Austria. Media News. Some of our favorite destinations.

Dear friend of Austria,                                                     

We invite you to explore with us some of our favorite places and activities that might not be on your bucket list yet - some familiar, a few off the beaten path, and all freshly updated with what's new for 2026 and beyond. There is a lot! So we split it up in two parts! This is Part One focusing on destinations! Part Two will be in your inbox next week with select activities and attractions!

Have a generous dose of Austrian Lebensgefühl! 

Warmly,
Sigrid Pichler

Manager of Public Relations
Austria Tourism New York City

sigrid.pichler@austria.info​
www.austria.info

Spanning three provinces — Upper Austria, SalzburgerLand, and Styria — the Salzkammergut is Austria's storied Lake District: more than 70 lakes, a UNESCO World Heritage cultural landscape, and 7,000 years of salt-mining history that gave the region its name. Some highlights include magnificent views from the 5fingers viewing platform at Dachstein, the subterranean landscape of the Giant Ice Cave, one of the most beautiful natural landscapes of the region at Lake Gosau, and the imperial town of Bad Ischl. You can learn about traditional crafts at the Geyerhammer Scythe Museum and enjoy dinner with a view at the Bootshaus Restaurant at Lake Traunsee.. just to name a few. 

​   

Nestled in the heart of the Austrian Alps, the Hochkönig region offers more than just picturesque views – it’s the perfect place for adventure lovers! This is the locals-approved itinerary for your ultimate travel experience!

The region takes its name from the highest peak in the area, the Hochkönig mountain, which fittingly translates to "High King." Home to the charming villages of Maria Alm, Dienten, and Mühlbach, this year-round destination boasts stunning views, exceptional cuisine, and a wealth of outdoor activities. In winter, it forms part of Ski amadé, offering over 75 miles of slopes and the scenic Königstour ("King's tour") ski circuit. During the warmer months, hiking, biking, and family-friendly activities take centre stage. Highly recommended are the Königstour bike circuit, culinary experiences at various huts, including several huts specializing in vegetarian and vegan dishes (giving Alpine cuisine a modern and healthy twist), a nature playground and rope park as well as summer tobogganing. If you want to explore more of the region, Salzburg and the beautiful Zeller See (Lake) are just a day trip away!   

  

Deep inside Hohe Tauern National Park, the Rauris Valley trades resort energy for wide-open quiet: broad valley floors, ancient stone pine forests, and a gold-mining heritage dating back to Celtic and Roman times that you can still try your hand at. It's also known as the "Valley of the Vultures" — golden eagles and bearded vultures are regularly spotted circling above the Krumtal, and guided ranger walks make it one of the best wildlife-watching spots in the Alps. Head deep into the valley toward Kolm Saigurn, surrounded by glaciers and waterfalls, or follow the Glacier Educational Trail for a closer look at how climate change is reshaping the Alpine landscape. In winter, the valley's uncrowded slopes and the Rauriser Hochalmbahnen ski area (included in the INDY Pass!) offer a quieter alternative to Austria's bigger resorts, complete with horse-drawn sleigh rides through the snow-covered Seidlwinkl Valley.

   

St. Johann in Tirol, together with the neighboring villages of Oberndorf, Kirchdorf, and Erpfendorf, is a year-round Alpine base beneath the Kitzbüheler Horn and Wilder Kaiser ranges — and a pioneer in sustainable tourism. Summer here means 125 miles each of hiking and biking trails, plus a free shuttle bus straight to the trailheads. Don't miss the Griesbachklamm Gorge, a beautifully designed natural trail in Erpfendorf, or a stop at the 250-year-old mountain inn Angerer Alm, which also happens to have a rock wine cellar stocked with 6,000 bottles from 200 wineries. For a thrill, tackle a via ferrata route up the Kitzbüheler Horn, race down the valley by mountain cart, or take a tandem paragliding flight over the region. In winter, St. Johann's ski area is joining the INDY Pass for the 2026/27 season, alongside more than 170 km of free cross-country trails — some floodlit for night skiing — and two natural toboggan runs for when you want to slow back down.

   

Carinthia is Austria's southernmost province boasting gorgeous lakes and mountains. It is situated on the southern slopes of the Alps and has a more mediterranean climate and flair than one would expect in Austria - alas, it borders Italy and Slovenia, and climate, culture, and cuisine are very border-fluid, shall we say. Carinthia is also proud to be the world’s first certified Slow Food travel destination. Slow Food is the world's largest movement for conscious eating culture and sustainable food production and Carinthia takes you back to the very beginning of the movement. You will also find great driving routes in Carinthia: whether it's the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, Nockalm Road, or Villach Alpine Road, each journey offers breathtaking landscapes and an unforgettable feeling of being closer to the sky with every twist and turn. Highlights are the stunning views of Austria's highest mountain, the Grossglockner (3,798 m / 12,361 ft) and explorations of the picture perfect idyllic village of Heiligenblut am Grossglockner.

    

Feel the love for great food in Graz! Austria's "Culinary Capital" continues to earn the title: fresh, farm-sourced cooking, a lively coffeehouse scene, and some of the country's best people-watching along cobblestoned Sporgasse. Start atop Schlossberg, the castle hill overlooking the Old Town, with breakfast at aiola upstairs before descending via the nearly-600-feet slide that sweeps you straight back down the mountain. Nearby, the world's largest historical armory holds around 32,000 objects inside its original 17th-century mansion. Don't miss the daily rhythm of Kaiser Josef Markt, one of the city's most iconic farmers' markets, or a visit to Kunsthaus Graz, nicknamed the "Friendly Alien" for its biomorphic blue shell and 1,066 acrylic glass exterior panels. Graz is also a showpiece for sustainable travel, with hydrogen-powered buses, car-free zones in the Old Town, and an abundance of eco-friendly, family-run hotels.

   

Mozart's birthplace is celebrating his 270th birthday throughout 2026, and a new Sound of Music Museum opens next month in Hellbrunn (preview)— reason enough to give the Salzburg another look. Start at Mozart's Birthplace on Getreidegasse, then wind up to Mönchsberg for the Museum der Moderne and its restaurant M32, with some of the best views in the city. Cross to Hohensalzburg Fortress, built in 1077, for a look at the Prince-Archbishops' former apartments and banquet halls before descending into the Baroque grandeur of the Domquartier. Salzburg's beer culture dates back to the 14th century, so plan an evening at one of its historic breweries — the Stieglkeller is a reliable favourite — and don't skip St. Peter's Stiftskulinarium, reputedly Europe's oldest restaurant, in operation for over 1,200 years. For a lighter afternoon, join a Fräulein Maria's Bicycle Tour past the city's most famous Sound of Music filming locations, including the Mirabell Gardens' "Do Re Mi" staircase — impromptu reenactments encouraged.