Austria Travel Guide

Vienna State Opera (Wiener Staatsoper)

Scenic Austria is nestled within the heart of the European landmass. The country is blessed with beautiful mountains and lakes, and cities that date back all the way to the era when classical music was the order of the day.

Opera and classical music have great influence in many Austrian cities. With so many grand concert halls in the big cities, your vacation will not be complete if you do not enjoy at least 1 performance. For those who appreciate music, the Vienna Boy’s Choir sings regularly at the Burgkapelle Chapel in Vienna, while many small ensembles or even the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra perform at various venues at different cities throughout the year.

Even though Vienna or Wien is the Austrian capital, each of the other cities like Salzburg all draw huge numbers of tourists too. Much like Paris, in all Austrian cities, you will come across historical monuments, quaint alfresco cafes and a large variety of restaurants offering fine cuisines. If you are the kind of traveler that likes to soak in the sights and sounds of the city, walking down the streets and rivers of Vienna or Salzburg will tantalize your senses. There is serenity along the Danube River that flows through Vienna. You will also be amazed by the Fortress Hohensalzburg and the Mirabell Gardens in Salzburg. As you tour the city on foot, you will come across various unique street side stalls selling just about anything from flowers to tablecloths.

Salzburg

Outdoor lovers will too enjoy Austria, where there are plenty of beautiful lakes, hiking trails and mountain ranges to explore. Avid skiers will love the Alps in winter. The city of Innsbruck hosted the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympics, thus making it the perfect place for winter sports. You can find many skiing and mountaineering resorts in the Alps that too cater for family-friendly tours. Lake Wolfgangsee and other lakes east of Salzburg are definitely worth a visit too.

When To Visit Austria

It is highly recommended to visit Austria in early winter i.e. mid-November to early December. Winter temperatures then would not be too cold as yet. In addition, festive lightings will begin to spring up around this period, making for a wonderful and romantic time to spend the night just strolling under the festive mood along the main shopping streets of Vienna or Salzburg. As for those who wish to visit Austria in the summer, temperatures can range from 20 to 40 degrees Celsius. Hence, mild sun in the early summer or August when autumn is approaching will be a great time to laze in any street café or take a leisurely stroll along the scenic rivers and lakes.