Austria Travel Guide: Vienna, Salzburg, Alps & Van Life

Austria often lives in the shadow of Switzerland when it comes to mountains, but after visiting, I discovered something surprising: this country offers many of the same spectacular Alpine landscapes, combined with grand imperial cities, excellent coffee culture, and a unique personality all its own.

From the elegant streets of Vienna, mixed with its musical scene, to the storybook village of Hallstatt, the musical heritage of Salzburg, and the underrated charm of Graz, Austria proved to be far more diverse than I expected.

Vienna: Imperial Grandeur and Coffeehouse Culture

Vienna feels like an open-air museum. Everywhere you look, there are magnificent buildings, ornate churches, grand boulevards, and palaces that reflect the city’s history as the center of the Habsburg Empire. Everything feels organized, elegant, and remarkably clean.

One highlight is Schönbrunn Palace, the former summer residence of Empress Elisabeth, better known as Princess Sisi. Austria’s beloved royal icon remains a fascinating figure, and visitors can explore her apartments, learn about her life, and stroll through the palace’s beautiful gardens. Reserve in advance if you want to go inside. You can always visit the garden for free.

Vienna’s architecture is equally impressive. The city combines Baroque palaces, Gothic cathedrals, Art Nouveau masterpieces, and elegant 19th-century buildings that make simply wandering the streets an attraction in itself. They also have so many markets and cafés!

Coffee culture in Vienna is practically a national institution. Locals don’t rush their coffee. Instead, they sit, read, chat, and enjoy the atmosphere. If you’re visiting Austria, slow down and embrace it.

Salzburg: Music, Mountains, and Mozart

Nestled between hills and mountains, Salzburg is famous as the birthplace of Mozart and as the filming location for The Sound of Music.

The city’s historic center is beautiful, with colorful buildings, church spires, and narrow streets that feel almost cinematic. While the famous Sound of Music tours can be a little cheesy, they’re also surprisingly fun and offer a different perspective on the region.

Salzburg is also a gateway to the Austrian Alps, making it a perfect stop for travelers who want to combine culture with nature.

Graz: Underrated Gem

While Vienna and Salzburg attract most visitors, Graz deserves far more attention than it receives.

Austria’s second-largest city has a relaxed atmosphere, a beautiful historic center, and a mix of Renaissance, Baroque, and modern architecture. It’s less crowded than Vienna and offers a glimpse into everyday Austrian life.

Graz feels authentic, lived-in, and wonderfully approachable.

If you’re looking to explore beyond the most famous destinations, this is a city worth adding to your itinerary.

The Alps

This part of the Alps is spectacular.

While Switzerland often gets the spotlight, Austria offers stunning mountain scenery, charming villages, hiking trails, ski resorts, and panoramic viewpoints that can rival anything across the border.

The best part? It often feels slightly more relaxed and a bit more affordable.

Whether you’re visiting in summer for hiking or winter for skiing, the Alps are one of the country’s greatest treasures.

German Language: Familiar, But Different

Austria’s official language is German, but don’t expect it to sound exactly like the German spoken in Germany.

Austrian German has its own vocabulary, pronunciation, and regional expressions. Most visitors won’t notice major differences, but native German speakers certainly do.

It’s a reminder that Austria has its own cultural identity despite sharing a language with its larger neighbor.

Van Life

Travelling Austria by van is fairly straightforward, although it isn’t as flexible as countries such as Norway or Scotland. Wild camping rules vary by region and are generally more restrictive, so it’s important to check local regulations before spending the night outside designated areas.

The good news is that Austria has an excellent network of campgrounds, motorhome stops, and private overnight locations. I relied mainly on Park4Night and rarely had trouble finding overnight spots.

The real highlight is waking up surrounded by alpine scenery. From lakeside parking areas to mountain valleys, Austria offers some spectacular road trip views. Just keep in mind that certain alpine roads and highways require tolls or a vignette, which should be factored into your budget.

Woke up with snow one morning in a free parking spot

Travelling Austria With A Dog

Karma was here: YES, many times.

Dog-friendly? Dogs are welcome almost everywhere, from city streets and cafés to many hiking trails.

Same rules for pet imports for EU. You can check the official website here.

Karma on a hike near Graz

Is Austria Worth Visiting?

Absolutely.

This country combines grand cities, royal history, mountain scenery, charming villages, excellent coffee, and a culture that feels distinctly its own.

A place where you can spend the morning touring an imperial palace, the afternoon sipping coffee in a historic café, and the next day hiking through the Alps.

Few countries offer such a diverse mix of culture, history, and nature within such short travel distances.

Writing Vagabond