10 awesome ideas for a corporate retreat in Austria
1. Enjoy some city sightseeing in Vienna
This beautiful historic city is one of Central Europe’s top destinations. From the Schönbrunn Palace to St. Stephen's Cathedral, Austria’s capital is home to many stunning sites. Vienna is known for its classical music scene and green spaces like the famous Volksgarten. Activity options for company events here include cruising the Danube River, enjoying a scavenger hunt, visiting the city’s museums, sampling food and wine at a Heuriger tavern, or ice skating in the winter. Venues we recommend:For large gatherings, try The Messe Wien Exhibition & Congress Centre, which features 67 meeting rooms. For smaller ones, try The Almanac Palais Vienna, with 13 meeting rooms. How to get there: Vienna’s international airport is easily connected to the city centre by the city airport (CAT) train, bus, or taxi. The city is also well-connected by train and coach bus to other Central European capitals, such as Bratislava and Budapest, and to other Austrian cities like Salzburg.Best time to visit: The city is most pleasant during the shoulder seasons (spring and autumn), when travellers will find milder weather and fewer crowds. Average budget: £££-££££
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2. Try out some team building in Graz
The capital city of the southern Austrian province of Styria, Graz is known for its history, art, and food. Transected by the River Mur, the city is split into old and new sectors. It’s home to landmarks like the Schloss Eggenberg, and the surrounding area is known for its distinctive Klapotetz windmills. Herrengasse, Graz’s main shopping street, is a great place for sightseeing and dining. For team bonding, companies can try events like the City Challenge, a scavenger hunt, or for something more out of the box, a sewing workshop. Outside the city, visit curiosities like the Zotter Chocolate Museum or the Arnold Schwarzenegger Museum.Venues we recommend:For large gatherings, try the Steiermarkhof, which features 20 conference rooms with a maximum capacity of 400 people. For smaller ones, try The Augarten Art Hotel, which features one conference room with a maximum capacity of 50 people. The Schloss Seggau is also a popular venue for seminars and events. How to get there:Graz has an international airport. It’s also accessible from other Austrian cities by train, and from Germany, Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia via Flixbus or Eurolines bus. You can also drive there via the A9 or A2 motorways. Best time to visit: May to September offer the best weather and the least rain in Graz. Average budget: £-££
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3. Explore the streets of Salzburg
Salzburg was made famous by the movie ‘The Sound of Music.’ Its Baroque old town is dotted with churches and abbeys, and the city centre is surrounded by mountains, making it a scenic spot. A few popular things to do in Salzburg are to take a Sound of Music tour, visit the Hohensalzburg Fortress, or enjoy a half-day of team building in the surrounding mountains. The Dachstein Giant Ice Cave is a notable attraction just over an hour’s drive away. Venues we recommend:For large gatherings, try Messezentrum Salzburg GmbH, which features 21 conference rooms. For smaller ones, try Hotel Stadtkrug, a high-end hotel which features one meeting room holding up to 20 people.How to get there:Salzburg’s international airport is Austria’s second-largest, and the number 2 and 8 buses reach the city centre from the airport. It’s also accessible by train from other cities in Austria and Central Europe, and by bus from Austrian cities and surrounding countries like Croatia and Bulgaria. Best time to visit:Salzburg is known for its beautiful display of autumn colours, making September and October a great time to visit. In July and August, the city is home to the Salzburg Festival of music and drama, which is especially famous for its annual “Jedermann” play. Average budget: ££-£££
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4. Go climbing around Innsbruck
Innsbruck, the capital of the Austrian state of Tyrol, is sometimes called the “capital of the Alps.” This city is a well-known destination for climbing and winter sports, and is known for its modern and historic architecture. Innsbruck’s location makes it the perfect spot for a company retreat focused on the great outdoors. From mountain coworking to hiking, biking, and climbing trips, teams will find plenty of exciting activities to keep them occupied. Venues we recommend:For large gatherings, try The Alphotel, a mid-range hotel featuring seven meeting spaces holding up to 455 people. For smaller ones, try Hotel Congress Innsbruck, a high-end hotel featuring one conference room with 210 sq m (2,260 sq ft) of events space. How to get there:Innsbruck has an international airport that’s located about 4 km (2.5 miles) away from the city centre. It’s also connected by train to Vienna, Munich, Zurich, and Verona. In addition, it can be reached by bus or car on the A13 or A12 motorways. Best time to visit: Innsbruck is known for its winter activities, so December to March is the best time to visit. In early January, the Bergisel Ski Jump hosts the famous annual Four Hills Tournament.Average budget: ££-£££
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5. Hike and bike in Nature Park Almenland
