Queen of the Alps, Baroque and classical music, birthplace of psychoanalysis and waltz, nest of culture and treasurer of a great history, Austria could be nicknamed the heart of Europe. Vienna, its capital, is the symbol of this and cultivates this love of the past. An imperial city par excellence with its many buildings baroque, gothic or neoclassical, it has managed to maintain many of its traditions, foremost among which are balls, waltzes or cafés, while making it one of the most modern cities in Europe. The refinement and lifestyle of Austrian cities, such as Salzburg, Graz or Innsbruck, will seduce culture lovers, fine food lovers or music lovers. Hearing Haydn, Mozart or Strauss songs in their home country is an unforgettable experience. At their side, the electro musicians are in the news, an example among many others of this country which always oscillates with a rare know-how between conservatism and avant-gardism. Austria, a great tourist country, is also and above all the alpine country par excellence, a great country of nature, landscapes, countryside and especially mountains. From snow-covered peaks to crystal clear waters and pine forests, Austrians have preserved the magic of their nature in a wonderful way. Tyrol, Carinthia, Styria, Upper Austria and the Salzburg region are a true alpine sanctuary. In the land of Heidi and Sissi, Austria is a land of contrasts and beauty to discover in all seasons and at all ages.

When to go Austria ?

Austria, due to its various tourist attractions, can be visited in any season. In summer, many hikes are possible throughout most of the country. Austria has more than 50,000 km of marked trails for all levels. In addition, summer is the season for many renowned cultural festivals: festivals in Vienna, Salzburg, Bregenz, Ars Electronica and many others. In winter, Austria is ideal for snow sports. Two thirds of the country is mountainous.

Travel Austria

  • Find a hotel
  • Car Rental
  • Travel Insurance
  • Find a local agency
Practical information for travel Austria

L'Autriche est une destination touristique plurielle et particulièrement riche. Vous pouvez y programmer un séjour d'un week-end ou d'une semaine, citadin ou montagnard, culturel ou sportif, voire marier les plaisirs. Un grand classique : un week-end à Vienne pour faire le tour des monuments sur le ring, découvrir les collections des musées, visiter le palais impérial et assister à un opéra. Vous pouvez en trois jours  combiner Vienne et Salzbourg. Les amoureux d'une montagne préservée apprécient un séjour aux sports d'hiver ou, aux beaux jours, une semaine de randonnées alpines. Pour la fête, programmez votre séjour lors de la Gay Pride de Vienne ou lors du plus grand festival gratuit de musique en plein air d'Europe, sur l'île du Danube. Pour un séjour hédoniste et luxueux, direction les plus beaux hôtels de charme, les établissements thermaux, les tables étoilées, les soirées à l'opéra, les bals dans un palais, les croisières...

Find unique Stay Offers with our Partners

How to go Austria

Use the map to see the lowest prices at a glance:
See prices on map

How to go alone

It is very easy to go alone in Austria, the road, rail and air transport networks are very developed and there are many ways to get there (plane, train, bus, car...). The main danger in Austria is the mountains: beware of falls and equip yourself well; the risks of avalanches are also very real (www.lawine.at). In the mountains, check the weather forecast before leaving and get a compass and maps. Do not swim just anywhere, as the water in the lakes can be dangerous.

How to go on a tour

For Austria, the agencies will mainly offer short stays in Vienna ("in the footsteps of Sissi","Romantic Vienna"...). But you can also opt for a visit to Salzburg, a tour through the whole country, or hikes around the Salzkammergut lakes or in the Dachstein. There are also many winter sports stays in Tyrol. Finally, there are also combined language and ski holidays.

How to get around

Domestic flights, given the distances, are very largely competed with by trains, even if students and those under 24 years of age can sometimes benefit from reduced prices. The rail network is very dense. If you want to travel by car, no problem, but your car will have to be reliable because the slopes are steep. Namely: vehicles using highways must do so and display it on the windshield.

Featured articles Austria

Organize your trip with our partners Austria
Transportation
Accommodation & stays
Services / On site

Discover Austria

Austria attracts lovers of opera or sophisticated balls as well as those of electro music in Vienna's alternative venues or of folk dances. Lovers of Baroque architecture will enjoy Vienna, as well as Graz, Innsbruck, Link and Salzburg. The capital is also home to masterpieces of the Renaissance period, Art Nouveau treasures, the colorful audacity of street art and even new districts at the cutting edge of modern citizenship and ecology.

Cultural and sporting attractions are combined with art museums with exceptional collections, exclusive ski resorts and summits that challenge mountaineers. Wellness is not forgotten with thermal baths, luxury hotels, a typical gastronomy washed down with local wines and embellished with some exotic tables, more vegetable than schnitzel... You can also enjoy the Vienna Gay Pride or the big free music festival on the Danube island.

