Must-See Places on a Cycling Holiday in Austria

Once the winter residence of the Habsburgs, the Hofburg is a vast complex of courtyards, chapels, and museums in the very center of the city. Highlights include the Imperial Apartments, the Sisi Museum, and the Spanish Riding School. Broad pedestrian zones and nearby cycle lanes make it simple to roll up, lock your bike, and explore on foot. It’s a compact way to absorb centuries of imperial history without criss-crossing town.

Vienna’s Gothic landmark anchors the old town with its patterned roof and soaring south tower. Inside, stone vaults, side chapels, and historic artworks give a quick but powerful snapshot of medieval Vienna. Climbs to the tower (or a visit to the cathedral treasury) offer a worthwhile pause in the middle of a ride. Bike stands and pedestrianized streets nearby make short stops straightforward.

This 19th-century boulevard circles the historic center, replacing the former city walls with a 5 kilometer showcase of the Opera, Parliament, City Hall, and grand museums. Dedicated lanes and clear signage make it an ideal orientation loop on day one. Many riders use the Ringstrasse as a calm, scenic connector between sights and parks—an urban circuit that feels purpose-built for cyclists.

A 21-kilometer-long green strip in the middle of the river, Donauinsel is fully car-free and flat—excellent for families, casual riders, and easy mileage days. You’ll find long, uninterrupted stretches for steady pedaling, plus swimming spots, playgrounds, and seasonal kiosks. The island connects smoothly to city bike lanes and the Danube Cycle Path. Expect wide paths, open views, and plenty of places to pause without leaving the route.

Perched high above the city, this 11th-century castle dominates the skyline and offers sweeping views of the Alps. It’s one of the largest fully preserved medieval castles in Europe and tells the story of Salzburg’s strategic past. While the climb is steep on foot, cyclists enjoy its presence as a dramatic backdrop from nearly every angle in town.

Salzburg’s most famous shopping street is lined with narrow lanes, ornate guild signs, and colorful baroque facades. At No. 9 stands Mozart’s birthplace, now a museum filled with artifacts from his early life. Stopping here adds a dose of culture to a ride through the bustling UNESCO-listed old town.

Built in the 17th century, Mirabell is known for its symmetrical gardens, mythological statues, and elegant fountains. The palace and grounds are free to enter, making it a practical sightseeing stop during a cycling day. For many, it’s a quiet green break before heading out toward Salzburg’s lake country.

This baroque masterpiece dominates the western entrance to the Wachau with its golden halls and riverside terraces. Inside, highlights include the vast library and frescoed church, while outside the gardens overlook the valley. Cyclists often pause here as a cultural starting point before following the Danube eastward.

The ruins of Dürnstein Castle are best known as the prison of Richard the Lionheart in the 12th century. A short but steep climb leads to a panoramic view of the Danube, vineyards, and tiled rooftops below. The village itself, with its blue abbey tower, is one of the most photographed stops on the route.

These two villages embody the Wachau’s wine culture, with terraced hillsides producing some of Austria’s best Grüner Veltliner. Narrow lanes lead past parish churches, traditional taverns, and small family-run cellars. Stopping here offers both a cultural experience and a chance to sample local wines before continuing.

The Donauradweg is one of Europe’s best-known long-distance routes, and the Wachau section is often considered its highlight. Flat, car-free paths hug the river, passing orchards, abbeys, and small villages at a relaxed pace. For many, this stretch defines what a scenic bike tour Austria is all about.

Innsbruck, the “Capital of the Alps,” blends a medieval old town with direct access to high mountain trails. The Nordkette cable car carries visitors from the city center straight to alpine panoramas in under 20 minutes. For cyclists, Innsbruck is both a cultural stop and a launchpad for exploring valleys and climbs.

This broad valley is ideal for varied cycling, with the Zillertal Radweg offering a family-friendly riverside route. For more ambitious riders, climbs lead toward the Hintertux Glacier and surrounding passes. It’s one of the most versatile bases for combining leisure cycling with alpine challenges.

These valleys are known for steep roads, high passes, and events like the Ötztaler Radmarathon, one of Europe’s toughest amateur races. The routes thread through villages, waterfalls, and mountain forests before opening to panoramic ridges. They are a natural choice for cyclists looking to push their limits while taking in Tyrol’s landscapes.

