Things to see and do in Austria

The former summer residence of the Habsburgs is a masterpiece of Baroque architecture and a window into imperial history. With over 1,400 rooms, including the opulent Great Gallery, the palace reflects the grandeur of Maria Theresa’s reign. After touring the interior, wander through the vast gardens to the Gloriette hill for a panoramic view of Vienna. Don't miss the world’s oldest zoo located right on the grounds, or the chance to watch a traditional strudel-making show in the palace bakery.

As the birthplace of Mozart and the filming location for The Sound of Music, Salzburg is a city where culture and scenery collide. The UNESCO-listed Altstadt is a maze of medieval and Baroque domes, best explored by walking the Getreidegasse. Looming over the city is the Hohensalzburg Fortress, one of the largest fully preserved castles in Europe. Take the funicular to the top for a stunning perspective of the Salzach River and the surrounding peaks of the Eastern Alps.

Often described as the most beautiful lakeside village in the world, Hallstatt clings to a narrow strip of land between steep mountains and the dark blue Hallstätter See. While its 16th-century timber houses are undeniably photogenic, the town is also home to the world’s oldest salt mine. Take the Skywalk for a breathtaking "World Heritage View," or rent a small boat to experience the silence of the lake. The surrounding Salzkammergut region, with its 76 lakes and rolling hills, is a paradise for hikers and photographers alike.

In the heart of Vienna stands "Steffl," the city’s Gothic soul. Recognizable by its multi-colored tile roof, St. Stephen’s Cathedral is an architectural marvel with catacombs and towers that offer a bird's-eye view of the capital's narrow alleys. Surrounding the cathedral is the Innere Stadt, where you can experience Vienna’s legendary coffee house culture. Spending an hour in a place like Café Central or Demel, with a slice of Sachertorte and a "Melange," is an essential Viennese ritual.

For the ultimate road trip experience, this 30-mile mountain pass takes you into the core of the High Tauern National Park. Reaching an elevation of nearly 8,200 feet, the road features 36 hairpin bends and constantly shifting landscapes, from lush green meadows to barren rock and ice. At the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe, you can stand face-to-face with the Grossglockner—Austria’s highest peak—and look down upon the Pasterze Glacier, the longest in the Eastern Alps.

Innsbruck offers a rare "urban-alpine" lifestyle where a city center is literally steps away from a mountain range. The Old Town is famous for the Golden Roof, adorned with 2,657 fire-gilded copper tiles. Within 20 minutes, the Nordkette cable car can whisk you from the historic center to a height of 7,500 feet. Whether you are visiting the Imperial Palace or watching world-class ski jumpers at the Bergisel tower, Innsbruck perfectly captures the spirit of the Tyrolean Alps.

This UNESCO-listed stretch of the Danube Valley is a landscape of terraced vineyards, apricot orchards, and medieval ruins. Perched on a cliff overlooking the river is the lemon-yellow Melk Abbey, a Benedictine monastery with one of the most beautiful libraries in the world. The best way to see the valley is by boat or bicycle, stopping in the charming town of Dürnstein—where Richard the Lionheart was once imprisoned—to sample the region's famous Riesling and Grüner Veltliner wines.

For centuries, the Hofburg was the seat of power for the Holy Roman and Austro-Hungarian Empires. Today, this massive complex in Vienna houses the Sisi Museum, the Imperial Treasury (home to the crown of Charlemagne), and the Spanish Riding School. Watching the world-famous Lipizzaner stallions perform their "ballet" in the Baroque Winter Riding School is a journey back to the height of aristocratic elegance.

Located in the Salzburg region, the Krimml Waterfalls are the highest in Austria and a powerful display of nature's force. A well-maintained hiking trail allows you to get incredibly close to the mist of the three-tiered falls, which drop a total of 1,247 feet. The spray is famously therapeutic, and the surrounding National Park offers miles of trails through pristine alpine scenery, making it a favorite for hikers and families seeking fresh mountain air.

Graz, Austria’s second-largest city, is a vibrant mix of Renaissance courtyards and futuristic architecture. Its historic center is one of the best-preserved in Central Europe, topped by the Schlossberg hill and its iconic Clock Tower. For a contrast, visit the Kunsthaus Graz—an "alien-like" contemporary art museum—or the Murinsel, a floating steel island in the middle of the river. Graz is also known as Austria’s "Capital of Culinary Delights," making it the top spot for foodies.

In the far west, where Austria meets Germany and Switzerland, Lake Constance (Bodensee) offers a Mediterranean feel. The city of Bregenz is famous for the Seebühne, a massive floating opera stage on the lake that hosts the Bregenz Festival every summer. You can cycle the lake’s perimeter path, take a sunset cruise, or ride the Pfänder cable car for a view that encompasses three countries and 240 Alpine peaks.

Deep inside the Hochkogel mountain near Werfen lies the largest ice cave in the world. This natural wonder is an underground labyrinth of frozen waterfalls, ice domes, and towering sculptures formed over thousands of years. Visitors explore the caves by lamplight, guided through a silent, glittering world of ice. Even in mid-summer, temperatures inside are below freezing, providing a surreal and cooling adventure unlike anything else in Europe.