Austria – A Quick & Quirky Guide
Official name: Republic of Austria (Republik Österreich)
Area: ~83,900 km² – small but packed with mountains and music
Population: ~9 million (2024)
Location: Central Europe, bordered by 8 countries (Germany, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein)
Form of government: Federal parliamentary republic
Head of State: President Alexander Van der Bellen
Head of Government: Chancellor Karl Nehammer (since 2021)
Capital city: Vienna (Wien) – ~2.0 million (metro ~2.9 million)
Time zone: Central European Time (UTC+1 / +2 in summer)
Official language: German (plus Slovene, Croatian, Hungarian in some regions)
Currency: Euro (€)
EU member: Yes, since 1995
Schengen area: Yes, since 1997
Top 10 Largest Cities (population approx.)
- Vienna (Wien) – ~2.0 million
- Graz – ~0.3 million
- Linz – ~0.2 million
- Salzburg – ~0.1 million
- Innsbruck – ~0.1 million
- Klagenfurt – ~100,000
- Villach – ~65,000
- Wels – ~65,000
- Sankt Pölten – ~55,000
- Dornbirn – ~50,000
Popular Tourist Cities & Regions
- Vienna: Imperial palaces, classical concerts, and coffee houses that double as philosophy clubs.
- Salzburg: Mozart’s birthplace and “The Sound of Music” central.
- Innsbruck: Winter sports capital with Alpine views.
- Hallstatt: Instagram’s favorite fairytale village.
- Danube Valley (Wachau): Vineyards, abbeys, and boat trips galore.
Climate
Continental: warm summers (20–30 °C), cold winters (–5 to 5 °C), plenty of snow in the Alps. Great for skiing, less great for commuting without snow boots.
Culture & Daily Life
- Music: From Mozart to Strauss, Austria basically invented the playlist.
- Coffee culture: Viennese cafés are a lifestyle, not a caffeine stop.
- Mountains: Hiking in summer, skiing in winter, yodeling optional.
- Formality: Austrians love politeness — expect handshakes, titles, and punctuality.
Food & Drink
- Schnitzel: Crispy, golden, and larger than the plate.
- Sachertorte: Chocolate cake royalty.
- Strudel: Apple, cherry, or anything rolled in pastry.
- Drinks: Beer, Grüner Veltliner wine, and lots of coffee with whipped cream.
Summary
Austria is small but mighty: famous for music, mountains, and mouthwatering desserts. It’s where history, culture, and alpine sports collide — all with a backdrop of baroque architecture and cozy cafés. Come for the skiing, stay for the schnitzel, and don’t forget to hum a little Mozart while you’re at it.