Destination: Austria

LONELY PLANET'S OFFICIAL ITINERARY INFORMATION

Itinerary: The Southern Route

TWO WEEKS


For a taste of culture, wine, lakes and the highest peaks in Austria, follow this route, which takes you through the southern reaches of the country.

Wake up bright and early in Vienna and spend the next couple of days exploring as many nooks and crannies as time permits. Jump on the A2 autobahn heading south and call in at Burgenland’s compact capital and favourite of Haydn, Eisenstadt; while here don’t miss the opportunity for a glass of Grüner Veltliner at Rust and a dip in the Neusiedler See. Continue south, but veer west soon after Wiener Neustadtand take the Semmering Pass into the Murz valley until you reach Bruck an der Mur. The trail once again turns south, following the cool, alpine Mur river right to the gates of Graz, a city with a graceful charm and lively nightlife.

After Graz, Carinthia’s lakeside capital Klagenfurt awaits, but call in on two destinations along the way. Burg Hochosterwitz, perched high on a hill, is a true classic, and Freisach’s medieval heart is as authentic as it gets. A dip in the thermally-warmed Wörthersee is next on the list, before moving onto bustling Villach, a fine base for exploring the area’s mountains and lakes. The next port of call is Millstatter See and its two attractive towns, Millstatt and Spittal an der Drau.

The best however is saved for last; the Hohe Tauern National Park, with its snow-capped peaks, cascading waterfalls, outdoor pursuits and hairpin corners is simply a mind-blowing experience. The highlight is the Grossglockner road, a winding, scenic extravaganza that leads north, eventually connecting with roads to Salzburg.