Austria

Overview

Republic of Austria is a landlocked country in Southern region at central Europe. The country has 9 federated states. The largest state is Vienna. The country is known for its castles and palaces which majorities of them were built during the Habsburg reign.

The country recorded a population of 8.859 million in 2019 and covers an area of 83,879 km2. Vienna is the capital and largest city of the country. It is home to several imperial palaces like the Habsburgs’ summer residence. Innsbruck city is the capital of Tyrol state and is famous for hosting winter sports and activities such as skiing, snowboarding, skating and hiking.

Hallstatt village in the northern Alps

History

The country was ruled by Habsburg family since 1526 to 1918. Republic of Austria was created by the New Constitution in 1920. The country joined European Union in 1995.

Food & culture

The country’s culture is based on the Catholic traditions.

The most popular crops grown in the country include sugar beets, wheat, potatoes, apples, barley and grapes.

The popular dishes in Austria include Viennese apfelstrudel, Wiener schnitzel, kaiserschumarm and tafelspitz.

Wildlife

Wildlife that can be seen here include deer, stag, fox, badger, marten, partridge and jackdaw.

The best time to visit the country is between June and August.

Festivals & events

The festivals in the country include Castle Grafenegg Music Festival, Innsbruck Festival of Early Music, Salzburg Festival and Tyrol Festival Erl. s

Things to see

Schonbrunn Palace was the summer residence of the Habsburg rulers with at least 1441 rooms. It is a popular tourist attraction in the country.

Museum of Natural History Vienna displays the culture and heritage of the country.

Salzburg city has medieval buildings and is home to baroque centre. It is the birthplace of the famous composer Mozart whose instruments are preserved in a museum.

Interesting facts

The oldest zoological garden in the world is Vienna Zoo situated at Schonbrunn Palace in Vienna founded in 1752.

Austria official language is German.

Majority of the population in Austria are Roman Catholics.

City guides

• ViennaCapital city
• GrazAustria's relaxed southern student city
• SalzburgMozart's baroque city in the Alps

Cities & towns I’ve visited

• Vienna

Run a marathon in Austria

Vienna City Marathon

Vienna · usually April

Starts on the far side of the Danube and passes the Prater, the Ringstrasse and the Hofburg palace.

Dates move from year to year, so check the race website before you book.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Austria

2 of 12 visited. See every site I've been to.

• Historic Centre of Vienna 2001
• Palace and gardens of Schönbrunn 1996
• Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe 2007
• City of Graz – Historic Centre and Schloss Eggenberg 1999
• Fertö / Neusiedlersee Cultural Landscape 2001
• Frontiers of the Roman Empire – The Danube Limes (Western Segment) 2021
• Hallstatt-Dachstein Salzkammergut cultural landscape 1997
• Historic Centre of the City of Salzburg 1996
• prehistoric pile dwellings around the Alps 2011
• Semmering railway 1998
• The Great Spa Towns of Europe 2021
• Wachau 2000

My photos from Austria

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Plan your trip to Austria

• HotelsBooking.com
• Tours and ticketsGetYourGuide
• FlightsKiwi.com
• Attraction ticketsTiqets
• Airport parking, lounges and transfersHoliday Extras
• Car hireAuto Europe
• Mobile data (eSIM)AiraloCode DAN9406 for money off
• GuidebooksAmazon

Some of these are affiliate links: if you book through them I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. More about this.

Neighbours

• Czech Republic
• Germany
• Hungary
• Italy
• Liechtenstein
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Switzerland