Top things to do in Austria

Most people visit Vienna (Wien) with a vivid image in their minds: a romantic place, full of imperial nostalgia, opera houses and fine cakes. Even so, the city can overwhelm with its eclectic feast of architectural styles, from High Baroque through the monumental imperial projects of the late nineteenth century, to the decorative Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) style of the early twentieth, used to great effect on several of the city’s splendid U-Bahn stations.

For Austrians, daytime drinking traditionally centres on the Kaffeehaus, a relaxed place serving alcoholic and soft drinks, snacks and cakes, plus a wide range of coffees: a Schwarzer is small and black; a Brauner comes with a little milk; a Melange is half coffee, half milk; a Verlängerter is an espresso diluted with hot water; an Einspänner is a glass of black coffee topped with whipped cream (schlag). Coffee is pricey in a Kaffeehaus, though for this you can linger for hours. Most cafés also offer a tempting array of cakes and pastries, as do Café-Konditorei (café-patisseries), where the cakes take centre stage.

For many visitors, Salzburg represents the quintessential Austria, offering ornate architecture, mountain air and the musical heritage of the city’s most famous son, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The city and surrounding area were for centuries ruled by a series of independent prince-archbishops, and it is the pomp and wealth of their court that is evident everywhere in the fine Baroque Altstadt. Salzburg’s compact centre straddles the River Salzach, squeezed between two dramatic mountains - Mönchsberg and Kapuzinerberg. The west bank forms a tight-knit network of alleys and squares - Alter Markt, Residenzplatz, Mozartplatz (with an obligatory statue of the composer) and Domplatz - overlooked by the medieval Hohensalzburg fortress high above.

Enjoying the great outdoors is one of the best things to do in Austria. The jewel of the Salzkammergut is Hallstatt, which clings to the base of precipitous cliffs on the shores of the Hallstättersee. With towering peaks and a pristine lake, this is a beautiful setting in which to hike, swim or rent a boat. Arriving by train is an atmospheric and evocative experience. The station is on the opposite side of the lake from the village, and the ferry, which meets all incoming trains, gives truly dramatic views. If you’re searching for Austria holiday packages, we’ve got you covered.

Innsbruck is great for outdoor activities. Pop into the tourist office to find a wide range of brochures. Of Innsbruck’s ski areas the closest to the city is Nordpark, accessible via the Hungerburgbahn, with its fabulous panoramas, snow park for skiers and snowboarders and taxing expert-level runs. The other ski areas - including the Patscherkofel, Axamer Lizum, Glungezer, Muttereralm, Schlick 2000, Kühtai and Rangger Köpfl - are all on the opposite, southern, side of the valley and offer mellower terrain ideal for relaxed, wide-turn skiing.

Salzburg wastes no time cashing in on its connection with the legendary singing Von Trapp family, immortalized in the movie The Sound of Music. From its kiosk on Mirabellplatz, Panorama Tours runs The Original Sound of Music Tour to the key film locations, such as Hellbrunn Palace and Mondsee Cathedral - they play the soundtrack and you’re encouraged to sing along. Definitely one of the most memorable things to do in Austria!