Austria travel guide
Austria is most definitely about mountains and music. Just like a symphony, it has everything thrown into its musical mix: Alpine peaks, with Grossglockner the highest in Hohe Tauern National Park, boom out like a rousing brass section. The serene lakes of the north are the strings section, a series of soothing, tranquil movements that you can walk or cycle through in total awe of their purity and pitch perfect beauty.
Download lots of Mozart before you come hiking here on your MP3. He does rousing well, as do his beloved native landscapes
The wind section is Seefeld, with its Olympian action filled winter sports history, but each village and valley proffering its own perfect concerto, but plenty of places to grab solo moments, cross country skiing away from the crowds. The Tyrol is percussion, quirky and independent, but totally unmissable. And the Danube is like the composer, weaving through it all masterfully, bringing together the most harmonious vacation.
Our Austria Vacations
Austria yoga & walking vacation
Experience morning yoga combined with stunning alpine hikes.
From
€1120 to €1230
7 days
ex flights
Walking vacaton in the Austrian Tyrol
Beautiful mountain scenery and attractive Tyrolean villages
From
US $1545
8 days
ex flights
Winter walking vacation in Austria
Venture into three different valleys in the heart of the Tyrol
From
US $1315 to US $1475
8 days
ex flights
Cross country skiing in Austria
Tuition is provided by Eric Woolley, a Snowsport England Coach
From
US $1545 to US $1625
8 days
ex flights
Central European tours
A fascinating and varied journey through the heart of Europe
From
US $2475 to US $2555
14 days
ex flights
Austria yoga & meditation retreat
Relax completely with yoga and meditation in the mountains
From
€1300
7 days
ex flights
Germany and Austria self guided walking tours
Circumnavigate Germany's highest mountain!
From
US $1029 to US $1079
7 days
ex flights
Austrian walking vacation
Explore Austria Alps on foot from our remote mountain home
From
€1120 to €1230
7 days
ex flights
Danube cycling vacation, self guided
Discove the compelling history of the Danube
From
US $1995
14 days
ex flights
Prague to Budapest cycling vacation
A wonderfully contrasting ride through the heart of Europe
From
US $2915 to US $3025
11 days
ex flights
Austria family activity vacation
A fantastic range of activities in the beautiful Oetz Valley
From
£505
8 days
ex flights
Germany and Austria hiking vacation, self guided
Circular trek around Mount Hochkönig and Königssee
From
US $1014 to US $1059
8 days
ex flights
Austria multi activity vacation
An adventurous mountain vacation for the entire family!
From
€1300
7 days
ex flights
European rail tour, 29 days
4 week small group tour inc. trains, hostels & activities.
From
£2619 to £3169
4 weeks
inc Eurostar
Europe by train, 4 week tour
Whole European bucket list in one interrail adventure!
From
£1149 to £1999
4 weeks
inc Eurostar
Eastern europe by train, the Iron Curtain tour
Whizz around Europe's lesser-visited cities by rail!
From
£499 to £899
8 days
ex flights
Christmas markets vacation, Central Europe
Indulge the senses by exploring the best of the festive market scene
From
US $1910 to US $1965
8 days
ex flights
Danube cycling vacation, Germany and Austria
Follow the winding route of the Danube
From
US $1059
8 days
ex flights
Danube self guided hiking vacation in Austria
Walk along the Blue Danube in the Wachau
From
US $1109 to US $1174
8 days
ex flights
Cycling vacation in the Netherlands, Germany & Austria
European cycling at its best
From
£1995
17 days
ex flights
Austria snow shoeing vacation
Enjoy guided hikes & snowshoe tours in East Tirol, Austria
From
€1200 to €1500
7 days
ex flights
Austria self guided hiking vacation
A glorious mix of spectacular scenic views.
From
£1569 to £1689
9 days
inc UK flights
Austria activity vacation, hiking, snowshoeing & yoga
Relaxingly active snowshoe & yoga in the Austrian mountains.
From
€1200 to €1500
7 days
ex flights
Mindfulness & nature vacation in Austria
Mindfulness & nature awareness course in beautiful Austria
From
€1230
7 days
ex flights
Vienna to Budapest cycle ride, self guided
Enjoy rides along the Danube from Austria to Hungary
From
US $1145
8 days
ex flights
Short hiking vacation in Austria
Small group hiking and cultural tour in Tirol
From
£475
4 days
ex flights
Austria activity vacation, Climb the Grossglockner
Outdoor vacation, Mountaineering course & Grossglockner climb
From
€1500
7 days
ex flights
North Eastern Europe motorcycle tours
Enjoy North Eastern Europe with friendly guides + good bikes
From
€6299
18 days
ex flights
Ski touring and splitboard course in Austria
The area around our house, MoaAlm, is a ski tour paradise!
From
€1500
7 days
ex flights
London to Istanbul cycling tour
Cycle across Europe from London to Istanbul
From
£2600
6 weeks
ex flights
Austria is/isn't...
Austria is…
like the Swarovski Crystals that are made here. Pure, dazzling, clear and simply beautiful.
Austria isn’t…..
just for winter vacations. It has one of the most superb hiking and cycling networks in Europe.
