World Guide

Austria

Country · Europe, Western Europe

Schönbrunn Palace
Pictured: Schönbrunn Palace · Photo: C.Stadler/Bwag, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Austria is a country in Western Europe with a population of about 9.2 million people and an area of 83,879 square kilometers. Its capital is Vienna, and the nation borders eight countries, including Germany, Italy, and Switzerland, offering diverse sights ranging from imperial palaces to high mountain peaks.

Highlights

This guide covers 38 sights across Austria. Vienna serves as the primary hub for imperial history, featuring landmarks such as Schönbrunn Palace, the Hofburg, the Imperial Crypt, and the Belvedere. The city is also home to significant religious and cultural sites, including St. Stephen's Cathedral, Karlskirche, the Votivkirche, the Kunsthistorisches Museum, and the Albertina. Architecture enthusiasts can visit the Hundertwasserhaus, the Austrian Parliament Building, Vienna City Hall, and the Wiener Riesenrad. Beyond the capital, travelers can explore cities like Salzburg, Innsbruck, and Melk. Notable historical fortifications and structures outside Vienna include Hohensalzburg Fortress, Hohenwerfen Castle, Artstetten Castle, and the historic Melk Abbey. Visitors interested in the country's musical heritage can visit Mozart's birthplace, while those seeking natural landmarks can travel to the Grossglockner.

Food and drink

Austrian cuisine features a variety of traditional dishes. Savory options include Wiener schnitzel, schnitzel, bratwurst, Vienna sausage, and bread rolls. For sweets, the menu includes Sachertorte, Linzertorte, Kaiserschmarrn, Mozartkugel, Kifli, strudel, and apple strudel.

When to go

The weather in Vienna is warmest from June to August, with daily highs reaching 23 °C to 26 °C, though these months also see regular rainfall on about 14 days each. Spring, particularly April and May, offers milder temperatures ranging from 15 °C to 20 °C, though May is one of the rainier months. Autumn, specifically September and October, provides cooler conditions with highs between 15 °C and 20 °C. Winter months from December to February are cold, with highs between 3 °C and 5 °C and lows dropping to -4 °C, making this period suitable for those prepared for freezing temperatures.

Practical notes

The currency is the euro. The official languages are German and Austrian Sign Language. The country uses plugs type C and F with a voltage of 230 V. Traffic moves on the right side of the road. The time zone is UTC+01:00.

Cities

Food and drink to try in Austria

  • Sachertorte
  • Strudel
  • Vienna sausage
  • Wiener schnitzel
  • Apple strudel
  • Bread roll
  • Kaiserschmarrn
  • Bratwurst
  • Schnitzel
  • Mozartkugel
  • Kifli
  • Linzertorte

Top sights in Austria

  1. Schönbrunn PalaceSchönbrunn PalaceVienna
  2. St. Stephen's Cathedral, ViennaSt. Stephen's Cathedral, ViennaVienna
  3. HofburgHofburgVienna
  4. Imperial CryptImperial CryptVienna
  5. Belvedere, ViennaBelvedere, ViennaVienna
  6. Kunsthistorisches MuseumKunsthistorisches MuseumVienna
  7. GrossglocknerGrossglocknerHeiligenblut
  8. Hohenwerfen CastleHohenwerfen CastleBischofshofen
  9. Hohensalzburg FortressHohensalzburg FortressSalzburg
  10. Melk AbbeyMelk AbbeyMelk
  11. Mozart's birthplaceMozart's birthplaceSalzburg
  12. KarlskircheKarlskircheVienna
  1. Hundertwasserhaus · Vienna
  2. Artstetten Castle · Melk
  3. Österreichische Galerie Belvedere · Vienna
  4. Votivkirche, Vienna · Vienna
  5. Albertina · Vienna
  6. Austrian Parliament Building · Vienna
  7. Vienna City Hall · Vienna
  8. Wiener Riesenrad · Vienna
  9. Prater · Vienna
  10. Nonnberg Abbey · Salzburg
  11. WachauUNESCO
  12. Karl-Marx-Hof · Vienna
  13. Ambras Castle · Innsbruck
  14. Spanish Riding School · Vienna
  15. Ringstrasse · Vienna
  16. Vienna Central Cemetery · Vienna
  17. Heldenplatz · Vienna
  18. Salzburg Cathedral · Salzburg
  19. Austrian National Library · Vienna
  20. Mirabell Palace · Salzburg
  21. United Nations Office at Vienna · Vienna
  22. Schönbrunn Zoo · Vienna
  23. Goldenes Dachl · Innsbruck
  24. Vienna Gasometers · Vienna
  25. Imperial Treasury, Vienna · Vienna
  26. Hofburg, Innsbruck · Innsbruck
  27. New Cathedral, Linz · Linz
  28. Historic Centre of the City of Salzburg · SalzburgUNESCO
  29. Linz Castle · Linz
  30. Old Cathedral, Linz · Linz

Weather by month

The warmest month is July, with an average high of 26 °C. Rain is spread fairly evenly through the year.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Average high, °C35101520232626201583
Average low, °C-4-315111416161272-2
Rainfall, mm323246406672717064384442
Rainy days1287916151414109910

Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for Vienna (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.

Also worth a look

Neighbouring countries and territories