Austria Holidays

Austria is a landlocked Central European destination known for alpine scenery, elegant cities, classical music, historic architecture and outdoor holidays in every season. For UK holidaymakers, it offers a varied mix: city breaks in grand capitals, walking holidays in the mountains, lakeside summer escapes and winter sports in established alpine resorts.

Vienna is the country’s cultural centre, with imperial palaces, art museums, coffee houses and concert halls linked to composers such as Mozart, Beethoven and Strauss. It suits a relaxed city break, especially for travellers who enjoy history, architecture and good public transport. Salzburg, Mozart’s birthplace, is smaller and highly atmospheric, with a baroque old town, a hilltop fortress and easy access to the surrounding mountains. Innsbruck, set in the Tyrol, combines historic streets with dramatic alpine views, making it a good base for mountain activities.

Austria’s countryside is one of its biggest draws. The Tyrol, Vorarlberg and SalzburgerLand are popular for walking, cycling, scenic rail journeys and, in winter, skiing and snowboarding. Resorts vary from lively mountain towns to quieter villages, so it is worth choosing an area to match your pace. In summer, the Austrian Lakes, including parts of the Salzkammergut around Hallstatt, St Wolfgang and Mondsee, are ideal for boat trips, swimming, gentle hikes and lakeside meals. Austria has no coast, but its clear lakes provide a pleasant alternative to a beach-style holiday.

Food is hearty and regional. Expect dishes such as Wiener schnitzel, goulash, dumplings, apple strudel and sachertorte, along with excellent coffee and local wines, particularly in areas such as the Wachau Valley. Traditional inns, mountain huts and city cafés are all part of the experience.

Austria suits couples, culture lovers, walkers, rail travellers and anyone looking for clean, scenic surroundings with well-organised transport. It can be as active or as relaxed as you want, from museum days in Vienna to panoramic hikes, Christmas markets, lake swimming or a cosy alpine winter break.