10 amazing places in Austria which is really worth seeing

1. Old Town of Vienna

Vienna's city center and the center of the whole of Austria - the inner city that has preserved the architecture and layout of the past centuries. Narrow cobbled streets, small coffee shops, cozy squares and cathedrals. If you find yourself in Vienna, the first thing coming here.

It concentrated on a small area of ​​the main attractions of Vienna. For example, St. Stephen's Cathedral, which is more than 800 years. It is so huge that one of the ten tallest cathedrals in the world. The building is striking is not only the scale but also beauty. Entrance there is free, but in addition, you can climb the tower of the cathedral or down to the catacombs where the remains of the Habsburg emperors are stored.

In the old town are Hofburg Palace (the residence of the Habsburgs), the Town Hall, the Kunsthistorisches Museum. Particular attention should be paid to the Vienna State Opera, the famous all over the world. A beautiful monumental building, which is now admired in the XIX century, mercilessly criticized. So much so that one of its architects hanged, and the other died of a heart attack.

Now all this splendor was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Similarly, standing there for a walk, but if you have time - go inside and be inspired interiors. That only is the library at the Hofburg, which is more like a decoration to the "Harry Potter".

2. Schonbrunn

Schönbrunn - a summer residence of the Austrian emperors, built by analogy with the French Versailles. Schönbrunn Palace is considered one of the most beautiful palace and park complexes in Europe and surprises even advanced travelers. Here lived monarchs of Austria-Hungary, twice visited Napoleon, and in 1961 met Khrushchev and Kennedy. Palace respective interiors.

Palace surrounded by a park with a variety of vegetable labyrinths, an incredible amount of flowers, fountains and sculptures in the antique style.

More at Schönbrunn is the world's oldest zoo, home to giraffes, emperor penguins, pandas and koalas, giant turtles and many other animals. Its main principle is: "Schönbrunn should be a zoo of happy animals". So it is, so you'll get incredible pleasure of communicating with its inhabitants.

The Schönbrunn each hour passes "strudel show" where shows how to prepare the famous Viennese dessert. At the end you try his creation and leave happy as an elephant from Tiergarten Schönbrunn.

How to get there: from the center of Vienna by metro. Go to Schonbrunn station or Hietzing.

3. The historic center of Salzburg and the Hohensalzburg Fortress

Old city Salzburg - the place where the intertwined history, architecture and mountain landscape. Here is the house where Mozart was born, the oldest restaurant in Europe and the well-preserved castle, which has a history over 900 years. All this - the UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Words to describe the beauty of the city is difficult. Even if you are not interested in any architecture or history, you will still go to the open-mouthed and amazed splendor that surrounds you. Salzburg was even called the "Rome of the North" due to its Italian character, numerous monuments of architecture and the special atmosphere.

symbol of the city - the largest fortress in Europe Hohensalzburg, founded in 1077. The castle is open to visitors all year round, and is worth to pay a visit for the sake of the medieval princes' chambers, museum of serf and luxurious "golden hall". And can climb on foot, and the funicular. And from the fortress offers an incredible view of the surrounding area, including the Alps.

How to get there: from Westbahnhof train station in Vienna train. Trains run frequently, the trip takes two and a half hours.

Council: buying a ticket from Vienna, you can buy tickets in Salzburg museums at a discount. there is a map salzburg CardWhich gives the right to free access to all the sights and museums of Salzburg, travel on public transport, including the funicular railway and river boat. The cost for 24 hours - 28 euros for adults and 14 euros for children aged 6 to 15 years.

4. Hellbrunn Palace in Salzburg

Hellbrunn - summer residence of the Archbishop of Salzburg. It looks unremarkable building hides a lot of secrets. For example, the world's only acting funny fountains that suddenly sprayed water on passers-by, than the cause universal admiration. Or shady park with statues of unicorns and other mythical creatures.

More in Hellbrunn there is a stone and a mechanical theater. First - this is Europe's oldest open-air stage, carved directly into the rock. The second - the theater of mechanical toys, which are contained in the water movement.

This theater built in the middle of the XVIII century, and it is still in working condition. 256 wooden figures under water organ sounds depict everyday scenes of the medieval city. If it's just for kids fun, the adults mesmerizing spectacle.

How to get there: railway station Salzburg take bus № 25 and go to the end.

5. Castle Hohostervits

Hohostervits - a medieval castle in the south of Austria and one of the most beautiful castles in the whole country. Its history begins in the IX century, when the world was not as humane as it is now. To defend against raids from the south and east, the rich Duke built a fortress. It rises on a 160-meter cliff in the sunny weather is visible from a distance of over 30 km.

Hohostervits has four rows of massive stone walls with towers. Closer to the castle, the more powerful the walls. In the history of the fortress of the defense failed to break anyone.

Since 1571 and until now the castle has one genus - Khevenhiiller. Some parts Hohostervitsa open to visitors from April to October, up to the castle on foot or by lift.

