Experience the Best of Austria in 7 Days

• Day 1: Vienna
• Start your Austria adventure by exploring Vienna’s rich culture and history. Visit the palaces of Schönbrunn and Hofburg. Spend the evening at a traditional Viennese coffee house and enjoy the classic Sachertorte.
• Day 2: Salzburg
• Travel to the charming city of Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart. Explore the baroque architecture of Salzburg Cathedral and Mirabell Palace. Take a walk through the gardens of Hellbrunn Palace and enjoy a musical performance at the Salzburg Festival Hall.
• Day 3: Hallstatt
• Take a scenic drive to the picturesque village of Hallstatt. Visit the Salt Mine and the World Heritage Museum and admire the beauty of Hallstätter See. Spend the night in a cozy alpine lodge.
• Day 4: Innsbruck
• Head to Innsbruck, the capital of the Austrian Alps. Explore the Imperial Palace and Golden Roof. Take a cable car to the Nordkette and enjoy the stunning views of the mountains. End the day with a hearty Tyrolean dinner.
• Day 5: Graz
• Travel to Graz, the cultural capital of Austria. Visit the Schloss Eggenberg and Landeszeughaus. Take a stroll through the historic old town and enjoy a dinner at one of Graz's many excellent restaurants.
• Day 6: Hallstatt (Again)
• Return to Hallstatt for a second day of exploration. Hike in the beautiful Salzkammergut region or just relax by the lake. Spend another night in your cozy alpine lodge.
• Day 7: Vienna
• Head back to Vienna for your final day in Austria. Visit the St. Stephen's Cathedral and Belvedere Palace. Spend a few hours wandering through the Naschmarkt, Vienna's famous outdoor market. End your trip with a delicious meal at a local restaurant.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Entry to Schönbrunn Palace (3 hours, $20)
• Entry to Hofburg Palace (2 hours, $15)
• Sachertorte at a coffee house (1 hour, $10)
• Entry to Salzburg Cathedral (1 hour, $10)
• Entry to Mirabell Palace (2 hours, $15)
• Garden entry to Hellbrunn Palace (2 hours, $10)
• Salzburg Festival Hall ticket (3 hours, $50)
• Entry to Salt Mine and World Heritage Museum in Hallstatt (3 hours, $25)
• Entry to Imperial Palace in Innsbruck (2 hours, $20)
• Entry to Golden Roof in Innsbruck (1 hour, $10)
• Cable car to the Nordkette (4 hours, $30)
• Entry to Schloss Eggenberg (2 hours, $15)
• Entry to Landeszeughaus (2 hours, $10)
• Additional food and drink costs (varies, $200)
• Total Estimated Costs: $440

Transportation

For this trip, we recommend renting a car to make the most of the scenic drives and to have the flexibility to stop wherever you want. The total rental cost for the week is estimated to be around $200. Keep in mind that gas prices in Austria are higher than in the US or Canada. Plan for a total cost of around $150 for gas.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider spending an extra day in Vienna to explore more of the museums and art galleries. If you have less time, you could skip Graz and go directly from Salzburg to Innsbruck. Alternatively, you could spend a second day in Innsbruck and explore the nearby hiking trails. If you want to save money, consider staying in budget-friendly hostels or Airbnb rentals instead of hotels.