9-Day Austria and Budapest Itinerary: Cultural and Scenic Highlights

Day 1: Arrival and Vienna Introduction

Vienna, Austria on July 16, 2025

9:00am

Breakfast at Café Central

Enjoy a traditional Viennese breakfast with pastries and coffee at this iconic historic café, open from 8:00am.
EUR15, 1h

10:30am

Visit Schönbrunn Palace

Tour the stunning former summer residence of the Habsburgs with its beautiful gardens and imperial rooms. Open from 8:30am to 5:30pm.
EUR22, 2h

1:00pm

Lunch at Figlmüller

Try Vienna’s famous schnitzel at this popular restaurant near the city center.
EUR25, 1h

2:30pm

St. Stephen's Cathedral and Stephansplatz

Explore Vienna’s gothic cathedral and the lively square around it, perfect for photos and local atmosphere.
Free (Cathedral entry); Tower climb EUR6, 1.5h

4:30pm

Walk through the historic Inner City

Explore the Ringstraße boulevard, admire the State Opera House and Hofburg Palace exterior.
Free, 1.5h

7:00pm

Dinner at Plachutta Wollzeile

Savor Tafelspitz, a classic Austrian boiled beef dish at this renowned restaurant, open until 10pm.
EUR40, 1.5h
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Day 2: Vienna Museums and Palaces

Vienna, Austria on July 17, 2025

8:30am

Breakfast at Joseph Brot

Start the day with organic breads and coffee at this popular bakery, open from 7:00am.
EUR10, 1h

9:30am

Belvedere Palace

Visit the Upper Belvedere Palace to see impressive Baroque architecture and Gustav Klimt artworks. Open 10:00am-6:00pm.
EUR17, 2h

12:00pm

Lunch at Naschmarkt

Try various local and international dishes at Vienna’s famous market open daily until 7:30pm.
EUR15, 1h

1:30pm

Kunsthistorisches Museum

Explore one of the world's finest art museums with works by Bruegel and Rembrandt. Open 10:00am-6:00pm.
EUR20, 2h

4:00pm

Relax in Stadtpark

Unwind in this beautiful park famous for its Johann Strauss monument.
Free, 1h

7:00pm

Dinner at Gasthaus Pöschl

Enjoy hearty Austrian cuisine in a cozy setting, open until 10pm.
EUR30, 1.5h
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Day 3: Salzburg Exploration

Salzburg, Austria on July 18, 2025

7:00am

Train from Vienna to Salzburg

Take an early morning ÖBB Railjet train for a comfortable 2.5-hour journey to Salzburg.
EUR50, 2.5h

10:00am

Breakfast at Café Tomaselli

Historic café with traditional pastries and coffee, open from 8:00am.
EUR12, 1h

11:00am

Hohensalzburg Fortress

Visit one of Europe's largest medieval castles offering panoramic views of Salzburg. Open 9:30am-5:00pm.
EUR16, 2h

1:30pm

Lunch at Gasthaus Zwettler's

Sample classic Austrian dishes in a rustic setting near the fortress.
EUR20, 1h

2:45pm

Mozart's Birthplace

Tour the museum dedicated to the life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Open 9:00am-5:30pm.
EUR12, 1h

4:00pm

Stroll through Mirabell Gardens

Relax in beautifully designed Baroque gardens famous from The Sound of Music.
Free, 1h

7:00pm

Dinner at St. Peter Stiftskulinarium

Dine in one of Europe's oldest restaurants featuring traditional Austrian cuisine.
EUR40, 1.5h
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Day 4: Hallstatt Day Trip

Salzburg and Hallstatt, Austria on July 19, 2025

7:30am

Bus/train to Hallstatt

Take a scenic train and bus combination to the lakeside village of Hallstatt, journey approx 3 hours one way.
EUR30, 3h

11:00am

Explore Hallstatt Village

Discover the picturesque UNESCO World Heritage village with lakeside views and historic salt mines.
Free to wander; Salt Mine tour EUR22, 3h

2:00pm

Lunch at Gasthof Zauner

Enjoy traditional Austrian meals overlooking the lake, open daily.
EUR20, 1h

3:30pm

Return to Salzburg

Travel back by bus and train to Salzburg for overnight stay.
Included in previous fare, 3h

7:30pm

Light dinner at Sternbräu Salzburg

Relax with regional brews and seasonal dishes close to old town.
EUR25, 1.5h
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Day 5: Innsbruck Visit

