Main Attractions of Austria
Travel, Tours and Sights

Due to its relatively small size in Central Europe, the main attractions of Austria are close to each other. The Danube (Donau) runs across the north of the country, from Passau through Linz and Vienna and out towards Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. The rest of the country is very mountainous, especially in the south and west.

Of Austria's numerous lakes, two of them form borders with her neighbours. In the west, Lake Constance, or Bodensee, is shared with Germany and Switzerland, while the Neusiedlersee, south-east of Vienna, adjoins Hungary in the east. Austria's Bodensee town is Bregenz, in Voralberg, and the region is popular with cyclists in the summer; crossing between Germany and Switzerland and skiing in winter.

Tours and Sights in Austria

Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna
A visit to the Schönbrunn Palace, Empress Sissi’s former summer residence, is a must in every travel itinerary. Tour through the most magnificent baroque palace and take a look at the Palm house, the largest glass house of Europe.

Imperial Palace and Spanish Riding School, Vienna
The Imperial Palace, once inhabited by the imperial family during winter, houses now the office of the president of Austria as well as numerous art collections. Admire the riding skills of the highest order at the ‘Spanish Riding School’ with its famous Lipizzan ballet in the baroque ambiance of the Imperial Palace.

Prater with Giant Ferries Wheel, Vienna
The Giant Ferries Wheel is the symbol of the principal park of Vienna, the ‘Prater. The silhouette of the wheel can be seen from far away. Built in 1896, destroyed by bombes and fire in 1945 but rebuilt in 1947, is still an attraction for tourists as well as locals.

Hundertwasserhaus, Vienna
The apartment house in Vienna, designed by Friedensreich Hundertwasser, was built in 1983. With it’s painted facades, golden bulbous spires, round corners and windows of various sizes it has become part of Austria’s cultural heritage. Thousands of tourists visit this special house every year.

Hohensalzburg Fortress, Salzburg
Take the funicular railway and reach the Hohensalzburg Fortress in 2 minutes– or take a 20 min. walk. You will be awarded with a magnificent view of Salzburg. The fortress was built in 1077 by Archbishop Gebhard at the south east peak of the Mönchsberg and is Salzburg’s landmark.

Mozart Square, Salzburg
A statue of Mozart dominates the Mozart Square. It was unveiled in 1842 in the presence of Mozart’s sons. Ludwig I, king of Bavaria, contributed a large amount of money and also donated the marble pedestal. One year before the statue was to be unveiled, a valuable Roman mosaic floor was discovered.

Music Festival, Salzburg
The annual Salzburg Festivals attract an international clientele from the end of July until end of August. Three main stages within close proximity offer seats for the onlookers.

Goldenes Dachl (Golden Roof), Innsbruck
This late gothic oriel was built 1494-1496 in rememberance of the marriage between Emperor Maximilian I and Bianca Maria Sforza. The three-story balcony was used as a royal box to sit in luxury to enjoy tournaments in the square below. The roof consists of approx 3000 gold-plated copper tiles.

Hofburg (Imperial Palace), Innsbruck
Once the seat of the Tirolean sovereigns, it was constructed in the gothic style around 1460. Consisting of four wings, the palace also has a huge two-story hall with portraits of the Habsburg family.
 
Ski Jump Arena “Bergisel”, Innsbruck
This impressive ski jump arena stands on historic ground. It was scene in the 1809 Tirolean War of Independence. The first wooden construction was built in 1925. After the Olympic Ski Jumping competitions in 1964 and 1976, the star-architect Zaha Hadid designed the new ski jump in 2001 which was completed in September 2002.

National Park Hohe Tauern, Bad Gastein
Do you need some peace and quiet? Visit the National Park Hohe Tauern, covering an area of 1800 km2 (695 sq.ft). The country`s highest mountains, glacier areas and waterfalls belong to this beautiful Nationalpark, with its many species of animals and plants.

Hahnenkamm Downhill Race, Kitzbuehel
End of January, thousands of ski fans travel to Kitzbuehel to see the most difficult and most fascinating downhill ski race on the Streif. The city becomes the target of excitement for three days during which the downhill, the Super-G as well as the slalom ski races are performed.

Bregenz Festial of Music, Bregenz
For more than 50 years one of the best orchestras in the world plays at the Bregenz Festival, the "Wiener Symphoniker". Guests from all over Europe come to see an opera on the world's largest floating stage. After "La Bohème" in 2001 and 2002, Giacomo Puccini will bring the masterpiece "Tosca" on stage in 2007 and 2008.