Digging into our ethos of “fast cars slow living”, we hope to inspire you to travel with racing but to take a little longer; to make a road trip through the landscapes, experience the culture, the food, the art, and the architecture.
Austria is a country with a lot to offer, and one that will awaken your sense of adventure. The rolling green landscape, the calm towns, serene lakes and vibrant cities combine to make Austria a destination for all to enjoy. From the classical, elegant and modern side of Vienna to the daring, tall, and impressive mountain sides of St. Anton and everything in between, Austria will never cease to amaze you. We encourage you to go beyond the paddock and take these two weeks to truly see Austria, and understand why it’s such a special place to visit.
Key Information
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Currency: Euro, €
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Language: German, English
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Time Zone: GMT+2
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In an Emergency: Call 112
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Weather: The race falls during summertime, with temperatures between 17.4°C and 26.7°C on average.
The Circuit
Laid upon the scenic Styrian hills, the Österrichring was built in 1969. The original Österreichring was a fearsome, high speed circuit with limited run-off areas that tested both the skill and nerve of the drivers. Following a series of dangerous accidents, a chicane was added in 1976, yet the circuit remained frighteningly fast. By the 1980s, the cars were lapping around 250km/h, but the lack of safety caused the track to lose its place on the Formula 1 calendar. A decade later, the track was redesigned by Hermann Tilke and was back on the championship calendar. Now called the A1-Ring, the track hosted races between 2003 and 2007. The Red Bull Ring reopened in 2011, now owned by Red Bull magnate Dietrich Mateschitz. In 2014, the track signed a multi-year contract and became an essential part of the F1 World Championship calendar. The elevation changes make it a track that rewards power and stealth. The aesthetically pleasing track is a fan favourite since it generally provides interesting battles.
Track Facts
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With five victories Max Verstappen holds the most wins at the Red Bull Ring.
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The track has the overall fastest lap time in the calendar, even though it’s not the shortest track of the season.
Spielberg & Graz
Host to the F1 Grand Prix, Spielberg is a small town known for the surrounding forest and views of the valleys. Although most of the action in Spielberg is around the Red Bull Ring, there’s still plenty to explore in the nearby city of Graz. Graz is the capital of the Styrian Province and a young, urban student city with a wide range of art and culture.
See
Hauptplatz (Main Square) and Herrengasse - The Hauptplatz is the heart of the city, located in the middle of the Old Town. Strolling around the town hall, the little shops, and colorful houses are a great way to spend the day and get to know Graz a little more.
Schlossberg and Clock Tower - Walking around the Schlossberg and up to its Clock Tower is a must do in Graz. The Clock Tower is the prominent landmark of Graz, visible from all corners as it towers over the city. We recommend you do the climb and enjoy a sunset with amazing panoramic views.
Eat
Memori, Graz - Memori offers fine dining Japanese cuisine, and the best and most authentic sushi in this area. Especially good for a date or some late night drinks, Memori’s atmosphere is lively and fun.
Landhotel Schönberghof, Spielberg - A trustworthy stop on the Grand Prix weekend, this place is consistently good and offers great views of the Styrian landscape and the Red Bull Ring. It offers a European and Austrian menu, and is well priced for the quality of food.
Stay
Landhotel Schönberghof & Gästehaus Enzinger - Located at the Red Bull Ring, this is the best way to be at the heart of the action of the Grand Prix Weekend. With a deck that oversees the circuit, you can watch all the action from the comfort of your own hotel. Fit for families, the hotel also includes a park for children to play in while the adults enjoy the racing.
The NH Graz City - Built in 2018, the NH Graz City is perfectly located in Graz’s historic city center. Just a short walk to all of the visitor attractions, restaurants and shops, the NH gives you a chance to see everything while still being close to comfort.
Vienna
Like Billy Joel famously sings: “When will you realize that Vienna waits for you…” The classical architecture and rich history parallels the young, modern culture and the up-and-coming arts and nightlife scene in Austria’s capital, Vienna. Vienna is one of the most walkable cities in Europe, so stroll through the romantic streets, taste the local delicacies and enjoy everything the city has to offer.
See
Schoenbrunn Garden - Schönbrunn Palace is Austria's most frequently visited tourist attraction. Here, the residential and state rooms are decorated in their original furnishings, which express an authentic impression of the regal lifestyle. The park and gardens surrounding the palace are great to enjoy an afternoon stroll.
Water tour around the Danube - Vienna has a lot to see, and a great way to capture a different perspective is by boat. Take a tour along the banks of the Danube Canal and enjoy a unique the view of of the city from the beautiful historic buildings to the new, lively districts.
Stay
Boutique Hotel am Stephansplatz - The central location and personalized service will make you feel welcome here at the Stephansplatz. Directly across the famous St. Stephen's cathedral and just minutes away from all major sights in the city centre, this boutique hotel offers the ideal location to discover the beautiful Vienna.
