7. Experience the Adrenaline of Tobogganing
Tobogganing is part of every childhood in Austria – and fortunately for visitors, the fun continues on for adults. Lots of mountain huts and ski resorts offer toboggan rentals, so you can take to the hills.
The Tyrol region has numerous toboggan runs, many of which can be accessed using a cable car. The Glampweg Toboggan Run, for example, starts with a ride up on a cable car before you whiz down the mountain for a speedy 6.5-kilometer descent. Others, like the Bernhardseck Toboggan Run and the Brettlalm Toboggan Run, require a hike up on snowy trails (snowshoes sometimes required).
You don’t need any special skills or experience to try tobogganing, but some runs are more difficult than others, as they can reach speeds of 45 kilometers per hour for the entire slide down, with tight turns along the way.
8. Visit Christmas Markets
Austria is home to some of the best Christmas markets in Europe. In Vienna, the Christmas markets are everywhere, but the Viennese Dream Christmas Market in front of City Hall and the Christmas Village at Belvedere Palace are the most popular ones. With a backdrop of stunning architecture, the regular presence of choirs singing carols, and hundreds of festive market stalls, it doesn’t get much better than these.
One of Austria’s best winter destinations is Innsbruck, a town surrounded by snowcapped mountains that becomes a Christmas wonderland in December. The Christmas markets – especially the main one at Old Town Market – here have a historic touch, selling lots of handmade goodies, traditional Christmas ornaments, and winter treats.
Other must-visit Christmas markets include Salzburg’s Christkindl, which started in the 1400s and is one of the oldest in the country, and the Glockenspielplatz Christmas Market in Graz, which offers themed days and exclusive home-made handicrafts.
