Top Places to See in Austria: Experts Travel & Visa Guide

Written by

Alisha Azeem

Fact check by

Afreen Abbasi

Updated on

Dec 21,2024

Top Places to See in Austria: Your Guide for Exploring the Country - TerraTern

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Key Highlights

Austria is a stunning nation with palaces full of checks and balances and beautiful Alpine landscapes. A Central European jewel in terms of architecture, music, and nature, it is known worldwide. Whether you’re sailing down the Rhine, cruising the Danube, or touring the cobblestone streets of Vienna, Salzburg’s Mozart connection, or Innsbruck’s Alps, places to see in Austria provide an offering of experiences crafted for every traveller.

Visa and immigration requirements for those considering a visit or perhaps longer stay must be kept in mind. For short-term travel, work, and residency in Austria, the Schengen Zone league follows some rules. Whatever your reason for emigrating, there's a pathway out there for you, from tourism to study and employment.

In this guide, you’ll get the inside scoop on some of the most popular places to see in Austria, from Vienna and Graz to the picture-perfect village of Hallstatt. In addition to the travel tips, you’ll also get detailed information on what you need for the visa so you can plan a hassle-free trip for anything from days to years.

Also Read: Construction Jobs in Austria: Latest Expert Job Guide 2024

 

One of the top places to see in Austria, its capital, Vienna, is imperial in spirit. The Schönbrunn Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage site nestled in a fenced chain of opulent, baroque interiors and truly stunning gardens, along with a thorough exploration from there. Make sure not to miss St. Stephen’s Cathedral, a famed Gothic masterpiece, or to neglect visiting the Belvedere Museum (with its art collections).

  • Key Attractions: St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Belvedere Museum, and Schönbrun Palace
  • Vienna Visa and Immigration Considerations: Vienna is a major entry point into the process of obtaining a visa in Austria. To visit Paris for tourism, you need a Schengen visa, which can be used for less than 90 days. The Red-White-Red Card Austria is an attractive option for those looking to live and work in Austria and is a desired way for skilled workers to work.

UNESCO World Heritage City Salzburg is known for its baroque traditionalism and musical heritage and is another great destination for places to see in Austria. Panoramic views come from the Hohensalzburg Fortress, perched atop Festungsberg Hill, in the city’s most famous resident’s honour, Mozart’s Birthplace Museum.

  • Must-Visit Sites: A few more of the more popular places: Hohensalzburg Fortress and Mozart’s Birthplace Museum
  • Student Visa Opportunities in Salzburg: The University of Salzburg attracts international students. If you’re planning to study in Austria, then you have to apply for a student visa in Austria, and it comes furnished with proof of admission and financial means.

Innsbruck is a beautiful addition to the places to see in Austria and a dream to be in at the height of the winter sports season. Alternatively, ride the Nordkette Cable Car to try and get some truly incredible mountain views, or visit the Golden Roof, a 15th-century landmark.

  • Attractions: Porter façade: Golden Roof and Nordkette Cable Car
  • Options For Seasonal Employment With Work Visa Innsbruck: The city provides seasonal work for its tourism and visitor sectors. To do this, you require a work permit in Austria. The visas are often granted to those employers who sponsor skilled and seasonal workers.

Also Read: Austria Visa Appointment: Experts Latest Guide for 2024

Of the top places to see in Austria, the postcard-perfect village is Hallstatt. The Hallstatt Skywalk gives visitors views over the Dachstein Alps, and the Salt Mine Tour lets you in on the region's ancient salt mining heritage.

  • Key Experiences: Hallstatt Salt Mine Tour and Hallstatt Skywalk
  • Short-Term Visit Visa Requirements: To explore Hallstatt, most visitors have to get a Schengen visa. Make sure that you meet the Austria entry requirements, including valid travel insurance and proof of accommodation.

One of the top places to see in Austria, Graz combines old-world flair with creative spirits. Enjoy city views from Ascend Schlossberg Hill or, for a look at the city’s futuristic Kunsthaus Graz, explore this contemporary art museum.

  •  Attractions: Kunsthaus Graz and Schlossberg Hill
  • Long-Term Residency Options in Graz: A long-term residency permit in Austria is very much advised if you are planning on moving to Graz. Permits are offered for researchers and family reunification, Red-White-Red Card for skilled professionals.

6. Wachau Valley: Wine Country and River Cruises

Another great inclusion in the places to see in Austria, famous for its wine-producing vineyards and scenic river cruises, the Wachau Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Head over to Melk Abbey or Dürnstein Castle where Richard the Lionheart once was imprisoned (the ruins).

  • Highlights: Dürnstein Castle Ruin and the Melk Abbey
  • Wine Industry Professional Business Visa Requirements: The wines of Austria draw global business. The key to this is if you are attending trade shows or exploring professional opportunities, apply for a business visa in Austria, complete with all of the documentation that conforms to Austrian immigration policies.

