https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Austria in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed Whether you're up for a forest hike, lakeside ferry ride or garden stroll, these spring escapes in and around Vienna are ideal for sunny days. https://www.thelocal.at/20250417/four-perfect-spring-day-trips-in-and-around-vienna Thu, 17 Apr 2025 11:46:13 +0200 four-perfect-spring-day-trips-in-and-around-vienna Vienna’s famous Café Central has closed temporarily for a major renovation – what are they changing and where to go while the place is closed? https://www.thelocal.at/20260317/viennas-cafe-central-closes-until-autumn-for-major-renovation Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:37:01 +0100 viennas-cafe-central-closes-until-autumn-for-major-renovation Salzburg’s visitor numbers are rising again, and the mayor wants ‘smaller adjustments’ to ease pressure for locals, without entry fees or formal caps https://www.thelocal.at/20260203/how-salzburg-wants-to-manage-visitors-in-austria-without-entry-fees-or-caps Tue, 03 Feb 2026 11:27:00 +0100 how-salzburg-wants-to-manage-visitors-in-austria-without-entry-fees-or-caps Skiing and après-ski go hand in hand in Austria, but what are the actual rules when it comes to alcohol on the slopes? Here’s what you need to know before heading out this winter. https://www.thelocal.at/20250129/is-there-an-alcohol-limit-for-skiers-in-austria Wed, 29 Jan 2025 12:16:09 +0100 is-there-an-alcohol-limit-for-skiers-in-austria An avalanche crashed into a ski slope on Austria's Stubai Glacier in the Tyrol region on Thursday leaving several people buried in snow. Some of the injured had to be airlifted to hospital. https://www.thelocal.at/20251127/several-people-reportedly-buried-after-avalanche-in-austrias-tyrol-region Thu, 27 Nov 2025 12:47:31 +0100 several-people-reportedly-buried-after-avalanche-in-austrias-tyrol-region People from all over the world visit Austria's ski resorts. Due to their popularity, tourism bosses are trying to find ways to offer locals discounts. Here's what you need to know – and how you might be able to take advantage. https://www.thelocal.at/20251118/should-austrian-ski-resorts-offer-cheaper-tickets-to-local-residents Tue, 18 Nov 2025 14:35:17 +0100 should-austrian-ski-resorts-offer-cheaper-tickets-to-local-residents As tourist numbers soar, Austrian leaders are calling for online reservations to control the crowds. Here's what you need to know. https://www.thelocal.at/20250723/hallstatt-overtourism-why-locals-want-a-ticket-system-to-control-crowds Wed, 23 Jul 2025 13:05:08 +0200 hallstatt-overtourism-why-locals-want-a-ticket-system-to-control-crowds Salzburg has dramatically tightened its rules on Airbnb rentals, cracking down on illegal short-term lets. Here’s what you need to know about the changes and how they might affect you as a renter or property owner. https://www.thelocal.at/20250317/what-are-salzburgs-strict-new-airbnb-rules-and-how-could-they-affect-you Mon, 17 Mar 2025 17:56:52 +0100 what-are-salzburgs-strict-new-airbnb-rules-and-how-could-they-affect-you When you think of sailing, Austria might not be the first country that comes to mind. However, this landlocked nation is dotted with beautiful lakes, providing excellent conditions for both beginners and experienced sailors. https://www.thelocal.at/20250710/listed-the-best-places-to-go-sailing-in-austria Thu, 10 Jul 2025 18:34:30 +0200 listed-the-best-places-to-go-sailing-in-austria Summer has just arrived to the northern hemisphere. It is the perfect time of the year for visiting some of Austria's most beautiful lakes. https://www.thelocal.at/20240320/4-beautiful-lakes-you-can-easily-reach-from-vienna-by-public-transport Wed, 20 Mar 2024 18:12:08 +0100 4-beautiful-lakes-you-can-easily-reach-from-vienna-by-public-transport From lakeside gems to Alpine hamlets and wine-soaked border towns here's a selection of the best villages to visit in Austria this summer. https://www.thelocal.at/20250616/eight-of-the-most-beautiful-austrian-villages-to-visit-this-summer Mon, 16 Jun 2025 18:56:09 +0200 eight-of-the-most-beautiful-austrian-villages-to-visit-this-summer From percentage-based rates in Vienna to new nightly fees in Salzburg and Tyrol, here’s how Austria’s tourist taxes vary - and what’s changing this summer. https://www.thelocal.at/20250417/compare-the-tourist-tax-youll-pay-in-different-parts-of-austria-this-summer Thu, 17 Apr 2025 16:33:04 +0200 compare-the-tourist-tax-youll-pay-in-different-parts-of-austria-this-summer From Italy’s beaches to Austrian lakes, summer holidays remain a priority for Austrians in 2025 – even as costs climb and budgets tighten. https://www.thelocal.at/20250514/beach-over-budget-nearly-everyone-in-austria-plans-to-travel-in-summer-2025 Wed, 14 May 2025 17:08:59 +0200 beach-over-budget-nearly-everyone-in-austria-plans-to-travel-in-summer-2025 Austria has some of the most overcrowded tourist spots in the world but if you are looking for some alternative hidden gems then we've picked out six. https://www.thelocal.at/20240319/6-great-alternatives-to-austrias-overcrowded-tourists-hotspots Tue, 19 Mar 2024 16:46:51 +0100 6-great-alternatives-to-austrias-overcrowded-tourists-hotspots With Vienna the favourite to host Eurovision 2026, Innsbruck is offering something different: mountains, creativity—and a smaller budget. https://www.thelocal.at/20250523/how-innsbruck-is-trying-to-charm-its-way-into-hosting-eurovision-2026 Fri, 23 May 2025 18:37:50 +0200 how-innsbruck-is-trying-to-charm-its-way-into-hosting-eurovision-2026 With cities across Austria throwing their hats in the ring, the competition to host Eurovision 2026 is already heating up. Here’s what we know so far about where will host the song contest. https://www.thelocal.at/20250519/which-austrian-city-is-most-likely-to-host-eurovision-2026 Mon, 19 May 2025 19:05:48 +0200 which-austrian-city-is-most-likely-to-host-eurovision-2026 A court case over a cow trampling has raised big questions about liability in Austria’s mountains. https://www.thelocal.at/20250516/what-a-supreme-court-ruling-means-for-hikers-and-cows-in-austria Fri, 16 May 2025 18:45:56 +0200 what-a-supreme-court-ruling-means-for-hikers-and-cows-in-austria Vienna is stepping up its efforts to regulate short-term rentals like Airbnb, tightening rules and intensifying inspections as housing pressures grow. https://www.thelocal.at/20250507/airbnb-hosts-in-vienna-face-stricter-rules-and-rising-penalties Wed, 07 May 2025 16:46:05 +0200 airbnb-hosts-in-vienna-face-stricter-rules-and-rising-penalties Planning a visit to Austria? While the Alpine nation is one of the world's safest, there are a few things to be aware of. https://www.thelocal.at/20220427/seven-tourist-scams-to-be-aware-of-in-austria Wed, 27 Apr 2022 17:27:50 +0200 seven-tourist-scams-to-be-aware-of-in-austria As Vienna welcomes record numbers of visitors, city leaders are considering a new tourist tax to help support its cultural scene. https://www.thelocal.at/20250415/is-vienna-set-to-hit-tourists-with-a-special-culture-tax Tue, 15 Apr 2025 16:51:04 +0200 is-vienna-set-to-hit-tourists-with-a-special-culture-tax