Day 1-2: Vienna – The Imperial Capital

City Overview

Vienna, Austria’s capital and largest city, stands as a testament to the grandeur of the Habsburg Empire. With a population of nearly 2 million inhabitants, this magnificent city along the Danube River seamlessly blends imperial heritage with contemporary innovation. The city’s UNESCO-listed historic center showcases stunning Baroque and Art Nouveau architecture, while its renowned coffee house culture, world-class museums, and vibrant arts scene make it one of Europe’s most culturally significant destinations.

Vienna consistently ranks among the world’s most livable cities, boasting an efficient public transportation system, abundant green spaces, and a quality of life that reflects centuries of refined urban development. The city’s musical legacy is unparalleled, having been home to legendary composers including Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, and Strauss, whose influence permeates the city’s concert halls and opera houses to this day.

Day 1: Imperial Vienna

Begin your Austrian adventure at the magnificent Schönbrunn Palace, the former summer residence of the Habsburg emperors. This stunning 1,441-room Baroque palace, surrounded by immaculate gardens spanning 1.2 square kilometers, offers a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of Maria Theresa and her descendants. Wander through the lavishly decorated state rooms, marvel at the Great Gallery’s ceiling frescoes, and explore the vast palace gardens featuring the Neptune Fountain, the Roman Ruins, and the world’s oldest zoo, founded in 1752.

In the afternoon, venture to the historic city center and visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Vienna’s Gothic masterpiece whose distinctive tiled roof has dominated the skyline since the 14th century. Climb the 343 steps to the South Tower for panoramic views of the city, or descend into the catacombs beneath the cathedral, where generations of Viennese citizens and Habsburg royalty have been laid to rest.

Conclude your first day with a stroll along the Kärntner Strasse, Vienna’s premier shopping boulevard, before experiencing the city’s legendary coffee house culture. Stop at Café Central or Café Sacher to savor a slice of the famous Sachertorte, a rich chocolate cake that has become synonymous with Viennese culinary tradition.

Day 2: Art, Culture, and Imperial Majesty

Dedicate your second day to Vienna’s extraordinary museum quarter. Start at the Hofburg Palace, the Habsburg winter residence that now houses the offices of the Austrian president. Explore the Imperial Apartments, the Sisi Museum dedicated to Empress Elisabeth, and the Imperial Silver Collection, which showcases the elaborate tableware used for state banquets.

Adjacent to the Hofburg, visit the Austrian National Library, where the State Hall’s Baroque splendor will leave you breathless. This architectural masterpiece, adorned with magnificent frescoes by Daniel Gran, houses over 200,000 volumes dating from 1501 to 1850.

Spend your afternoon at the MuseumsQuartier, one of the world’s largest cultural complexes. The Leopold Museum contains the world’s largest collection of Egon Schiele works, while the Museum of Modern Art (MUMOK) showcases 20th and 21st-century avant-garde art. Art history enthusiasts should not miss the Kunsthistorisches Museum, housing masterpieces by Bruegel, Rembrandt, Vermeer, and the world’s most comprehensive collection of Habsburg portraits.

In the evening, if time and budget permit, attend a performance at the Vienna State Opera, one of the world’s most prestigious opera houses. Standing-room tickets offer an affordable way to experience world-class performances in this architectural gem.

Day 3: Salzburg – Mozart’s Birthplace

City Overview

Salzburg, Austria’s fourth-largest city with approximately 155,000 inhabitants, nestles between the Salzach River and the imposing Hohensalzburg Fortress. This UNESCO World Heritage Site perfectly preserves its medieval and Baroque character, with narrow cobblestone streets, elegant squares, and towering church spires creating an architectural ensemble of exceptional beauty. As the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and the setting for “The Sound of Music,” Salzburg enjoys international fame that far exceeds its modest size.

