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Five overrated Austrian tourist hotspots, and where to visit instead

Think of Austria as a tourist destination; a few popular spots instantly come to mind. The question is, could that be a bad thing? 

Published: 15 July 2024 15:46 CEST
Five overrated Austrian tourist hotspots, and where to visit instead
Forget Hallstatt, try Mautendorf. Austria has many underrated tourist destinations. Photo: ATImedia / Pixabay

Austria’s rich history and stunning landscapes attract those seeking alpine charm and baroque grandeur.  

Such popularity has its price. In recent years, many have debated the concept of ‘overtourism’ and there is the sense that some of Austria’s tourist hotspots have suffered and become a little ‘tired’ as a result. 

With summer holidays looming, The Local identified five of the country’s most overrated (or over-visited) locales, and suggests five alternatives. 

Don’t go to Salzburg, go to Bregenz

It seems almost sacrilege to describe Salzburg in any other terms than glowing. 

Combining the medieval and the later baroque, the entire city centre is a testament to Austria’s rich history as a seat of religious and secular power. 

That said, all but three or so months of the year, the city is utterly deluged by tourists, seeking their Mozart or ‘Sound of Music’ fix.

During peak periods, the lines can be long, the tourist ‘tat’ everywhere, and it can be harder to discover those hidden gems amidst the noise and thrum. 

This hasn’t gone unnoticed by the city government – they’re seeking to limit the number of daytrippers coming to the city. 

READ MORE: Salzburg looks to limit daytrippers in new tourism concept

Bregenz, on the shores of Lake Constance, offers much the same atmosphere and historical feel, without nearly as many tourists. 

You have an extremely well-preserved historical centre in Bregenz’s Oberstadt (Upper City), dotted with churches and important civic buildings from the 15th century onwards. 

Bregenz also has a cultural offering that is incredible for its size, with several world-class annual events, such as the Bregenz Festival. 

When you consider all the delights that Lake Constance has to offer – and incredible connections to both Germany and Switzerland – it makes sense to consider a trip to Bregenz in the high tourist season. 

Don’t go to Hallstatt, go to Mautendorf

Hallstatt is postcard-perfect and that’s a big, big problem.

For over a decade, Hallstatt has been besieged by busloads looking to take photographs of the quaint village that spills down the hillside towards the lake. 

Such is the demand, especially among Asian tourists, that a replica of the entire town was built in China, opened in 2012.

The locals have had enough, unsurprisingly.  They have demanded curbs on the number of tourists permitted daily, and have called on the government to do more to offset the effects of over-tourism – traffic jams, increased pollution and rubbish left by visitors. 

READ MORE: Will Austria’s Hallstatt restrict tourism this season?

If it’s spectacular landscapes and quaint village charm you’re craving, just under two hours south, Mautendorf ticks many of the same boxes. 

Settled since Roman times – and with stones from the Roman settlement reused throughout the village – Mautendorf is equally beautiful as its famous cousin. 

For those seeking history, Burg Mautendorf (Mautendorf Castle) looms over the town, where the Middle Ages are often brought to life. 

Nature lovers will be fascinated by the glacial potholes found throughout the nearby slopes, and the Taurachbahn (Taurach Railway), which takes visitors along the dramatic Taurach river. 

Don’t go to Ischgl, go to Hinterthal

It seems half of Germany descends on Ischgl in winter – something that made international headlines during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic. 

Such a volume of visitors at a ski resort can lead to crowded slopes, soaring prices a less-than-optimal experience. 

While the locals are undeniably happy about the flow of traffic, questions have been raised about the effect such visitor volume has on the region. 

If you’re willing to drive a few hours east, Hinterthal, located in the Hochkönig mountain range south of Salzburg, is perhaps even more accessible, but far, far less crowded. 

Hinterthal’s ski offering is also fairly impressive: there are 120 kilometres of slopes throughout the resort and over 8 kilometres of ski routes, serviced by 37 lifts. It’s safe to say there’s something for skiers of every level.

If it’s after-slopes entertainment you’re after, you won’t be disappointed either, as there’s plenty of nightlife, pubs and bars on offer.

