Many beautiful old towns may be found in Austria. The Austrian government has officially recognized 15 cities around the country for their historical significance, architectural excellence, and natural beauty as “picturesque.” These eight locations are perfect for anyone in search of beautiful Baroque buildings, glacier skiing, and alpine meadows. When you plan your trip, you may go there. Many attractive and reasonable packages for tourists in Austria are available on Travelocity.
Locations of Major Cities in Austria
Tourists interested in visiting lesser-known but no less lovely European locations may find much to enjoy in rural Austria.
These are the spots where locals congregate. You can expect to be welcomed by friendly locals eager to share their knowledge of the region’s history and culture over delicious local cuisine.
Listed below are some of Austria’s most charming and underappreciated rural areas.
To help you gain your bearings in Austria, we’ve included this map showing the country’s nine Bundesländer, often known as regions. Even though it serves as the nation’s capital, Austria’s capital city of Vienna is a country unto itself.
These 13 stunning towns are found all over Austria from Vorarlberg to Burgenland and Austria to Carinthia. It’s an excellent place to begin organizing your vacation to Austria.
Bludenz
Bludenz Bludenz is situated at the crossroads of the valleys of the Walgau, Montafon, Brandnertal, Klostertal, and the Großes Walsertal, giving mountaineers a plethora of options for adventure.
Ride the cable car up the Muttersberg mountains on the outskirts of town. Have some fun at the forested playground at the peak as soon as you arrive. Lundersee, a river in the Ratikon Mountains about 40 notes away, should also be on your itinerary.
You could see several grazing cows at the adjacent golf course. After you’ve conquered Austria’s demanding 18-hole course, reward yourself with a visit to the famous Fohrenburger Brewery for a tour and tasting.
Lienz
Lienz, a historic town in Eastern Tyrol, has a lot to proposal nature lovers and those interested in the region’s past. Due to its southwestern latitude, the city has Mediterranean-style weather; hence, snow and gluhwein are not to be expected year-round.
Are you seriously doubting us? All you have to do from the town square is a glance at the palm trees to see that. To get a feel for the region’s history and culture, stop by the Bruck Castle Museum, housed in a 750-year-old castle and features a magnificent collection of local art spanning 500 years. Yet, winter’s attraction remains even as the town’s annual Christmas market adds to the season’s charm.
Check out Adventure World Assling if you’re a fan of the great outdoors; it features a wildlife park, a toboggan slide (during the summer), and around 20 acres of space where herds of grazing deer may be seen. It’s worth your time to take a day trip to the adjacent town of Obertilliach, the setting for the recent James Bond thriller Spectre.
A.M.S. Zeph
This cold lakeside town close to Salzburg attracts skiers and spa visitors because of its proximity to a glacier and 80 kilometers of mountain slopes.
The lack of chalets often associated with Austrian ski resorts is more than compensated for by the lovely eateries and lively pub culture found in the town’s historic core, which is home to the Romanesque St. Hippolyte’s Church and the Schloss Rosenberg Town Hall.
The freshwater Lake Zell is a popular summer destination for families and couples to enjoy a variety of water sports, including swimming, fishing, stand-up paddling, and sailing on sunny days.
Hallstatt
This little village on the shores of Lake Hallstatt, which is bordered by hills that resemble fjords, has been inhabited continuously since the Iron Age. Visit the area’s historic mines and tunnels upon docking, followed by a day of hiking or a trip to the adjacent glaciers (the trails are at their most wonderful in autumn). Skiing, snowshoeing, and going to the holiday market are all popular things to do in the wintertime in this town.
It is strongly recommended that you visit Museum Hallstatt to learn more about the local history and archaeology. The Charnel House is a dreadful sight in a baroque church, with 610 painted skulls organized by family as a temporary solution for an active cemetery in 1720.
Alpbach
This Tyrolean town is known for its picture-perfect alpine architecture, protected by stringent construction regulations also meant to preserve its peaceful, secluded atmosphere.
Despite a referendum from the 1980s claiming otherwise, we’ll let you decide if Alpbach is Austria’s most beautiful town.
Kufstein
Kufstein, a quaint, historic town in the Tyrol Alps, sits on the Inn. It is the second largest city in Tyrol, behind the capital of Innsbruck. One of the most recognizable features of Kufstein is the huge Kufstein Fortress, which dates back to the 13th century and dominates the landscape around the city.
It is also the home of the Heldenorgel organ, the main outdoor organ in the world. Spend some time strolling down Romerhofgasse, a picturesque street in the middle of Kufstein that may make you feel like you’ve stumbled into a fairy tale.
Heiligenblut
Heiligenblut is an Austrian ski town located at the base of Grossglockner, the country’s highest peak. The beautiful Grossglockner High Alpine Route, Austria’s highest paved road and one of the country’s most popular tourist sites, begins (or ends) in Heiligenblut. The scenery along this path is also legendary.
Welfolt, the Holy
In the shadow of Schafberg Mountain and on the beaches of Lake Wolfgang sits the picturesque hamlet of St. Wolfgang, home to a famous church from the 14th century. St. Wolfgang, Bishop of Regensburg, is credited with deciding where to build this church.
Church of St. Wolfgang is the final stop on a popular pilgrimage route that begins at the St. Wolfgang cemetery in Regensburg and travels through the town of St. Wolfgang. Many people consider the cathedral’s ornate Michael Pacher Altar to be Austria’s most critical piece of Gothic art. The town’s location also makes it a great jumping-off place for outdoor pursuits, including mountain biking, hiking, and skiing.
Just To Sum Everything Up
It’s no secret that Austria is full of beautiful cities, so the country’s breathtaking alpine landscape, ancient architecture, and occasional ski resorts shouldn’t be either. If you’re seeking day excursions from Vienna or want to visit more of Europe, this list will come in handy.
A little village in Austria is one of the most lovely and memorable places on Earth. If you take the time to visit some of Austria’s towns, you will witness breathtaking scenery that will break with you for the break of your life.
If the prospect of seeing these breathtaking places has piqued your interest, keep reading. Here, you will learn about the best cities in Austria. You’ll find out how they vary from one another, what to do in each, and where to stay.