Located in the eastern part of Styria state, Almenland Nature Park is home to 125 contiguous alpine pastures and is one of Austria’s largest alpine regions. Notable features in the park include the Weizklamm karst gorge and valley, and Lurgrotte Semriach, Austria’s largest active water cave, which is home to many unusual rock formations.Venues we recommend:The Almenland has a number of state-of-the-art seminar hotels which are appropriate for group events. Available options include the Almwellness Pierer (featuring a sauna), Vital Hotel Styria, Hotel Teichwirt, Hotel Spreitzhofer, and Hotel Schwaiger. Best time to visit:The Almenland can be visited year-round for different types of weather and activities. Spring here starts around mid-April, and April and May are great months to enjoy outdoor sports before the weather gets too hot. How to get there: The Almenland is located about 50 km (31 miles) north of Graz, and about 180 km (112 miles) south-west of Vienna. Travellers can take the train to Weiz, Frohnleiten, Mixnitz, or Bruck/Mur. They can also drive from Vienna on the S6 or A2, from Linz and Salzburg on the A9, or from Klagenfurt on the A2. Average budget: ££-£££
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6. Get outdoors in Rust am Neusiedlersee
Rust am Neusiedlersee is a city located on the shores of Lake Neusiedl in the Austrian state of Burgenland. It’s known for its historic townhouses, most of which were built between the 16th and 19th centuries. Activities to do in Rust include cycling, wine tasting, surfing on the lake, enjoying a culinary tour, or attending an opera or operetta festival. The wider Neusiedlersee region is home to many other attractive towns, like Neusiedl am See and Mörbisch. Venues we recommend:For large gatherings, try The Seehotel Rust, featuring eight conference rooms holding up to 183 people. For smaller ones, try Hotel Zur Post-Illmitz, across the lake from Rust, featuring three conference rooms holding up to 70 people.Best time to visit:From June to September, visitors can enjoy warm-weather activities. How to get there:While there’s no train station in Rust, buses leave regularly from Vienna and take about 1.5 hours. Rust can also be reached in a one-hour drive from Vienna via Route A3. Average budget: £-££
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7. Combine skiing with history and culture in Vorarlberg
This mountainous state in Western Austria is known for its ski resorts. The capital, Bregenz, is located on the shores of Lake Constance and is famous for the Bregenzer Festspiele, a performing arts festival. Another scenic town in this region is Hohenems, which is home to a 16th-century Renaissance palace, a Jewish museum, and a historic town centre. Activities here include city tours, bowling, escape rooms, walks, shopping, and hiking. Venues we recommend:The Four Points by Sheraton Panoramahaus in the town of Dornbirn has three meeting rooms, with the largest one being 450 sq m (4,844 sq ft). Best time to visit:Visit in July or August to catch the Bregenzer Festspiele, or in December to February for skiing and winter sports. How to get there:Buses and trains regularly reach Vorarlberg from all major Austrian cities, as well as nearby destinations like Zurich and Munich. Average budget: ££-£££
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8. Pick apricots and sample wines in Wachau
The Wachau Valley is located west of Vienna, and is known for its hills speckled with vineyards and fortresses. Oenophiles will love enjoying a wine tour and tasting here, while history buffs may be interested in the town of Dürnstein, famous for its mediaeval castle and abbey. Other team building options include Jeep tours, kayaking, and apricot picking. Venues we recommend: Try the Hotel Wachau in Melk, which has two meeting rooms holding a total of 80 people. Best time to visit:The best time to visit for wine tasting is between April and October. If you’re planning to do an apricot tour, visit in March or April for the blossom season, and July or August for the harvest. How to get there: To get to the Wachau Valley from Vienna, you can drive for one hour along motorway S5, or take the train to the towns of Krems or Melk. Average budget: ££
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9. Visit Seefeld and go swimming on Wildsee Lake
Austria is home to hundreds of lakes, and Wildsee Lake is an attractive spot surrounded by mountains. The lake is sometimes also called Seefelder See, and is located just a quick half-hour drive from Innsbruck. Visitors to the lake can enjoy a variety of outdoor sports, such as swimming, hiking, or paddle boating. Venues we recommend:The lake is located near the town of Seefeld. One event venue here is the Alpin Resort Sacher Seefeld, whose two conference rooms hold up to 115 people. Smaller groups may prefer Das Hotel Eden, whose four conference rooms hold 27 people. Best time to visit:Wildsee Lake can be visited year-round. Summer visitors can search for deer, while winter visitors can watch for birds as they enjoy the beauty of the frozen lake. How to get there: Travellers can drive from Innsbruck, take a taxi, or take the train from Innsbruck to Seefeld. Average budget: ££-£££
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10. See Germany’s highest mountain near Ehrwald
Not far from Seefeld, Ehrwald is another popular option for visitors to the Austrian state of Tyrol. This municipality lies on the Austrian-German border, and not far away is the Zugspitze, the highest mountain in Germany. A cable car from Ehrwald leads to the summit. The surrounding area offers activities like hiking, mountain biking, and golf. Venues we recommend: Some Tyrolean hotels in Ehrwald with meeting rooms include the Alpenhof Pension, Alpine Resort Hotel Schwarz, and the Hotel Edelweiss. Best time to visit: Mountain fires are traditionally lit here on the summer solstice (20th June). Winter is best for skiing. How to get there: Ehrwald can be reached by car or train connection from Innsbruck or Munich, as well as surrounding countries like Switzerland and Italy. Average budget: ££-£££
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