What animals live in Austria?

Austria has some remarkable wildlife living in its forests and mountains! The Alps are home to the chamois, a sure-footed mountain goat-antelope that leaps across steep rocky cliffs. You can also find red deer, wild boar, and the golden eagle soaring high above the mountain peaks. Down in the valleys and forests, Austria has brown bears, though they are quite rare and mostly spotted near the borders with neighboring countries. The marmot is a favorite — it's a chunky, burrowing animal that lives in alpine meadows and lets out a sharp whistle to warn its family of danger. Austria takes its wildlife seriously, which is why many of these animals have survived in the mountain regions for centuries.

What do kids eat in Austria?

Austrian kids eat some really hearty, delicious food! One of the most famous dishes is Wiener Schnitzel — a thin slice of meat, usually pork or veal, that gets coated in breadcrumbs and fried until golden. It is often served with a slice of lemon and potato salad on the side. For something sweet, Austrian kids love Apfelstrudel, which is a warm pastry stuffed with cinnamon apples and sometimes raisins, dusted with powdered sugar. Bread is a big deal in Austria too — bakeries called Bäckereien sell all kinds of rolls and loaves fresh every morning, and a soft bread roll called a Semmel is a breakfast favorite.

How do people say hello in Austria?

In Austria, the most common greeting is 'Grüß Gott,' which literally means 'Greet God' — people have been saying this for hundreds of years! You pronounce it roughly like 'Groos Gott.' It's a warm, everyday way to say hello to someone you pass on the street or meet in a shop. Younger Austrians also say 'Hallo' (just like our 'hello') or 'Servus,' which is a friendly, casual greeting between friends. Austria is a German-speaking country, so if you ever learned any German, you'd feel right at home there. Rusty thinks it's worth knowing that even the old greeting 'Grüß Gott' is a reminder that Austria has a long Christian history — though today, many Austrians don't yet know Jesus personally, which is one reason missionaries serve there.

What sports or games do kids play in Austria?

Austrian kids love skiing and snowboarding — and no wonder, since the Austrian Alps give them some of the most spectacular mountain slopes in the world. Football (what we call soccer) is hugely popular too, played in schoolyards and parks all across the country. In summer, hiking and cycling are big favorites, and many kids grow up learning to play tennis or swim in the clear alpine lakes. There is also a traditional card game called Schnapsen that Austrian families have played together for generations — it takes real skill and sharp thinking to win!

What's the weather like in Austria?

Austria sits right in the heart of Europe, and its weather changes a lot depending on where you stand. The mountains in the west get heavy snow in winter — deep enough to bury a car — while the eastern valleys stay milder and drier. Summers in Austria are warm and green, with wildflowers covering the mountain meadows. But winters in the Alps can be fierce, with temperatures dropping well below freezing. People there have learned to build sturdy homes and live close-knit lives through the long, cold months — which is actually one reason cozy indoor gatherings, including church ones, have been so important to Austrian life for centuries.

Tell me a fun fact about Austria.

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! Austria is a landlocked country in the heart of Europe, surrounded by eight other countries — that's more neighbors than almost anywhere on the map. It sits in the Alps, one of the great mountain ranges of the world, where some peaks stay snowcapped all year long. Austria is also the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, one of the most gifted composers who ever lived. He was writing music by the time he was five years old, and people still play his pieces in concert halls all over the world today. It's a reminder that God places remarkable gifts in people in all kinds of places.

What is school like for kids in Austria?

In Austria, kids usually start school at age six, and school is taken very seriously there. Students learn German (the main language), math, history, and science — and many Austrian kids also start learning English while they are still in primary school. After a few years, students are sorted into different types of schools depending on whether they want to go on to university or learn a skilled trade. One thing that stands out about Austrian schools is that they often finish earlier in the day than schools in some other countries — sometimes by early afternoon. Austria has a long history of music and art, so those subjects get real attention in the classroom. Most Austrian kids grow up going to school in a country where Bibles are available and churches exist, but many families there do not think much about Jesus day to day — which is one reason missionaries and local Christians work hard to share the good news with their neighbors.

Who are the unreached people in Austria?

