Austria is a rising tourist destination, rich with beautiful places, history, traditions, and activities. Gaining a reputation of the winter sports capital of Europe, it attracts tourists year round and it is not less popular in summer. Tourists can engage themselves in different kinds of sports like skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling as well as hiking in the magnificent scenery of the Alps, visiting historical cities and villages in Austria.
It also has a unique cultural heritage influenced with beloved Alpine traditions. Although one of the smallest countries in Europe, tourist attractions in Austria are not few. On the contrary, some of the best Austria’s tourist attractions had to curtail in the list of top 10 tourist attractions in Austria. Here is our list.
Contents
Tourist Attractions in Austria:
10. Melk Abbey
Situated on the bank of the Danube River between Salzburg and Vienna, Melk Abbey is one of the best tourist attractions in Austria. It is one of the famous monasteries in Europe. Here rests famous Saint Coloman of Stockerau. Although founded in 1089, this baroque style abbey got its present look primarily from the design of architect Jakob Prandtauer in in 1736. The spotlight of the abbey is certainly Stiftskirche (Abbey Church).
It is profusely embellished with marble and frescoes by Johann Michael Rottmayr and an astonishing number of windows. It has a library with 80,000 volume of precious work. Melk was used as headquarter Napoleon for his campaign against Austria. Melk Abbey was recently selected as the main motif of a 10 euro collectors’ coin. It is now also a distinguished monastery school with more than 700 students. Melk Abbey is certainly one of the best tourist attractions in Austria.
9. Vienna State Opera
Vienna State Opera certainly should be on your list of the best things to do in Vienna Austria. It is an example of the stunning architectural structure in the middle of Austria’s capital. It is probably the most celebrated opera house of all time. Originally called the Vienna Court Opera, The opera house was the first major building on the Vienna ring road. The opening premiere was Don Giovanni by great composer Amadeus Mozart.
It is currently one of the busiest opera houses in the world. It offers both classical and modern versions for viewers. It has been the venue of the Vienna opera house for many decades. Just think about enjoying a show in one the best opera houses in the world. What could be more thrilling? It is one of the best tourist attractions in Austria and doubtlessly the best things to do in Vienna Austria.
8. Seefeld, Tyrol
Worldwide famous for winter sports centers, Seefeld in Tirol is one the major tourist attractions in Austria. It was the venue of Winter Olympics Games. Although its reputation for the winter season, this is one of the best Austria tourist attractions is not abandoned in summer. It is quite a famous holiday destination in the summer. Once an old farming village and only a pilgrimage site, Seefeld is now crowded with thousands of tourists. For cross-country skiing, it has become an important place.
The 1985 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships and the Nordic events at both the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympics took place here. The picturesque views both in summer and winter are the main reason for the tourists to choose it as one of the best tourist attractions in Austria. There are many relaxed walks in Seefeld. If you want to go on hiking, there are some beautiful mountains too.
7. Hohensalzburg Castle
Hohensalzburg Castle is some of the few castles that are going to cross your imagination in every possible way. It is even more beautiful castle than the castle in fairly tall. Built on the request of the Prince-Archbishops of Salzburg, it is one of the largest medieval castles in Europe. It is unarguably one of the best things to in Vienna. Located at the top of Festungsberg Mountain, the mighty castle over the city of Salzburg, standing proudly into its magnificent skyline.
It is one of the best things to in Vienna.I t was used as a prison as a prison in the First World War. The castle houses a huge aerophone which is called the “Salzburg Bull” The major rooms and places in the castles are Golden Hall, Chapel of Archbishop Leonhard von Keutschach, Golden Chamber and Bedchamber. The castle is one of the major tourist attractions in Austria.
6. Hofburg Imperial Palace
Visiting Hofburg Imperial Palace is one of the best things to do in Austria Vienna. This magnificent former imperial palace will certainly take your breath away. It has been developed throughout the centuries since its foundation in the 13th century. The Hofburg palace had come under the influence of many different architectural styles, from Gothic to Renaissance, Baroque to Rococo, and a smattering of Classicism.
