Things to do in Austrian Alps, Austrian Alps: The Best Castles

June 8, 2021 Oliva Fomby

The majestic Austrian Alps stretch across the country, an awe-striking area of Ice Age valleys, verdant heaths and alluvial cones within Europe's largest national park, 700-square-mile Hohe Tauern. Taking in the dramatic cities of Salzburg and Innsbruck and the beautiful province of Tirol, home to spectacular skiing and hiking, as well as Gross Glockner, Austria's highest peak, and some of the world's best winter and summer sports playgrounds, the Austrian Alps are an outdoor lover's paradise.
Restaurants in Austrian Alps

1. Schloss Tanzenberg

Tanzenberg 1, Sankt Veit an der Glan 9063 Austria
Excellent
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

Schloss Tanzenberg

2. Schloss Glopper

Ems Reute Hohenems, 6845 Austria +43 676 5547868 http://www.rentacastle.at
Excellent
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5.0 based on 10 reviews

Schloss Glopper

3. Burgruine Finkenstein

Altfinkenstein 13, Finkenstein am Faaker See Austria http://www.wehrbauten.at/ktn/kaernten.html
Excellent
85%
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5%
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5.0 based on 20 reviews

Burgruine Finkenstein

4. Burg Kronburg

Zams 6511 Austria
Excellent
86%
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14%
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5.0 based on 7 reviews

Burg Kronburg

5. Fortress Hohensalzburg Castle

Moenchsberg 34, Salzburg 5020 Austria 43-662-84243011 [email protected] http://www.salzburg-burgen.at/de/festung-hohensalzburg/
Excellent
55%
Good
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Satisfactory
9%
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4.5 based on 11,689 reviews

Fortress Hohensalzburg Castle

This amazing 11th-century castle overlooks Salzburg from a hill on the outskirts of the city. Fortress Hohensalzburg is a real eye-catcher, high above the Baroque towers of the city. The castle remains a visible landmark to this day and is an unmistakable feature of Salzburg’s world-famous skyline. From afar, the mighty walls begin to reveal the history visitors experience at first hand within these sturdy defenses. Opening hours: We are open for you 365 days a year - even on public holidays! January – April and October– December: 9.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m. May – September: 9.00 a.m. – 7.00 p.m. Advent weekends and Easter: 9.30 a.m. – 6.00 p.m. Please note: On 24th of December, we are closing at 2pm.

Reviewed By Brittany_11_10 - Los Angeles, United States

Whether you walk up the road to get to the fortress or take the funicular, visiting Fortress Hohensalzburg is a must-do/see in Salzburg. It's well worth the 13 euro or so (which includes a one-way ride on the funicular as well and a free audio tour). The fortress is very well-preserved, the audio tour and museum offer a lot of interesting history (of the region, the fortress, the rulers over various times, etc.), and the views from the top are stunning. I'd budget at least two hours, but you can easily spend more time up there. From late November to late December, they sell gluhwein, and other beverages and snacks as well.

6. Erlebnisburg Hohenwerfen

Burgstrasse 2, Werfen 5450 Austria +43 6468 7603 [email protected] https://www.salzburg-burgen.at/en/hohenwerfen-castle/
Excellent
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4.5 based on 864 reviews

Erlebnisburg Hohenwerfen

Explore one of the most beautiful fortress in Austria. A refreshing experience awaits you at the over 900-year-old Hohenwerfen Fortress in the Pongau region of Salzburg. On the steep peak, high above the Salzach valley, the gentle breeze from the surrounding mountains caresses your face while peeking through the battlement embrasures. OPENING HOURS: April*: Tue - Sun, 9.30 a.m. – 4.00 p.m. May – September: daily, 9.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m. 13 July – 14 August: daily, 9.00 a.m. – 6.00 p.m. 1 October* – 8 November*: Tue - Sun, 9.30 a.m. – 4.00 p.m. * Closed Mondays (except holidays)

Reviewed By Vball-traverler

When we were driving to our hotel in Maria Alm, my wife saw the fortress from the highway and mentioned it to me. We received the "Hochkonig" card, which gave us a discount to see the Hohenwerfen Castle. It was a beautiful castle where we saw a demonstration of various falcons, eagles and ospreys flying over the courtyard. We took the guided tour later and learned quite a lot about this castle. We were not disappointed in visiting.

