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Introducing Austria

Discover Austria.
Everything we love about Europe, Austria delivers in spades: beautiful and historic cities, opulent imperial palaces, medieval castles, bucolic mountain villages, and of course, the Austrian Alps. As for culture, this is the country that produced Mozart (two museums in Salzburg, his birthplace, are dedicated to the famous composer), and in this music-centric country, you’re never far off from a fine concert hall or opera house.

When is the best time to visit?
Winter sports enthusiasts will want to head to the Alps between December and early May, whereas summer travelers can expect warm but not oppressive heat. This allows for some fine mountain hikes, camping, and boating and swimming excursions to Plansee, Faaker See, and Hallstatter See lakes. If you want to beat the summer tourist crowds and want to enjoy outdoor activities in decent weather, the spring shoulder season of April and May is a good bet.

Where should you go?
For sheer beauty and culture, Vienna rivals any other city in Europe. It’s the former seat of the original Habsburg Dynasty, and Vienna still abounds with regal architecture, including the 1,441-room Schönbrunn Palace. In another baroque palace, the Belvedere, you’ll also find an art museum housing one of Europe’s most valuable collections.

Classical music connoisseurs should head to Wiener Musikverein (home of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra) and Wiener Staatsoper, which produces dozens of operas and ballets throughout the year. If you’re a fan of music history, make a trip to Salzburg and Mozart Geburtshaus in the colorful Aldstadt district. For a ski holiday, visit one of Austria’s many alpine resorts, such as Semmering, many of which offer skiing and snowboarding for all ability levels.

How many days do you need?
You should plan on four or five days to properly enjoy the palaces, concert halls, museums, coffee houses, and tea rooms of Vienna. Even if you do plan a winter or summer holiday outside the capital, you’ll find that it shouldn’t take you very long to get from one location to another. For example, Semmering is just an hour-long drive away from Vienna’s international airport. If you plan to see a lot of the country, you can easily do so in about 10 days.

Austria Travel Insights

Visit the Gloriette Pavilion and Neptune Fountain of the Schönbrunn Palace to see the blossoming flowers
Austria in April: Travel Tips, Weather & More

In between the peak ski and summer seasons, April is the shoulder season for travel to Austria. But with mild temperatures, dry conditions, no snow on the ground, and lower prices, it's a great time to visit. Take a road trip across the relatively small country, enjoy a classical music concert in Mozart's hometown, and shop for Easter treats at a market. Here's more about what you can see and do in Austria in April.

See the autumnal leaves in the Austrian Alps in Tyrol in October
Austria in October: Travel Tips, Weather & More

October is fall in Austria and a quiet season in which to visit. That's great news if you're looking for discounted accommodation. There are fun events such as Oktoberfest-like celebrations and film and museum/gallery festivals in the cities. October is also a fun time to head to Alpine villages for a dose of traditional culture, which includes dressed-up cows. Find out more about traveling to Austria in October.

Salzburg's Old Town lights up with their annual Christmas market
Austria in December: Travel Tips, Weather & More

December is winter in Austria, which means snow, skiing (and other snow sports), and Christmas markets. Short days might impact on sightseeing but there are plenty of museums, galleries, cafes, and other indoor attractions to enjoy. Expect crowds in the ski resorts and bustle in the cities around the festive season. Find out more about traveling to Austria in December below.

Pretty spring morning light over famous Hallstatt mountain village in the Austrian Alps
Austria in May: Travel Tips, Weather & More

A month with pleasant weather before the crowds of summer arrive, May is an excellent time to visit Austria, whatever your interests. Attend a food festival in Vienna or a classical music concert in Salzburg; hike into the mountains from Hallstatt or take a motorbike road trip: it's all possible in May. Read on for more ideas for traveling to Austria this spring month.

Check out Hundertwasser's architecture in Vienna
Austria in September: Travel Tips, Weather & More

September in Austria is the start of fall, meaning the summer vacationers are mostly gone, but the weather is still pleasing and perfect for outdoor activities. Wineries put on special events in September, the conditions are great for biking and paragliding, and the cities are comfortable for a culturally oriented walking tour. There's lots to see and do in Austria in September.

Heldenplatz Square and the Museum of Natural History dome in Vienna
How Many Days to Spend in Austria

With its pastoral landscapes, lively viticulture and gastronomy, and renowned art and music scene, Austria offers something for every traveler. A 10-day trip is ideal to fully experience Austria's top cities, from the country's capital, Vienna, to Innsbruck in the historic Tyrol region. In a week, you can still see much of the country by basing out of a major city and taking strategic day trips into the countryside. For a more condensed five-day getaway, focus on one or two regions to get the most out of your trip.

