Take the early flight from Gothenburg to Vienna — either direct if you catch one, or via Stockholm Arlanda if that’s the better fare. Door-to-door it usually lands somewhere around 2.5–4.5 hours once you include airport time, so aim to leave Gothenburg very early and treat this as a transit day with a proper arrival buffer. From Vienna International Airport, the easiest way into the center is the City Airport Train or S-Bahn to Wien Mitte, then a short taxi, tram, or U-Bahn hop to your hotel. Drop bags as soon as you can; even if your room isn’t ready, most hotels and lockers in the center will keep them so you can start walking without dragging luggage around the Innere Stadt.
Start with Stephansplatz and St. Stephen’s Cathedral, which is the perfect first stop in Vienna because everything fans out from here. The square is always lively, and the cathedral’s roof tiles and tower make it impossible to miss; if you want to go inside, entry is free for the main nave, while tower access and crypt visits cost extra, usually around €7–15 depending on what you choose. From there, stroll a few minutes over to Hofburg Palace and Michaelerplatz — this is the classic imperial core, where Vienna really feels like the capital of an empire rather than just a city. Keep the pace unhurried; the point on arrival day is orientation, not museum-marathon energy, so take in the façades, horse carriages, and broad squares, then let yourself wander a little through the side streets around Kohlmarkt and Graben.
Stop at Café Central for a proper Viennese lunch or coffee-and-cake pause. It’s one of the city’s most famous cafés for a reason: high ceilings, old-world atmosphere, and a menu that works just as well for a light savory plate as for a slice of Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel. Expect roughly €20–35 per person depending on whether you do a full lunch or just coffee and dessert, and note that it can have a queue at peak times, so a slightly later lunch often works better than showing up right at noon. Afterward, head by tram, U-Bahn, or a 20–25 minute walk toward Museum Quartier on the edge of Neubau. This is a nice reset after the imperial center: relaxed courtyards, modern benches, a mix of museums, and enough going on that you can browse without committing to anything too heavy. If the weather is good, just sit outside with a drink and watch the city pass by; in June, the courtyards are one of the best low-effort places to feel Vienna breathe.
Wrap the day with a golden-hour walk through Schönbrunn Palace Gardens in Hietzing instead of trying to do the full palace interiors on your first day. The gardens are the real win at this hour: broad paths, fountains, clipped hedges, and long views toward the palace with softer evening light. Entry to the grounds is generally free, while the interior ticketing is separate and usually best saved for another day if you want the full experience. Getting there is easy on the U4 to Schönbrunn or Hietzing, then a short walk into the park; in summer it’s worth arriving with plenty of daylight left so you can slowly circle the grounds and not feel rushed. If you still have energy afterward, head back toward your hotel in the center for an early night — this is one of those arrival days where a calm finish makes the rest of the trip feel better.
Take the Railjet from Wien Westbahnhof around 8:00–9:00 so you roll into Salzburg Hbf by late morning with the whole day still ahead of you. From the station, it’s an easy start: Mirabell Palace and Gardens is just a short walk or a quick bus ride away, and it’s the perfect gentle first stop after the train. The gardens are especially nice in the morning light — clean, symmetrical, and calm before the city gets busy — and you can usually wander freely without needing much time. If you want a coffee first, the area around Mirabellplatz has plenty of simple cafés for a quick espresso and pastry.
From Mirabell Palace and Gardens, cross the bridge into the old town and drift into Getreidegasse, Salzburg’s most famous shopping lane. Go slowly here: the iron guild signs, narrow facades, and little passageways are half the charm, and it’s worth peeking into side courtyards rather than just pushing through the crowds. A few minutes deeper in the Altstadt, stop at Mozart’s Birthplace for a compact cultural hit — it’s not a long visit, but it gives the street its context and is easy to fit in without derailing the day. For lunch, book or arrive early at Stiftskulinarium St. Peter by St. Peter’s Abbey; it’s one of the oldest restaurants in Europe, and the setting alone makes it a special Salzburg lunch. Expect roughly €30–60 per person, and take your time — this is the meal where the city slows down a bit.
After lunch, let the walk back through the Altstadt be unhurried; this is a good moment to browse a few shops, step into a church if one catches your eye, or just sit for a while in a square and watch the city go by. Later, make your way up to Hohensalzburg Fortress on Festungsberg — the funicular is the easiest option and saves your legs for the viewpoints and ramparts at the top. Going in the late afternoon is ideal because the light softens over the rooftops and the hills start to glow, and you’ll usually get a nicer atmosphere than at peak midday. Budget about 2 hours for the fortress visit and funicular, and if you’re not rushing, stay until the city begins to turn golden; it’s one of the best ways to end a first day in Salzburg before a relaxed dinner back down in town.
Take the Railjet from Salzburg Hbf early enough that you’re rolling into Innsbruck Hbf by mid-morning; this is one of those easy Austrian train rides where the logistics are refreshingly simple, and from the station you can either walk into the center in about 15 minutes or hop a tram if you’ve got bags. Once you’re in Altstadt, head straight to Goldenes Dachl and the surrounding medieval lanes — Herzog-Friedrich-Straße, Maria-Theresien-Straße, and the little arcades nearby are the heart of the old town, and this is the best time to see them before the day gets busy. Give yourself about 45 minutes to wander, peek into courtyards, and get a feel for the compact center without rushing.
From the center, make your way to the Congress area for the Nordkette Cable Car — it’s the easiest jump in the city from urban streets to full alpine scenery, and the whole round trip is roughly 2.5–3 hours once you factor in the ride, views, and a little time at the top. Go when the weather is clear if you can, because the panorama over Innsbruck and the Inn Valley is the real payoff; tickets are usually in the higher tourist range, so expect to spend a bit, but it’s one of the few places where the expense genuinely feels worth it. Plan lunch at Seegrube Restaurant on the mountain, where the menu is casual and Tyrolean rather than fancy — think soups, dumplings, schnitzel, and cold drinks, usually around €20–40 per person depending on what you order. It’s the kind of place where you linger for the view as much as the food, and you don’t need to overbook the rest of the day because the mountain air does a lot of the work for you.
After you come back down, keep things gentle and head to Hofgarten, right near the Imperial Palace side of town. It’s a good reset after the cable car: shaded paths, benches, locals reading or walking dogs, and a quieter pace than the old town streets. If you want a coffee or a small snack before dinner, this is the part of the day to duck into a nearby café and take your time — otherwise just enjoy the park for about an hour and let the evening creep in naturally. The walk from Altstadt to the park is easy, so there’s no need to overthink transport; this is the day’s breather.
For dinner, stay in the old town and aim for a Gasthaus around the Goldenes Dachl area so you can finish the day without any transit hassle. This is the right moment for proper Tyrolean comfort food — Kässpatzln, roast meats, dumplings, or a simple Schnitzel — with dinner typically landing around €25–50 per person depending on drinks and how hearty you go. Book ahead if it’s a weekend evening, because the central Altstadt fills up fast in summer, but even without a reservation you’ll usually find something workable if you’re flexible. After dinner, it’s a lovely final stroll through the lit lanes back toward your hotel; Innsbruck is compact enough that the whole evening can stay pleasantly walkable.