The best cities in Austria span museum-studded cultural metropolises to pocket-sized cities that would, admittedly, be considered villages elsewhere in the world. Austria is a nation where the adage “bigger is better” doesn’t always ring true. Vienna’s elegant urban palaces are just as likely to make your heart sing as the fairytale setting of Rust, a pretty statutory city with a population of under 2,000.
Choosing the best cities to visit depends on personal preference. Dreaming of dramatic mountain backdrops and classical concerts? You’ll swoon for Salzburg. Seeking a serene setting for a river sailing to a vineyard? Krems an der Donau is calling. One thing is for sure: Austrian cities, with their heritage, history, and cultural cachet, always impress.
Vienna
Hofburg Palace, Vienna
Vienna is synonymous with art, architecture, and music. One of the world’s most cultured cities, it more than holds its own against the likes of London, Paris, and New York—an impressive feat for a metropolis with a lower population than that of Brooklyn.
Much of this cultural grandeur and heritage can be credited to its imperial past. The long-standing capital of the Habsburg dynasty, and later the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Vienna is bedecked with ornate palaces, world-class art museums, and peaceful green spaces.
I’ll never forget the wide-eyed wonder I experienced on my first of many visits to Vienna. Stepping inside the Austrian National Library in the Hofburg Palace, my heart skipped a beat as I scanned the countless leather-bound books and craned my neck to take in every inch of the frescoes in the cupola in Europe’s most extensive Baroque library.
Belvedere Palace, Vienna
It’s a wonder that follows you throughout the city. You could spend a regal day touring the Habsburgs’ opulent palaces and state halls in the Hofburg, Schönbrunn, or Belvedere Palaces. Or soaking up the regal atmosphere with a decadently rich slice of chocolate Sachertorte in Vienna’s palatial-style Kaffeehäuser, or coffeehouses. Vienna’s grandiose nature will be forever imprinted on your mind.
One of the best cities in Austria for music and art lovers, there’s always another Viennese museum, gallery, or music hall to visit.
Vienna State Opera
From the splendor of the Vienna State Opera—a guided tour is the perfect introduction, should it not be opera season—to the wonky, whimsical, and colorful KunstHausWien, designed by legendary artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser, each of Vienna’s cultural spaces feels timeless.
Salzburg
Salzburg
Backdropped by the Eastern Alps and flanking the turquoise Salzach River, Salzburg feels as though it was designed to be a pop-up postcard. Spires and steeples soar to the heavens from the cobbled Baroque UNESCO World Heritage Site Historic Centre, and every step reveals new beauty.
Salzburg’s history and proximity to Bavaria give the city a somewhat different atmosphere from many of the other best cities to visit in Austria. Founded as a religious center around Benedictine Nonnberg Abbey, and earning much of its wealth through the local salt trade—its name means Salt Castle—there’s an affluent atmosphere at every turn.
Hohensalzburg Fortress, Salzburg
Survey the city from the Hohensalzburg Fortress, one of Central Europe’s largest fully preserved castles, and pick your way through the cathedral, churches, and storied sacred buildings. The 9th-century St. Peter’s Abbey restaurant, for example, is considered by many to be the world’s oldest restaurant.
Salzburg is also the city of music. Mozart was born here, and between his birthplace museum, the world-class classical concert venues such as the Mozarteum, and the small marzipan sweets named after him, Mozartkugeln, his presence lives on.
Mirabell Gardens, Salzburg
Fans of The Sound of Music will also feel like stepping onto the movie’s set. Manicured Mirabell Gardens in Salzburg’s Old Town and Hellbrunn Palace’s magical water fountains are just two of the cinematic filming locations to explore. Though you might be surprised to hear the blockbuster is much less famous and appreciated in Austria.
St. Pölten
St. Pölten
Lower Austria’s capital, St. Pölten, is among the oldest of the best cities to visit in Austria, granted city charter in 1159 by Conrad of Babenberg. There’s no shortage of historical buildings to explore, though St. Pölten is best known for its Baroque-period architecture.
