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If you've been in the hunt for the best places to visit in Austria, I’m sure you've probably noticed the pattern already. Half the internet is showing you imperial palaces, historic cities and coffee houses, while the other half is showing you mountain roads, lakeside villages and alpine scenery that looks absolutely beautiful. Everyone seems to be talking about a completely different country?

The frustrating part is that they're both right, both sides are equally Austrian. So instead of trying to rank destinations against each other, I've divided this practical guide into two parts: the cities and cultural experiences that shaped Austria's identity, and the landscapes that make people fall in love with the country in the first place. Let’s go right into it…

Cities & Culture

Vienna Waits For You (In Billy Joel’s Voice)

The city wears its imperial past right on its sleeve, from the grandeur of Schönbrunn and Hofburg Palaces to the soaring Gothic spires of St. Stephen's Cathedral rising above the old centre. A walk along the Ringstrasse will give you beautiful boulevards, monumental architecture and reminders of a time when Vienna sat at the heart of one of Europe's most powerful empires.

But Vienna is at its best when you move beyond the checklist. Follow the irresistible scent of warm Apfelstrudel coming from a traditional coffee house, browse the colourful stalls of the Naschmarkt with a piece of fresh rye bread in hand, or simply spend an afternoon watching the city go about its day. If you're lucky enough to catch a performance by the Wiener Symphoniker in the Golden Hall, you'll know that Vienna's relationship with music isn’t just a tourist attraction.

For many travellers looking for the places to visit in Vienna, the palaces and cathedrals are easy to recommend. The afternoon that somehow disappears in a coffee house is a little harder to explain. Prefer a holiday that’s truly personal? Discover tailor-made holidays by Cox and Kings that let you experience Austria entirely the way you like. 

Salzburg is More Than Mozart's Hometown

Salzburg is often introduced through Mozart, but reducing it to that would be doing the city a disservice. Between its Baroque architecture, fortress views and beautifully preserved Old Town, Salzburg feels like one of Europe's most elegant cities.

Start with a walk through the historic centre, where church domes, narrow lanes and grand squares seem to appear everywhere you look. The Hohensalzburg Fortress remains one of the city's defining landmarks, and gives you magnificent views across the city and the surrounding mountains. Music lovers can step inside Mozart's Geburtshaus, while those who prefer a slower pace can wander through the beautifully maintained Mirabell Gardens.

Beyond the famous sights, admire the impressive Baroque Salzburg Cathedral, make your way up to Kapuzinerberg for a different perspective of the city, or hug your inner tourist on a Sound of Music tour, kitschy, yes, but really enjoyable. And before you leave, do what many locals and visitors have been doing for generations: find a seat at the Augustiner Bräustübl, order a freshly brewed Augustiner Märzen and settle in for the evening.

Innsbruck: Mountains All Around

Innsbruck's main attraction is the fact that you can’t look in any direction without seeing the Alps. Tucked into the Inn Valley and surrounded by towering Alpine peaks, the city feels completely different from Vienna and Salzburg. The historic centre is usually where visitors begin. Wander through the colourful Old Town, admire the famous Golden Roof and spend some time exploring streets lined with medieval buildings, cafés and traditional shops. The Imperial Palace and Court Church gives you a glimpse into Innsbruck's royal connections, while the squares around the city centre are perfect for people-watching.

What makes Innsbruck special, however, is how quickly the city gives way to the mountains. A ride on the Nordkette cable car takes you from the city centre to stunning Alpine viewpoints in a matter of minutes, while nearby hiking trails and mountain paths give you endless opportunities to experience the landscape up close. In winter, many visitors use the city as a gateway to some of Austria's most famous ski resorts, making it one of the most popular places to visit in Austria!

Connect with our experts to build an itinerary around the places you'd most like to see.

Mostviertel: A Different Side of Austria

Many travellers never make it to the Mostviertel region, which is precisely why it’s going to be a unique experience. Located in Lower Austria, this largely rural region is known for its rolling hills, fruit orchards, traditional villages and landscapes that change beautifully with the seasons.

