Austria – a land of mountains and history, music and architecture – may be one of the smaller countries in Europe, but it sure packs a punch for places to visit. From the Danube Valley to the Tyrolean glaciers, a single trip might not be enough to see it all!

Stunning beauty spots and glorious landscapes in summer and winter

Austria is a paradise for holidaymakers who prefer the alfresco life. From Grossglockner, Austria’s highest peak, to the lakes dotted around Salzkammergut, the Alpine landscapes are awash with breathtaking panoramas and hiking trails to keep mountain lovers entertained for days. In winter, whizz down the pistes of the country’s major ski resorts, including Zell am See and Arlberg. In summer, explore the lush green valleys of the Tyrol, where lakes glistening in the sun encourage visitors to relax on their shores or partake in the variety of water sports on offer. All through the year, Austria’s national parks, like Hohe Tauern, are vast havens of greenery where switching off from the rest of the world has never been easier.

Cities rich in cultural heritage and history

A trip to Austria is also an opportunity to immerse yourself in one of Europe’s most fascinating histories and cultures. The capital Vienna sparkles with its sumptuous royal residences such as Schönbrunn Palace. It will also keep visitors absorbed with its museums, from the Belevdere to the MuseumsQuartier, a sensational art and culture complex right in the heart of the city. Vienna is the perfect base for making trips out of the city: Melk Abbey, one of the most beautiful baroque buildings in the country, can be visited in a day.
In the former Habsburg kingdom capital, music is always in the air, with classical concerts and operas celebrating, in parks and palaces all over the city, works composed by Beethoven, Haydn and Schubert. The city of Salzburg is famed for being the birthplace of Mozart, and never fails to charm visitors with its baroque treasures and historic centre that wouldn’t go amiss on a postcard. Last but not least, Innsbruck, nestled in the heart of the Tyrolean Alps, is the perfect marriage of imperial heritage and Alpine spirit.