Austria is one of Europe’s best destinations for combining historic cities with serious mountain scenery. The western half of the country lies deep in the Alps, with endless opportunities for hiking, climbing, skiing, and mountaineering. At the same time, cities like Vienna, Salzburg, and Innsbruck offer a completely different side of Austria, filled with old churches, palaces, medieval streets, museums, and centuries of history.
Austria has also been romanticized around the world through classical music, imperial history, and films like The Sound of Music. My own trips have leaned heavily toward the mountains, especially my climb of Grossglockner, the highest peak in the country. But visiting Vienna, Salzburg, and Innsbruck showed me that Austria is just as interesting when you come down from the mountains.
Explore Vienna
Vienna is Austria’s capital and largest city, renowned for its imperial palaces, grand churches, classical music, museums, and historic architecture. The Hofburg Palace complex reflects centuries of Habsburg rule, while St. Stephen’s Cathedral dominates the historic center with its enormous Gothic tower. Throughout the city, elaborate Baroque buildings and monumental squares sit alongside lively shopping streets, restaurants, and cafes.
Vienna also has an extraordinary cultural and historical legacy. The Spanish Riding School preserves centuries-old equestrian traditions, the Vienna State Opera remains one of Europe’s most famous musical institutions, and parks like Stadtpark provide peaceful spaces in the middle of the city. Roman ruins, World War II memorials, and modern neighborhoods reveal the many different periods that have shaped Austria’s capital.
Explore Salzburg
Salzburg is one of the best places in Austria to experience the country’s history and culture outside Vienna. The old city is famous for its Baroque architecture, churches, narrow streets, and dramatic setting along the Salzach River with mountains rising around it. Salzburg is also the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, whose presence is still impossible to miss throughout the city.
For many visitors, Salzburg is equally famous because of The Sound of Music. Locations throughout the city and surrounding countryside appeared in the film, and tours still take visitors to many of the places associated with it. Even without Mozart or Hollywood, though, Salzburg would still be one of Austria’s most beautiful cities.
Explore Grossglockner
Grossglockner is the highest mountain in Austria, rising to 12,461 feet (3,798 meters) in the heart of the eastern Alps. While it isn’t especially high by global mountaineering standards, the climb still involves the kind of terrain and exposure you would expect from a serious alpine peak, including glacier travel, steep snow and ice, and scrambling near the summit.
The mountain lies within Hohe Tauern National Park, the largest national park in Austria and one of the most spectacular alpine regions in the country. The surrounding area contains numerous high peaks, glaciers, valleys, and trails, with excellent opportunities for hiking and climbing in summer and skiing and other winter sports when the snow arrives.
Explore Innsbruck
Innsbruck is the capital of Tyrol and one of the best examples of how closely Austrian city life and the mountains are connected. Historic churches, palaces, old streets, restaurants, and cafes fill the city center, while steep alpine peaks rise almost immediately beyond the buildings.
Despite its long history, Innsbruck still has a relatively compact and relaxed feel. It works equally well as a destination on its own or as a base for exploring the surrounding Alps. Skiing, hiking, climbing, and mountaineering are all within easy reach, making Innsbruck one of the most appealing cities in Europe for anyone who wants history and outdoor adventure in the same trip.
