Completing a tour comparison Austria includes many options for great combination itineraries visiting other parts of mainland Europe, as well as ‘Best of’ Austria, Germany and Switzerland. Most tours in Austria start or end in Vienna or Hopfgarten, and include entry to must-see Austria tourism attractions such as the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, the Schnapps museum with priority access, and the option to jump the queue at the stately Schönbrunn Palace in the capital.
Itineraries that bring you the best of Austria tourism
In Vienna, you can also enjoy pre-reserved seats at the world-famous opera during high season, and will be certain to get the most out of this architecturally magnificent city with knowledgeable local guides. Itineraries stopping in scenic Salzburg are also maximised by insider tips from local guides, where you can walk the very cobblestones Julie Andrews danced along in The Sound of Music and even take part in exclusive tours focused solely on the iconic cinema classic.
Our tour comparison Austria shows many itineraries offering free time in Vienna, Salzburg and Innsbruck, where travellers will also be introduced to the city with an orientation walk.
With incredible alpine landscapes Austria and the outdoors go hand in hand. Those looking for winter adventure will find week-long ski tours with personal guides, and for the warmer months there are hiking and cycling tours – just be ready to tackle some hills!
If you prefer to take in nature from the comfort of a seat with a view, several Austria tourism packages include boat rides in the Lakes District, along with stopovers at Melk Abbey and authentic dinners at exclusive venues in Viennese woods or Marchfelderhof country mansion.
Last but not least, your Austria travel guide will offer a number of optional excursions, such as Tyrolean folklore shows, and horse and carriage rides.
Ready to book your trip? Visit our tour comparison Austria to find the right tour for you.
Want a taste of that insider Austria tourism knowledge we mentioned before? We have collected the best facts from real life tour guides. Impress them on tour with how much you already know.
- Austria is a landlocked country bordered by eight countries: Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Slovenia
- The mighty river Danube is the second-longest in Europe, after Russia’s Volga River, and Austria lays claim to 10% of the famous body of water as it travels from Germany through or touching 10 different countries
- Austria has proudly brought us many items, people and concepts of significance, including Porsche cars, Christian Doppler and the Doppler effect, Sigmund Freud and the Freudian slip, chef Wolfgang Puck, artist Gustav Klimt and ‘The Kiss’, and Eurovision star Conchita Wurst
- Austria was home to the House of Hapsburgs, one of the most influential royal houses in Europe until it became extinct in the 18th century, with notable rulers including Franz Josef I and the only female leader Maria Theresa
- Franze Josef I endured personal tragedies including the assassination of his wife Elisabeth, execution of his brother Maximilian, and suicide of his only son and heir, Crown Prince Rudolph
- The stunning Vienna State Opera is worth a visit just to see the inside of the glorious mid-19th century building, designed by Eduard van der Nüll and August Sicard von Sicardsburg
- One of the most iconic depictions of Austria is in the classic 1965 film The Sound of Music, with film locations including Mondsee Abbey, Nonnberg Abbey, Mirabell Palace Gardens and Residence Fountain
- Austria has a rich history of producing world-renowned composers, including the likes of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Johann Strauss – who brought us ‘Joseph Radetzky’s March’, Joseph Haydn, Franz Schubert and Franz Lisz
- On 28 June 1914, Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina – an event that catalysed the beginning of World War I
- Austria is not only home to stately cities, but some of the best skiing in the world at resorts like SkiWelt
- The 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympics were held in the Tyrolean capital Innsbruck, where the Olympic villages of Igls and Axamer Lizum offer a great base for snow bunnies
- Austria is responsible for adding some sparkle to our lives with crystals from Swarovski-Watten
- The areas of Hopfgarten and Kitzbühel offer plenty of outdoor activities, with Hopfgarten attracting skiers of all levels while Kitzbühel boasts a world-class reputation for the sport
- Mauthausen-Gusen Concentration Camp, in operation during WWII, was declared a national memorial in 1949 and the museum was opened 30 years after the camp’s liberation
- The Salzkammergut Lakes District is home to a total of 76 lakes, where you will find beautiful villages including UNESCO World Heritage Listed Hallstatt, the oldest salt mine in the world and enough stunning scenery to fill your memory card in one day
- Impressive Melk Abbey occupies a prominent place on a rocky outcrop above its namesake town, offering spectacular views across the River Danube. The Abbey is the final resting place of Saint Coloman of Stockerau as well as members of Austria’s first ruling dynasty, the House of Babenberg
- Austria is a land of adrenalin junkies, with famous sports stars including F1 racer Niki Lauda and Red Bull supersonic skydiver Felix Baumgartner
- Inventions you can thank Austrians for include sewing machines, baking powder, Pez candy, and Europe’s first coffee houses
Courtney Gahan is a serial expat, traveller and freelance writer who has bartered with Moroccan marketeers, seen the sun rise at Angkor Wat and elbowed her way through crowds on NYE in NYC
