Austria

Austria is a landlocked country rich in cultural history. From Vienna’s historical Hofburg Complex, Dürnstein’s historic fortress castle now in ruins, and Melk’s Abbey, you’re sure to find plenty of stories hidden in these streets. This city has gone through many different cultural eras, and these moments of time are captured within the towns inside this city. The incredible architecture from these areas is protected to this day and truly is an incredible sight.

Outside of its deep history, Austria is one of the most pedestrian-friendly cities in the entire world. In fact, walking is the most common mode of daily transportation in this country! Many areas in this city are pedestrian-only and make this country a great visit if you’re looking to capture many historical sights in an accessible manner. For the times when walking is an efficient option, Austria also has a lovely public transit system, and it is the second most popular mode of daily transportation.

Vienna

Originally a Celtic settlement, Vienna is full of deep history and is a great stop if you’re looking to experience rich history in an accessible manner. There are plenty of walking tours available that are phenomenal. Since Vienna is the capital of Austria, this is a great place to visit if you are looking to encounter the core parts of Austrian culture.

While you’re here, you can experience many deep cultural experiences. One sight you must see is the Hofburg Complex. This complex was originally a small fortress and was home to the Austrian power for over six centuries. Now, it is home to presidential offices. Another phenomenal place to walk through is Graben St., which is a fantastic pedestrian area in the present day, but it used to be the Old City’s moat. One last highlight is St. Stephan’s Cathedral, which is the finest Gothic church in Austria, constructed in the 12th century. Outside of these highlights, Vienna has many more important pieces of architecture, as well as great cafés to grab a bite to eat at.

Dürnstein

Although it may be small, the town of Dürnstein has a deep history. This town was established in 1150. Within this town, there are the ruins of the Kuenringerburg castle. This castle was originally built as a fortress in the 1200s. Unfortunately, this beauty was damaged in 1645 by Swedish troops, and all that’s left are the crumbled remains. Although crumbled, you can still catch beautiful sights from the hill where this castle once stood. You can also visit the Augustinian Abbey, which was built around 1725. This breathtaking abbey is home to scenic views as well.

Outside of rich cultural sites, Dürnstein is a phenomenal stop for casual strolling, with its main street being flooded with unique trinkets, and their famous apricots and wine. Dürnstein is also home to wonderful vineyards that produce wine, which is why wine is one of the most iconic parts of this small town.

Melk

When thinking about abbeys, the Melk Abbey is extremely impressive. This abbey took 45 years to build, and acted as a learning center and a hotel at its founding. Now, the abbey is still in use! In the present day, it serves as a school, museum, and an amazing library. So not only will you be walking through history-rich walls, you will come away from this abbey learning about history outside of its walls.

Besides the abbey, like many Austrian towns, Melk is also home to a lovely pedestrian street that is lined with delicious cafes and exceptional shops.

Of course, these are just the highlights of what Austria has to offer. Check out the articles below to learn more!