Austria looks like a very Christian country on the surface — there are old stone churches almost everywhere you look, and most Austrians would say they are Catholic. But Herman and I have learned that having a church building nearby is not the same as personally knowing Jesus. Many Austrians have never heard a clear explanation of the gospel, and most do not read the Bible or follow Jesus in their daily lives. That makes them unreached in a very real sense. Austria also has growing communities of people from other countries and backgrounds — including Turkish and Bosnian Muslims who have moved there and often live in tight-knit groups where the gospel rarely enters. Romani people, who have lived across Central Europe for centuries, are another group that missionaries are working hard to reach with the good news of Jesus. Pray that God would raise up bold local Christians in Austria who will share the gospel with their neighbors, and that people from every background living in Austria would hear about Jesus and trust Him as their Savior.

How can I pray for the people of Austria?

Austria is a beautiful country in the heart of Europe, but most people there don't have a personal relationship with Jesus. Even though many Austrians grew up going to church, very few have heard the gospel explained clearly — the good news that Jesus died for their sins and rose again so they can know God personally. You can pray that real, life-changing faith takes root there. Here are some specific things to bring to God: Pray that Austrian families and young people hear the gospel and trust Jesus as their Savior. Pray for the small but faithful churches in Austria to grow strong and bold. Ask God to give missionaries open doors to share His Word, and pray that more Austrian men and women step up as leaders to tell their own people about Jesus. God hears those prayers, and He is at work in Austria.

What is a holiday or celebration in Austria?

One of the most beloved celebrations in Austria is Advent, the four weeks leading up to Christmas. Towns across Austria set up beautiful Christkindlmarkt — that means 'Christ Child markets' — where families gather around wooden stalls selling warm drinks, handmade crafts, and gingerbread cookies. The whole season points toward celebrating the birth of Jesus. On December 6th, Austrians also celebrate St. Nicholas Day. A figure dressed as a bishop named Nikolaus visits children and leaves small gifts like nuts, oranges, and chocolates in their boots. It is a tradition with deep Christian roots, reminding families of a man who was known for generosity in the name of Jesus. Many Austrian families still go to church during these holidays, which gives missionaries and local believers wonderful chances to share the real story of why Jesus came.

What language do people speak in Austria?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! The main language of Austria is German. It is the same language used in Germany and much of Switzerland, though Austrians have their own accent and some unique local words that might sound a little different to other German speakers. Rusty loves this part — Austria also has small groups of people who speak other languages, like Slovene, Croatian, and Hungarian, especially near the borders with neighboring countries. Because most Austrians speak German, missionaries and Bible teachers who want to share the gospel there usually learn German so they can talk with people about Jesus clearly and well.

What's a famous place to visit in Austria?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! One of the most famous places in Austria is the city of Vienna, the capital. It is full of grand old buildings, tall church spires, and wide squares that have been there for hundreds of years. People travel from all over the world just to walk its streets. Rusty especially loves telling people about St. Stephen's Cathedral right in the heart of Vienna. It has a colorful tiled roof and towers so tall they seem to poke the clouds. Austria has a long history connected to the church in Europe, and places like this remind us that people have been asking big questions about God for a very long time — and the good news is that Jesus is still the answer today.

Austria — Kids Missions Explorer

Alpine Ibex

This sure-footed wild goat climbs nearly vertical rock faces in the Austrian Alps with remarkable calm, using its split hooves like natural climbing shoes.

European Brown Bear

A small number of brown bears still roam the forested mountains of Austria, making them one of the rarest and most watched wildlife sightings in the country.

White Stork

White storks build enormous nests on rooftops and chimneys across the Austrian countryside and have been welcomed by villagers as a sign of spring for centuries.

Wiener Schnitzel

A thin slice of veal pounded flat, coated in breadcrumbs, and pan-fried until golden, it is Austria's most recognized dish and is often served with a wedge of lemon.

Apfelstrudel

Thin pastry dough is stretched almost paper-thin, then rolled around spiced apples and raisins to create a warm dessert that fills Austrian bakeries with a wonderful smell.

Kaiserschmarrn

Named after an emperor, this fluffy shredded pancake is dusted with powdered sugar and served with plum jam, making it a beloved Austrian comfort food for all ages.

Austria

Things you should know about Austria

Wildlife you might meet

What’s on the table

Did you know?

Life in Austria

Missions in Austria

Pray for Austria