Austria Holidays

Austria isn't one of those destinations where you need a degree in logistics, but a little local know-how will turn a good trip into a great one. The mountains, the lakes, the grand cities - they're all waiting, and the best time to experience them is when the days are long, the valleys are lush and green, and the only snow left is clinging to the highest peaks.  

Direct flights from Ireland to Vienna take approximately two hours and fifty minutes - schnitzel for lunch anyone? Irish passport holders enjoy visa-free travel within the Schengen Area - just bring your passport. The currency is the euro, which makes life simple, and cards are accepted almost everywhere. That said, carry a bit of cash for mountain huts, small village shops, and the odd market stall selling delicious local cheese. For electronics, Austria uses the same 230V voltage as Ireland, but you'll need a two-pin Type C or F adaptor for your Irish three-pin plugs.  

Summer (June to August) is an amazing time for a short break or a longer holiday in Austria. Temperatures sit comfortably in the low to mid-20s, the lakes are warm enough for swimming, and the mountain paths are clear of snow. May and September are slightly quieter - cooler, yes, but still beautiful, with fewer crowds and lower prices.  

July and August are the peak times, so be sure to book accommodation and popular attractions well in advance, especially in places like Hallstatt and the Salzkammergut lakes. Don't worry, the experts at Cassidy Travel will be happy to help you out and advise you. 

Getting around is a doddle in Austria. The train network is excellent - clean, punctual, and scenic enough that the journey feels like part of the holiday. Westbahn and ÖBB compete on the main routes, which keeps prices reasonable if you book ahead.  

For the lakes and mountains, a car gives you flexibility, especially if you're travelling with children or planning to go off the beaten track. The roads are good, but parking in cities like Salzburg and Vienna can be tight - if you can, leave the car at a Park & Ride station and use public transport to get you where you want to go.  

Deciding where to base yourself depends on the type of holiday or short break that you're after. Vienna is the grand city break - palaces, opera, coffee houses, and a pace that's stately without being stuffy. Salzburg is smaller, hillier, and draped in music; perfect for culture lovers and those who want a city with mountains in the background.  

The Salzkammergut lakes (St Gilgen, St Wolfgang, Hallstatt) are for families and nature lovers - swim, hike, row, to your heart's content. The Tyrol (Innsbruck, Zell am See, Kitzbühel) offers alpine drama, with cable cars that whisk you to the heights and valley sights that will stay in your memory forever.  

Austria is not cheap, but it's also not outrageously expensive. A meal out will cost more than in Spain or Portugal, but the quality is high and the portions are generous. The Mittagsmenü (set lunch) is excellent value, especially in cities. For families, self-catering apartments can save a fortune, and the supermarkets (Billa, Spar, Hofer) are well-stocked for picnics by the lake. The Vienna City Card and Salzburg Card offer good value if you're planning to pack in a lot of the sights.  

Austrians are earthy people and appreciate a welcoming greeting. A simple "Grüß Gott" (hello) when you enter a shop or a café goes a long way. Tipping is standard - rounding up or leaving 5-10% is fine. The water from the tap is excellent everywhere; bring a reusable bottle and fill up at public fountains. And don't forget, the cake is not optional, it's part of everyday life in Austria. Apfelstrudel, Sachertorte, Kaiserschmarrn - you'll find them all, and you'll be glad you did (don't worry, the hill walking will take care of the calories).  

In summer, Austrian days are long enough to fit in a morning at the lake, an afternoon in the mountains, and an evening in a Heuriger (wine tavern) or Irish pub (yes, there are several throughout the country), without ever feeling rushed.  

Whether you choose a weekend break or a longer holiday, Austria will leave you with memories that last a lifetime. 

Let's start in Vienna, because that's where most people begin. The city wears its history lightly - palaces that feel like homes, coffee houses where the waiters have been serving the same families for generations, and the Danube river that winds its way through it all.  

Schönbrunn Palace is the summer residence that thinks it's a small city. The gardens are free, and you could lose an afternoon in the maze, the Gloriette hill, or simply walking the paths where the Habsburg children once played. You can also pay for the Grand Tour inside - the rooms are worth it, and the audio guide tells the stories without the lecture.  

Belvedere Palace holds Klimt's famous painting 'The Kiss', and even if you've seen it a hundred times in reproduction, the gold leaf catches the light in a way that stops you.  

The Ringstrasse is Vienna's grand boulevard, and features the State Opera, the Parliament, the Burgtheater, and the City Hall. A tram ride around the ring is the easy way, but walking lets you dip into the side streets where the real Vienna lives. St Stephen's Cathedral is the heart of the city, its tiled roof is a landmark from every direction.  

The coffee house culture is not a cliché but a Viennese ritual. Café Central is the famous one, but Café Sperl and Café Schwarzenberg offer the same marble tables, the same waiters in black and white, and fewer queues. Order a Melange (the Viennese answer to a cappuccino) and a slice of Sachertorte, and sit as long as you like. That's not rudeness; it's tradition.  