Innsbruck, Austria on July 20, 2025

8:00am

Train to Innsbruck

Enjoy a scenic 2-hour train ride through the Alps to Innsbruck.
EUR35, 2h

10:30am

Breakfast at Café Munding

Try traditional Tyrolean pastries and coffee at Innsbruck's oldest café, open from 7:30am.
EUR12, 1h

11:30am

Golden Roof and Old Town

Explore Innsbruck’s medieval center with its famous Golden Roof landmark and charming streets.
Free, 1.5h

1:00pm

Lunch at Stiftskeller

Sample hearty Tyrolean dishes in a historic ambiance.
EUR22, 1h

2:15pm

Nordkette Cable Car

Take the cable car to Seegrube for spectacular alpine views and light hikes. Open 9:00am-6:00pm.
EUR35, 3h

7:00pm

Dinner at Die Wilderin

Enjoy modern Austrian cuisine focusing on local ingredients, open until 10:30pm.
EUR40, 1.5h
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Day 6: Travel to Budapest

Budapest, Hungary on July 21, 2025

8:00am

Train from Innsbruck to Budapest

Depart early on a comfortable train journey via Vienna, approximately 7-8 hours.
EUR65, 8h

4:00pm

Check-in and Rest

Arrive in Budapest and check into your hotel to refresh after the journey.
Varies, 1h

5:30pm

Evening walk on the Danube Promenade

Relax with views of the Parliament Building and Buda Castle illuminated at night.
Free, 1h

7:00pm

Dinner at Paprika

Savor traditional Hungarian dishes such as goulash in a casual setting.
HUF6000 (~EUR17), 1.5h
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Day 7: Budapest Highlights

Budapest, Hungary on July 22, 2025

8:30am

Breakfast at Gerbeaud Café

Begin your day with classic Hungarian pastries and coffee at one of the city’s most famous cafés, open from 8:00am.
HUF2500 (~EUR7), 1h

9:30am

Buda Castle and Castle Hill

Explore the historic castle district with museums, churches, and panoramic views.
Free entry to grounds; museums vary EUR8-12, 3h

1:00pm

Lunch at Pest-Buda Bistro

Enjoy Hungarian classics using seasonal ingredients in a cozy historic building.
HUF5500 (~EUR15), 1h

2:30pm

Matthias Church and Fisherman's Bastion

Visit the colorful church and enjoy breathtaking views from the Fisherman’s Bastion terrace.
Entry EUR5; Bastion Free, 1.5h

4:30pm

Relax at Gellért Thermal Bath

Unwind in the famous Art Nouveau thermal bath complex open until 8:00pm on weekdays.
HUF6500 (~EUR18), 2h

7:30pm

Dinner at Hungarikum Bistro

Dine on authentic Hungarian cuisine with an emphasis on traditional flavors.
HUF6000 (~EUR17), 1.5h
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Day 8: Budapest Culture and Shopping

Budapest, Hungary on July 23, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at New York Café

Experience the grandeur of this historic café known as the ‘most beautiful café in the world’, opens at 7:30am.
HUF3000 (~EUR8), 1h

9:30am

Parliament Building Tour

Tour Hungary’s iconic parliament building; advance tickets recommended, tours start from 9:00am.
HUF4500 (~EUR12), 1.5h

11:30am

Shoes on the Danube Bank memorial

Visit this poignant riverside memorial dedicated to Holocaust victims.
Free, 0.5h

12:15pm

Lunch at Central Market Hall

Sample local foods and buy souvenirs at Budapest’s largest indoor market.
EUR10, 1h

2:00pm

Andrássy Avenue and House of Terror Museum

Walk along this elegant boulevard culminating with a visit to the House of Terror Museum open 10:00am-6:00pm.
HUF3500 (~EUR10), 2h

7:00pm

Dinner cruise on the Danube

Enjoy a scenic dinner cruise to see Budapest illuminated from the river, usually departing around 7pm.
EUR55, 2h
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Day 9: Departure Day

Budapest, Hungary on July 24, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at the hotel

Relax with a leisurely breakfast at your accommodation before departure.
Included with stay, 1h

9:30am

Last minute sightseeing or shopping

Stroll the nearby pedestrian streets for any last-minute purchases or photos before heading to the airport.
Free, 2h

12:00pm

Transfer to airport

Take a taxi or shuttle to Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport for departure.
EUR20, 30m
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