard and Franziskanerplatz.

5. Bad Gastein: Bad Gastein is not just the Monte Carlo of the Alps, but also a haven for athletes, with peaks that surpass the three thousand-meter mark and extend all the way to the glacier zone of the Nationalpark Hohe Tauern in Sportgastein. Nevertheless, the quaint Belle Époque village has a lot more to offer than only the numerous sporting opportunities.

You may relax and take in the stunning scenery while enjoying activities like cycling, hiking, skiing, and cross-country skiing in the Gastein Valley's wonderful alpine setting. There are numerous sides of Bad Gastein, from the deep valley to the lofty hills. One is additionally more attractive than the other. 

6. Alpbach: Alpbach is a popular and one of the most beautiful villages situated in Tyrol. It has gained wide recognition as a holiday destination citing its clean air, timber houses, mountain views and lush meadows. One can go skiing and winter hiking along with paragliding and winter walking and tobogganing. The resorts available here offer 20 km of immaculate cross-country skiing trails for ski lovers. One can also book holiday packages for lakeside camping during the summers for families and individuals.

7. National Park Gesause: Visit the Gesause National Park, which has six mountains that are higher than 2000 meters. Offering skiing slopes in the winter, it turns into a skier's paradise. There are more than 100 kilometers of hiking paths in the park, which is great for hiking. You can admire the visually magnificent landscape that is overwhelming to the senses.

Take pleasure in rafting on the powerful Enns River, which runs through the park. Some of the best restaurants to look out for when visiting the National Park Gesause, include the Genuss Region Gesause Edgewild restaurant, 

Location:
Weng 2, 8913 Admont, Austria

8. St Anton am Arlberg: 
One of Austria's top ski resorts, where you can enjoy skiing on the most recent slopes, is located in the Austrian hamlet. The resort has more than a hundred chairlifts, a sumptuous spa, an indoor rock-climbing facility, and a variety of dining options. You can witness incredible nightlife, providing the best of beverages and fine-dining experiences, when visiting with friends and family. Some of the most famous attractions to visit here include Valluga, Galzig, and Sonnenkopf, making for a picturesque view. 

What are the best things to do in Austria?

1. Go Skiing at St. Anton am Arlberg: Several people consider the picturesque ski resort the center of winter sports. Additionally, eager skiers and snowboarders will find ideal conditions for having a great time in the snow at the border between the federal states of Tyrol and Vorarlberg. The breathtaking alpine landscape around the well-known winter sports destination of St. Anton is well-known throughout the world.

Ski enthusiasts from all over the world travel to the Arlberg each winter because of the region's excellent snow conditions and cutting-edge cable cars and lifts. All of them appreciate how convenient it is to ride the Galzigbahn cable car from the hamlet up into the center of the ski resort, followed by the Valluga Bahn cable car to the peak of the same name at 2,811 meters.

Location:
Ski Resort, St. Anton am Alberg

2. Go Boating on the Lake Zell: 
Enjoy from the lake the most stunning view of Zell am See, the old town's historical architecture, and the mountainous region with its peaks and lush meadows. On the excursion boats, you enjoy a relaxing journey on Lake Zell while learning about the area from a whole different angle.

From the MS Schmittenhöhe's sun deck, you can see the Steinernes Meer to the north, the Hohe Tauern to the south, the town of Zell am See to the west, and the Schmittenhöhe, a local mountain in Zell. The nostalgia boat Libelle, which was built in 1947 and is still in use on Lake Zell, is where you can take a trip down memory lane.

Location: Lake Zell, Austria
Entry Fees: Euro 15 -30

3. Climb the Grossglockner: Go on an adventure tour to Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse from Bruck in the Pinzgau to Heiligenblut at the base of the Grossglockner. You can explore one of Europe's most magnificent mountain routes, built between 1930 and 1935. The route provides access to the enormous Hohe Tauern mountain range, where Franz-Josefs-Höhe is well-known for its breathtaking views throughout Europe.

Also admire this magnificent vantage point, which is named after a visit by Kaiser Franz-Josef in 1856, is 2,422 meters above sea level and offers breathtaking views of the region. The Grossglockner, Austria's tallest mountain at 3,798 meters, stands out prominently in the scene.

Location: Grossglockner mountain 
Timings: May to November: 6:00 am to 8:00 pm
                June to August: 5:30 am to 9:00 pm
Entry Fees: Euro 7 - 10

4. Relax and Rejuvenate at the Bad Gastein Thermal Springs: Spend your quality time relaxing at the Bad Gastein Thermal springs, to get one of the best experiences of Austria. You can indulge in the famous thermal baths with a pool heated to 32 degree Celsius, and get the perfect rejuvenation on your vacation. One can enjoy the warm water via pools, or natural hot springs.

