Magical Villages You Must Visit in Austria

We dream of escapes to the green countryside away from all that city traffic and the hustle. Some villages can actually be in a fairy tale movie and there are many of those in Austria.

Magnificent houses and palaces, impressive mountain landscapes and romantic streets and squares mesmerise visitors.

Hallstatt

Located in Upper Austria, Hallstatt is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Europe.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site has an iconic stone church nestled between Lake Hallstättersee and the steep cliff-face rising behind it.

Colorful houses are also a plus for those who want to upgrade their Instagram feed.

To see the village from a different angle, venture out on to the tip of the Skywalk for that special “World Heritage View” for an unforgettable glimpse over pretty roof tops and the mighty Salzberg mountain or hop on a boat for a refreshing ride across the lake for perfect snaps of this magical place.

Hallstatt © OEW, Lilly Freudmayer

Kitzbühel

Perfect for the winter break or ‘The most wonderful time of the year’ Christmas! The village offers one of the legendary Austrian winter ski resorts.

Luscious green forests, meadows and the sublime beauty of the mountains also entice many guests during the summer.

Kitzbuehel © OEW, Ruedi Homberger

No trip is complete without a visit to the old town. Elegant shops line the bustling pedestrian zone, and it’s here that you’ll find the best of two worlds: traditional handicrafts and the most noble of brands.

Kitzbuehel © OEW, Michael Werlberger

If you want to have the full experience, take a walk or go on a boat ride at Lake Schwarzsee.

Lech am Arlberg

THE spot for an incredible winter pampering experience. Luxury ski chalets and hotels full of atmosphere offering refreshing indoor pools, and quiet spa’s.

If you’re lucky enough, you get to spot snowflakes fall whilst you lie in front of the fire place.

Located in west of Austria Lech on the Arlberg has many pristine hiking trails right outside your front door are perfect for a walk in the fresh winter air but are equally stunning in the summer. 

Lech © Lech Zuers Tourismus gmbH, Bernadette Otter

For the couples, this experience is one in a lifetime. Go on a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the fairy tale landscape while wrapped in a cosy woollen blanket. You’ll pass through snow-covered treetops and majestic peaks.

Lech © Lech Zuers Tourismus gmbH, Bernadette Otter

St. Wolfgang: A boat trip in a sea of lights

Take a stroll along the forested lakeshore, past the gently creaking wooden boathouses for a truly relaxing experience. The city has a healthy mixture of buzzling street during the day and tranquill sidewalks by early evening.

Lake Wolfgangsee © OEW, Julius Silver

Get beautiful souvenirs In the village center where you can find beautiful local handicrafts and aromatic delicacies.

Before you leave you should go on a boat tour to view the village from another angle then take a ride to the summit of the Schafberg mountain with the nostalgic cogwheel train.

St. Wolfgang © Weisses Roessl

Heiligenblut

Set in a picturesque mountain landscape at almost 1,300 metres above sea level with its traditional houses and famous gothic church tower, Heiligenblut is probably one of the most beautiful in the entire Alpine region

The village has a unique natural backdrop in the Hohe Tauern National Park, watched over by the mighty summit of the Grossglockner at 3,798 metres, the highest mountain in Austria.

Heiligenblut in Winter © OEW, Peter Maier

One of the country’s most popular destinations, The Grossglockner High Alpine Road links Carinthia to Salzburg and is very popular during winter.

Just like in movies, during winter snow cover the region’s, inviting visitors to come and ski, freeride, go on ski tours, winter hikes or horse-drawn carriage rides, ice skating or tobogganing, amidst the dreamy natural wonderland.

Heiligenblut in Autumn © OEW, Michael Stabentheiner

Bad Gastein

You’ll find dazzling Belle Epoque mansions from a time when European royalty summered here in the 20th century (Perfect for Instagram).

Wait for it, there’s also a gorgeous waterfall that usually casts a huge rainbow, how heartwarming is that?

Recently, Bad Gastein developed into one of the liveliest, most fascinating, and extraordinary spots in the Alps.

Bad Gastein © OEW, Harald Eisenberger

There many activities to choose from, scale a mountain with a local guide, take the quick route on the cable car or have a leisurely hike into the Kötschachtal valley along a stream (where you'll find the best strudel in the country), and maybe scale the lofty via ferrata.

Then have a relaxing experience and warm up your muscles in the thermal water of the Felsentherme spa.

Bad Gastein © Gasteinertal Tourismus GmbH, Klaus Listl

Dürnstein

Known as the “pearl of the Wachau”. The Wachau, is one of the most beautiful sections of the Danube’s entire valley.

Picturesque villages stand along the riverbank in the midst of terraced vineyards and orchards, while the ruins of fortified castles crown the crests of the gorge.

Dürnstein © OEW, 1000 things

For a visit to history, check the medieval and Baroque buildings and the ruins of a fortified castle that once held Richard I of England as a prisoner line the banks of the Danube river.

The landscape is characterized by the natural beauty of the ancient vineyards, the pleasant climate and the numerous cultural landmarks.

Main Image Credit:

Heiligenblut in Summer © OEW, Lisa Eiersebner

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