Have you considered putting Austria on your bucket list already? People planning their perfect Europe trip itinerary often travel to Germany, Switzerland or Italy, but they forget the beautiful piece of snow and legends that lays right in between: Austria! Would you believe me if I told you it has gotten the very best from its neighbors? Perfect landscapes, great hospitality, beautiful baroque cities, and charming stories to tell… Austria is worth visiting! You’ll find here my best experiences and the most beautiful things I have seen in the Austrian Alps. Enjoy the land of castles and princesses… I’ll take you for a perfect winter trip in the Austrian Alps.
Burg Hohenwerfen, one of the most beautiful castles ever
Is this place real? Burg Hohenwerfen stands on the top of a hill above the village of Werfen, approximately 40 kilometers from Salzburg. Hawks and knights delight young visitors in summer, when impressive shows relive the castle’s epic past. In winter, the castle sleeps amid the snowy Alps. But this vision seems to be even more breathtaking…
I have always loved German fairy tale castles, but I didn’t know Austria could also boast with such wonders. Burg Hohenwerfen was a real winter tale enchantment…
Krimmler waterfalls, among the highest in Europe
I have always dreamt of seeing an icy waterfall, when winter tries to freeze the fall and creates cold wonderlands. The waterfalls of Krimml fascinated me. The total height of the falls (which are divided into several steps) reaches 385 meters. Seeing them cascading on the snowy slopes made an unforgettable sight…
Hintertuxer glacier, an impressive ice cave
Come into the heart of the glacier! A passionate mountaineer discovered the place a few years ago: a gigantic ice cave with fascinating natural ice sculptures which never melt or recede. Austrian people speak of hungry giants and ice monsters, and crawling into the cold cold stomach of the mountain really impressed me.
Salzburg, Mozart’s town, a baroque jewel
Salzburg is one of the most charming cities I have ever seen. Mozart’s birthplace is a baroque symphony – light and delicate and sophisticated. Music is everywhere, churches fill with concerts, and the cathedral reminds me of Rome. Best view in the city? From the top of Mönchsberg. You will feel like a princess from ancient times.
Innsbruck, capital city of the Alps
The best alpine city? Definitely Innsbruck, a beautiful and colorful city surrounded by white peaks, where houses look like giant cakes and light seems to flow from the river Inn. I loved the view from the city tower (Stadtturm) and the medieval houses on the market place. Innsbruck is truly lovely!
The best pool in Austria? Tauern Spa Zell am See/ Kaprun
When traveling through the Austrian Alps, you just have to spend a night at the beautiful Tauern Spa Hotel in Kaprun to try out their fantastic rooftop infinity pool. You’ll float in a glass pool among the Alps and feel like nothing is real… This rooftop pool is for hotel guests only, but you can also enjoy the many pools and saunas at the ground level with a day ticket (26 euros). I would really suggest spending the night though. The rooms are gorgeous, the VIP panoramic pools and saunas a dream, and I simply couldn’t get enough of their majestic breakfast.
Skiing in Austria!
Kitzbühel, Kitzsteinhorn, Hintertux, Zillertal… so many awesome places to ski in Austria! Ski stations are (in my humble opinion) better than in Germany and cheaper than in Switzerland – only France can compete. (Hey, I’m French.) With many high peaks (above 2500 or even 3000 meters), snow quality is exceptional, and good artificial snow can be used on lower slopes. Austria was one of my best ski destinations so far.
Why you should come back to Austria in summer
This was a perfect winter trip – but something is missing! The famous “Grossglockner Alpenstrasse”, most famous road in the Alps! It’s only open in summer… a good reason to come back to Austria!
I am so deeply in love with the Alps I just can’t stop explore them. On the French version of this website, you’ll find Chamonix, France, one of my very favourite places. And maybe next time I’ll go to Zermatt, Switzerland!
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