Ruqayyah Snyder
Austria is a country with a rich history and culture, offering a plethora of activities for visitors. With only 2 days in Austria, it is best to focus on one or two cities, such as Vienna and Salzburg, to make the most of your time. Here is a suggested itinerary for those looking to explore the best of Austria in a short amount of time.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Places to visit | Vienna, Salzburg, Hallstatt, Mauthausen, Innsbruck, Zell am See, Bad Ischl, Tyrol's Inn Valley, Dolomites, Bratislava |
| Activities | Food tours, visiting museums, palaces, and opera shows, hiking, skiing, sightseeing, strolling in Old Town, strolling along the river, visiting markets, cafes, and restaurants |
| Accommodation | 25hours Museum Quarter, Leonardo Boutique Hotel Salzburg Gablerbräu, Hotel Steinerwirt, Hotel Goldener Ochs |
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What You'll Learn
Explore Vienna's food and culture
Vienna, the capital of Austria, is famous for its stunning architecture, world-class music, rich history, and delectable, diverse food culture. The city's culinary heritage has been influenced by the former Austro-Hungarian Empire, resulting in a delightful array of dishes and flavours. Here is a guide to exploring Vienna's food and culture over two days.
Day 1
Start your day by visiting Vienna's famous Naschmarkt, where you can sample seasonal Austrian produce. You'll find everything from fresh fruits and vegetables to fish and meat from the fertile Danube region. After exploring the market, head to one of the surrounding cafes or restaurants for a sit-down meal. In the afternoon, make your way to the MuseumsQuartier, which houses several museums, including the Architecture Centre Vienna, The Kunsthalle Wien (contemporary art), mumok (modern art), and the Leopold Museum. The MuseumsQuartier is also a great place to people-watch and grab some traditional Wiener Schnitzel for dinner. End your day by checking out the 7th District, known for its hipster vibe, with bars featuring cool artwork, disco balls, and vintage photos.
Day 2
Begin your day by indulging in Vienna's famous coffeehouse culture. Visit iconic coffee houses such as Café Central, Café Sacher, or Café Demel, and savour the city's renowned pastries and cakes. For lunch, try another Viennese classic, Tafelspitz, a tender boiled beef dish served with creamy spinach, crispy fried potatoes, and horseradish sauce. Head to traditional restaurants like Plachutta or Zum Schwarzen Kameel to enjoy this hearty meal. In the afternoon, explore the city's fine dining scene, where innovative chefs create impressive dishes using fresh, regional ingredients. In the evening, relax and sip a daiquiri at Strandbar Herrmann (Herrmannpark), a beach bar with sand and live DJs, offering stunning views over the Donaukanal.
In addition to its culinary delights, Vienna offers a wealth of cultural experiences. Visit the Sisi Museum within the Hofburg Palace grounds to see over 300 personal objects of Empress Elisabeth Sisi. Take in an opera show at the prestigious Opera House, or explore Sigmund Freud's house, which is now a self-guided museum. If you're interested in art, check out the Kunsthalle Wien for contemporary pieces or the Street Art Passage for edgy graffiti art.
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Visit Salzburg and Hallstatt
If you're spending 2 days in Salzburg, you can see all the main sights at a leisurely pace. You can take a self-guided walking tour through the charming old town, including the iconic Getreidegasse and Universitätsplatz. Mozart's House is a must-see, as the famous composer loved to visit this café during his free days. You can also wander through the historic Linzer Gasse, lined with shops and restaurants, and visit the traditional bakery Bäckerei Josef Funder.
For breathtaking views, take the Mönchsberg lift to the top, one of the highest points in Salzburg, which also takes you to the entrance of the Museum of Modern Art Salzburg. You can also walk to the peak of nearby Untersberg Mountain, or take a cable car. The Stiegl Brewery, which opened in 1492, and the Hangar 7 Museum at the Airport are also worth a visit.
For dinner, head to the Stieglkeller Restaurant, which offers traditional Austrian meals and a beautiful sunset overlooking Old Town Salzburg and the Cathedral. Barenwit Restaurant is another great option, serving delicious schnitzel and wild boar sausage.
If you're a fan of The Sound of Music, you can visit the movie locations, including the Mirabell Gardens, and the iconic arch of Sauterbogen.
On your second day, take a day trip to Hallstatt, one of the best day trip options from Salzburg. Hallstatt is a beautiful town, known as Europe's most picturesque village on the lake. You can tour the ice caves, mountain viewpoints, salt mine, and village lakefront. The salt mine is closed during winter, from November through mid-April.
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Experience Innsbruck's sights
Innsbruck, the capital of Austria's Tyrol region, is a beautiful alpine city. It is known for its incredible skiing and winter sports, but there is much more to this city than its slopes. With enchanting parks, history, culture, shops, and a vibrant food and wine scene, there is plenty to experience in Innsbruck.
If you're staying in Innsbruck for two days, you'll want to make the most of your time and see the highlights. A great way to start is by getting to know the city with a local guide. You can wander the maze of narrow lanes in the Old Town, taking in the colourful city centre with its shops, cafes, restaurants, and taverns. The Old Town is one of Europe's prettiest, and you can step back in time as you imagine life as it was nearly 1,000 years ago.
For incredible views, take a short gondola ride from the Old Town to the top of the Nordkette Mountains. You'll ascend to 6,500 feet in just 20 minutes, taking in sweeping vistas. If you're feeling adventurous, you could even hike up the mountain, although it's a challenging 2.5-hour trek to the peak.
