Let’s be real: choosing between Germany and Austria is like picking your favorite child—or, more realistically, like deciding between schnitzel and bratwurst. Both are amazing, both have their quirks, and both really, really like beer.
In this guide, we’ll dive into the hilarious and brutally honest realities of each country to help you figure out where to spend your precious vacation days.
Spoiler alert: by the end, you might just want to go to both.
Now, how did we come up with this list of epic comparisons? Simple. We asked the hard questions: Who has better food? Where’s the vibe cooler? And, honestly, which country looks hotter on Instagram? No stone—or massive Alpine boulder—was left unturned.
Here’s the thing about Germany and Austria: they’re like sibling rivals. Germany’s the boisterous big brother with world-class engineering and an almost suspicious passion for efficiency. Austria’s the artsy younger sibling that glides through life listening to Mozart and showing off jaw-dropping mountain scenery like it’s no big deal.
Both destinations have a lot on offer, from castles so pretty you’ll forget your phone’s storage is full, to cultural quirks bound to make you chuckle (seriously, Germans have words for everything).
So, no matter which direction your travel plans take you—to the land of endless pretzels or the country basically invented by Instagram filters—you’re in for a wild ride. Let’s settle this once and for all: Germany vs Austria. Who’s got the edge? Let’s find out…
Love Germany? Click here to download your free guide to 25 Incredible Things You Must Do In Germany In Your Lifetime. You won’t want to miss them!
Germany vs Austria: Who Deserves Your Precious Vacation Time?
Beer Belly Battles: Who Wins the Lager Olympics?
When it comes to beer, Germany comes strutting in with its steins held high and Oktoberfest glory. With over 1,500 breweries making ales so pure they invented a law about it (hello, Reinheitsgebot), they treat beer like a national treasure.
Austria, on the other hand, plays it chill. They’re the underdog with slightly cheaper, quirkier brews and fewer tourism-fueled hangovers.
Sure, Austria doesn’t have a beer festival larger than some cities, but they make up for it with cozy “beer gardens” and fewer obnoxiously drunk foreigners taking selfies.
Winner: Germany. It’s not an Oktober-fight when there’s an Oktoberfest.
Read more about why German beer is so great here.
Schnitzel Showdown: Flattened Meat, Big Flavor, Bigger Debates
Germany’s schnitzels feel like comfort food cooked by your grandma—homey, robust, unpretentious. But step into Austria, and schnitzel elevates itself into a golden, crispy masterpiece larger than the plate it’s served on.
Austrians take such pride in their breaded meat they’ve practically trademarked it (cue the Wiener Schnitzel elegance). Germans dabble with alternatives like pork or turkey schnitzel, while Austrians laugh from behind their veal cutlets.
Either way, both countries excel at clogging visitors’ arteries in the best possible way.
Winner: Austria, for the extra crunch and a schnitzel bigger than your face.
Read more about Schnitzels here.
Castles, Cathedrals, and Overpriced Souvenirs: Which Country Does Fairy Tale Vibes Better?
Germany brings its A-game with the OG fairy tale castle, Neuschwanstein, plus riverside Rhine Valley gems and medieval towns that scream “please add filters for Instagram.”
Austria counters with Habsburg palaces that insist, “We were royalty, and we know it.” Vienna’s grandeur can feel a pinch stuffy, but Salzburg’s Sound of Music aesthetic saves the day.
Germany might have Disney-esque castles, but Austria’s charm lies in embracing imperial we-have-gold-everywhere vibes.
Souvenirs? Same overpriced nonsense everywhere.
Winner: Germany. Disney knows what’s up.
Check out our favorite fairy-tale old towns here.
Yodel-ay-hee-WHAT? Mountains, Music, and Who Does It Better
Germany’s Alps are stunning, and Bavaria brings the fun with ski lifts doubling as après-ski bars. But Austria is the yodel capital, with traditional sounds set against snow-capped greatness.
Plus, Austria’s obsession with Mozart and classical music adds an elegant backdrop to its alpine wonder.
Germans prefer hearty beer hall singalongs to actual yodeling, and hey, that’s valid too. Ultimately, Austria offers a slightly more dramatic mountain range and an unshaken pride in their high-altitude, high-culture brand.
Winner: Austria. Yodeling + Mozart + amazing slopes = Germany can ski another day.
Cultural Stereotypes Unleashed: Are Austrians Just German Lite?
Is Austria just a smaller, quirkier version of Germany? Depends on who you ask. Germans laugh at Austrians for their weird cinnamon-dusted coffee culture, slower pace of life, and obsession with skiing.
Austrians, in turn, find Germans uptight and too focused on rules. Culturally, Austria is more chill and loves elegance, while Germany can feel like it’s running a nation-sized efficiency experiment.
Plus, Austria has waltzes! Sorry, Germany—you can’t waltz to punctuality.