The authorities also offer separate sports pools with 24-degree celsius temperatures. You can admire the Gastein mountain’s panoramic views, nestled between the Austrian Alps and relish in some breathtaking views. 

Location:
Bahnhofpl. 5, 5640 Bad Gastein, Austria
Timings: 9 am to 9 pm
Entry Fees: Euro 25- 30

5. Hiking at Innsbruck: Indulge in hiking, one of the best adventurous activities by the numerous high altitude hiking trails at Innsbruck, if you are on your Austrian tour. As you tramp along the famous city you can relish in the fresh air, natural landscapes, and crystalline lakes. You can book a hiking package to discover the natural fauna, alpine meadows and beautiful valleys.

There are multiple hiking trails that are dedicated to different regions situated in Innsbruck. The popular hiking regions are the Meiming region, Kalkkogel, Sellrain valley, Stubai Alps, and Karwendel nature park. Enjoy the amazing and scintillating views and trails through the snow-capped mountains for best memories. 

Entry Fees:
Euro 35 - 50

When is the best time to visit Austria?

Austria has a continental climate and the temperature changes are moderate however at altitudes the climate is Alpine and the temperature range is harsh. Austria has cold winters and hot sunny summers.The best time to visit Austria depends upon your reason for visiting the country.

If you wish to enjoy winter sports like skiing then November to April is recommended. If you want to do sightseeing and other outdoor things such as hiking, visiting national parks and sports then May to September is the best time. The warm and pleasant summer months of Austria makes it an ideal time to visit Vienna and Salzburg too.

How to reach Austria?

By Flight: The only International Airport in Austria is the Schwechat-Flughafen in Vienna which is connected to almost all the major Airports around the world. Several direct as well as connecting flights such as British Airways, Finnair, Niki, Lufthansa, Jet Airways, Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, Aeroflot, Air India, Austrian Airlines and much more ply on a regular basis from all the major cities of the world. Some European flights also land at international Airports in cities including salzburg, Graz, Klagenfurt, and Innsbruck.

By Rail: Austria has a very efficient rail network that connects it to almost all the major cities in Europe and most of the neighbouring countries. Austrian Federal Railways and Eurostar offers round the clock trains that ply to Prague, Bratislava and Zurich mostly from Italy and Germany.

By Road: One can easily drive to Austria from neighbouring countries. Austria has well maintained smooth motorways and highways that are open for commutation 24 hours a day however it can get expensive.

What is the currency of Austria and where can I get my money exchanged?

The currency of Austria is Euro. You can exchange your currencies at banks, exchange bureaus and ATMs. However international ATMs charge a fee for using your debit card and the amount varies from bank to bank. If you are carrying amount equal to or exceeding Euro 10,000 then you must get a declaration from the custom department to avoid problems.

What is the best local food of Austria?

The Austrian local cuisine has fantastically embraced ethnic influences in its cuisines which reflects in its famous dishes and desserts like Wiener Schnitzel, Apfelstrudel, Tafelspitz, Goulash, and Kaiserschmarrn.

What is the best public transport to commute around Austria?

The best public transport to commute around Austria are buses, trams and trains. Apart from these it has U-Bahns (subways) and S-Bahns (local trains). The local transport of Austria is excellent, reliable and safe. Also the tickets you buy are independent of the mode of transportation you take. So if you buy a ticket from Place A to Place B you can hop on any of three tram, bus or train to reach your destination. The tickets and passes are available at ticket machines or with tobacconists and need to be validated before boarding. The buses and trams also run at wee hours making it easier to commute at night.

Which are the best shopping places in Austria?

Austria is home to some of the longest shopping streets with a high density of souvenir shops, Amazing street cafes and beautiful boutiques.

1. Graben area
2. Swarovski Kristallwelten
3. Mariahilfer Straße
4. Landstraße
5. Maria Theresien-Straße
6. Sackstraße
7. Getreidegasse
8. Kaiserstraße
9. Hauptstraße
10. Kramergasse and Alter Platz

Which are the best hiking trails in Austria?

Whether it is a gentle lakeside stroll, alpine walk or breath-taking high-mountain challenge, Austria offers some of the finest hiking trails for everyone.

1. Hohe Tauern National Park hike
2. Hike to Stuiben Waterfalls
3. Hike to krimml Waterfall
4. Schruns winter hike, Montafon valley
5. Alpe-Adria-Trail, Carinthia
6. Adlerweg hike, Tyrol
7. Hiking in Zillertal Alps
8. Hiking in Obergurgl Hochgurgl, Tyrol
9. Wachau Welterbesteig Heritage trail
10. Trail to Pfeishütte mountain
11. Innsbruck hiking

Which are the best boat cruising places in Austria?

