Where To Stay In Vienna, Austria – A Guide To The Best Hotels and Neighborhoods
AustriaThe city of Vienna, Austria is a place where history breathes alongside modernity. Known both for the breathtaking architecture…
Notable Places
Explore Austria
Use the map to discover our favorite places in Austria, and read on for our 7-day itinerary!
Austria Quick Guide
- Currency: Euro (€)
- Language: German (with regional dialects); English widely spoken in cities
- Time Zone: Central European Time (CET), UTC +1
- Fun Fact #1: Austria is the birthplace of classical music legends like Mozart and Strauss
- Fun Fact #2: Over 60% of Austria is covered by the Alps—perfect for skiing and hiking
- Fun Fact #3: Vienna has consistently ranked as one of the world’s most livable cities
- Tipping: Common to round up or leave ~5–10% in restaurants
- Emergency Number: 112 (EU-wide)
Where to Stay in Austria
Austria offers a wide range of places to stay, from elegant city hotels in Vienna to cozy alpine lodges in Tyrol. Whether you’re seeking luxury, charm, or budget-friendly comfort, Austria’s accommodations blend rich history with modern hospitality, making it easy to find the perfect base for your adventure.
Start by planning out where you would like to visit and then search for accommodation in those areas. Austrian cities are well connected with public transport so you are unlikely to get stuck in a remote place, unless that is what you want to do! We use Booking.com for all our hotel stays, many hotels have pay later offers and you can build up your Genius level to get discounts on your stays.
Where to Stay in Austria
How to Get Around Austria
Getting around Austria is easy thanks to its excellent public transport system. Trains are fast, reliable, and scenic with ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways) connecting major cities like Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck, and Graz. Local trams, buses, and metro systems (especially in Vienna) make city travel smooth and affordable. Regional buses also reach many smaller towns and alpine villages.
However, if you want to explore Austria’s remote gems, a rental car is your best bet. Places like the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, the lakes of Carinthia, or quaint alpine villages like Alpbach and Hallstatt (especially early morning or off-season) are much more accessible by car. Driving gives you the freedom to explore scenic mountain passes, wineries in the Wachau Valley, or hidden hiking spots not served by public transit. Just be aware of tolls and seasonal snow conditions in alpine areas.
For the best deals on car rentals, rent a manual transmission car if you know how to drive one and try out the many car rental coupon codes out there. In addition, we always recommend that you search on Discover Cars and Rentalcars.com to get a good lay of the land in terms of what the best rates are across multiple companies.
Must-Visit Places in Austria
- Vienna – Imperial Palaces & Café Culture: Discover Habsburg grandeur at Schönbrunn, Hofburg, Belvedere, and indulge in iconic Viennese cafés for sachertorte and waltz‑rich ambiance.
- Salzburg – Mozart’s City & The Sound of Music: Wander the Baroque Old Town, visit Hohensalzburg Fortress, echo Maria’s tunes across film locations—a cultural playground for music lovers.
- Innsbruck – Alpine Capital of Tyrol: Ride the Zaha Hadid‑designed funicular into the Nordkette Alps for breathtaking mountain vistas above the city.
- Hallstatt – Lakeside Alpine Fairytale: UNESCO‑listed village on Hallstätter See, with dramatic Alpine backdrop and ancient salt‑mining heritage
- Werfen – Eisriesenwelt Ice Cave: The world’s largest ice cave – step into a frozen wonderland carved into the Tennengebirge mountains.
Stay Connected
Don’t waste time hunting for SIM cards or stressing about roaming. With an eSIM, you can get connected as soon as you land and stay online wherever your adventures take you.
🔗 Check out our guide to the cheapest eSIMs for international travel.
Austrian Food to Sample
Austria’s cuisine blends hearty Alpine flavors with elegant imperial traditions. From schnitzel in Vienna to sweet dumplings in the mountains, each region offers its own delicious specialties.
Wiener Schnitzel – Vienna: Iconic breaded and fried veal cutlet, best served with potato salad or lingonberry jam.
Tafelspitz – Vienna: Boiled beef served with horseradish, applesauce, and root vegetables – a favorite of Emperor Franz Joseph.
Käsespätzle – Vorarlberg & Tyrol: Alpine-style cheesy egg noodles topped with crispy onions, Austria’s answer to mac and cheese.
Tiroler Gr̦stl РTyrol: A hearty pan-fry of potatoes, onions, and leftover meats, often topped with a fried egg.
Brettljause – Styria: A rustic cold-cut platter with local cheeses, meats, spreads, and pickles served on a wooden board.
Kärntner Kasnudeln – Carinthia: Pasta dumplings stuffed with quark cheese, mint, and herbs – Austria’s alpine ravioli.
Salzburger Nockerl – Salzburg: Fluffy, oven-baked meringue dessert dusted with sugar, as light as the Salzburg hills.
Marillenkn̦del РWachau Valley (Lower Austria): Sweet apricot dumplings made with potato dough, rolled in buttery breadcrumbs and sugar.
Sachertorte – Vienna: Dense chocolate cake with a layer of apricot jam, topped with a smooth chocolate glaze and served with whipped cream.
Apfelstrudel – All over Austria: Flaky pastry filled with apples, raisins, cinnamon, and sugar, usually served warm with vanilla sauce.
Top 5 Things To Bring On Every Trip
- Travel Insurance: Protect yourself against unforeseen events like trip cancellations, medical emergencies, or lost luggage.
- Power Bank: Keep your devices charged on the go, ensuring you stay connected and capture every moment.
- Universal Travel Adapter: A must-have for international travelers to plug in and power up devices in different countries.
- Reusable Water Bottle: Stay hydrated while reducing plastic waste; many destinations have refill stations available.
- Packing Cubes: Organize your luggage efficiently, making it easier to find items and maximize space.
Top Day Tours to Discover Austria
- Salzburg: Original Sound of Music Tour – Tour Salzburg and enjoy views of the surrounding countryside as you visit locations used in ‘The Sound of Music’.
- Vienna: Hallstatt, Salzburg, Melk, Alps & Lakes – Discover the most remarkable and picturesque must-see places of Austria.
- Vienna: Woods Tour with Underground Lake and Wine – Explore the Lichtenstein Castle and its surrounding vineyards. Take a boat ride on the underground lake in the Vienna Woods and enjoy a wine tasting.
- Vienna: Wachau, Melk Abbey, and Danube Valleys – Admire scenic views, learn about the Blue Danube’s imperial history, and visit the Benedictine Abbey of Melk.
- Salzburg: Eagle’s Nest and Berchtesgaden – Head into Bavarian Alps, explore Adolf Hitler’s famous retreat and enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the region’s mountainous landscape.
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