Austria | ZHO Travel & Tourism

In Austria a day can begin in an imperial palace and end on a lake between the mountains.

The destination

About Austria

Austria is one of Europe's finest destinations, bringing together a deep cultural heritage and unspoilt nature: long green meadows, lakes as still as mirrors and royal palaces from its imperial past. It suits travellers who want rest and those who want the mountains alike.

Vienna has the palaces of the Habsburgs and its historic cafés, with Schönbrunn Palace and its gardens on the World Heritage List. Salzburg is Mozart's birthplace, crowned by the Hohensalzburg Fortress. An hour away lies Lake Hallstatt and its village, like a painting on the water.

Zell am See and Kaprun are the pair best known to Arab travellers: Lake Zell between the mountains, the Kitzsteinhorn glacier with snow even in summer, and the Grossglockner High Alpine Road nearby.

Saudia flies direct from Riyadh and Jeddah to Vienna. We arrange hotels, a private driver and train tickets, and point you to halal restaurants and places to pray. Please note that Austrian law has banned covering the face in public places since 2017.

Best timeJune to September for lakes and mountains, December to March for snow

FlightAbout 5 h 30 direct from Riyadh or Jeddah to Vienna

VisaSchengen visa for Saudi citizens and residents, applied for at VFS Global centres in Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar; Saudi citizens may be issued a multiple-entry visa valid for up to 5 years

CurrencyEuro (EUR)

LanguageGerman

Time1 hour behind Saudi Arabia in summer, 2 hours in winter

Ideal stay7 to 10 nights

Ideal for

Family travel Honeymoons Travel with friends

Regions

Where to go

01 · City

Vienna

Habsburg palaces, Schönbrunn, historic cafés and the home of classical music.

Lake Zell and the mountains around Zell am See

02 · Lake

Zell am See and Kaprun

Lake Zell between the mountains, and the Kitzsteinhorn glacier with snow in summer and winter.

03 · City

Salzburg

A World Heritage old town on the Salzach, crowned by the Hohensalzburg Fortress.

04 · City

Innsbruck

A historic city in the Inn valley, with cable cars from its centre to the Nordkette peaks.

05 · Lake

Hallstatt

A historic village on Lake Hallstatt, in the World Heritage Salzkammergut.

Experiences

What to do

Schönbrunn Palace and its formal gardens

Schönbrunn Palace and its gardens Vienna The Habsburgs' summer residence, with its imperial rooms and gardens running up to the Gloriette. A World Heritage site since 1996.Discover

The Kitzsteinhorn glacier Zell am See and Kaprun A cable car from Kaprun to 3,029 metres and snow to play in at the height of summer. The best-loved outing of Gulf families in Zell am See.Discover

The Grossglockner seen from the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe

The Grossglockner High Alpine Road Zell am See and Kaprun A 48 km mountain road with 36 hairpins, up to Austria's highest peak and largest glacier.Discover

The north side of the Hohensalzburg Fortress

Culture and heritage Hohensalzburg Fortress A medieval fortress above Salzburg, reached by funicular. Read more

City and shopping The Prater and the Giant Ferris Wheel Vienna's Giant Ferris Wheel since 1897, with a funfair and a large park for families. Read more

The Krimml Waterfalls in the Hohe Tauern

Nature The Krimml Waterfalls Austria's highest waterfalls, in three tiers through a forest, about an hour from Zell am See. Read more

The park of the Swarovski Crystal Worlds at Wattens

Culture and heritage Swarovski Crystal Worlds Gardens and crystal art chambers at Wattens, near Innsbruck. Read more

Where to stay

Hotels and resorts we recommend

View all 3 stays

Vienna Hotel Sacher Wien Historic palace Explore

The Grand Hotel Zell am See on its peninsula, seen from the lake

Zell am See and Kaprun Grand Hotel Zell am See Lakeside Explore

Hotel Sacher Salzburg on the bank of the Salzach

Salzburg Hotel Sacher Salzburg Historic palace Explore

Taste and addresses

Flavours and places to know

Austrian food is the cooking of palaces and cafés: Wiener Schnitzel made with veal, Sachertorte and apple strudel. Vienna and Zell am See have many halal restaurants used by Gulf visitors.

A Wiener Schnitzel with lemon and potatoes

To tasteWiener SchnitzelWiener Schnitzel

A slice of Sachertorte with whipped cream

To tasteSachertorteSachertorte

To tasteApfelstrudelApfelstrudel

To tasteKaiserschmarrnKaiserschmarrn

The south tower of St Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna

Landmark · Vienna St Stephen's Cathedral Vienna's landmark at the heart of the old town, with its patterned roof and south tower. Read more

The Hofburg entrance of the Spanish Riding School, Vienna

Landmark · Vienna Spanish Riding School White Lipizzaner horses in a Baroque hall inside the Hofburg. Read more

The gilded balcony of the Goldenes Dachl, Innsbruck

Landmark · Innsbruck Golden Roof A royal balcony covered in gilded tiles in the heart of old Innsbruck. Read more

Mirabell Palace and its gardens, Salzburg

Landmark · Salzburg Mirabell Palace and Gardens Baroque gardens of flowers and fountains facing the fortress. Read more

Journeys

Ways to see it

Itineraries drawn up by our consultants, to adapt to you day by day.

Austria · 9 days

Imperial Austria: Vienna, Zell am See and Salzburg

Vienna's palaces, Kitzsteinhorn snow and Hallstatt in 8 nights

Our signature Austria journey: three nights in Vienna, three on Lake Zell and two in Salzburg, with a day in Hallstatt.

Price On request View the package

Questions

Before you go

Do Saudi citizens need a visa for Austria?

Yes, a Schengen visa, applied for at VFS Global centres in Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar and decided by the Austrian Embassy in Riyadh. Since April 2024, Saudi nationals living in the Kingdom are eligible for a multiple-entry visa that can be valid for up to 5 years. We prepare your file and book your appointment; no one can guarantee approval.

Is face covering allowed in Austria?

Since 1 October 2017, Austrian law bans covering the face in public places, including for visitors, with fines of up to EUR 150. A headscarf that leaves the face uncovered is not affected.

When is the best time to visit Austria?

June to September for the lakes, Zell am See and the mountain roads, the season of Gulf families. December to March for snow and skiing. Vienna is lovely in spring and autumn.

Is halal food available?

Yes. Vienna has many Turkish, Arab and Asian halal restaurants, and Zell am See has halal restaurants serving Gulf visitors. Elsewhere we suggest fish and vegetarian dishes. We send you a list of restaurants near your hotel.

Where can I pray in Austria?

Vienna has the Islamic Centre in Floridsdorf, and the larger towns have mosques and prayer rooms. We send you the nearest one to your hotel.

How do I get around Austria?

The Railjet links Vienna with Salzburg in about 2 h 30 and with Innsbruck, and trains are comfortable and punctual. For mountain areas such as Zell am See and the Grossglockner we arrange a private driver. If you rent a car, motorways need a toll vignette.

What is the currency, and are cards accepted?

The currency is the euro, and cards are accepted in most places, though some cafés and mountain huts prefer cash. The tourist tax is paid at the hotel.

Is Austria safe for families?

Austria is one of the safest countries in Europe. Watch your bags in crowded places, and in the mountains stay on marked paths and carry warm clothes.

Austria, from Vienna's palaces to Alpine lakes