Austria's Amazing Gems: A Guide With The Best Places To Visit
Austria, a country where beautiful castles, classical buildings, historical palaces and incredibly blue lakes can be found. It's a country that delivers both snow and sunny holiday vacations. During winter you can wander around winter wonderland, have a good ski trip and dance the night away on some funky Apèes-ski. However, during summer you can pack your bags to go lake hopping, bring your best hiking shoes and witness beautiful views from its tall mountains. But, do not forget to end the day with a large Wiener schnitzel, Potato Gulash or a delicious Knödel.
HERE ARE 11 PLACES TO VISIT IN AUSTRIA
Written by Stephanie Gabriella
1. Dachstein Glacier
Day 1: We drove all the way from Amsterdam straight to Dachstein Glacier. This was our first stop on our first day. The Dachstein Glacier was very high on our to do list for our trip in Austria. It was a 9,5 hours drive from Amsterdam to the Dachstein Glacier and it was definitely worth a visit.
Practical things you need to know about the Dachstein Glacier:
It's a 2700 metres high scenery with a panoramic view over the mountains of Austria. There are three things to see: The Stairway to Nothingness, Ice Palace and a Suspension Bridge.
From Salzburg it's a 1,5 hours drive
It's open from 7:50 AM - 5:50 PM || Keep in mind: The Bridge, Ice Palace and Stairway to Nothingness have different closing times: 8:30 AM - 4:15 PM
To visit the Glacier you have to buy tickets and you can choose between: - A full experience for 40 EURO - A ticket for the suspension bridge and stairway to nothingness: 10 EURO (adults) 5,50 EURO (kids)
Keep in mind: It's 2700 metres up! If you're like me and are afraid of heights, consider a visit before hand, because it's really nerve wrecking. I was shaking at the Stairway to Nothingness, because of its height.
If you're visiting during summer (like us), it's not necessary to bring warm clothes. However a jacket would be nice.
2. Salzburg
Day 1: After visiting the Dachstein Glacier, it was already 4PM and we decided to head back to our hotel in Salzburg. Discover a bit of the area in Salzburg. In our opinion this is a nice place to start from when you arrive by plane or by car and drive to your next destinations on your planned road trip.
If we would do it again we wouldn't have stayed here during our entire stay, because we had to drive so many long hours from Salzburg to our destinations and than head back to our hotel in Salzburg, every day. We recommend to book different stays in the areas you will visit.
3. Fuschlsee
Day 2: On our second day we went lake hopping the entire day and we have to say that is the best part about Austria visiting by car or renting a car. Unfortunately, their lakes aren't close to each other. However, we recommend spending enough time here. The water is super clear, it's clean and the views of the mountains behind the lakes give an ultimate adventurous yet peaceful vibe.
Practical things you need to know about Fuschlsee:
It's only a 22 minutes drive away from Salzburg
The entrance is free before 9AM and after 6PM, if you enter between these times you have to pay 2,50 EURO per person. Make sure to have cash with you!
If you want to create content from its beautiful views/pier you need to drive all the way straight until you see a roundabout, take the first exit to the right and drive straight until the next exit near a castle. Drive your car all the way down until you see a parking spot. Be aware: It's paid parking. After this it's a 10 minute walk to the lake.
4. Mondsee
Day 2: The second lake we went to was Mondsee. It's only an 18 minutes drive from Fuschlsee and also if you would be departing from Salzburg. It's free to park here and there is no entrance fee. Be aware that there are some piers that are private. However, you can always ask if you can stay there for a short time.
5. Wolfgangsee
Day 2: The third lake we went to was Wolfgangsee, which is only 26 minutes away from Mondsee. In our option all of the lakes we've visited are the most beautiful lakes to visit when you're spending time in Austria. There is also not an entrance fee required and there aren't any private piers.
6. Hallstatt
Day 2: The last place we visited on our second day was Hallstatt. An historical village next to the mountains. There are only 800 people living here and the oldest saltchain of Europe can be found here. Visit cute restaurants and stores. If you don't have enough time to visit the Dachstein Glacier, you can also book a skywalk tour here's well, however we didn't do this.
Hallstatt was beautiful to see in our opinion, but if you don't have a white skin complexion, you might have a different experience with the city. Unfortunately, that happened to us and the treatment wasn't nice. However, we made the best of it and visited nice spots in the village and went back to our stay in Salzburg after this.
7. Highline 179
Day 3: On our third day we went to the Highline 179. We started our third day with an almost 3 hours drive from Salzburg to the Highline 179. It's officially the longest footbridge of the world and has a connection between the mountains and the remarkable Ehrenberg Castle. In total the bridge is 406 metres long.
Practical things you need to know about Highline 179:
From Salzburg it's a 3 hours drive, try to stay in Innsbruck. Driving from there takes only 1,5 hours.
It's open from 8 AM - 10 PM
The entrance fee is: 8 EURO P.P. (adults) 5 EURO (kids)
Keep in mind: It's 114 meters high. If you're afraid of heights, consider if you're paying a visit before hand. Personally, I found it less scary Than the Dachstein Glacier.
