Austria is one of the most popular countries on the European continent, attracts tourists year-round. The country is known for its iconic architecture, endless natural beauty, and its mountainous Alpine surroundings.
Situated in the Alps, it is a very popular place with skiers and hikers. Also, it is a country that gave the world an important musical heritage, ranging from the classical composer Mozart to the Strauss waltzes and the Von Trapp family whose story was told in The Sound of Music.
Here are our Top 10 Offbeat Places to Visit in Austria!
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Best Places to Visit in Austria
1. Vienna
Elegant waltzes and Johann Strauss immediately come to mind when one thinks of Vienna, the capital of Austria and its largest city. It is considered to be a cultural haven for music, fine art, and architecture lovers from all over the world. Places to see in Vienna are Schonbrunn Palace, Hofburg Imperial Palace, Hundertwasserhaus, Belvedere Complex, Ringstrasse, Burggarten and Graben.
2. Hochosterwitz Castle
The medieval Hochosterwitz Castle is said to be the inspiration behind Sleeping Beauty’s Castle. Hochosterwitz is located in a prominent position on top of a hill that has been fortified since the early Middle Ages. The armory, featuring an array of 14th century weapons, is still open to the public. Moreover, it offers visitors a spectacular view over the neighbouring mountains, hills and countryside.
3. Salzburg
Salzburg means “salt castle”, referring to its massive fortress and the white gold from the mountains in the South. It is one of the offbeat places to visit in Austria, famous for its long-standing musical traditions. Whatever the weather, Salzburg has something to offer for people from all walks of life. A classic music festival, the city′s most famous son Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and the heart-warming musical “The Sound of Music” created the area′s fame and popularity with music enthusiasts all over the world.
4. Graz
Graz, which is known as a city of students, with its six universities enrolling more than 44,000 students. It is Austria’s second largest city and is a popular stopover for tourists. Highlights include exploring its many historical buildings, particularly in the Old Town with its numerous Baroque façades, The Schlossberg, The Armory, Eggenberg Palace and Kunsthaus Graz – The Friendly Alien.
5. Salzkammergut
Salzkammergut is a beautiful resort area that starts with Salzburg and heads east into a land of lakes, verdant hills, and snow-peaked mountain ranges, that has served as one of the prime tourist destinations in Austria. You can go for a bike trip that will introduce you to the great Salzkammergut region and take you to no less than 13 lakes, offering you a chance to break up your cycling with swimming, fishing and sailing and hiking.
6. Zell am See
With its bluer-than-blue lake (Zeller See), pocket-sized centre studded with brightly painted chalets, and the snowcapped peaks of the Hohe Tauern, Zell am See is one of the must visit places to visit in Austria. Here you will find some of Austria’s finest sailing, hiking, mountain biking, scenic driving and skiing. Those who are looking for the ultimate in natural scenery, and wilderness adventures, the town of Zell am See is a place to be in.
7. Innsbruck
Innsbruck, the capital of the Alps, is a vibrant and refreshing city that combines alpine, urban and historical components in a unique way and offers a myriad of possibilities to its visitors. Weaving between the cobbled lanes and old imperial palaces, visitors here can spy out sights like the Golden Roof and the grand whitewashed Hofburg. This is a city with endless views. Ride cable cars to the mountain peaks, visit a ski jump, or climb the Town Tower for unbeatable views.
8. Wachau
With the Danube River running through it, the Wachau Valley is a popular tourist destination in southern Austria. It’s a place worth exploring for its intriguing history and its incredible wines. The valley is bookmarked by the towns of Krems to the north and Melk to the south and is a popular spot for tourists out for a day trip from the capital, Vienna.
9. Worthersee
Worthersee, also known as Caribbean of the Alps, is one of the larger lakes in Europe and one of the offbeat places to visit in Austria with a number of lovely small villages surrounding the lake itself. The water temperatures in summer, offering perfect conditions for all kinds of water sports including swimming, sailing, motor boat riding or simply for a few lazy hours of tanning on the lakeshore.
10. Bregenz
Bregenz is a popular Austrian resort that is glad to accept guests from different parts of the world all year long. Bregenz is famous for its many festivals and numerous cultural institutions, including a number of world-class museums and art galleries. Also, the town offers incredible views of Germany, Switzerland, and the Alps.
Which destination do you consider the best place to visit in Austria? Tell us your reviews about these places in the comments!
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