Culturally rich Austria boasts of names like Mozart, Strauss, Schubert, and Mahler as its former residents, whose haunting melodies still reverberate through gilded concert halls such as the Vienna State Opera House or the Wiener Konzerthaus. Its capital city, Vienna, is referred to as the ‘City of Music’ for the number of music venues and music schools that are located here. The city is also home to the MuseumsQuartier, an art complex that comprises some of the best museums in the world.
Austria was once ruled by the powerful Habsburg dynasty who seemed to have a penchant for building impressive castles and stately mansions, scattering them throughout the kingdom. The majestic Hofburg Palace and Albertina, both museums now, are two such examples. Besides the impressive monuments left behind by the Habsburgs, Austria has plenty of other architectural marvels scattered through small and big cities such as Hallstatt, Kremsmuster, and Innsbruck. Salzburg, the fairytale city of Baroque architecture with its impressive Hohensalzburg Fortress, found its way into the heart of the world with the release of the iconic film, the Sound of Music.’ This UNESCO World Heritage city has a stunning legacy of church architecture.
Like most countries of the world, Austria is also focused on moving with the times and modernizing its cities with some iconic landmarks. The Museum der Moderne Monchsberg stands in stark contrast to the fortress in Salzburg, so too the Swarovski Crystal Worlds in Innsbruck and Ars Electronic in Linz with their futuristic designs blending in with the surrounding medieval architecture.
For most people, Austria is synonymous with breathtaking mountain scenery and the countryside definitely does not disappoint. Visitors can hop on a cable car to most of the high mountainous regions to avail of some spectacular views during the summer months, or hike beside sparkling Alpine lakes and crystal rivers. Winter transforms the slopes into some of the best skiing sites in the world such as the renowned Zell am See-Kaprun that transforms into a giant playground in summer.
Salzburg, the fourth largest city of Austria and one of the lesser-known, is arguably the most beautiful. This historic city on the banks of the Salzach River looks like it has been taken out of fairy tale, and those with a romantic, yet sophisticated mindset will feel right at home. Salzburg is where Mozart was…
“Lively but not too wild” is how local drag queen Tiefe Kümmernis describes the LGBT scene in Austria’s capital – and we couldn’t agree more. That’s because we found so many gay hotels in Vienna, most of which lie near the gay nightlife action of Mariahilf and Neubau. Hence, we could easily walk to several…
Is Villach worth visiting? If you love nature, history, and culture, it certainly is! There are plenty of things to do in Villach no matter what time of the year you decide to visit. In the spring, you can sit under the tulip trees beside the River Drau while in the summer, the lakes offer…
Vienna, the capital and the largest city in Austria, is famous for its cultural events, imperial sights, coffee houses, cosy wine taverns, and the very special Viennese charm. It is associated with important musicians, artists, and scientists that were considered exceptionally progressive for their time, making it Europe’s cultural capital. It is a metropolis with unique charm, vibrancy and…
Innsbruck, the capital of Austria’s western state of Tyrol, is internationally famous for being a world-renowned center for winter sports, but it is much more than a ski hub. It is a city of vibrant nightlife, medieval castles, churches and modern architecture surrounded by stunning mountains scenery. Innsbruck makes a great year-round destination, start with…
Roughly 200 km (124 miles) southwest of Vienna, Graz sits by the River Mur, between the Grazerfeld basin and the Styrian Alps. Austria‘s second-largest city is a fascinating combination of the old and the new. On one hand, it’s home to medieval dwellings and ancient buildings. On the other hand, it’s a UNESCO-designated City of…
Settled on the banks of the Danube River, Vienna isn’t only the capital city of Austria, but also the biggest city in the country. Rightly called the “City of Music”, Vienna is very rich in historical and cultural heritage. The picturesque scenes around the city also never fail to attract travelers from every corner of…
Austria’s capital city is a magnet for tourists from all over the world. This comes as no surprise since it’s teeming with beauty, history, and culture every which way you turn. Whether your visit is for business or for pleasure, the best hotels in Vienna, Austria, will cement their place in your memory. From 5-star…
Music, castles, great food, these are a few of our favorite things about Salzburg. Because of its myriad attractions, Salzburg sees millions of tourists every year. In fact, in 2018 alone, the city received close to 30 million visitors. So, it isn’t surprising to learn that lodging options abound in this beautiful Austrian city. From…
Around two hours east of Vienna lies the charming hidden gem of a town of Linz, sprawled across the Danube River. While most tourists visit other famous Austrian cities of Vienna and Salzburg, Linz, with its historic structures and pastel-hued buildings, is equally charming. We got a real taste of Austrian life when we visited…
The hub of Tyrol in western Austria, Innsbruck has long charmed visitors for its beauty and wealth of activities. Here, there’s something for everyone throughout the year. You can soak up the springtime sun beside the Inn River and sample local delicacies at the summer markets. Autumn’s cool weather is perfect for hiking forest trails…
Have you been wanting to travel to a place with incredible architecture in every corner of the town? If so, you might want to plan a trip to Graz, Austria. It’s considered as one of, if not, the best-preserved historical cities in Europe. From the peculiarly built art gallery to the eye-catching chapel building, everything…
Bregenz, or the city by the lake, is one of the best places in the world to enjoy amazing Alpine views. We love this city for its beauty, culture, and serenity. We visited Bregenz several times, and each time, we stayed in different hotels in Bregenz, Austria. Most of the hotels there overlook breathtaking views…