Don’t go to Schönbrunn Palace, go to the Villa Hermes

There’s no denying the beauty and grandeur of Schloss Schönbrunn (Schönbrunn Palace): it is Habsburg power made real and solid. 

However, it is very near the top of all ‘must visit’ lists in Vienna, and almost 10,000 tourists a day can pass through it at peak times. This places a lot of strain on the building and parts of the already small section open to the public can be closed at sudden notice. 

If you’re wanting to feel a little of the atmosphere of Habsburg Austria – and learn more about the legendary Empress ‘Sissi’ – the Hermesvilla (Villa Hermes) five kilometres to the east is just as special. 

READ MORE: Austria’s ‘original influencer’: Ten weird facts about the Austrian Royal Family and Empress Sissi

This is the ’Villà of Dreams’, the home that Emperor Franz Joseph built for ‘Sissi’ in the 1880s to persuade her not to travel too widely and stay close to him. The ploy worked, mostly, and the Empress spent a lot of time there, riding her horses and exercising compulsively, as shown in many depictions of her life. 

Today, in addition to a centre for cultural exhibitions, the villa contains a museum that explores the world of Franz Joseph, ‘Sisi’ and their household. 

Don’t go to St Stephan’s Cathedral, go to the Augustinian Church

The Stephansdom (St Stephan’s Cathedral) in Vienna is not only the heart and soul of Austria (we’re not kidding, there are many Hapsburg body parts in the crypt), but it’s a stunning example of a mediaeval cathedral. 

The majesty of the place is somewhat disrupted, however, by the fact that visiting has been very much commodified.

Separate entrance fees to the interior, crypt and tower and the resulting queues can make it feel like a visit to a particularly solemn Disney amusement park. 

For Gothic beauty without the theme park vibe, the Augustinerkirche (Augustinian Church) 550 metres southeast is just as gorgeous and with as extensive a history. 

The Augustinian Church was built in the 14th century as a monastery and was later integrated into the Imperial Court as their parish church. 

Figures such as Maria Theresa, and Empress ‘Sisi’ were both married there, and several Hapsburg monarchs were buried there – in addition to even more Habsburg hearts buried in the Heart Crypt (‘Herzergruft’).

Particularly haunting is the funeral monument to Maria Christina of Austria – an open pyramid outside which hooded mourners stand. 

It’s a unique experience – and no waiting! 

Have we got these overrated tourist attractions right? What would you add? Let us know in the comments!

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Wolves to bears: Where in Austria could you come across predators?

Mountains, forests, and lakes—Austria is known for its beautiful nature, but be aware, it is a space also shared with a rich variety of wildlife.

Published: 4 September 2024 16:09 CEST
Wolves to bears: Where in Austria could you come across predators?

Austria has amazing nature ready for you to discover. But while doing so, even though it is very unlikely, you might come across some unexpected company.

In the Alpine region, this company could be lynxes, wolves, or golden eagles. In the country’s forests and lowlands, it could instead be the red fox. In forested and rural areas, you might find the badger, and in the mountains, especially close to Slovenia, you might even encounter bears—all playing crucial roles in maintaining ecological balance.

Here is what you need to know about some of Austria’s wildlife predators.

Wolves

Since the early 1990s, wolves have returned to Austria after being driven to near extinction by intensive hunting and systematic extermination.

Wolves in Austria are European grey wolves, easily recognised by their medium to large size, lean build, and thick, dense coat in shades of grey, brown, and beige, which helps them blend in with their surroundings.

Wolves are not so picky when it comes to their choice of habitat, as long as certain basic criteria are met. They prefer regions that offer them a lot of food, shelter and space for territorial formation. 

In Austria, these conditions are mainly found in large, continuous forest areas and natural habitats. Therefore, wolves are mainly found in Lower Austria, Burgenland, and Styria.

If you are hiking in these regions, you usually do not need to fear.  The Kora Foundation suggests that wolves are shy creatures who generally try to avoid human contact. In fact, the last fatality caused by a wolf anywhere in Europe occurred in Spain over fifty years ago. 

Wolf walking around in a forest. Photo by Szabolcs Toth on Unsplash

Lynxes

It is not very likely that you will encounter a Lynx while exploring Austria’s nature, but it is also not impossible.

