Popular Destinations: Travelling to Austria

Planning a trip to the mesmerising Austria? Heading to this exquisite country will have images of rolling green hills, exhilarating ski trips, palaces, and hiking in the Austrian Alps surfacing in your mind. Austria is also where the iconic 1965 musical drama, The Sound of Music, was filmed. Continue reading to find out what you should know and look forward to when you fly off to this captivating popular travel destination!

Prepare for the awe-inspiring villages, mouth-watering cuisine, and highly anticipated attractions and activities to see and do during your visit to Austria. Before we go into detail, here’s what you should know before you land:

Currency : The official currency of Austria is the Euro (EUR).

Language: Austrian German is the official language of Austria, however, English is widely spoken at hotels and within the bigger cities.

Capital city: The capital and largest city of Austria is Vienna.

Drinking water: The tap water in Austria is safe to drink, but you are welcome to opt for bottled water too!

Driving side of the road: Commuters in Austria drive on the right-hand side of the road.

Austrian time zone: Austria operates on Central European Time / UTC+1 / GMT+1

Austria has a variety of different climates, so it’s important to know what kind of weather you can expect at certain times of the year. Generally speaking, weather will determine what kind of activities you’ll get to partake in, so it’s important to first decide on whether you’re wanting to enjoy some skiing and snowboarding, or whether your idea of an epic holiday is savouring the fruits of the vine on a summer’s day or hiking through the incredible mountains.

Overall, the best time to visit Austria is within the shoulder season that runs from April to May, and September to October. This is also when you’ll get to enjoy the lower price rates on activities and accommodation! Springtime comes with an odd rain shower or two, whereas winter is met with exquisite orange and red mountain hues ideal for hiking. Peak season is during June and August where the heat kicks in, but the warm weather and variety of festivals like the Vienna Festival are always something to look forward to during this time. 

Austria is an extremely safe country. The most dangerous crimes in the area are petty theft and pickpocketing. As with any other country, just practice safety and caution throughout your trip, and you should be fine.

Austria is brimming with many impressive destinations that beckon locals and tourists alike to explore. Here’s our list of places to visit during your trip to Austria:

Salzburg

Famous for being the location where The Sound of Music was shot and also the birthplace of Mozart, Salzburg is well-known as the “Stage of the World,” and it isn’t difficult to understand why. Rich culture and history come to life here, where captivating opera houses await, vibrant Christmas markets bring the city to life every year, and the iconic Salzburg Festival has been taking place for more than 100 years. Don’t miss the chance to see the Eisriesenwelt, the world’s largest ice cave situated high up in the mountains offering sweeping views of the incredible surroundings.

The Austrian Alps

Outdoor enthusiasts are in for a treat when trekking to the Austrian Alps! A notable playground for mountaineers and hikers alike, here’s where you can hike from hut to hut while enjoying hearty Austrian cuisine, and dive into various exhilarating outdoor activities like whitewater rafting, mountain biking, rock climbing, paragliding and kayaking, to name a few.

Vienna

Vienna is the capital city of Austria that sports a major classical music scene. Known as the “City of Music,” Vienna was also the home of many major composers like Ludwig van Beethoven and Johannes Brahms. You don’t have to look very far to drink in the mesmerising architecture that the capital city offers. Visit the numerous museums dotted around the city (Belvedere Museum is a must-visit attraction!), feel like royalty during a guided tour of the colossal Schönbrunn Palace and Hofburg Palace, and pay a visit to St. Stephen’s Cathedral, arguably the most important church striking the skyline. St. Stephen’s Cathedral is where tombs, catacombs, Gothic and Romanesque design, and 18 altars are just some of the highlight attractions to look forward to. We recommend a guided tour to really take it all in! Before you leave Vienna, be sure to indulge in the popular coffee scene, with the city being a world-famous coffee city. 

Other places of interest include:

• Hallstatt for its beautiful lakeside village and charming buildings;

• Tyrol for winter sports activities and breathtaking nature;

• Graz for its bustling nightlife scene and rich local culture; and

• Krimml Waterfalls at the Hohe Tauern National Park, where the highest waterfalls in Europe await.

Austria is famous for its wide array of tantalising local cuisine. Food enthusiasts will enjoy tucking into a host of dishes, with Vienna being one of Europe’s gourmet capitals for food and wine. Austria’s cafes and restaurants place a major focus on locally sourced, fresh ingredients. We recommend trying the Sachertorte, a dense chocolate sponge cake with thin layers of apricot jam and chocolate icing; Austrian goulash for those colder visits during winter; apple strudel and plum jam turnovers to satisfy those sweet cravings; and finally, melange, the world-famous Viennese coffee which is often described as being similar to a cappuccino, but made with half hot milk and half foamed milk.

UAE citizens do not need a visa to travel to Austria, provided the stay does not exceed 90 days. Make sure that your passport is valid and has blank pages available, and you should be good to go.

Travel with peace of mind with Allianz Travel. You can get coverage for up to USD 50,000 in emergency medical expenses for injury, sickness and other medical-related instances. In addition, Allianz Travel includes up to USD 300 that covers you in the event of the loss or theft of your travel documents. Another cover of USD 5,000 is included to help you in case of personal accidents.

Get in touch with us today to speak to one of our highly-experienced consultants about our services.