Exploring Austria: How Many Days Are Enough?

Austria is a destination with a lot to offer, from its pastoral landscapes to its lively viticulture and gastronomy, and renowned art and music scene. Depending on how much time you have, you can experience the country in a variety of ways. If you're short on time, a five-day trip will allow you to see the highlights of Vienna and Salzburg, or you could head to one of Austria's famous ski towns. For a more in-depth experience, a week or 10 days will allow you to see the country's top sights, including Vienna, Innsbruck, and Bratislava, Slovakia, which is just a short train ride away.

Vienna and Salzburg highlights

If you're short on time, five days is enough to take in the highlights of Austria's two most distinguished cities, Vienna and Salzburg. In Vienna, you can visit the MuseumsQuartier, Hofburg Palace, and the Vienna State Opera. You can also take a day trip to Bratislava, Slovakia, which is less than an hour away by train.

If you have more time, a week or 10 days will allow you to explore the country's top cities in more depth. You could base yourself in a major city and take day trips into the countryside, or travel by car or train to see most of Austria's top sights.

For a more relaxed trip, you could spend 10 days in Austria and still have time to cross a couple of borders to explore neighbouring countries.

Vienna's top sights

Vienna is Austria's capital city and a great place to start your trip. You can see the highlights of Vienna in two days, including the MuseumsQuartier, Hofburg Palace, and the Vienna State Opera. However, if you want to see the rest of the country, it is recommended that you spend at least five days in Austria, focusing on one or two regions. In 10 days, you can see most of Austria's top sights by car or train.

Vienna is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city with a great restaurant scene and plenty of attractions. Here are some of Vienna's top sights:

• Schönbrunn Palace is Vienna's most popular tourist spot. It is a gorgeous Baroque palace with impressive landscaped gardens and a zoo that is one of the world's best.
• The Kunsthistorisches Museum (KHM) is a must-see, with its artistic treasures, including several priceless Bruegels.
• The Vienna State Opera is a stunning building and a great place to catch a classical concert.
• The Imperial Palace, the Burgtheater, and the University of Vienna are all worth a visit.
• The two Belvedere palaces offer photo-worthy Baroque architecture and world-leading art.

Austria's top cities

Austria is a country with a lot to offer, from its pastoral landscapes to its lively viticulture and gastronomy, and renowned art and music scene. The amount of time you'll want to spend in Austria depends on what you want to see and do. If you're short on time, five days will take you to the top spots that most people want to visit, such as Vienna and Salzburg. If you have more time, a week or 10 days will allow you to see the highlights in more depth, including some of Austria's top cities.

Vienna

Austria's capital city is a great launch point for a five-day highlights tour. Vienna is known for its history and culture, and top sights include the MuseumsQuartier, Hofburg Palace, and the Vienna State Opera.

Salzburg

Salzburg is famous for its combination of beauty, history, and culture. Surrounded by mountains, the city has medieval buildings lining cobbled streets, a connection to Mozart, and it was a filming location for *The Sound of Music*.

Graz

Graz is famous for its UNESCO World Heritage Status Mediterranean-esque Old Town. It has a relaxed, Mediterranean vibe and a beautiful historical centre with influences from the Baroque to the Renaissance, Art Deco and Medieval.

Hallstatt

Hallstatt is a tiny, delightful city. To escape the crowds, take a boat ride on the lake or head up to the Five Fingers Viewing Platform for adrenaline-filled views over the region.

Innsbruck

Innsbruck is the capital of the Tyrol region, surrounded by jagged Alpine peaks. It's a great base for skiing and hiking opportunities in truly stereotypical Austrian scenery.

Austria's famous ski towns

Austria is a great destination for a holiday, with its pastoral landscapes, lively viticulture and gastronomy, and renowned art and music scene. A 10-day trip is ideal to fully experience Austria's top cities, from the country's capital, Vienna, to Innsbruck in the historic Tyrol region. In a week, you can still see much of the country by basing yourself in a major city and taking day trips into the countryside. For a more condensed five-day getaway, focus on one or two regions to get the most out of your trip.

If you're looking for a ski holiday, Austria has many fantastic resort towns and villages. Here are some of the best:

Innsbruck

Innsbruck is the Tirolean capital and the biggest ski town in Austria. Innsbruck airport makes it the gateway for many ski visitors, but it's also a superb resort in its own right. Skiing Innsbruck is not like any other European ski ‘resort’. Where else do you get a beautiful Baroque town surrounded by the majestic peaks of 13 separate ski areas, including a glacier?

St. Johann in Tirol

St. Johann in Tirol is best for combining skiing with the joys of a city break. You can take a selfie in front of the famous Golden Roof.

St. Johann in Salzburg

St. Johann in Salzburg is another great option for combining skiing with a city break.

Zell am See

Zell am See is one of Austria's prettiest ski towns. The glacier ski area on the Kitzsteinhorn, which forms the spectacular backdrop to Zell am See and neighbouring Kaprun, brings together family-friendly downhill runs, freeride lines, action in five snow parks and opportunities for elegant carving turns on wide pistes. When winter really drapes itself over the landscape, the lakeside town of Zell am See becomes a contender for ‘most beautiful resort’ in Austria. Nestled at the foot of the forested slopes of its own ski mountain beside a large freshwater lake, the town is charming, with an atmospheric old quarter at its heart, centred around a historic Gothic church and filled with tempting shops, good restaurants and lively bars.

Kitzbühel

Kitzbühel is a medieval town that has been voted the most beautiful ski town in Europe. The pedestrianised town centre is enclosed within the old city walls. Charming old buildings and traditional Austrian restaurants line the streets, contrasting with designer boutiques. The Hahnenkamm lift is just a three-minute walk from the town centre. Families will appreciate the free practice lifts on the nursery slopes in the valley. Around Kitzbühel, a fairytale winter paradise opens up, with 70km of perfectly groomed cross-country ski trails, toboggan runs, curling matches on Austria’s only indoor curling rink, horse-drawn sleigh rides from the city centre or Schwarzsee, and relaxing wellness facilities for when you want to rest your ski legs.

Austria's top sights by car or train

Austria is a destination with a mix of history, architecture, drinks, and cuisine. If you have 10 days, you can see most of Austria's top sights by car or train. Here are some of the top sights to visit:

Vienna

Vienna is a blend of magnificent architecture, outstanding culture, music and endearing charm. Spend two days visiting Vienna's top sights, including the MuseumsQuartier, Hofburg Palace, and the Vienna State Opera.

Salzburg

Salzburg is famous for its skiing on the Kitzsteinhorn glacier and swimming in Lake Zell. There are direct trains from Salzburg to Bad Gastein that run every three hours in a day.

Innsbruck

Innsbruck is famous for its picturesque old town, including the Golden Roof. The city is also the Austrian hotspot for winter sports. You can ride the Zaha Hadid-designed funicular from Innsbruck up into the Nordkette Alps.

Lake Constance

Located on the eastern edge of Lake Constance, Bregenz offers sweeping views of the Swiss and German Alps. You can stroll around the beautiful promenade by the lake or take a cable car up the Pfander Mountain for breathtaking vistas of the lake.

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