Austria’s Alps have lured travelers for centuries—from Habsburg emperors escaping Vienna’s heat to Romantic painters chasing mountain light. In Tyrol and Salzburg you’ll find medieval streets, onion-domed churches, crystalline lakes, and trails that stay kind on the knees while delivering big-portrait views.

July is peak season: long days, flowered meadows, and lively village squares. Expect 12–26°C in the valleys and cooler breezes up top. You’ll drive from Cassà de la Selva, cross into Switzerland (CHF vignette), then on to Austria (Austrian vignette), with a smooth day in Munich and Dachau.

Practical notes: carry cash for small alpine huts, but cards are widely accepted. Buy a Swiss motorway vignette (~CHF 40) and an Austrian e‑vignette (10‑day ~€11.50; 2‑month ~€28.90). Germany has no car tolls. Book cable cars and popular sights early in late July, and pack a light rain shell for alpine showers.

Innsbruck (Tyrol)

Ringed by dramatic peaks yet compact and walkable, Innsbruck blends imperial history with fresh alpine air. Baroque facades glow at golden hour around the Golden Roof, while easy cable cars float you to panoramic balconies above the city. Base here for gentle valley walks, waterfalls, lakes, and storybook gorges.

Days 1–2: Cassà de la Selva → Zurich (overnight) → Innsbruck

• Day 1 (Thu 25 Jul): Drive to Zurich (overnight stop). Depart 05:00. Cassà de la Selva → Zurich ~980 km, 10–11 h plus stops via France/Switzerland. Budget-friendly stays with firm beds often include Meininger Zürich Greencity, ibis budget Zürich City West, and easyHotel Zürich. Browse deals: Hotels in Zurich (Hotels.com) or Zurich apartments (VRBO).
• Day 2 (Fri 26 Jul): Zurich → Innsbruck. 290 km, ~3.5–4 h. Afternoon old town stroll: Golden Roof, Maria-Theresien-Strasse arcades, Inn River embankment. Optional: ride the funicular + Seegrubenbahn up the Nordkette for a sunset view (budget ~€40–50 pp round trip).

Where to stay (5 nights, Tyrol base): For minimal packing and easy day trips, choose central Innsbruck or a quiet plateau village with flat paths.

• Innsbruck old town/center: Walk to sights; ask for “firm mattress” rooms. Search: Hotels in Innsbruck (Hotels.com), VRBO Innsbruck.
• Seefeld in Tirol (20 min from Innsbruck): Flat trails, lakes, firmer beds typical at alpine guesthouses. Search: Hotels Seefeld (Hotels.com), VRBO Seefeld.

Food & coffee: Breakfast at Café Munding (since 1803; apricot jam kipferl), or Haepinest for eggs on sourdough. Lunch at Stiftskeller (Tyrolean gröstl, kaiserschmarrn); try Strudelcafé Kröll for classic apple strudel. Dinner at Die Wilderin (market-driven Tyrolean small plates), Weisses Rössl (schnitzel, seasonal chanterelles), or Gasthaus Anich for hearty dumplings.

Days 3–6: Tyrol highlights with easy walking

• Innsbruck & Ambras Castle: Stroll the old town, Hofkirche with the “Schwarzmander” bronze guards, and Schloss Ambras Renaissance collections. Low-effort viewpoint: Hungerburg funicular to see the city bowl.
• Stubai Valley—WildeWasserWeg: Gentle trail segments to Grawa Waterfall viewpoint platforms; add the short riverside circuit. Coffee and cake at Grawa Alm.
• Achensee (Pertisau): Lakeside promenade and flat forested path to Gaisalm (boat return). Consider a lake cruise (budget ~€20–25 pp day ticket). Lunch: Seehotel Einwaller bistro for lake fish.
• Leutasch Gorge (Mittenwald border): Easy metal walkways above turquoise cascades; combine with Mittenwald violinmaker village ramble.
• Highline179 & Ehrenberg ruins (Reutte): Panoramic suspension bridge to castle remains; keep it to viewpoints if you prefer minimal stairs. Optional detour to Plansee’s blue waters.
• Rain plan: Swarovski Crystal Worlds in Wattens (artful indoor exhibits + garden), Tyrol Panorama Museum, or Alpenzoo.

Driving times (each way): Innsbruck→Stubai (Grawa) ~1 h/55 km; Innsbruck→Achensee (Pertisau) ~50 min/45 km; Innsbruck→Leutasch Gorge ~45 min/35 km; Innsbruck→Reutte/Highline179 ~1 h 20/95 km.