Winner: Austria. Germany might be “bigger,” but size isn’t everything.
Read more about Germany’s love of rules and order here.
Pretend to Be a Local: Lederhosen, Dirndls, and Awkward Traditions
Germans and Austrians agree on one thing: there’s no tradition too awkward to try in public. Throw on lederhosen or a dirndl to truly blend in at festivals—but beware, Austrians do it subtly while southern Germans flood every Oktoberfest photo tagged #BeerGoals.
Want to try polka dancing? Germans have the beer halls for it. Want a slower, slightly more elegant version? Austria says, “Hold my schnapps.” Whether it’s traditional outfits or alpine folk dancing, both countries lean into hilarious nostalgia; you’ll just look a bit more refined doing it in Austria.
Winner: Austria. Fewer drunk tourists, more authentic vibes.
Ski Slopes or City Streets: Which Country Has the Better Insta-Worthy Views?
Austria may have its charming Alps, but Germany? Oh, Germany brings the whole aesthetic buffet. Picture-perfect medieval towns like Rothenburg ob der Tauber, the actual fairy tale fuel that probably inspired Snow White’s interior designer. And Neuschwanstein Castle? It looks like Disney himself rolled up his sleeves and said, “Let’s make magic real.”
Germany’s cities are just as photogenic. Berlin offers edgy street art vibes, rooftop views, and enough hipster cafés to fill an entire photo carousel. Munich pairs beer gardens with mountain backdrops, because why choose between cozy and epic?
Meanwhile, Germany’s Black Forest casually drops off the actual definition of “enchanted” into your feed.
Winner: Germany. Austria’s Alps can only do so much snow before your followers start scrolling.
Find our list of the most insta-worthy places in Germany here.
History Buff’s Dilemma: WWII Sites vs. Habsburg Palaces – Who Wins?
Germany gives history buffs a dark, somber journey through WWII sites, Berlin’s memorials, and leftovers from the Cold War era. Austria, meanwhile, leans into historical eye candy like the Schönbrunn Palace or the Belvedere’s gilded halls, softly reminding you that emperors lived lives you can barely imagine.
Sure, both countries have their share of medieval ruins, but nothing says “pick a vibe” like Auschwitz versus Klimt paintings. It all depends on how intense you want your history lesson.
Winner: Germany. There is so much well-know historical sites here.
Click here for our list of the best places to visit in Germany for history buffs.
Angry Waiters vs. Barely Polite Locals: Who’s the Real Hospitality Champion?
German hospitality often feels like a stern teacher marking your homework: efficient but devoid of fluff. Austrians, by contrast, are just as blunt—but they’ll serve you a coffee so good you’ll forgive their side-glances of judgment.
German service gets points for punctuality but loses them for ever-so-slight impatience. Austrians may offer Viennese coffeehouse rudeness, but at least they’ll hand you a slice of Sachertorte with a smile (albeit a sarcastic one).
You’re never quite sure if it’s just cultural bluntness or if they’re actually mad, but that’s part of the fun.
Winner: Too hard to tell.
Which Country Owns Christmas? A Dissection of Markets, Lights, and Glühwein
German Christmas markets are the holy grail of twinkly wonderlands, serving up bratwurst and Glühwein so good you’ll ignore frostbite to stand in line.
Austria, however, gives Germany some stiff competition. Vienna’s Christmas markets are picture-perfect, with fairy lights strung as elegantly as strudel layers.
Germany’s markets feel delightfully chaotic (the good kind), while Austria leans into quiet charm over bombastic festivity. Either way, expect wooden ornaments, cozy vibes, and handmade trinkets you’ll lovingly overpay for.
Winner: Germany. Bigger is better, at least in the holiday season.
Find all our guides to Germany at Christmas here.
And The Winner Is….
Choosing a winner in the epic Germany vs. Austria showdown is as tough as deciding between schnitzel and strudel—both are irresistibly good in their own way. But alas, a decision must be made, and after weighing their beers, castles, mountains, and more, the winner is… Germany!
Why? Germany edges out Austria simply by offering a broader range of experiences. It’s a country where you can clink steins at the wildest beer festivals in the world, explore fairytale castles that inspired Disney dreams, and dive into a deeply influential history that’s shaped modern Europe.
Sure, Austria’s Alps are stunning, but Germany’s diversity—from the dramatic Black Forest to the funky streets of Berlin—just has a little bit more to offer. And let’s not forget: Germans bring ruthless efficiency to hospitality, ensuring your stay is as flawless as their engineering.
That said, Austria is no slouch—it shines in traditions, jaw-dropping mountain views, and Christmas magic. But in the end, Germany’s variety and iconic cultural experiences make it the slightly bigger hitter in this hilarious vacation face-off.
Prost to your perfect trip, wherever you go!
You can also find all our guides to help you plan your trip to Germany here or find our comparison of Germany vs France here.