Park Hyatt Vienna - Located in the Golden Quarter of the city center, the Park Hyatt Vienna occupies a former bank building from the early 1900s and combines 5 star hotel luxury with traditional Viennese elegance. The Park Hyatt is centrally located, with only a 5-minute walk of some of Vienna's most famous attractions, including St. Stephen's Square and Cathedral or the Kärntner Straße shopping street and more.
Eat
Wiener Wiaz Haus - Traditional Austrian and German cuisine, the Wiener Wiaz Haus consists of a taproom with an original wooden bar and a parlor. Check it out for a lowkey dinner and taste the authentic delicacies of Vienna!
Ariston Hellenic Restaurant - Ariston offers its guests authentic Greek cuisine, family recipes from home and warm hospitality. In the summer, the beautiful pub garden offers plenty of space and shade to treat yourself to a fish, lamb and Greek wine under the shade of surrounding nature.
Salzburg
Salzburg’s charm is perfectly displayed by the old town, beautiful landscape and elegant culture. But more than that, it’s a musically gifted city, where performance, entertainment and music thrive. Often referred to as “Mozart’s City,” if you love music, then Salzburg is the place to go. Home to a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, Salzburg is full of cobblestone streets, Medieval and Baroque style buildings, palaces, monasteries and more.
See
Dom zu Salzburg (Salzburg Cathedral) - A testament to the city’s power, wealth and religion, the Salzburg Cathedral stands out with it’s height, Baroque style and turquoise domes. It’s free to enter the cathedral and open Monday through Saturday.
Altstadt (Old Town) - Museums, shops, restaurants, markets, and cathedrals… What’s not to love? Salzburg’s old town is a concentration of their culture. With 18th century architecture, walking through the streets of Altstadt will make you fall in love with the history and authenticity of the city.
Stay
Hotel Schloss Monchstein - Idyllic and centrally located, this hotel is surrounded by a beautiful park and has a wonderful view of the city. Rated a 5 star hotel, it not only counts with exclusive and luxurious equipment, but also a wonderfully warm welcoming team.
The Little Guest House - The Little Guest House is a bed and breakfast located in a residential area near the city center. With lots of character, and unique style, this place will absolutely make you feel at home.
Eat
Steakhouse Meat2Eat - Good food and a good atmosphere is what defines Meat2Eat. A steakhouse offering international and Austrian cuisine, this is one of the best meals you can have on your visit to Salzburg. Good value for your money and an extensive menu make this a place for anyone to enjoy!
The Glass Garden - The Glass Garden is a gourmet restaurant located in the middle of a newly constructed glass dome that features an expansive panorama window for guests to enjoy a beautiful view of Salzburg. It recently became a Michelin star restaurant and is regarded as one of the best restaurants in Salzburg. Whether it’s breakfast, lunch or dinner, The Glass Garden is worth going to.
Innsbruck
For the thrill seekers and adventure lovers, Innsbruck is the ideal stop on a trip to Austria. Although it’s peak is winter skiing, there’s still plenty to do over the summer months. The tall mountains lend themselves to wonderful hiking trails and exploration experiences. This scenic town is a great way to let loose and find your wild side.
See
Mountain Bike - Recommended activity for those with some previous experience. Innsbruck is a true bike city, offering vast options of single track, downhill and touring trails. Innsbruck is also home to the Nordkette SingleTrail, one of the steepest and most difficult in Europe. There are 4 main trail areas around Innsbruck that you can explore while mountain biking: Bikepark Innsbruck, Innsbrucker Nordketten Bahnen, Elferlifte and Bikepark Tirol.
Hiking - The close proximity of the mountains makes hiking quite easy here. You can get from the city up to the top of the mountains in less than half an hour. At the top, the views are incredible and worth taking the time to admire them.
Stay
AC Hotel - Located in the center of the city, the AC Hotel Innsbruck is close to the Main Train Station and old town. The first AC Hotel in Austria is also the perfect choice to explore the city walking or as a home base for the outdoor activities in the surrounding mountains.
Stage 12 - Also located in the center of the city, Stage 12 is a great choice for walking around the town. With unique rooms in an antique building and fantastic views of the mountains, Stage 12 makes your stay in Innsbruck that much more special.
Eat
Gasthof LAMM - With amazing local cuisine and kind personnel, Gasthof Lamm is a popular stop in Innsbruck. Fresh and modern, the restaurant has raving reviews and is moderately priced for the experience.
Machete - For a different type of food experience, visit Mexican cuisine restaurant Machete in the heart of the city. Although simple, it’s consistent and great. A chill stop after a long day of exploring is definitely necessary sometimes, and that’s exactly what you’ll get at Machete.