A week in Austria: where to go, what to see. The most beautiful places in Austria that are worth paying attention to The most picturesque places in Austria

Austria is a country located in Central Europe. The state borders on the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, and Liechtenstein.

It is not surprising that many tourists try to include a visit to Austria in their tourist routes, because a trip to many Austrian cities will give bright and unforgettable impressions and diversify the trip.

The developed infrastructure attracts many tourists from different parts of the world. In addition, recently there has been a particular popularity for trips to small towns in Austria, where you can enjoy the beautiful facets of nature.

St. Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna

St. Stephen's Cathedral, which is one of the most worthy attractions in Vienna, stands out from the general architectural ensemble. At the same time, the beauty of the cathedral surprises many travelers.

The construction of the architectural monument began in the distant 1137, but fires repeatedly destroyed the unique building. Construction of the current building began only in 1359. Unfortunately, during the Second World War, the religious site was severely damaged, but the Austrians managed to restore the landmark. Now the external and internal design of the cathedral evokes amazing impressions.

Location: Stephansplatz - 3.

Hofburg, Vienna

The Hofburg is the official residence of the President of Austria. During the imperial era, the palace complex was used as the winter residence of the Habsburg dynasty.

Medieval buildings have survived to this day, namely a Gothic-style chapel and a treasury building. You need to understand that almost every representative of the Habsburgs rebuilt and expanded their residence, as a result of which the palace complex deserves special attention from tourists. Fortunately, the residential and office premises have been preserved to this day in almost their exact form.

Tourists can visit Silver Chamber of the Hofburg, which displays cutlery and family heirlooms from the Habsburgs. If you wish, you can visit the Sisi Museum, which operates in the Hofburg Palace and allows you to learn about the Bavarian Princess Elizabeth.

Location: Michaelerkuppel.

The City Hall in Vienna was built in 1872 - 1883. For the construction activities, a project developed by Friedrich Schmidt, who became famous as an architect specializing in the neo-Gothic style, was used. The Town Hall has five Gothic turrets that rise above the main building. On the main tower there is Rathausmann statue. In winter, Christmas lights are always playing on the façade of the town hall.

Today, the town hall hosts cultural events: concerts, festivals and exhibitions. In winter, the square in front of the town hall is used to create an ice skating rink.

Location: Friedrich-Schmidt-Platz - 1.

Schönbrunn, Vienna

Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna is an imperial residence. It is believed that this particular landmark is a worthy example of Austrian Baroque.

The construction of the palace complex was carried out in 1696 – 1713. Representatives of the Habsburg family contributed to the creation of Schönbrunn Palace. You can guess that the palace complex is actually impressive. In addition, in 1742 - 1743, the palace building and garden were reconstructed at the behest of Empress Maria Theresa. It was the reconstruction that allowed Schönbrunn to acquire its current appearance. Despite the grandeur of the building, the property was used only as a summer residence.

A new milestone in Schönbrunn was opened thanks to Emperor Franz JosephI, who decided to make the palace complex his residence.

The palace was damaged during the Second World War, but it was restored. Nowadays, tourists can appreciate all the beauty of Schönbrunn.

Location: Schönbrunner Schloßstraße - 47.

Belvedere, Vienna

Belvedere is an amazing palace complex, which is divided into lower and upper parts. Here you can see not only the palace premises, but also the stable yard and the greenhouse. The Belvedere was built at the beginning of the 18th century, and the object was supposed to become the summer residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy.

It is assumed that the construction of the lower part of the Belvedere was completed in 1712. At the same time, the internal chambers consist of the prince’s bedroom, the Marble Hall, the Marble Gallery, the Grotesque Hall, the Golden Cabinet, and the dining room. It is here that you can appreciate the frescoes, sculptures, and bas-reliefs. It should be noted that a large area is allocated for a stable and a greenhouse. The garden that surrounds the palace complex follows the best principles of the French style.

