14 Days in Austria
Trip Overview
This 14-day Austria itinerary balances imperial cities with mountain silence. You will sip melange in marble-clad cafés, ride steam trains through pine forests, and hike trails scented with edelweiss. Days move from palace-lined boulevards to glass-calm lakes and vineyard terraces at sunset. Expect moderate walking, punctuated by long lunches of tafelspitz and apricot dumplings, and evenings of Mozart or mountain folk songs.
Pace
Moderate
Daily Budget
$150-220 per day
Best Seasons
May through mid-October for alpine trails; December for Christmas markets
Ideal For
First-time visitors, Culture seekers, Food lovers, Moderate hikers
Day-by-Day Itinerary
A complete plan for every day of your trip
1
Ringstrasse Coffee & Hofburg Whispers
Touch down, drop bags, dive straight into Vienna's imperial heart.
Morning
Walk the Ringstrasse from Stadtpark to Rathaus
Start at Stadtpark station, follow the tram tracks past Gothic Rathaus, neo-Renaissance Parliament, and the rose-stone State Opera. Pause for coffee at Café Landtmann where Freud once stirred sugar cubes.
Lunch
Figlmüller Bäckerstrasse for schnitzel the size of a dinner plate
Afternoon
Hofburg Palace Imperial Apartments & Sisi Museum
Climb the marble staircase, feel the hush of silk-wallpapered rooms, smell beeswax polish on parquet floors. Audio guide explains Empress Elisabeth's corset obsession and 19th-century gossip.
Buy skip-the-line ticket online to avoid queues after 11 a.m.
Evening
Dinner at Plachutta Wollzeile followed by twilight walk on Graben
Order tafelspitz simmered in copper kettles, stroll past baroque facades lit golden
Where to Stay Tonight
Innere Stadt (Hotel Topazz)
Art-nouveau design, five-minute walk to Hofburg, rooftop views of Stephansdom
See all Austria accommodation options →Ring tram seats facing right side give best palace views clockwise
Day 1 Budget: $190
2
Belvedere Palaces & Naschmarkt Bites
Klimt's gold leaf and spice-market scents fill the senses.
Morning
Upper Belvedere Palace & Klimt's 'The Kiss'
Climb the sloping gardens, water glistening in baroque fountains, then stand inches from Klimt's shimmering lovers. Rooms smell faintly of linden wood paneling.
Lunch
Neni am Naschmarkt for Israeli-Austrian fusion hummus with pumpkin seed oil
Afternoon
Naschmarkt stroll & antique hunting
Browse hand-painted ceramics, taste pickled gherkins from barrels, smell curry-scented air from street-grill stands. End with Sachertorte truffle from Xocolat.
Evening
Concert at Musikverein Golden Hall
Book standing-room ticket for Brahms or Schubert in acoustically perfect space
Where to Stay Tonight
Innere Stadt (Hotel Topazz)
Same base avoids packing. Short U-Bahn ride to concert hall
See all Austria accommodation options →Stand right side of Golden Hall for clearest violin sound
Day 2 Budget: $170
3
Wachau Grapes & Melk Abbey
Cruise the Danube past terraced vineyards to a golden abbey.
Morning
Danube boat Krems to Dürnstein
Ride the twin-deck white boat, wind carrying apricot blossom scent from shore orchards. Castles rise above silver water. Order a glass of Grüner Veltliner on deck.
Reserve seat on starboard side for castle views
Lunch
Weinquadrat Dürnstein for river-terrace schnitzel with apricot chutney
Afternoon
Melk Abbey Library & Marble Hall
Step into frescoed hall echoing with footsteps, leather spines gleaming under gilt ceiling. Smell of old parchment mixes with incense drifting from adjacent church.
Evening
Train back to Vienna, late noodle supper at Ramien noodle bar
Try duck-broth ramen with pumpkin seed oil drizzle
Where to Stay Tonight
Innere Stadt (Hotel Topazz)
Return to same hotel for laundry and simplicity
See all Austria accommodation options →Sit front row on boat upper deck for unobstructed photos
Day 3 Budget: $160
4
Vienna Woods Heuriger Wine
Grinzing
Tram to village lanes lined with chestnut trees and open-air wine taverns.