Take a brief stroll between Riemerplatz, a 13th-century market square once known for its Riemer, or leather trade, and Rathausplatz, dominated by the city’s salmon-hued town hall, and you’ll pass many of the city’s prettiest, pastel-hued buildings.
St. Pölten Cathedral anchors another landmark square. Step inside to marvel at the Baroque additions to the Gothic structure, including Italianate frescoes and the gilded Museum am Dom Library. The cathedral’s square hosts a lovely farmers market on Thursdays and Saturdays.
Linz
Linz
Linz has many of Austria’s cultural charms: a thriving music scene, views of the Danube River, and a storybook cobblestone center. Yet it feels a world apart from many of the other best cities in Austria. So much so, it’s sometimes referred to as Austria’s “city of the future.”
More populous than Salzburg but far more under-the-radar, Austria’s third city seamlessly blends its cutting-edge architecture, grand sacred edifices, industrial past, and a crammed cultural calendar.
Ars Electronica Center, Linz
Linz is best known for its wave-like, glass-fronted Ars Electronica Center, which hosts a range of avant-garde performances. If you’re a fan of contemporary and modern art, the Lentos Art Museum—a striking, stretched, glass-clad architectural feat—should be your first stop.
It’s easy to fill a whole day marveling at the more than 25,000 square feet of exhibition space, appreciating both the design of Swiss architects Weber & Hofer and the 200 years of art, spanning Herbert Bayer’s graphic prints to Gabriele Munter’s expressionist canvases. It’s also no surprise that UNESCO has bestowed Linz with a City of Media Art title.
However, ensure you allow time to enjoy Linz’s heritage and natural splendor.
Pöstlingberg Hill, Linz
After gazing at Linz’s neo-Gothic cathedral, the largest church in Austria, and strolling along the sparkling Danube, venture to Pöstlingberg Hill, on the left bank, for sweeping views. Reaching the hill is a thrilling treat as you ride the Pöstlingberg tram, Europe’s steepest adhesion railway.
Krems an der Donau
Krems an der Donau
Vineyards, the glistening Danube River, and medieval architecture converge in Krems an der Donau, resulting in one of Lower Austria’s prettiest small cities.
Both gloriously storied and forward-thinking, thanks to the slope-hugging old town, accessible via Steiner Tor, the city’s sole remaining turreted gate, and the futuristic Lower Austria State Gallery, Krems is incredibly camera-friendly.
As the gateway to the wine-producing Wachau Valley, most visits to Krems involve vines. Whether you prefer to walk the verdant trails spanning out from the city that wrap around wineries, or stop by for a tour and tasting of the region’s acclaimed Grüner Veltliner, it’s impossible not to swoon over the UNESCO-recognized scenic landscapes.
Waidhofen an der Ybbs
Waidhofen an der Ybbs
Few Austrian cities can boast a setting quite as splendid as Waidhofen an der Ybbs. Come on a still day, and Waidhofen’s picturesque jumble of spires and rainbow historic homes will be reflected like a mirror in the emerald Ybbs River.
When the sun is shining, Waidhofen feels like an Alpine playground. Rent a kayak and you’ll appreciate another angle of the button-sized city from the waterway, or strap on hiking boots to track one of the forested trails that snake in all directions.
Culture-seekers are also well rewarded. Riverside Schloss Rothschild, a medieval castle with some surprisingly modern glass extensions, hosts concerts, Christmas markets, and the family-friendly 5 Elements Museum.
Wiener Neustadt
Wiener Neustadt
While the name might be misleading, Wiener Neustadt isn’t new—at least in contemporary terms.
Founded in the 12th century as a new city just 30 miles from Vienna, it served as both an imperial and a military town, leaving plenty of heritage for visitors to enjoy.
Reckturm, Wiener Neustadt
In its heyday, Wiener Neustadt was a fully fortified city, ringed by imposing walls. While little remains, the city’s 13th-century tower, Reckturm, and the surrounding section of fortifications have been reconstructed.
