Upper Austria.
Holidays along the way.
Stopover heading south?
Welcome to Upper Austria - the holiday that's on the way.
Travelling south - to Croatia, Italy or Slovenia? Whether you're travelling from Germany, the Czech Republic or Slovakia, you won't get past Upper Austria. And that's a good thing! Because instead of spending hours stuck in traffic jams, you can arrive here relaxed - with cool lakes, fresh mountain air and real holiday experiences right next to the motorway.
Whether for a short stopover or a few days to take a deep breath: Upper Austria surprises, inspires and stays.
The Adriatic is not running away. But Upper Austria is waiting - with cool ideas for hot summer days.
So why not drive out to the right - and stay a little longer?
The south is hot - Upper Austria is refreshingly close
While elsewhere the cars are piling up in the summer heat, in Upper Austria you can already enjoy crystal-clear lakes, shady forests and cool excursion destinations directly along your route. Experience pure nature, inspiring culture and genuine hospitality - and refreshing moments at crystal-clear lakes and rivers far away from the traffic jams. Upper Austria is a place to take a deep breath - and stay.
Discover the most beautiful stops and new favourite places now!
S10 and A7 Mühlkreis motorway
Travelling from the north
A8 Innkreis motorway
A1 West motorway
A9 Pyhrn motorway
Where is this Upper Austria?
But where is this Upper Austria? What kind of country is it? These questions can be answered in different ways. With an area of 11,980 square kilometres, Upper Austria is the fourth largest federal state in Austria. It lies in the heart of Central Europe and borders the Czech Republic to the north, Lower Austria to the east, Styria and Salzburg to the south and the Federal Republic of Germany to the west.
Upper Austria is the land between the rivers Inn in the west and Enns in the east, between the Bohemian Forest in the Mühlviertel in the north and the Dachstein at its southernmost tip. At the same time, it is also a land on the Danube. This lifeline of Central Europe travels 111 kilometres on Upper Austrian territory, passing through the provincial capital of Linz along the way. And it is a land of lakes. Some of Austria's most famous lakes are located in Upper Austria, more precisely in the Salzkammergut: Lake Traunsee, Lake Mondsee, Lake Hallstättersee and Lake Wolfgangsee. And Lake Attersee, at 46 square kilometres the largest lake located entirely on Austrian territory.
Up high and down low
If you want to reach the highest point in Upper Austria, you have to climb the Hohe Dachstein in the Salzkammergut at 2,995 metres above sea level. The deepest point in the province is at the bottom of Lake Traunsee - 191 metres, the deepest lake in the whole of Austria. Its largest cities are Linz (around 190,000 inhabitants), Wels (around 59,000 inhabitants) and Steyr (around 38,000 inhabitants).
Why Upper Austria is ideally located
Regardless of whether you are travelling from Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia or eastern Austria: On your route south, you will automatically cross Upper Austria - whether via the A1, A8, A9 or A7 and S10 motorways. And there are real treasures all along these routes: Thermal spas and turquoise-blue lakes, inspiring culture, nature to take a deep breath and genuine culinary delights.
Upper Austria: Your Adriatic prelude with added value
Real experiences instead of a draught. Instead of 38 degrees in the Karawanken tunnel queue, enjoy a swim in a clear lake. Instead of toll stress, coastal congestion and high season prices, why not enjoy a family-friendly and affordable holiday? From mountain to lake, culture to cuisine: fewer kilometres, more enjoyment.
Stay instead of rushing on: Holidays in Upper Austria
Why wait until your holiday starts? In Upper Austria it starts halfway through your holiday. Allow yourself 2-3 days to arrive - in Linz, in the Mühlviertel, in the Salzkammergut in Pyhrn-Priel or the many other fantastic regions. Or simply stay here - and discover the real Austria.
Enchanting summer ideas
From stopover to holiday - it's quick and easy here
If you prefer to enjoy pure nature, splash around in crystal-clear lakes or stroll through old town streets instead of being stuck in traffic jams, Upper Austria is the place for you. Route-friendly, traffic jam-free, surprisingly beautiful. No detours, no overcrowded places - but real experiences, delicious specialities, fantastic nature and the certainty that the south can wait. Because what was planned as a short break quickly turns into a real holiday in Upper Austria. If you add a few more days, you will discover the nearby Salzkammergut with its mountains and lakes, the mystical and idyllic Mühlviertel the pulsating provincial capital Linz, the varied region of Wels the romantic Steyr and the south with its unspoilt nature in the Kalkalpen National Park or the west between the Inn and Hausruckwald.
Summer holidays in Upper Austria