Morning
Tram D to Grinzing, walk through vineyards
Climb cobbled lanes past pastel Biedermeier houses, vineyards rustling with breeze, scent of fermenting grapes from cellar doors.
Lunch
Buschenschank Mayer am Pfarrplatz for cold-cut platter and young 2023 Grüner Veltliner
Afternoon
Beethoven House museum & local wine tasting
Hear the composer's deafness story in sparsely furnished attic room, then sample chestnut honey schnapps in adjacent courtyard.
Evening
Dinner at Werner Welser Heuriger, folk music trio on accordion
Order Brettljause board with horseradish cream and pickled pumpkin
Where to Stay Tonight
Innere Stadt (Hotel Topazz)
Easy tram ride back. Last tram at 00:30
See all Austria accommodation options →Bring cash. Most Heuriger do not accept cards
Day 4 Budget: $140
5
Salzburg Salt & Marionettes
Morning train to Salzburg, then baroque alleys and salt-mine thrills.
Morning
Reclining seats, Alps appearing like cardboard cut-outs. Order coffee and apple strudel from trolley, watch Danube fade into Salzach.
Reserve seat car 22 for mountain-side views
Lunch
St. Peter Stiftskulinarium since 803 AD for herb-crusted char
Afternoon
Hohensalzburg Fortress funicular & Marionette Museum
Rack railway climbs past red rooftops, cool stone corridors echoing. Puppet gallery shows hand-carved Mozart figures. Smell of pine from alpine storage rooms.
Buy combined ticket at base station
Evening
Dinner at Bärenwirt with live zither music
Order Salzburger Nockerl dessert, vanilla peaks like nearby mountains
Where to Stay Tonight
Altstadt (Hotel am Mirabellplatz)
Baroque townhouse, five-minute walk to Mozart's birthplace
See all Austria accommodation options →Evening fortress concerts sell out. Reserve early online
Day 5 Budget: $220
6
Sound of Music Trail & Lake Swim
Salzburg Lake District
Rent e-bike to Mondsee for alpine lake dip and wedding church visit.
Morning
E-bike Salzburg to Mondsee via Hellbrunn
Pedal flat Isar cycle path, apple orchards fragrant, castle Hellbrunn water gardens hissing with trick fountains. Breeze carries cowbell clink.
Rent from nextbike station at Mirabellplatz
Lunch
Gasthof Dorfwirt Mondsee for lake-perch fillet with lemon butter
Afternoon
Mondsee lake swim & Basilica visit
Clear turquoise water, snow-peaks mirrored. Inside basilica, smell of incense and old wood where Maria von Trapp married. Dip toes off wooden pier.
Evening
Return bike, schnitzel dinner at Sternbräu beer hall
Order unfiltered Zwickl beer brewed on site
Where to Stay Tonight
Altstadt (Hotel am Mirabellplatz)
No need to relocate. Secure bike storage available
See all Austria accommodation options →Swim shoes recommended. Lake stones can be sharp
Day 6 Budget: $155
7
Salt Mines & Ice Caves
Werfen
Subterranean slides and crystalline caverns beneath the Alps.
Morning
Train Salzburg to Werfen, bus to salt mine
Regional train through narrow valleys, river glinting below. At mine, don white overalls, glide down wooden slides into glittering chambers.
Book 09:00 slot to avoid crowds
Lunch
Gasthof Obauer Werfen for cheese-spätzle with crispy onions
Afternoon
Eisriesenwelt Ice Cave cable car & hike
Cable car creaks up limestone cliffs, temperature drops 15 °C inside caves. Walk past 30 m ice formations glowing turquoise under carbide lamps.
Bring jacket. Cave remains near freezing year-round
Evening
Return to Salzburg, casual dinner at Afro Café for shakshuka
Mint tea and cardamom cake on cushion seats
Where to Stay Tonight
Altstadt (Hotel am Mirabellplatz)
Werfen is day-trip; no luggage hassle
See all Austria accommodation options →Wear grippy shoes. Cave paths are metal grating
Day 7 Budget: $175
8
Hallstatt Postcard Perfection
Train and ferry into the world's most photographed village.