Understanding Austrian Visa Types

Visa Type

Purpose

Duration

Requirements

Short-Term Schengen Visa

Tourism

Up to 90 days

Valid passport, proof of insurance, proof of accommodation

Red-White-Red Card

Skilled work, research, or family reunification

Long-term stay

Specific qualifications and job offers

Work Permit

Employment

Varies

Job offer from an Austrian employer

Student Visa

Study

Varies

Enrollment in an Austrian educational institution



Key Immigration Updates

  • In 2023, Austria simplified processes for skilled immigrants with the Red-White-Red Card Plus.

  • International arrivals in 2023 since the pandemic are back up 20% in Schengen area travel.

  • Austria’s climate neutrality goal for 2040 may influence future immigration policies.

Also Read: Austria Job Vacancies: Latest Job Guide For Indians 2024

Tips for a Smooth Journey

Here are some of the tips for a smooth journey in Austria:

1. Plan Ahead: Make sure that you start the visa application process before you go.

2. Highlight Interests: Your choice of Austria should be tailored to your favourite places to see in Austria.

3. Check Language Requirements: Sometimes, basic German proficiency is needed for long-term residency.

4. Leverage Local Resources: For correct information, use the official websites.

 

Conclusion

With history, culture, and natural beauty, this effortless blending makes it a country that can accommodate any traveller with a variety of different places to see in Austria. Sitting back, you can see from the imperial splendor of Vienna to the serene charm of Hallstatt, each place offers a one of a kind view of the country’s rich heritage and stunning landscapes. Austria will never disappoint you, whether you are looking at its cities, calm waters, or majestic mountains.

You need to know the visa requirements to avoid a headache when visiting or relocating. If you are visiting on a Schengen visa, if you make plans, your stay goes smoothly. Weird things happen if you don’t plan, but it’s usually not your fault. Now armed with this guide, you know the top places to see in Austria and can navigate the country’s immigration policies to have an experience you won’t soon forget.

To book your visit to Austria soon and ensure a hassle-free trip, contact TerraTern today!

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Alisha Azeem

Content Marketing Specialist

Pursuing a dual major in Psychology and English Literature from Bangalore, Karnataka, I bring 6 years of professional content writing experience in Immigration and Education. My freelance work covers a diverse array of topics. As a published author, I actively engage in creative endeavors such as poetry, spoken word, and storytelling.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which visa do I need to visit places to see in Austria?

If staying for family reasons or commercial or social travel in one of the Schengen zone countries, you will need to apply for a Schengen visa. This is a visa that permits you to live in Austria, as well as move across 26 countries taking part in the Schengen area, for a maximum of 90 days of each 180 days. For tourists coming for places to see in Austria, business travelers, friends, and family visits or simply a short stay. You need to provide a valid passport, proof of accommodation, travel insurance, and itinerary of your trip to be eligible.

Can you apply for a work permit in Austria when you stay there with a tourist visa?

You cannot apply for a work permit in Austria on a tourist visa. Tourist visas are not intended to allow employment of any kind. If you are to work in Austria you will need to obtain a work permit in Austria (Red-White-Red Card) before you can enter the country. You get a job offer from an Austrian employer, meet their qualifications, and apply for a visa in your home country or where you’re living now.

What is the process of applying for a student visa for Austria?

Student visa Austria application processing time normally takes 4 to 8 weeks but sometimes can also be longer due to lack of documents provided. It’s important to apply well in advance, ideally 3 to 4 months before you’re supposed to start your studies to make sure everything goes smoothly. To use the application, you need to present admission proof from an Austrian educational institution, evidence of financial means to support yourself, Health insurance, and a place to stay.

What is involved for retirees seeking to reside in Austria?

The good news is that retirees can apply for a residence permit in Austria if the particular conditions are met. In addition, you will have to show sufficient financial resources compensating for your stay, such as pensions, savings, and investments, and also comprehensive health insurance coverage. However, some permits also need to have proof of accommodation in Austria. But retirees are required by law to work and must prove they can make it financially without relying on Austrian social welfare programs. Depending on the type of permit, also the application process may include basic language proficiency requirements.

How do I go about getting long-term residency in Austria?

Basic knowledge of German is required for obtaining long-term residency in Austria. To get accepted to a master’s program, this will generally require A1 or A2 (or, if you have just completed your Bac, the equivalent CLE) under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), which means that you can manage simple conversations and everyday interactions. For some residence permits applicants must prove their German skills with a certificate from an accredited language school or institute. Exceptions however may apply to highly skilled workers, researchers, or people with specific qualifications. But it also makes integration into Austrian society easier, as does language proficiency.