5 Charming Towns in Austria You Must Visit

May 16, 2021 by jordangassner

5 Charming Towns

in Austria

You Must Visit

In terms of fairytale destinations, the grand castles in Germany and small villages of France always seem to be the places that people remember. But for me, it’s Austria: the charming country I visited for the first time solo. I was 26 and driving myself from Vienna to Salzburg and back, through the most lovely storybook towns, absolutely in awe of the enchanting beauty around me. On that trip, I visited all of the towns below:

charming towns in austria

Dürnstein

Roughly an hour’s drive from Vienna is Dürnstein, the first charming Austrian town I visited on my 2018 road trip to Salzburg. Dürnstein is a dream to both history buffs and avid foodies alike.

Upon arrival, you’ll notice the tall remains of a medieval castle towering high above the city. It’s a place that captivates because of its impressive view and importance in the legend of King Richard the Lionheart, who is said to have been briefly imprisoned here after the Crusades.

Travel Blogger Jordan Gassner smiling along a main cobblestone street in the Old Town of Durnstein, Austria

A view up at the red roofs and Blue Church Spire in the Old Town of Durnstein, Austria

And because of its prime location in the Wachau Valley, Dürnstein’s historic town center is surrounded by some of the most beautiful farms and vineyards in Austria. While visiting, be sure to sample the local apricot jams and taste the region’s grüner veltliner wines.

My favorite spot for both? Weingut Holzapfel, a winery and manor house restaurant just off the Danube!

Yellow Exterior Gateway in a side alley in the Old Town of Durnstein, Austria

charming towns in austria

Melk

Another Wachau wine country escape, Melk, Austria is just up the road from Durnstein and can be easily visited on the same day. Here you can explore 11th century Melk Abbey, which boasts the magnificent Marble Ballroom used by the former Imperial family and sweeping countryside views of the Danube and the historic town below.

And once you’re done visiting the Abbey, enjoy a bite to eat either back in town or just next door at its Barockgarten mit Pavillon which houses a beautiful pink building that will have you feeling like you’re in a Jane Austen novel.

View of Melk Old Town and the Danube from Melk Abbey in Austria

Pink Cafe and Gardens at Melk Abbey, Austria

charming towns in austria

Mondsee

Once you arrive in Salzburg, just a hop, skip and a jump away is Mondsee. While small, I absolutely adored the rich raspberry, pistachio and blueberry-colored buildings along the town’s main street. Mondsee’s restaurants in particular, with their fruit-colored exteriors and oh so inviting smells, had me practically begging to be seated so I could dine alfresco and more fully take in the vibrant views and beautiful weather at my own pace.

The wedding chapel from the Sound of Music is more commonly known as Basilika St. Michael in Mondsee, Austria

And the amazing food and colorful storefronts weren’t even all that this small town had to offer. Just across the main square stood Basilika St. Michael, the church where Maria marries Captain Von Trapp in The Sound of Music. Fitting in with the rest of the town, the church’s exterior is painted a vibrant lemon hue that truly shines on a clear day.

If you have a few hours to spare, Mondsee is relatively easy to travel to as its one of the important stops on the many Sound of Music tours you can find throughout Salzburg. If avoiding crowds and tour buses is more your thing, I’d recommend renting a car for a half day trip or staying overnight on your way to/from Salzburg.

charming towns in austria

Hallstatt

Arguably the most Instagram-famous on this list, Hallstatt is an old salt mining village that elegantly fits in with the surrounding mountains and its beautiful alpine lake namesake. Wandering along the quiet streets in the early morning of this beautiful little town, I couldn’t help but sing along to “Belle” from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. It truly felt like I had stepped right into a real life Disney movie while watching the village slowly wake up, open their shops and start their days. It was around this time that a swan even crossed very near to me!

A rare quiet moment in Hallstatt, Austria's beautiful main square.

2 Days in Hallstatt: The Ultimate Itinerary to Avoid The Crowds

An exterior view of Gasthof Simony restaurant in Hallstatt, Austria

I found that the most unique feature of the town is one that many didn’t know though, which also made it the perfect way for me to keep the Disney-esque magic alive as tour buses inevitably begin to arrive for the day. Lake Hallstatt Explorer is a family-run boat rental service that allows travelers to take a small boat of their choice onto the lake during the village’s sunnier days. Reasonably-priced, it’s the perfect way to beat those crowds, and if you can do it safely, enjoy some Grüner on a boat (BYOW)!

Jordan Gassner driving an electric boat through Hallstatt, Austria

And don’t forget to make your way to Hallstatt’s Catholic Church and Charnel House where residents have long since found beauty in the afterlife as is evident in the intricate floral displays covering both the graves and skulls of former loved ones there.

Finally, don’t forget to make your way up the mountain to the Hallstatt Skywalk for a photo-op and the historic salt mines for local Salzkammergut souvenirs.

charming towns in austria

Admont

If embarking on a grand adventure through Austria is how what you’d like for the next chapter in your story to go, head to Admont: an off-the-beaten-path town that’s home to world’s largest monastic library.

Admont Abbey’s library is a place so enchanting you’ll feel as if you’ve stepped back in time, or keeping on trend with the Beauty and the Beast references, straight into the Beast’s grand library that he gifts to Belle.

A set of moveable stairs resting against one of the many white bookcases at Admont Abbey, the largest monastic library in the world.

Jordan Gassner posing as Belle from Beauty in the Beast at Admont Abbey in Austria

The Abbey’s impressive collection of books and beautiful decor isn’t all that makes this library and town worth visiting though. Here, you may also see secret passages hidden behind the bookshelves and an impressive art museum right next to the library. And just outside? Enjoy a dreamy view of the gardens while sipping a glass of rosé at the abbey’s own restaurant.