The city’s name, meaning “Salt Fortress,” reflects its historical wealth derived from the salt trade. Surrounded by picturesque Alpine foothills and the nearby Salzkammergut lake district, Salzburg offers a perfect blend of urban culture and natural beauty. The city’s musical heritage continues through the renowned Salzburg Festival, attracting classical music enthusiasts from around the world each summer.

Exploring the Old Town

Take the morning train from Vienna to Salzburg (approximately 2.5 hours) and begin your exploration at Mozart’s Birthplace (Mozarts Geburtshaus) on Getreidegasse 9. This yellow townhouse, where the musical genius was born in 1756, now serves as a museum displaying his childhood violin, portraits, and personal letters that illuminate his extraordinary life.

Stroll through the Getreidegasse, Salzburg’s most famous shopping street, distinguished by its elaborate wrought-iron guild signs that have adorned the buildings for centuries. Each shop proudly displays these artistic masterpieces, creating a visual feast as you wander through this narrow medieval lane.

Visit the Salzburg Cathedral, a magnificent Baroque structure where Mozart was baptized and later served as court organist. The cathedral’s stunning dome, ornate interior, and powerful organ create an atmosphere of spiritual grandeur. The adjacent Residenzplatz, featuring the impressive Residenzbrunnen fountain, serves as the heart of the old town and hosts various markets throughout the year.

The Fortress and Beyond

Ascend to Hohensalzburg Fortress via the funicular railway. This massive medieval castle, perched 120 meters above the city, ranks among Europe’s largest and best-preserved fortifications. Constructed in 1077 and expanded over the centuries, the fortress offers spectacular panoramic views of Salzburg’s rooftops, the winding Salzach River, and the surrounding Alpine peaks. Explore the state rooms, the medieval torture chamber, and the fortress museum to understand the castle’s strategic importance throughout history

In the afternoon, cross the Salzach River to visit the Mirabell Palace and Gardens. These exquisite Baroque gardens, designed in geometric patterns with sculpted hedges, marble statues, and fountains, featured prominently in “The Sound of Music.” The Pegasus Fountain and the garden’s central axis, offering views toward the fortress, create perfect photo opportunities.

Conclude your day with a walk through the Mönchsberg, a forested hill offering peaceful trails and breathtaking views. The Museum der Moderne at its summit provides a striking architectural contrast to the old town’s historic buildings while hosting contemporary art exhibitions.

Day 4: Hallstatt and the Salzkammergut

The Jewel of the Salzkammergut

Journey from Salzburg to Hallstatt, arguably Austria’s most photographed village. This impossibly picturesque settlement of fewer than 800 inhabitants clings to the steep shores of the Hallstätter See (Lake Hallstatt), overshadowed by the towering Dachstein massif. Hallstatt’s history spans over 7,000 years, with archaeological evidence of prehistoric salt mining dating back to the Bronze Age, earning it UNESCO World Heritage status.

The village’s name derives from the Celtic word “hal” meaning salt, reflecting the “white gold” that brought prosperity to this remote mountain community. Traditional wooden houses with flower-bedecked balconies cascade down the hillside, their reflections shimmering in the crystal-clear lake waters, creating a scene of almost surreal beauty that has captivated visitors for generations.

Exploring Hallstatt

Begin your exploration at the Hallstatt Skywalk, accessible via funicular railway. This viewing platform, perched 360 meters above the village, offers breathtaking panoramas of Lake Hallstatt, the surrounding mountains, and the village’s distinctive architecture. The adjacent Salt Mine, the world’s oldest, offers guided tours through ancient tunnels carved by miners over millennia. Experience the traditional miners’ slide and learn about the salt extraction techniques that sustained this community for centuries.

Return to the village and visit the Hallstatt Church with its distinctive Gothic spire. The adjacent Bone House (Beinhaus) presents a fascinating, if somewhat macabre, tradition: due to limited cemetery space, bones of the deceased are exhumed after ten years, bleached, and decorated with paintings and inscriptions before being stacked in this small chapel. Over 1,200 skulls, artfully adorned with floral motifs and family names, offer a unique perspective on Alpine funerary customs.

