Immerse Yourself in The Culture, History, And Taste of Austria

Day 1: Vienna

The city of museums and grand palaces, home of Beethoven and Opera, Vienna is a city immersed in magnificence and culture. Let the magic of Vienna cultivate in you by walking down the city’s wonderful Ringstrasse Boulevard, dotted with royal buildings such as the Hofburg Imperial Palace and a number of charming parks. The architectural marvels such as the ornate St Stephen’s Cathedral and the grand Schonbrunn & Belvedere Palaces are a must-visit for all the history and art enthusiasts. Make sure to visit one of the many pleasant coffee houses and sip the famous Viennese coffee. Before bidding adieu to Vienna, make your way to the wonderful and popular Vienna Opera House. 

Day 2: Salzburg

Nestled near Germany’s southern border with Austria, Salzburg, just like its capital counterpart, is known for its musical traditions, including being Wolfgang Mozart’s birthplace. There are a number of examples of artistic highlights and historic architecture which you’ll find in this city. Salzburg is surrounded by the incredibly epic Alps mountain range, affording tourists and locals alike the ability to explore the rich history and splendid natural beauty of this city altogether. 

Salzburg, as the home of Prince Archbishops, used to be spiritual center from the Europe’s earliest days of Christianity. In AD 690, St. Rupert founded the Benedictine Abbey of St. Peter situated in the heart of the Old Town. Until the early 1100s, this served as the home of the Archbishops. The Prince Archbishops hired some of their times’ outstanding artists and architects to build and decorate their churches, monasteries, and homes. Though, these have been updated in the successive centuries, the Baroque and medieval buildings combine forming a charming old quarter to explore. St. Peter’s Abbey and its churches are the highlights, along with the wonderful cemetery and its catacombs. The Cathedral is situated nearby and among its vibrant Baroque burgher houses, you’ll discover beautiful squares and attractions including Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s birthplace which now has been converted into a museum. Above the wonderful spires and cupolas sits Salzburg’s castle of Hohensalzburg, which can be reached by a funicular. 

Day 3: Innsbruck

Situated in a small valley and surrounded by lofty mountains on every side, Innsbruck is a classic Austrian mountain town. The region is associated with a long history of organizing winter sports competitions and is famous for its ski resorts, which attract thousands of visitors during the winters. There’s so much to do here during the summer as well - hike through the incredible alpine meadows or board the cable car up the Nordkette mountain range. Spending some quality time in the town itself is worth it. The late-medieval old town possess beautiful architecture as well as a number of coffee shops and restaurants.

Day 4: Bregenz

Bregenz is nestled on the shores of Lake Constance and offers magnificent views of Switzerland, Germany, and the Alps. A boulevard runs along the waterfront making an outstanding place for a walk. The city in itself is brimming with impressive art and architecture. You can take a cable car ride to the top of Mt. Pfander and can take advantage of the many hiking trails or simply relish a meal with a sweeping view at the mountaintop restaurant. During the months of July and August, the city hosts the popular Bregenz Festival which is well worth attending for the orchestra, the opera, and many other cultural events. 

Day 5: Hoher Dachstein

Also known as the “three-state mountain”, Hoher Dachstein is located at the border of Upper Austria, Salzburg, and Styria. It is the second-highest mountain in the Northern Limestone Alps. The top of the mountain, at 2,995 meters height, offers sweeping views over the peaks of the Alps that outstretch as far as Slovenia and Czech Republic. The mountain is quite famous with rock climbers. However there are a number of things to do here for non-climbers as well, which include the Skywalk viewing platform, the suspension bridge, the awe-inspiring Stairway to Nothingness and the charming Ice Palace.

Day 6: Graz

Graz is the second largest city in Austria having 6 universities and is one of the best preserved Old town area of Europe. The city has so much to satisfy your traveler soul. During your Austria vacation, discover the numerous museums, striking baroque & renaissance style buildings and a distinct forested hill situated in the centre of the city offering sweeping views. Moreover, Graz will also allure you with its many culinary charm. Cooking lovers can also carry some pumpkin seed oil back home to pep up their dishes. Graz is definitely a must visit in Austria and is amongst the most eccentric places to visit in the country. 

Day 7: Krimml Waterfalls

The Krimml Waterfalls, having a striking drop of 380 meters, are the highest waterfalls in the country and the 5th-highest in the world. The waterfall possesses three tiers - the lowest has a drop of 140 meters and can be reached in just 10 minutes by foot from the village of Krimml. A trail of about 4-km leads all the way up to the highest tier and it takes about 1.5 hours to reach there. Along the way, you’ll find a number of observation platforms. The trail is charged a small entrance fee and remains open from mid-April to late October.