In Austria, skiing and hiking holidays as well as culturally filled city holidays are successful.
Located in the heart of Europe, Austria is a very popular cultural destination, where you can spend not only a city holiday but also an active trip or, alternatively, another kind of nature holiday.
Picturesque natural and cultural land
Short for AT by abbreviationfinder, Austria is said to mean to the soul the same as to Mozart’s music ears. The stunningly beautiful scenery of the Alps invites you to an active holiday in nature all year round. Austrian urban destinations are known for their magnificent architecture and cultural offerings.
Austria in Western Europe is known for its mountains according to countryaah. The Alps cover up to two-thirds of the country’s surface area, and the highest peak, the Grossglockner, rises to an altitude of almost 3,800 meters. Austrian settlement is concentrated in a few large towns and inter-mountain valleys with numerous small alpine villages.
Austrian city destinations offer the tourist a great deal of great history and culture. The capital Vienna is one of the old centers of Europe and excels especially with its beautiful architecture and vast offer of classical culture.
Other interesting cities in Austria include the Olympic city of Innsbruck, known for its sports facilities, the atmospheric Salzburg with its stunning scenery of the classic musical The Sound of Music, and Arnold Schwarzenegger’s hometown of Graz, whose historic center is well preserved.
Schonbrunn Palace is one of the most spectacular sights in all of Vienna.
Travel in the spring or fall
From Finland’s point of view, due to its southern location, Austria is a pleasantly warm destination from a Finnish point of view. Spring in Austria starts about a month earlier than in Finland, and in the capital Vienna, for example, it is pleasantly warm already in April.
The warmest is in June-August, which is also the most popular travel time and is also reflected in the large number of tourists in Austrian cities. The best time to travel is in May or September, when the air is nice and warm, but there are quite a few other tourists.
To Austria for a sports holiday
The Austrian alpine scenery is attractive to move around. In winter, there are numerous ski resorts in the country, such as Bad Gastein. In summer, Austria offers great opportunities for hiking, mountain biking and golf.
There are so many different levels of hiking trails in Austria that hikers from beginners to harder hikers are sure to find a path that suits their level.
Hiking trails, their difficulty levels and the necessary equipment are clearly instructed along the trails. Instead of kilometers, the duration of the trip is marked on the signposts in hours. Local tourist information provides maps and brochures of routes, as well as information on guided hiking tours. You can usually travel to the starting points of hiking routes, for example by bus.
Rest breaks between stages can be taken in chalets, where it is worth getting information in advance, for example from tourist information, if you are heading for a longer hike.
Familiar with Austria’s cultural heritage during a city break
Throughout its history, Austria has produced significant cultural factors. Habsburgs in Austria developed over the centuries, especially classical music and architecture with its castles, palaces and churches.
For visitors to Vienna in particular, the classic evening experience is one of the city’s numerous concerts. Austrian musical heritage is highlighted in the country, as many of Europe’s best composers have been Austrian, such as Mozart and Johan Strauss. German-born Beethoven was also influential in Austria.
The centers of Vienna, Salzburg and Grazink are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The most famous of the individual Austrian buildings are Salzburg Castle, one of the largest medieval castles in Europe, and the Schönbrunn and Belvedere Palaces in Vienna.
Delight in Austria
You can also travel to Austria for good food. The country’s food culture has been influenced by neighboring countries, but has developed flavors in its own direction. Gifts from Austrian cuisine to the world include Viennese slice as well as apfelstrudel apple pastries and the world-famous sacher cake.
Desserts are thus one of the most well-known exports of Austrian cuisine, and desserts can be enjoyed comfortably in Vienna, one of the origins of European café culture. According to legend, the Turks who besieged Vienna forgot a coffee bag on the outskirts of the city in the 1680s. The Viennese learned to use coffee and began setting up cafes as places to hang out.
Austrian cafés are still leisurely and atmospheric places where you will read magazines and meet friends, for example. There are usually several dozen types of coffee on offer, as well as a variety of pastries.
In addition to sitting in the cafés, you should also get acquainted with traditional Austrian food, which is uncomplicated and tasty. The atmosphere is best achieved in a rural setting, but you can also find high-quality Austrian places in the cities ’international restaurant offerings. The meal is crowned with quality local wines or beers.