Mostviertel is particularly famous for its pear orchards and the production of Most, a traditional Austrian pear cider that has shaped local culture for generations. Scenic country roads, farmhouses, small market towns and walking trails make it an appealing alternative to Austria's busier destinations. Visit in spring for blossoming orchards or autumn for golden countryside, and you'll quickly understand why those who discover Mostviertel often end up recommending it to everyone else.

Nature & Alpine Landscapes

Hallstatt: The Village Everyone Recognises

There is a good chance you've already seen Hallstatt somewhere over the internet. Its lakeside setting, pastel-coloured houses and mountain backdrop have made it one of Austria's most photographed destinations.

While photographs capture its beauty, they rarely capture the atmosphere. Arriving early in the morning or staying into the evening allows you to experience Hallstatt at its quietest, when the lake becomes almost perfectly still, the narrow lanes feel unhurried and the village starts to resemble the peaceful Alpine community it was long before social media discovered it.

Grossglockner High Alpine Road: Austria's Greatest Drive

While some attractions are destinations, the Grossglockner High Alpine Road is the journey itself. Winding through spectacular Alpine scenery, this mountain road offers access to some of Austria's most stunning landscapes, glaciers and viewpoints. It is widely regarded as one of Europe's most scenic drives and provides nothing short of a perfect introduction to the Austrian Alps.

Wachau Valley: Vineyards, Villages and the Danube

Stretching along the Danube River between Melk and Krems, the Wachau Valley is a haven full of vineyard-covered hills, historic towns and some of the most beautiful river scenery in Austria. The region is particularly famous for its white wines, apricot orchards and centuries-old villages that seem largely untouched by tourism.

One of the highlights is Dürnstein, a picturesque town known for its blue church tower and the ruins of the castle where England's King Richard the Lionheart was once imprisoned. Whether you choose to cycle along the Danube, take a river cruise or simply spend an afternoon wandering through the villages and wine taverns, the Wachau Valley is one of the best places to visit in Austria that feels worlds away from the country's grand cities.

Tyrol & the Zillertal Alps

If you’re dreaming of snow-capped peaks, mountain villages and outdoor adventures, few regions capture the Austrian experience better than Tyrol. The Zillertal Alps flood you with opportunities for hiking, skiing, scenic drives and cable car journeys, while traditional villages continue to preserve local culture and Alpine traditions. 

If the phrase "Austrian Alps" is what brought you here in the first place, this is likely the region you're imagining.

St. Gilgen: The Lakeside Escape

Overshadowed by nearby Hallstatt and Salzburg, St. Gilgen remains one of Austria's most beautiful lakeside destinations. Located on the shores of Lake Wolfgang, the village is full of beautiful waterfront views, mountain scenery and a relaxed atmosphere that feels far removed from many of the popular places to visit in Austria. 

Alpbach: Austria's Most Beautiful Village?

Austria has a whole lot of beautiful villages, but Alpbach frequently appears near the top of the conversation. This award-winning Alpine gem was once voted Austria's most beautiful village! 

What makes Alpbach special is not a single landmark but the experience of spending time there. You can enjoy hearty Austrian classics at a local inn, hike to the tranquil waters of Zireiner See, explore the historic glass-blowing workshops of nearby Rattenberg, or venture into the Alpbachtal Wildschönau Nature Park, where trails wind through forests, meadows and mountain landscapes.

And while Alpbach is beautiful throughout the year, many visitors argue that winter is when it truly comes alive. The surrounding ski slopes, cosy mountain huts and lively après-ski culture have made it a favourite among winter travellers looking for a more traditional Alpine experience.

Why Choose Between Them?

One of the reasons Austria remains so popular is that you never have to choose between culture and nature. It is entirely possible to spend the morning exploring imperial palaces in Vienna and find yourself surrounded by mountain landscapes a day later. That's what makes our Austria tour packages with Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck and the country's Alpine regions so popular: they bring together several completely different experiences within a single journey. 

Looking for a start? Explore Austria tour packages from India by Cox and Kings for a stress-free holiday experience!