11-Day Austria & Germany Itinerary: Vienna, Salzburg & Munich

Day 1: Arrival in Vienna & Initial Exploration

Morning: Arrive in Vienna at 1 pm. Settle into your accommodation and take a leisurely walk around the Innere Stadt (Historic City Center) to get acquainted with the city's atmosphere.

Afternoon: Visit the St. Stephen's Cathedral and explore the nearby famous pedestrian street Kärntner Straße for a mix of shopping and culture.

Evening: Enjoy dinner at a traditional Viennese restaurant and consider a gentle stroll along the Danube Canal to unwind.

Day 2: Vienna Historic & Cultural Highlights

Morning: Explore the magnificent Hofburg Palace, including the Imperial Apartments and the Sisi Museum.

Afternoon: Visit the Belvedere Palace and its gardens, appreciating Austrian art including Klimt’s masterpieces.

Evening: Attend a classical music concert at the Vienna State Opera or a similar venue for an authentic cultural experience.

Day 3: Wachau Valley Day Trip

Morning: Depart early for the scenic Wachau Valley. Visit the charming town of Dürnstein and explore its fortress ruins.

Afternoon: Tour the famous Melk Abbey, a stunning baroque monastery overlooking the Danube River.

Evening: Return to Vienna and dine at a local wine tavern (heuriger) to sample regional wines from Wachau.

Day 4: Vienna to Salzburg & City Orientation

Morning: Take a morning train to Salzburg (approximately 2.5 hours). Check into your accommodation.

Afternoon: Walk through the Old Town (Altstadt), visiting the Getreidegasse and Mozart’s Birthplace.

Evening: Enjoy dinner at a traditional Austrian restaurant and consider an early night or casual stroll through the illuminated historic center.

Day 5: Salzburg Highlights

Morning: Explore the impressive Hohensalzburg Fortress with panoramic views over the city.

Afternoon: Visit the beautiful Mirabell Palace and Gardens and take a leisurely walk along the Salzach River.

Evening: Attend a Mozart dinner concert or explore Salzburg’s lively café scene.

Day 6: Day Trip to Hallstatt & Lake District

Morning: Travel to the picturesque lakeside village of Hallstatt and explore its charming streets and historic salt mines if desired.

Afternoon: Enjoy a boat ride on Lake Hallstatt and visit the peaceful landscape surrounding the village.

Evening: Return to Salzburg and rest or enjoy light local dining.

Day 7: Salzburg to Munich

Morning: Take the train from Salzburg to Munich (roughly 1.5 hours). Check in at your Munich accommodation.

Afternoon: Take a walking tour through Marienplatz and see the iconic New Town Hall with Glockenspiel.

Evening: Dine at a traditional Bavarian beer hall such as the Hofbräuhaus to experience local flavors and atmosphere.

Day 8: Munich Cultural Exploration

Morning: Visit the Residenz Museum, former royal palace of Bavarian monarchs.

Afternoon: Explore the English Garden, including a stop at the Chinesischer Turm beer garden.

Evening: Enjoy a relaxed evening walk in the Altstadt (Old Town) and perhaps have dinner in one of the cozy local restaurants.

Day 9: Day Trip to Neuschwanstein Castle

Morning: Depart early for a day trip to the fairy-tale Neuschwanstein Castle near Füssen.

Afternoon: Tour the castle interiors and wander around the nearby Alpsee Lake.

Evening: Return to Munich and rest, or enjoy light dining at a local café.

Day 10: Munich Museums and Shopping

Morning: Visit the Deutsches Museum, one of the world’s largest science and technology museums.

Afternoon: Spend time shopping along Maximilianstraße or explore the trendy Schwabing neighborhood.

Evening: Have a farewell Bavarian dinner at a traditional restaurant or beer garden.

Day 11: Departure from Munich

Morning: Depart Munich at 9 am. Transfer to the airport or onward destination.

Afternoon: N/A

Evening: N/A

Time and Cost Estimates

• St. Stephen's Cathedral – 1.5 hours – Free (optional tower climb approx. €5)
• Hofburg Palace – 2 hours – €15
• Belvedere Palace – 2 hours – €16
• Vienna State Opera (concert) – 2.5 hours – €40 (variable)
• Wachau Valley (Dürnstein & Melk Abbey) – Full day – €50 (transport + entrance fees)
• Train Vienna to Salzburg – 2.5 hours – €30
• Salzburg Old Town & Museums – 3 hours – €12
• Hohensalzburg Fortress – 2 hours – €15
• Hallstatt Day Trip – Full day – €45 (transport + entrance)
• Train Salzburg to Munich – 1.5 hours – €25
• Munich Marienplatz & Residenz – 3 hours – €12
• English Garden beer garden – 1-2 hours – Cost of drinks/food €10-20
• Neuschwanstein Castle Day Trip – Full day – €60 (transport + entrance)
• Deutsches Museum – 3 hours – €15

Total Estimated Cost: Approximately €350-400 per person

Tips

• To extend your trip, consider adding extra days in Salzburg to explore more alpine nature or nearby Berchtesgaden National Park.
• If you need to reduce time, skip the Hallstatt day trip and shorten cultural visits in Munich for a faster pace.
• Booking train tickets and popular attractions in advance can save time and sometimes money.
• If you prefer less walking, consider using local hop-on-hop-off buses in Vienna and Munich.