Once, lynxes were commonly seen in Austria, but by the end of the 19th century, they were hunted to extinction, with the last one killed in Bregenzerwald in 1918.

Now, over 100 years later, lynxes are slowly returning to Austria.

The country is now home to two transboundary lynx populations: one in the Western Alps, with some lynxes migrating from Switzerland, and another in the Bohemian Forest, shared with Bavaria and the Czech Republic, where about 23 lynxes can be found.

In addition, a small and isolated population of lynxes is reported to live in the National Park Kalkalpen.

The lynx is easily recognised by its tufted ears, short tail, and spotted coat. It is usually the size of a larger dog, with a broad face and large, padded paws.

Although Lynx usually stay away from humans, they might attack if they feel threatened by your presence.

European Lynx is slowly coming back to Austrian territory. Photo by kenny goossen on Unsplash

READ ALSO: Why Vienna is a haven for wild animals – and where you can find them

Golden Eagles

In the Austrian Alps, there are around 260-360 golden eagles. These birds like open to semi-open landscapes where they can hunt prey such as marmots or alpine hares.

The golden eagle is a large bird of prey with dark brown feathers and a distinctive golden-brown colour on the back of its neck and head. It is a symbol of strength and power in Austrian culture and is found on the country’s coat of arms.

Typical places in Austria where you can spot the bird are in mountainous areas and national parks such as Hohe Tauern, Gesäuse National Park, and the Alps.

If you encounter an eagle, you normally have nothing to be afraid of. They tend to avoid human contact but could possibly become defensive if, for example, you approach their nests or disturb them in some way.

It is not uncommon to see golden eagles in the Austrian Alps. Photo by Jevgeni Fil on Unsplash

Red foxes

Red foxes are quite common in Austria and can be found in all provinces.

Austria’s red foxes have a reddish-orange coat with a white belly and a bushy tail tipped with white. They are slenderly built, have pointed faces, and large, upright, black-tipped ears.

They live in the lowlands and the Alps up to 2,500 meters above sea level. They are known for being incredibly adaptable and can live in most sorts of environments, including urban areas.

In Austria, they are often found in different towns and villages, where they go to search for food.

Since they often live so close to us, it is a good thing that they are not dangerous. Red foxes tend to be shy and avoid people, but it is still a good idea to avoid feeding or petting them, just to be sure.

Red foxes also like visiting Austria’s more urban areas. Photo by Scott Walsh on Unsplash

READ ALSO: Four Austrian national parks worth paying a visit

Badgers

Like the red foxes, badgers can be found in all of Austria’s provinces, from the lowlands to the Alps.

The badger has a stocky body with short legs, a broad head, and distinctive black-and-white stripes running from its nose to the back of its head.

It prefers living in forests and river valleys but can also do well in areas where forests meet grasslands or farmland. It is also not afraid of urban areas and often enjoys parks and gardens in city suburbs, where it easily finds food.

Badger products were widely used in the past. Badger meat, including ham, was considered a delicacy. The fat from badgers was applied in creams to help with rheumatism, and badger hair was used in different kinds of brushes.

Badgers are generally not dangerous, but they can become aggressive if threatened or cornered, so keeping a distance might be a good idea.

Badgers can be seen in all Austria’s provinces. Photo by Vincent van Zalinge on Unsplash

Bears

Following the tragic death of a jogger caused by a female bear in early April 2023 in Trentino, Italy, concerns about bear attacks have risen also in Austria.

However, there is an extremely small chance of encountering a bear on your next Austrian hike. 

Bears in Austria are extremely uncommon sights, the bear population in Austria primarily consists of brown bears migrating from Slovenia and also, occasionally, from Trentino in Italy.
 
Austria is estimated to be the temporary home to between five and eight male brown bears, and those expected to be found in the southern regions, specifically the Karawanken, Carnic Alps, and Gailtal Alps, in Carinthia and East Tyrol.
 
Even if bears can be dangerous, they are generally not aggressive unless provoked or if they feel their cubs or food sources are in danger.
 

A brown bear relaxing in the grass. Photo by Elizabeth Meyers on Unsplash
 
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