Exploring Austria: A 4-Day Adventure Itinerary

Austria is a small country with breathtaking scenery, charming towns, and romantic cities. It is considered one of the most romantic countries in Europe.

If you are planning a 4-day trip to Austria, you could start by spending the first two days in Vienna, the capital city of Austria. Vienna is packed with history and interesting things to do. You could visit the Vienna Opera House, the Albertina Museum, the iconic attractions of the Spanish Riding School, and the Sisi Museum at the Hofburg. You could also take in the beautiful St Stephen's Cathedral.

On the third day, you could leave for Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart and the filming location for the classic musical The Sound of Music. You could explore the old town, wander down Getreidegasse, visit the Salzburg Cathedral, and take in the views at Residenzplatz.

On the fourth day, you could take a day trip from Salzburg to Hallstatt, a picturesque village nestled between glistening lakes and snow-capped mountains. You could visit the iconic 16th-century church that overlooks the lake or stroll along the waterfront promenade.

Vienna

Day 1

• Arrive in Vienna and check into your hotel.
• Take a free walking tour of Vienna, including Saint Stephen's Cathedral, a Viennese coffee, and time at the museums, including the Hofburg.
• In the afternoon, take a Vienna Tram Tour, which offers an easy hop-on, hop-off loop around Old Town.

Day 2

• Start your day by visiting Stephansdom Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece that has been a fixture in Vienna since the Middle Ages.
• Head to the Austrian Parliament, where the country's politicians make their big decisions.
• Stroll through the Museum District and take in modern art, ancient artefacts, and historical tidbits.
• Enjoy the Viennese Prater, with its rollercoasters, giant wheels, and carnival games.

Day 3

• Marvel at Schönbrunn Palace, a grand royal palace with extensive gardens.
• Visit the Hundertwasser Village, a unique village with no straight lines, designed by Dr Seuss and Picasso.
• Visit The Hofburg, the home of Austrian emperors for over six centuries.
• Learn about history at Schloss Belvedere, a Baroque architectural masterpiece that also houses artworks by Klimt.

Day 4

• Take a day trip from Vienna to one of three options: Kreuzenstein Castle, Liechtenstein Castle, or Melk Abbey.
• Alternatively, you can extend your Melk visit into a full day by returning by boat to see some of the wine towns along the Danube River.
• In the evening, head to Melk for the night if you plan to bike or cruise the Danube on Day 5.

Salzburg

Day 1: Exploring Old Town

Start your day with a walk through the historic Old Town, taking in the sights and sounds of Salzburg. Visit Mozart's Birthplace and the Salzburg Cathedral, and don't forget to snap some photos at the iconic locations from The Sound of Music. In the afternoon, head to the Augustiner Monks Brewery for a traditional beer-tasting experience. End your day with a delicious dinner at Saint Peter's Keller, the oldest restaurant in Europe, dating back to 803.

Day 2: Discovering the Surroundings

After a leisurely breakfast, make your way to the Hohensalzburg Fortress, a castle built in 1077 that stands tall above the city. Take the funicular to the top and enjoy breathtaking views of Salzburg. Explore the fortress grounds, and don't miss the quirky museum inside. Later, visit St. Peter's Cemetery and Catacombs, another famous location from The Sound of Music. Finish your day with a relaxing river cruise along the Salzach River and listen to fun Mozart music while taking in the city's history and landmarks.

Day 3: Musical and Natural Wonders

Begin your day by visiting Mozart's Residence, where you can learn more about the famous composer's life and see some of his possessions. Next, head to the DomQuartier and the cathedral for a history lesson on the city. In the afternoon, take a free guided tour of the Stiegl Brewery, one of the big names in European beer. Sample a complimentary beer in their beer garden and enjoy the lively atmosphere. As the day comes to a close, take the Monchsberg Lift to the top of the cliff for a stunning panoramic view of the city, including the multicoloured buildings, the fortress, and the mountains.

Day 4: Day Trip to Hallstatt

Use your fourth day to take a day trip to the picturesque town of Hallstatt, a UNESCO World Heritage Site nestled between glistening lakes and snow-capped mountains. Stroll along the Lake Promenade, explore the quaint Market Square, and hike the Skywalk trail for breathtaking views of Hallstatt from above. Learn about the town's history at Salzwelten Hallstatt, and pay your respects at the Cemetery and Catholic Church. If time permits, take a short walk to the 16th-century church that overlooks the lake.

Hallstatt

Day 1

• Arrive early to secure parking and avoid the crowds.
• Explore the Old Town: Wander through the colourful gingerbread-style houses and soak in the gorgeous setting on Hallstatter See.
• Visit the iconic 16th-century Catholic Church overlooking the lake.
• Stroll along the Lake Promenade: Enjoy the panoramic views of the lake and the surrounding charming houses.

