Austria attractions

Filled with Austrian art from the early 20th century, the Leopold Museum has a bold contemporary design that contrasts neatly with the Baroque architecture of Imperial Vienna that dominates the MuseumsQuartier. A must for fans of modern art, the museum is known for its collection of works by Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele.

The 17th-century Tanzmeisterhaus (Dance Master's House), where Mozart lived from 1773 to 1780 and composed many of his masterpieces, is now a museum devoted to Salzburg’s most famous resident. Beautifully restored in period style, the Mozart Residence (Mozart-Wohnhaus or Mozarts Wohnhaus) takes visitors on a journey through Mozart’s life and works.

Straddling the border between Austria and Germany, Untersberg is the highest peak above Salzburg and offers sweeping views of the city, the Rositten Valley; and the Salzburg, Bavarian, and Tyrolean mountain ranges. This flat-topped peak in the Berchtesgaden Alps is a popular destination for hikers in the summer and skiers in the winter.

The tallest structure in Austria at more than 820 feet (250 meters) high, Vienna’s Danube Tower offers magnificent panoramic views around the old city, Danube Park, and the Vienna Woods from an observation deck. A bungee-jumping platform is built for thrill-seekers, while a rotating restaurant lets diners savor 360-degree views of the Austrian capital.

With rolling vineyards of grapes and apricots, plus a collection of more than 5,000 historic monuments, it's no wonder that the Wachau Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Austria's most popular tourist attractions. Here, this stretch of the Danube River carves a picturesque path through the valley's historic towns of Melk and Krems, uniting a harmonious blend of wineries, Gothic churches, and medieval castles.

Themed around one of Austria’s best-known exports, Swarovski Crystal Worlds (Swarovski Kristallwelten) is a dazzling attraction devoted to sparkling crystals. Twinkling exhibitions created by contemporary artists and designers, together with a playground, play tower, and hand-shaped hedge maze, make for a family-friendly day out.

This pretty park was once a private royal garden but has been one of the most popular spots in Vienna for locals to gather for the past century. Lined on one side by the art nouveau Palmenhouse—today home to the Butterfly House and a buzzy cafe—the park offers grassy lawns and shady benches overseen by a monumental statue of Mozart.

Set against a backdrop of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Schönbrunn Palace, the Schönbrunn Zoo (Tiergarten Schönbrunn) is the world’s oldest zoo, dating back to 1752. Today, the park houses some 750 species, including rhinos, polar bears, and pandas, and focuses on the conservation and protection of endangered species.

Mozart had multiple residences in Vienna, but only one survived to the present day; the Mozarthaus Vienna at Domgasse 5, which was the composer’s home during the height of his career from 1784 to 1787. Today, the residence is a fascinating museum to visit for music lovers and history buffs alike.

More than a museum, Vienna’s Academy of Fine Arts is also an art school. Historic masterpieces here share a campus with budding artists from around the globe. With a magnificent collection of German, Dutch, and Flemish works, the paintings gallery is located in a Schillerplatz palace alongside lecture rooms and studios.

The architectural headliner of Hoher Markt, Ankeruhr (Anchor Clock) is a fanciful bronze-and-copper clock dating from the early 20th century. It’s known for the 12 figures from Viennese history rendered in copper that emerge individually as each hour is struck. The biggest show is at noon, when all 12 figures appear in rotation.

The imposing baroque Klosterneuburg Monastery, or Stift Klosterneuburg in German, is a 12th-century Augustinian abbey that dominates the skyline of Klosterneuburg. In addition to its elegant architecture, the monastery houses a number of artistic treasures and is home to Austria’s oldest wine-growing estate.

Set along the River Danube in the north of Vienna, the Vienna Woods (Wienerwald) offer a respite from the bustle of Austria’s capital city, as well as dramatic views. Originally hunting grounds for Viennese royalty, the region was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005. Today, its lush hills are a haven for wildlife and walkers.

All that glitters is indeed gold at the Imperial Treasury of Vienna (Kaiserliche Schatzkammer, one of the most significant treasuries in the world. Housed in the oldest part of the Imperial Palace, the collection shows off the decadence of the Austro-Hungarian Empire through its 1,000 years of treasures and precious religious relics.

