1 Vienna
Vienna is the vibrant capital city of Austria, famous for its stunning architecture, rich cultural heritage, and delicious pastries. It's a city that seamlessly blends old-world charm with modern sophistication, offering visitors a unique and unforgettable experience. Whether you're strolling through the city's historic streets, exploring its world-class museums and galleries, or indulging in its famous coffee culture, there's something for everyone in Vienna. City of 1,850,000 inhabitants (in 2016) within the municipality borders. More than 2,600,000 inhabitants including suburbs. River Danube/Donau with one of the official headquarters of the United Nations (after New York and Geneva).
City of classical music, theaters, opera houses, and universities (150,000 university students). Home of Habsburg emperors and empresses.
New Year's Concert of the Viennese Philharmonic Orchestra. About 10,000,000 tourists every year come to see Stephansdom (Gothic-style cathedral), the 100-year-old Riesenrad (smaller but 100 years older than the London Eye Wheel) in the Prater entertainment park, Schönbrunn Castle (1,500 rooms), Hofburg Palace (2,500 rooms), and Belvedere Castle (with a picture gallery featuring masterpieces of Gustav Klimt).
The 150-year-old Ring Boulevard (Ringstraße) has monumental public buildings like the House of Parliament, Vienna City Hall, University, Stock Exchange, Burgtheater, State Opera House, many museums, parks, luxury hotels, and typical Viennese coffee houses.
A multi-ethnic city with about 27 percent of inhabitants without Austrian citizenship (passport) and 45 percent of people with a migration background. One of Europe's fastest-growing cities, expecting more than 2,000,000 inhabitants within the city borders by the 2020s.
Vienna woke up with the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989/1990, becoming bigger and more colorful since Europe grows together again. Vienna is said to be the city with the highest living standard/quality (together with cities like Zürich, Geneva, Munich, and some cities in Europe, Australia, and Canada).
A lot of green space. Home of international organizations (United Nations, OPEC - Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries).
2 Salzburg
Salzburg is a picturesque city nestled in the heart of the Austrian Alps. It's known for its stunning baroque architecture, beautiful gardens, and rich musical heritage. The city is a popular destination for music lovers, thanks in part to its association with Mozart, who was born here. Whether you're exploring the city's charming Old Town, visiting its many museums and galleries, or taking in a concert or opera, Salzburg is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Austria. Together with Vienna, probably Austria's most beautiful city. One of Austria's wealthiest cities.
City of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart situated on the banks of the River Salzach. Salzburg festival at Easter time and during summer. Famous Mozarteum musical university.
More than 150,000 inhabitants within city limits (250,000 people including suburbs). Famous Christmas markets. Picturesque city center (medieval fortress, baroque cathedral, Getreidegasse, Residenz).
Hellbrunn Castle and park. Traffic hub in the middle of Austria. Beautiful mountains and lakes close to the city.
3 Graz
Graz is a lively university town located in the south of Austria. It's a city that's rich in history and culture, with a beautiful Old Town that's been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Graz is known for its vibrant arts scene, with a number of theaters, galleries, and museums that showcase the city's artistic heritage. It's also a great place to enjoy delicious local cuisine and wine, with many excellent restaurants and cafes to choose from. Beautiful Renaissance city center. Clock tower on the top of Schlossberg. River Mur. Center for art, education, culture, and science. Opera house and theaters. Theatre and film festival. About 50,000 university students in a city of 285,000 inhabitants.
Second biggest city in Austria and a fast-growing city in the sunny south of Austria. Although Graz offers big industrial sites (especially for car and machine manufacturing), the city is cozy, colorful, and friendly.
Highest density of shopping centers in all of Austria. Many people from Slovenia, Hungary, and southern Austria come to shop in Shopping City Seiersberg and in a couple of other shopping centers in and around Graz. Cultural Capital of Europe in 2003 or 2004.
4 Linz
Linz is a charming city located on the banks of the Danube River. It's a city that's steeped in history and culture, with a beautiful Old Town that's filled with winding streets, charming cafes, and historic buildings. Linz is also home to a number of excellent museums and galleries, including the Lentos Art Museum and the Ars Electronica Center, which showcases cutting-edge technology and art. Biggest industrial city in Austria (steel factories, chemical industry) and harbor at the Danube/Donau River. Modern and very rich city.
Not as famous as other Austrian cities, although Linz has an unexpectedly beautiful city center. Huge shopping center called Plus City close to Linz. Mount Pöstlingberg and Danube tourist boats (trips to Passau, Vienna, Budapest).
Linz is better than its reputation, although tourists prefer cities like Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Graz, and smaller cities in the Carinthian Lake District such as Klagenfurt and Villach.
5 Innsbruck
Innsbruck is a stunning alpine city located in the heart of the Austrian Alps. It's a city that's known for its beautiful architecture, rich history, and world-class ski resorts. Innsbruck is home to a number of excellent museums and galleries, as well as a vibrant arts scene that attracts visitors from all over the world. Whether you're hitting the slopes or exploring the city's historic streets, Innsbruck is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Austria. City in the middle of Tyrol in the Austrian Alps with colorful medieval houses along the River Inn. Castles, churches, and simply romantic roads and squares. Famous Christmas market.