Day 2

• Visit the World Heritage Skywalk: Take in the panoramic views of the entire Dachstein Salzkammergut region from 350 meters above the town. You can either hike up, which takes about an hour, or take the funicular for €22.
• Tour the Salt Mines: Learn about the history of salt mining in the area and explore the underground salt lake and miners' dormitory. Allow 3 hours for the full experience, including the tour and round-trip ride on the funicular.
• Visit the Hallstatt Ossuary: Explore the unusual Charnel House or Bone House, where over 2,100 skulls and human bones are stacked along the walls.

Day 3

• Get out on the water: Rent a boat, such as a swan paddleboat or a small motorboat, and enjoy the lake at your leisure.
• Visit Dachstein Krippenstein: Take a trip up into the Alps and explore the stunning alpine scenery, go hiking, or visit the giant ice cave. You can spend a full day here, especially if you want to do some of the short hikes or explore the ice cave.

Day 4

• Visit the World Cultural Heritage Museum: Discover the cultural relics from various eras, including clothes, salt mining tools, and early steamship models.
• Explore the skeletal church: See the neatly stored skeletons with the names, birth dates, and death dates of the deceased written on them.
• Stroll through the village: Take in the unique wooden houses by the lake and the wooden houseboats docked nearby. Walk along the scenic main road by the lake, and rent a pedal boat or electric boat if the weather is good.

Graz

Day 1: Exploring the City Centre

Start your day by visiting the Main Square (Hauptplatz) in the Old Town (Altstadt). Stroll through the narrow streets and admire the architectural gems in Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Neo-Classic, and Art Nouveau styles. Visit the Graz Town Hall, a Renaissance building with a rich history, and the Landhaus, a beautiful Renaissance palace with arched windows and a courtyard of arcades.

Head north from the Main Square to Sackstrasse, the oldest existing street in Graz, which leads to Schlossberg, the city's landmark hill. Take the funicular, elevator, or climb the 260 steps to the top. Enjoy breakfast at aiola upstairs, a modern eatery with incredible views of the city.

Explore Schlossberg, home to the Uhrturm, a 90-foot clock tower. Check out the virtual adventure, The Flight Graz 4D, for a unique perspective of the city. Descend Schlossberg via the winding stone stairway or the exciting slide.

Day 2: Landeszeughaus and More

On your second day, visit the Landeszeughaus, the world's largest historical armoury, with around 32,000 objects. This impressive collection includes armour, swords, cannons, and even body armour for a warhorse. After immersing yourself in medieval warfare, head to the bustling main square and explore Sporgasse, a winding cobblestone street with colourful old-world buildings.

For dinner, consider Landhauskeller, a restaurant inside a stunning Renaissance courtyard, serving refined Austrian cuisine.

Day 3: Kunsthaus Graz and Murinsel

Begin your day by visiting the Kunsthaus Graz museum, also known as the "Friendly Alien" due to its unique biomorphic structure. This modern art museum, designed by British architects, showcases international contemporary art and regional topics. The building's exterior consists of shiny blue acrylic panels, and its roof features tube-like nozzles, creating a striking contrast with the surrounding baroque buildings.

After exploring the museum, cross the river and visit the Graz Cathedral and the Mausoleum of Emperor Ferdinand II.

In the evening, head to the Murinsel (Mur Island), a man-made floating island in the middle of the Mur River. Designed by American-Italian artist Vito Acconci, it features a café and an outdoor theatre. Enjoy the unique atmosphere and illuminated iridescent blue lighting in the evening.

Day 4: Schloss Eggenberg and Stadtpark

Take a short tram ride to Schloss Eggenberg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This 17th-century Baroque palace is surrounded by lush gardens and features stunning staterooms and the Alte Galerie, home to significant works by Dutch masters.

After exploring the palace, head to Stadtpark, the green lung of the city. Relax amidst the flowers and green grass, surrounded by the towering spires and ancient buildings of the old city.

Austrian Alps

The Austrian Alps cover 62% of the country, so you'll be spoilt for choice when it comes to things to see and do. Here is an itinerary for a 4-day trip to the Austrian Alps:

Day 1: Arrival and Exploration

Arrive in Zell Am See, a popular destination set against the Austrian Alps with Lake Zell at its centre. Spend the day unwinding, exploring the town, and planning the next few days.

Day 2: Salzburg

Drive to Salzburg, which should take less than 2 hours. Aim to arrive by 10 am to give yourself a full day to explore. Take a walking tour of the city, including the Mirabel Gardens, Getreidegasse and Linzergasse shopping streets, and Hohensalzburg Castle.

Day 3: Grossglockner Alpine Road and Relaxation

Take a drive along the scenic Grossglockner Alpine Road, which winds through the mountainous landscape and offers spectacular views of the Alps. Afterwards, relax back in Zell Am See and rent a boat to paddle along Lake Zell.

Day 4: Hallstatt

Spend the final day in Hallstatt, a picturesque village nestled between lakes and mountains. Take a boat out on Lake Hallstatt, stroll along the Lake Promenade, explore the Market Square, and hike up to Skywalk for panoramic views of the village.

Frequently asked questions