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Trip Reviews for Austria

The latest reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim

KimKim delivered a GREAT trip experience (again)!
Austria | Jul 4 - Jul 11, 2024

Marla
Marla G.
Canada | Reviewed on Jul 15, 2024
This is the second time we've used kimkim to book a trip (the first was Paris two years ago), and our experience was again fantastic. This time, I was even more "hands off" in terms of planning - I basically let kimkim know the dates we were flying into Munich and out of Vienna, and let them know we love history, culture, and food & wine experiences.
Tomaz, Zala and team did the rest!
I really appreciate the hotels the team booked for us. Given our lack of knowledge about the areas... Read more

This is the second time we've used kimkim to book a trip (the first was Paris two years ago), and our experience was again fantastic. This time, I was even more "hands off" in terms of planning - I basically let kimkim know the dates we were flying into Munich and out of Vienna, and let them know we love history, culture, and food & wine experiences.
Tomaz, Zala and team did the rest!

I really appreciate the hotels the team booked for us. Given our lack of knowledge about the areas we were travelling in, we would have had to spend countless hours (and stress!) trying to decide on these small, boutique hotels in the heart of everything....and we probably still would have booked some questionable spots. Tomaz, Zala and team made sure we were in great hotels, in great areas and close to all the transit options we needed.

Our guided walking tours were all excellent! In Munich, Salzburg and Vienna, we started with private walking tours to get a sense of each city. The guides were all fantastic, and the tours helped get us oriented and ready to appreciate all our other experiences.

And speaking of other experiences, we loved our History and Beer tour in Munich, our Baroque Music Dinner in Salzburg and we adored our Vienna food tour with Christof!

The crown jewel of guided experiences on our trip was our tour and wine tasting in the Wachau Valley. Tomas was an extraordinary guide and host. His love of wine, his connection to people & place in the region, and his own long-standing experience as a winemaker added a wonderful dimension to our day. We tasted apricots right off the tree (still warm from the sun!), saw the commanding presence of Melk Abbey, cruised the Danube and visited Durnstein and had the most memorable and delicious wine tasting and lunch at the Lagler Winery. Tomas also introduced us to one of the next generation winemakers in the region, and we brought home some incredible "souveniers."

There is so much more I could say, but I'll end by recommending travel by train between Munich, Salzburg and Vienna (such a lovely way to see the region!) and for using public transit in all three cities - it's easy, much more efficient than driving, and you see and experience so much more!

Hotel Reviews
K+ K Hotel Maria Theresia
Wien

Great location, close to transit and a LOT of great restaurant options! In walking distance of the museum district and so much more.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Elefant
Salzburg

Extraordinary location on a medieval street with a charming patio!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Mercure Munich City Centre
Munich

Great location by the Alstadt and close to the train station. Breakfast was fantastic and we loved trying all their different gins and tonics!

Authenticity & Character
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Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Wachau Valley wine tour
Wachau Valley wine tour
Vienna

The crown jewel of guided experiences on our trip was our tour and wine tasting in the Wachau Valley.  Tomas was an extraordinary guide and host.  His love of wine, his connection to people & place in the region,  and his own long-standing experience as a winemaker added a wonderful dimension to our day.  We tasted apricots right off the tree (still warm from the sun!), saw the commanding presence of Melk Abbey, cruised the Danube and visited Durnstein and had the most memorable and delicious wine tasting and lunch at the Lagler Winery.  Tomas also introduced us to one of the next generation winemakers in the region, and we brought home some incredible "souveniers."

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Vienna's Sweet and Savory Food Scene
Vienna's Sweet and Savory Food Scene
Vienna

This was SUCH a fun (and tasty!) experience. Wolfli has a great team of guides....we loved our time with Christof! The food, the markets, the beverages.....it was all shared with great stories and local highlights. Highly recommend!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Guided walking tour of Vienna
Guided walking tour of Vienna
Vienna

Our guide was exceptionally knowledgable about the history, cultural history and heartbeats of Vienna!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Classic Concert in Salzburg with dinner
Classic Concert in Salzburg with dinner
Salzburg

The musicians and singers were wonderful and the food was good! Loved the setting.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Guided walking tour of Salzburg
Guided walking tour of Salzburg
Salzburg

Our guide provided a warm welcome to this charming city, it's history and it's community. Born and raised in Salzburg, she was able to share context and worldviews that helped us appreciate this beautiful place, all the more!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Bavarian Beer and Food Evening Tour
Bavarian Beer and Food Evening Tour
Munich

