Top 10 Places to Visit in Austria

Discover the Top 10 Places to Visit in Austria, from Vienna and Salzburg to Hallstatt, Gosausee, Seebensee, and the Austrian Alps.

Austria is one of those countries I did not visit only once and forget. My first trip to Austria was in early spring 2019, during a trip I jokingly called “3 flags a day.” I visited Bratislava in Slovakia, Brno in Czechia, and Vienna in Austria, because these three cities are close enough that you can travel from one to another in a short Central Europe trip.

But Vienna was only the beginning. During Easter 2019, I came back to Austria again to visit Vienna, Hallstatt, and Salzburg. Then in 2022, I returned for Innsbruck and North Tyrol. My latest Austria trip was in 2023, when I visited Vienna again. Somehow, Austria kept calling me back.

Why do I love Austria so much? Because this country has so much to offer. I love classical music, so Austria feels like an unskippable country for me. Mozart was born in Salzburg, and Vienna is strongly connected with many great composers, including Beethoven, Mozart, Haydn, and Schubert. Walking around Austria, especially Vienna and Salzburg, feels like travelling through a living music history book.

And then there are the mountains. The fairytale beauty of Hallstatt, the majestic atmosphere of Vienna, and especially the Austrian Alps are the reasons I kept coming back. For me, the Austrian Alps give you that same dramatic alpine beauty people often search for in Switzerland, but in many places, Austria feels more affordable and relaxed. From elegant cities to turquoise lakes and mountain bridges, here are my Top 10 Places to Visit in Austria for first-time visitors.

Why Visit Austria?

Austria is a perfect country for travellers who want both culture and nature in one trip. You can spend one day walking through imperial palaces in Vienna, listen to classical music in the evening, and then travel by train the next day to lakes, mountains, or old towns.

What makes Austria special is the contrast. Vienna feels grand and elegant, with palaces, museums, coffee houses, and music everywhere. Salzburg is smaller and more romantic, with baroque streets, Mozart history, and mountain views. Hallstatt feels almost unreal, with wooden houses squeezed between the lake and steep mountains. Then once you reach Tyrol, Austria becomes a completely different trip: cable cars, alpine lakes, hiking trails, glaciers, and dramatic mountain scenery.

I also love that Austria is very practical to explore. If you are planning a first trip, you can connect many of the famous places by train and bus. Vienna, Salzburg, Hallstatt, and Innsbruck can all be included in one itinerary. For more remote alpine places like Seebensee, Gosausee, Stubai Alps, and Olpererhütte, you may need more planning, but they are absolutely worth the effort if you love nature.

Austria is not only beautiful in one way. It can be elegant, musical, fairytale-like, peaceful, dramatic, and adventurous. That is why I think it is one of the best countries in Europe for travellers who want a bit of everything.

How to Get to Austria

Austria is easy to reach from many parts of Europe. The main international airport is Vienna International Airport, which is the most convenient arrival point if you want to start with the capital. Salzburg and Innsbruck also have airports, but the flight options may be more limited depending on where you are coming from.

If you are already travelling around Central Europe, train and bus are the best ways to arrive. My first Austria trip was part of a multi-country route with Bratislava, Brno, and Vienna by bus.

For travelling inside Austria, I recommend checking trains first before renting a car. Trains between Vienna, Salzburg, and Innsbruck are comfortable and convenient. Hallstatt can also be reached by train and ferry, which is part of the charm of visiting the village.

However, if you want to explore the Austrian Alps more deeply, a car can be very useful. Places like Gosausee, Grossglockner High Alpine Road, and some hiking areas are easier with a car. For Olpererhütte suspension bridge, you usually need to reach Schlegeis Reservoir first and then hike up to the hut area. For Seebensee, you need to go toward Ehrwald and then hike or use mountain transport depending on the season.

Where to Stay in Austria

If this is your first trip to Austria, I recommend choosing your base depending on the type of trip you want.