The creation of the upper part of the Belvedere was carried out in 1717 - 1723. To prevent the building from collapsing, vaulted ceilings were created, which have survived to this day. The upper palace was used as a representative residence, where there were banquet halls, living rooms and bedrooms for guests.

Soon the palace was taken over by Maria Theresa, who brought here a large number of paintings and art objects from the Hofburg. As a result, the Belvedere also houses an art gallery where valuable paintings can be seen.

The Belvedere is one of the most worthy palaces in Vienna.

Location: Prinz Eugen-Straße - 27.

Cathedral, Salzburg

The Salzburg Cathedral is not only an important religious site, but also a worthy architectural monument. The cathedral is distinguished by its exquisite silhouette and majestic dome, thanks to which it surprises many tourists with its beauty. In addition, many architects are convinced that the cathedral is a worthy example of the Renaissance.

The entrance to the main arch is decorated with a gate, distinguished by the implementation of the images of Faith, Love and Hope. Subsequently, you can appreciate the marble facade with two symmetrical towers and statues.

The interior decoration of the cathedral is made taking into account the best principles of Baroque. In addition, unique paintings and ancient frescoes are traditionally used as decoration. It should be noted that the main organ includes thousands of pipes decorated with small figures of angels.

The cathedral houses a museum dedicated to religious art. The cathedral also regularly hosts acoustic concerts.

Location: Domplatz - 1a.

Swarovski Museum, Innsbruck

The Swarovski Museum was opened for the centenary of the world-famous company of the same name in 1995. The entrance to the museum center is a large hill covered with grass and shaped like a giant's head. In addition, the territory of the museum is already underground.

The Swarovski Museum includes several halls. Every visitor can come closer to discovering interesting facets of the Swarovski crystal world.

Location: Kristallweltenstraße - 1.

Mirabell Palace, Salzburg

The unique Mirabell Palace was built in 1606. However, in 1818, when a large-scale fire occurred in Salzburg, the palace complex was also damaged, as a result of which the building was given a modern look. From the original palace complex, only the Baroque staircase and stucco elements above some windows have survived.

Mirabell Palace is famous for its unique building and garden, created at the end of the 17th century. Every tourist can appreciate the magnificent decoration of the palace halls, the unique garden with a fountain and sculptures. The palace is available for special events, weddings and excursions.

Location: Mirabellplatz.

The Wachau Valley is a truly beautiful and ecologically clean place, which is a UNESCO cultural heritage site. The valley is located in Lower Austria and stretches along the Danube River. Tourists can visit the Wachau Valley, which is located between two Austrian cities, namely Melk and Krems. Wachau is famous for its castles, small villages, and grape fields.

Benedictine Monastery, Melk

The monastery complex is located directly on the banks of the Danube. It took several decades to build the monastery, and the final appearance was acquired only in 1746.

It was assumed that the monastery would strengthen the influence of the church in the city of Melk and the surrounding region. However, despite the beauty of the architectural design of the religious site, the situation remained the same. In addition, in the 19th century, monastic taxes increased and the monastery lost its lands, and the Benedictine abbey had to part with religious values ​​in an attempt to avoid disastrous consequences. Despite all attempts, the monastery still belongs to the state authorities.

The Benedictine monastery is a famous attraction where you can see antique furniture, frescoes, and icons. It hosts excursions, exhibitions, concerts and music festivals.

Location: Abt-Berthold-Dietmayr-Straße - 1.

The Hohe Tauern is a large nature reserve in Austria, which is located in the lands of Tyrol, Salzburg and Carinthia. The national park is located in the central part of the Hohe Tauern, a high ridge, thanks to which tourists can fully enjoy the picturesque nature.

The national park surprises with mountain peaks, meadows and forests, waterfalls, and gorges. Such beautiful nature allows you to enjoy hiking, mountaineering and mountaineering.

