Austria captivates visitors with its imperial cities, Alpine landscapes, and rich musical heritage. From Vienna's grand palaces to Salzburg's baroque architecture and the stunning Tyrolean Alps, this Central European gem offers world-class culture, outdoor adventures, and legendary coffeehouse traditions.
Family activities
Engaging experiences for travellers of every age.
Schönbrunn Zoo (Tiergarten Schönbrunn)
The world's oldest zoo, founded in 1752 within Schönbrunn Palace grounds, is home to giant pandas Yangyang and Fu Long, snow leopards, Asiatic elephants, and 700+ species. The historic baroque pavilions and new rain forest house provide shelter in bad weather. Children's play areas throughout the grounds.
Duration: 3-4 hours
Haus der Musik Vienna
Vienna's most family-friendly museum in a 19th-century palace, where children can conduct the Vienna Philharmonic with a motion-sensor baton, compose their own music, and explore the science of sound through hands-on exhibits. The Stairway of Sounds installation is a highlight for all ages.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Hellbrunn Palace Trick Fountains
Salzburg's most delightfully surprising attraction — a 17th-century palace garden filled with 200 water jets, trick stone chairs, mechanical figures, and elaborate water features designed by Prince-Archbishop Marcus Sitticus to soak unsuspecting guests. Children (and adults) get drenched and love every moment.
Duration: 2 hours
Eisriesenwelt Ice Caves
The world's largest ice cave system near Werfen in Salzburg province, with 42 km of tunnels and spectacular ice formations lit by magnesium torches on guided tours. The cable car to the cave entrance and 45-minute torch-lit cave tour make this an unforgettable adventure for families with older children.
Duration: 3-4 hours (including cable car and trail)
Prater Funfair and Riesenrad
Vienna's historic amusement park in the Prater grounds features the iconic 1897 Riesenrad Ferris Wheel, carousel rides, ghost trains, and dozens of traditional funfair attractions. The surrounding Prater green park has excellent playgrounds, meadows for running, and the famous straight Hauptallee chestnut boulevard for cycling.
Duration: 2-4 hours
Alpine Coaster (Sommerrodelbahn) Innsbruck
Summer toboggan runs (Sommerrodelbahn) on Alpine slopes throughout Tyrol and Salzburg province allow riders to control their own speed down winding metal tracks through mountain scenery. The Olympic Bobsled Run at Igls near Innsbruck and the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena coasters are among the most thrilling.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Nordkettenbahn Cable Car (Innsbruck)
The Nordkette cable car rises from Innsbruck city center to 2,256m in just 20 minutes, offering children the extraordinary experience of going from a city to the Alpine summit in one journey. The mountain top has panoramic views, easy family hiking on the plateau, and often snow even in summer. Descent can be made on foot (intermediate hikers) or by cable car.
Duration: 3-4 hours
Hallstatt Salt Mine Tour
The world's oldest salt mine offers a spectacular underground adventure including a 64-meter underground slide, prehistoric miner's wood boat ride on an underground lake, and salt-encrusted tunnels 7,000 years in the making. The funicular from the village and guided mine tour create a full half-day family excursion.
Duration: 2.5-3 hours
Family-friendly hotels
Accommodation designed with families in mind.
Meininger Hotel Wien Downtown Sissi
Purpose-built family-friendly hotel with game room, large communal kitchen, and private family rooms with bunk beds in Vienna's Leopoldstadt district near Prater. Excellent U-Bahn connections to all attractions. Bar and 24-hour reception.
Family features: Bunk-bed family rooms, game zone, guest kitchen, cot hire available
A&O Wien Hauptbahnhof
Budget hotel and hostel at Vienna Hauptbahnhof with excellent transport connections and dedicated family rooms. Kids' play area in lobby, bar for adults, and helpful staff accustomed to families. Steps from direct trains to Salzburg.
Family features: Family rooms, kids' play area, bar, direct transport connections, cots available
Kinderhotel Europa
Dedicated family resort in Zell am Ziller, Tyrol, designed exclusively for families with children. Professional childcare (Kinderbetreuung) from 6 months, indoor adventure pool, kids' disco, and supervised children's meals. Parents' evening programs allow adults time together while children are entertained.
Family features: Professional childcare, adventure pool, kids' activities all day, family programs, baby-friendly facilities
Interalpen-Hotel Tyrol
Luxury Alpine resort near Innsbruck with exceptional children's facilities including dedicated kids' club, indoor swimming pools with splash zones, and direct access to beginner ski slopes in winter. Babysitting service, family rooms with connecting doors, and children's menus at all restaurants.
Family features: Kids' club, indoor pools, ski access, babysitting, family suites, children's menus
Dining with kids
Eating out as a family.
Austrian restaurants warmly welcome children — 'Kinder willkommen' is the norm, and most provide Kinderteller (children's menu) from €5-9 with smaller portions of Schnitzel, pasta, and dessert.
Children under 6 travel free on all public transport in Austria; children 6-14 pay half price. This makes day trips very affordable for families.
Many Viennese Würstelstände (sausage stands) are child-friendly — Käsekrainer (cheese sausages) are popular with children and served from street stands with no formal ordering process.
The Schweizerhaus beer garden in Vienna's Prater (Prater 116) is ideal for families — large outdoor space, children can run freely, basic Austrian fare including excellent Stelze (roast pork knuckle), and no formality.
Supermarkets (Billa, Spar) stock excellent prepared meals, sandwiches, and fresh fruit for affordable family picnics in Schönbrunn gardens, Stadtpark, or Prater meadows.
Family travel tips
Practical advice for stress-free family trips.
The Vienna Family Card (Familycard Wien) offers 50% discounts on children's tickets at 200+ Vienna attractions — available at tourist information offices.
Pack layers even in summer — Vienna parks require sun protection, while cable cars to alpine heights mean packing a warm jacket even in July.
Most major museums in Austria are free for children under 19 — including the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Natural History Museum, and Belvedere for EU residents.
For ski trips with young children, Austria's 'Kinderland' beginner ski areas at most resorts provide gentle learner slopes with conveyor belt lifts rather than chairlifts, making learning much easier for ages 3-8.