🏛️ Facts about Austria: flag, records and the oldest thing in Vienna

Austria is known for its waltzes and ski resorts. But the country holds records that guidebooks keep quiet about. Austria's highest waterfall plunges here, and the largest glacier in the Eastern Alps lies here.

We checked the official data and gathered facts that surprise even seasoned travelers. We'll look at where the red-and-white colors of the Austrian flag come from, where Arnold Schwarzenegger was born, and why you can drink Viennese water straight from the tap.

Geography: the Alps, ice, and water

💡 In short:

The Alps cover almost two thirds of the country.
The Krimml Waterfall is considered the highest in Austria.
Lake Neusiedl is shared by Austria and Hungary.
Facts and figures: checked on September 13, 2026 on the official tourism portal.

The Eastern Alps cover almost two thirds of Austria's territory. There are more than three hundred peaks above 3,000 m here, and the highest of them, the Grossglockner, rises to 3,798 m in Hohe Tauern National Park (as of 09/2026, Großglockner).

Krimml Waterfalls cascading over rocks amid greenery

Below the Grossglockner lies the Pasterze, the longest glacier in Austria. It stretches for almost 8 km (as of 09/2026, Pasterze). Because of warming, the ice is retreating fast, and you can see the loss right from the Grossglockner panoramic road.

Water in Austria breaks records too. Near the town of Krimml in Salzburg, the Krimml Waterfall comes crashing down: three tiers with a total height of 380 m (as of 09/2026, official website). A trail runs along the stream, and you will reach the upper tier in about an hour. Bring a raincoat: the spray reaches the viewing platforms.

The country's third water record belongs to Lake Neusiedl. It is Austria's largest lake and the westernmost steppe lake in Europe. Its shores are shared by Austria and Hungary, which is why the lake has two names: Neusiedler See and Fertő tó (as of 09/2026, Österreich Werbung). You will like the shallows here: the water warms up quickly.

History: the flag, the Celts, and Salzburg

The Austrian flag is considered one of the oldest in Europe. According to legend, it was born from the white tunic of Duke Leopold. After a battle the cloth was soaked with the blood of his enemies, but a clean stripe remained under his wide belt. Since then the red-and-white banner has accompanied Austria's rulers.

Panorama of old Salzburg with Hohensalzburg Fortress

In ancient times the land along the Danube was inhabited by the Celts, who were later conquered by the Roman Empire. The first written mention of Austria dates back to the 10th century. The country's name, Austria, goes back to the Old German Ostarrîchi, meaning "eastern land."

Salzburg has an unusual nickname: its townspeople were called "bull washers" (Stierwascher). According to one version, they washed slaughtered bulls in the Salzach River. According to another, the residents outwitted an army besieging the fortress. Every day they painted a bull a new color and showed it to the enemy, as if the city had provisions in abundance. The enemy believed it and retreated. No one approached the walls of Hohensalzburg Fortress again. You will hear this tale on any walk through the old town.

The railway, the palace, and Schwarzenegger

Europe's first mountain railway was built in Austria. The Semmering Railway opened in 1854, and since 1998 it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site (as of 09/2026, Austrian Commission for UNESCO). It still carries you across the Semmering passes today, over dozens of viaducts and through tunnels.

Schönbrunn Palace, the summer residence of the Habsburgs, has 1,441 rooms. Only some of the halls are open to visitors, but even that is enough for two to three hours (as of 09/2026, Schloss Schönbrunn). Get tickets for the morning: a line forms at the entrance in the afternoon.

Red train on an arched viaduct of the Semmering Railway in the mountains

Arnold Schwarzenegger was born in Austria. The future actor and governor of California came into the world in the village of Thal near Graz. And Vienna drinks tap water without worry: it is supplied to the city from Alpine springs, and its quality control is as strict as that of bottled water.

The oldest things in Vienna

In Vienna's Prater park stands the Wiener Riesenrad Ferris wheel. It was built in 1897 for the jubilee of Emperor Franz Joseph, and the structure is 64.75 m tall (as of 09/2026, Wiener Riesenrad). It is one of the oldest operating Ferris wheels in the world. The cabins move slowly, and in one full rotation you can take in the entire center of Vienna.

At the other end of Vienna, in the Schönbrunn Palace park, you will find Tiergarten Schönbrunn, considered the oldest zoo in the world. It was founded in the mid-18th century at the Habsburg court. The zoo occupies part of the park, and you will need at least half a day to see it.

Another record belongs to Vienna: the Wiener Zeitung newspaper began publication in 1703 (as of 09/2026, Wiener Zeitung archive). Today the publication lives online, but it remains one of the oldest newspapers on the planet.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

What is the highest waterfall in Austria?

It is the Krimml Waterfall in Salzburg, 380 m high (as of 09/2026, waterfall page).

Where is Lake Neusiedl?

The lake lies in Burgenland, near the border with Hungary (as of 09/2026, tourist office data).

Which celebrities were born in Austria?

The country's most famous native is considered to be Arnold Schwarzenegger. Before moving to the US, he served in the Austrian army and won bodybuilding competitions.

How many rooms does Schönbrunn have?

The palace has 1,441 rooms (as of 09/2026, article about the palace).

What to see in Vienna first?

Start with the Prater and the Wiener Riesenrad Ferris wheel (as of 09/2026, wheel details). Then head to Schönbrunn, where the palace and the world's oldest zoo await you. Set aside a full day for both.

In short: what to book

Austria fits into a few days if you choose the right base. Drawn to nature? Pick Salzburg and Hohe Tauern National Park: both Krimml Waterfall and the Pasterze Glacier are nearby. Interested in history and architecture? Base yourself in Vienna, home to Schönbrunn, the Ferris wheel, and the world's oldest zoo. Want quiet by the water? Head to Burgenland and Lake Neusiedl.

Start with Vienna and add one day for Krimml Waterfall. That way you will see the country's main record-holders without rushing.

Austria: Krimml waterfall, Pasterze glacier and the world's oldest zoo