Austria

Imperial grandeur in Vienna, baroque charm in Salzburg, and some of Europe's best mountain scenery in between.

Currency Euro (€)

Best time to visit May–June and September are the sweet spot for mild weather and fewer crowds. Winter (Dec–Feb) is beautiful for Christmas markets in Vienna and Salzburg and for skiing near Innsbruck, but cold and often snowy.

Practical tips

German is the main language; English is widely spoken in tourist areas.
Standard European plug (two round pins, Type C/E/F), 230V.
Round up or add about 5–10% for good restaurant service, usually handed directly to the server rather than left on the table.
Most shops close on Sundays and public holidays.

Vienna

The imperial capital of palaces, coffeehouses, and world-class opera, where Mozart's melodies still linger around every corner.

Salzburg

Mozart's birthplace — a hilltop medieval fortress, baroque squares, and Sound-of-Music scenery in one of Europe's prettiest Alpine old towns.

Innsbruck

A twice-Olympic host city where the Golden Roof glints below jagged Alpine peaks, reachable by cable car in minutes.

Graz

A walkable UNESCO Old Town, a clock-tower hill, modern art on the river and Styrian food and wine at your doorstep.

Linz

A Danube city of media art and Bruckner, with a baroque Old Town, a mountain tram up to a pilgrimage basilica and an easy base for the Salzkammergut and Wachau.

Salzkammergut (Hallstatt & the Lakes)

Alpine lakes, the world-famous village of Hallstatt, imperial Bad Ischl and cable cars to glaciers, all within one lake district.

Wachau (Melk, Dürnstein & Krems)

Terraced vineyards, apricot orchards, baroque abbeys and castle ruins along the UNESCO Danube valley between Melk and Krems.

Photos: Vienna – Wikimedia Commons; Salzburg – Wikimedia Commons; Innsbruck – Wikimedia Commons; Graz – Wikimedia Commons; Linz – Wikimedia Commons; Salzkammergut (Hallstatt & the Lakes) – Wikimedia Commons; Wachau (Melk, Dürnstein & Krems) – Wikimedia Commons