Austria Family Trip: 12 Highlights You Shouldn’t Miss

You’ll find Austria’s perfect family destinations blend imperial grandeur with outdoor adventures that captivate kids and adults alike. Start with Schönbrunn Palace’s 1,441 rooms where Mozart performed at age six, then climb St. Stephen’s Cathedral’s 343 steps for breathtaking Vienna views. Don’t miss Salzburg’s fortress and Mirabell Gardens from “The Sound of Music,” plus thrilling cable car rides in Innsbruck and splashing in Lake Zell am See‘s crystal-clear waters. These twelve unforgettable experiences await your discovery.

Explore the Imperial Grandeur of Schönbrunn Palace

Step into Austria’s most magnificent palace, and you’ll discover why Schönbrunn captivates over 3 million visitors yearly. Your kids will gasp at the 1,441 rooms sprawling across this imperial summer residence, though you’ll explore 45 accessible chambers filled with Rococo treasures. Don’t miss the Mirror Hall where 6-year-old Mozart once performed—it’s perfect for inspiring young musicians in your family.

The palace’s distinctive Schönbrunn yellow exterior makes for stunning family photos, while the 120-hectare gardens offer endless exploration. Kids love climbing to the Gloriette monument, built in 1775, which provides breathtaking views over Vienna. The palace was also twice used as Napoleon’s headquarters during his campaigns in 1805 and 1809.

Pro tip: arrive early to avoid crowds and allow at least half a day to fully experience Maria Theresa’s transformed imperial residence and its magnificent grounds.

Discover Vienna’s Historic Hofburg Complex

While Schönbrunn showcased the Habsburgs’ summer splendor, Vienna’s massive Hofburg Complex reveals where Austria’s royal family actually lived and ruled for over 600 years. You’ll discover the world’s largest palace complex with 2,600 rooms spanning eight centuries of architecture.

Start at the Treasury, where kids will marvel at glittering imperial crowns and ceremonial swords. The Spanish Riding School offers unforgettable performances with elegant Lipizzaner horses dancing to classical music—book tickets early since shows sell out quickly.

Don’t miss the Gothic Burgkapelle, where the Vienna Boys’ Choir performs Sunday masses. Pro tip: arrive early at Joseph Square for the best photo opportunities without crowds.

The complex serves as Austria’s working government center, so you’re literally walking through living history where emperors once dined on 13-course meals. What began as a medieval quadrangular castle in the 13th century eventually transformed into this sprawling imperial residence with 18 wings and 19 courtyards.

Climb St. Stephen’s Cathedral’s South Tower

After exploring the Hofburg’s royal chambers, you’ll want to earn those spectacular city views by conquering St. Stephen’s Cathedral’s South Tower. This 136.7-meter Gothic giant requires real effort – 343 steep spiral steps await your family.

The medieval staircase narrows dramatically as you climb, so prepare kids for a genuine adventure. At 72 meters high, the observation platform rewards your effort with Vienna’s most breathtaking panoramic views.

You won’t need a cathedral tour ticket, just grab separate tower tickets at the small exterior door. Pro tip: skip the easier north tower elevator – climbing “Steffl” creates unforgettable memories.

The 65-year construction project from 1368-1433 built Europe’s tallest church tower of its era, making your achievement even sweeter. This Gothic masterpiece has stood as the central landmark of Vienna’s skyline for centuries, cementing its status as the city’s most recognizable symbol.

Experience World-Class Performances at Vienna State Opera

Following your tower climb adventure, you’ll discover that Vienna State Opera offers magical experiences that captivate kids and adults alike. This stunning Neo-Renaissance building, completed in 1869, hosts world-class performances in an auditorium renowned for brilliant acoustics. The four-ton chandelier will mesmerize children while they watch Mozart’s operas unfold on stage.

Book family-friendly performances like “The Magic Flute” – kids love the colorful costumes and fairy-tale storylines. The orchestra pit holds 110 musicians, creating an impressive spectacle for young audiences. Even if your children aren’t opera enthusiasts, the grandeur of the imperial-era building makes it worthwhile.