7. Schloss Hellbrunn

Fuerstenweg 37, Salzburg 5020 Austria +43 662 8203720 http://www.hellbrunn.at/en
Excellent
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4.5 based on 2,958 reviews

Schloss Hellbrunn

Reviewed By Sue77777

Beautiful gardens and grounds around the main house. The fountains were off as seasonal but the main lake had a lovely Christmas angel there We spent three hours here , they also had a children’s petting area for the Christmas market. Free entry except the weekends, so great fun. The actual market was reasonably priced , unlike some we have been too around the European cities. Nice cafe too offering reasonably priced meals and drinks, great attentive service too We enjoyed walking the garden too and of course seeing the sound of music pavilion

8. Schloss Ambras Innsbruck

Schlossstrasse 20, Innsbruck 6020 Austria +43 1 525244802 [email protected] http://www.schlossambras-innsbruck.at
Excellent
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4.5 based on 1,157 reviews

Schloss Ambras Innsbruck

Due to the current regulation to contain the pandemic, the museums of the KHM Museum Association will remain closed until 23th March 2021! The wonderful world of the Renaissance The provincial sovereign of Tyrol, Archduke Ferdinand II (1529-95), son of Emperor Ferdinand l, ordered that the mediaeval fortress at Ambras be turned into a Renaissance castle for his wife Philippine Welser. He also commissioned the building of a separately designed museum complex to house his world-famous collections. Constructed according to the most advanced ideas of its time, it is an eminent precursor of our modern-day museums and has been preserved at its original site to this day. The armouries comprise rare examples of 15th century jousting armour from the collections of Emperor Maximilian I, suits of armour of famous 16th century commanders, the Archduke’s private armour, the armour of the court of Innsbruck, and weapons from the Thirty Years’ War.

Reviewed By 260flaviob

This castle is one of the most beautiful we have seen on our tour in Austria. From Innsbruck you can get there after about twenty minutes by bus (we took a Hop on / Hop off, very comfortable and included in the Innsbruck Card). The Castle is surrounded by greenery and has a very well kept garden. There are two main buildings to visit, one connected to the entrance (with spectacular weapons and armor) and the actual Castle, to be reached with a short walk. The castle is impressive and was bought by the Archduke Ferdinand II, a true patron of the time. In the current exhibition, the organizers have tried to recreate the different rooms as they had been wanted by the Archduke: the Chamber of Art and Wonders (some even not politically correct by our current standards), the Chamber of Armor and the Antiquarium. In the upper castle there are houses as they were at the time of Ferdinando. The most sumptuous setting in the building is the Sala Spagnola, a 43 meter long banquet hall with frescoed walls and trompe l’oeil. Magnificent. There is also a section dedicated to the Habsburg portraits with over 200 portraits, made by famous artists like Cranach, Tiziano, van Dyck and Diego Velásquez. We went there on a very hot August day and at the end of the tour it was beautiful and very romantic to eat a sandwich sitting on a bench in the shade of the secular trees of the garden.

9. Hochosterwitz Castle (Burg Hochosterwitz)

Hochosterwitz 1, Launsdorf Austria +43 4213 2020 [email protected] http://www.burg-hochosterwitz.com/it
Excellent
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4.5 based on 347 reviews

Hochosterwitz Castle (Burg Hochosterwitz)

Reviewed By YairBarZohar - Qiryat Ata, Israel

When you reach the base of the hill, you will have three options for climbing to the top of the hill. One option is to walk up the stairs. The second option is to take the elevator, which costs within a few seconds to the top of the hill (about two euros in the direction). The elevator is open until midnight. The third option is to board the funicular cable car. Traveling by cable car will allow you to enjoy the beautiful views of the old town of Graz while driving up. The ride takes about three minutes (costing about three euros). The train is active until 22:00 on Sundays, until midnight on Mondays to Thursdays and until 2:00 am on Saturdays. The castle was built around the 9th century CE and has passed through many people over the years, making changes of this kind. The castle you will see today is more or less the 16th century. To reach the castle itself, you will have to pass a 600-meter path that passes through 14 gates built in the 16th century. There is also a possibility to take the elevator, but note that the ride in the elevator is quite expensive. Take a guided tour around the castle, see the various royal rooms, the church and the armory. The admission fee is reasonable. Opening hours: From April to mid-May from 10: 00-17: 00 (last entry at 15:30), mid-May to mid-September Daily from 9:00 to 18:00 : 30), mid-September to the end of October every day between 10: 00-17: 00 (last entry at 15:30). How long should I visit? Between two and three hours. It is recommended to do a tour with guidance. Short and interesting. Must be arranged in advance!

10. Burg Taggenbrunn

Taggenbrunn 11, Sankt Georgen am Langsee 9300 Austria +43 4212 28405 [email protected] http://www.taggenbrunn.at/burg
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4.5 based on 6 reviews

Burg Taggenbrunn

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