Austria is a country that has a rich history, stunning scenery, and timeless traditions. It offers outstanding conditions both for individual travel and tourism enterprises. Thus, it has been rated by World Economic Forum as number one globally in terms of best tourism service. Summer and winter have become both equally attractive to tourists all over the world. Wide range of seasonal adventures is offered to every visitor in every time of the year.
Landmarks to visit
In a country where nature and hospitality are one, there are plenty of landmarks worth visiting. Each of the nine Austrian provinces has something to offer when traveling to Austria. Here is a list of five of the most popular landmarks to visit in Austria.
Schafberg, Salzkammergut
If you enjoy scenic views, Schafberg is the place to travel to. Located in Salzburg state, Schafberg is one of the most picturesque mountains in a larger mountain range. Schafberg rises above Wolfgangsee Lake and it is possible to travel there by the steepest steam-powered train in Austria. The 40 minutes long journey starts from the lake store and leads to the top of the mountain. However, it is possible to travel with this train only in summer. There are several hiking trails leading to the top of this landmark in Austria if you enjoy walking more.
Vienna State Opera House
Vienna State Opera House is considered as one of the world’s foremost opera houses. The performances experienced in this exceptional landmark in Austria and the architecture leaves its visitors astonished.
Mozart’s Don Juan was the first ever performance held in this Neo-Renaissance building. Nowadays, many of the world’s greatest opera singers have performed here. Subtitles are provided in many languages including English, Russian and Japanese.
Hallstatt
Hallstatt is the place to visit if you are into vacation destinations that can make you feel as if you are in a fairy tale. It is an ancient market town, located in Upper Austria. Historically this town was known for its salt mines. You can explore the old salt mines, take a hike from the village, visit local history museum or ski in the nearby resorts.
This town and the nearby Dachstein mountain range and Inneres Salzkammergut form a UNESCO World Heritage site. This tourism landmark in Austria is surrounded by spectacular mountains and rich history, which explains why it might as well be the most photographed village in Austria.
Hofburg Palace
Built in the 13th century, Hofburg Palace used to be home to the Austrian counts. Afterward, this tourism attraction was used by the Hapsburg dynasty. Today this palace is the official residence of the president of Austria.
Nowadays this landmark in Austria has expanded, becoming a very impressive structure. You can take a tour of the imperial apartments or visit one of the world’s most famous museums. The museums inside the palace feature art, history, fine silver, imperial furniture and much more.
Hohensalzburg Fortress
The Hohensalzburg Fortress is located high above Salzburg. This is the largest fully preserved castle in Central Europe, making it an attractive travel destination. Dominating the city’s skyline of Salzburg, this medieval castle is worth traveling to. By walking 30 minutes uphill or taking a funicular ride, you can visit this beautiful landmark in Austria.
This fortress is rich with Gothic wood carvings and art. Magnificent courtyard and vast dungeon await those traveling to Hohensalzburg Fortress.
Things to take when travelling to Austria
A well-prepared bag for a vacation in Austria can save you lot’s of trouble. There are some crucial things to pack with you before leaving for this vacation.
- Check if your passport expiration date is at least 6 months away;
- If you are not a citizen of the European Union, you will need a visa with some exceptions. Check if your country has a visa liberalization agreement with the Schengen states;
- Flight tickets. The optimal time to book your tickets is about three months in advance;
- Appropriate clothing. In Austria, summers are usually mild and winters cold. Pack accordingly to the season when you will be visiting Austria. Rain in Austria can be unpredictable. Pack some water-resistant clothing items with you;
- Plug Adaptor. Depending on where you are from, you might need a plug adaptor. Austria uses ‘Type F’ plug. ‘Type C’ and ‘Type E’ plugs will work with these sockets as well;
- Bus and train tickets. If you need to travel by bus or train, then you can save some money by buying them in advance.
Types of visas
When visiting Austria, non-EU nationals need to present travel and identification documents. A valid passport or identification document and a visa are necessary. Schengen visa policy allows certain country nationals to travel to Schengen Area without visa. This option is valid for short-stays up to 90 days within a 180 day period. To know if you need to have visa for visiting Austria, check if your country has a visa liberalization agreement with the Schengen states.
There are eight visa types that you can apply for. The best one for traveling is a Tourist Visa. However, you can also acquire visitor, airport, business, official visit, medical, study or cultural visa.
You can apply for an Austrian short-stay visa in four different ways. You can apply in the Austrian Embassy, Austrian consulate, Visa Application Center or the Embassy or Consulate of another Schengen country. Prepare your application and necessary documents before applying for a faster result.