Austria

Access

Austria is well connected to the rest of Europe thanks to an efficient and well-structured infrastructure network, which provides easy access to major locations, whether urban, rural or mountainous. The modern and well-maintained motorway system runs along main axes connecting the country from east to west and from north to south. Austria's motorways are identified by the letter 'A' followed by a number (e.g. , , ) and require the purchase of a special vignette (sticker or digital) for transit. Among the most frequently used arteries, the (Westautobahn) connects Vienna to Salzburg and continues towards the German border, while the (Tauernautobahn) provides access to the Central Alps, passing through Salzburg and Carinthia. The (Brennerautobahn), on the other hand, provides a direct connection between Italy and Innsbruck via the Brenner Pass, one of the busiest Alpine passes.
Rail transport is a convenient and sustainable alternative for travelling both within the country and abroad. The ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways) operate an extensive and efficient network, with high-speed Railjet trains connecting Vienna, Linz, Salzburg, Graz and Innsbruck in competitive times. Vienna Central Station (Wien Hauptbahnhof) is the country's main railway hub, from where international trains depart for Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Hungary and the Czech Republic. Other important stations are Salzburg, with frequent connections to Munich, and Innsbruck, an important hub for those heading to South Tyrol or Switzerland.
Air transport also plays an important role in international mobility. Vienna-Schwechat Airport is Austria's main airport, with direct connections to major European capitals and several intercontinental destinations. Salzburg and Innsbruck have smaller, but strategic airports for access to Alpine resorts, especially in winter. Graz airport, although smaller, serves the south-east of the country well. Those coming from Italy can also consider Munich airport, which is well connected by train to many locations in the Austrian Tyrol.
The mountain resorts, although often located in areas that are difficult to access, are well connected thanks to a system of state roads, local railway lines and shuttles that connect the main stations to the villages and hiking areas. Even in more remote valleys, such as those in East Tyrol or the Salzkammergut, public transport is generally reliable, especially during the peak tourist season. Thanks to careful spatial planning and an ingrained mobility culture, getting around in Austria is in most cases a functional experience and well integrated into the natural and urban environment.

Introduction

The geographical heart of central Europe, Austria stretches between Alpine peaks, deep valleys and cities with Central European charm. It is a country where nature sculpts the landscape and history resounds in imperial palaces, rural villages and mountain paths. The combination of Habsburg rigour and Alpine warmth defines a complex and fascinating identity, suspended between the silence of the forests and the notes of a waltz.

Description

Austria is a nation shaped by mountains. Surrounded by natural and political borders with eight European states, it stretches along the eastern arc of the Alps, which cover about two-thirds of its territory. The Central Alps and the Limestone Alps mark the rhythm of the landscape, drawing a succession of rocky peaks, sunny plateaus and glacial valleys. Rivers, such as the Danube - the water artery that crosses the country from west to east - and the Inn, delineate vital routes, accommodating historical settlements and orderly cultivation. To the north, the Waldviertel region shows a gentler, hilly face, while to the south-east, the landscape opens up to the Styrian plains and the foothills of the Carpathians.
The history of Austria has its roots in ancient times, with Celtic settlements and the subsequent Romanisation. But it was with the Middle Ages that the name Ostarrîchi emerged, the forerunner of today's Österreich. The rise of the Habsburg dynasty from the 13th century marked a long period of imperial centrality, culminating with the founding of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1867. Vienna then became one of the great European capitals, a crossroads of culture, politics and science. After the two world wars and the collapse of the empire, Austria took on its present form as a federal republic, establishing itself as a bridge between Western and Eastern Europe.
The country's economic profile reflects the balance between modernity and tradition. Mechanical engineering, precision engineering and banking coexist with quality craftsmanship and an agriculture that values local products, from Lower Austrian wine to Tyrolean dairy products. Tourism is a strategic resource, favoured by the accessibility of the Alpine landscapes, the presence of cities of art and a recognisable and deep-rooted cultural heritage.
Culture, in Austria, is a structural element of the national identity. Classical music occupies a place of honour there: Mozart, Schubert and Strauss are names that still resound in concert halls and local festivals. But culture is also expressed in traditional costumes, Advent markets, religious festivals and folk rituals such as the Perchtenlauf, in which wooden masks and cowbells chase away the spirits of winter. Each region preserves its own dialect, its own cuisine and a deep sense of belonging.
For those who love walking, Austria offers an extensive network of signposted trails: from the great Alpine traverses, such as the Alpe-Adria-Trail or the Tyrolean Eagle Walk, to the scenic routes in the Salzkammergut or Gesäuse mountains. Well-equipped huts, often family-run, welcome the hiker with simplicity and hospitality. There is no shortage of lesser-known itineraries, such as those through the gorges of the Gesaeuse National Park or along the terraced vineyards of the Wachau, where history and nature intertwine in a surprising way.
Respect for the environment is reflected in an extensive network of protected areas: six national parks, including the Kalkalpen - where one of Europe's last virgin forests is preserved - and numerous regional nature reserves. These areas not only preserve alpine and river ecosystems, but also offer opportunities for environmental education and nature observation.
The places of cultural interest range from medieval castles - such as Hohenwerfen - to baroque monasteries, such as Melk, overlooking the Danube. The historic centre of Salzburg, Mozart's birthplace, and the architectural beauty of Graz are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, as is the picturesque Wachau Valley. Even lesser-known sites, such as the mining village of Hallstatt or the Alpine museums of Innsbruck, tell layered stories of hard work, knowledge and wonder.
Austria thus reveals itself to be a multifaceted country: mountainous and urban, ancient and contemporary, stark and welcoming. A place where the landscape is not the background but the protagonist, and where culture is not ornament but substance.

Information

Capital: Vienna
Area: 83,879 km²
Minimum elevation: 114 m (Hedwighof, Burgenland)
Maximum elevation: 3,798m - Großglockner
Number of inhabitants: 9,106.126 (as of 2023)
Official name:Republik Österreich
Inhabitant name:Austrians
Federated states:9
Districts: 84+15
Municipalities: 2381 - map
Border countries: Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Italy, Slovenia, Hungary, Slovakia, Germany, Czech Republic

Territory

• Protected areas - map
• Hills - map
• Lakes - map
• Seaks - map
• Bivouacs - map
• Refs - map

Cultural Assets

• Places of Worship
• Borges
• Castles
• Bridges
• Towers

Collections

• worldcountries - map
  Europeanountries - map

Trail running - map

• Hiking - map
• Mountain biking - map
• Snowshoeing - map
• Skiing - map
• Trail running - map
• Trekking - map