Our top Austria Vacation
Walking vacaton in the Austrian Tyrol
Beautiful mountain scenery and attractive Tyrolean villages
From
US $1545
8 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2019: 15 Jun, 22 Jun, 29 Jun, 6 Jul, 13 Jul, 27 Jul, 3 Aug, 10 Aug, 17 Aug, 24 Aug, 31 Aug, 7 Sep, 14 Sep
2020: 6 Jun, 13 Jun, 20 Jun, 27 Jun, 4 Jul, 11 Jul, 18 Jul, 25 Jul, 1 Aug, 8 Aug, 15 Aug, 22 Aug, 29 Aug, 5 Sep, 12 Sep, 19 Sep
2019: 15 Jun, 22 Jun, 29 Jun, 6 Jul, 13 Jul, 27 Jul, 3 Aug, 10 Aug, 17 Aug, 24 Aug, 31 Aug, 7 Sep, 14 Sep
2020: 6 Jun, 13 Jun, 20 Jun, 27 Jun, 4 Jul, 11 Jul, 18 Jul, 25 Jul, 1 Aug, 8 Aug, 15 Aug, 22 Aug, 29 Aug, 5 Sep, 12 Sep, 19 Sep
Helpdesk
Hello. If you'd like to chat about Austria or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help. Rosy & team.
Austria map & highlights
As efficient and exquisite as Switzerland, but without the astronomic costs, Austria packs a pretty punch for a small country. Although it is best known for its downhill skiing vacations – hardly surprising, given that Seefeld has hosted the Winter Olympics twice – cross country skiing infrastructures here are also second to known, especially in the Tyrol region. Similarly, the country’s trails are all maintained to perfection when the snows melt, revealing Edelweiss filled meadows (and yes it is the national flower, but the Sound of Music is definitely not a national favourite) and valleys that beckon hikers and bikers, climbers and rafters.
1. Hohe Tauern National Park
2. North Austrian Lakes
3. Oetz Valley
4. River Danube
5. Seefeld
6. Trins
2. North Austrian Lakes
3. Oetz Valley
4. River Danube
5. Seefeld
6. Trins
Hohe Tauern National Park
1. Hohe Tauern National Park
With Grossglockner at its heart, Austria’s highest mountain at 3,797m, this is alpine arcadia. Summer and winter. In fact, it opens up to a world of high mountain activities in summer, hiking and biking, rafting and canyoning, climbing and alpinism. You don’t have to be a Bonnington to enjoy the beauty, however, with plenty of hiking trails to keep walkers of all levels happy here for days on end.
North Austrian Lakes
2. North Austrian Lakes
These are almost stupidly beautiful, with mountains reflected in the water, sailing boats and castles, cafes with cakes the size of castles, and cosy taverns. Cycling or, in winter, cross country skiing around them is the perfect way to see the likes of Attersee, with the small town of St Georgen tucked in between it and the mountains. Or watersport filled Traunsee, with the cobbled market town of Gmunden lining the shore.
Oetz Valley
3. Oetz Valley
In the Austrian Tyrol, with Oetz as the gateway, this is a mecca of mountain activity, summer and winter. Cut through a range of different peaks belonging to the Stubai Alps, it feels like this meadow and woodland filled valley goes on forever. Indeed, your days can be packed with fun forever here, with superb set ups for white water rafting, climbing, hiking, canyoning and mountain biking, making it a family favourite.
River Danube
4. River Danube
Voyaging along the Danube is a tradition that goes back generations. Hikers and cyclists still love to follow the flow of Europe’s second largest river through a variety of landscapes, although Austria’s Wachau Valley is one of the prettiest. Traveling west to east, just like the river, is to travel through history, with ancient castles, ‘heurigen’ or wine taverns, vineyards and monasteries still bordering the shores of this fine, ancient artery.
Seefeld
5. Seefeld
A Tyrolean town but also a region that is made up of five villages that are most well known because they have hosted the Winter Olympics twice. Just 17km from Innsbruck, there are over 300km of cross country skiing trails here, traveling along plateaus that overlook the River Inn valley, with two main mountain areas to play in: Gschwandtkopf and Rosshütte.
Trins
6. Trins
A chocolate box village and gateway to the Gschnitzal and Obernberg Valleys. Even they don’t sound real, but they will feel real as you push those calves up through the ancient Tyrolean forests, in the foothills of Habicht (3,277m high), one of the Stubai Alps. With a magnificent circuit of mountain huts to complete, as well as ancient farmlands and pastures, this is all so easy on the wandering eye. With or without snow.
More about Austria
Read more about the best time to visit Austria, from Christmas markets and cross-country skiing to edelweiss-covered hillsides and sublime summer cycling.
Inspirational mountain scenery with walking, meditation and steaming bowls of hot choc on the terrace make yoga vacations in Austria one of our favourite things.
Why book with Responsible Travel
Photo credits: [Page banner: Robert J Heath] [Is/isnt: François Philipp]
[Durnstein town: jay8085]
[Seefeld: ?tefan Jurc?]
[North Austrian Lakes: Schloss Litzlberg]
[Trins: NH53]
[River Danube: Gary Bembridge]
[Oetz Valley: Bede735]
[Hohe Tauern National Park: Tadas Balciunas]
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