Spend the afternoon wandering through Hallstatt’s narrow lanes, visiting artisan workshops where traditional crafts continue. Take a peaceful boat ride on the lake, whose waters reach depths of 125 meters and maintain a pristine quality that supports diverse aquatic life. The surrounding Salzkammergut region offers numerous hiking trails through meadows ablaze with wildflowers in summer, leading to secluded alpine lakes and mountain peaks.

Day 5-6: Innsbruck – Capital of the Alps

City Overview

Innsbruck, the capital of Tyrol with approximately 130,000 inhabitants, occupies a dramatic position in the Inn Valley, surrounded by towering Alpine peaks reaching heights of 2,300 meters. The city’s name literally means “bridge over the Inn,” referencing the river that flows through its heart. This unique location makes Innsbruck one of Europe’s premier Alpine destinations, where urban sophistication meets mountain adventure.

Innsbruck has twice hosted the Winter Olympics (1964 and 1976), cementing its reputation as a world-class winter sports destination. However, the city’s appeal extends far beyond its athletic facilities. The combination of medieval old town architecture, Habsburg imperial heritage, cutting-edge modern design (exemplified by Zaha Hadid’s Bergisel Ski Jump), and immediate access to Alpine wilderness creates a destination unlike any other in Austria.

Day 5: Old Town and Imperial Heritage

Begin your Innsbruck exploration at the Golden Roof (Goldenes Dachl), the city’s most iconic landmark. This ornate Gothic balcony, its roof covered with 2,657 fire-gilded copper tiles, was commissioned by Emperor Maximilian I in 1500 to serve as a royal viewing box for tournaments and festivities in the square below. The adjacent museum chronicles Maximilian’s life and Innsbruck’s significance as an imperial residence.

Explore the Old Town (Altstadt), where colorful medieval buildings line narrow streets. Visit the Imperial Palace (Hofburg), originally a medieval fortress transformed into an elegant Baroque residence by Empress Maria Theresa. The rococo-style Giant Hall, with its magnificent ceiling frescoes depicting the Tyrolean landscape and Habsburg family, ranks among Austria’s finest 18th-century interiors.

The Court Church (Hofkirche) houses Emperor Maximilian I’s cenotaph, surrounded by 28 larger-than-life bronze statues of his ancestors and heroes, creating one of Europe’s most impressive Renaissance monuments. Though Maximilian’s actual tomb lies in Vienna, this elaborate memorial reflects his desire to be buried in Tyrol, the land he loved.

In the afternoon, ascend the Stadtturm (City Tower) for panoramic views of Innsbruck’s red-tiled roofs against the dramatic mountain backdrop. This 51-meter Gothic tower, dating from the 15th century, served as a watchtower and offers a 360-degree perspective that beautifully illustrates Innsbruck’s unique position between city and summit.

Day 6: Alpine Adventures

Dedicate your sixth day to experiencing Innsbruck’s mountain environment. Take the Nordkette Cable Car, a marvel of modern engineering designed by Zaha Hadid, from the city center directly into the high Alps. Within 20 minutes, you’ll ascend from 560 meters to 2,256 meters at the Hafelekar summit station, part of the Karwendel Nature Park, one of the largest protected areas in the Eastern Alps.

The journey involves two cable car segments. First, the Hungerburg funicular whisks you to the Hungerburg station (860 meters), where Hadid’s futuristic stations seem to emerge organically from the landscape. Continue to Seegrube (1,905 meters) and finally to Hafelekar, where spectacular views extend across the Inn Valley to the Stubai Alps and Zillertal mountains. On clear days, visibility reaches over 100 kilometers.

Numerous hiking trails of varying difficulty radiate from the cable car stations. The Goetheweg, a panoramic trail connecting Hafelekar and Pfeishütte, offers spectacular views accessible to moderately fit hikers. Alternatively, simply relax at the mountaintop restaurants, savoring traditional Tyrolean cuisine while chamois and ibex graze on nearby slopes.