Pictures and images Austria

Château de Schönbrunn. Stas PEROV - Fotolia
Mondsee. Henri  FRUNEAU
Vue sur Arzl. Olaf Ludwig - Shutterstock.com
L'historique Théâtre National, le Burgtheater. shutterstock - canadastock

The 12 keywords Austria

1. #Baignade

iStock-528243699.jpg

In Austria, there is no sea, but lakes! You can easily swim in the Carinthian lakes from May to September. You will appreciate their transparent water, but their freshness may surprise you. The locals are used to it. Take it easy and get used to it! In addition, there are many hot springs which can be enjoyed all year round.

2. #Beisl

This is the typical place - mainly in Vienna - where authentic, popular Austrian cuisine is served. Vintage, old-fashioned, even faded, the decor of a Beisl is anything but sophisticated. Lunch menus are very affordable, with simple, hearty dishes of the day. A friendly atmosphere and many local regulars.

3. #Dirndl & Lederhose

iStock-820948460.jpg

These are the traditional Austrian costumes. The Dirndl, worn by women, consists of a long or short skirt with a corselet over a short shirt and an apron. The men wear the famous Lederhose or "leather breeches". These outfits are still worn with pride, during festivals and for the service of traditional houses.

4. #Edelweiss

iStock-507400953.jpg

This white downy alpine flower, nicknamed Snow Immortelle, is dear to the hearts of Austrians and is one of the country's emblems. In the past, giving an edelweiss as a gift was a great sign of love, given the risks involved in fetching it from the high mountains. Now rare, it is protected and harvesting is forbidden.

5. #Grüss Gott

You'll have to get used to it: when you walk into an Austrian store, there's no need to say the impeccable "Guten Morgen" that you'd been polishing up before setting off. This perfectly correct phrase has been replaced by the cheerful and sonorous Grüss Gott, "God bless you".

6. #Huriger

It's the guinguette of the wine regions. Ideal for tasting local wine and dishes. They serve Sturm, a type of cider, and G'spritz, a white wine mixed with sparkling water. Heuriger restaurants are open mainly in summer, and there are many around Vienna. You can eat on large tables on the terrace, sometimes to the sound of a small orchestra.

7. #Mehlspeise

It can be translated as "pastry" but it is more than that! It is a must in Austrian gastronomy, the little cake that accompanies hot chocolate, coffee or tea, at the end of a meal and at any time. From the simplest to the most sophisticated, Mehlpeises offer a wide and varied range. A real paradise for gourmets.

8. #Mozart

iStock-1136018555.jpg

The country's biggest celebrity! A child prodigy born in Salzburg in 1756, Mozart wrote his first composition at the age of 6. A thousand works followed, 70 of which were published before his death at 35. His childhood home has become a place of pilgrimage. And Mozartkugeln, marzipan-filled chocolates bearing his likeness, are a classic.

9. #Psychoanalysis

It's hard to forget: Austria is the cradle of psychoanalysis and the home of the great Sigmund Freud (1856-1939). This Austrian doctor and neurologist is world-famous for his discoveries about the unconscious, which were the basis for psychoanalysis. You can visit his Viennese apartment-cabinet, now a museum of psychoanalysis.

10. #Schnaps

Whether mirabelle plum, quetsche or pear, this eau-de-vie is best drunk at the end of a meal. In the past, families owned their own stills; nowadays, artisanal distilleries have taken over. After three glasses, the language barrier is a thing of the past: you'll have no trouble talking to your neighbors!

11. #Sissi

Along with Mozart, she is the country's other most famous figure. The wife of Franz JosephI, Empress Elisabeth of Austria (1837-1898), known as Sissi, is a historical figure who has become a myth and Austria has taken advantage of this. Her palace is much visited and her effigy is endlessly displayed on mugs and boxes of chocolates.

12. #Würstelstand

Austrians love Wurst (sausage), whether filled with cheese, grilled or boiled, with mustard or tomato sauce. The Würstelstände, small kiosks located on many street corners, remain open all night, at least in the city. Night owls can be found there.

You are from here, if...

You wear a frac or evening gown to the ball and go dancing at least once a season

You go swimming in mountain lakes, even if they're cold

You like to skate, in winter, on outdoor rinks and, if possible, in nature

You appreciate the wilderness and are concerned about protecting the environment

You take the time to hike, picnic or enjoy an aperitif with friends

You like cleanliness and never throw paper or other garbage on the ground

You're punctual and can't stand it when others aren't

You shake hands rather than kissing

You never forget to tip for service

You never miss an opportunity to eat a schnitzel or drink a coffee with a pastry

You have your own table in a café or restaurant

You're a model pedestrian who crosses in the right lane and never when the light is red, even without a car in sight

Card Austria

Send a reply