In Austria you can experience the beautiful, versatile landscape with snow peaked Alps, glaciers, valleys, gorges, wooded foothills, plains, vineyards and farmland. Those interested in the winter sports, trekking and mountain biking will have plenty of opportunities in the fascinating landscapes of this Alpine country. Home to many magnificent historical buildings, Austria also offers unforgettable cultural experiences for those interested in music, opera, theater and ballet.
Mountain & nature destinations. Sankt Anton ski resort in Tyrol offers excellent skiing, hiking, biking and rafting. Zell am See is one of the most popular ski resorts of the country, with magnificent mountain landscapes and high class facilities for outdoor sports. The largest steppe lake in Europe surrounded by unique Austrian nature, Lake Neusiedl offers great birdwatching, hiking, windsurfing and relaxing summer holidays for the whole family. The scenic Salzkammergut region is good for nature holiday in mountainous settings, with cultural attractions around as well.
Local transportation in Austria is easy. There are excellent and modern bus, plane and train connections between the major cities and tourism destinations. Visitors in Austria may also prefer renting a car to travel around in Austria independently.
Culture, history and outdoor activities - Destinations in Austria
Austria's capital and also the center of the musical life is Vienna. In addition, it has a beautiful old town with historic buildings to admire. Salzburg is the birthplace of the famous composer Mozart and a popular destination for those interested in arts, architecture or award-winning world-class restaurants. Situated in the Alps, Innsbruck offers wide winter sport and outdoor activities, as well as beautiful historic buildings to admire. Graz on its behalf is a lively university city, which hosts a historically interesting castle, and a UNESCO World Heritage -nominated Old Town.Mountain & nature destinations. Sankt Anton ski resort in Tyrol offers excellent skiing, hiking, biking and rafting. Zell am See is one of the most popular ski resorts of the country, with magnificent mountain landscapes and high class facilities for outdoor sports. The largest steppe lake in Europe surrounded by unique Austrian nature, Lake Neusiedl offers great birdwatching, hiking, windsurfing and relaxing summer holidays for the whole family. The scenic Salzkammergut region is good for nature holiday in mountainous settings, with cultural attractions around as well.
Practical information for your trip to Austria
Austria is a landlocked Central European country by the Alps, which cover 3/4 of the country. Most visitors arrive in Austria by plane, as there are five international airports in the country, the one in Vienna being the most popular of them. There are also fast and comfortable train connections to Austria. The most inexpensive way to travel to Austria is by bus and there are good bus connections from the major European cities to Austria. Austria's neighboring countries are part of the Schengen contract, so there is no border controls and arriving in Austria by car is also possible. Be prepared to possible traffic jams in the motorways from neighboring countries at the beginning of holiday seasons in July and August.Local transportation in Austria is easy. There are excellent and modern bus, plane and train connections between the major cities and tourism destinations. Visitors in Austria may also prefer renting a car to travel around in Austria independently.
Photo: Fr Antunes, used under Creative Commons License (By 2.0)
Year-round destination. Austria offers activities to visitors a year round. Climate in Austria is temperate central European climate and usually cloudy. The winters are cold with frequent rain and some snow in lowlands and snow in mountains. Austrian Summers are moderate with occasional showers. The Alps have short summers, long winters and a high annual rainfall. Visitors in the Alps are recommended to prepare for the variation of temperatures and the intense sun radiation in the altitudes. Winter ski season in the Alps lasts from December to April.
History and culture of Austria
From 1278 to the First World War Austria was ruled by the great Habsburg dynasty, which also ruled many other parts of Europe those days. After the collapse of the large Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1919 Austria was reduced to a small republic and the country's status remained unclear until 1955 when the country was declared independent. Today Austria is a neutral country lead by a bicameral parliament elected every fourth year. Austria joined the European Union in 1995 and European Monetary Union in 1999.The Austrian culture is a mixture of its neighboring cultures. The Austrians enjoy one of the highest standard of living in the world. Austria is one of the safest countries in the world, it is safe to move at any time of the day here. You should still be aware of pickpockets especially in the crowded places.
hint See also these nearby destinations: Salzkammergut, Graz, Cesky Krumlov, Salzburg, Berchtesgaden, Kranjska Gora, Zell am See