Once the powerhouse of the Austrian power, it is now the official seat of the Austrian Federal President. The palace houses a variety of museums such as the Imperial Treasury Vienna or the Neue Burg, art galleries and prestigious collections. So it is going to take a great deal of your time to visit this one of the major Austria tourist attractions. The notable museum of the palace is The Sisi Museum. It holds 300 personal artifacts of Austria royal family.
5. Innsbruck Altstadt
What could be possibly better things to do in Austria Vienna than free yourself in the in the midst of nature’s striking Alpine mountain range. Innsbruck Altstadt is your place with a picturesque landscape and a sophisticated urban center. Full of unique architecture, it is one of the best tourist attractions in Austria. The famous landmark of the city is the Golden Roof. It is decorated with thousands of gilded copper tiles that create the appearance of pure gold.
Other famous monuments are Ambras castle, Bergiselschanze, City Hall, Helblinghaus, Hofburg. It also has some spectacular museums and churches you don’t want to miss. It is also internationally famous as a winter sports center. It hosted the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympics as well as two Paralympics. It is not only one of the best tourist attractions in Austria but also the best winter destinations in Europe.
4. St Anton am Arlberg
It would not be a wrong phrase if we call Austria, the paradise of winter. St Anton is Arlberg is just another example of snow covering pristine Austria winter. This snow-covered paradise is one of the best tourist attractions in Austria. And what could be a better time of skiing than this ski resort?
It hosted the Alpine World Ski Championships in 2001 and time to time listed as one of the world’s top skiing resorts. But skiing is not all that St Anton am Arlberg is going to offer you. You can engage yourself in sightseeing and if you come in summer, don’t get too frustrated. You can see many tourists will join you in hiking over the mountain.
3. Grossglockner Alpine Road
This one of the best tourist attractions in Austria should be the place where you want to be in your dream. This panoramic highest mountain pass takes you up to the Kaiser Franz JosefsHöhe Visitor Center and you get the unobstructed view of Austria’s highest mountain, the Grossglockner. It is impossible to describe the scenic beauty around the road.
About 50 million people cross the road since its construction. For the snow, the road is not always open. It normally opens from the beginning of May to the end of October. It is definitely one of the best things to see in Vienna.
2. Hallstatt
Hallstatt is another major tourist attractions in Austria. It is a village in the Salzkammergut. The best way to explore Hallstatt is taking a ferry ride across the lake. When the amazing scenery of tiny village tucked between mountains and water comes into view, you will know not a single penny of yours is worthless. You will be a little surprised to see the beautiful baroque architecture as it is not a common picture for a village. Well, it is the result of its salt industry. This one of the best tourist attractions in Austria will certainly refresh your mind.
1. Schonbrunn Palace
With its ambiance buildings and the colossal park, Schönbrunn Palace, a former imperial summer residence, is one of the most spectacular cultural and historical monuments in Vienna and one of the major tourist attractions in Austria. An orgy of frescoed ceilings, giant mirror, crystal chandeliers, and gilded ornaments has made most of the residential building. So, do not miss out on visiting the beautiful residence and admire that magnificent royal architecture. Keep in mind there are 1441 rooms in the residence.
So, don’t get a tad tired trying to complete the entire residence since a major portion of the entire complex is still left. Between the palace and the fountain Sun, there is a sculpted garden space known as Great Parterre. Do not forget to get lost in the maze of the garden, delicately encrypted by Jean Trehet, a disciple of Andre Le Notre. Still, many more attractions are left in the entire complex which includes an orangery, a palm house and many more.
You can find a very special theater running puppet shows in the extensive parks. You can have a very special evening by enjoying professional productions with marvelous stage settings. It is definitely one of the best things to see in Vienna.