Vienna and Austria Itineraries

Vienna to Vorarlberg

This itinerary travels the country from end to end, hitting the heights and seeing the sights—all in a one-week to 14-day trip.

Days 1–3: Vienna

Austria's glorious past is evident everywhere, but especially where this tour begins, in Vienna. Get to know the city by trolley with a sightseeing tour of the Ringstrasse. Take in the Kunsthistoriches Museum, where the incredible details of the famous Brueghel paintings could keep you fascinated for hours, and then walk along Kärntnerstrasse, the city's Fifth Avenue, to magnificent St. Stephen's Cathedral, and spend an afternoon in one of the city's cozy coffeehouses. Devote a half day to Schönbrunn Palace, and set aside an evening for a visit to a jovial Heurige wine tavern. You should also keep an afternoon open for a slice of Sachertorte, the famous Viennese chocolate cake with layers separated by apricot jam, at the Hotel Sacher Wien, where it was invented. Be sure to visit the Judenplatz Museum, built over the remains of a 13th-century synagogue, for exhibits about life in Vienna from medieval times through World War II. Finally, make a stop at Spanische Reitschule (Spanish Riding School) to watch the stark white Lippizzaner horses who will dance their way into your heart.

Day 4: Danube River from Vienna to Linz

To zoom from Vienna to Linz by autobahn would be to miss out on one of Austria's most treasured sights, the blue Danube. To tour some quaint wine villages, follow the "Austrian Romantic Road" (Route 3), along the north bank of the river, instead of the speedier A1 autobahn. Cross to the south side of the Danube to the breathtaking Baroque abbey at Melk, and along the way visit the 1,000-year-old town of Krems and picture-perfect towns of Spitz and Dürnstein, in the heart of the Wachau wine region.

Days 5 and 6: Linz

Fast-forward into Austria's future with a stop in progressive Linz, the country's third-largest city. Linz is a busy port on the Danube and an important center for trade and business. Techno-music geeks will enjoy the Ars Electronica Museum; others can wander the beautifully restored medieval courtyards of the Altstadt (Old Town). For great views, ride the city's Pöstlingbergbahn, the world's steepest mountain railway, or opt for a Danube steamer cruise to Enns. Be sure to take time to visit the Schlossmuseum Linz (Linz Castle Museum), built in the 1400s, with a vast collection of art and weaponry.

Days 7 and 8: Salzkammergut

For Austria in all its Hollywood splendor, head to the idyllic Salzkammergut, better known as the Lake District, where The Sound of Music was filmed. The town of Bad Ischl—famous for its operetta festival and pastries—makes a good base. Travel south on Route 145 to Hallstatt, one of Austria's most photographed lakeside villages. Return to Bad Ischl, then head west to St. Wolfgang for swimming and sailing.

Days 9 and 10: Salzburg

This is a city made for pedestrians, with an abundance of churches, palaces, mansions, and—as befits the birthplace of Mozart—music festivals. Stroll through the old city center with its wrought-iron shop signs, tour the medieval Fortress Hohensalzburg, and relax in the Mirabell Gardens (where the von Trapp children "Do-Re-Mi"-ed). Children of all ages will adore the famed Marionettentheater.

Days 11 and 12: Innsbruck and Tyrol

Tour Innsbruck's treasures—including the famous Golden Roof mansion and the Hofburg—but do as the Tyroleans do and spend time reveling in the high-mountain majesty. After all, Innsbruck is the only major city in the Alps. For a splendid panorama, take the cable railway to the Hafelekar, high above the Inn Valley. For a trip through the quaint villages around Innsbruck, ride the Stubaitalbahn, a charming old-time train, or head by bus to the Stubai Glacier for year-round skiing. You can also take the train to Wattens, 30 minutes away, to visit Swarovski Kristalwelten (Crystal World), a kind of Disneyland for crystalware that adjoins the company's headquarters.

Days 13 and 14: Bregenz

Taking the Arlberg Pass (or the much more scenic Silvretta High Alpine Road), head to the city of Bregenz, capital of Vorarlberg. Bregenz owes its character as much to neighboring Switzerland and Germany as to Austria, and is most appealing in summer, when sun worshippers crowd the shores of Lake Constance to enjoy an opera festival set on the world's largest outdoor floating stage. Take a lake excursion and explore Bregenz's medieval streets.

The Mountains of Austria

This is a trip where Alpine glory is all around you: meadows and forests set against a backdrop of towering craggy peaks, and gentle wooded rambles that lead to clear mountain lakes and storybook castles. Let go of your worries and let the natural beauty of the countryside work its magic.

Days 1 and 2: Bad Ischl/St. Wolfgang

The villages and lakes of the Salzkammergut region extend south from Salzburg. Base yourself in Bad Ischl, a first-class spa in the heart of the Lake District and a favorite of Austrian Emperor Franz Josef a century ago. A walk through the village passes several locations that honor Austria’s operetta tradition and composers such as Franz Lehar. From there, head west to St. Wolfgang, one of the most photo-friendly villages in Austria. For the most scenic surroundings, park in nearby Strobl and hop one of the lake ferries to the pedestrian-only village, where you can marvel at the 16th-century Michael Pacher altarpiece in the parish church and take the railway up the 5,800-foot Schaftberg peak for gasp-inducing vistas.

Day 3: Hallstatt

Set on fjordlike Hallstättersee, this jewel is an optical illusion perched between water and mountain—a tight grouping of terraced fishermen's cottages and churches offering, at first glance, no apparent reason why it doesn't tumble into the lake. On a sunny day the views of the lake and village, considered the oldest settlement in Austria, are spectacular, and on a misty morning they are even more so. Consider a canoe outing, or tour the Hallstatt salt mine, the oldest in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Day 4: Werfen

Take in the birds-of-prey show at the formidable Burg Hohenwerfen, a castle built in the 11th century; tour the Eisriesenwelt ("World of the Ice Giants"), the largest collection of ice caves in Europe; and cap the day with dinner at Obauer, one of Austria's finest restaurants.

Day 5: Zell am See

Southwest of Werfen, the charming lake resort of Zell am See is nestled under the 6,000-foot Schmittenhöhe mountain. Ride the cable car from the center of town for a bird's-eye view, then take the narrow-gauge Pinzgauer railroad through the Salzach river valley to famous Krimmler waterfalls.

Day 6: Heiligenblut

Head skyward over the dizzying Grossglockner High Alpine Highway to one of Austria's loveliest villages, Heiligenblut, which fans out across the upper Möll Valley with fabulous views of the Grossglockner, at 12,470 feet the highest mountain in Austria.

Day 7: Kitzbühel

Travel to the glamorous resort town of Kitzbühel for a bit of window-shopping and celebrity spotting, or avoid the crowds to explore nearby Kufstein and its 13th-century mountaintop fortress. On the road headed west, the sunny valley has plenty of snow in winter and golf in summer. End your trip in Innsbruck, 91 km (57 miles) west.