Salzburg Things to Do

There’s so much to do around Salzburg, from visiting romantic castles to exploring salt mines, ice caves, or the house of a despot; and that’s all before considering the surrounding Alps as a year-round adventure playground.

The powers that be generally designate national recreation areas or areas of significance for good reasons, and this certainly holds true in Austria. The country’s parks are great places to enjoy the outdoors and revel in the splendors of the natural world. The following should help the uninitiated begin to familiarize themselves with some of the better scenic areas in the country.

The westernmost state in Austria, Vorarlberg has been described as home to some of the most progressive new architecture found anywhere in the world. It also boasts a striking natural landscape that is the rival of any alpine destination in the region.

Vorarlberg is not for the budget traveler (it is easily the wealthiest region in the country outside of Vienna). But, whether you’re interested in architectural tourism, or looking for charming villages, arresting mountainous landscapes, and world famous cultural festivals, Vorarlberg is well worth a visit. Virtually the entire state is interesting enough to attract travelers, but the following attractions and destinations are not to be missed.

Rather like Buda and Pest, the towns of Klosterneuburg and Korneuburg have been separated by the Danube since the river changed course in the Middle Ages. The former is a very attractive town with a number of sites that are worth making the short trip north from Vienna.

One of the most modern and technologically advanced virtual stargazing spots in Europe is located in Austria. The Sternenturm planetarium in Judenburg is a striking combination of old and new. Reputedly the highest planetarium in the world, the Sternenturm is amazingly located in the belfry of the centuries-old city castle tower, a structure that has long been one Judenburg’s most recognizable landmarks.

If there’s one downside to choosing among legendary spas in Austria, it’s that there are just so many of them. To help get you started, here are four destinations that come highly recommended.