Salzburg is smaller than Vienna, hillier, but draped in music. The Hohensalzburg Fortress looms over the old town, but the funicular saves your legs for the climb through the fortress courtyards. The Mirabell Gardens are free, central, and where the Sound of Music's 'Do-Re-Mi' was filmed. The old town itself is a UNESCO maze of narrow streets, church spires, and hidden courtyards - get lost, find a beer hall (or any of the six Irish pubs), and let the afternoon drift.  

The Salzkammergut lakes are where Austria comes to breathe in the magical air. Hallstatt is impossibly pretty but often crowded. St Gilgen on the Wolfgangsee is less famous but just as lovely - rent a rowboat, paddle to the far shore, and find your own beach.  

The Grossglockner High Alpine Road is Austria's most dramatic drive, winding up past glaciers and spectacular views. The Krimml Waterfalls drop 380 metres in three tiers, and the walk up is steep but the spray on your face is sure to cool you down.  

Innsbruck feels like a city that got lost in the mountains and decided to stay. The Nordkette Cable Car takes you from the city centre to 2,000 metres in twenty minutes, with views over the Inn Valley that will make you happy you made the trip.  

The Eisriesenwelt Ice Caves near Werfen are the world's largest ice cave system, and the guided tour is cold, spectacular, and totally unforgettable. And the Wachau Valley, where the Danube bends through vineyards and ruined castles, is perfect for a gentle bike ride or a boat trip.  

If you don't get to see everything - which you won't - on one visit, you can always come back again. 

Forget what you know about drinking coffee. In Austria, especially Vienna, having a coffee is like being part of a small but intimate ceremony. You don't just grab and go, you sit, you order a Melange - coffee steamed with milk, topped with foam - and maybe a glass of water on the side. The waiter, who has probably worked here longer than you've been alive, brings it on a silver tray. You add sugar, stir, and settle in.  

The newspaper rack is there for a reason. Nobody rushes you. Nobody will clear your table until you ask. This isn't the staff being lazy; this is intentional. The Viennese have been perfecting the art of lingering for centuries, and summer, when the cafés open their outside terraces, is the best time to learn it.  

When the sun is high, the Heurigen (wine taverns) call. Just beyond Vienna's city limits, the vineyards roll towards the horizon. These wine taverns open when the new wine is ready, but the tradition is as old as the hills themselves.  

The whole experience is pure simplicity. You grab a bench under an apricot tree, and someone brings a jug of the young wine - fizzy, pale, and very drinkable (be careful). The food is a buffet of cold cuts, cheese, and fresh bread. You pay by what you take. Families spread out on blankets, and the kids run between the rows of vines. This is not a wine tasting; it's a Sunday afternoon, Austrian-style.  

Salzburg does things a bit differently. The city is small enough that you can walk from a palace to a mountain trail in twenty minutes. The Brettljause - a wooden board piled with speck (cold-smoked pork belly or ham), mountain cheese, and pickles - is the perfect picnic to bring along. The markets at the base of the Hohensalzburg fortress sell everything you need: a crusty loaf, a wedge of cheese, and a handful of cherry tomatoes. Find a bench facing the river, and lunch becomes a whole new experience.  

In the mountains, the huts are the heart of the experience. You hike until you hear music, then follow the sound. The Alm (mountain pasture) serves what the farmers produce: milk, butter, cheese, and, if you're lucky, fresh Buttermilch straight from the cow. The Kaiserschmarrn (\ sweet fluffy pancake made with rum-soaked raisins ) here is fluffier than anywhere else, dusted with powdered sugar and served with applesauce on the side. You eat it on a wooden bench, looking out at peaks that haven't changed in millennia. 

The festivals are the other side of Austrian summer. In Vienna, the Rathausplatz turns into a giant open-air cinema, with opera and classical concerts broadcast for free to thousands sprawled on the grass.  

In Salzburg, the hills come alive - literally. The Jedermann (an Austrian play) plays on the cathedral steps at sunset, and the city's squares fill with musicians, jugglers, and the scent of roasted almonds. And the best thing is, you don't need a ticket.  

And then there's Austria's lake culture. The Salzkammergut is dotted with lakes (seen), and each one has its own personality. The Wolfgangsee has wooden jetties perfect for diving. The Mondsee has a lido with a floating stage. The locals swim before breakfast, row across for lunch, and finish the day with a beer at a lakeside Gasthof.  

The food, the wine, the long evenings - they're all part of a country that knows how to do summer well without rushing. Austria slows you down and resets your body clock, and that's the real gift.

Summers in Austria are perfect for learning how to slow things down and appreciating the finer details of life 

The country has been perfecting the art of wellness long before it became a trend. Think thermal springs that Romans once soaked in, alpine huts where the only sound is the wind and the tinkling of cowbells, and lakes so clean you can drink from them (though you probably shouldn't).  

