When Austria comes up in conversation, most would probably bring up its capital Vienna and its many historical and cultural attractions, and rightly so!
But the land of Klimt, Mozart and Freud has so many towns and cities that are worth at least a stop on any itinerary.
So, among Austria’s nine provinces, here are five cities that are worth visiting:
Vienna
Of course, your first stop in Austria has to be capital – Vienna!
With a long and illustrious history as the center of European culture and politics, it is home to various grand palaces, atmospheric concert halls and world-famous Viennese cafes! There’s just so much to see and do that we wrote an entire article about this classical city.
First, you can start cracking at this cultural Mecca by visiting the twin palaces of the Habsburg dynasty – Hofburg and Schönbrunn! Built as winter and summer retreats respectively for the Habsburg emperors and their families, these majestic Baroque residences feature regal facades, opulent interiors and massive lawn gardens.
For the musically-inclined, the stunning and classical interiors of the State Opera House and the Musikverein offer a fitting environment to appreciate the moving works of Mozart or Schubert. Meanwhile, artsy types can spend an entire day at the Belvedere Palace’s extensive collection of works by Klimt and Schiele, both scions of the Art Nouveau movement.
Oh, and don’t forget to stop by another one of Vienna’s most beloved institutions – the Viennese café! Get a shot of mocha melange, a slice of Sachertorte chocolate cake and a complimentary cup of pure Alps water before whiling the afternoon away with a good book or paper in hand, just like the Viennese!
Linz
Located west of Vienna, Linz is an industrial powerhouse that has also picked up a reputation as Austria’s latest cultural destination.
Get a feel for the city’s commercial past at Hauptplatz, one of the nation’s largest enclosed squares. Centered around a magnificent marble column, markets and events pop up regularly in these sprawling grounds. If you can’t manage to catch them though, stick around for the classical European shopfronts, the old City Hall and some shopping therapy at Landstraße.
Next, step into the city’s industrial heart at voestalpine Stahlwelt, a museum dedicated to the steel industry. Giant chrome spheres, a supersized crucible and even steel plant tours are available for visitors to this unique industrial attraction. But if you’re more of a forward-looking visionary, then Ars Electronica Center is for you! Cutting-edge technology like artificial intelligence and robotics is presented with visual and tactile exhibits that give visitors food for thought.
Of course, being Austria, Linz has its artsy side too with the Lentos Art Museum and Open Air Gallery Mural Harbor. Lentos offers both classical and modern works within a neon-lit building which frames the surrounding Linz cityscape and Pöstlingberg mountain. Meanwhile, the Open Air Gallery Mural Harbor hosts hundreds of graffiti artworks in an open-air museum, the largest of its kind.
Innsbruck
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Innsbruck is one of Austria’s top cities, in more ways than one!
Sitting high atop the Alps in a highly strategic position that facilitates trade between Austria and its neighbours, Innsbruck has been the undisputed capital of this Austrian Alps region since medieval times, currently being the capital for the state of Tyrol.
And with a name that means “bridge over the Inn River”, the city is a bridge to Austria’s medieval past due to its many surviving Habsburg palaces and castles.
Visitors to Innsbruck will almost certainly make their way first to its most famous landmark – the Golden Roof. Commissioned by Emperor Maximilian I to mark his ill-fated marriage to Bianca Maria Sforza, this so-called “golden” roof is actually made from 2,657 gilded copper shingles. It also features reproductions of exquisitely detailed frescoes depicting medieval life, with the originals stored at the Tyrolean State Museum.
Emperor Maximilian I and his distant successor Maria Theresa were also responsible for the Imperial Palace, a gleaming white complex of apartments, chapels and staterooms.
Besides its imperial inheritance though, Innsbruck is also a paradise for outdoors activities, with hiking in the summer and skiing in winter. Not surprising, considering the fact that it has hosted two Olympic Winter Games. There’s even a cable car that takes you up to the summit of Nordkette for a bird’s eye view over Innsbruck!
Graz
Still in a medieval mood? Good, because you’ll be dining good with the city of Graz!
Known as Austria’s second largest city and a southeastern hub, Graz really plays the part of a medieval city because of its many surviving heritage buildings.
First among these is the Schlossberg clock tower that stands above the eponymous hill. Although, with its unusually stout size, perhaps a clock building would be more fitting! Once standing as the proud centre of a castle, it now surrounds itself with foliage and gardens instead. If you take a closer look, you may notice that its hands for hours and minutes are actually reversed; in fact, the long hour hands were first installed to aid readability over long distances before the short minute hands were added later.
Some of the city’s crown jewels can be found further down in the Stadtkrone area of the city proper, which include the majestic tomb of Emperor Ferdinand II, the regal Gothic cathedral and the psychedelic spiral staircases of the Burg government headquarters. To get a little taste of Renaissance Italy, visit the Landhaus, a former provincial parliament building that injects a little Venetian pizzazz into Graz with its regal courtyard surrounded by a wall of columns and arches.
Graz is also known as Austria’s Capital of Delights, all thanks to its many options for regional Styrian cuisine. Trout, pumpkin seed oil and Styrian wine can be found in its many cafes, markets, pubs and fine dining establishments.
Salzburg
Yes, everybody knows Salzburg or “Salt City” as that famous birthplace of Mozart, but did you know people also call it the “German Rome”?
Since its founding by the Romans, Salzburg has had an intimate relationship with their Italian neighbours. Beginning with salt mining in its early years, this relationship would eventually flourish into glorious Renaissance churches and palaces such as the Mirabell Palace with its Baroque opulence and sweeping gardens or the Salzburg cathedral’s pristine and heavenly white marble cavern.
That’s not to say that classy Austrian architecture is missing in Salzburg. Far from it, the looming Hohensalzburg Fortress atop the city’s skyline still stands proudly with its centuries old walls while offering an unbeatable view. Meanwhile, the old town area of Getreidegasse offers a vintage metropolitan vibe with its narrow shopping streets festooned with overhanging metal signs.
Speaking of Getreidegasse, the area is also home to one of Salzburg’s famous sons – Mozart! At the building labelled No. 9 sits a nondescript yellow block which only gives away its former superstar occupant due to a giant sign and a long Austrian flag. Inside the former childhood home of the musical genius is a museum which aims to transport you back to Mozart’s time with various vintage memorabilia and even a full recreation of a mid-18th century apartment.
Theatre and musical lovers aren’t left out in the cold either, thanks to the city’s famous Salzburg Festival – an event that brings together plays, musicals and concerts for the enjoyment of hundreds of thousands of visitors.
Even silver screen enthusiasts get a little something in Salzburg, with it being the setting for the classic musical film “The Sound of Music”. Besides the previously mentioned Mirabell Palace, the cozy Nonnberg Abbey and the unique Felsenreitschule theatre both served as backdrops in the movie.
So, these are the top five Austrian cities you should definitely visit while you’re in town. Whether you’re an alpine Innsbruck guy or a Salzburg Renaissance lady, Austria’s fantastical cities are some of Europe’s finest!
Hungry for more Europe? Check out our guide to the best winter spots in Zurich or the best spring festivals around the world (with many in Europe)! Or you could circle back to Austria again with our guide to Vienna’s delights.
Written with research assistance by Rin Matsumoto.
References
Austria Tourism
https://www.austria.info
Vienna Tourism
https://www.wien.info/en
Innsbruck Tourism
https://www.innsbruck.info/en
Graz Tourism
https://www.graztourismus.at/en
Salzburg Tourism
https://www.salzburg.info/en
Britannica
https://www.britannica.com
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