Small, historic, worth a visit
Small historic towns
Towns that belong to Small Historic Towns really make a big impression. In Austria there are 16 towns that fulfil the specific criteria to offer a unique experience.
What does it mean to be a “small historic town”?
Small historic towns are towns with a town charter and a maximum population of 45,000. Characterized by a historic, cohesive townscape, these towns are located in unique natural environments and stand out thanks to their numerous examples of listed architecture. But that’s not all: the key criteria also include regular town tours with certified town guides, who can point out these historic sites and bring them to life with professionalism and a great deal of knowledge.
The “witnesses of time” include authentic craft businesses, which can be experienced up close in these towns. There’s also a chance to treat your tastebuds to a range of local and homemade delicacies at the regular weekly market or at high-class culinary establishments.
Shopping fans will love the town centres and historic centres. These parts of town offer a unique shopping experience with regional products available from predominantly independent businesses. The relaxed atmosphere and helpful shop-owners make the shops perfect for having a look about, browsing and finding something to buy.
What is most worth seeing is the cultural aspect and diverse range of events, tourist attractions that can be experienced, and active cultural highlights on various themes. These satisfy culture lovers’ hunger for knowledge and are popular with young and old alike, making these Small Historic Towns a perfect experience.
Small Historic Towns directly on cycle trails:
- Baden bei Wien on EuroVelo 9
- Bad Ischl on the Salzkammergut Cycle Trail
- Bad Radkersburg on EuroVelo 9, the River Mur Cycle Trail & the Styrian Wine Country Cycle Trail
- Braunau on the River Inn Cycle Trail & Tauern Cycle Trail
- Bruck an der Mur on the River Mur Cycle Trail
- Gmunden on the Salzkammergut Cycle Trail
- Hallein on the Tauern Cycle Trail
- Judenburg on the River Mur Cycle Trail
- Kufstein on the River Inn Cycle Trail
- Lienz on the River Drava Cycle Trail
- Mariazell on the Traisen Valley Cycle Trail
- Radstadt on the River Enns Cycle Trail
- Schärding on the River Inn Cycle Trail, the Tauern Cycle Trail & the Roman Cycle Trail
- Steyr on the River Enns Cycle Trail
Authors: Vera Leitner / Michael Plasounig
Further recommendations, tips and news
Landscapes influence people and people influence landscapes. Austria has a lot to tell you about.
Full of (runner) beans
The runner bean is surprisingly diverse and is the symbol of St. Ruprecht an der Raab, which lies on the Styrian...
tip
The white gold of the Innviertel
Surspeck is a regional delicacy from the Innviertel region of Upper Austria. It even has culinary region dedicated to it....
tip
An interactive centre of creativity in the Gesäuse
The Willow Dome in the Gesäuse National Park will fascinate even those who don’t normally care for the outdoors....
tip
A spa experience in historic architecture
The thermal spa in Bad Ischl is today one of the most renowned in Austria. Its imperial past can be felt at every turn....
tip
The European Green Belt
The Mühlviertel and the Mühlviertel Cycle Trail are located on the European Green Belt, the largest ecological...
tip
Herb upon herb
A circuit around the waters of the Wallersee provides a detailed insight into the world of herbs....
tip
Near, far, wherever you are
This newly built 55 km section of the Ybbs Valley Cycle Trail follows the river along the tracks of the old...
tip
Wine culture in Vulkanland
Schloss- und Weinkultur vom Feinsten: Das Weingut Winkler-Hermaden und Schloss Kapfenstein....
tip
No folding now!
The well-known author Karin Wasner explains how a bet changed her attitude to cycling on the Traisen Valley Cycle Trail....
tip