You will find many well-preserved historic small towns in Austria. The country has a conscious relationship with its cultural heritage and history, making it the land of beautiful historic towns and cities.
Austria’s architecture and culture have benefitted from the country’s location in the middle of Europe. As well as developing a unique style, Austria has also drawn inspiration from neighbouring countries. Moreover, many of the country’s towns have grown along important trade routes and have been crucial for Austria’s nation-building. Consequently, you will still find many cities and towns with buildings dating back to the 16th century and where history is still firmly embedded in the walls.
The Middle Ages
By the turn of the millennium (1000 AD), the population in Europe and Austria began to increase sharply, which led to increased urbanization. However, this period was also characterized by many conflicts, and self-governed medieval towns often protected themselves with city walls and fortifications. Nevertheless, the towns expanded over the years, and new districts appeared outside the city walls. Moreover, many of the historic centres in these towns’ were saved from destruction.
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All over Austria
The old historic city centres in large cities such as Vienna, Salzburg and Innsbruck have retained their historic architecture. Spread all over Austria, from Feldkirch (Vorarlberg) to the west, Freistadt (Upper Austria) to the north, Bad Radkersburg (Styria) to the south and Rust (Burgenland) to the east, you find well-preserved small historic cities and towns. If you are travelling by car or on a motorcycle, the small distances in Austria are perfect for visiting some of these picturesque historic small towns. Additionally, many are easily reachable by public transport. You can add everything from the spectacular Alps to a beautiful cultural landscape along the way.
Thriving small towns
Historic small towns are not simply open-air museums for travellers. These cities and towns are thriving communities and have become popular living places. Often, you find a rich choice of shops, restaurants, and public offices. Furthermore, strict conservation rules, combined with the desire to preserve history, have played their part. Hence, local councils are spending lots of resources on maintaining and reconstructing old architecture. It applies not only to the larger cities but also to many historic small towns.
Some of these historic small towns in Austria are cooperating and promoting their historic towns online: Small historic towns in Austria
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Here are some of the historic small towns in Austria we have visited so far:
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Dürnstein is taken out of a medieval novel. Dürnstein clings to a narrow strip on the north bank of the Danube in Lower Austria. The small town has taken its name from the castle which occupies the cliffs above. Luckily, the town is much better preserved than the castle, which only consists of a few […]
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If you are on your way through northwestern Styria, you should visit the old historic centre of the small town with just over 3,400 inhabitants. Murau is beautifully situated in a valley that stretches east-west through northern Styria — surrounded by a typical alpine landscape on the south side of the main alpine ridge. The […]
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We visited the small town on a “hot summer day” in mid-September and enjoyed lovely walks, good food and a boat trip on Lake Neusiedl. Rust’s historic centre offers many well-preserved historic buildings and is still partly surrounded by a medieval town wall. Rust is now on the list of World Cultural and Natural Heritage […]
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Many old buildings are well preserved, creating a great atmosphere. The historic centre of Hartberg lies within the partially preserved city wall from the Middle Ages (12th and 13th centuries), which once surrounded the entire town. Today, visitors and residents enjoy a place where you can relax and enjoy life – in historic surroundings. The […]
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Most people who visit Bad Radkersburg most likely come to enjoy a stay at the spa outside the historic centre. Nevertheless, during several visits we have walked up and down most streets and alleys and become acquainted with idyllic Bad Radkersburg. Within the old fortress walls, which are partly well-visible, you will find a relatively […]
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The city’s main attraction is the so-called “Silberzeile” (silver row) at the Stadtplatz. Rows of colourful houses surrounding Schärding’s main square are its main attraction. In stark contrast to lively summer days, arriving here on a sunny serene November day was a highlight. The mellow light from the low-hanging sun softens the bright colours without […]
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Feldkirch is a historic small town located in Vorarlberg in the far west of Austria, very close to the border of Switzerland and Liechtenstein. The beautiful medieval town, which remains well preserved to this day, was mentioned as a town for the first time in 1218. Historic centre Its historical centre is small, only about […]
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The village occupies a strip of land at the water’s edge, and the houses hang on the steep rock face. Hallstatt is small, and exploring even the back alleys will not require more than a couple of hours including a cake and cup of coffee. Nonetheless, take your time and enjoy the place. World Heritage […]
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Its historic centre (Altstadt) has by no means lapsed into a tourist trap but still functions as a place where people live. Furthermore, you find lots of shops, restaurants, patisseries and other businesses to keep you busy for a few days. Although I have been here numerous times and know the town well, I never […]
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“Off the beaten track” has become somewhat of a cliché since fewer such places exist. In Europe, anyway. Mauterndorf is not entirely run over by large hordes of tourists as many other places in Austria are, not because of a lack of things to do or see. On the contrary, there are plenty of activities […]
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A little in the shadow of Innsbruck, which is only 10 kilometres further west, Hall does not receive visits from countless busloads of tourists. Something that we appreciated when we strolled around in picturesque Hall. We love these small historic cities in Austria. The hustle and bustle of daily life make Hall much more than […]
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For once, we visited an Austrian town, not because they have well-known tourist sights or famous architecture, but simply because it’s a lovely town. Frohnleiten has been able to modernize the city and, in particular the main square (Hauptplatz), without destroying its historical charm. The square is the lifeblood of the local community and where […]
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The lovely town at the foot of the Alps in Upper Austria has one of Austria’s best-preserved historical centres. Located where the rivers Steyr and Enns meet, the market town celebrated its 1000th anniversary in 1980. As a result, Steyr is a cosy and vibrant town. North of the city, the almost flat landscapes of […]