• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
Wandering Carol's

Luxury Travel Blog

The Unpretentious Guide to Luxury Travel

  • Home
  • About Wandering Carol
  • Destinations
    • Asia Travel
    • Caribbean Travel
    • Europe Travel
      • Austria
      • Visit the Czech Republic
      • England
      • France
      • Germany
      • Hungary
      • Ireland Travel
      • Italy
      • Spain
      • Switzerland
      • Wales
    • North America Travel
      • Canada Travel
      • Mexico Travel
      • USA Travel
  • Spa and Wellness
  • Experiences
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Romantic Travel
    • Sacred Places
    • Adventure
    • Solo Travel
  • Contact

Things to do in Austria

Planning an Austrian adventure? Here are a few travel ideas and some of the top things to do in Austria.

What to do in Austria

 

Why visit Austria?

Sometimes I think Austria is too pretty to actually exist. Luckily for us, it does, and travelling here is a scenic cultural experience that you won’t soon forget. (Unless, of course, you have a terrible memory, then look on the bright side, you can travel here again and again.) Without further ado, here are some fun and fabulous things to do in Austria.

I’ve tried to include some of the tried and true sights as well as some offbeat favourites of mine.

Vienna – Follow the trail of the Empress Sisi

A 19th-century Lady Di, the beautiful Empress Elizabeth of Austria was a cult superstar in her time, and in many ways, she still is. Unhappily, her life was tragic and marred by fame. Following Sisi’s footsteps in Vienna can give you a backdoor glimpse into aristocratic Austria, and was one of my favourite things to do in Austria.

Near Vienna – relax in the weird and wonderful world of Rogner Bad Blumau

If you love the imaginative architecture of Gaudi in Spain and you love spas, a stay at the wonderfully eccentric Rogner Bad Blumau Spa might make a great excursion from Vienna. Designed by the (now deceased) Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser, Bad Blumau is a visual playground of domes, curves and colours. Add to this a philosophy of life in harmony with nature, abundant thermal water springs, sultry swimming pools and state-of-the-art spa treatments, and you’ve got yourself an unusual indulgence.

 

Things to do in Austria, visit Salzburg

Salzburg – All things Mozart

Salzburg is Mozart’s home town and the city makes the most of the connection. And why not? Between Mozart chocolates (I’m totally addicted), Mozart Week in the winter and the annual Salzburg Festival – a five-week celebration of operatic music every summer – there are plenty of places to celebrate all things musical and Mozart. (Despite the fact that Mozart himself looked down on it, saying “Salzburg is no place for my talent.”) Even if you’re not overly fond of classical music, you might be convinced after visiting two Mozart museums in Saltzburg: the very groovy Mozart’s Residence and Mozart’s Birthplace, the Geburtshaus.

Salzburg and surrounds – Take a Sound of Music tour

An oldie but goodie. Whether you want to visit the Sound of Music sights such as the horse fountain on the Residenz Square, the Mozartsteg footbridge across the River Salzach or the Mirabell Gardens for yourself or take an organized Sound of Music tour to sights farther afield such as Schloss Leopoldskron or the lakeside resort of Mondsee, I can’t think of a more fun way to explore Salzburg and the stunning landscape around it.

Where to go in Austria, beautiful buildings

Explore the world’s largest ice cave in Werfen

From May to October, step into Werfen’s “World of Ice Giants” on a guided tour. This first section of this 42 km cave system is a magical ice land of bizarre formations, twisted passages, icicles and glittering galleries like the aptly-named ‘Diamond Kingdom.’

Take a trip into the Renaissance in Graz

Graz is a bit of a sleeper Austrian city in the mountainous state of Styria, a city that surprised me with its evocative Renaissance core, Italianate feel and mind-blowing Armoury featuring a whopping (like 32,000) exhibits of armour of the Middle Ages.

Visit the largest monastery library in the world

A Baroque beauty, Admont Monastery Library was built in 1776, although the Benedictine Admont Monastery itself dates back to 1074. The library, which holds some 70,000 volumes, is a lavish bit of architecture with gilt-tipped pillars, curved walls and cherub laden frescoes by Bartolomeo Altmonte that depict the various stages of human knowledge. A total feast for the eyes.

Pin me!

Looking for things to do in Austria and top destinations? Here are a few travel ideas to help you plan your perfect Austrian trip.

Take a ski trip to the Alps

Whether you want the challenging runs of St Anton, the charm of Kitzbühel or the urban chic of Innsbruck – the capital of the Tyrol – Austrian offers slopes to rival those of Switzerland and France.

Luxury travel blog » Places to Travel » Europe Travel » Austria

The best things to do in Austria range from exploring fabulous cities such as Vienna, Graz and Salzburg to getting up into the Alps on a ski holiday or hiking trip. You can explore Austria’s musical heritage, visit the largest monastery library in the world or just sit back and relax in one of the most unique spas in Europe.

Krems am Stein on the Danube

Things to do in Krems, Austria – a Whirlwind Tour

Picture of Empress Elizabeth of Austria at the Sisi Museum in Vienna

Sisi in Vienna: the Captivating World of Empress Elizabeth of Austria

Schonbrunn Palace, tours Vienna

Wandering Carol tours Vienna: Titillating Schonbrunn Palace facts

Jessica Biel at Cannes Film Festival

Jessica Biel’s accidental naked man sandwich at Austrian spa

Sidebar

luxury travel blogger wandering carol on train

About Wandering Carol

In my 10+ years as a travel writer and columnist I've seen the best of what the world has to offer and written for some top publications around the globe - and now my goal is to bring this expertise to you. For more blah blah blah, visit my
About page.

Book Your Next Adventure with Booking.com

How to Use This Site

  • Use the SEARCH BOX if you’re looking for something specific.
  • Click on the ‘DESTINATIONS’ tab on the top menu to see the countries we write about.
  • SUBSCRIBE to keep up with the latest articles and get tips to make your next journey inspiring.
Carol Perehudoff on the media, logos

Gorgeous Pimalai Resort in Koh Lanta, Thailand

Private Sian Ka an resort with palapa and sand.

Bahia Principe Sian Ka’an – A Real Review

woman in hammock on beach

16 Adults Only All Inclusive Mexico Resorts for 2024

golden sand beach in Saint Lucia

14 Fun Things to Do in St Lucia

beautiful sunset in los cabos

Cabo Itinerary – Best Things to Do in Las Cabos

Sunset Fili, photo credit Visit Maldives

5 top winter destinations not in the Caribbean

Plane wing. Advice for Canadian Snowbirds

Travel advice for Canadian snowbirds

Follow Wandering Carol

Inspirational Travel

“Who says you can’t run away?”

Copyright © 2025 · Wandering Carol · All Rights Reserved · Disclosure and Privacy Policy