We have many must-see cities in Austria to offer.
Particularly, the unique location and flair of these towns stand out.
Some cities are surrounded by the Alps, others are situated by lakes.
Yet others are perfect for a city trip for culture enthusiasts.
Here, we’ll show you the most beautiful cities in our home country, Austria:
Contents
Overview of the Most Beautiful Cities in Austria – Our 5 Favorites
- Salzburg, a smaller, charming version of Vienna
- Innsbruck, the heart of the Alps
- Vienna, the capital and cultural highlight
- Baden bei Wien near Vienna
- Zell am See, mountains and lake
Now, let’s move on to the worthwhile destinations for city trips in Austria, some of which are among the most beautiful cities in Europe:
Salzburg
Personally, I find Salzburg, the Mozart City, more charming than our capital, Vienna.
Due to its location at the Mönchsberg and Kapuzinerberg mountains, there are many Salzburg viewpoints offering dreamlike views of the old town and the landmark, the Hohensalzburg Fortress.
The Salzburg highlights include the Mirabell Gardens at Mirabell Palace, the Hohensalzburg Fortress, Mozart’s birthplace, and the Salzburg Cathedral.
Especially during the pre-Christmas period, Hellbrunn Palace is a fairy-tale destination.
But not only there, but throughout the city, there are beautiful Salzburg Christmas markets.
Salzburg still has secret tips to discover.
One of them is the Hotel Schloss Leopoldskron, which became known not only because of a Chanel show or as a filming location for “The Sound of Music” but also as an exclusive hotel with a dreamlike view of the Untersberg and the Leopoldskroner Weiher.
From the city, you can also make a Hallstatt day trip to from Salzburg.
Although Hallstatt is not a city but a village, it is so popular with visitors from all over the world that it rightfully belongs on this list.
Innsbruck
The state capital of Tyrol, and thus my state capital, is known as the heart of the Alps.
What’s special about Innsbruck is the dreamlike view from the old town to the imposing Nordkette.
You can reach this within 20 minutes from the center of Innsbruck by train.
The view from the Nordkette is one of the highlights and counts among the most beautiful attractions in Innsbruck.
Also well-known is the landmark, the Goldenes Dachl. Around the Golden Roof, there are impressive buildings like the Hofburg Palace or the Innsbruck Cathedral.
A popular photo motif is the colorful houses along the Inn river.
So, there’s a lot to discover in Innsbruck.
For hikers and nature lovers, the long-distance hiking trail Innsbruck Trek is recommended.
I did the 6-day hike from Innsbruck and back into the city. Even if you’re not into hiking, I highly recommend you taking the gondola up to the Nordkette mountain range.
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Vienna (Wien)
Our capital, Vienna, with attractions like Schönbrunn Palace, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, and the Imperial Hofburg, is one of the most visited cities in Austria and Europe.
Here, you can walk in the footsteps of Empress Sisi in Vienna and let yourself be enchanted by the impressive buildings.
The coffee house culture is also special in Vienna.
Personally, I like Café Landtmann, Hawelka, and Demel.
Baden bei Wien
The city of Baden near Vienna, a former imperial summer residence, has some attractions to offer just because of that.
But not only emperors and kings enjoyed Baden bei Wien. Famous composers and artists also liked to stay in the city of Baden bei Wien near Vienna.
The city of Baden bei Wien combines urban flair with a relaxed atmosphere, where you can comfortably explore the sights on foot.
Thus, the Beethoven House is among the best Baden bei Wien attractions.
The Arnulf Rainer Museum, formerly a women’s bath, combines historical ambiance with contemporary art.
The Doblhoff Park with Austria‘s largest rose garden and the Casino, a magnificent building with a historic thermal spring, are other highlights.
Not to forget the Emperor’s House with various exhibitions and the Roman Spa, offering relaxation for all those seeking it.
Zell am See
Zell am See is located in the Salzburg region by the picturesque Lake Zell.
It’s worth making a trip here, as besides a boat trip or hikes in the surrounding mountains, you can also make an excursion to the Kitzsteinhorn in Kaprun.
Whether you’re hiking in the summer or enjoying winter skiing in Zell am See Kaprun, there are also many attractions in the area.
With over 300 events annually, Zell am See also offers a rich cultural and entertainment program.
This variety makes Zell am See one of the most beautiful cities in Austria.
Linz
Linz, the capital of Upper Austria, is located on the Danube and is an ideal destination for a weekend getaway.
Thanks to its manageable size, Linz can be comfortably explored on foot or by tram.
A particular highlight for culture and technology enthusiasts is the Ars Electronica Center, which, as a museum of the future, provides insights into art, technology, and science.
Here, you can embark on a virtual journey in Deep Space, from antiquity to outer space.
Art lovers will thoroughly enjoy the Lentos Art Museum, which houses works from the classics to modern art.
A visit to the Pöstlingberg is also very rewarding. From there, you have a beautiful view of the city and the surrounding area.
Krems an der Donau
Krems an der Donau, picturesque on the Danube and among vineyards, is very suitable for excursions in the area.
From here, you can explore the famous Wachau regions with its most beautiful attractions.
Opposite the city, you can see the imposing Göttweig Abbey, which is located on a hill.
You can also take a boat trip along the Danube and enjoy some of the most beautiful attractions from the water.
The old town of Krems is beautiful. Since December 2000, Krems’ old town has even been a UNESCO World Heritage site.
A walk from the Steinertor through the Körnermarkt to the Dominican Church, to the Cathedral of the Wachau, Piaristen Church, and Gozzoburg is especially worthwhile.
It’s worth discovering the attractions during a day in Krems.
Bregenz
Bregenz is known mainly for its location on Lake Constance and the Bregenz Festival.
Back when I was studying law, I used to visit the capital of the state of Vorarlberg quite often.
Especially in the summer, Bregenz is beautiful. You can stroll through the small city, ride a bike along Lake Constance, or go swimming.
Thanks to the city’s great location, you can also take trips to Switzerland or Germany. A boat trip to Lindau or the flower island of Mainau is also lovely.
You can take the train from the city to the Pfänder mountain and enjoy the view from there of Bregenz and Lake Constance.
For sports enthusiasts, it’s worth making a detour to the Vorarlberg mountains.
Klagenfurt
Klagenfurt is the capital of the state of Carinthia in the south of Austria. The city is located by the turquoise-blue Lake Wörthersee.
The landmark of Klagenfurt is the Lindworm, situated at the Neuer Platz, from where the city can be very well explored on foot.
Around Klagenfurt, you can explore the hills by bike or on foot with hikes in addition to the Wörthersee.
Also well-known is Minimundus, where landmarks from around the world are displayed in miniature.
Gmunden
Gmunden is a city on Lake Traun and belongs to the state of Upper Austria. The city is known for its picturesque location in the Salzkammergut, surrounded by mountains.
Gmunden is famous for Gmunden ceramics and Castle Schloss Ort. The latter is located on an island and connected to the mainland by a bridge.
In Gmunden, you can walk along the lake, bike, and swim in the crystal-clear water in the summer.
The view from the surrounding hills and mountains, like the Grünberg or from the photo taken from Altmünster, is also beautiful.
Conclusion on the Most Beautiful Cities in Austria
My homeland, Austria, is rich in beautiful cities. Each has its unique charm. From cities surrounded by the Alps to those lying by crystal-clear lakes, Austria has something for every visitor.
Which city would you like to visit?
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zuletzt aktualisiert am April 10, 2025