From medieval guildhalls to Habsburg boulevards and alpine skylines, this 20-day itinerary links Brussels, Cologne, Nuremberg, Vienna, Salzburg, and Innsbruck by fast, comfortable trains. You’ll balance sightseeing with coffee breaks, museums with markets, and a few day trips where they truly shine.

Expect walkable old towns, UNESCO icons, and a deep bench of museums—from Magritte’s surrealism in Brussels to Klimt’s golden canvases in Vienna. We’ll layer in specialty coffee roasters, local breweries, and neighborhood eateries that locals love, plus select concerts and culinary classes.

Practical notes: trains are the easiest way to move city-to-city; book early for the best fares. Many top museums close on Mondays; popular restaurants may require reservations. Your budget (50/100) fits smart mid-range hotels, a few splurges (concerts, castle tours), and great-value lunches.

Brussels

Days 1–4: Grand Place glimmer, art nouveau, and the best chocolate and beer

Belgium’s capital dazzles with a jewel-box Grand Place, elegant art nouveau, and a culinary scene equal parts frites, waffles, beer, and pralines. It’s compact, photogenic, and made for strolling between museums, vintage arcades, and mellow cafés.

Top sights and museums: linger in the Grand Place, then see the Magritte Museum, Royal Museums of Fine Arts, and Horta Museum for art nouveau. Walk the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert for shopping and chocolate. Detour to the Atomium if you’re a design fan.

• Coffee stops: Mok Specialty Coffee (Dansaert) for filter flights; OR Espresso Bar for meticulous shots; Café Capitale near Bourse; Aksum Coffee House (Ethiopian beans) by Grand Place.
• Where to eat: Nüetnigenough (rich carbonnade, beer list), Fin de Siècle (chalkboard classics; arrive early), Noordzee–Mer du Nord (standing seafood at Sainte-Catherine), Frit Flagey (frites with andalouse sauce).
• Shopping: Sablon chocolatiers (Pierre Marcolini, Neuhaus), comic-art boutiques on Rue des Sables, indie fashion on Rue Antoine Dansaert.

Recommended activities (Viator):

Bruges and Ghent - Belgium's Fairytale Cities - from Brussels

Hungry Mary's Famous Beer and Chocolate Tour in Brussels

Brussels Chocolate Walking Tour and Workshop

Brussels Highlights & Hidden Gems Private Tour with a Local Guide

Where to stay: Compare hotels on Hotels.com or browse apartments on VRBO. For a budget-friendly area, look around Sainte-Catherine or the EU quarter.

Getting to Brussels: For flights from outside Europe, compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Intra-Europe flights and trains via Omio (flights) and Omio (trains).

Next leg—Train Brussels to Cologne: Morning ICE/Eurostar takes ~1h50. Expect ~$35–60 if booked early on Omio. Sit on the left for Rhine views after Aachen.

Cologne (Köln)

Days 5–7: Cathedrals, contemporary art, Kölsch culture

Cologne pairs a soaring Gothic cathedral with river promenades, contemporary art, and a beer culture that’s both ritualistic and warm. Its neighborhoods—Belgian Quarter, Ehrenfeld—reward easy urban wandering and boutique shopping.

Start at the Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom) and climb the tower if you’re up for it. See modern masters at Museum Ludwig, medieval art at Wallraf-Richartz Museum, and explore the Chocolate Museum on the Rheinauhafen.

• Coffee stops: The Coffee Gang (fussy pours, light roasts), Heilandt Kaffeemanufaktur (local roaster, multiple cafés), Van Dyck Rösterei (Ehrenfeld original).
• Where to eat: Früh am Dom (classic Kölsch and Himmel un Ääd), Brauerei Päffgen (Kölsch from wooden barrels), Lommerzheim (legendary schnitzel in Deutz), Bei Oma Kleinmann (comfort fare and giant schnitzels).
• Strolls & shopping: Hohenzollern Bridge love locks and Rhine view; Belgian Quarter for indie shops and design; vintage along Maastrichter Strasse.

Optional day trip (Viator): Early train to Frankfurt (~1h10 via ICE), then join:

Rhine Valley Trip from Frankfurt including Rhine River Cruise

Where to stay: Compare central stays around the cathedral or Belgian Quarter on Hotels.com or find apartments on VRBO.

Next leg—Train Cologne to Nuremberg: ICE via Frankfurt/Mainz ~3.5–4h, ~$25–60 on Omio. Bring snacks; seats with a table work well for journaling and maps.

Nuremberg (Nürnberg)

Days 8–10: Imperial walls, Dürer, and Franconian flavors

Nuremberg’s old town curls beneath its hilltop castle, threaded with timbered houses and church spires. The city blends medieval textures with profound 20th-century history and a strong beer-and-bakery tradition.

Walk the Kaiserburg (Imperial Castle), visit the Albrecht-Dürer-Haus, and the excellent Germanisches Nationalmuseum. At the former rally grounds, the Documentation Center presents a concise, sobering exhibition; check opening times before you go.

• Coffee stops: Machhörndl Kaffee (roastery-loved filters), Kaffee Hörna (Scandi-leaning fika), Café Neef (cakes and classic Nuremberg treats).
• Where to eat: Bratwurst Röslein (tiny Nürnberg sausages over sauerkraut), Albrecht-Dürer-Stube (Franconian dishes in a wood-paneled setting), Hausbrauerei Altstadthof (red beer and hearty plates). Splurge: Essigbrätlein for inventive, produce-led tasting menus.
• Shopping: Lebkuchen shops near Hauptmarkt (Schmidt), Handwerkerhof for artisans, vintage along Breite Gasse.