Descend to visit the Bergisel Ski Jump, another Zaha Hadid masterpiece. This Olympic facility’s tower, rising 50 meters above the jump, includes a panoramic restaurant and viewing platform offering unique perspectives of Innsbruck and the surrounding mountains. Even for non-ski jumping enthusiasts, the architectural achievement and views justify the visit.

In the evening, explore Maria-Theresien-Strasse, Innsbruck’s grand boulevard, where Baroque buildings house elegant shops, cafés, and restaurants. The street’s defining feature is its perfectly framed view of the Nordkette mountains, with the street seeming to lead directly into the peaks—a perspective celebrated by locals and visitors alike.

Day 7: Wachau Valley – Wine Country and Medieval Charm

The Danube’s Most Beautiful Stretch

Return toward Vienna via the Wachau Valley, a 30-kilometer stretch of the Danube River between Melk and Krems that UNESCO recognizes for its outstanding cultural landscape. This region represents 1,000 years of harmony between human cultivation and natural beauty, where steep terraced vineyards, apricot orchards, medieval castles, and picturesque villages create scenes of remarkable beauty.

The Wachau enjoys a microclimate that produces some of Austria’s finest wines, particularly the crisp Grüner Veltliner and aromatic Riesling varietals. The region’s winemaking tradition dates to Roman times, and today over 260 vintners cultivate approximately 1,350 hectares of vineyards on south-facing slopes that capture maximum sunlight. The combination of the Danube’s moderating influence, loess-covered terraces, and traditional cultivation methods creates wines of exceptional quality and distinctive character.

Melk Abbey – Baroque Magnificence

Begin your Wachau exploration at Melk Abbey, perhaps Austria’s most magnificent monastery. This Baroque masterpiece, perched on a rocky outcrop 60 meters above the Danube, has served as a Benedictine abbey since 1089. The current building, constructed between 1702 and 1736, represents Austrian Baroque architecture at its most exuberant.

The abbey’s Marble Hall and Library showcase elaborate ceiling frescoes by Paul Troger depicting allegories of faith and knowledge. The library houses approximately 100,000 volumes, including 1,800 manuscripts, some dating to the 9th century. The abbey church’s golden interior creates an atmosphere of spiritual grandeur, with statues of saints, intricate stucco work, and soaring domes that seem to reach toward heaven.

The abbey’s terraced gardens offer spectacular views across the Danube Valley, particularly beautiful in spring when roses bloom in profusion. Active as both a monastery and educational institution, Melk Abbey represents a living tradition of Benedictine spirituality and scholarship spanning over nine centuries.

Dürnstein and the Wachau Villages

Continue to Dürnstein, arguably the Wachau’s most charming village. This tiny settlement of 900 inhabitants clusters around its distinctive blue-and-white Baroque church tower, visible for kilometers along the Danube. Above the village, ruins of Dürnstein Castle crown a hilltop where, according to legend, England’s King Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned in 1192 during his return from the Crusades.

Dürnstein’s cobbled streets, lined with Renaissance and Baroque buildings now housing wine taverns (Heurigen), wine shops, and small hotels, invite leisurely exploration. Sample the local Marillenschnaps (apricot brandy) and fresh apricot pastries, regional specialties that celebrate the fruit thriving in the valley’s favorable climate.

Drive or cycle through additional Wachau villages such as Weissenkirchen and Spitz, each with distinctive churches, wine cellars, and views of the surrounding vineyards and mountains. Stop at a traditional Heuriger to taste current-vintage wines accompanied by simple local fare—cold meats, cheeses, spreads, and fresh bread—served in rustic wine gardens overlooking the valley.

Conclude your journey in Krems, the Wachau’s eastern gateway. This historic town of 25,000 inhabitants preserves a beautiful old quarter with medieval streets, Gothic churches, and Renaissance townhouses. The Kunsthalle Krems and Karikaturmuseum provide cultural attractions, while wine shops offer final opportunities to purchase bottles from the valley’s finest vintners.