Austria travel advice
Food tips
Heather Godbert from our leading walking and cycling holiday company in Austria, Headwater:
“Austrians love to take time out of their daily routine to indulge in Kaffee und Kuchen (coffee and cake). But there’s so much more choice than the ubiquitous Apfelstrudel. You can find all manner of cakes and delicacies even in the smallest Konditorei, often served with a generous helping of cream or Vanillasosse. If you are travelling to Salzburg and the nearby Austrian Lake District of Salzkammergut, you’ll also see Mozartkugeln. Dedicated to the composer who lived in the city, these chocolate covered marzipan and nougat balls pack a punch and have to be tried!”
“Austrians love to take time out of their daily routine to indulge in Kaffee und Kuchen (coffee and cake). But there’s so much more choice than the ubiquitous Apfelstrudel. You can find all manner of cakes and delicacies even in the smallest Konditorei, often served with a generous helping of cream or Vanillasosse. If you are travelling to Salzburg and the nearby Austrian Lake District of Salzkammergut, you’ll also see Mozartkugeln. Dedicated to the composer who lived in the city, these chocolate covered marzipan and nougat balls pack a punch and have to be tried!”
Lottie Joynes, from our specialist holiday company WearActive, has this advice:
Wildlife spotting
“Our hut is next to Hoe Tauern National Park, it’s the largest nature reserve in Central Europe. We have ibex, golden eagles and bearded vultures in really high concentrations compared to the rest of Austria. You’re actually more likely to see wildlife in the valleys in the winter. In the summer the wildlife goes up high, but when the snow falls, the animals descend to the valleys. The golden eagles come down and you can actually see them from our hotel – they nest nearby.”
Walking holidays
“We run two types of trip for hikers, one in summer and one in winter. In summer we have a maximum of 14 guests at a time. After a morning yoga session you’ll go out for a hike with our guide. She’s National Park qualified, which means she’s studied for two years and knows nearly everything about the area. You can ask her about the local flora and fauna – she knows all about the animals in the park: even down to family specifics and how many offspring they had last year. A lot of guests like learning about the flora and edible plants. We cook a lot with edible plants gathered from the hillsides.”
Walking in North Tyrol
Claire Outditt from our specialist holiday company Exodus Travel has this to say about walking in the Tyrol: “The Tyrol is an exceptional region for walkers and trekkers. Lots of trails, from easy to very challenging, wonderful scenery, delicious food… I personally love the local culture, the fact that waiters/waitresses wear traditional outfits in the majority of establishments. And the walking is just beautiful.”Packing tips
Heather Godbert, from our supplier Headwater, shares her Austria packing tips:
“If out trekking, take walking poles – when on Austria’s multitude of mountain and valley paths, they come in really handy for summer hiking and winter walking (although a ‘basket’ on the end is recommended when it gets snowy). And don’t forget the sun cream – over the summer months, it can get surprisingly hot in Austria.”
“If out trekking, take walking poles – when on Austria’s multitude of mountain and valley paths, they come in really handy for summer hiking and winter walking (although a ‘basket’ on the end is recommended when it gets snowy). And don’t forget the sun cream – over the summer months, it can get surprisingly hot in Austria.”
Claire Daniel from our supplier, Exodus, on how to beat the ice: “In winter it is a good idea to bring Yaktrax-style spikes to wear under your shoes when walking in town: it can be quite icy, so these are great little things to have!”
Cycling on the Danube
Nicola Croom, from our specialist holiday company World Expeditions, has this advice on cycling the Danube: “One of Europe’s longest and most renowned rivers, the Danube is a great option as a first cycling holiday: it is paved, almost flat (and often slightly downhill) and really easy to cycle. The route is clearly signposted, so you can cycle without feeling stressed that you might get lost. Just concentrate on enjoying the ride and taking in the ever-changing scenery, as you pass through various countries and interact with different cultures and people.”Our Austria Holidays
Austria yoga & walking holiday
Daily yoga, stunning alpine hiking, delicious food.