Here, you can find more information about the Highline 179.
8. Plansee
Day 3: After visiting the Highline 179 it was time to cool down and visit another marvellous lake. This time we went to Plansee. If you're planning to visit the Highline 179 and Plansee, we recommend to schedule a visit to both on the same day, since it's only 14 minutes away from each other. Also, there is no parking fee required and the entrance is free. Plansee is 300 metres long and there a few nice activities to do here, such as supping on the lake, rent a kayak, going for a hike and swimming.
Here are some nice hike routes, depending on which level you want you have various options:
Easy - 1u10m: Ruine Ehrenberg - walk from Reutte
Easy - 1u35m: Heiterwanger See walk from Fischer Am See
Mild - 2,5u: Heiterwanger See walk
Mild - 1u20m: Stuibenfälle van Reutte walk
Mild - 2u25m: Hochschanz Fort “Claudia” walk from Fernpassstraße
Hard - 5u10m: Thaneller walk from Berwang
Hard - 4ur45m: Säulingshaus walk from Kappl
9. Innsbruck
Day 3: It's a vibrant city full of live and colourful buildings. In total it was a 1:15 hours drive from Plansee. We highly recommend to bring a visit to the 360 grad. It's a rooftop cocktail bar, where they have the most delicious cocktails we had tasted in a while. They fill up their cocktails with rose paddles. We absolutely loved them and to be honest, it was already time for dinner so we haven't seen every spot in Innsbruck, but we do know that the food here was so tasty and the ice cream was at its best!
Practical things you need to know about 360 Grad:
Location: Rathaus Galerien, Maria Theresien-Straße 18, 6020 Innsbruck
It's open from 10AM - 1 AM || On Sundays they are closed
10. Vienna - Kunsthistorisches museum
Day 4: We made the biggest mistake by planning Vienna in one day. We do not recommend doing that! Due to the long traffic we spend our whole day in our car and just 2,5 hours in Vienna. However, was the Kunsthistorisches museum worth it? Yes! In our other blogpost we talk more about Vienna's must see's and this is definitely one aspect.
Practical things you need to know about Kunsthistorisches museum:
Location: Maria-Theresien-Platz, 1010 Vienna
Entrance fee: 18 EURO (adults) 15 EURO (students, seniors and others)
It's open on: On Mondays they are closed Tuesday: 10AM - 6 PM Wednesday: 10AM - 6 PM Thursday: 10AM - 9PM Friday: 10AM - 6 PM Saturdays: 10AM - 6 PM
11. Liechtensteinklamm
Day 5: On our fifth day we went to The lichtensteinklamm. After our visit we drove back to Fuschlsee to enjoy this beautiful lake for the last time, but not for too long because it started to rain. The Lichtensteinklamm is an incredible place to visit due to its rocky environment, serene waters and that huge, massive stairs. We recommend to pay a visit as early as possible, as it tends to be crowded, because it's a very popular activity for tourists. It's a very grand place to visit and to see everything and finish the whole tour it will take you about 1,5- 2 hours.
Practical things you need to know about the Liechtensteinklamm:
Location: Liechtensteinklammstraße 123, 5600 St. Johann im Pongau
Entrance fee: 10 EURO (adults) 5,50 EURO (kids)
It's open on from Monday - Sunday: 9AM - 4 PM
12. 10 Things we wish we knew before we went on a road trip
Vienna: Please do not visit Vienna in one day and especially not driving 6 hours all the way from Salzburg back and forth. It's better to book a trip separately to Vienna or if you have time for a six hours drive, spend at least 4 days in Vienna to discover the city on its own.
Opening times: This one might sound logical, but please always check opening times from exhibitions or places you want to visit. We have learned our lesson and after this trip we kept sharp eyes on this one.
Innsbruck: Rather spent more time in Innsbruck than Salzburg. We liked the food, vibes and buildings here more than in Salzburg. If you have similar interests like us, definitely choose to fly or drive to Innsbruck.
Time: Always calculate 30 mins/1 hour extra when you're on the road. During summer there can be loads of traffic and you don't want to miss out on your activities due to traffic.
Scheduling: Schedule your activities and always start the day as early as possible, if you're going to be on the road. If you have the time and energy than yes, please do leave early. The earlier, the better. :)
Umbrella or Poncho: If the weather app prospects no rain, be in mind that the weather can shift while you'll be on your way. Always bring an umbrella or poncho with you in the car.
Racism: We experienced racism, but that doesn't mean you will... Perhaps we were just unlucky. Just visit a place such as Hallstatt yourself and get your own experience.
Local food: Try as much of the Austrian dishes, both sweet and savoury dishes are very delicious! :)
The length of our trip: You can do a road trip in six days, but it's very rushed. We would advice you to stay at least 10 days, because it gives you more time to rest and take things a bit slow.
Vignette: You have to pay a vignette on certain roads, check this before and be prepared.
That's it, those where all the things we did in Austria. We hope you will have an amazing time when you're road tripping through Austria. Every Sunday, there's a new article online!
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