I say it to everyone: visit Austria. This enchanting country is one of my favorite in Europe and unlike any other destination — that especially goes for the beautiful Austrian Alps.
Endless mountains, glowing turquoise lakes and vibrantly colored chalets nestled quaintly into the nooks of every mountain…the Austrian Alps are a dream. The warm hospitality of the Austrian people and a culture so well-preserved reminds you of Europe’s historic value. If you’re a mountain or nature-loving traveler, nothing quite comes close to the pristine and wondrous beauty of the Alps. And trust me, it’s best explored by car.
Here are 7 reasons why every traveler should fit a road trip to the Austrian Alps into their next Europe itinerary.
The Austrian Alps are an easy “in-between” Trip
Not sure what to do between your trips in Northern and Southern Europe? Centrally located between Switzerland, Germany, Czech Republic and Italy, Austria is the perfect middle escape.
Rent a car (I find Sixt usually has the best prices Europe-wide) and take the road trip of a lifetime. You can easily continue your journey to the Swiss or Italian Alps or even drive south to the Mediterranean.
Seasons Don’t Matter
Austria is jaw-dropingly gorgeous year round. Of course the Alps during winter and summer are two completely different but equally amazing experiences. I encourage everyone to visit during both seasons at some point.
Winter in the Alps is all about spending your days skiing or snowboarding down stunning slopes and spending the cozy nights in a chalet, eating Austrian comfort food (goulash, käsespätzle and glorious Austrian apple strudel) and drinking endless amounts of hot chocolate.
Summer is all about swimming in glacial lakes, picnicking near waterfalls, taking in the sight of millions of Alp roses, hiking and biking gorgeous trails and having far too many The Sound of Music moments in the rolling green hills.
A road trip in the Austrian alps can fit into any Europe trip, and it’s always worth it.
The Pitstops are the Destinations
I am a total type-A personality when it comes to planning an itinerary (and everything else in life), but Austria is the one place I allow myself to let go of control. It’s impossible not to stop dozens of times on the way to your destination. There are far too many lakes, waterfalls, hikes, castles and picteresque villages along the way that no travel guide tells you about — expect for mine, of course 🙂
Austria is a hard country to get lost in given it’s size, but it’s OK to get lost here. Don’t be afraid to venture off the path.
There is Nothing like Austrian Hospitality
I first visited Austrian alps four years ago while on a winter ski vacation and stayed at an adorable family-run (like most businesses in Austria) chalet and hotel in Schoppernau called Hotel Adler. I highly recommend this place. We dropped in last winter to say hi and they still remembered my name and insisted with have a coffee and “catch up.”
On our recent road trip, we stayed in a charming farm-turned-hotel and our host didn’t even ask for payment or a credit card until the end of our stay, but never failed once to greet us at breakfast every morning and tell us stories of their village and family’s history.
Whether dropping in for a coffee at a local cafe or staying at a resort, Austrians always treat guests like their own family.
Well-preserved Culture and Traditions
Taking a road trip through the winding mountains of Austria gives you the unique opportunity to observe the heart of Austrian traditions. Experiencing the charming Austrian life, even temporarily, reminds of beauty that comes in valuing simplicity.
Austria’s culture is fiercely celebrated and preserved. Especially in the Alps, they value living from surrounding nature and mountains. They source all food (from the butter to meat) on their own farms and the surrounding area. Local values don’t stop at food. From chairs to doorbells, they only use artisan goods and local products of Austria.
In such a globalized world and Starbucks on every corner, it’s harder than ever for travelers to discover destinations which maintain its unique culture, cuisine and traditions. Austria offers one of the last tastes of authentic European living.
Postcard Worthy Cities
Austria is a relatively small country so it’s nearly effortless to hop between the most beautiful places in Europe. It was always a dream of mine to visit Hallstatt, Austria. We easily hopped from Tirol, Austria to Hallstatt in less than 4 hours and still had time to explore a few gorgeous impulsive pitstops along the way.
Hallstatt, albeit very touristy, was a D-R-E-A-M and I’ll post a travel guide on that soon. But I learned that nearly every city in Austria has something unique and beautiful to offer and you should hop around as much as possible.
In addition to Hallstatt, here are few of my favorite Austrian cities to add to your itinerary:
- Schoppernau
- Tirol
- Salzburg
- Kietzbühel
- Soelden
- Graz
- Villach
Unique and Diverse Accommodation
Whether you want to stay in a restorative spa resort overnight or sleep in a barn, the Austrian Alps has it. We opted to impulsively cancel our hotel reservation and stay at an old farm (generations old) complete with cows, chickens, goats and the starriest night sky I’ve ever witnessed in my life.
I encourage every road-tripper to skip the bigger cities and opt for a local village in the Alps; every single one offers a unique taste of Austrian life and an unforgettable experience.
