Austria

Austria is a German-speaking country in Central Europe and borders Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Switzerland, and Italy. As a member of the European Union, it hosts different political and cultural meetings, and visitors from other EU countries can easily access it.

Austria has been the home country of several famous figures throughout history. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791) and Franz Schubert (1797-1828) are two of the most prominent composers born in Austria. The contemporary film actors Arnold Schwarzenegger and Christoph Waltz originated in Austria.

The country is located in a temperate climate zone, making it a wonderful place to visit in the summer. The winters are relatively colder, typical of countries in Central Europe. Its proximity to the Alps gives it a peculiar Alpine climate, ideal for people interested in skiing and other winter sports. Thanks to this, the country could host the Winter Olympics in 1964 and 1976.

 

The Main Attractions in Austria’s Largest Cities

Vienna

Vienna is the capital city of Austria and its largest city. With a population of 2 million people, it is usually buzzing with energy and life throughout the year.

Stadtpark is a large city park in Vienna, covering over 28 acres of land, with a wide range of plant species, giving the place a beautiful look. It is also famous for having statues and monuments of prominent artists and composers, such as Johann Strauss II and Franz Schubert. Prater is another great park, with its famous Wiener Riesenrad Ferris wheel, in Leopoldstadt.

Austrian National Library is another important site you must visit in Vienna. It was established in 1368, and the building is an iconic example of baroque architecture. The library contains a breathtaking collection of manuscripts dating back to mediaeval times. It also includes many musical scores in their first printing, made by artists like Anton Bruckner or Richard Strauss.

 

Graz

Graz is the second-largest Austrian city by population and is the capital of Styria, the southern state in Austria. It is an important historical city with a background stretching back to the Middle Ages. 

It became a venue for the 16th century Renaissance artists and architects to showcase their talent in the city’s design and planning. The University of Graz, the city’s oldest university, is an excellent example from that era, founded in 1585. Graz’s city centre is UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city itself was named the European Capital of Culture in 2003.

Another important historical site in Graz is Schloss Eggenberg. This palace is a large-scale artwork in itself. The gardens surrounding the palace also create a fabulous landscape and are worth visiting.

Schlossberg, or Castle Hill, is also a 10-century-old castle and is now a public park open to visitors worldwide. There are many activities you can do there, including a ride on The Schloßbergbahn, or the Castle Mountain Railway, and taking the Schloßberg slide, the highest underground slide in the world.

 

Linz

Linz, also titled the European Capital of Culture, is another important city besides Graz. This fact alone speaks volumes about the city's prominence and historical value.

A very significant government city of the Holy Roman Empire, Linz has played an essential role in Austrian history. It has been the residence of Johannes Kepler (1571–1630), the German astronomer and mathematician, and the city where Ludwig Wittgenstein, the Austrian philosopher, received his education at the turn of the century.

Linz has several points of interest for any visitor to Austria. For instance, the largest church in Austria, New Cathedral, is a significant attraction for neo-Gothic architecture lovers, with its stained glass windows portraying several stories in the history of Christianity and the country.

Lentos Art Museum is another great site of interest, being home to around 1500 works of art, paintings and sculptures. The museum's exterior creates a beautiful display at night. It is an example of modern art, designed by Weber & Hofer.

 

Paymán Club Accommodations in Austria

Paymán Club currently has two serviced apartments in Austria, both in the city of Graz. Central Graz Apartment, located on Metahofgasse Street and almost 1.5 kilometres away from the Mur River, offers a modern and cosy place for travellers of all kinds bound for Graz.

Hauptplatz Graz Suite is the other welcoming and comfy apartment, only 18 minutes from Graz Airport and easily accessible via 67 Highway.