Europe
Austria
Crystal lakes, alpine meadows, and Sound of Music magic
Austria is one of Europe’s most beautiful family destinations and a genuine hidden gem. The lakes of the Salzkammergut are crystal clear and swimmable, the alpine villages feel like stepping into a storybook, and the outdoor activities — hiking, cycling, lake swimming, cable cars — are endless. Vienna and Salzburg add world-class culture without the crowds of other European capitals.
Quick Facts
Best time to visit
June to September (lakes and mountains), December to March (skiing)
Budget range
£2,000 – £5,000 per family
Family Highlights
- Lake swimming in the Salzkammergut
- Salzburg — Sound of Music tours and fortress
- Vienna’s Prater funfair and Schönbrunn Palace
- Alpine cable cars and mountain huts
- Cycling along the Danube
Jessica's Family Tips
- The Austrian lakes are genuinely warm enough to swim from June to September — bring water shoes for stony shores
- Austrian trains are excellent — you can explore the whole country without a car
- Hut-to-hut hiking is brilliant for older children — book mountain huts well in advance
- Vienna with kids: the Natural History Museum and Prater are both free or very affordable
Photo Gallery
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