Perhaps no other country so effortlessly combines urban sophistication with the rugged outdoors as Austria. Whether it's learning about classical music in Salzburg, exploring the coffeehouse culture of Vienna or exploring the Alpine peaks and glacial lakes of the Salzkammergut region, when you tour Austria you’ll experience the seamless transition between city streets and open-air mountain views.
Our specialists have explored Austria top to bottom and can provide expert recommendations for a vacation in Austria, whether you prefer to catch a show at the Vienna Opera House or take a boat ride around Lake Hallstatt.
Explore Vienna and see the Lipizzaner horses perform inside the Imperial Palace, or follow Mozart’s footsteps through Salzburg. In the mountainous Salzkammergut, you can enjoy the craggy Alpine cliffs, the pastoral green grass and the glassy turquoise lakes while strolling through Saint Wolfgang or exploring the neolithic-era Hallstatt salt mines.
Suggested tours for Austria
These tours give you a starting point for what your vacation to Austria could entail. Treat them as inspiration, as each trip is created uniquely for you.
Suggested activities for Austria
Whatever your interests, our specialists will build activities into your trip that connect to how you want to experience Austria.
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Vienna market visit & cooking class ![Preparing apple strudel]()
Vienna market visit & cooking class
ViennaVienna market visit & cooking class
Spend a morning on a brief walking tour of Vienna’s markets, tasting the city’s delicacies along the way. Then retire to your guide’s private apartment for instruction on cooking a two-course gourmet lunch. Sample Austria’s wines with the meal you’ve prepared in a chef’s kitchen.
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Jewish heritage walking tour around Vienna ![Juden Gasse, Vienna]()
Jewish heritage walking tour around Vienna
ViennaJewish heritage walking tour around Vienna
Take a guided half-day walking tour of Vienna’s First District to the memorials and museums dedicated to Austria’s Jewish community and the 65,000 Austrian Jews killed in the Holocaust. Pay your respects at the Holocaust Memorial and see the ruins of a medieval synagogue.
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Hallstatt salt mines ![Hallstatt salt mine cave]()
Hallstatt salt mines
HallstattHallstatt salt mines
This salt mine tour gives you a glimpse into the industry that helped shape Hallstatt and the surrounding region, while also providing panoramic Alpine views. Catch the funicular up the mountain, slide through the mines and enjoy a mountaintop meal.
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Best time to visit
Our specialists advise on the best months to visit Austria, including information about climate, events and festivals.
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Useful information for planning your vacation in Austria
What languages are spoken in Austria?
German is the official language of Austria. English is widely spoken in Vienna and destinations popular with visitors such as Salzburg, the lakes region, and Innsbruck, but you may find it harder to find English speakers in other parts of the country.
What's the currency of Austria?
The currency of Austria is the euro. ATMs are widely available, and credit and debit cards widely accepted, although you may need to pay cash in smaller shops.
What food and drink should I try in Austria?
Austrian food is hearty and generally meat heavy. Perhaps the best-known Austrian dish is Wiener schnitzel, a breaded, pan-fried veal cutlet. You may also find dishes such as Käsespätzle (a local variation of mac and cheese), Knödel (dumplings), and Gulasch (beef stew) on offer.
While you can expect to see this type of traditional Austrian food on menus outside the larger cities, in urban areas you’ll find a wide selection of restaurants. This is especially true in Vienna. The city is also known for its centuries-old tradition of exceptional pastries and cakes, including Apfelstrudel, Sachertorte, and Kaiserschmarrn, a fluffy, shredded pancake that’s topped with fruit compotes and named after Emperor Franz Joseph I.
In mountainous regions, you’ll find Swiss and French influences with fondue, raclette and other cheese-based dishes on offer.
How much should I tip in Austria?
Tips are generally expected in restaurants and cafes in Austria, though no more than 5% to 10% for full meals. When buying something like a beer or pretzel, rounding up to the nearest euro is sufficient. Tipping is common for tour guides, but is always at your discretion, while tipping for taxi drivers or porters is always appreciated but not expected.
Where can I find the latest travel advice for Austria?
For the latest travel advice for Austria, including entry requirements, health information, and the safety and security situation, please refer to the State Department website.
What can I experience in Austria?
With Alpine peaks, sophisticated cities, and a rich and varied history, Austria offers a wealth of experiences for the visitor. In the capital, Vienna, you can see Lipizzaner horses perform at the Imperial Palace, take a Jewish heritage walking tour, catch a show at the Vienna Opera, or tour a Viennese market and combine it with a cookery class.
The Baroque architecture and strong ties to classical music make Salzburg a popular destination and you can hear about its most renowned son on a Mozart walking tour. In Hallstatt, you can enjoy a leisurely cruise on the lake or visit the historic salt mines, while in the Salzkammergut region, Austria’s Alpine peaks and turquoise glacial lakes wait to be explored.
Where can I stay in Austria?
Austria offers a wide range of places to stay from historic urban hotels to lakeside retreats with relaxing spas. You could stay at a sleek design hotel in central Vienna offering easy access to all the sights, a heritage hotel decorated in contemporary style in Hallstatt, or a historic lakeside castle where wood beams, wrought-iron chandeliers and open fireplaces face windows overlooking the mountains.
Relax in sleek modern rooms overlooking Lake Wolfgang, or in traditional surroundings on a country-style estate on the banks of the Salzach River. Whether you would prefer opulence, local character, or indulgent spa treatments, our collection of preferred hotels includes plenty of choice on where to stay in Austria.
Where should I go in Austria?
Austria offers a wide range of places to visit, from historic cities with a rich cultural heritage to the jagged peaks and turquoise lakes of the Alps. The capital, Vienna, impresses with opulent architecture, a thriving coffeehouse culture, and an opera house to rival the European greats.
Birthplace of Mozart, Salzburg is known for its medieval fortress, Baroque streets, and as a location in silver-screen classic, The Sound of Music. Nearby are the cobblestone streets and alleys of lakeside Hallstatt, while Innsbruck offers medieval houses set against a backdrop of snow-capped peaks.
How long does it take to fly to Austria from the US?
From the East Coast of the US mainland, it takes around eight and half hours to fly to Austria. From the West Coast, it takes around eleven and a half hours.
What's the time zone in Austria?
The time zone in Austria UTC+1 hour. Austria operates Daylight Savings Time from late-March to late-October.
What's the best way of getting around in Austria?
The best way to get around Austria is to travel by train. The rail network is extensive and reliable and will take you to all the main destinations as well as up into the mountains. You could also rent a car or arrange for private transfers should you wish.
Do I need a visa to visit Austria?
US citizens don’t need a visa to visit Austria for stays of less than 90 days.
Do I need a visa to visit Austria, and what do I need to check with my passport?
Use our travel tool to find up-to-date visa and passport requirements for Austria. Enter where you’re traveling to and from (including any stopover destinations en route or flight layovers), along with your intended travel dates and passport details, for a full list of requirements.
Austria in pictures
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![Views of Austrian Alps]()
Austrian Alps -
![Building facades in Innsbruck]()
Innsbruck -
![Views over Vienna]()
Views over Vienna -
![Vienna's Imperial Palace]()
Vienna's Imperial Palace -
![Vienna, Austria]()
Vienna -
![Hallstatt, Austria]()
Hallstatt -
![Sunset over the Wachau Valley]()
Sunset over the Wachau Valley -
![Austria in spring]()
Austria in spring
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