Discovering Austria’s Federal Capitals

As you probably know, Austria has nine federal states, each of which has its own capital. The federal states are all different, and therefore make for a good trip and a great traveling experience!

Innsbruck

Innsbruck is the capital of Tyrol and known as an all-year destination. Beautiful vistas of the surrounding mountains are everywhere. While I was visiting this town, I was impressed by the old medieval architecture and charming narrow streets. A good place for a walk is a tour along the River Inn. If you would like to dip a little bit into the history, I recommend to visit the Golden Roof Museum (Goldenes Dachl) which is the landmark of Innsbruck. Innsbruck City Tower (Stadtturm) is also worth seeing. It is a beautiful observation point, from which the picturesque view opens on the old city (Altstadt) and mountains. It’s a good idea to take a walk down the street Marie -Theresien-Strasse. Due to its numerous magnificent medieval buildings, it has become thesymbol of the city.

Bregenz

Voralberg's capital is located at Lake Constance. It's the the most western region of Austria and on the border to Switzerland. The mountains and nature are the main attractions of this region. There is a harbor which attracts many tourists for its nice promenade and relaxing atmosphere. A journey to the Pfänder Peak aboard the Pfänderbahn Cable Car is a great adventure with sweeping views of the mountains, lake, and small villages.

Salzburg

As for me, it's one of Europe's most beautiful cities, both for its architecture and its magnificent setting. The old town is picturesque and very compact. This city reflects Mozart's musical heritage in almost every building. The first attraction on your way from the train station to the city center is Mirabell Palace (Schloss Mirabell). I was really impressed by the baroque landscape of its gardens, statues, and fountains. Even if you are not a fan of classical music, I would recommend visiting Mozart’s birthplace museum. The museum provides information on Mozart and his family and also displays personal belongings like his violin or portraits. In the heart of the city, you find the ascent to the fortress Hohensalzburg. This historical complex includes several museums.

Linz

The capital of Upper Austria and the country's third largest city after Vienna and Graz lies on the bank of the River Danube. Schlossmuseum Linz and the Hill Pöstlingberg, from where you can see the whole city from two different sides, are my favorite places there. You can get to Pöstlingberg from the city center by taking the historic railroad Pöstlingbergbahn or by foot. The castle of Linz (Schlossmuseum Linz) perched overlooking the Danube provides a stunning view of the city and hill Pöstlingberg. The old city has historic buildings and constructions, so I’d recommend wandering there and having a coffee break in one of the cafés. Taking a walk along the Danube is also a great recreational activity. If you’re a fan of modern art, you should visit the Lentos Art Museum.

Klagenfurt

The capital of the state Carinthia is close to Slovenia. I'd say Wörthersee is the honeypot for water sports fans and nature lovers, especially in summer. As for the old city, it is well-compacted and nice with numerous cathedrals and churches. Neuer Platz and Dragon Fountain (Lindwurmbrunnen) are the main features of the city. The Landhaus is one of the most impressive buildings and it is worth walking there. On the way to Wörthersee, you will see Minimundus, a park that features miniature models of famous landmarks around the world.

St. Pölten

The main city of Lower Austria is smaller than the other federal capitals but still so charming. Architectural and cultural sights contribute to its unique view. There are a lot of routes for cycling and hiking and the app Komoot can assist you.

Eisenstadt

Burgenland's capital is rich in hiking routes and mountain bike trips around the city. For choosing the best route, I recommend using the app Komoot as well. You can choose the level of difficulty and the length of the route according to your level of fitness and individual schedule.

Graz

As for Graz, I am sure that every student of Montanuniversität Leoben has visited the closest big city to Leoben, as it also has some remarkable landmarks. My favorite destination in Graz is Schlossberg, where you can have a rest, drink a cup of coffee, and just enjoy the panorama. Another place which I liked very much is Schloss Eggenberg. It is located three kilometers from the center. It is a very nice castle and I definitely recommend taking a guided tour inside the castle because the rooms are richly decorated. There is also a park with wonderful landscapes. Also, there are many interesting museums in Graz: Art Museum (Kunsthaus), Armoury Museum (Landeszeughaus), the geological museum, and others. If you would like to visit several museums, I recommend buying a combi-ticket which allows visiting all main museums, but not necessarily in one day. You can split your cultural programme into several visits, and so this ticket is cost-efficient.

Vienna

In this federal state, of course, Vienna is the main city. I think Vienna's sights deserve a separate large blog entry. Personally, beside the main sights, I enjoyed Hundertwasser's attractions (house-museum and Müllverbrennungsanlage Spittelau) and “Mariahilfer Strasse.” Also, I highly recommend visiting Schönbrunn. I bought the combi-ticket and had a guided tour in the palace, with this ticket I visited greeneries, a beautiful zoo – one of the oldest zoos and many other park constructions and gardens. Also, not far from Schönbrunn, you can find the Vienna Museum of Science and Technology (Technisches Museum) which presents a great exhibition of machines, transport, inventory, and other technical achievements.

I hope you enjoyed my guide for a trip around Austria’s  federal capitals. Be adventurous and open, new destinations will make wonderful memories forever.

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