17 Things To Do In Austria On Your Next Holiday

Things to do in Austria include much more than visiting palaces and beautiful mountain towns. You can wake up to an Alpine panorama, ride a cable car above the clouds, swim in a clear mountain lake, wander through a centuries-old city or spend an afternoon exploring a Christmas market. Austria makes it very easy to mix sightseeing with experiences you will actually remember.

If you're wondering what to do on your first trip to Austria, start by combining a city like Vienna or Salzburg with time in the Alps. You can spend one day admiring imperial architecture and the next hiking, skiing, cycling or simply sitting beside a lake with the mountains in the background.

For travellers planning Europe tour packages, Austria is especially easy to fit into a wider European itinerary. Whether you are travelling with family, your partner or a group of friends, leave some room for spontaneous stops—some of the best stuff to do in Austria happens when you step away from the usual sightseeing route.

17 Best Things to Do in Austria

Discover the best things to do in Austria, from Alpine adventures and scenic lakes to historic cities, cultural experiences and unforgettable seasonal escapes.

1. Explore Vienna's Historic Centre

Start your Austrian trip in Vienna and give yourself time to simply wander. The historic centre brings together grand palaces, elegant squares, museums and cafés, so you can spend a morning sightseeing and still find plenty to explore when you put the map away.

Walk around Stephansplatz, see St. Stephen's Cathedral, follow the Ringstrasse and step into one of Vienna's traditional coffee houses. If you are deciding between the many things to do in Vienna, this is the easiest place to begin.

Best for: First-time visitors, couples and families

Time needed: Half to one full day

Don't miss: St. Stephen's Cathedral and the Hofburg area

Tip: Explore on foot rather than trying to see the centre entirely by transport.

2. Visit Schönbrunn Palace

Step into the world of the Habsburgs at Schönbrunn Palace, one of Vienna's most recognisable landmarks. The palace rooms give you a glimpse into imperial life, while the enormous gardens are worth exploring even if you are not particularly interested in history.

Give yourself extra time for the gardens and viewpoints rather than rushing straight back into the city. Schönbrunn Palace is more than just a tourist attraction in Austria; take the time to explore its gardens and viewpoints as well.

Best for: Families, couples and history lovers

Time needed: 2–4 hours

Location: Vienna

Tip: Book your palace visit ahead during busy periods.

3. Discover Salzburg's Old Town

Salzburg is compact enough to explore on foot, and that is exactly how you should experience it. Wander through Getreidegasse, see Salzburg Cathedral, stop for a coffee and look up at Hohensalzburg Fortress above the rooftops.

The city's historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with major sights including the fortress, cathedral, Mirabell Palace and Mozart's birthplace.

Best for: Couples, families and culture lovers

Time needed: One full day

Don't miss: Getreidegasse and Hohensalzburg Fortress

Tip: Stay until evening if you can; Salzburg feels particularly atmospheric once the day-trippers leave.

4. Take a Cable Car Into the Alps

If you have never seen the Alps from above, make this one of your priorities. A cable car can take you from a valley town to a high mountain viewpoint in minutes, giving you access to hiking trails, panoramic terraces and mountain restaurants without needing to be an experienced mountaineer.

This is one of the best things to do in Austria if you want spectacular scenery without spending an entire day on a demanding hike.

Best for: Almost everyone

Best season: Summer for hiking; winter for snow activities

Time needed: Half to full day

Tip: Check mountain weather before going — conditions can change quickly at altitude.

5. Visit Hallstatt and the Salzkammergut

Hallstatt is one of the most photographed tourist attraction in Austria, but the real pleasure comes from slowing down and exploring the lakeside setting beyond the usual viewpoints. Explore the narrow streets and give yourself time to enjoy the surrounding Salzkammergut landscape.

The wider region is home to lakes, mountain villages, and experiences such as the Schafberg cog railway and Wolfgangsee boat trips. 

Best for: Couples, photographers and families

Time needed: Full day if travelling from Salzburg

Best experience: Combine Hallstatt with another Salzkammergut attraction

Tip: Go early if you want to experience the village before the busiest hours.

6. Go Hiking in the Austrian Alps

You do not need to be an expert hiker to enjoy Austria's mountains. There are easy lakeside walks, gentle Alpine trails and more demanding routes for experienced hikers.

Pick a trail that matches your fitness level and allow yourself time to stop at a mountain hut along the way. The views are only half the experience — sitting down with a traditional meal after a few hours outdoors is part of it.

Best for: Active travellers and families

Best season: Late spring to autumn, depending on altitude

Bring: Proper footwear, water and weather-appropriate layers

Tip: Check trail conditions before setting out.

7. Try Snowboarding in Austria

If you are visiting Austria in winter, swap the sightseeing shoes for a snowboard and head into the Alps. Resorts across Tyrol, Salzburg, and Vorarlberg offer everything from beginner slopes to challenging terrain.

Snowboarding in Austria is particularly well-suited for a winter holiday that combines time on the slopes with cosy mountain huts and traditional Austrian food.

Best season: December to March, depending on altitude and snow conditions

Best for: Beginners to experienced riders

Popular regions: Tyrol, SalzburgerLand and Vorarlberg

Tip: Book lessons in advance if you are a beginner.

