All Austria

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Austria

148 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Austria

Updated March 13, 2025

Email

Cities

Top Cities
All Cities
  1. Graz
  2. Hallstatt
  3. Innsbruck
  4. Klagenfurt
  5. Salzburg
  6. Vienna
  7. Wien

Unusual Attractions in Austria

See All 148 Things To Do in Austria

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Austria

See all 9 Places to Eat in Austria
In partnership with KAYAK

Plan Your Trip

In partnership with GetYourGuide

Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Explore Austria

Museums 33
Architecture 25
Art 15
Churches 14
Sacred Spaces 14
Architectural Oddities 13
History & Culture 12
Collections 11

Austria Leaderboard

Recent Austria Activity

Stories About Austria

This 19th-century cobweb painting depicts a wealthy Austrian gentleman.

For Sale: A 19th-Century Portrait Painted on a Spiderweb

One of the last surviving cobweb paintings is on display this weekend.
by Diana Hubbell
Schütte-Lihotzky believed architecture could be a tool for helping women, children, and the working class.

Meet the Feminist Resistance Fighter Who Created the Modern Kitchen

Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky left an indelible mark on Austria, architecture, and how we cook.
by Kaja Seruga
The Schiachperchten traditionally scare away bad fortune.

Krampus Has Come and Gone. Next Up, the Perchten.

These masked marchers bring blessings and fun.
by Joy Anderson
Frau Perchta is often called the Christmas Witch, but that is just one aspect of who she is: a powerful winter goddess who has endured a centuries-old campaign to vilify her.

Fearsome Frau Perchta Is an Ancient Alpine Winter Goddess

Today, she's commonly called the Christmas Witch or even "the female Krampus"—but she is so much more.
by Victoria Linchong
A handstein, circa 1740 from Hungary, in the German Mining Museum in Bochum.

The Raw Ore Centerpieces That Turned Grueling Labor Into Cutesy Dioramas

Handsteins were beloved of 16th-century princes because they affirmed the social order.
by Eve Kahn
A 14th-century painting of Saint Corona by the Master of Palazzo Venezia Madonna.

Is Saint Corona a Guardian Against Epidemics?

Well, she might be now, at least.
by Matthew Taub
The world’s largest wine bottle held 1,590 liters of Austrian red wine—until recently.

The World's Largest Bottle of Wine Just Spilled in Austria

We're gonna need a bigger napkin.
by Luke Fater
Archaeologists found these Late Bronze Age feeding vessels in Vösendorf, Austria.

Found: Milk Residue That Proves Ancient Europeans Used Cute-as-Heck Baby Bottles

The clay vessels are shaped like mythical animals.
by Reina Gattuso

See Fewer Ads

Become an Atlas Obscura member and experience far fewer ads and no pop-ups.

Learn More