Austria Tours October 2024

Austria Travel Guide

Austria Tours Things To Do

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  See a live opera performance from the opulent Vienna State Opera House

  Located in the heart of Vienna is the Vienna State Opera, a world-renowned opera house that hosts close to 300 shows annually. The opera house was completed in 1869 and has remained a prominent venue in Austria's culture. The Vienna State Opera House features an opulent design in the classical architecture and a decorative interior. It's home to resident companies, including Vienna Philharmonic and the Vienna State Ballet. It also hosts the Vienna Opera Ball, one of the favorite local events during the celebrations during the carnival season.  

  Best Time To Visit

  Try to attend a show during your visit to Vienna at the Vienna Opera House. It's a great way to appreciate live opera, music, and other theatrical performances. It has seating for more than 1,700 people and standing room for hundreds more.

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  Climb to the top of the St. Stephan’s Cathedral for an excellent view overlooking all of Vienna

  St. Stephan's Cathedral is one of the famous buildings in Stephansplatz and the most important religious building in Austria. The 12th-century cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of Vienna. It's a popular tourist destination for admiring the detailed architecture and enjoying views of the city. The cathedral architecture showcases a mix of Gothic and Romanesque styles with a distinct multi-colored roof and towering spires. Visitors can explore the interior, which showcases grand decorations alongside carvings, statues, and stain glass windows.  

  You Should Know

  Visitors can ride an elevator up to the top of the 500-ft South tower for an observation deck with sweeping views of Vienna. It's one of the best viewpoints in the city. The cathedral also provides guided tours to learn about the church's history and includes a souvenir shop.

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  See artifacts in the Hofburg Palace museums to see the extravagant lifestyle of the former imperial dynasty

  Hofburg Palace is a palace complex where the President of Austria resides, but it has plenty more things to see and do for visitors to connect with Vienna's history. The complex includes three museums that showcase details of the former imperial dynasty. Hofburg Palace was built in the 13th century, although it expanded to its current size later. It was the former Habsburg dynasty imperial palace when it was used as the winter residence. Today, it's a popular tourist stop and one of the most notable buildings in Heldenplatz.  

  You Should Know

  Explore each of the museums in the Hofburg Palace to learn more about the Habsburg dynasty. The Sisi Museum highlights the life of the empress. The Imperial Apartments museum showcases original furnishings and decorations when it was the imperial residence. The Imperial Silver Collection includes artifacts of fine dinnerware and more used by the imperial family.

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  Admire the elaborate garden design at the Schönbrunn Palace while standing at the Gloriette monument

  Schönbrunn Palace was the primary summer residence used during the Habsburg Dynasty – it's one of Austria's most impressive architectural wonders. The palace is the most visited tourist site in Vienna, attracting nearly four million visitors every year. Tourists can get a glimpse into the summer lifestyle of the former residents.   Schönbrunn Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized for its grand architecture and cultural significance. The palace holds over 1,400 rooms with tours available to see many original furnishings and artwork that decorated the interior.   Outside the palace is one of the most beautiful gardens in the world for visitors to walk the manicured grounds.  

  You Should Know

  The gardens offer lots of activities for visitors. For the best view of Schönbrunn Palace, hike to the gloriette monument on the opposite end of the garden to overlook the entire site. Other activities include a labyrinth maze and seasonal concerts. No photography is allowed inside the palace.

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  Enjoy a scenic sunset behind famous Austrian buildings from Heldenplatz

  Heldenplatz, or Heroes' Square, is one of Vienna's central squares, located in front of the Hofburg Palace. The massive square is open to the public and surrounded by scenic architecture and green space for sightseeing, relaxation, and entertainment. Several notable buildings surround the square, including the Hofburg Palace, Volksgarten, and Burgtor. It's a popular stop along walking tours to see the architecture and beauty of the city. It's a famous historical site where Adolf Hitler made an address to thousands of Austrians in 1938 and remains a place for reflection for history buffs.  

  Best Time To Visit

  There's always something happening at Heldenplatz, so you should time your visit when there are outdoor concerts or exhibitions. It's one of the most beautiful sites in the city and a favorite place to relax during the day or watch the sunset.

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  Take the funicular railway to the top of Schlossberg Hill for a panoramic view of Graz

  For the best views in Graz, visit Schlossberg Hill in the city center. Schlossberg Hill is a 16th-century fortress built on a hill in the middle of the city for protection. Today, it's a public park with historical features and popular for recreation, leisure, and entertainment. Schlossberg Hill is popular for locals and visitors to enjoy the scenery from the summit. Several features of the old castle remain, including the famous clock tower. The hill also has restaurants and cafes. It serves as a venue for the Elevate Festival of music and art.  