The Schwind Foyer features beautiful opera scene paintings that help explain stories. The building’s façade showcases Istrian stone construction with elegant arched windows that reflect the architectural grandeur of the era. Consider afternoon performances or shorter productions to keep little ones engaged throughout the experience.

Stroll Along Vienna’s Magnificent Ringstrasse

Once you’ve soaked up the opera’s grandeur, step outside onto Vienna’s spectacular Ringstrasse – a 5.3-kilometer boulevard that’ll give your family front-row seats to the city’s architectural masterpieces.

This UNESCO World Heritage circular route takes about three hours to walk completely, but don’t worry – you can hop on the charming “Bim” trams (lines 1, 2, or D) when little legs get tired.

You’ll pass incredible landmarks like the fairy-tale Parliament building, imposing City Hall, and stunning museums. Kids love spotting statues of Mozart and other famous figures along the way.

The wide sidewalks and numerous parks make it perfect for families. This magnificent boulevard replaced Vienna’s ancient city walls that were demolished in 1857 under Emperor Franz Joseph I’s decree. Pro tip: bring snacks and plan bathroom breaks at the major attractions – this grand Habsburg showcase becomes much more enjoyable when everyone’s comfortable.

Wander Through Salzburg’s UNESCO Baroque Old Town

While Vienna dazzles with imperial grandeur, Salzburg’s compact Old Town wraps your family in fairy-tale charm that’ll have kids pointing at every ornate building and asking “Is that a castle?”

This UNESCO World Heritage gem spans just one square kilometer, making it perfectly walkable for families – you can cross the entire historic center in 15 minutes, though you’ll want to linger for hours.

Start at Mozart’s birthplace on Getreidegasse, where narrow streets and towering townhouses create magical tunnels of discovery. The kids will love spotting the ornate wrought-iron shop signs dangling overhead.

Don’t miss Residenzplatz’s fountain with rearing horses – perfect for photos. The magnificent Salzburg Cathedral nearby showcases the Baroque splendor commissioned by the Prince-Archbishops who transformed this into the “Rome of the North.” End at Mirabell Gardens‘ free geometric flower beds, where children can run through the symmetric pathways while you admire the Baroque architecture surrounding this musical city.

Conquer Hohensalzburg Fortress for Alpine Views

From Salzburg’s charming streets, look up to spot the massive fortress crowning the hilltop – that’s your family’s next adventure waiting 500 meters above the city. You’ll ride Europe’s oldest funicular railway from 1515, which kids absolutely love as it climbs the steep mountainside.

Once you’re exploring Hohensalzburg’s 32,000 square meters, you’re walking through nearly 1,000 years of history – this fortress was never conquered! Your children will be amazed learning about medieval sieges while you’re all enjoying breathtaking Alpine panoramas stretching across Austria. Listen for the Salzburg Bull, a massive mechanical organ that plays daily from the Krautturm tower, creating an unforgettable soundtrack to your visit.

The massive walls and towers make perfect backdrops for family photos, and the interactive exhibits keep everyone engaged. Don’t miss the puppet museum – it’s surprisingly mesmerizing for all ages.

Visit Mirabell Gardens and Sound of Music Locations

After exploring the fortress above, you’ll discover that Mirabell Gardens offers the perfect ground-level counterpoint where your family can stretch legs and recreate movie magic.

Your kids will instantly recognize the Pegasus Fountain from “Do-Re-Mi” – let them dance around it just like the von Trapp children did. Don’t miss the garden steps where the family lined up for the song’s finale; it’s perfect for your own family photo.

The baroque gardens are free to explore, featuring colorful flowers and symmetrical designs that’ll captivate young eyes. Visit early morning for quieter moments and better photos.

The Dwarf Garden, Europe’s oldest, contains whimsical marble statues that kids love discovering.

You’ll enjoy stunning views back toward Hohensalzburg Fortress, completing your Salzburg experience. The gardens extend along a north-south axis between the palace and fortress, creating this perfect scenic alignment.

