Tour Schönbrunn Palace, see an opera performance, and spend an afternoon in a Vienna coffeehouse. In Salzburg, climb to the hilltop fortress and walk the old town where Mozart was born. Cycle or cruise the Danube through the Wachau Valley, stopping at Melk Abbey, and end in Tyrol with a hike in the Alps. Hallstatt’s lakeside lanes are the country’s most photographed village.

May, June, September, and October are the most comfortable months, with mild weather, open attractions, and thinner crowds than July and August, when Hallstatt and Salzburg are at their busiest. High trails and mountain huts generally open from June through September, so hikers should aim for that window. Skiing in Tyrol runs from December through March, and the Christmas markets in Vienna and Salzburg open in mid-November and run through Christmas.

It is, with a plan. Hallstatt gets over a million visitors a year in a village of fewer than 800 residents, and the day-trip buses arrive mid-morning. Arrive before 9 a.m. or stay overnight, when the lanes empty after 5 p.m. and the lake is calm at dawn. May, June, September, and October are the best months. The surrounding Salzkammergut lake district has quieter villages, such as St. Wolfgang and Gosau, that pair well with it.

There are plenty of hiking trails and walking paths for travelers of all fitness levels. Cable cars lift you above the tree line, so ridge walks start at altitude instead of at the bottom of a valley, and mountain huts serve lunch dishes like kaiserschmarrn, a caramelized shredded pancake, and käsespätzle, cheese noodles. Walks range from flat lakeside paths to full-day climbs, and most huts open from June through September.

Vienna’s coffeehouse culture is on UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage, and the etiquette is to eat in and enjoy the beautiful art nouveau architecture. Order a Melange (espresso with steamed milk and foam) or an Einspänner (black coffee under whipped cream) with a slice of Sachertorte or apple strudel.

Easily. Switzerland, Italy, and Slovenia are each a few hours away by rail or road, with the Dolomites and Slovenia’s lakes and Julian Alps as popular additions for travelers who love mountains. Austria’s central location makes it an easy destination to link up with other countries in Europe.