From
€1095 to €1295
7 days
ex flights
Danube cycling holiday, self guided
Discove the compelling history of the Danube
From
£1650
14 days
ex flights
Prague to Budapest cycling holiday
A wonderfully contrasting ride through the heart of Europe
From
£3199 to £3649
11 days
inc UK flights
Austrian walking holiday
Explore Austrian Alps on foot from our remote mountain home
From
€1095 to €1295
7 days
ex flights
Austria walking holidays, walk the lake district
Lakeside walking with a beautiful mountain backdrop
From
£1489 to £1729
8 days
inc UK flights
Danube cycling holiday, Germany and Austria
Follow the winding route of the Danube
From
£795
8 days
ex flights
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Austria or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.
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Tips from our travellers
At Responsible Travel, we think the best people to advise our travellers are often... other travellers. They always return from our tours with packing tips, weather reports, ideas about what to do - and opinions about what not to.
We have selected some of the most useful Austria travel tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your holiday - and the space inside your suitcase.
We have selected some of the most useful Austria travel tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your holiday - and the space inside your suitcase.
Get as fit as you can before you go. Take layers of clothes for skiing and lighter clothes to wear indoors - Austrian hotels are very warm!![]()
- Amanda Ariss on a cross country skiing holiday in Austria
“Read Michael Palin’s New Europe book before you go as it gives a brilliant insight into some of the history and culture of the whole area, not just the 5 countries we visited. Anyone who has the time would greatly benefit by reading up on any of the history of any of the places we visited.” – Helen Spooner on a Vienna to Budapest tour
“In the past we have always downhill skied, but this time we decided to try cross country skiing having never done it before. It took a short while to learn the basics and by the end of the week we were able to complete a cross country journey - with no broken bones!” – Elizabeth Musetti
“In the past we have always downhill skied, but this time we decided to try cross country skiing having never done it before. It took a short while to learn the basics and by the end of the week we were able to complete a cross country journey - with no broken bones!” – Elizabeth Musetti
Pack your swimming costume as you can swim in the nearby lake! Be sure to take poles, and try both levels of walking trips.![]()
– Nicola Hubbard booked a Walking holiday in the Austrian Tyrol
“The place is pretty remote which has both positives and slight downsides. You get to know everyone in the group pretty well as you’re with them every day. If you go in the spring or summer, take the ski gondola up to the top, the view is incredible.” – Anna Bullock booked an Austria yoga and walking holiday
“Book travel insurance and definitely bring walking poles. I think that walking poles should be considered necessary on the alpine walks rather than being listed as merely helpful.” – Anna Norris booked a self-guided Germany and Austria walking holiday.
“Book travel insurance and definitely bring walking poles. I think that walking poles should be considered necessary on the alpine walks rather than being listed as merely helpful.” – Anna Norris booked a self-guided Germany and Austria walking holiday.
More about Austria
Read more about the best time to visit Austria, from Christmas markets and cross-country skiing to edelweiss-covered hillsides and sublime summer cycling.
Read every section of our Austria travel guide and you’ll no doubt be singing the praises of Mozart much louder than the virtues of Julie Andrews.
Little Austria sits right in the middle of central Europe. Much diminished in size since the days when it was one of the most powerful empires on the continent, it’s no less beautiful now.
With so much beautiful landscape on the average Austrian’s doorstep, it’s little wonder that walking is the country’s unofficial national pastime.
Inspirational mountain scenery with walking, meditation and steaming bowls of hot choc on the terrace make yoga holidays in Austria one of our favourite things.
Hike along Alpine trails in the shadow of Austria’s highest mountain before white water rafting through the valleys.
East Tyrol is one of the finest destinations for snowshoeing in Austria, a mountainous landscape of spellbinding beauty and tranquillity.
Keep your carbon footprint low at high altitude: go on a walking holiday in the Tyrol that uses local transport and is fuelled by local food.
Austria’s magnificent mountains are so pristine they seem untouchable. But your visit, from the money you spend, to where you leave your footprints, can affect the country in many ways.
