Explore

Austria

Austria combines historic cities, mountain scenery, and outdoor adventures, making it an easy destination to explore with kids. From exploring imperial palaces in Vienna to wandering lakeside towns and driving through the Alps, there’s always something new to discover. Whether you’re looking for family-friendly museums, mountain views, historic cities, or outdoor adventures, it’s a country that’s easy to return to again and again.

Wolfgangsee in Austria with clear turquoise water stretching toward green hills and mountains in the distance. Evergreen trees frame the lake in the foreground, highlighting the area's peaceful alpine scenery.
Wolfgangsee
Gothic spires and intricate stonework of St. Stephen’s Cathedral rise against a cloudy sky, with a bustling Christmas market and decorated stalls at its base.
Stephansdom in Vienna

EXPLORE AUSTRIA
Austria Planning | Vienna | Salzburg | Hallstatt & Salzkammergut | Austrian Alps

Austria Planning

Make Exploring Fun for Kids

Grab a free Vienna Scavenger Hunt or get the full activity book to help your kids
learn about Slovenia while having fun on the go.
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Salzburg

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Language

The official language of Austria is German, but you’ll find that many people, especially in larger cities like Vienna and Salzburg, speak English, particularly in tourist areas, restaurants, and hotels.
Some common phrases are:
Hello: Hallo (HAH-loh)
Thank you: Danke (DAHN-kuh)
Please: Bitte (BIH-tuh)
Do you speak English?: Sprechen Sie Englisch? (SPREH-khen zee ENG-lish?)

currency

The currency used throughout Austria is the euro (€).

Best Time to Visit

Summer is perfect for hiking in the Austrian Alps and exploring villages, while winter brings festive Christmas markets and skiing. Spring and fall offer mild weather and fewer crowds, making it easy to explore Vienna, Salzburg, and Austria’s natural beauty.

Statue of Emperor Joseph II on horseback in front of the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, Austria. The grand museum building features ornate architecture with arched windows, sculptures, and a large central dome under a bright blue sky
At a glance

Our experience in Austria

Austria wasn’t high on my travel list at first, but wow, was I wrong. After visiting in both summer and winter, we can’t wait to go back and explore more.

Vienna quickly became one of our favourite cities. I’m not overly fascinated by music or history, but you can’t help but be awed by Vienna’s charm. We’ve visited twice and loved it both times. The Christmas markets are some of the best we’ve experienced (second only to Germany!), and the city is packed with activities for kids. Even the typical sightseeing spots have kid-friendly options, like Schönbrunn Palace with its children’s museum, Haus der Musik with interactive exhibits, and special kids’ concerts. Honestly, there are so many great museums for kids in Vienna, it’s easy to explore the city’s culture even with little ones!

Beyond Vienna, we explored Salzburg and drove through the Austrian Alps on our way to Slovenia. The Alps completely blew me away. The landscapes are stunning, and there are endless opportunities for outdoor adventures and hiking. You could easily spend a few weeks just exploring this region, and we’re already planning to go back to see more.

  • Transportation Tip: The best way to explore Austria is by car. Renting a car gave us the freedom to visit different regions of the country at our own pace, especially through the Alps. We booked through Discover Cars, and it made our road trip through Austria easy and stress-free.