Opened in 1913, the Salzburg Marionette Theater is one of the world’s oldest marionette theaters and celebrates the city’s long tradition of puppetry. The theater stages a range of productions using a cast of around 500 wooden puppets, from operas and fairy tales toThe Sound of Music—the 1959 movie that showcased the city and its puppetry.

Built by Ferdinand I in 1553 and part of the grand Hofburg Imperial Palace, the magnificent Court Church (Hofkirche) is among the highlights of Innsbruck Old Town. The star attraction of the church, an impressive example of Gothic architecture, is the elaborate cenotaph of Maximilian I, which dominates the main aisle.

Mozartplatz is Salzburg’s main city square, named after its most famous son, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The square, lined with cafés and restaurants, draws visitors from around the world who come to pay homage to the composer.

Home to the country’s lawmakers, the Austrian Parliament is the landmark with political clout on Vienna’s Ringstrasse. People visit it to see Austrian democracy in action, and to discover its 19th-century history and architecture. The striking Greek-revival façade and recently renovated interior chambers are among the highlights.

One of the world’s most important neo-Gothic buildings, the 19th-century Votive Church (Votivkirche was built to celebrate a failed assassination attempt on the Habsburg Emperor Franz Joseph I. Today, the soaring cathedral with rose windows, gabled portals, and delicate spires and buttresses is among the city’s architectural treasures.

Known for its gold-leaf dome from outside and its Gustav Klimt-created Beethoven Frieze inside, the Vienna Secession is a treat of intriguing architecture and art. While the big draw is the Beethoven Frieze—an interpretation of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9—the artist-run building hosts continually changing contemporary art exhibitions.

Dating back to the 15th century, the Imperial Palace (Hofburg) was among the lavish imperial residences of the Hapsburg dynasty. Redesigned by Empress Maria Theresa in the 18th century, it’s a feast of baroque and rococo style, adorned with gleaming marble, glittering gold, and elaborate frescoes.

History abounds at the Hauptplatz (main square), where architecture dates to the Middle Ages. Set in Graz Old Town, the square today remains the city’s core, linking every street worth seeing and every tram. Architecture enthusiasts and people-watchers come to linger, enjoying markets and events that add buzz to the elegant backdrop.

Mauthausen was one of the largest concentration camps in the Nazi-controlled part of Europe during World War II. It was the last camp to be liberated by the Allies, with at least 90,000 people estimated to have been murdered there. The main camp at Mauthausen, located outside the titular town in Austria, has served as a museum since 1975.

Perched on a rocky outcrop in the Austrian Alps south of the city of Salzburg, the ancient Hohenwerfen Fortress offers a unique look at almost a thousand years of history in the region.

Set inside the former home of the Austrian neurologist at Berggasse 19 in Vienna, the Sigmund Freud Museum tells the story of Sigmund Freud via exhibitions of his possessions. Original furniture decorates the rooms that now serve as exhibits on Freud’s family life and his role as the founding father of psychoanalysis. It's a must-visit for travelers with an interest in psychology.

Set in Palais Eskeles, Vienna’s Jewish Museum (Jüdisches Museum Wien traces the history of Vienna’s Jewish community from the medieval times to the present. Exhibits explore the history and culture of the local Jewish population and showcase a vast collection of donated items.

With an extensive collection spanning from 17th-century glassware to modern industrial design, themed special exhibits, and a rich program of events, Vienna’s Museum of Applied Arts (commonly called MAK) is a great place to spend a few hours. Marvel at Baroque, Biedermeier, and Art Nouveau art and design in its Neo-Renaissance halls.

One of the largest squares in Vienna, Karlsplatz is dominated by the massive Karlskirche (St. Charles Church) overlooking its lake-size central fountain. This striking public space features a pair of landmark 19th-century pavilions, the Secession Building exhibition hall, the bustling Naschmarkt market, and the leafy Resselpark.

The Danube River is among Europe’s mightiest, stretching from Germany to the Black Sea, and it helped grow Vienna into a major power center. The waterway branches into two as it enters Vienna: The Danube Canal passes through the center, while the river flows across the city’s northeastern edge. Both provide opportunities to relax and take in Vienna’s sights.

Vienna’s most beautiful concert hall, the 19th-century Kursalon Vienna (Kursalon Wien sits on the edge of the Stadtpark (City Park near the gilded statue of composer Johann Strauss, whose music is enjoyed in the concert hall each evening. Recently given a facelift, the Kursalon’s lavish interiors have returned to their former glory.