Morning
Change at Attnang, then hug turquoise Hallstättersee shoreline. Ferry meets train, engine humming across glass water reflecting salt-white peaks.
Sit left side for lake views final leg
Lunch
Gasthof Zauner terrace for char from lake smoked over beech wood
Afternoon
Bone House & lakeside stroll
Stacked skulls painted with ivy wreaths, cool chapel air heavy with incense. Walk market square, smell woodsmoke from bakeries, hear distant cowbells echoing off cliffs.
Evening
Sunset at Hallstatt Skywalk
Cable car up Saltzwelten for panoramic alpenglow, descent by 19:00
Where to Stay Tonight
Marktplatz (Seehotel Grüner Baum)
Waterside balconies. Wake to church bells and lapping waves
See all Austria accommodation options →Book dinner table 18:00 for sunset light on the lake
Day 8 Budget: $185
9
Salt Mine Slide & Alpine Stillness
Descend into prehistoric salt tunnels, evening kayak silence.
Morning
Hallstatt Salt Mine tour & miners' slide
Funicular up Salzberg, don leather miner pants, slide 64 m wooden chute into tunnels. Touch 7,000-year-old salt crystals glowing amber under lamps.
Arrive 09:30 to beat tour groups
Lunch
Rudolfsturm panorama restaurant for goulash soup with horseradish
Afternoon
Kayak on Hallstättersee to Obertraun
Paddle quiet water, limestone cliffs mirrored, only sound is dip of oar. Glide past reed beds, scent of pine drifting from shore.
Reserve double kayak at 14:00 for calmer winds
Evening
Fondue dinner at Gasthof Bergfried
Käsespätzle bubbling in ceramic pot on candle burner
Where to Stay Tonight
Marktplatz (Seehotel Grüner Baum)
Same lakefront room, no checkout hassle
See all Austria accommodation options →Bring swimwear. Hidden inlet near Obertraun good for dip
Day 9 Budget: $165
10
Grossglockner High Alpine Road
Heiligenblut
Wind over Austria's rooftop to glacier toes and marmot meadows.
Morning
Bus Hallstatt to Heiligenblut via Grossglockner High Alpine Road
Hairpin bends, waterfalls misting windshield, peaks scraping cobalt sky. Stop at Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe for glacier tongue view and marmot squeaks.
Sit right side for glacier vistas
Lunch
Glocknerblick restaurant for kaiserschmarrn with lingonberry jam
Afternoon
Heiligenblut church visit & short alpine hike
Gold onion domes glow beside Grossglockner peak, incense drifting inside. Walk 45 min to Gößnitz waterfall, smell of damp moss and larch needles.
Evening
Dinner at Hotel Kaiservilla with schnapps tasting
Try gentian schnapps distilled on site
Where to Stay Tonight
Heiligenblut village center (Hotel Kaiservilla)
Balcony views straight onto Grossglockner. Sauna after long bus ride
See all Austria accommodation options →Fill water bottle at church fountain. Alpine water is pure
Day 10 Budget: $180
11
Innsbruck Golden Roof & Bergisel Leap
Descend to Tyrolean capital, cable car up Olympic ski jump.
Morning
Postbus Heiligenblut to Lienz, then rail to Innsbruck
Bus winds down pine valleys, switch to train at Lienz. Drava river glints emerald, orchard scent drifting through open windows.
Reserve seat car 2 for valley views
Lunch
Ludwig at Hofburg Innsbruck for Tyrolean kaspressknödel soup
Afternoon
Nordkette cable car & Bergisel Ski Jump tower
Hungerburg funicular rises above red roofs, pine scent replaced by thin alpine air. From ski-jump tower, watch tiny hikers on Stubai glacier trail.
Cable car ticket includes city transport day pass
Evening
Dinner at Stiftskeller with Tyrolean folk show
Order schlutzkrapfen half-moon pasta with spinach and ricotta
Where to Stay Tonight
Altstadt (Hotel Weisses Kreuz)
15th-century townhouse steps from Golden Roof. Bike storage available
See all Austria accommodation options →Cable car last descent 18:00; linger at Seegrube for sunset beer
Day 11 Budget: $190
12
Stubai Glacier Skywalk
Stubai Valley
Glacier chairlift, suspension bridge, and summer snowball fight.
