Every traveler knows the feeling when going to a place and feeling overwhelmed by the crowds. Mass tourism can not only affect the authenticity and tranquility of places but also negatively impact your own experience.
This is why we are also on the hunt for hidden gems in every country possible. Today we are talking about Austria, a small European country that offers a lot more than just imperial palaces in Vienna and Mozart’s birthplace in Salzburg.
So in case you were wondering where to go in Austria without experiencing masses of tourists, here is a list for your next vacation off the beaten track.
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Austria’s untouched nature
Besides Vienna, the capital of the country Austria is internationally known for its rich nature, its numerous mountains and its clear and beautiful lakes. So let’s start off our list of cool places to go besides all the touristic attractions in Austria with some nature-related treasures.
Magical Lünersee in Vorarlberg
Lünersee in the province of Vorarlberg is a picturesque mountain lake located in the Rätikon mountains surrounded by majestic peaks and breathtaking alpine scenery. The lake can be reached via a cable car and an additional hiking trail. The cable car runs from Brand im Brandnertal to the Douglasshütte, from where hikers can reach the lake.
This lake is actually a true paradise for hikers and nature lovers. There are various hiking trails around the lake and to the surrounding peaks. The lake itself offers boating and fishing opportunities.
Many visitors find the Lünersee particularly magical, especially when the surrounding mountains glow in warm colors at sunset. The tranquil and secluded atmosphere reinforces this impression and therefore makes this one of the most beautiful places in Austria.
Beautiful Riegersburg Castle
Riegersburg Castle is an imposing medieval castle in the Austrian province called Styria. The castle majestically sits on a volcanic hill near the small town Feldbach. Since it is located on a hill, it offers an impressive view of the surrounding countryside.
The best views can be enjoyed from the towers of the castle. There you’ll get breathtaking views across the Styrian volcanic region all the way to Slovenia, the neighboring country.
Riegersburg Castle has a rich history dating back to the 12th century. Today, the castle houses a museum that presents the history of the region, the castle itself and its former inhabitants. As a visitor you can explore this museum and take a look at the weapons, armor and historical artifacts the exhibition offers. There are also seasonal changing exhibitions dedicated to different topics.
Rust and the flora and fauna of Lake Neusiedl
Rust is a charming town in Burgenland, on the shores of Lake Neusiedl. It is known for its well-preserved historic townscape, which is characterized by narrow streets, colorful houses and baroque buildings. The town is also famous for its excellent wine and travelers can visit vineyards or take part in wine tastings in cozy wine taverns.
The area surrounding Rust offers a wide range of outdoor activities such as cycling, hiking and boating. Lake Neusiedl is also a popular destination for water sports such as sailing, surfing and kitesurfing. This lake is especially popular amongst bird lovers, since it is home to a variety of species, including rare water birds such as terns and marsh harriers.
If you also want to experience the stunning nature of Rust and Lake Neusiedl and go swimming between the reeds of the lake, we’ve got the perfect accommodation for you.
Charming villages off the tourist radar
There are not a lot of big cities in this country, however many of the smaller and lesser-known villages are the true hidden treasures of Austria. They are usually very accessible by car or bus and some even by train. Are you ready for the real Austrian way of life? Then let’s continue the list with some delightful villages.
Hallstatt’s lesser-known neighbor, Obertraun
You probably already heard of Hallstatt. This village is the perfect example of what overtourism can do to local communities and an environment that was not meant to endure such amounts of daily visitors.
Since we really can’t recommend going there, we have got the perfect alternative. Obertraun is located on the shore of the same lake as Hallstatt, lake Hallstatt just a few kilometers away. It is less crowded than Hallstatt, but offers an equally picturesque backdrop with views of the Dachstein mountain. This village is actually the perfect starting point for outdoor activities. From hiking and cycling to boat trips on Lake Hallstatt, there are many ways to explore nature.
Obertraun also offers cultural sights such as the prehistoric salt mine, which provides insights into the region’s mining tradition.If you want to enjoy breathtaking icicle formations you can also visit the nearby Dachstein Ice Cave. One of the largest ice caves in the world. So whatever you are interested in exploring, you won’t get bored in Obertraun.
Romantic mountain village Alpbach, Tyrol
Alpbach is a charming Alpine village in Tyrol in the Kitzbühel Alps. The village is known for its well-preserved, traditional wooden houses decorated with flowers. Which is why it has been honored several times as “Europe’s most beautiful flower village”.
The Alpbach flower garden is a special highlight with an impressive variety of flowers and plants. This flower garden and the traditional architecture that conveys an authentic alpine charm make this village just perfect for a relaxing experience in the mountains.
Besides that, Alpach is also known for the European Forum Alpbach, an annual conference on European topics, held in August every year. Furthermore, the village also organizes cultural events and traditional festivals, so if you are lucky you will experience an even more authentic Tyrolean holiday.
Vineyards in Mailberg
Mailberg is probably one of the most hidden gems in Austria on this particular list. It is located in Lower Austria and is known for its historic vineyards and Mailberg Castle.
Mailberg Castle is a historical gem and is home to a hotel, restaurant and wine shop. It is surrounded by vineyards and offers an idyllic retreat. The already mentioned vineyards of Mailberg have a long tradition and the region is famous for its wines. You can visit local wineries and even enjoy different wine tastings.
After that you can take a long walk or do some hiking through the rolling hills of this area and look for some grapes or wildlife in the vineyards. To round up this culinary experience, you can go try some local specialities in Mailberg’s restaurants, which are often inspired by regional products.