Vienna is the best base for culture, museums, palaces, food, and classical music. Stay in the Innere Stadt if you want to be close to the main sights, or near the train station if you are planning day trips. Vienna is also a good starting point if you want to visit Bratislava or explore more of eastern Austria.

Salzburg is a great base for a romantic old-town stay and for day trips to Hallstatt, Gosausee, or the Salzkammergut lakes. Staying near the Old Town is beautiful, but staying near the train station can be more practical if you are moving around by public transport.

Hallstatt is magical, but accommodation there can be expensive and limited. For a more practical option, consider staying in nearby towns such as Obertraun, Bad Goisern, or Bad Ischl. You can still visit Hallstatt and enjoy the lake area without staying in the most crowded part.

Innsbruck is the best base for the Austrian Alps, especially if you want a mix of city, mountain views, and easy cable car access. When I visited Innsbruck and North Tyrol in 2022, I loved how quickly the scenery changed from colourful old-town streets to dramatic alpine landscapes.

For hiking-focused trips, you can also stay closer to specific mountain areas. Neustift im Stubaital is a good base for the Stubai Alps. Mayrhofen is a good base for the Zillertal Alps and Olpererhütte. Ehrwald is a good base for Seebensee. Gosau is perfect if you want to visit Gosausee and explore the Dachstein area.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Austria?

Austria is beautiful year-round, but the best time depends on what you want to do.

Spring is lovely for cities like Vienna and Salzburg. My first Austria trip was in early spring 2019, and I still remember how fresh and elegant Vienna felt at that time. Easter can also be a nice period, especially if you want to combine city walks with lakes and mountain views. However, some alpine attractions may still have seasonal schedules, so always check opening times if you are planning cable cars, hiking routes, mountain roads, or lake activities.

Summer is best for hiking, lakes, and the Austrian Alps. This is when the mountains are green, alpine trails are more accessible, and the days are long. If you want to visit places like Seebensee, Olpererhütte, Stubai Alps, Gosausee, or Grossglockner High Alpine Road, summer and early autumn are usually the best times.

Autumn is one of the most beautiful seasons for Austria if you like softer light, fewer crowds, and colourful landscapes. The cities are still pleasant, and the lakes and mountains can look magical with golden colours. Early autumn is especially good for hiking before the weather becomes too cold.

Winter is perfect if you want Christmas markets, classical concerts, snowy villages, or skiing in the Alps. Vienna and Salzburg are very atmospheric in winter, while Tyrol and other alpine regions become popular ski destinations. If you are not skiing, just keep in mind that some high mountain hikes and roads may be closed because of snow.

Top 10 Places to Visit in Austria

1. Vienna

Vienna is the place that introduced me to Austria, and it is still one of the cities I keep returning to. I visited Vienna in early spring 2019, again during Easter 2019, and then one more time in 2023. For me, Vienna is elegant without trying too hard. It has imperial buildings, wide boulevards, museums, coffee houses, classical music, and a slow, refined atmosphere.

For first-time visitors, start with the historic centre around St. Stephen’s Cathedral. This is the heart of Vienna and a good place to begin your walk. From there, you can explore the streets around Stephansplatz, visit elegant cafés, and slowly make your way toward the Hofburg.

The Hofburg is one of the most important places in Vienna if you want to understand the city’s imperial history. It is a huge palace complex with museums, courtyards, the Sisi Museum, the Imperial Apartments, the Austrian National Library, and the Spanish Riding School. Even if you do not enter every museum, walking around the area already gives you a strong feeling of imperial Vienna.

Schönbrunn Palace is another must-see. It is a little outside the centre, but very easy to reach by public transport. The palace gardens are beautiful, and if you walk up to the Gloriette, you get one of the best classic views of Vienna.

