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Must-see views in Austria for your holiday tick list 

Holidays to Austria are all about scenery – from cloud-touching peaks to serene lakeside lookouts and charming cityscapes. If you love a view, then this is the destination for you. We’ve picked out some of the best views in Austria to fill your camera roll with.  

Schafberg mountain

Hop on the bright red cog train in St Wolfgang and it’ll chug-chug you up to 1,783m, to the peak of the Schafberg mountain. It’s by far one of the best train rides in Austria, made better by the spectacular views round every bend as you travel up the steep incline. Once at the top, you’ll be rewarded with 360-degree views over Austria’s lake district made up of 14 lakes, and all the way to Germany on a clear day. For a break, pop into Hotel Schafbergspitze, Austria's oldest mountain inn, for coffee and cake before making your way back down. 

Hallstatt

No list of views would be complete without Austria’s oldest and most photogenic village, Hallstatt. You can catch a bus or train from St Wolfgang or St Gilgen and spend the day seeing the sights. It’s very small, so you can walk from one end to the other in 15 minutes, admiring the cobbled streets lined with colourful gingerbread-like houses as you go. Tick off the Gothic lakeside church, historic salt mine and ride the funicular railway for views over the village and lake. For this postcard view, walk to the south side of Hallstatt and take in the snapshot of the quaint town against the Dachstein mountains backdrop. 

Village of Hallstatt in Austria

Schwarzsee Lake

A gentle 35-minute walk from Kitzbühel brings you to this bright blue lake, surrounded by meadows and pine forests, with the Kaiser mountains peeking out behind – all in all, exactly how you might imagine Austria to look. The lake is one of the warmest and most beautiful swimming spots in the country, with water temperatures reaching up to 27 degrees in summer. Whether you're taking a refreshing dip or simply relaxing on the grassy shore with a picnic, it’s easy to lose yourself in the peaceful scenery.

Krimml Waterfalls

Central Europe’s tallest waterfalls are right here in the Hohe Tauern National Park and a must see if you’re in the area. Jump on the Pinzgauer local railway from Zell am See to watch the water plummet down 380m as you feel the spray on your face (it's even said to have healing powers). And if you’re up for a bit of a walking adventure, follow the path up through the forest to the lookout point for a view over the surrounding valley. 

Salzburg

This UNESCO-protected city's packed with sights, sounds and history. Salzburg, Austria’s fourth-largest city, is filled with beautiful Baroque architecture lining the streets and squares. Don't miss a visit to Mirabell Palace, not only for the pristine gardens but also its starring role in The Sound of Music. And you'll definitely want to visit the hilltop fortress to get the best view over Salzburg's rooftops, cathedral and turquoise spires. 

Lake Zell

This stunning freshwater lake is surrounded by the impressive Hohe Tauern mountains, perfectly framing its bluer-than-blue waters. You can stroll along the lake’s edge and find a spot to lie back and relax. Or take the Schmittenhöhebahn gondola from the top of Zell am See and snap a pic of the views over to the Kitzsteinhorn glacier (you can buy tickets for this lift, as well as for boat trips on the lake and combinations of the two, through your local rep). If you want to get your steps in, wander along the winding trails through the green meadows, looking down on the lake below. Lake Zell really is the hub of the area and just the start of things to do in and around Zell am See.

Kaprun Reservoir

One of the best views in Europe’s lakes and mountains, Kaprun’s reservoirs are an impressive man-made marvel. Stroll along the top of the dam wall and look out over the emerald-green water, which comes from the glacier up on the nearby Grossglockner – Austria’s highest mountain. There are tranquil walking trails in the surrounding area too – take a 10-minute wander up to the Höhenburg platform to spy the reservoirs from above. You can visit from Kaprun itself or down the valley in Zell am See by the 660 bus then taking Europe’s largest inclined lift. 

Achensee

As Tyrol’s largest lake, Lake Achen, also known as Fjord of the Alps, is a must-see for views from all angles. For an unbeatable view from above, take the Rofan cable car up the mountain from Maurach and see the lake stretched out beneath you. Combine this with one of Austria’s best mountain walks, with alpine scenery at every turn. Or admire the lake from the ground – there’s no need to go far to get a knockout view. Mosey down through the town of Pertisau for a leisurely stroll along the lake’s shores and a dip in the crystal waters. 

Which one are you ticking off your list first? It’s time to take in the views and start planning your holiday to Austria. 


Head to our Lakes & Mountains homepage to discover more about our favourite holidays. 


Author: Sophie Taylor


Last updated: 02/10/2024

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