Landhaus, Graz

The Landhaus is one of Graz's most famous landmarks. This object is the seat of the Styrian Parliament.

Landhaus surprises many tourists with its amazing architecture, which corresponds to the Venetian style. The attraction is distinguished by special loggias and large arched windows. However, the building took on this appearance only after reconstruction efforts in the 16th century, when it was possible to carry out reconstruction with the involvement of the Italian Domenico Allio.

In the courtyard there is a three-story arched gallery dating back to the Renaissance. Tourists can also visit the conference hall and the knight's hall. It's no wonder that Landhaus in Graz attracts many travelers.

Location: Herrengasse - 16.

Puppet Theater Museum, Salzburg

The puppet theater began its history in 1913. The theater troupe is small, but the variety of its repertoire is truly surprising. Theater fans can enjoy performances based on the works of W. A. ​​Mozart, Shakespeare, and P. I. Tchaikovsky. Adults and children will enjoy the time spent in the amazing puppet theater.

Untersberg is an amazing natural park located near Salzburg. This park was founded in 1983 on private territory. The owners of the territory provided their land holdings to the Austrians for free for recreation. These days, Untersberg is especially popular with many travelers.

The park is located in a mountainous region on the border of Austria and Germany. This corner of Austria surprises with its picturesque nature. In addition, travelers can even visit ice caves, walk along special routes, and visit a forest beer garden. Spending time will definitely give you bright and unforgettable emotions.

Mozart Residence, Salzburg

The Mozart Residence is the home of the Austrian composer, which opened to tourists in 1996. The residence was completely restored after the destruction caused by military operations in World War II.

Visitors can see family documents and drafts of Mozart's musical works, a piano, and a portrait of the whole family. Moreover, the exhibition in one hall is entirely dedicated to all the women in Mozart’s life.

Location: Getreidegasse - 9.

Olympic Games Museum, Innsbruck

Innsbruck is an attractive city in Austria that hosted the Olympic Games in 1964 and 1976. Visitors can see documentary videos of the Olympics, learn the history of the Olympic Games and even appreciate the symbolism. Every visitor can appreciate the presented commemorative collection, which reveals interesting historical events related to sports.

The Piber Stud Farm is where the Lipizzaner breed of horse is bred to preserve the classic art of horsemanship. The farm's history dates back to the 16th century, but even today Piber plays an important role in the Austrian riding world. Despite the constant threats of the disappearance of unique horses and the cessation of development of the farm, all obstacles were overcome.

Orth Castle, Gmunden

Gmunden is a small resort town in Austria, surprising with its romantic atmosphere. In addition, the town became famous for its unique lake castle Orth. Many lovers try to hold their long-awaited wedding in this magical place, where you can enjoy the lake and majestic mountains.

Orth Castle includes Renaissance and Baroque features. Such an amazing architectural design of the castle complex surprises many travelers.

Medling is a small town located in the middle of the Vienna Woods. Previously, the settlement was included in Vienna, but in 1954 Medling was recognized as an autonomous city. The town attracted painters, composers and poets who became famous throughout the world. Even Ludwig van Beethoven loved spending time in the small town of Medling. Tourists can fully enjoy this picturesque and attractive Austrian city.

Austria is a truly amazing country, ready to discover interesting facets of ancient architecture and impress with its picturesque nature.

A country of stunning mountain scenery, deep cultural heritage, beautiful ski resorts and amazing desserts. You could spend hours describing the most beautiful cities in Austria, but it’s better to go and see...

Tourism makes up a significant share of the country's national budget revenues. In winter, thousands of tourists come to alpine resorts; in summer, local residents and visitors relax on mountain lakes of extraordinary purity and beauty. And all year round, travelers explore its museums, theaters, and exhibitions, which this land literally “breathes.”

In order to list the most beautiful cities in Austria, you would need to write a whole book. In this article we will tell you about the very best places that are definitely worth visiting when you find yourself in this country.

