Amazing Sights You Don't Want To Miss in Austria

The memories we live by during travel stay with us forever. Sometimes, planning a trip and activities might seem like a long process but it sure is the best way to have an unforgettable trip. Austria’s cities offer numerous activities and sights for you to discover during your time there to fill various days.

Here is our shortlist of favorites that we consider absolute must-sees!

1. Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna

One of the most popular tourist attractions in Austria is the Habsburgs’ summer residence. We advise you to take a guided tour through the Imperial ceremonial rooms or walk around the lush accessible gardens.

To make sure you’ve seen the most incredible views over Vienna, take a walk up the hill to Gloriette from the gardens in Schönbrunn Palace.

The trip is not complete with out a visit to the Schönbrunn Zoo, the oldest zoo in the world.

Schloss-Schoenbrunn-View from Gloriette

2. Ringstrasse in Vienna

For the fans of architecture, the city is home to some of the most grandiose buildings Austria’s capital has to offer.

You have to visit The State Opera, Natural History Museum and Museum of Fine Arts, the Parliament, City Hall, the university, relaxing and beautifully arranged gardens (our favorites: Volksgarten and Burggarten). This can be done by boarding a tram or taking a stroll along Ringstrasse

For the shopaholics the Ringstrassen Gallerien (next to Grand Hotel) are a popular shopping destination along Ringstrasse.

Ring Street with Volksgarten and the two museums

3. Giant Ferris Wheel & Prater Amousement Park in Vienna

Some fun for the whole family or just an excuse to feel like a kid again. The Giant Ferris Wheel gives you some of the best views over the city. Wait for it you’re going to love this, Its passenger cars can be booked for private breakfasts, candle-lit dinners, and even wedding! How cool is that.

After the 10-15 minutes ride with the Ferris Wheel, have some fun in the amusement park with its turbulent roller coasters, spooky ghost trains and attractions of all sorts.

Vienna Ferris Wheel at the Prater

4. Hohensalzburg Fortress in Salzburg

A trip is not complete with out checking the cities historical attractions and it’s traditional dishes. Hohensalzburg Fortress, built in 1077, stands high above the city of Salzburg, a short (but steep) walk from the city centre. Inside, you will find the Princes’ Chambers with furnishing that have not been changed since the early 1500s, as well as a museum showcasing ancient suits of armour and a historic marionette museum.

For Instagrammable spots head to Mönchsberg for a leisurely walk with stunning views over Salzburg on to the other.

After all of that we’re sure you’ll be starving which is why we recommend stopping at traditional restaurants and huts before walking down to the city center through cobble-stoned and narrow streets lined with historic houses to give you the authentic feel of Salzurg.

View to Salzburg City Center from Festungsberg

©ÖW, Catalin Georgescu

5. Ars Electronica Center in Linz, Upper Austria

This attraction will take you to the future where you can talk to an android on the phone, pet a robot seal, or clone your favourite plant.

The Ars Electronica Center in Linz is a unique interactive museum which lets you experience science, technology, and art up close.

Its 5,100 m2 LED façade right next to the Danube continuously changes colours, making for a nightly spectacle. Linz is only 1 ½ hours from Vienna or 1 hour from Salzburg and perfect for a day trip from either city.

Ars-Electronica-Center-Linz

6. Schlossberg Hill & Clocktower in Graz, Styria

A tourist must see is Graz’s famous clocktower. You can see it up close by climbing Schlossberg hill.

If you’re more on the athletic side you can climb the 260 stairs or choose one of the simple options of taking the lifting located inside the hill or the Schlossbergbahn funicular

Up top, relax and treat yourself to a coffee with fantastic views over the city.

Afterwards, you can either stroll back down to the historic city center or choose the fun way: slide down the 175 meters with up to 30 km/h from the highest underground slide in the world.

Schlossbergbahn Graz

7. Golden Roof in Innsbruck, Tyrol

A truly luxurious design, Innsbruck’s Golden Roof, perhaps the city’s most famous landmark. has 2,657 gilded shingles that shine as bright as ever.

Many cafés and restaurants surround this stunning attraction, allowing you to soak up the unique atmosphere of Innsbruck.

Innsbruck’s most famous shopping street is Maria-Theresien-Street.

Old Innsbruck-with Golden Roof

8. Swarovski Crystal Worlds in Wattens, Tyrol

We dream of those magical lands that we often see in movies, and this one is not any different. Only 25 minutes outside of Innsbruck, a world of crystals awaits that has to be seen to be believed: 17 “chambers of wonder”, including a giant crystal dome and an “infinity mirror room” featuring a revolving chandelier as well as many stunning crystal exhibits and installations by the likes of Andy Warhol, Jean-Paul Gaultier, and Tord Boontje among many others.

Outside in the interactive gardens, a cloud made out of 800,000 Swarovski crystal rivals the starry night sky, a playtower invites children for some indoor fun while parents can browse through the largest collection of Swarovski products in the on-side store.

Crystal Cloud at Swarovski Crystal Worlds

Main Image:

Grazer Schlossberg