At the moment, travelling throughout Europe, much like the rest of the world, is a bit tricky. However, the desire to pack your bags and explore the great outdoors remains. Fortunately, there are still plenty of exceptional sights to see in your own backyard. So, residents of Austria: why not ditch the passports and plan a staycation exploring the breath-taking views and cultural marvels that makes your home country so great?

Whatever it is you’re looking for in your camping staycation – a city break, a rustic caravan excursion, an adult-only luxury glamping getaway, family-friendly fun or action-packed adventure with a big group of friends – rest assured that Austria has something for everyone. To help persuade you to camp local and explore the surrounding nature on your doorstep, here are six reasons why you should spend your next staycation in Austria.

The Alpine scenery

Austria is one of the most beautiful regions on the map for camping and exploring. Not only are the major cities brimming with eclectic charm and cultural attractions, but the outer lying rural areas offer astounding views and plenty of outdoor activities. One of the best campsites to visit in the Salzburg region is Camp MondSeeLand. With stunning views of the beautiful Mount Hochkönig in the Berchtesgaden Alps and within close proximity of the Lofer Steinberge mountains and the picturesque Lake Mondsee, this caravan and camping site offers unparalleled hiking and water sport opportunities. Austria-Camp Mondsee, located in the Salzkammergut resort region, is another premier caravan park. Surrounded by the hilly terrain and lush fields of greenery in the summer, this tranquil site features wide, open spaces for exploring and friendly staff ready to spoil campers with local cuisine. Planning a stay in the equally scenic western region of Kramsach? Visit Camping Seeblick Toni, a beautiful site that sits on Lake Reintaler and offers sunny beaches for swimming and boating in the summer. Return here during the winter months for hiking, skiing and winter sports.

The authentic cuisine

While excellent cuisine is available throughout the country, hungry staycationers would be best advised to start their food journey in the cultural capital of Vienna and dine against the dazzling city backdrop. Authentic Viennese Apfelstrudel can be found at bistros throughout downtown Vienna, not to mention tafelspitz (boiled beef), fried wiener schnitzel, potato gulasch, knödel dumplings and, of course, fried Vienna sausages. But while these delicacies are abundant in cities, they are also readily on offer in rural towns and villages off the beaten track like Hallstatt and St. Gilgen. And, in the charming northern town of Gmunden, local fare mixes well with the mountainous background and lakeside vistas. As Austrian’s know all too well, wherever you go, delicious authentic cuisine can always be found.

The vibrant music and art scene

Art is everywhere in Austria; but there is perhaps no better place to check out some of the best pieces out there than in the capital city. And fortunately for lovers of both art and nature, there are plenty of nearby urban caravan parks and campsites near Vienna, like Camping Wien West and Aktiv Camping Neue Donau situated in the Danube-Recreational Zone, which sits a mere 30 minutes from the downtown centre. From here, Austrians can familiarize themselves with Vienna’s numerous museums and art galleries while taking advantage of other metropolitan attractions such as fine dining, nightlife and shopping. Farmer’s markets, outdoor concerts and music and art festivals are frequently staged, year-round, for holidaymakers of all ages and interest levels to enjoy.

The exceptional architecture

As far as architecture is concerned, Austria is heavily influenced by Germanic, Mediterranean, and Eastern Europe heritages, which makes it a desirable destination for those in search of beautiful buildings and scenery. The commitment to the preservation of traditional architecture can be seen throughout all regions of the country, including the Gothic style in many of the historical buildings inside and outside of populated cities like Vienna, Graz, Salzburg and Linz.

In the more pastoral areas, the splendour of the ancient palaces and churches in the baroque and rococo style are well worth the visit. What’s more, medieval castles like Hohenwerfen Castle, a beautiful hilltop site and history museum in Werfen, not only offer stunning visual examples of design but also plenty of fun activities for visitors. Nestled along the banks of the Salzach River, Hohenwerfen offers guided tours throughout the compound and a very popular falconry centre for those interested in learning about the fabled pastime. Given its mountainous location, there are also plenty of opportunities for skiing in the winter, hiking in the summer and luxury lakeside camping at the nearby Campingplatz Vierthaler.

The winter activities

Austria is not only brimming with great culture, food and entertainment. It’s also a haven for skiers. Innsbruck, the capital of the Tyrol region and the fifth-largest city in Austria, famously hosted the 1964 and the 1976 Winter Olympics. This should give you an idea of how great a location it is for winter sports enthusiasts. Skiing in Austria in the winter is a national pastime, so you can expect to find chalets and holiday parks throughout the mountainous areas. Sites such as Schwimmbad-Camping Hall and Campingplatz Judenstein offer winter sport-loving campers a particularly memorable experience in the snow.

The great opportunities for family camping

In Austria, the opportunities for creating treasured family memories are endless. Camping Bella Austria in central Saint Peter am Kammersberg is a great option for campers seeking fun for all the family. The holiday park offers outdoor swimming, football pitches, a petting zoo and other family favourites. In the southeast state of Styria, just north of the cosmopolitan city of Graz, the family-friendly  Reisemobil-Stellplatz Graz caravan park is ideal for those interested in taking up some of the local pastimes, like cycling and golf. The site’s abundance of outdoor swimming pools offer kids and parents alike the opportunity to kickback and relax after a busy afternoon of activities.

A visit to the famous Eisriesenwelt cave, located just south of Salzburg, is a must-do for adventurous families. The cave is the largest ice cave in the world and offers visitors a fascinating look at the less familiar landscape of Austria. Retire to nearby campgrounds like Strandcamping Fenninger Spitz and Camping Auwirt, both with sweeping alpine views and all the latest modern amenities, and ensure that your family staycation is one to remember.

Whatever it is you’re after in a camping staycation, rest assured that Austria has you covered. Fall in love again with the stunning architecture, the art, the music, the food and most of all, the unparalleled natural beauty. Feeling inspired? Browse CampInn’s campsites in Austria today.