Though some may disagree, there’s no better time to visit Europe than winter: between the little to no crowding and the snow-dusted church spires that look almost like they’ve been cropped out of a storybook, it’s nothing short of magical.
Plus, some countries are just made to be experienced in winter.
Austria is one such rare example, boasting both historic cities and a dramatic alpine nature, with expansive mountain ranges as far as the eyes can see.
From its cozy nest in Central Europe, it may not be every American’s first choice for a winter getaway this season, but here are a few reasons why it should:
Vienna Is One Of Europe’s Top Winter City Breaks
Let’s start with Vienna, Austria’s main tourist destination and one of Europe’s most prominent cultural capitals.
It’s known for its high concentration of opulent Baroque churches, palatial opera houses, and Habsburg-era buildings.
We get it why you may be saving Vienna for the next warm season, what with the blooming Schönbrunn gardens and all the verdant parks you could explore, but it’s in winter you get the thermal spas, the festive atmosphere, and all those incredible Christmas markets.
There are several to choose from, with some of our favorites including the foodie-fave Christmas Village at Maria-Theresien Platz–make sure you get yourself some of that delicious currywurst–and the vast, 150-stall display at Rathausplatz, the best spot for browsing through traditional crafts.
The fact that it’s chilly out is also a perfect excuse to visit indoor attractions.
If you love architecture, you can’t miss the meticulously frescoed Austrian National Library, the imperial Hofburg Palace, said to rival Versailles in beauty, and the Gothic marvel that is St Stephen’s Cathedral.
Magical Medieval Towns Covered In Snow
Vienna is where most visitors would bid farewell to Austria before jumping to the next country, but you don’t want to make the same mistake: Austria’s wintery charm extends to other cities like Salzburg, famous for its landmark-packed Old Town, Beethoven, and Sound of Music associations.
It is where the Julie Andrews-star classic was filmed, the classic composer born, and the proud home of a UNESCO-protected medieval center dotted with palaces, ethereal winter gardens and cozy cafés serving that thick, velvety hot chocky––Café Konditorei Furst, we’re looking right at you!
No visit to Austria in winter is complete either without a stopover, however brief, in fairytalish Hallstatt: often dubbed the most beautiful village in the world, it straddles the banks of a frozen lake and ringed by mountains so high you’ll be tilting your head back to see the pinnacle.
In the westernmost third of Austria––the little pear-shaped strip of land sticking out––Innsbruck is a mid-size city offering spa hotels with views of the Alps (check out a gorgeous Hotel Bon Alpina), ski slopes with thrilling toboggan rides, and that hearty, dumpling-heavy Tyrolean cuisine.
Ski Resorts Galore
Ah-ah. Stop right there.
We can see you thinking ‘why the heck would I fly all the way to Austria for a ski holiday in winter when I could just go to Colorado instead?’
Well, have you considered that, besides the freezing temps, the other thing you’ll be exposed to, is the incredible culture?
Or that, as expensive as Austria may be by European standards, it’s still far cheaper than the average ski trip in the States?
Have you checked prices for those lift passes and long weekend stays in Telluride lately?
So before you close this page or scroll down to the next article in line, have a look at these amazing wintertime deals:
Winters in Austria are all about strapping on your ski boots and taking scenic gondola rides only to glide down through snow-covered mountainsides, and there’s no better way to enjoy nature than booking an alpine resort stay:
What Are Some Of The Best Spa Hotels In Austria This Season?
Located in Bad Gastein, one of the country’s ski capitals, the MONDI Hotel Bellevue is a landmark listing giving off old money vibes at the foot of the Hohe Tauern peaks, a short walk from the cable cars, welcoming you to heated indoor baths, a sauna, and superb breakfast from $290 a night.
Elsewhere in Maurach, a quaint winter village roughly a 45-minute drive from Innsbruck, the Frühstückshotel Margret Hotel has mountain-view rooms starting from $170, including breakfast––and it’s only a 5-minute walk from the picturesque Lake Achen!
Achen is called the Fjord of the Alps for its strip-like extension and winding course, and it’s the largest lake in Tyrol.
Now, if it’s a spa break you need after that three-day museum haul in Vienna, board the train west to the small municipality of Waidring, on the outskirts of Salzburg, which may not look like much at first if cottagecore is not your preferred aesthetic, but plays host to the 4-star Waidringer.
Overlooking Kitzbühel, an unspoiled range of the European Alps, it features timeless wooden furniture, a massive spa consisting of a gym, multiple treatment rooms and as many as 7 different types of sauna, and even a swimming lake.
The restaurant’s food is made with local produce, and there’s even a playground if you’re coming with the kids–all of this for a surprisingly reasonable $230 a night!
Austrians Are The Friendliest People In Europe!
Finally, Austria was recently named the friendliest country in Europe at the 2024 Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Award, debunking America’s long-time favorite Ireland for the first time.
Scoring 93.88 out of 100, Austrians are not as cold and dismissive as you might think: enter any café in a big sprawling city like Vienna or a small town like Hallstatt, or ask strangers for directions, and you’ll likely be met with a friendly smile and prompt assistance.
All things considered, it’s no wonder it’s one of the top winter destinations across the pond this year, with record bookings observed for 2024, exceeding the previous all-time peak of 2019, as reported by Tobias Thomas, General Manager of Statistik Austria.
This season, Americans can fly nonstop from the United States to Vienna (VIE) from as many as 6 departure points, exclusively with Austrian Airlines, those being New York (JFK), Newark (EWR), Washington-Dulles (IAD), Chicago-O’Hare (ORD), Los Angeles (LAX) and Boston (BOS).
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