Capture Perfect Photos in Fairytale Hallstatt

Your Salzburg adventure sets you up perfectly for Austria’s most photographed village, where Hallstatt’s 737 residents share their UNESCO World Heritage home with nearly one million annual visitors. You’ll want to arrive early or stay overnight—trust me, watching your kids’ faces light up at sunrise over the lake without crowds is magical.

The wooden houses with geranium-draped balconies look straight from a storybook, perfect for family photos against the Dachstein Alps backdrop.

Pack wide-angle lenses for narrow cobblestone streets and use the lake’s mirror-like surface for stunning reflections. To manage the crowds, authorities have introduced a booking system requiring tour operators to reserve time slots, so plan accordingly if you’re joining an organized tour.

Visit during November for 60% fewer crowds, though you’ll miss the colorful flower displays.

Position yourselves near the iconic lakeside viewpoints where pastel chalets cascade down mountainsides—these shots become treasured family memories.

Take the Nordkette Cable Car in Innsbruck

While your children might grumble about another “boring” cable car ride, the Nordkette system in Innsbruck will have them pressed against windows within minutes as you ascend 1,700 meters above the city in under 30 minutes.

Start with the sleek Hungerburgbahn funicular from the city center—kids love the futuristic Zaha Hadid-designed stations that look like spaceships.

The real magic happens at Seegrube, where little ones can spot the colorful buildings of Innsbruck looking like toy blocks below. This remarkable cable car system has been connecting visitors to the mountains for nearly a century, celebrating its 75-year anniversary milestone as a testament to enduring alpine engineering.

If your family’s feeling adventurous, continue to Hafelekar at 2,269 meters for jaw-dropping alpine views.

Pro tip: grab the Innsbruck Card for free rides, and don’t miss the Alpenzoo stop—because combining mountain peaks with exotic animals creates unbeatable family memories.

Enjoy Lake Activities in Zell Am See

From mountain peaks to pristine waters, Austria’s Lake Zell am See delivers the perfect cure to cable car adventures with its crystal-clear glacial waters and family-friendly shoreline.

You’ll find three excellent lidos where kids can splash on water slides and bounce on trampolines while parents relax on sunbathing lawns. The Zell am See lido’s wading pool keeps toddlers safely entertained near the main swimming area.

Don’t miss the 45-minute panorama cruise – it’s free with your Summer Card and offers stunning mountain views. Rent kayaks or SUPs at lakeside kiosks for adventurous families, or stick to the grassy shores with easy water access.

With summer temperatures reaching 23°C, this alpine gem provides invigorating relief after mountain hiking. For those seeking quieter swimming spots, head to the free swimming areas at Wieshof on the north shore or Erlberg on the south shore.

Drive the Spectacular Grossglockner High Alpine Road

Why settle for ordinary mountain drives when you can tackle Austria’s most spectacular alpine road with your family? The Grossglockner High Alpine Road offers an unforgettable 48-kilometer journey through Austria’s highest surfaced mountain pass, reaching 2,504 meters at Hochtor Pass.

Your kids will love counting the 36 hairpin bends while you navigate this engineering marvel that took 4,000 workers five years to complete. Stop at Edelweißspitze for breathtaking 360-degree views, then visit Franz-Josefs-Höhe to see the massive Pasterze Glacier.

The road features 15 kid-friendly exhibitions and 12 adventure stations throughout Hohe Tauern National Park. This scenic route connects Bruck in Salzburg with Heiligenblut in Carinthia, showcasing some of Austria’s most dramatic alpine landscapes.

Budget around 36 euros for the toll, which includes all exhibitions. Remember, it’s summer-only operation, so plan accordingly for this bucket-list family adventure.

The Sum Up

You’ll create magical memories exploring Austria’s stunning palaces, charming villages, and breathtaking mountains together. Don’t worry if your kids get restless at Schönbrunn—they’ll love the palace gardens and maze! Pack comfortable walking shoes for those cathedral climbs, and bring snacks for scenic drives. I’ve watched countless families fall in love with Hallstatt’s fairytale charm. Remember, it’s not about checking every box—focus on what excites your family most and embrace those spontaneous adventure moments.