So you're planning an Austrian adventure? Good choice. I remember my first trip to Salzburg - got completely lost trying to find Mozart's birthplace, ended up in this tiny café eating the best Apfelstrudel of my life. That's Austria for you: full of surprises around every corner. Forget those generic "top 10" lists. We're diving deep into what actually makes this country special.
Look, I'll be straight with you - some tourist spots feel like cattle herds (looking at you, Hallstatt midday crowds). But that's why you need this guide. We're covering everything: imperial palaces, mountain trails, where to eat like royalty without the royal prices, and those hidden gems most visitors miss. Planning things to do in Austria? Let's get you sorted.
Vienna's Imperial Splendor
Vienna hits different. Walking through the historic center feels like stepping into a living museum. But skip the horse carriages - seriously overpriced at €55 for 20 minutes.
Schönbrunn Palace Must-Sees
This place is massive. First time I went, I made the mistake of trying to see everything in one day - bad move. Your feet will hate you. Focus on these:
| Experience | Details | Price | Smart Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Palace Tour | Maria Theresa's rooms & Mirror Room Opening hours: 8:30am-5:30pm Address: Schönbrunner Schloßstraße 47 |
€24 (adult) | Book online 3 days ahead (saves €2 and queue time) |
| Palace Gardens | Free entry Neptune Fountain & Gloriette viewpoint Opens at 6:30am year-round |
Free | Sunrise views without crowds |
| Palace Maze | Separate entrance Fun for kids, adults enjoy it too |
€7.50 | Skip if short on time |
The €44 Sisi Ticket gets you into Schönbrunn, Hofburg, and Imperial Furniture Collection - saves about €15 if you're doing all three.
St. Stephen's Cathedral
That tiled roof? 230,000 glazed tiles. Take the 343 steps up the South Tower - your calves will burn but the view over red rooftops is worth it. Entrance: Stephansplatz 3. Opens 6am-10pm (church), towers 9am-5:30pm. Tower entry €6.
Pro tip: Head to Café Central afterwards. Yes, it's touristy but those vaulted ceilings and Apfelstrudel (€8.50) make you feel like Freud discussing philosophy. Get there at 3pm when tour groups thin out.
Salzburg: Beyond The Sound of Music
Okay, yes they do Sound of Music tours. But there's more to this city than Julie Andrews. The old town is UNESCO gold.
Hohensalzburg Fortress Essentials
Europe's best-preserved fortress looming over the city. Walk up the zigzag path (30 minutes) or take the funicular (€12.90 round trip). Inside feels medieval - suits of armor, creepy torture chamber. Opens 9:30am-5pm.
| Ticket Type | Includes | Price | Worth It? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Ticket | Courtyards & views | €12.90 | Yes for panoramas |
| All-Inclusive | State rooms & museums | €16.90 | Only for history buffs |
Salzburg Card hack: €30 for 24 hours gets you fortress entry, public transport, and Mirabell Gardens. Pays for itself fast.
Mozart Experiences Done Right
Birthplace (Getreidegasse 9) is crowded but worthwhile. Seeing his childhood violin? Goosebumps. Open 9am-5:30pm, €12. Residence (Makartplatz 8) is larger and less packed. Both? Get combo ticket for €20.
Local secret: Augustiner Bräustübl beer garden. Grab a stone mug (€8 for 1L), pick grilled fish from the counter, sit under chestnut trees. Address: Augustinergasse 4. Cash only - they mean it.
Tyrolean Adventures in Innsbruck
Where else can you ski before breakfast and sip coffee in a Renaissance square by lunch? Innsbruck's golden roof shines, but the real gold is outdoors.
Nordkette Mountain Thrills
Take the funicular from Congress station to Hungerburg (€4.60), then cable car to Seegrube (€42 round trip total). Top tip: Go before 9am to avoid queues. At 2,256m, the view punches you in the gut - jagged peaks in every direction.
- Hiking: Trail to Pfeishütte hut (2 hours, moderate)
- Zoo: Alpenzoo at Hungerburg stop (€12, unique alpine animals)
- Brave? Walk the suspension bridge near Hafelekar station
Old Town Gems
Golden Roof (Herzog-Friedrich-Straße 15) looks better in photos than reality - it's small. Free to view from outside. Better spend time at Hofkirche church with its 28 bronze giants (€7 entry, 9am-5pm).
My favorite lunch spot: Stiftskeller. Vaulted ceilings, Tyrolean gröstl (fried potatoes with bacon & egg €14). Address: Burggraben 31. Go before noon to snag a courtyard table.