In the summer, you can attend one of the Promenade Concerts that entertain locals every evening in July. Enjoy traditional Austrian food and wine while listening to classical music in the courtyard of the Hofburg, perhaps at the famed Café Sacher.
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Zell am See's outdoor activities
Zell am See is a town in the Austrian state of Salzburg, nestled between the rugged rock faces of the Kitzsteinhorn and the Pinzgau grass mountains. The town is surrounded by Lake Zell, which is framed by high alpine peaks and an enchanting historic town. The natural attractions and outdoor activities in and around Zell am See include:
Tandem Paragliding
Tandem Paragliding Zell am See offers unforgettable tandem flights from Schmittenhöhe (2000m), with crystal-clear views of the lake and the surrounding alpine landscape.
White Water Rafting
The Salzach River near Zell am See, Kaprun, offers a good mix of calm and wild waters suitable for beginners and experienced rafters alike.
Hiking and Mountain Tours
The Kitzsteinhorn glacier, located at the gates of the Hohe Tauern National Park, is a popular destination for hiking and mountain tours, with downhill runs and freeride lines.
Adventure Mountain
The Maiskogel adventure mountain features the Maisi Flitzer Alpine Coaster, offering a thrilling outdoor experience for the whole family.
Sigmund Thun Gorge and Kaprun Reservoirs
The mystical Sigmund Thun Gorge and the turquoise-coloured high mountain reservoirs of Kaprun are natural attractions located in the valley below Zell am See.
Skiing and Snowboarding
Zell am See is also home to several ski and snowboard schools, offering outdoor activities for adrenaline seekers and winter sports enthusiasts.
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Vienna's museums and palaces
Vienna is a city brimming with impressive buildings, museums, and palaces. If you're an art lover, Vienna's Museum of Fine Arts is a must-see. Built in 1891 to house the imperial collections, it boasts a stunning array of antiquities from Egypt, the Near East, Greece, and Rome. The Picture Gallery is a highlight, with masterpieces by Caravaggio, Velázquez, Rembrandt, Rubens, and Dürer adorning its walls. The museum also holds the world's largest collection of paintings by Bruegel. After soaking in the art, relax in the museum café, renowned as one of the loveliest spots in the city for lunch.
For those fascinated by royalty, Schönbrunn Palace, the summer residence of the Habsburgs, is a must-visit. This grand palace offers the "Grand Tour," allowing visitors to explore around 40 rooms, including the private apartments of Franz Joseph and Sisi. The palace is also steeped in musical history as it is where Mozart first performed for the royal court. Another palace worth visiting is the Hofburg Palace, which was home to the Habsburg monarchy until 1945 and now houses the Austrian president and cabinet. Within its grounds, you'll find the Sisi Museum, displaying over 300 personal objects belonging to Empress Elisabeth Sisi, and the Austrian National Library, the largest of its kind in Europe, with over 200,000 books and exquisite Venetian Baroque globes.
If you're intrigued by psychology, a visit to Sigmund Freud's house, now a self-guided museum, is a unique experience. You can explore the rooms where Freud lived and worked, with an audio guide providing insights. Vienna also has a vibrant contemporary art scene, with the MuseumsQuartier hosting several notable museums. These include the Architecture Centre Vienna, The Kunsthalle Wien for contemporary art, the mumok for modern art, and the Leopold Museum, known for its beautiful collection. The Belvedere Museum, with its Upper and Lower sections, is another art destination, showcasing works by Gustav Klimt and offering audio tours.
For a taste of something different, the Kunst Haus Wien, originally a furniture factory, was purchased and transformed by Hundertwasser, becoming a top tourist attraction. This unique building, with its colourful glass, metal, tiles, wood, and ceramics, is now a museum and a testament to his distinctive style.
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Frequently asked questions
Vienna is a city full of impressive buildings, music, dreams, and delicious food. Here are some things to do while in Vienna:
- Visit the Austrian National Library to see a two-story pillared and frescoed extravaganza.
- Take a food tour to sample Austrian classics such as knödel (dumplings) and kaiserschmarrn (shredded pancakes).
- Explore the MuseumsQuartier, which houses museums like the Architecture Centre Vienna, The Kunsthalle Wien, and the Leopold Museum.
- Check out the street art and edgy bars in the 7th District.
- Visit Sigmund Freud's house for a self-guided museum experience.
- Enjoy the sunset at Strandbar Herrmann, a beach bar with sand and live DJs.
It depends on your preferences and itinerary. If you plan to explore mainly urban areas such as Vienna and Salzburg, public transportation may be more convenient. However, if you want to venture into more rural areas or go on road trips, renting a car can offer more flexibility.
Salzburg is a great base for exploring the surrounding areas. Here are some recommended day trips:
- Hallstatt: A picturesque town known for its salt mining history, set on a lake with wooden houses.
- Bad Ischl: A historic town surrounded by mountains, offering cultural sights and natural beauty.
- Mondsee: Located in Upper Austria, known for its beautiful scenery and featured in the movie "The Sound of Music."
There are several recommended places to stay in Salzburg, depending on your preferences and budget:
- Leonardo Boutique Hotel Salzburg Gablerbräu: A cute boutique hotel with an excellent downtown location and reasonable prices.
- Hotel Goldener Ochs: A well-rated hotel located near the train station.
