Destinations

Austria’s Best Culture Tips 2017

Cultural experiences abound in Austria, whether visitors stay in the city, explore the countryside or do a little bit of both.

View it in Vienna

Plan something truly special with a tour of two private palaces. The Palais Liechtenstein City Palace and Garden Palace are open to the public twice a month. Visitors get to tour the state rooms of the royal family of Liechtenstein and see highlights of such incredible treasures as The Princely Collection, one of the most important private art collections. Pre-booking of the tour is required. Musical masterpieces are the focus of the Mozarthhaus Vienna, once home to the legendary composer. It offers perspective into the man, his music and his life in Vienna. Visitors get to go hands-on as they discover Vienna’s music at the interactive Haus der Musik, starting with the chance to be a conductor of a world-class virtual orchestra.

See it in Salzburg & Surrounding Region

Vienna is not the only city with links to Mozart. The master composer was born in Salzburg and the Mozart Birthplace is a museum today. The second Salzburg museum dedicated to Mozart is the Mozart Residence, where the Mozart family moved in 1773.

 

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Use Salzburg as a base to explore cultural attractions outside the city, including Hohenwerfen Castle. Located one hour south of Salzburg, the castle is located high above the Salzachtal Valley. The guided tour of the fortress features the chapel, kitchens, battlements, and bell tower. Highlights include weapon exhibits and a daily demonstration of falconry. Combine adventure and culture with a trip to the 7,000-year-old Salt Mines in Hallein, 25 minutes from Salzburg. The tour starts with a train ride from the village of Bad Dürrnberg into the mountain. Wooden slides lead down in to the salt mines where the tour includes a boat ride on an underground lake.

Tyrolean Treasures

If traveling from Salzburg to Innsbruck, the medieval town of Kufstein is well worth its own visit. It is filled with cultural treats that show off its 30,000-year-old history. A funicular or steep walkway takes you to the Kufstein Fortress with a spectacular Heldenorgel organ, the largest open-air organ in the world. Visitors can hear it’s magical music every day at noon. Kurstein is also where you’ll find the Riedel Glass factory tour. One of the villages surrounding Kufstein is Erl, home to the annual Tryol Festival Erl. Taking place July 6-30, 2017, the event will feature 28 performances including classical music and opera, including Gioachino Rossini's Semiramide, Mozart’s Magic Flute and Wagner’s Ring Cycle.

Great Attractions of Graz

It’s easy to see why Graz’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site due mostly to the architecture of its medieval and Italian Renaissance buildings. It’s a delight to walk through the narrow alleys and secret courtyards in search of galleries, museums, cafes, and shops. For the best views of Old Town, visit the Schlossberg with its 13th century Clock Tower. The Armory offers a look at the history of Styria and historic armor and weapons.

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