Certain images spring to mind when we think of Austria. Clear, cool lakes, rugged peaks, powdery ski slopes, and patchwork cities lifted straight from a Wes Anderson moodboard. Austria is the birthplace of some of history’s most radical artists and thinkers - and schnitzel. Lots and lots of schnitzel. It's also home to a few of our personal favourite Plum Guide properties, tucked away in the historic streets of Vienna, or in the lush landscapes of the Alps. Planning a trip there soon? We know all there is to know about this part of the world, so here is our pick of the very finest things to do in Austria. Prepare to fall in love (and possibly into a few piles of snow).
Hit the slopes at an Austrian ski resort
A person skiing down a snowy mountain, Austria
No guide to the best things to do in Austria would be complete without mentioning the country’s world-famous skiing possibilities. Austria’s ski resorts have a charming, old-world feel to them, and are far less glitzy than those of France or Switzerland. Many of the cosiest Alpine villages are linked by a network of lifts and trails, so it's easy to explore the region and choose your personal favourite. Tyrol is a great first option, we must say. With its location right in the heart of the Alps, it's home to more than 80 ski resorts, so there’s something for everyone (no matter how wobbly you’re feeling).
You may already be familiar with St. Anton in Arlberg, Austria’s most famous resort. Pulling on your ski suit for the first time? This may not be the place for you. It’s a playground for expert skiers, reaching heights of 2,800 metres with plenty of off-piste trails for Alpine thrill seekers. A better option may be Sölden, a resort in the Ötztal Valley. The slopes here are almost all above 2000 metres, which means excellent snow conditions all year round - plus there's a wonderfully diverse collection of slopes for beginners and advanced skiers alike. Vorarlberg is Austria’s westernmost province, tucked between Lake Constance and the Alps. It is replete with ski resorts - with 932 kilometres of slopes reaching heights 2400m. No surprises that the views up there are pretty fantastic, then.
Snowy Corner, Plum Guide home in Austria
Venture to Vienna
There is no impulse you can not indulge in Austria’s majestic cities. Small or large, they are melting pots of old-world glamour, prestigious architecture, and cultural history. Vienna is the first stop on any Austrian adventure. This gold-dipped, elegant city does all the work for you - all you need to do is wander round. We suggest heading straight for Museums Quartier, where the Leopold Museum houses the world’s finest collection of artwork by Egon Schiele (and many others members of Vienna’s famous Secessionist group). Don’t miss a sighting of Gustav Klimt’s The Kiss at the sweeping Belvedere Museum, and take a stroll through the historic hallways of the Hofburg Palace (with a visit to the Spanish Riding School along the way).
Vienna’s coffee houses are drenched in history (and whipped cream), so settle in for a plate of flaky apple strudel and bitter coffee at the opulent Cafe Central. If it's good enough for Trotsky and Freud, it's good enough for you. If you still have a sweet tooth (how very Vienna of you), be sure to swing through the glittering doors of Hotel Sacher for a slice of their legendary Sachertorte - an irresistible combination of chocolate cake and apricot sponge. Walk it off around the city’s famous Ringstrasse, where you can take in some of its grandest buildings. Come evening time, catch a world-famous opera star at the Wiener Musikverein, before sipping Mint Juleps all night at the Loos American Bar - a watering hole designed by the architect Adolf Loos that has been serving cocktails for over 100 years.
The Wings of Hope, Plum Guide home in Vienna, Austria
Embark on a day trip to Salzburg
A red train driving through tall green hills by a large lake, Salzburg, Austria
Follow in the footsteps of some of Europe’s most famous composers and artists with a visit to Saltzburg - Mozart, to be exact. This scenic city is compact enough to cover in just a few days, but you’ll most likely want to stay longer. Begin with a stroll around the Old Town, before heading to the manicured lawns of the Mirabellgarten - a 19th-century garden where flowers bloom and marble statues loom. Refresh with a home-brewed beer at Augustiner Bräu, a monastery that also happens to be the largest beer garden in the country. Book a table at Fuxn to feast on traditional Austrian fare (expect potatoes) in a bustling gastropub, or enjoy a contemporary play on the classics at Esszimmer.
A Classical Note, Plum Guide home in Vienna, Austria
Hike through the Alps
When planning the very best things to do in Austria, it would be remiss to not factor in its wondrous peaks and summits. It has some of the most breathtaking in the world, after all. We recommend Styria - a densely forested, mountainous area in the south of Austria, dotted with wineries, castles, and luxury spas. Over in the eastern Alps, Carinthia is another must-see. Its capital, Klagenfurt, plunges into the shores of Lake Wörthersee, and is surrounded by an abundance of vineyards. As for hiking, the region’s mild climate and dizzying views make it a favourite with adventurers.
Peaks of Dreams, Plum Guide home in Austria
Sample wine at Winkler-Hermaden
Red grapes in a large green vineyard in Austria
Whether you're a wine connoisseur, or someone who points blindly to menus, Austria is undoubtedly one of Europe’s best places to sample the plonk - so visiting a few wineries is a Plum Guide must. Winkler-Hermaden is a great place to start. This family winery is located on the slopes of Kapfensteiner Kogel - a volcano (dormant, we are pleased to report) in the Styria region. Over in the Krems Valley, Weingut Heninger’s vines grow on warm gravel soils and mineral primary rock, to produce the unique wines you can sample there. And in Carinthia, Weingut Taggenbrunn produces fine wines near the city of St. Veit an der Glan. They serve delicious, home cooked food to complement their wines, so you can (and you will) easily sip away an entire afternoon.
Tuck into to traditional Austrian cuisine
When visiting Austria, it's absolutely vital that you try a handful of signature dishes - the first being schnitzel. As well as being quite fun to say, this classic Austrian recipe is made up of a thin piece of meat (usually veal, sometimes pork), breaded to golden perfection, and served with a wedge of lemon and a fluffy potato salad. Trust us, by the end of your trip, you’ll be craving them. Don’t miss a plate of comforting Knödel - boiled dumplings typically made with bread, milk, and onion. We know, they don’t sound all too appetizing, but there’s a reason they've stood the test of time in Austrian kitchens. Apfelstrudel (Apple Strudel) is Austria’s national dish, and it isn’t difficult to see why. Settle into one of the country’s classic coffeehouses to tuck into these folds of flaky pastry layered with warm, spiced apples, served with a dollop of cream. Perfect, right?
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