What I love most about Vienna is the music. Even if you are not a classical music expert, attending a concert in Vienna feels special. For me, Austria was unskippable partly because of its music history. Mozart spent some of his most creative years in Vienna, and Beethoven is strongly connected with the city too. If you enjoy music, try to include a concert, the House of Music, or a walk connected to famous composers.

Practical tip: Vienna is not a city to rush. I would spend at least 2–3 days here, especially if you want to visit palaces, museums, coffee houses, and maybe attend a concert.

2. Salzburg

Salzburg feels completely different from Vienna. If Vienna is grand and imperial, Salzburg is romantic and storybook-like. The Old Town is compact, walkable, and surrounded by hills, which makes it one of the most beautiful cities in Austria.

Salzburg is best known as the birthplace of Mozart, and it is strongly connected with music and culture. This is exactly what makes Salzburg special: it feels cultural, but also very close to nature. You can walk through the Old Town, visit Mozart-related places, and still see mountains around you.

Start in the Old Town and walk through Getreidegasse, the famous shopping street where Mozart’s Birthplace is located. Then visit Salzburg Cathedral, Mirabell Gardens, and Hohensalzburg Fortress. The fortress is one of the best viewpoints in the city, especially if you want photos of Salzburg’s rooftops with the mountains behind them.

I visited Salzburg during my Easter 2019 trip, together with Vienna and Hallstatt. It was a perfect combination because each place had a different mood: Vienna was majestic, Hallstatt was fairytale-like, and Salzburg felt like a bridge between city and mountains.

Practical tip: Salzburg can get crowded, especially in summer and around major holidays. Try to explore the Old Town early in the morning or later in the afternoon. If you have more time, Salzburg is also a great base for visiting Hallstatt, Gosausee, or other lake areas nearby.

3. Hallstatt

Hallstatt is probably one of the most famous places in Austria, and yes, it is touristy. But it is also genuinely beautiful.

The village sits between Hallstätter See and the steep Dachstein mountains, which gives it that postcard-perfect look. Wooden houses, the church tower, the lake, and the mountain backdrop all create a view that almost looks unreal.

I visited Hallstatt during Easter 2019, and it really felt like stepping into a fairytale village. Even after seeing many photos online, I still found Hallstatt impressive in person. The lake was calm, the village looked charming from every angle, and the mountain scenery made the whole place feel very special.

The classic thing to do is walk along the lake and stop at the famous viewpoint for the postcard photo of the village. You can also visit the Hallstatt Skywalk, the salt mine, or take a boat on the lake if the weather is good.

My honest tip is to arrive early or stay nearby. Hallstatt is small, and the main street can feel crowded very quickly. If you want a calmer experience, come in the morning, walk a little beyond the main photo spot, and give yourself time to enjoy the lake instead of only taking the famous picture.

4. Innsbruck

Innsbruck was the reason I returned to Austria in 2022. After visiting Vienna, Salzburg, and Hallstatt, I wanted to see the Austrian Alps more deeply, and Innsbruck was a perfect base.

What makes Innsbruck so special is the way the city and mountains sit together. You can walk through the colourful Old Town, see the Golden Roof, drink coffee in the city centre, and then take a cable car up into the mountains on the same day. It is one of the easiest places in Austria to feel the contrast between city life and alpine nature.

The Golden Roof is the most famous landmark in Innsbruck, but the real magic for me is the mountain view. The Nordkette cable car takes you from the city toward high alpine scenery very quickly. On a clear day, the view over Innsbruck and the surrounding mountains is beautiful.

If you love the Alps but Switzerland feels too expensive, Innsbruck and North Tyrol are wonderful alternatives. The mountain landscapes are dramatic, the public transport is good, and you can enjoy a mix of city comfort and outdoor adventure.

Practical tip: Stay at least two nights if you can. One day for Innsbruck Old Town and one day for Nordkette or nearby alpine areas will already give you a good first taste of North Tyrol.