Our guide was so friendly and provided entertaining insight aboutn Munich's beer culture and history!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private guided tour of Munich
Private guided tour of Munich
Munich

We loved our guide and all the context she provided for the unique-ness of Munich!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Tomaz Martinek
Tomaz
Tomaz Martinek
Local specialist in Slovenia | Replied on Jul 25, 2024

Hi Marla, thank you so much for your extensive review! We are happy you enjoyed your trip so much and we look forward to seeing you soon travelling with us! Tomaz

This was ourfourth Kim Kim trip. They did a ...
Austria | May 21 - May 26, 2024

T
Thomas A.
Vero Beach, FL | Reviewed on May 27, 2024
This was our fourth Kim Kim trip. They did a fantastic job as they always do in Vienna and Bratislava. Morjca, our guide in Vienna , was everything we hoped for. She was extremely knowledgeable and experienced and showed us what we wanted to see. Milan , our guide in Bratislava, was outstanding and gave us a memorable two hours. Read more

This was our fourth Kim Kim trip. They did a fantastic job as they always do in Vienna and Bratislava. Morjca, our guide in Vienna , was everything we hoped for. She was extremely knowledgeable and experienced and showed us what we wanted to see. Milan , our guide in Bratislava, was outstanding and gave us a memorable two hours.

Hotel Review
Hotel Sans Souci Wien
Vienna

This was a first rate hotel. It was centrally located and service was outstanding. Breakfast was wonderful.

Authenticity & Character
Cleanliness and service
Location
Hotel was located in walking distance of the major sites
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Tomaz Martinek
Tomaz
Tomaz Martinek
Local specialist in Slovenia | Replied on May 27, 2024

Hi Thomas, thank you so much for your glowing review and for being a loyal KimKim traveler! We are happy to hear that your fourth trip with us was just as fantastic as the previous ones.
We look forward to planning your next adventure and continuing to provide you with outstanding travel experiences.

Tomaz

The entire trip was well organized and ran sm...
Austria | May 7 - May 13, 2024

M
Mark L.
Raleigh, NC | Reviewed on May 16, 2024
The entire trip was well organized and ran smoothly. Directions on where to meet and at what times accurate. Tours were well run and tour guides knowledgable. Read more

The entire trip was well organized and ran smoothly. Directions on where to meet and at what times accurate. Tours were well run and tour guides knowledgable.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Kaiserin Elisabeth
Vienna

Perfect location for all the sights in Vienna. Great, welcoming staff.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Boutiquehotel Am Dom
Salzburg

Adorable boutique hotel in the heart of Salzburg. Perfect location for all the sights.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Platzl Hotel - Superior
München

Great location in the heart of Munich. Very welcoming and accommodating staff.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Vienna's Sweet and Savory Food Scene
Vienna's Sweet and Savory Food Scene
Vienna

Michelle was a terrific guide who showed us "off the beaten path" parts of Vienna. She is incredibly knowledgable in her Vienna food history as well as general Vienna city history. We had samples of many different types of local foods, and our only complaint is that there was way more food than we could eat!

City Danube River Cruise
City Danube River Cruise
Vienna

We had expected to have some historical background, but there is none. The Cruise takes you up the canal and back on the same route, which is not the prettiest part of Vienna.

Sound Of Music Tour Salzburg
Sound Of Music Tour Salzburg
Salzburg

Great overall tour of the important filming sites. We enjoyed getting out of "the city" and seeing the beautiful lakes in the countryside.

Guided tour of Salzburg
Guided tour of Salzburg
Salzburg

Great tour of the Old Town in Salzburg. Terrific way to learn the history of the city.

Bavarian Beer and Food Evening Tour
Bavarian Beer and Food Evening Tour
Munich

Very fun tour sampling several beers and ending with a great meal. Sam was an outstanding tour guide.

Dachau Concentration Camp - guided tour
Dachau Concentration Camp - guided tour
Munich

Liza was a fantastic tour guide. She was knowledgeable, friendly and passionate about sharing her knowledge of the Memorial Site.

Private guided tour of Munich
Private guided tour of Munich
Munich

Thomas was knowledgeable and friendly.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Tomaz Martinek
Tomaz
Tomaz Martinek
Local specialist in Slovenia | Replied on May 17, 2024

Hi Mark, thank you so much for your trip review, we truly appreciate it. We look forward to seeing you on travelling with us again. Kind regards, Tomaz