Culture & Traditions

Austria is famous for its cultural experiences and incredible landscapes. Austria's culture goes far beyond being the home of Mozart. While it is still known for its classical music and powerful choirs, sculpted architecture, world-class museums, and galleries abound.

As the winter sports capital of Europe, the falling snow of the Austrian Alps sets the perfect scene for travellers seeking adrenaline adventures. The Alps cover two-thirds of the country, composed of various iconic peaks. From sports to sightseeing, the mountains provide year-round attractions with thrilling winters and peaceful summers. When the snow melts in summer, hikers become part of the landscape, hiking through alpine valleys, river gorges, and floral meadows on their way to the top. Roman Catholicism is the majority religion in Austria, with smaller followings of Buddhism, Protestantism, Orthodox Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism. 

What is the visiting etiquette in Austria?

In Austrian society, formalities and etiquette are key. If you have a pre-arranged meet up with an Austrian, plan to arrive on time, as being punctual is valued. Be sure to text them if you are running late. Greetings tend to be more formal, so a handshake will suffice when meeting someone new. Once you know someone, a small hug might be appropriate. Plan to use formal titles with someone until you have been told otherwise. Do not dress too casually. A smart dress code is most common, especially in the city and at restaurants. When entering a shop, or restaurant, it is polite to say guten tag (hello) or auf wiedersehen (goodbye).

What is Austria best known for?

Austria’s fairytale atmosphere attracts travellers who seek beautiful palaces and adventure outdoors, whether skiing in the winter or hiking in the summer. Meanwhile the historical cities and picturesque towns alike delight travellers with their charm and stunning Baroque architecture. Old and new blend seamlessly in the regal capital of Austria, Vienna, which has been bestowed the title of “Most Liveable City in the World” many times over.

Imperial palaces gilded in gold, like the 1,441-room Schloss Schönbrunn, the former imperial palace of the Habsburg dynasty, transport globetrotters to the days of royalty gone by. Salzburg is perhaps Austria’s most beautiful town and famously the birthplace to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, with endless monuments dedicated to his musical legacy. Be sure to visit old town and Linz, where you can immerse yourself at the Mozart House, where he wrote the Linz Symphony in three days.

Wiener Silversterpfad, arguably Europe’s largest New Year’s Eve celebration, occurs in Vienna. The celebrations include a street festival with musical stages throughout the city. The festivities start in the afternoon and end long after the clock strikes midnight, attracting visitors from around the world to ring in the new year!

What are some Austrian traditions?

Dating back to the 18th century, Viennese royalty started the tradition of balls, wherein they would dress in ostentatious costumes, wear masks, and dance formally. Balls are still held throughout Austria today, with over 400 Viennese balls held in historically significant buildings with hundreds in attendance. You too can attend a ball, with many events ticketed, provided you play the part and follow the fancy dress code. The events typically start late in the evening and last until the wee hours of the morning, so make sure you’ve already broken in your dancing shoes. You will quite literally dance the night away!

The cultural importance and impact of the Viennese coffee houses, known as Wiener Kaffeehaus in German, have remained prevalent in Austria. Traditionally, these are spots where people would linger, enjoying their one cup of coffee, and meet with others to discuss politics and social issues. They’re also the hangouts of artists. While not as many stand as once did, the nostalgic coffee shops continue to be historically important and worth a visit. The atmosphere of many Viennese coffee shops is distinct, with serving staff often wearing more formal attire and known to be attentive, while also refraining from bothering people, allowing them to linger as long as they wish. They are architecturally important too. While the style of the coffee houses can vary, they’re often impressively grandiose, featuring high vaulted ceilings, arched columns, small marble tables, and exquisite chandeliers. Be sure to visit one of the Viennese coffee houses when on a vacation in Austria.

What are Austrian people like socially?

Austrians are generally polite in social interactions. Until a connection has been established, don’t be surprised if Austrians tend to be more reserved. Don’t expect locals to linger in conversation with travellers, as they’ll likely be polite but curt. Austrians are known to have a direct communication style, being honest and to the point. Sometimes a cynical or dark sense of humour will sneak in, so don’t take them too seriously. Topics to discuss should be kept impersonal, but also consider avoiding small talk. Austrians especially tend to practice decorum in public, keeping their voices down, and maintaining a respectful volume.

Once a relationship has been established, hugging when greeting and light touches are acceptable. Privacy and respecting personal space is preferred, so touching during conversation is not typical. Austrians do see eye contact as a form of respect, so keep your chin up and limit the use of hand gestures when chatting.

What language do Austrian people speak?

The official language of Austria is German. However, Austria and its people are unique from Germans, so don’t assume the culture is the same as German culture. Dialects like Alemannic and Austro-Bavarian are also spoken in some parts of the country. Typically, it isn't hard to find people who speak English. Austrians will appreciate it if you attempt a few words in German, such as please (bitte), thank you (danke), and hello (grüßgott).