Also well-preserved is the city’s casemate, now a protected museum showcasing an impressive 12th-century water management system.
Continuing the military-themed tour, you won’t want to miss the Military Academy. Considered one of the world’s oldest, established by Empress Maria Theresa in 1751, it’s still functional in part of the Wiener Castle.
Read: Best Places to Visit in Austria
Eisenstadt
Eisenstadt
The capital of Austria’s often-overlooked Burgenland region, Eisenstadt, is under an hour from Vienna. One of the most charming cities in Austria, Eisenstadt was put on the map as the hometown of the renowned Austrian composer Joseph Haydn.
Haydn-Haus, the composer’s former residence, is now a small house museum dedicated to the musician. Yet Eisenstadt’s most marvelous building is the Esterházy Palace, where the composer worked for the Esterházy family for 30 years.
Behind the ornate, pale yellow facade awaits some of Austria’s most striking Baroque decor with frescoes and stucco to rival Vienna. Most magical is the Haydnsaal, a grandiose concert hall that glitters with gold. It was here that many of Haydn’s works premiered, and it’s still used for regular performances.
Rust
Rust
It’s something of a pint-sized novelty to visit Rust. Austria’s smallest statutory city, with a population just shy of 2,000, is as adorable as it sounds. As such, it’s well worth combining with Eisenstadt, given their proximity.
It doesn’t take long to roam Rust’s handful of old town streets, pausing for a glass of Burgenland’s finest on the pretty pastel-hued Rathausplatz. Look out for storks’ nests in the chimneypots; 15 pairs return to Rust every summer to breed and have become a symbol of the city.
Afterward, it’s just a short walk to the shores of Lake Neusiedl, where further stork sightings will enthrall birders, and boaters can enjoy gliding on the calm lake. If you paddle a little too far south, you’ll actually cross the Hungarian border.
Steyr
Steyr
Straddling the confluence of the Steyr and Enns rivers, compact Steyr is one of Austria’s prettiest cities.
Start your visit at the Lamberg Castle, wedged on the peninsula between the pair of waterways, for excellent views of the Zwischenbrücken, as the confluence is locally known.
Inside the palatial building’s grand courtyard, fragranced by seasonal roses and soundtracked by a gentle dog-shaped fountain—the symbol of the historic Lamberg family—you’ll find a serene spot to relax. However, the building itself is closed for governmental business.
Stadtplatz, Steyr
Just below, the old town, anchored around the wide Stadtplatz lined with medieval and Gothic townhouses, feels like a fairytale, especially at Christmas.
Home to the 1st Austrian Christmas Museum, packed with thousands of decorations and tidbits, Steyr takes its role as the unofficial “Christkindl Town” seriously.
FAQs
What’s the prettiest city to visit in Austria?
Salzburg
Salzburg is arguably the best city in Austria for swoon-worthy views. It’s a sublime cluster of steeples and Baroque architecture set against the Eastern Alps, with a photo opportunity waiting on every street corner.
Which is the best Austrian city for first-timers?
Vienna
Vienna is the best city in Austria for first-time visitors. Between the Imperial palaces, art-packed museums, and urban vineyards, Vienna allows an appreciation of everything that makes Austria so delightful in one easy-to-navigate metropolis, easily explored on foot and by extensive public transport.
Which city in Austria is most walkable?
Rust
Tiny Rust, Austria’s smallest statutory city, is the nation’s most walkable city due to its small size. However, the most walkable large city in Austria is Salzburg. With a compact medieval Old Town, it’s straightforward and scenic to flit between the Hohensalzburg Fortress and Mozart’s museums.
What is the most underrated city in Austria?
Linz
Linz, Upper Austria’s capital, is one of Austria’s most underrated cities. Blending contemporary and cutting-edge architecture with a storied old town, the city surprises and delights with its mix of modern art, striking bridges, and reinvention from its industrial past.
Salzburg
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