Hallstatt & Alpine Lakes Reality Check
Instagram made Hallstatt famous. Reality? About 800 people live there and 10,000 tourists try to visit daily. Still magical if you time it right.
Hallstatt survival guide:
- Arrive before 8am or after 6pm
- Parking: P1 lot €16/day, fills by 9am
- Skip the salt mine unless fascinated by mining (€40, 3 hours)
- Best photo spot: Along Marketstrasse before boats arrive
- Alternative: St. Wolfgang or Gmunden lakes - equally pretty, fewer crowds
Pro transport tip: Train from Salzburg to Hallstatt Station (€15, 1.5 hrs), then ferry across lake (€6 return). Ferries sync with train schedule.
Active Things to Do in Austria
If you're not breathing mountain air, did you even visit Austria?
Winter Sports Breakdown
| Resort | Best For | Day Pass | Travel Time from Innsbruck |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Anton | Expert skiers & apres-ski | €67 | 1hr 15min train |
| Kitzbühel | Intermediates & charm | €62 | 1hr 30min drive |
| Mayrhofen | Parks & young crowd | €59.50 | 1hr drive |
Rental hack: Book online at Intersport Rent 7+ days early for 25% discount. Average ski set €40/day.
Summer Hiking Hotspots
May through October is hiking heaven. Essential trails:
- Eagle Walk (Tirol): 33 stages across whole region - do Stage 7 from Zams to Venet for lakes & peaks
- Hallstatt Salt Trail: Steep 40-min climb behind town to incredible viewpoint (free)
- Hohe Tauern National Park: Waterfall trail near Krimml is wheelchair accessible (€4 entry)
Gear tip: Buy the Kompass hiking map (€9) at any train station - trails marked perfectly.
Cultural Deep Dives
Beyond Mozart balls and schnitzel - real Austrian culture moments.
Vienna's Coffee House Ritual
Ordering coffee isn't transactional here - it's a ceremony. Must-visits:
- Café Sperl (Gumpendorfer Str. 11): Wood panels & billiard tables since 1880. Melange €4.50
- Café Hawelka (Dorotheergasse 6): Boho vibe, Buchteln pastries after 8pm (€3.50)
- Café Museum (Operngasse 7): Klimt-designed, less touristy. Best Sachertorte alternative €6
Important: Don't rush. Order a newspaper, linger 90 minutes. That's the ritual.
Village Festivals Worth Planning For
Tourist crowds disappear at these:
- Perchtenlaufen (December): Krampus parades in Bad Gastein - terrifying masked figures
- Almabtrieb (September): Cows decorated with flowers parade down mountains in Tyrol villages
- Vienna Wine Hiking Days (April): Hike vineyard trails with wine stations (€25 glass included)
Practical Austrian Travel Hacks
Transport Truths:
- Trains beat driving: Westbahn trains between Salzburg-Vienna are half the price of ÖBB (€29 vs €60)
- City cards: Only worth if doing 3+ attractions/day
- Uber exists but taxis reliable: Short rides €8-12
- Bike sharing: Nextbike app - €1/30min, stations everywhere
Budget Busters & Savers:
- Museum admission shock: Hofburg €16, Kunsthistorisches €18 - prioritize!
- Lunch deals: Gasthaus daily menus (€10-15 for soup, main)
- Free walking tours: Tip-based in major cities
- Water: Safe to drink from taps anywhere
My biggest regret? Not bringing broken-in walking shoes. Cobblestones are beautiful ankle-breakers.
Essential Austria Travel FAQs
What is the best month for things to do in Austria?
April-May or September-October. July-August has crowds + higher prices. Ski season peaks January-February.
How many days for Vienna vs Salzburg?
Vienna needs 3 full days minimum. Salzburg packed in 2. Add extra days for mountain regions.
Is Salzburg Pass worth buying?
Only if visiting 3+ paid attractions daily. Calculate your planned entries first - sometimes à la carte wins.
Can I do Hallstatt as a day trip from Vienna?
Possible but exhausting (3.5hr each way). Better from Salzburg (1.5hrs) or stay overnight.
What Austrian foods must I try?
Beyond schnitzel: Käsespätzle (cheesy noodles), Tiroler Gröstl (fried potatoes with egg), Marillenknödel (apricot dumplings). Budget €15-25 per casual restaurant meal.
Final thought? Austria rewards the curious. Skip the checklist travel. That random vineyard you stumbled into near Krems? The thermal bath in Bad Ischl where locals outnumber tourists? That's where the magic happens. Your turn to find those moments. What surprised you most on your Austrian adventures?
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