How to get there: train of Klagenfurt to Launsdorf-Hochosterwitz station, thence foot (2.5 km) or taxi. You can also rent a car.

6. Traveling by train to Graz

Graz - the second largest city in Austria and it is felt the energy and audacity. There are a lot of students and simmering. There have dared to break the idyll architecture of centuries past and enter into the landscape-the-art building. Although the entire historic center of Graz is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

In Graz there are many significant historical monuments. Late Gothic cathedral, the mausoleum with the remains of Emperor Ferdinand II of, museum arsenal with a huge collection of historical weapons.

Of interest is not only the city itself but also the road to it: Train goes on the world's oldest mountain railway Semmering road. It was built in the middle of the XIX century, and it is the coolest piece of engineering, like the Eiffel Tower. However, not as well known. The train goes through a tunnel, arched bridges, viaducts, and the window will be flickering incredible mountain scenery with manicured Austrian villages.

How to get there: on train Vienna Train Station. The train departs 16 times a day and there is a two and a half hours.

Council: when buying a train ticket demand Map "Joanneum» (Joanneum) for 24 hours. So a visit to the main museums of Graz (including the Kunsthaus, Gratsevskogo arsenal, Eggenberg Castle) will cost € 1.50 per person.

7. Hallstatt

It is a small town in the north-west of Austria with a population of less than a thousand people, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. He is famous throughout the world for its scenery and mysticism: here there is a chapel with the skulls of dead people. At each applied the name of the deceased, his profession and date of death.

This tradition came with an ulterior motive: Hallstatt is located deep in the Alps, between the lake and high cliffs. Because of this, there was no ground for a cemetery, and every 10 years the bones of the dead were getting painted and make room for new graves.

There seems to stop time: old houses, built in the XV-XVI centuries, forbidding mountains, and a quiet, measured life. If you go here, rent a boat and enjoy the views from the lake. You can rent bikes and ride around the neighborhood. Near the town is the oldest salt mine in the world, which is more than three thousand years.

How to get there: Vienna train trip takes about two and a half hours.

8. Bad Ischl

Bad Ischl - a mountain resort in the Alps, in the federal state of Upper Austria. Here is the Imperial Villa of the last emperor of Austria-Hungary Franz Joseph. "Oh, how I miss my beloved, beloved Ishlyu" - he wrote fifteen prince of his mother. The Emperor spent a lot of time here, preferring mountain landscapes and nature Vienna bling and bombast.

Now Bad Ischl attracts tourists ski slopes and thermal springs. Where you can escape from the city and gather strength, enjoy the beauty of the Alps and the local delicacies (cheese, bacon, ham). An all-year ski lift on Mount Catherine (1542 m), so you can effortlessly turn out to be at the top and walk along the mountain paths.

How to get there: from Westbahnhof train station in Vienna by train to the station Bad Ischl.

Council: a trip to Bad Ischl can be combine with a trip to Hallstatt. Cities are on the same railway line: if you drive from Vienna, the first will be taken in Bad Ischl, and then - in Hallstatt.

9. waterfall Krimml

Feel the strength and power of nature can be not only in the mountains but also in the waterfalls. For this great Krimml waterfall - one of the highest in Europe. It is located in the national park "Hohe Tauern".

Krimml - a cascade of three waterfalls with a height of nine-13, which resets every second ton of water. waterfall noise drowns out your own voice, as in the spray and then a rainbow appears. Here, you feel the energy and power of the elements.

Along the waterfall include hiking trails, which you can climb to the source of Krimml. On the way a lot of viewing platforms and seating areas, and the route runs through the forest with tall pines and ferns magic. The waterfall is open to visitors only from April to October, at other times it is closed to the passage.

How to get there: from the Mirabell Palace in Salzburg by bus number 260.

Council: for a trip to the waterfall, choose comfortable shoes and grab a raincoat or umbrella.

10. The bridge over a precipice in Gastein

Adrenaline and frantic heartbeat in his chest, fear and delight - that's what you feel when you set foot on the bridge in Bad Gastein. It is located in the Alps, at an altitude of 2300 meters. Under the bridge - the gulf, around - mountains. Movable bridge, and in the wind while he was rocking with you. You feel like a high-wire walking above the clouds.

In clear weather, boasting stunning views of the Austrian Alps, including the Grossglockner, the highest mountain in the country. It is best to admire the scenery from a special viewing platform Glocknerblick ( «View of the Glockner"). The entrance is free.

How to get there: from Salzburg by train to Bad Gastein Bahnhof station. Trains run every two hours, the duration of the road - a half hour. Then the funicular railway from Bad Gastein climb to the summit.

Council: check the train schedule and plan your trip Online Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB).

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It is still not decided where to go on vacation? We have the answer - Austria. On website Austrian National Tourist you will find the necessary information about the best routes and resorts around the country.

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