The capital, heart and main city of Austria, whose sights are amazing. One of the oldest cities in Europe and one of the main centers of world art. The history of Vienna goes back centuries; archaeological excavations confirm that its age is more than 25 thousand years.

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In Vienna you should definitely visit:

Gazebo- a large and beautiful palace complex in the city center, the most famous landmark in Austria. Built in the 18th century as the summer residence of commander Eugene of Savoy. There is a beautiful garden between the buildings on the complex. At the beginning of winter, Belvedere annually hosts a Christmas ball with beautiful handmade Christmas tree decorations, fried potatoes and aromatic mulled wine.
Address: Vienna, Prinz Eugen Str. 27

Vienna Opera– built in 1869. The largest opera house in Austria, a landmark of the city and the whole country. He was extremely popular among the local aristocracy. Every year, magnificent balls were held at the theater. In 1945 it was destroyed during a bombing, and ten years later it was restored according to old drawings.
Address: Opernring 2

Hofburg- a symbol of the majesty of the Austrian Empire. The palace, which was the winter residence of the famous Habsburg dynasty, and today is the official residence of the country's government. Has more than 2.5 thousand rooms. On the palace grounds you can also visit the Silver Chamber and the Sisi Museum.
Address: Michaelerkuppel, A-1010 Wien

Royal Burgtheater– one of the largest and most famous theaters in the world. Created back in 1741. More than 800 performances are performed within its walls per season, and the theater stage area is 700 square meters. Four hydraulic elevators on stage allow the directors’ wildest ideas to be brought to life.
Address: Doktor Karl Lueger Ring, 2.

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St. Stephen's Cathedral- a majestic Catholic cathedral, a generally recognized national symbol, one of the main attractions of the city and all of Austria. A grand building, permanently in Gothic style, located in the central square of Vienna. In addition to the beautiful architecture and works of art, visitors to the museum can also climb one of the 2 towers and visit the ancient catacombs, which house the remains of emperors.
Address: Stephansplatz 3

City of Music. The birthplace of the brilliant composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Located in western Austria, at the northern foot of the Alps.

Main attractions of Salzburg:

Mirabell Palace– built in the 17th century, commissioned by the Archbishop of Salzburg for his beloved. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Address: Mirabellplatz 4

Hellbrunn Palace and Park Complex- a masterpiece of late Renaissance architecture. It is located 6 km south of Salzburg. It occupies an area of ​​60 hectares. The palace is surrounded by a park with ponds, fountains, and sculptural compositions. The complex also includes the Mountschloss hunting castle and the Stone Theater, an ancient open-air stage.
Address: Furstenweg 37

Cathedral- a unique object of religious architecture. One of the main attractions of the cathedral is the font in which Mozart’s baptism ceremony was held.
Address: Domplatz 1a

A museum city, the capital of three Olympics, a major tourist center where you can get acquainted with many of the sights of Austria and find wonderful souvenirs. Located in the west of the country, in the federal state of Tyrol. They say about Innsbruck that here “all roads run into the mountains.”

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Worth visiting in Innsbruck:

Golden roof– the main attraction of this beautiful Austrian city. It is a covered balcony decorated with 2500 copper petals plated with gold. It was built at the beginning of the 15th century on the orders of Archduke Frederick.
Address: Herzog-Friedrich-Strasse, 15

Cathedral of St. James- the most famous temple of the city, one of the significant attractions of Austria. In addition to its chic architecture, it is famous for the masterpieces stored within its walls. So, here you can see with your own eyes the painting of the Madonna and Child, the author of which is Lucas Cranach the Elder. An incredible ensemble of 48 bells sounds here every day at noon.
Address: Domplatz

Hofburg Palace– the former official residence of the rulers of the Roman Empire. It was built around 1460 by Archduke Sigmund the Rich. For a long time, until the First World War, it was the residence of the Habsburgs.
Address: Rennweg 1

Naturally, these are not all the most beautiful cities in Austria, but the description would be incomplete without mentioning the beauty of Austrian nature.