Morning
Stubai Glacier cable car trilogy to Top of Tyrol
Three-stage gondola above treeline, air thinning, snow patches year-round. Skywalk glass floor 3,000 m high, wind whipping jacket, crunch of crampons on ice.
Arrive 08:30 for clear views before clouds form
Lunch
Schaufelspitz mountain hut for glacier soup with sausage
Afternoon
Muttereralm alpine coaster ride
Single-rail coaster down 2.7 km track, pine-scented breeze, bell clang from grazing cows below valley floor.
Buy combined ticket with cable car for discount
Evening
Return to Innsbruck, dinner at Lichtblick rooftop bar
Try gin infused with alpine herbs overlooking illuminated city
Where to Stay Tonight
Altstadt (Hotel Weisses Kreuz)
Same central room, late-night kaiserschmarrn available downstairs
See all Austria accommodation options →Bring sunglasses. Glacier glare is intense even in summer
Day 12 Budget: $175
13
Zell am See Water & Wine
Crystal lake swim and vine-terrace sips under alpine sunset.
Morning
Rail Innsbruck to Zell am See via Schwarzach-St-Veit
Train skirts emerald Lake Zell, mountains mirrored well. Walk five minutes to lakeside promenade, scent of pine resin in warm air.
Left side seats for lake arrival views
Lunch
Seewirt Zell am See for zander fillet with parsley potatoes
Afternoon
Lake Zell swim & vineyard cycle to Thumersbach
Water cool but refreshing, Alps circling like fortress walls. Cycle lakeside path to Thumersbach, taste Zweigelt rosé on wooden jetty.
Evening
Dinner at Schloss Prielau with lakeside table
Order venison medallions with cranberry sauce
Where to Stay Tonight
Zell am See lakeside (Hotel Seehof)
Private lake access for dawn swims. Sauna with panoramic windows
See all Austria accommodation options →Swim shoes advised. Lake floor pebbly but clean
Day 13 Budget: $180
14
Return to Vienna via Semmering Railway
Scenic rail over viaducts to capital, farewell schnitzel.
Morning
Rail Zell am See to Vienna via Bischofshofen and Semmering
Climb Semmering Pass, 16 viaducts and 15 tunnels, pine forests giving way to vineyards. Order coffee and strudel in dining car.
Reserve window seat left side for mountain descent
Lunch
Dining car goulash with bread dumplings
Afternoon
Last stroll on Kärntner Strasse & Demel cake
Smell of roasted coffee beans drifting from Demel, taste Sachertorte final slice under baroque chandeliers. Pick up Mozartkugel souvenirs.
Evening
Farewell dinner at Plachutta Gasthaus zur Oper
Order tafelspitz broth followed by crispy horseradish potatoes
Where to Stay Tonight
Innere Stadt (Hotel Topazz)
Same art-nouveau spot for early airport transfer
See all Austria accommodation options →Airport train S7 departs Wien Mitte every 30 minutes. Buy ticket at red machines
Day 14 Budget: $190
Practical Information
Everything you need to know before you go
Getting Around
Book Ahead
Grossglockner High Alpine Road toll ticket, Hofburg Vienna skip-the-line, Sound of Music bike rental in Salzburg, Stubai glacier cable car, and any fortress or palace concert tickets.
Packing Essentials
Light down jacket for glaciers, swimwear for alpine lakes, sunscreen high SPF, grippy trainers, Austrian rail app on phone, and universal Type-C power adapter.
Total Budget
$2,400-3,100 for 14 days excluding flights
Customize Your Trip
Adapt this itinerary to your travel style
Budget Version
Use regional trains instead of Railjet, stay in Jugendherbergen hostels, picnic lunches from Billa supermarkets, and free hiking instead of cable cars.
Luxury Upgrade
Family-Friendly
Choose family rooms in Hotel Topazz and Seehof, shorten hikes to 1-2 hours, add Vienna Prater amusement park day, and rent bike trailers in Zell am See.
Book Activities for Your Trip
Tours, tickets, and experiences in Austria
Didn't see anything interesting yet?
Browse Viator's full catalog of tours, day trips, food experiences, and private guides in Austria.
See All Austria Tours on Viator