Here is a list of some of the best boat cruising places:

1. Wachau valley between Melk & krems
2. Vienna to Prague
3. Vienna to Budapest
4. Vienna to Bratislava
5. Vienna Danube
6. Rhine Main Danube Channel
7. Schlögener Schlinge

What is special about winter sports activities in Austria?

The alluring countryside of Austria calls for a dreamy winter holiday. Austria offers some unforgettable winter adventure with thrilling activities like cross-country skiing, Alpine skiing, ski touring, winter hiking, snowboarding and other classic winter sports. The snow activities take you to the incredible mountain ranges of Austria , dramatic snowy landscapes and sky-blue alpine lakes.

The woods, open fields and the white snow covered pistes and trails offers excellent opportunities for exhilarating thrills like skiing tours and other traditional activities like dog sledging, tobogganing and horse drawn sleigh riding. The winter sports agencies and resorts nearby offers activities for skiers and non-skiers alike ensuring you never miss out on the winter fun.

Which are some famous lakes in Austria?

Along with amazing scenery and stunning mountain ranges, Austria has several impressive lakes. These 15 Austrian lakes are definitely worth exploring.

1. Lake Traunsee, Salzkammergut
2. Lake Achensee, Tyrol
3. Hallstätter See, Salzkammergut
4. Lake Wörthersee, Carinthia
5. Lake Constance, on the path of the Rhine River.
6. Lake Mondsee, Salzkammergut
7. Lake Wolfgang, Salzburg
8. Grüner See (Green Lake), Styria
9. Lake Fuschl, Salzkammergut
10. Lake Plansee, Tyrol
11. Lake Weissensee, Carinthia
12. Lake Ossiach, Carinthia
13. Lake Faak, Carinthia
14. Lake Heiterwang, Tirol
15. Hintersteiner See, Tirol

Which are the best wildlife sanctuaries in Austria?

The undisturbed, pristine beauty of Austria is home to almost 60 Nature preserves and nature parks, 20 Alpine gardens and home to a diverse range of wildlife and birds.

1. Gesäuse National Park, Admont
2. Neusiedler See-Seewinkel national park, Burgenland
3. National park Thayatal, north of lower Austria
4. Hohe Tauern national park, on the border of Tyrol, Carinthia and Salzburg
5. Kalkalpen national park, Upper Austria
6. Donau-Auen national park, Vienna
7. Wildlife park Aurach, Tirol
8. Wildlife park Silvretta, Tyrol
9. Wildlife park Wild Bichl, Niederndorfer Berg

Do I need a visa for Austria?

Yes you require a visa to visit Austria, but if you are a resident of the EU member States or Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein you are exempted from the same. If you have a swiss passport, you do not require a visa as well. Apart from this, the nationals of the remaining countries have to produce visas for immigration. 

Austria Reviews

Traveller image gallery
review-img
Gajendra
Reviewed: 24 Feb 2024
4.0/5
Tour was good , Amsterdam, Zaanse Schans, Marken, Haarlem, Brussels , Paris Eiffel tower and Disney, Switzerland top of Europe and Mount Titlis was very good , Italy tour was too upto the mark .
Gajendra
Gajendra
Gajendra
Gajendra
Gajendra
Gajendra
(10+)View All
review-img
Jihye Hong
Reviewed: 11 Mar 2023
5.0/5
I liked Renee Magritte, so I went to the information that his painting might be there. I saw his paintings, but it was amazing and nice to have access to various prints. Picasso's work also had many works, and it was especially good to see paintings other than Monet's representative brightness. It w... Read More
Jihye Hong
Jihye Hong
Jihye Hong
Jihye Hong
review-img
Jihye Hong
Reviewed: 11 Mar 2023
5.0/5
You can see everything about technology. Divide it into parts that you want to see. You can be surprised by the vast amount. Each part has a large amount, so there are many things such as life, industry, music, space, and photography.
Jihye Hong
Jihye Hong
Jihye Hong
Jihye Hong
review-img
Peter Wright
Reviewed: 23 Nov 2022
5.0/5
Easy booking, rapidly confirmed. Skipped the line and arrived a few minutes early. Belvedere upper houses some fine art as well as contemporary and medieval art pieces (from the Renaissance). Highly recommend a visit of about 1.5 hours. Xmas market in front of house was also delightful and the gluew... Read More
Peter Wright
Peter Wright
Peter Wright
Peter Wright
review-img
Raya Ayman
Reviewed: 31 Dec 2022
5.0/5
I really liked and enjoyed every moment of it!
raya ayman
raya ayman
raya ayman
review-img
Amin Esmaeili
Reviewed: 25 Dec 2022
5.0/5
It is cheaper and faster way compared to the museum itself, highly suggest you to buy from Thrillophilia, just buy maybe 20 minutes before you go or in advance
Amin Esmaeili
Amin Esmaeili

Why Choose Thrillophilia