Incredibly Cool Things to Do in Austria

Immerse yourself into the Old World Charm

The Belle Époque, the pre-WWI, can still be experienced in Austria in a few handfuls of places across Austria. If you are one who seeks to go back in time, then this should be at the top of your bucket list.

Head to Vienna to relive imperial Austria, walk the streets of baroque Salzburg or unearth the forgotten spa retreat town of Bad Gastein in the Austrian alps.

The atmosphere will enchant you and transport you back into an unforgettable classic period of beauty.

Follow The Sound of Music trail

Relive the magic of The Sound of Music by visiting the real places where it was filmed.

Start at Mirabell Gardens in Salzburg, wander through the abbey courtyards, and spin in the hills near St.Gilgen just like Maria.

Every stop pulls you into the story and shows off Austria’s beauty in the most playful way.

Witness Austria’s glaciers before they vanish

Plan a road trip across the Tauern National Park to Austria's highest mountain road, the Grossglockner high alpine road, to see the highest summit in the country and the last remaining glaciers.

Learn about the glaciers in the adjoining museum, the ecosphere, and the history of the region.

I recommend a hike down to the glacier. Every step closer tells the tale of how the ice has been receding in the past 70 years, with signboards showing pictures of how each spot used to look like.

Live the laid-back Austrian summer

Summer is Austria is relaxing and a reminder of how the 90s used to be . Locals head to the nearest lake, river, or public swimming pool to go for a swim and soak up the sun.

Evenings are spent in a local inn in good company, and with excellent drink and live music, the town resonates and invites locals and visitors to enjoy a good time together.

Tip: How to Spend a Lazy summer day like a local in Europe.

Trace the legacy of the mysterious Hallstatt culture

Learn about the ancient Hallstatt culture, which dominated trade and life over 3000 years ago in an area known as the Salzkammergut in Austria.

The center of it all is the picturesque town of Hallstatt. High above the settlement are the age-old salt mines, where the Bronze Age people mined for salt, which, at the time, was used as a universal currency across Europe.

Immerse yourself in the history on a visit to the salt mines and take in the breathtaking beauty of the region.

Witness the scars of WWI & WWII that still echo today

Austria was at the center of WWI and WWII. The Great War broke apart the empire, and the poverty and difficulties of the common man led to Hitler's rise and subsequently to WWII.

Go to the Mauthausen concentration camp, one of the work and death camps where the most atrocious murders were committed to prisoners.

Add the Museum of Military History in Vienna to your itinerary to help you understand the mind of the people and their struggles during those inconceivable, grisly times.

Reach new heights in the Austrian Alps

The Alps are where you should head if you love nature and mountains. Snow-covered peaks, unparalleled views, and crystal-clear water streams invite you to explore.

From late spring to early fall, you can hop on a cable car and comfortably rise to the summits of Austria's most beautiful mountains to soak in the 360° panoramic views.

Taste Austria’s countryside, one glass at a time

Wine has been grown and produced since Roman times in Austria, and this ancient wine-growing region deserves much more love.

Take part in the Buschenschanken or Heuriger culture in eastern Austria and eat artisanal sausage specialties while sipping on grape varieties that are native to the region.

Learn about the living tradition of schnapps distillation and take part in a schnapps tasting session.

Tip: Learn about the exclusive Austrian wines from the president of the Austrian wine and sommelier association.

Wander through fortresses filled with forgotten stories

Austria is the land of fortresses, castles, and palaces and here you can immerse yourself in medieval and baroque fairy tale stories

Famed Austrian castles such as the Hohensalzburg fort high above the city of Salzburg or the Riegersburg castle in Styria were unconquered by ravaging troops throughout the ages.

Palaces such as the Schönbrunn and Esterhazy palace remind us of a time when Austria shared a border with Russia.

Savor Austria’s sweet and savory legends

Food has a long-standing tradition in Austria, and here you will get a chance to taste world classics and regional specialties.

Go to Linz in Upper Austria for the Linzer cookies and Linzer torte. Head to the Sacher Hotel in Vienna to try their timeless chocolate Sachertorte. Hunt down the best Vienna Schnitzel in Vienna, the most delicious Bosna in Salzburg, and the cheesiest Spätzle in the Tyrolean Alps.

Unmask the eerie customs still alive today

Eerie traditions are still observed every year in the Austrian mountains, and you can experience these ancient rituals.

Take part in a traditional Krampus run in November or early December. Men wear hand-carved, unique, demon-like masks. See the different Perchten creatures during the Rauhnacht ritual period, which takes place around Christmastime.

Celebrate spring with the bizarre Fasnacht traditions of the Tyrolean alps.

Tip: Ancient Folklore Traditions of Austria.

Hit the slopes where winter dreams begin

Austria is known as one of the best ski resort destinations in the world. All that thanks to luxury resorts, including Ski Arlberg and Kitzbühel.

Snow assurance, state-of-the-art manicured slopes, and a fantastic infrastructure invite you to ski at the heart of the alps.

A sport-filled day is always celebrated with a famed Austrian Après Ski party.