A day at an Austrian spa or wellness centre isn't an indulgence; it's a complete reset. Plus, after a few days of city sightseeing or mountain hiking, your legs will thank you. Why do you think that European royalty and nobility flocked to Austria throughout the centuries? 

Here are 10 of Austria's best wellness retreats and thermal spas:  

• Aqua Dome, Längenfeld (Tyrol) - Three futuristic levitating pools fed by 40°C thermal water, surrounded by alpine peaks. The sauna village includes a wooden barrel sauna and a "fire" sauna with an open flame.  
• Therme Bad Schallerbach (Upper Austria) - One of Europe's hottest thermal springs (up to 60°C). Large family area with slides, plus a quiet zone with mineral-rich pools and a floating sauna on the lake.  
• Rogner Bad Blumau (Styria) - Designed by Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser. Colourful, curvy, and completely unique, the thermal water comes from two deep springs, and the architecture alone is worth the trip.  
• St Martins Therme & Lodge, Frauenkirchen (Burgenland) - A thermal lake you can swim in year-round, plus indoor and outdoor pools fed by 42°C sulphur water. The lodge rooms overlook a nature reserve.  
• Tauern Spa Kaprun (Salzburgerland) - Huge complex with indoor-outdoor pools, a saltwater grotto, and a sauna village with over a dozen options. The mountain views from the infinity pool are spectacular.  
• Eurothermen Resort Bad Ischl (Salzkammergut) - The salt content here makes floating effortless. The imperial town of Bad Ischl was a Habsburg favourite, and the spa retains that old-world elegance and style.  
• Alpentherme Gastein (Bad Hofgastein) - Thermal water from the famous Gastein healing tunnels. The outdoor pool is open year-round, and the "Spa Camp" offers guided sauna rituals several times daily.  
• Therme Wien (Vienna) - If you only have a city break, this is your answer. A rooftop pool with views over Vienna, plus thermal water from a local spring. The sauna area is clothing-optional and very popular.  
• Naturbad Mieming (Tyrol) - A natural swimming pond rather than a traditional thermal spa. Filtered entirely by plants, with no chemicals, surrounded by meadows and mountains. Simple, beautiful, and family-friendly.  
• Bad Radkersburg (Styria) - Thermal water so soft it feels like silk. The outdoor pool is open 365 days a year, and the adjacent clinic offers medical wellness if you need something more than just relaxation.

Irish travellers fly direct to Vienna and Salzburg with Aer Lingus and Ryanair. From there, the train network is your best friend - clean, punctual, and scenic enough that the journey feels like part of the trip.  

Book long-distance tickets online in advance for the best prices. For lakes and mountains, a rental car gives you flexibility, but leave it at a Park & Ride when visiting cities. Parking in Salzburg and Vienna is an expensive and difficult experience.  

When packing, remember that mornings and evenings can be cool, even in July. A light jacket or fleece is essential, especially if you're heading into the mountains or planning to be out after sunset. Comfortable walking shoes are essential - cobbled streets, palace gardens, and alpine trails all demand that you have them. And don't forget the swimsuit: the lakes are warm enough for swimming, and you'll regret leaving it behind.  

Austria uses the euro, and cards are accepted almost everywhere. But keep some cash for smaller Gasthöfe, mountain huts, and market stalls. Tipping is standard but not too aggressive - rounding up the bill or leaving 5–10% is fine.  

The Mittagsmenü (set lunch) is excellent value, often €10–15 for two or three courses. For families, self-catering apartments can save a fortune, and supermarkets (Billa, Spar, Hofer) are well-stocked for picnics.  

A simple "Grüß Gott" (hello) when you enter a shop or café goes a long way. Austrians appreciate politeness and a bit of formality - wait to be seated in restaurants, and don't wave or snap to get a waiter's attention (ever). When you're ready to leave, "Zahlen, bitte" politely asks for the bill. If you're sharing a drink, "Prost!" is the Austrian "cheers!" And should you need it, "Wo ist die Toilette?" is straightforward and always appreciated.  

The tap water is excellent everywhere; bring a reusable bottle and fill it at public fountains.  

One more cultural note for Heuriger visitors (remember those outdoor wine taverns). These places have their own rhythm, and your glass of young wine will be refilled before it's empty unless you cover it with your hand. That's not them rushing you; it's just good old-fashioned hospitality.  

Should you need it for any reason, the emergency number is 112. Pharmacies (Apotheke) are easy to spot with their green crosses. Most museums and attractions offer free or reduced entry with the Vienna City Card or Salzburg Card - definitely worth it if you're planning to pack in the sights. Book popular attractions (Schönbrunn Palace, Hohensalzburg Fortress, Hallstatt) online in advance, especially in July and August.  

And one last thing you shouldn't forget, the pace of life here is slower than you might expect. Meals take time, coffee is lingered over; it's the rhythm of the country. Learn to enjoy it; it's all part of the overall Austrian holiday experience.