Austria

Whether visitors are passionate about art or nature, Austria can offer both. With its stunning castles most of which were created during the Habsburg reign, the Baroque castles and gardens, ruins, and monuments dating back to the Middle Ages, a few days or even weeks will not be enough to sneak a peak of the famous Austrian buildings. The Austrian Alps are well-known as a winter sports attraction. Innsbruck is a must-visit for all those passionate about skiing, or who want to get away from the busy city life. Skiing enthusiasts make up a majority of the 23,012,000 foreign visitors coming to Austria each year.

Austria is one of the most visited countries in Europe. This Central European nation has some of Europe’s most beautiful cities, including Vienna and Salzburg. But if visitors have made it all this way, be sure to visit Hallstatt, arguably Europe’s most charming lakeside town. Then there are of course plenty of ski fields to explore and discover, with significantly lower costs than neighboring Italy or France. Visitors will find a great deal to do if they want a more relaxing holiday, and fans of Mozart will enjoy Salzburg’s yearly music festival as well as Vienna, known as the ‘City of Music’. There are also chocolate factories and a wide array of indulgent desserts on offer to tempt those with a sweet tooth.

• International tourist arrivals: 30.8 million visitors/year in 2020