Green Lake

Located in the region of Styria. The lake got its name due to the lush vegetation at the bottom, which gives the water a beautiful emerald hue.
Address: Oberort, Oberort 47

Austrian Alps

A beautiful mountain range. It has a length of 500 km and occupies more than half of the country’s territory. The Alps are home to many mountain resorts that offer a full range of entertainment and sports opportunities.

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Werther See

This beautiful lake, located far from noisy cities, is one of the main attractions of Austria in the summer. Situated among forested mountain spurs. In summer, the water in the lake warms up to 27 degrees.

Austria is a stunning mountainous country, with deep history and culture, with incredibly beautiful cities that could take hours to describe. When choosing a weekend tour to Austria, which you can read about here, we recommend paying attention not only to the capital, but also to such beautiful cities as:

1. Salzburg, western Austria, northern foothills of the Alps

It is a city of music, the birthplace of Mozart, where the main attractions are:

Mirabell Palace, 16th century;
the Hellbrunn palace and park complex, which occupies an area of ​​60 hectares and is surrounded on all sides by a beautiful park with ponds, fountains, and sculptural compositions;
Cathedral. One of its main attractions is the font in which Mozart was baptized.

2. City of Innsbruck, Tyrol

A major tourist center, a museum city where you can get acquainted with many attractions of Austria. They say about this city: “All roads end in the mountains.” And in fact, the landscapes here are simply amazing. Worth visiting in Innsbruck:

Golden Roof, 15th century. This is a beautiful covered balcony decorated with 2500 copper petals plated with gold;
Cathedral of St. James: the main shrine of the city, inside which masterpieces of painting are kept. In addition, every day at noon an incredible ensemble of 48 bells sounds from the cathedral;
Hofburg Palace, 15th century. The palace was the residence of the Habsburgs for a long time.

3. Graz, left bank of the Mur River, Styria

A city that has preserved its identity since the Middle Ages. It is famous not only for its architecture, but also for its magnificent landscapes. You can see the city from a bird's eye view from the cable car and the Schlossberg mountain. Other attractions of Graz are:

Clock Tower 1712;
Eggenberg Castle;
15th century cathedral;
Saurau Palace;
Mariatrost;
basilica 18th century

Residents of Graz are also proud that the famous actor Arnold Schwarzenegger was born here.

A small but very picturesque town that is very popular with tourists. After all, this is where you can take a break from civilization, admire the mountain scenery, and breathe fresh air. The city itself is decorated with colorful houses and a beautiful lake with pigeons.

Natural attractions of Austria

Of course, Austria is also famous for its picturesque nature. Therefore, one cannot help but remember:

Green Lake in Styria. Thanks to the lush vegetation at the bottom, the water in the lake received an emerald hue;

Werther See. A beautiful lake, which is located among the forested spurs of the mountains. In summer, the water here warms up to +25 -+27 degrees.

Austrian Alps. Perhaps this is the most important attraction of the country, which attracts millions of tourists from different parts of the world. The beautiful mountain range has a length of 500 km and occupies more than half of the territory of Austria.

Of course, beautiful places in Austria are not limited to just the cities listed. Every town, even the smallest one, has a unique history and is rich in natural and cultural attractions.

Austria is a unique country with a rich history, culture and traditions, stunning mountain scenery and local hospitality. Every year, Austria is visited by several million tourists from all over the world. Here are the most visited attractions in Austria.

This rating is based on official data from the Austrian tourism service on the number of people who visited certain attractions. Let us clarify that this list does not include attractions that are free to visit (it is not possible to keep track of the number of tourists visited). For example, no one counts the millions of tourists walking in Vienna near St. Stephen's Cathedral. Or guests “wandering” through the streets of the old town in Salzburg.