5. Stubai Alps

The Stubai Alps are one of the best places to visit in Austria if you want dramatic mountain views but still want to stay close to Innsbruck. This area is famous for glaciers, cable cars, hiking trails, waterfalls, and high alpine scenery.

If you are based in Innsbruck, the Stubai Valley is a great day trip or short mountain escape. The scenery becomes more and more dramatic as you go deeper into the valley. In summer, you can enjoy hiking, viewpoints, and green alpine landscapes. In winter, the Stubai Glacier is a popular skiing area.

What I like about adding the Stubai Alps to an Austria itinerary is that it gives you a real alpine experience without making the trip too complicated. You can combine Vienna, Salzburg, Hallstatt, and Innsbruck, then use Innsbruck as your base to explore Stubai.

The Stubai Alps are especially good for travellers who want mountain scenery but may not be ready for very remote hikes. Depending on the season, you can use cable cars to reach higher viewpoints and enjoy the views with less effort.

The landscape here feels very different from Austria’s cities. Instead of palaces, old town streets, and concert halls, you get wide valleys, alpine slopes, waterfalls, and mountain air. It is the kind of place that reminds you how much natural beauty Austria has beyond Vienna and Salzburg.

If you visit in summer, bring layers even when the weather looks warm in the valley. Alpine areas can feel cooler and windier once you go higher. Good walking shoes are also important, even if you only plan to do easier trails or viewpoint walks.

For photography, Stubai is beautiful when the clouds move around the peaks. Clear weather gives the best wide mountain views, but a little mist or cloud can make the scenery look even more dramatic.

Practical tip: Always check cable car schedules and weather before going. In the mountains, the weather can change quickly, and cloudy days can hide the views completely. If you have flexible time, choose the clearest day for Stubai.

6. Olpererhütte Suspension Bridge in the Zillertal Alps

The Olpererhütte suspension bridge is one of the most famous photo spots in the Austrian Alps. You may have seen photos of someone sitting or standing on a small suspension bridge, with a turquoise reservoir and dramatic mountains in the background. That place is near Olpererhütte, above Schlegeis Reservoir in the Zillertal Alps.

This is not just a quick viewpoint from a parking lot. To reach the bridge, you need to hike up from the Schlegeis Reservoir area. The hike is not extremely long, but it is uphill, so you need proper shoes, enough water, and reasonable fitness. The reward is one of the most iconic alpine views in Austria.

The turquoise colour of Schlegeis Reservoir, the glacier scenery, and the bridge together make the view unforgettable. It is one of those places that feels made for photography, but it is also important to respect the mountain environment and other hikers. The bridge can get crowded because it is very popular on social media.

If you love dramatic landscapes, this is one of the best places to add to your Austria bucket list. It also shows why the Zillertal Alps are so special: sharp peaks, glaciers, clear lakes, and beautiful hiking routes.

Practical tip: Start early, especially in summer. The parking and road access can be busy, and the bridge area gets crowded. Bring layers because the weather near the hut can feel much colder than in the valley.

7. Seebensee

Seebensee is one of the most beautiful alpine lakes in Austria. It is located near Ehrwald, in the Tyrolean Zugspitz Arena, and it is famous for its clear turquoise water with dramatic mountain peaks behind it.

This lake is perfect if you love hiking and photography. The view is very different from Hallstatt or Gosausee because Seebensee feels more wild and alpine. The water is incredibly clear, and on a calm day, you can see beautiful reflections of the surrounding mountains.

To reach Seebensee, you usually need to hike or use mountain transport depending on the season and your route. Many travellers combine it with the Ehrwalder Alm area. The hike is popular, but it still feels like a real mountain experience, so good shoes and preparation are important.

For me, Seebensee belongs in this Austria article because it represents the kind of alpine beauty that made me fall in love with the country. It is not about architecture or history here. It is about the feeling of standing in front of a bright mountain lake and realizing that Austria’s nature can be just as impressive as its cities.