Getting around: By car is easiest. For occasional rail, check Omio (trains in Europe)—e.g., Innsbruck↔Mittenwald from ~€15–25, ~40–60 min.

Salzburg

Salzburg blends baroque spires with Mozart’s melodies and river views. The fortress crowns a compact old town, while the Salzkammergut lakes and Hallstatt sit within an easy day’s reach. It’s your best base for a Munich + Dachau day and for Berchtesgaden’s Eagle’s Nest and salt mines.

Days 7–10: Transfer to Salzburg and explore city, lakes, and Berchtesgaden

• Transfer (Day 7): Innsbruck → Salzburg ~185 km, ~2–2.5 h. Park at Altstadtgarage and wander Getreidegasse, Mozartplatz, and the Cathedral quarter. Sunset funicular up Fortress Hohensalzburg; dinner at Stiegl-Keller (roast pork, panoramic terrace).
• City day (low-effort): Mirabell Gardens and Dwarf Garden, Mozart’s Birthplace (short visit), and a riverside stroll. Coffee at 220 Grad Nonntal (expert roasts); sachertorte at Café Bazar on the Salzach.
• Berchtesgaden day: Choose Eagle’s Nest for summit panoramas and WW2 context, and/or the Salt Mines underground slides—both easy-access with guided transport.
• Salzkammergut lakes: St. Gilgen and Wolfgangsee boat hop; light walk to Fürberg lakeside; or devote a half-day to Hallstatt with its lake promenade and viewpoints.

Recommended Salzburg accommodation (4 nights): Stay near the river or in Nonntal for quiet nights and quick old-town access. Search: Hotels in Salzburg (Hotels.com), Apartments in Salzburg (VRBO).

Food & drink: Breakfast at Fingerlos (Austrian pastries) or Röstzimmer 15 (specialty coffee). Casual lunch at Die Weisse (wheat beer, schnitzel) or Triangel (local plates by the theater). Evenings: Bärenwirt (backhendl fried chicken), Gablerbräu (Austrian classics), and Augustiner Bräustuben for a lively beer garden experience.

Curated Viator activities (easy logistics from Salzburg):

• The Original Sound of Music Tour in Salzburg

  

  Visit iconic filming sites around Salzburg and its hills without driving or parking stress—great for an overview day.

• Hallstatt Half-Day Tour from Salzburg

  

  Enjoy the famous lakeside village with relaxed lakeshore time and scenic stops, no need to navigate mountain roads.

• Skip-the-Line: Eagle's Nest in Berchtesgaden Tour from Salzburg

  

  Ride up to one of the Alps’ most famous viewpoints with historical insight and priority access—walking is optional at the top.

• Skip-The-Line Salt-Mines and Bavarian Mountains Tour from Salzburg

  

  Family-friendly underground adventure with little walking and plenty of atmosphere—perfect for a mixed-weather day.

Driving & train times: Salzburg→Berchtesgaden ~30–40 min/25 km; Salzburg→St. Gilgen (Wolfgangsee) ~35 min/30 km; Salzburg→Hallstatt ~1 h 20–1 h 45/75 km. Salzburg↔Munich by rail ~1 h 30; check Omio (trains) from ~€20–35 pp each way. Buses also run—see Omio (buses).

Munich

Munich balances Bavarian tradition with leafy parks and world-class museums. For your day trip, pair the solemn Dachau Memorial with an easy stroll through the old town and Viktualienmarkt, then decompress in the English Garden.

Day 11: Munich & Dachau (from Salzburg)

• Transport: Best by train to avoid city traffic and parking—~1 h 30 each way from ~€20–35; search Omio (trains in Europe). If driving: Salzburg→Munich ~145 km, ~1 h 45. Munich→Dachau Memorial ~25–35 min by S‑Bahn + bus or 30–40 min by car.
• Morning: Dachau Memorial Site. Plan 2–3 h. The museum, barracks reconstructions, and crematorium demand quiet time and comfortable shoes. Audio guides are helpful; entry is free (small fee for audio/parking).
• Afternoon old town loop: Marienplatz Glockenspiel (11:00/12:00), Frauenkirche towers (elevator + few steps), Viktualienmarkt (cheese, schmalznudeln donuts), and a short stroll in the English Garden to the Eisbach surfers.
• Food & coffee: Breakfast-on-the-go at Café Frischhut (schmalznudel), espresso at Man versus Machine. Lunch at Schneider Bräuhaus (weisswurst until noon) or Viktualienmarkt snack stalls. Dinner option before returning: Andechser am Dom (roast pork, Andechs beer).