Cultural and historical hidden gems in Austria
This small country holds a whole lot of history and therefore you can visit very historical sites. In case you thought all culturally important places are located in Vienna, you have clearly got to do some off the beaten path traveling through the countryside. Here are some real cultural hidden gems of Austria.
St. Martin’s Cathedral, Eisenstadt
St. Martin’s Cathedral is located in Eisenstadt, the capital of the province of Burgenland in Austria. The cathedral has a rich history dating back to the 13th century. It has been renovated and extended several times over the years and now reflects different architectural styles.
St. Martin’s Cathedral is actually known for its baroque interior. Visitors can admire impressive altars, paintings and sculptures. There are also regular organ concerts, which emphasize the acoustic beauty of the space.
So if you plan on visiting Burgenland, you should definitely stop by Eisenstadt and take a look at the beautiful cathedral or even book tickets for one of the many organ concerts there.
The Silent Night Chapel in Oberndorf
We’ve all heard and sang the christmas carol “Silent night, holy night”. But did you know that it was actually written by two Austrians in 1818? The Silent Night Chapel, a true hidden gem, is located in Oberndorf near Salzburg and is known worldwide as the place where the most famous christmas carol was first performed.
The chapel was built on the site of the former St. Nicholas Church, where the famous Christmas carol was sung for the first time in 1818. The chapel is just a small simple construction and symbolizes the simplicity of the song. It became an important place of pilgrimage for visitors who want to experience “Silent night” in an authentic setting.
Impressive Hohenwerfen Castle in Salzburg
Hohenwerfen is an imposing fortress and castle complex that rises high above the Salzach Valley near Werfen in Salzburg. The castle offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding mountain landscape and the valley. It has a long history dating back to the 11th century. Today’s fortress was built in the 16th century and served as a defense facility.
As a visitor you can take part in guided tours of the castle, which offer insights into the history, architecture and functions of the fortress. There is also an impressive birds of prey show, where falconers present majestic birds in action.
Unique Austrian hidden gem experiences
Let’s continue the list for your hidden gems travel and excursions in Austria with three special places that hold experiences you might only be able to do in Austria and not many other places in this world.
Winter sports in Kleinwalsertal
Kleinwalsertal is a high mountain valley in the Allgäu Alps. Due to its secluded geographical location it is actually only accessible from Germany. Although there is no road that leads to Kleinwalsertal coming from Austria, this part belongs to Austria.
The valley is one of the most unique places to visit in Austria and is a true hidden gem for winter sports enthusiasts. With its numerous slopes and trails, it offers the possibility to do skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. The most famous ski areas include the Ifen, Walmendingerhorn and Kanzelwand-Fellhorn. There are slopes for all levels of skiers.
In addition to sporting activities, Kleinwalsertal also offers a breathtaking alpine backdrop with snow-covered peaks and picturesque villages. The Alpine scenery there is really one of a kind.
Sailing on Lake Constance
Lake Constance stretches across Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Sailing on Lake Constance is particularly possible in the Austrian town of Bregenz. But when visiting this area you can technically go to three different countries in one day and also overlook the borders from the close-by mountains
Lake Constance is one of the largest lakes in Europe and offers ideal conditions for sailing. The clear view of the surrounding Alps makes the experience extra special. The Bregenz sailing club is a popular center for sailors. Both beginners and experienced sailors can hire boats or take part in courses here.
After sailing, you can visit the famous Seebühne Bregenz, one of the largest open-air stages in the world. Every year there is the Bregenzer Festspiele, a cultural festival where you can enjoy different programs on the open-air stage.
Ötscher Tormäuer Nature Park
The Ötscher Tormäuer Nature Park is located in Lower Austria and covers part of the Ybbstal Alps. The nature park is known for its diverse landscape, which ranges from wooded areas to alpine meadows and imposing gorges.
This is one of the most hidden places in Austria even though it offers a huge variety of hiking and outdoor activities. There are numerous hiking trails of varying degrees of difficulty. Popular routes lead to the Tormäuern and the Ötscher summit. In winter, you can go cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Another highlight in this nature park is the Bärenschützklamm gorge. A spectacular gorge with impressive waterfalls and paths. Since the area is home to a diverse flora and fauna, with a bit of luck you can spot ibex, marmots and various bird species. A true hidden treasure for all nature lovers and explorers.
Sustainable tourism in Austria’s most hidden places
With this list you can have a full vacation in Austria far away from the crowds and closer to the local tradition. Visiting the so-called hidden gems of a country has several positive aspects in terms of sustainability:
- Environmental protection
Hidden gems tend to be less crowded, which reduces pressure on the environment. Fewer visitors means less waste, less pressure on ecosystems and an overall lower environmental impact.
- Preservation of culture and nature
By staying at lesser-known places, fragile ecosystems, historical sites and local cultures can be better protected. Mass tourism can lead to overuse and more destruction of a place.
- Even distribution of tourism
Mass tourism is often concentrated in a few well-known hotspots, while many other regions are overlooked. Exploring hidden gems promotes a more even distribution of tourism, which contributes to a more sustainable development of the entire tourism industry.
- Economic opportunities
Through visiting more secret places this gives a chance to smaller communities and local businesses to benefit economically without being overwhelmed by the negative impacts of mass tourism.
And if these reasons aren’t enough, think about the fact that hidden gems often offer more authentic and less commercialized travel experiences. As a traveler, you have the chance to dive deeper into local cultures, support local communities and experience genuine encounters far away from mass tourism. If you are looking for more information on travel tips and tricks, stay tuned.