Tip: The Best ski resorts in Austria.

Step into the heart of holiday tradition

Celebrate Christmas in Austria and experience the local traditions.

The people celebrate the Advent period with food and mulled wine, and the Christmas markets in Austria are in full swing already by mid-November.

Hop from one Christmas market in Vienna or discover the enchanting palace Christmas market of Hellbrunn in Salzburg. Christmas is truly the most magical time to see Austria.

Feel the freedom of the sky above Austria

See the Austrian Alps from the perspective of an eagle.

Safety standards are high, and so is the price for such an unforgettable trip, but it's a unique experience that I highly recommend and which is worth every cent.

You can choose to do a paragliding trip, hop on a helicopter or a small plane, or how about a romantic and relaxing hot air balloon trip in the early morning hours?

Celebrate the homecoming of the mountain cows

The homecoming of the cows is a traditional event held in the Tyrol region in western Austria, which is better known as Almabtrieb.

The cows are taken on a summer retreat in May or June, where they hang out and eat the green high summit mountain grass until September. They get to roam the mountains freely.

In September, as it has been done for centuries, the cows are decorated with colorful headgear, and men and cows walk down together back to the valleys where they are ceremonially welcomed.

Feel the heartbeat of a village in full celebration

Every village and town in Austria holds a special celebration in the shape of a fair in the summer.

These are held on a Saturday, and you will surely come across one such celebration every weekend in each district.

Here you can experience the no-gimmick-tourist-trap version of how the locals celebrate with good beer, food, and music.

Hear the sounds that shaped Austria’s soul

Austria is the birthplace of classical music, and all the great composers, including Mozart, Strauss, Haydn, and Beethoven, either lived or worked at some point in Austria.

Take part in a concert dinner in Salzburg or Vienna, or purchase tickets to one of the prominently booked events in the acoustically refined halls of the Haydn Hall in the Esterhazy palace.

Relax in warm waters surrounded by alpine views

It's a little secret that Austria has some of the best thermal water spas in Europe. The quality of service and experiences exceeds expectations thanks to the therapeutic mineralized quality of mountain waters.

Combine that with a breathtaking view, and you have an experience worth every euro.

Soak in the hot waters or take in the German sauna culture on a cool, cloudy day in Austria; the choice is all yours.

Waltz into tradition at Austria’s grandest events

Glide across polished floors as live orchestras fill the air with waltzes.

The Vienna ball season is all about elegance, tradition, and sparkling celebration. It’s a chance to dress up, dance late, and be part of something truly timeless.

From the grand venues to the graceful rituals, every moment feels like a scene from another era.

Sleep like royalty or wake up in the clouds

How about a night in a historical palace? If that sounds like something you'd enjoy, then I recommend spending a night in the footsteps of the emperor of Austria in the former royal chambers of Schönbrunn palace.

If you prefer waking up in the mountains, I can recommend a night in one of the many wonderful Alms in the Austrian Alps. Our current favorite is the Angerer Alm.

Stroll through Austria’s living traditions

The artisanal know-how has been handed over from generation to generation in Austria, and the best way for you to experience this culture is at a fair or market.

Wood work is probably the most common craft in the country. From hand carved items to intricately decorated ceilings and walls, the art is a true marvel.

If you would like to learn more, I recommend a trip to an open-air museum with historical farmsteads. The one in Kramsach near Rattenberg in Tyrol is lovely!

Explore the icy depths and thunderous heights of Austria

Nature has its ways in Austria, and here you will come across unique marvels.

The Eisriesenwelt near Salzburg city is a vast system of caves filled with eternal ice.

Just an hour away from this location, you can experience the highest waterfalls in Europe, the majestic Krimml waterfalls.

Look out for mesmerizing gorge walks. The best are located, once again, in the stunning region of Salzburg.

Feel the drums, the pride, and the pageantry up close

Spring and summer come with the Schützenfest celebrations in Austria.

The marksmen sharpshooters are celebrated with a parade, music, dance, and typical local street food.

It's a unique celebration that will take you back in time. Old artillery pieces from the Napoleonic resistance are moved across the streets, and locals show off their traditional uniforms.

Create your dirndl or lederhosen with local hands and heart

Dirndl are traditional dresses that are worn on special occasions and at traditional fairs in Austria and neighboring Bavaria.

The male equivalent is lederhosen, which are short leather pants that are put on with high-rise socks and a shirt or jacket. Lederhosen and Dirndl are Trachten, a heritage garment of the region.

A traditional Trachten shop in Salzburg city can help you get one custom-made for you. Designer Trachten clothes can be found in Kitzbühel at the famed Sportalm label.

Step into a carriage and back in time

Hop on a Fiaker ride, a traditional horse-drawn four-wheeled carriage, and discover the city from another perspective.

Skip modern taxis and trams and look out for the hire a carriage ride on the St. Stephan's central square or at the Hofburg palace in Vienna.

The prices can be reasonable, and the Fiaker guides may explain all the major historical buildings and landmarks along the tour.