8. Spend a Day by an Austrian Lake

Austria's lakes are not just there for the views. In summer, you can swim, paddle, sail, windsurf or simply spread out a towel and enjoy the mountains around you.

SalzburgerLand alone has 185 lakes and 22 designated swimming lakes, with options ranging from swimming and paddleboarding to kayaking and sailing.

Best for: Families, couples and active travellers

Best season: Summer

Try: Swimming, paddleboarding or kayaking

Tip: Check local lake facilities before visiting.

9. Take a Scenic Mountain Train

Some of the most memorable activities to do in Austria do not involve hiking at all. Take a historic mountain railway and let the landscape come to you.

The SchafbergBahn, for example, climbs to 1,783 metres in around 35 minutes, opening up views across the surrounding Salzkammergut lakes and mountains.

Best for: Families, couples and photographers

Time needed: Half day

Good option: SchafbergBahn near Wolfgangsee

Tip: Sit where you have a clear view of the landscape as the train climbs.

10. Try Adventure Activities in the Alps

If a scenic walk is not enough for you, Austria has plenty of ways to add some adrenaline to your trip. Depending on the region and season, you can go canyoning, rafting, mountain biking, paragliding, or trail running.

Zillertal in Tyrol is particularly well known for rafting, canyoning, and other water-based adventures.

Best for: Adventure seekers

Best season: Mostly summer

Try: Rafting or canyoning with a qualified guide

Tip: Choose an activity suited to your experience level rather than the most extreme option available.

11. Explore Innsbruck

Innsbruck offers something few cities can match: a historic centre with the mountains practically at its doorstep. Spend the morning exploring the Golden Roof and Old Town, then head uphill for panoramic Alpine views.

It is a particularly good choice if you want to combine city sightseeing with adventure activities to do in Austria without changing your base every day.

Best for: Couples, families and active travellers

Time needed: 1–2 days

Don't miss: Old Town and Nordkette

Tip: Keep a flexible day for mountain weather.

12. Go Shopping in Vienna

Set aside an afternoon for shopping in Vienna if you want to take something home beyond the usual souvenirs. Mariahilfer Strasse is the city's largest and liveliest shopping street, while the surrounding side streets are packed with smaller boutiques and independent shops.

For something more local, explore Vienna's markets. Naschmarkt is the city's best-known market and combines food, stalls and a lively neighbourhood atmosphere.

Best for: Shoppers and food lovers

Best areas: Mariahilfer Strasse, Neubaugasse and Naschmarkt

Tip: Most regular shops close on Sundays, so plan your shopping day accordingly.

13. Experience Austria's Christmas Markets

If you visit during winter, make time for at least one Christmas market. Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck, and other Austrian cities transform their historic squares with lights, wooden stalls, seasonal food, and warm drinks.

This is one of the stuff to do in Austria that feels completely different from a summer trip. Come in the evening when the lights are on and give yourself time to wander rather than rushing from stall to stall.

Best season: Late November to December

Best for: Couples and families

Try: Local sweets, roasted nuts and warm punch

Tip: Weekday evenings are generally more comfortable than peak weekend periods.

14. Experience Austria's Classical Music Culture

You cannot really experience Austria without giving its music tradition some time. In Vienna and Salzburg, you can attend classical concerts, opera performances, and other musical events in historic venues.

If you are travelling as a couple, this is one of the more memorable things to do in Austria for couples, especially when paired with dinner and an evening walk through the old city.

Best for: Couples and culture lovers

Best cities: Vienna and Salzburg

Tip: Check the programme before booking rather than buying a generic concert ticket on the street.

15. Try Watersports on Austria's Lakes and Rivers

Austria may be landlocked, but that does not mean you have to stay on dry land. Depending on where you travel, you can try kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing, windsurfing, kitesurfing and rafting.

The country's lakes and rivers offer surprisingly varied water experiences, from relaxed paddling to guided white-water adventures.

Best season: Late spring to summer

Best for: Families and adventure seekers

Try: SUP or kayaking for an easy start; rafting for more excitement

Tip: Use a guided operator for river activities and check weather conditions before heading out.

16. See Austria from Above on a Paragliding Flight

Want a view you will not get from a sightseeing deck? Try tandem paragliding over the Austrian Alps. With an experienced pilot handling the technical side, you can focus on the landscape below you.

It’s one of the most memorable adventure activities in Austria, especially if you want to do something beyond the usual sightseeing itinerary.

Best season: Spring to autumn, weather permitting

Best for: Adventure seekers

Experience level: Tandem flights are suitable for beginners

Tip: Book with a licensed local operator and allow flexibility for weather.

17. Enjoy Austria After Dark

Austria does not shut down when the sun goes down. In Vienna, you can move from a traditional coffee house to a concert, cocktail bar, or evening walk through the illuminated historic centre. Salzburg offers atmospheric old-town walks and evening cultural events.

If you are looking for things to do in Austria at night, check what's happening locally during your visit rather than assuming nightlife means clubs. Summer events, concerts and seasonal programmes can completely change the evening scene.

Best for: Couples, adults and groups

Try: Evening concerts, city walks and local bars

Tip: Check event schedules for the exact dates of your trip.