Olympic Winter Games in the 1960s and 1970s. 130,000 inhabitants and 30,000 university students.
6 Klagenfurt
Klagenfurt is a lively city located in the southern part of Austria. It's a city that's known for its beautiful parks, charming cafes, and vibrant arts scene. Klagenfurt is home to a number of excellent museums and galleries, as well as a thriving music and theater scene. Whether you're exploring the city's historic streets, taking in a concert or play, or simply enjoying the local cuisine, Klagenfurt is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Austria.
7 Villach
Villach is a beautiful town located in the southern part of Austria. It's a town that's known for its beautiful parks, charming cafes, and relaxed way of life. Villach is also home to a number of excellent museums and galleries, including the Villach Museum and the Villach Art Museum. Whether you're looking to explore the town's beautiful surroundings or simply relax and take in the local culture, Villach is a great place to visit. Only 62,000 inhabitants, but the city seems bigger and more alive than other cities of that size. Many Italians and Slovenians come to Villach/Villaco/Beljak for the Christmas or Easter market, the shopping center Atrio, and the thermal spas.
A nice place. Better weather than in other cities of Austria.
8 Wels
Wels is a charming town located in the north of Austria. It's a town that's known for its beautiful parks, charming cafes, and historic buildings. Wels is also home to a number of excellent museums and galleries, including the Wels Museum and the Wels Art Museum. Whether you're exploring the town's beautiful surroundings or simply relaxing and taking in the local culture, Wels is a great place to visit.
9 Sankt Pölten
Sankt Pölten is a picturesque city located in the heart of the Lower Austria region. It's known for its stunning baroque architecture, beautiful parks, and rich cultural heritage. The city is a popular destination for history buffs, thanks to its many museums and galleries that showcase the city's artistic and historic heritage. Whether you're exploring the city's charming Old Town, visiting its many cultural attractions, or simply taking in the local cuisine, Sankt Pölten is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Austria.
10 Dornbirn
Dornbirn is a picturesque city located in the west of Austria. It's known for its stunning alpine scenery, beautiful parks, and rich cultural heritage. The city is a popular destination for nature lovers, thanks to its many hiking trails and outdoor activities. Dornbirn is also home to a number of excellent museums and galleries, including the Dornbirn Natural History Museum and the Dornbirn Art Museum. Whether you're exploring the city's beautiful surroundings or taking in its many cultural attractions, Dornbirn is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Austria.
The Contenders
11 Wiener Neustadt
Wiener Neustadt is a vibrant city located in the east of Austria. It's a city that's steeped in history and culture, with a beautiful Old Town that's filled with winding streets, charming cafes, and historic buildings. Wiener Neustadt is also home to a number of excellent museums and galleries, including the Military Aviation Museum and the Wiener Neustadt Art Museum. Whether you're exploring the city's historic streets or taking in its many cultural attractions, Wiener Neustadt is a great place to visit.
12 Haag
Haag is a charming town located in the north of Austria. It's a town that's known for its beautiful parks, charming cafes, and historic buildings. Haag is also home to a number of excellent museums and galleries, including the Haag Museum and the Haag Art Museum. Whether you're exploring the town's beautiful surroundings or simply relaxing and taking in the local culture, Haag is a great place to visit.
13 NeunKirchen
NeunKirchen is a charming town located in the east of Austria. It's a town that's known for its beautiful parks, charming cafes, and historic buildings. NeunKirchen is also home to a number of excellent museums and galleries, including the NeunKirchen Museum and the NeunKirchen Art Museum. Whether you're exploring the town's beautiful surroundings or simply relaxing and taking in the local culture, NeunKirchen is a great place to visit.
14 Kitzbühel
Kitzbühel is a stunning alpine town located in the west of Austria. It's a town that's known for its world-class ski resorts, beautiful parks, and rich cultural heritage. The town is a popular destination for skiers and snowboarders, thanks to its many slopes and trails. Kitzbühel is also home to a number of excellent museums and galleries, including the Kitzbühel Museum and the Kitzbühel Art Museum. Whether you're hitting the slopes or exploring the town's beautiful surroundings, Kitzbühel is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Austria.
15 Hallstatt
Hallstatt is a picturesque village located in the Salzkammergut region of Austria. It's known for its stunning alpine scenery, beautiful lake, and rich cultural heritage. The village is a popular destination for nature lovers, thanks to its many hiking trails and outdoor activities. Hallstatt is also home to a number of excellent museums and galleries, including the Hallstatt Museum and the Hallstatt Art Museum. Whether you're exploring the village's beautiful surroundings or taking in its many cultural attractions, Hallstatt is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Austria.
16 Freistadt
Freistadt is a charming town located in the north of Austria. It's a town that's known for its beautiful parks, charming cafes, and historic buildings. Freistadt is also home to a number of excellent museums and galleries, including the Freistadt Museum and the Freistadt Art Museum. Whether you're exploring the town's beautiful surroundings or simply relaxing and taking in the local culture, Freistadt is a great place to visit.