At 2,504 meters, this is Austria’s most famous climb—an engineering marvel that winds through the Hohe Tauern National Park For ambitious riders, this road is Austria’s most legendary climb. Winding toward the country’s highest peak, it offers 36 hairpin bends, challenging gradients, and breathtaking views at every turn. Even if you’re not chasing elevation, the road itself is a symbol of Austrian engineering and alpine heritage, making it one of the country’s great landmarks.

Often described as Austria’s most beautiful village, Hallstatt is set between a glassy lake and steep mountain slopes. Wooden houses and centuries of salt-mining history add to its charm, while panoramic viewpoints overlook the entire UNESCO-listed landscape. It’s part of the Salzkammergut Lake District, a favorite on many of our Austria cycling holidays, and one of the country’s most photographed spots.

This popular lake combines flat cycling trails, ferry services, and lively towns like St. Gilgen and St. Wolfgang. The water is crystal clear, making it perfect for a swim after a day’s ride. Its mix of activity and relaxation has long made it a highlight of tours in the region.

Close to Salzburg, these lakes offer shorter, quieter rides with plenty of cultural stops. Mondsee is home to the basilica featured in The Sound of Music, while Fuschlsee is surrounded by forests and quiet paths. Together they provide a more intimate cycling experience compared to the larger lakes.

Traunsee is known for its steep cliffs that drop directly into the water, creating one of Austria’s most dramatic lake landscapes. The lakeside town of Gmunden adds cultural flair with its floating castle and historic villas. Cycling here blends rugged scenery with architectural charm in a single loop.

The largest and best-known lake in Carinthia, Wörthersee is framed by lively resorts like Velden and Pörtschach. Cycling paths circle much of the shoreline, offering flat, scenic routes with frequent places to pause. Its warm waters make it one of the best spots to pair riding with a refreshing swim.

At the eastern tip of Wörthersee, Klagenfurt mixes Renaissance squares, colorful facades, and relaxed cafés. The city makes a practical base for cyclists with easy connections into both urban and lakeside trails. Its slower pace contrasts nicely with Austria’s larger cities.

These smaller lakes are loved for their quiet paths and cultural flavor. Ossiach is home to a medieval abbey that now hosts summer music festivals, while Millstätter See offers panoramic viewpoints and calm swimming spots. Both are excellent alternatives for cyclists looking to avoid busier resort areas.

The Drauradweg long-distance trail runs through Carinthia, linking Austria with Italy and Slovenia. This section of the route follows the Drau River past meadows, forests, and small towns, with gentle gradients suitable for all levels. It’s one of the best ways to experience Carinthia’s landscapes on a multi-day Austrian bike tour.

Austria’s largest lake lies on the border with Hungary, surrounded by vineyards, reed beds, and steppe landscapes. The flat terrain makes it perfect for families and casual cyclists, while the microclimate brings over 2,000 hours of sunshine per year. Stops along the route include wine villages, historic castles, and birdwatching points in a UNESCO biosphere reserve, making this a wonderfully diverse ride.

Nestled beside a deep-blue lake and framed by the Hohe Tauern mountains, Zell am See is one of Austria’s most scenic cycling bases. Riders can circle the lake on gentle paths or climb nearby roads for alpine views. With a glacier in sight and plenty of lakeside cafés, it’s a spot that combines adventure with relaxation.

As the small capital of Burgenland, Eisenstadt is best known for Esterházy Palace and its connection to composer Joseph Haydn. Cyclists on a cultural Austria bike tour will enjoy its compact old town and vineyard surroundings. It’s a quiet but rewarding stop for those seeking history off the main tourist trail.

Tucked away in southern Carinthia, the Gailtal Valley is a pastoral landscape of meadows, alpine farms, and quiet roads. The riding here is peaceful, with routes linking villages and mountain viewpoints. For cyclists looking for a slow-paced, authentic slice of Austria, this valley is a hidden treasure.

Rising dramatically on a volcanic hill, Riegersburg Castle overlooks the wine country of southeastern Styria. The climb to the fortress is steep but rewarding, offering both a workout and a taste of medieval history. Surrounding trails wind through vineyards, making it a must for cyclists who enjoy combining culture, scenery, and local wine.