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Living and Teaching English in Austria - Habits, Customs & Curiosities

Although Austria is rightly known for its stunning Alpine peaks and high-end ski resorts, there is much more to the country than snow and winter sports.

Thanks to its natural beauty, modern infrastructure, safe and welcoming environment, and centuries of cultural history, Austria is popular with visitors from all over the world at all times of the year.

Below you will find a wide range of information about the country that should give you a good insight into what to expect on arrival, from simple travel tips and language guides to some fun facts about Austria and its people.

Situated among the spectacular peaks of the Alps, Austria is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. As is Salzburg, which is famous as the birthplace of Mozart and as the setting for the film The Sound of Music. it is also very popular during the summer months when the warmer weather attracts millions of visitors who come to hike in the mountains or to simply enjoy the beautiful scenery and culture packed cities.

The country’s capital and cultural hub Vienna is a must-see destination. Although Austria is hugely popular for its world-class winter sports facilities, Among the many culinary delights to look out for during your stay are two famous local dishes, Wiener schnitzel and the delicious dessert apfelstrudel.

Vienna, the capital and cultural heart of Austria, is consistently ranked towards the top of various polls regarding the world’s most livable cities and overall quality of life. If you like a bargain hunt, then you will enjoy exploring the city’s numerous flea markets, while Vienna’s famous café culture ensures there are no shortage of venues for a first-class coffee and cake.

Within the city there is a huge amount of things to see and do, from opera and classical music performances to dozens of museums and art galleries. Throughout the city you will also find countless bars and other venues where you can sample the local wine and beer, much of which is produced within the city itself.

As German is the official language of Austria and is spoken as a first language by around 90% of the population, you might find this cheat sheet useful before you set off and once you are in the country. Once you are on the ground and surrounded by the language on a daily basis you will soon feel confident using more complex questions and phrases.

Learning a few simple greetings and pleasantries before you leave home is always a good idea as it will help you to settle into your new environment and earn you the respect of the local people. Although you can generally get by using English in popular tourist areas, the ability to speak some German will be invaluable when off the beaten track.

Austria is well-known for its Alpine landscape that covers 62% of the country, but there are many other facts and figures that are probably less widely known. Austria is also home to the largest ice cave in the world and a huge cemetery in Vienna where you will find over 2.5 million graves, including those of famous composers such as Beethoven, Brahms and Schubert.

Did you know that the Vienna Zoo is the oldest in the world having first opened in 1752, or that the Krimml Falls are the tallest in Europe at 380 metres? If exploring graveyards is not your thing, you might want to visit the Imperial Treasury of Vienna to catch a glimpse of the world’s largest emerald which weighs in at an incredible 2860 carats.