  You Should Know

  There are a few options for getting to the top of Schlossberg Hill: visitors can take the stairs, use the hiking path, or take the funicular railway system for easy accessibility.

• 
  Get a glimpse into the mind of a musical genius at the Mozart Birthplace museum

  Mozart is the most famous classical music composer whose legacy remains and thrives in Salzburg, Austria, his birthplace. Mozart's Birthplace is located on the busy Getreidegasse, where his childhood home has converted into a museum highlighting his life and music. Mozart's Birthplace is located in a prominent yellow building – his actual birth home is one the third floor, although the entire building now features exhibitions across multiple floors. The museum shows a replication of his childhood apartment, details of his early life, his first instruments, photos, documents, and musical arrangements.  

  Best Time To Visit

  Be sure to arrive at the museum early to beat the crowds. The museum is spaced across several floors but is relatively small as it is his actual childhood residence. You can also get tickets before arriving to skip the line.

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  Explore the massive Melk Abbey, one of the most impressive architectural structures in Austria

  Visiting the Melk Abbey is one of the main reasons tourists make the trip to Melk from Vienna. The monastery was founded in 1089 as a Benedictine abbey for monks – thanks to restoration and preservation efforts, it maintains a lot of its historical charm and opulence over the city. Melk Abbey is located on a hilltop overlooking Melk with views of the Danube River. It was used as a school, library, and residence for monks. Now, it's a UNESCO World Heritage site open to the public to see some of the building's historical architecture and detail.  

  You Should Know

  Melk Abbey is open for guided tours to see various areas of the monastery, including a museum, gardens, library, halls, tombs of former dynasty members, and more. It also provides incredible panoramic views of Melk.

Austria Tour Packages

• Summer – June to august – Peak Season

  Summer is Austria's peak travel season when most international travelers arrive. It has incredible weather around the entire country – warm, sunny days with high visibility. The weather tends to stay within the 60s and 70s, although nights can be a bit cool. The summer is perfect for enjoying outdoor destinations.

• Fall – September to November – Good Season

  Fall is one of the most beautiful seasons in Austria when the leaves begin to transition. Traveling across the country will reveal lots of colors in the natural scenery. Early fall has the best weather, which tends to be warm in the 50s during the day.

• Winter – December to February – Good Season

  Austria is a popular wintertime destination thanks to the numerous ski resorts. The Alps are one of the most fun places to ski with the perfect conditions for hitting the slopes all season. Although cold (in the 20s to 40s), the days are usually sunny. The frequent snowfall gives the small towns a cozy charm.

• Spring – March to May – Good Season

  Visit Austria during the spring if you're looking to avoid the tourist crowds. The weather is similar to the fall season, so you can enjoy the outdoors, especially toward late spring. It's also a very scenic time for visiting the Palace gardens when the flowers begin to bloom.

Austria Tours Frequently Asked Questions

• What are Austria Tours?

  Austria Tours offer the best travel packages to Austria. Experience the country through immersive experiences to the highlight attractions – the tours provide a full itinerary with guided tours and inclusive pricing. We handle all of the logistics so that you can enjoy more of your trip!

• What’s included in Austria Tours?

  Austria Tours combine a trip to Austria and other nearby countries, such as Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Germany. You'll see the top tourist destinations in Eastern Europe by visiting the historical landmarks, the best viewpoints, fun tourist activities, and much more. Get ready to check off a lot of countries from your bucket list with just one tour package!

• What to do on an Austria Tour?

  Austria tours provide a tailored travel itinerary based on the experience your select. You can spend one day, or a few days, in Austria before continuing the trip to another country. Most of the tours spend time in Vienna, the capital, to see the highlight attractions such as the St. Stephan's Cathedral and the Hofburg Palace. The tours also allow for free travel days to walk around at your own pace or take a day trip to natural landmarks outside of the main cities.

• Are Austria tours expensive?

  Austria Tours offer a wide range of tour experiences based on your travel preferences. You can find adventurous trips such as skiing in the alps for less than $300, or more engaging trips traveling to multiple cities in Austria. We provide competitive packages for finding the best rates thanks to our bulk tour purchases. You'll save more to stay within your travel budget!