Austrian attraction No. 1 – Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna

Schönbrunn Palace is the most visited attraction in the country. Schönbrunn features Imperial Baroque architecture, painted in traditional Habsburg light yellow tones. If anyone doesn’t remember from school, the Habsburgs are an Austrian royal dynasty that ruled the country until 1918. So, this palace was the summer residence of the Habsburg royal family.
Also, on the territory of the main Austrian attraction there is one of the largest and oldest zoos in the world.

2. Hohensalzburg Fortress in Salzburg

Salzburg is the hometown and place of residence of the famous composer Amadeus Mozart, but it is famous not only for this fact. Without detracting from Mozart’s merits, the main attraction of Salzburg is still the Hohensalzburg fortress, dating back to the 12th century. By the 18th century, under the control of Roman Catholic archbishops, Hohensalzburg had become one of the most powerful castles in Central Europe.

3. Grossglockner High Alpine Road

Grossglockner High Alpine Road is a road between mountain passes connecting the two regions of Austria, Salzburg and Carinthia. It passes at the foot of the highest point in the country - Mount Grossglockner (3798 m). High Alpine Road is mostly used for tourism and excursion purposes and is not used during the winter half of the year (from October to May).


The Basilica of Mariazell is located two hours by car southwest of Vienna. If you do not have a car, tourists can use the services of a local carrier Taxi services in Vienna

The landmark is not widely known internationally, but plays a prominent role in the Catholic religious world. So, for example, during their official visits to Austria, the Basilica of Mariazell was visited by Pope II (in 1983) and Pope Benedict XVI (in 2007).

5. Ferris wheel in Vienna

The Vienna Ferris Wheel is located in the Prater Park, in the area between the Danube and the central part of the city. The wheel was built back in 1897 by the American J. Ferris, and not so long ago it was converted and modernized. The ride on the wheel offers visitors unique views of Vienna, especially its historical part, as well as St. Stephen's Cathedral.

6. Schlossberg Castle in Graz


Schlossberg Castle is the main attraction of Graz, the second largest city in Austria. In Schlossberg, special attention is drawn to the Urturm - the clock tower, which offers a very attractive panorama of the city.

7. Swarovski Museum, Innsbruck


The Swarovski Crystal Worlds was designed by Austrian Andre Heller and built in 1995. The museum includes 14 underground halls, and the outside is a park area. Since its inception, the Swarovski Museum has been visited by more than 8 million people. The House of Crystals is the second most visited museum in Austria, second only to the museum in Schönbrunn Palace.

8. Melk Abbey

Melk is a town in the province of Dolna, located approximately 100 km west of Vienna. The abbey, which is one of the most popular monasteries in the world, brings great popularity to the town of 5,000 people. The history of Melk Abbey goes back more than 900 years, and in 2089 it will celebrate its millennium.

9. Museum of Fine Arts, Vienna

Opened in Vienna back in 1891, the Kunsthistorisches museum was originally a collection of the Habsburg imperial family. Today it is the largest museum of its kind in the country, the collection of which includes works by such famous artists as Bruegel, Vermeer, Dürer, Rembrandt, etc. Also, if you are traveling to Austria with children, do not forget to visit the Zoom Children's Museum in Vienna. This children's museum has themed children's rooms where you can and should touch and try everything :-).


The Belvedere palace complex was built in Vienna in the 18th century and was the summer residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy, perhaps the best military leader of that time. The Belvedere was developed by Lukasz von Hildebrandt, under whose leadership the architectural ensemble in the Baroque style was built. Belvedere is located in the third district of Vienna's Landstrasse and is rightfully one of its main attractions.

The country will also appeal to nature lovers, and Austria, or rather the Austrian Alps, will also appeal to lovers of active winter recreation. Not without reason, some of the local ski-resorts (more precisely, Igls in Innsbruck and Stubai-Neustift) are included in.

In the video below you can admire the beauty of Vienna with your own eyes.

 

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