The iconic Schӧnbrunn Palace is one of the most gorgeous Baroque complexes in Europe. The magnificent palace was originally used as a summer home for the royal Habsburgs. But today, it’s open to the public, and you can step inside to find out how some of the wealthiest and most influential people in Europe lived hundreds of years ago. The palace contains an astounding 1,441 rooms, yet only 40 of them are open for exploration. Over the years, many different renowned people have stayed in these prestigious apartments, including Mozart, Napoleon, and President Kennedy. As a result, you can easily envision what the chambers were like hundreds of years ago because they have been preserved in immaculate shape.

One of the best things about the Schӧnbrunn Palace is that you can wander around the gardens for free. Although they’re impressive at any time of year, the gardens are most spectacular during summer, when the trees are thick with green leaves and the flowerbeds are bursting with color.

Driving down the renowned Grossglockner High Alpine Road is one of the most enjoyable things to do in Austria. This amazing road, which was built in 1935, links the communities of Bruck and Heiligenblut. The breathtaking view is what distinguishes the ride along Grossglockner Road from other road trips. You'll pass through some of the most breathtaking alpine scenery in all of Europe as you travel the route. This road journey is amazing to take at any time of year, whether there are snow-covered peaks in the winter or vivid wildflowers in the summer.

The road is named after Grossglockner mountain, which is the tallest mountain in Austria and one of the biggest in the Alps. If you’re up for a challenge, you can drive along one of the most spectacular roads in the world to reach the top. You’ll need to put your driving skills to the test to navigate the 36 tight hairpin bends along the way. But it’s definitely worth it for the experience and the views. There are tolls on the journey, but the road is well maintained and covered in smooth tarmac that’s perfect for driving on.

If you’re planning on visiting Austria at the end of June, you’ve got to check out the Sonnenwende (Summer Solstice) celebrations. Held each year around June 21 in the Wachau region of Lower Austria, the festival is a real feast for the senses. The UNESCO-listed Wachau Valley creates the perfect backdrop for the popular Austrian festival. During the celebrations, the evening is lit up with dramatic firework displays, huge bonfires, vineyards full of twinkling torches, and dancing lights that gracefully float down the river Danube. The atmosphere is so magical that you get a sense that anything can happen.

Because Sonnenwende is such a magnificent sight, numerous river cruise ships frequently dock nearby so passengers can take in the show while on board. Numerous communities in the Wachau Valley participate in the festivities by serving unique dishes paired with premium wines. The majority of menus include the seasonal, local, and fresh produce that is at its peak in the summer and pair each plate with a glass of wine that is also made in the area.

One of the best things to do in Austria if you’re a music lover is to be in the audience during a performance at the Vienna Opera House. Also known as the Wiener Staatsoper, the Vienna Opera House is one of the most stunning and extravagant opera houses on the planet. There are more than 60 opera and ballet performances held each year. Tickets sell out very fast, so make sure you book as early as possible to guarantee your seat.

To fully appreciate the venue's interior before the action starts, you should arrive a bit early. Your breath will be taken away by the enormous staircase, stunning frescoes, and amazing statues. You should wear your best attire because the audience is almost always immaculately dressed. If you're unsuccessful in getting tickets, you can take a tour of the Vienna Opera House to see it in person. You'll have the opportunity to peek behind the scenes and witness all the preparation that goes into each play in addition to the spectacular theater.

You can take the cable car up to the top of the Zwölferhorn to see some of Austria's best sights. You'll be taken to the top of St. Gilgen's most well-known peak, which is 4,993 feet tall, in just 11 minutes. Every time you come, you'll find enough to do. You can go trekking in the area throughout the summer, take outdoor yoga sessions, or simply unwind with a picnic. You can even go paragliding if you're up for an exciting experience and get a real bird's-eye perspective of the area!

There’s just as much to do at the top of the Zwölferhorn in winter. When the mountain is blanketed in snow, you can follow the winter hiking trails, have a go at snowshoeing, or go on a ski tour. Paragliding is also available during the colder months. If you get hungry when you’re up there, you’ll be spoiled for choice with places to eat. In summer, you can sit on the outside terrace and watch the cable car go up and down.

