Leisure activities in Austria
As the western terrain in Austria is very mountainous, skiing and snowboarding are very popular in the winter, with Austria being home to many internationally-known ski resorts, offering challenging opportunities for those who enjoy winter sports. There are many different ski areas to try. Austrian people also enjoy cross-country skiing and ski jumping. But Austria also offers a lot in terms of music and culture, and not only in the historic cities.
Sports in Austria
During spring and summer in Austria, the mountains are the perfect place for some hikes or multi-day treks. Depending on where you are, there numerous different types of hikes you can do. Austria offers many well-equipped campsites. Whether wild camping with a tent is permitted depends on the province. In Upper Austria, Salzburg, Styria and Vorarlberg there is no explicit province-wide ban on wild camping. In other federal provinces, however, it is prohibited. Tourism offices will gladly provide information about this subject. Camping in the forest is prohibited throughout Austria unless there is express consent from the landowner.
If you prefer to relax, there are plenty of lakes and swimming pools in Austria to cool off on a hot day. Football, or soccer, is also a popular sport played by students and young people, and many people also support and follow the professional European football leagues. If you are new to skiing, consider booking a ski lesson before you hurt yourself.
Places of interest in Austria
There are many places to see and explore in Austria. To make the most of your time in the country, consider visiting the following places:
Vienna
The capital city and the largest city in Austria is known for its beautiful cathedral, royal palaces, and museums. Visit the Spanish Riding School, the Hofburg Palace, and sample local Viennese sweets and desserts. Learn more in our article "Things to do on weekdays in Vienna".
Salzburg
A popular Austrian town, near the German border, it is the birthplace of the famous composer Mozart. The city is popular for its traditional architecture, art, music, and culture. It is also known for the musical “The Sound of Music.”
Innsbruck
A popular resort town in the winter, it is a great starting place to try skiing or snowboarding in the nearby Alpine towns. Or to go hiking in the summer.
Other popular destinations worth a visit are Hallstatt, Zell am See, Ischgl and St. Anton.
Shopping and dining in Austria
Modern and large shopping malls in Austria can be found in larger cities, such as Vienna, offering both Austrian and international brands. In addition, Austria has great local craft industries, so consider visiting local shops for handmade woodworking crafts and souvenirs, leather products, and textiles.
Dining options are plentiful in Austria and can suit all budgets and tastes. Traditional Austrian cuisine is hearty and filling and includes meats, such as schnitzel, boiled beef and pork, and potatoes, cheeses and vegetables. “Gulasch”, a meat stew, is also a traditional dish to try. A specialty of Austrian (and Bohemian) cuisine is to eat sweet, warm dishes for lunch. These include pancakes, fruit dumplings or the famous “Kaiserschmarren”.
Especially in the cities, you will find many international restaurants from all over the world. In Vienna, you can find almost any cuisine, from a Brazilian snack bar to an Ethiopian or Korean restaurant and a Spanish tapas bar.
Many restaurants have also expanded their range of vegetarian and vegan dishes and many of them focus on regionality.
Cafes are aplenty throughout Austria, offering strong coffees and local desserts, including pastries, strudels, and chocolate cakes.
Find out more in our article "Eating out in Vienna".
Good to know:
As a rule, no service or cover charge is made in the restaurants. Therefore, it is customary to tip about 10 %, depending on how satisfied you are. In Austria, tips are also given in taxis or at the bar. The tip is generally expected but does not have to be very high. You hand it over during the payment process by rounding up to the desired amount.
Many towns and cities also offer regular markets and are great to find locally produced cheeses and sweets, fresh produce, jams, and sauces. When Christmas is coming closer, almost every town will host a Christmas market. It is very common to go there after work or during the weekend to enjoy some mulled wine and food from all the different food stands.