Practical tip: Go on a clear day if possible. Seebensee is most beautiful when the mountains are visible and the water reflects the peaks. Avoid going too late if you need to catch the last cable car or bus back.

8. Gosausee

Gosausee is one of my favourite types of places in Austria: a peaceful lake with mountain views that feels beautiful but not as overwhelmingly crowded as Hallstatt. It is located near Gosau, with the Dachstein mountains in the background.

If you are visiting Hallstatt or Salzburg, Gosausee can be a wonderful addition to your itinerary. It gives you that classic Austrian lake-and-mountain view, but with more space to breathe. The lake is also very easy to enjoy because you can walk around it, take photos, or simply sit by the water.

The best thing about Gosausee is the view across the lake toward the Dachstein. On a clear day, the mountains rise beautifully behind the water, and the whole place feels calm and cinematic. It is also a great photo spot, especially in the morning or late afternoon when the light is softer.

Gosausee is perfect for travellers who want nature without doing a very difficult hike. You can enjoy the lake with a gentle walk, but there are also hiking options nearby if you want a more active day.

The wider Salzkammergut region is also worth exploring if you have more time. Places like St. Gilgen, Wolfgangsee, Bad Ischl, and other lakeside towns make this part of Austria feel peaceful, scenic, and very easy to fall in love with. If Hallstatt feels too busy, the nearby lakes can give you a softer and more relaxing side of the region.

Practical tip: If you are already planning Hallstatt, consider adding Gosausee on the same trip or staying overnight in the Gosau area. It can make your Salzkammergut experience feel more complete and less rushed.

9. Zell am See and Kaprun

Zell am See and Kaprun are perfect if you want the classic Austrian combination of lake and mountains. Zell am See has a beautiful lake surrounded by alpine scenery, while Kaprun is known for mountain activities and access to higher-altitude landscapes.

This area is a great choice if you want a more outdoorsy Austria trip. In summer, you can swim, walk by the lake, hike, bike, or take cable cars for mountain views. In winter, the area becomes a ski destination.

What I like about places like Zell am See is that they show another side of Austria beyond the famous cities. You do not come here mainly for palaces or museums. You come for fresh air, reflections on the lake, mountain peaks, and that peaceful alpine feeling.

For photography, try to go out early in the morning or near sunset. The lake looks especially beautiful when the water is calm and the mountains reflect on the surface.

Practical tip: Zell am See can work well as a longer alpine base if you want to slow down. It is also a good choice for travellers who want nature but still prefer having restaurants, hotels, and train connections nearby.

10. Grossglockner High Alpine Road

The Grossglockner High Alpine Road is one of the most scenic drives in Austria, quite near Zell am See and Kaprun. It takes you through high mountain landscapes, alpine meadows, viewpoints, and dramatic curves with views toward Austria’s highest mountain region.

This is one of the places where having a car is very useful. Unlike Vienna, Salzburg, or Innsbruck, this is not really a simple city-to-city train destination. It is more about the journey itself: stopping at viewpoints, taking photos, and enjoying the feeling of being surrounded by the Alps.

If you love mountain roads, this is one of the most beautiful experiences in Austria. It is especially good for travellers who want to see the Austrian Alps without doing a long hike.

The Grossglockner area also connects well with the bigger theme of this Austria trip: the country is not only about cities and classical music. It is also about huge mountain landscapes, glaciers, alpine roads, and viewpoints that make you stop every few minutes for photos.

Practical tip: Check the road opening season before planning your trip. High alpine roads are seasonal and can be affected by snow, especially outside summer and early autumn. Try to start early in the day for better light, fewer cars, and more time to stop at viewpoints.

If you are planning your first Austria trip, I recommend combining at least one city, one lake or village, and one alpine region. That is the best way to understand why Austria is so loved: not only for its famous landmarks, but for the feeling of moving from culture to nature so effortlessly.

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