Note: If you prefer to sleep nearer Munich the night before, consider a Salzburg night shift with an early train, or base in Munich for one night—search Hotels in Munich (Hotels.com) and VRBO Munich.

Day 12: Return to Cassà de la Selva

• Salzburg → Cassà de la Selva: ~1,350–1,450 km, ~13–14.5 h via Germany–Switzerland–France/Spain. Consider an early start. Optional split: overnight again around Zurich or Lake Constance.

Base strategy: one vs. multiple stays

• Recommended (2 bases + transit Zurich): 5 nights Tyrol (Innsbruck/Seefeld) + 4 nights Salzburg + Munich day trip. Fewer check-ins, short day drives, and easy access to lakes/berchtesgaden.
• Alternative (move nightly): Maximizes coverage but adds daily packing and parking stress—less relaxing for a scenic holiday.

Approximate trip costs & logistics (car)

• Fuel: ~3,000–3,400 km total; at 6–7 L/100 km and €1.80/L → ~€325–430.
• Tolls/vignettes: Swiss vignette ~CHF 40 (annual); Austria e‑vignette 10‑day €11.50 or 2‑month €28.90; Brenner A13 special toll ~€11 each way; France tolls if routing via A9/A7 can add €60–90 one way (depending on route).
• Cable cars & boats (examples): Nordkette €40–50; Achensee boat day ticket €20–25; Fortress funicular €15–20. Verify high-season pricing.

Ordered “map” pins (northwest→east→day trips)

• Cassà de la Selva (start)
• Zurich (overnight stop, Day 1)
• Innsbruck old town (base)
• Ambras Castle (Innsbruck)
• Nordkette/Hungerburg viewpoint
• Stubai Valley—Grawa Waterfall (WildeWasserWeg)
• Achensee—Pertisau promenade/boat
• Leutasch Gorge (near Mittenwald)
• Reutte—Highline179 & Ehrenberg
• Salzburg old town (base)
• Fortress Hohensalzburg
• Mirabell Gardens
• Berchtesgaden—Eagle’s Nest
• Berchtesgaden—Salt Mine
• St. Gilgen—Wolfgangsee
• Hallstatt (half-day)
• Munich old town (day trip)
• Dachau Memorial Site
• Cassà de la Selva (return)

Daily rhythm suggestions (2–3 visits per day)

• Innsbruck day: Morning Ambras Castle → Café Munding; Afternoon old town + Hofkirche → funicular to Hungerburg; Evening dinner at Die Wilderin.
• Stubai day: Morning WildeWasserWeg to Grawa viewpoints → lunch at Grawa Alm; Afternoon short drive to Neustift lake; Evening easy riverside stroll in Innsbruck.
• Achensee day: Morning lakeside walk Pertisau→Gaisalm (boat back) → lunch by the lake; Afternoon swim or terrace; Evening Gasthaus Anich in Innsbruck.
• Salzburg city: Morning Mirabell Gardens → 220 Grad coffee; Afternoon Cathedral quarter + Mozartplatz; Evening fortress funicular + Stiegl-Keller.
• Berchtesgaden: Morning Eagle’s Nest tour; Afternoon Königssee promenade or café; Evening Augustiner Bräustuben.
• Hallstatt/lakes: Morning drive or tour to Hallstatt; Afternoon lakefront stroll + viewpoint; Evening return to Salzburg for dessert at Café Bazar.
• Munich + Dachau: Morning Dachau Memorial; Afternoon Marienplatz/Viktualienmarkt; Early evening English Garden; Train back.

Transport alternatives (if you park the car)

• Long legs by rail: Innsbruck→Salzburg ~1 h 50–2 h 10 from ~€25–45; Salzburg→Munich ~1 h 30 from ~€20–35. Compare options on Omio trains. Buses can be cheaper: Omio buses.
• Flights (if plans change): For intra‑Europe flights, browse Omio flights.

For beds, filter for “Very Good 8+” ratings and scan recent reviews mentioning “firm mattress.” Apartments (VRBO) often list mattress types; small alpine guesthouses in Tyrol traditionally keep beds on the firmer side.

In 12 days you’ll cover Tyrol’s valleys and viewpoints, Salzburg’s baroque heart and nearby lakes, and a thoughtful Munich day with Dachau. Expect short, scenic drives, two comfortable bases, and plenty of low-elevation walks with grand Alpine payoffs.