The Hohensalzburg Fortress is one of the most emblematic and eye-catching buildings in all of Austria. Towering above the city of Salzburg, the intimidating structure is known for its white ramparts, which contrast enigmatically against the natural mountain backdrop. The best way to reach the fortress is to ride the funicular to the top. Before you go inside, take a walk around the exterior and check out the views. The balcony that faces Salzburg is where you’ll find the best vistas.

The entire ancient Old Town, the river that flows through Salzach, and the distant mountains can all be seen from here. The view is even more breathtaking in the winter when the area is blanketed with new, white snow. When you're prepared to explore within, you'll have the chance to discover how the fortress was created and the numerous ways in which it has evolved over time. There are many elaborately adorned rooms to explore, as well as some genuine torture implements from the Middle Ages.

The Old Town in Innsbruck (also known as Altstadt) is where you’ll find some of the best Austrian sightseeing opportunities. The Old Town, often called Altstadt, is a little, warm community tucked away in the Austrian Alps. It's ideal for simply exploring and seeing where you end up. While strolling, you'll see vibrant Baroque and Gothic structures that are set against imposing mountains. The building and the surrounding landscape contrast sharply.

There are many things you may add to your sightseeing list if you like to stick to a schedule rather than just ramble around. The renowned Golden Roof, City Tower, Imperial Palace, Court Church, and Triumphal Arch are all located in Innsbruck's Old Town. There are lots of adorable shops where you may stop by when you need a break and buy presents for friends and family back home. You can also choose from a wide variety of cafes, taverns, and restaurants that serve genuine Austrian food if you need a little additional energy.

Visiting the Hofburg Palace is definitely one of the must-do things in Austria. Also known as the Imperial Palace, the Hofburg Palace covers such a huge area that it’s thought to be a city within a city. The total complex of the palace covers 59 acres, including 18 individual building collections, 19 gorgeous courtyards, and an incredible 2,600 rooms. There’s so much to explore within the palace that you could easily spend a full day here.

If you’re in a rush, make sure you find time to visit the Imperial Apartments. They’re one of the favorite parts of the Hofburg Palace. In their heyday, they were the residences of some of the most important people in Vienna. They’ve hardly been changed in centuries to help you imagine what they looked like when they were at their finest. The original artwork, furniture, and fabrics are still there.

If you’re planning on visiting Vienna during your time in Austria, you’ve absolutely got to try a wiener schnitzel. This classic dish is simple but delicious. A delicate piece of veal is hammered flat, covered in breadcrumbs, and deep-fried until perfectly crispy and golden brown. For a truly Viennese experience, enjoy your wiener schnitzel with a side of Austrian potato salad. If you’d rather avoid veal, you can still enjoy wiener schnitzel. Most restaurants serve at least the original veal version and one alternative – often pork, but sometimes beef or chicken. You’ll struggle to find a vegetarian or vegan option, but it’s not impossible!

For regular wiener schnitzel, you can try Schnitzelwirt. They dish up huge schnitzels, which are literally larger than the plate they’re served on. They also come in tons of varieties, including a super delicious one stuffed with ham and cheese. For vegetarian and vegan options, check out Landia. This restaurant dishes up two types of meat-free schnitzel – one made with celery root and one with seitan.

Being in the audience of a floating opera performance is one of the most unique things to do in Austria. These one-of-a-kind shows are held on Lake Constance in the west of the country in a small, quiet town known as Bregenz. Each summer, when the Bregenzer Festspiele festival is held, a special floating stage is set up on the lake for spectacular water performances. A team of incredibly talented artists works together to design and build the stage that forms the focal point of the festival.

The stage is themed, and each year seems to become more impressive and mind-blowing. Past stages have been modeled on a giant skeleton opening a book and a huge clown holding a hot air balloon. From theatrical performances to operas and orchestral concerts, all kinds of remarkable cultural shows take place here. World-class performances regularly feature, including Bizet’s Carmen, Verdi’s Rigoletto, and Puccini’s Turandot.