Optional day trip (Viator): Early ICE to Munich (~1h), then join a castle-and-countryside favorite:

Romantic Road, Rothenburg, and Harburg Day Tour from Munich

Where to stay: For walkability, base inside the walls near Sebalder Altstadt. Compare options on Hotels.com or VRBO.

Next leg—Train Nuremberg to Vienna: Direct ICE/Railjet ~4.5–5h, ~$30–70 via Omio. Reserve a window seat; the Danube views roll in after Passau.

Vienna

Days 11–15: Habsburg palaces, Klimt, and coffeehouse culture

Vienna is imperial grandeur with a creative pulse—Klimt’s golds, Secession curves, and a music legacy that still fills nightly concerts. Between palaces and museums, linger in traditional cafés where time slows and the pastries don’t.

Must-sees: Schönbrunn Palace and gardens, the Hofburg (Sisi Museum and Imperial Apartments), St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Belvedere (The Kiss), and the MuseumsQuartier (Leopold Museum and mumok). Ride the vintage Prater Giant Ferris Wheel at dusk for nostalgic views.

• Coffee stops: Café Central (historic, arrive early), Café Sperl (softer lighting, classic vibe), Café Hawelka (late-evening institution), Jonas Reindl and CoffeePirates (third-wave roasters).
• Where to eat: Figlmüller (famously wide schnitzel), Plachutta Wollzeile (tafelspitz with all the trimmings), Gasthaus Pöschl (home-style Viennese), Naschmarkt for grazing (falafel, cheeses, spices).
• Shopping: Graben/Kärntner Straße for flagships, Mariahilferstraße for variety, Neubaugasse for indie design, and a wine tavern (Heuriger) evening in Grinzing.

Recommended activities (Viator):

Vienna: Skip-the-Line Schönbrunn Palace & Gardens with Guide

Vienna Classical Concert at St. Peter’s Church

Vienna for Food Lovers: Cafés, Markets & Austrian Cuisine

Big Bus Vienna Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour by Open-Top Bus

Where to stay (affiliate picks for different budgets):

• Hotel Sacher Wien (iconic, across from the State Opera).
• Motel One Wien-Staatsoper (value, stellar location).
• Hilton Vienna Park (near Stadtpark, large rooms).
• Wombat's City Hostel Vienna Naschmarkt (budget social base).
• Austria Trend Hotel Zoo Wien (handy for Schönbrunn).
• Hilton Vienna Danube Waterfront (river views, quiet).

Also browse more stays on Hotels.com and VRBO.

Next leg—Train Vienna to Salzburg: Railjet ~2h30, ~$20–40 via Omio. If you can, grab a quick schnitzel sandwich at Trześniewski (tiny open-faced breads) before boarding.

Salzburg

Days 16–18: Baroque spires, Mozart, and mountain edges

Salzburg is a postcard—fortress-capped old town, river curves, and Alpine ridgelines. Beyond Mozart’s legacy, it’s a place of gardens, market lanes, and hearty taverns where time seems to pause.

Wander Getreidegasse, see Mozart’s Birthplace, cross to Hohensalzburg Fortress for sweeping views, and linger in Mirabell Gardens. Save a night for music in a Baroque hall.

• Coffee stops: 220 Grad (roastery-level pours), Kaffee-Alchemie (obsessive about extraction), Café Tomaselli (since 1703) and Café Bazar (terrace on the Salzach).
• Where to eat: St. Peter Stiftskulinarium (documented since 803), Bärenwirt (crispy backhendl), Augustiner Bräustuben (beer hall with food stalls), Die Weisse (wheat beers, dumplings).
• Markets & shopping: Schrannenmarkt (Thu mornings), traditional tracht shops, and confectioners selling Mozartkugeln.

Recommended activities (Viator):

The Original Sound of Music Tour in Salzburg

Salzburg: Palace Concert at the Marble Hall of Mirabell Palace

Austrian Apple Strudel Cooking Class including Lunch in Salzburg

Where to stay (affiliate picks):

• Hotel Goldener Hirsch, a Luxury Collection Hotel (heritage on Getreidegasse).
• Hotel Sacher Salzburg (classic river views).
• Hotel & Villa Auersperg (boutique with a lovely garden spa).
• MEININGER Hotel Salzburg City Center (budget-friendly with modern rooms).
• Hotel Elefant (central, historic setting).

See more options on Hotels.com and VRBO.

Next leg—Train Salzburg to Innsbruck: Railjet ~1h45–2h, ~$20–35 via Omio. Sit on the right for dramatic mountain vistas.

Innsbruck

Days 19–20: Alpine capital, golden rooftops, and sky-high views

Innsbruck sits where colorful townhouses meet the Nordkette peaks. It’s compact, outdoorsy, and full of Tyrolean traditions—ideal for two days of mountain air and old-town ambling.

See the Golden Roof, Hofkirche (with Emperor Maximilian’s striking black figures), and the Bergisel Ski Jump by Zaha Hadid. If the weather’s clear, ride up to the Hafelekar for jaw-dropping views.

• Coffee stops: Coffeekult (serious roaster), Café Munding (Innsbruck’s oldest confectioner), Crema for flat whites before the funicular.
• Where to eat: Die Wilderin (market-led Tyrolean plates), Stiftskeller (dumplings, schnitzel), Weisses Rössl (classic inn with seasonal specials).
• Shopping & strolls: Maria-Theresien-Straße boutiques and arcades; pick up handcarved wooden goods and mountain honey for gifts.

Recommended activities (Viator):

Top of Innsbruck Roundtrip Cable Car Ticket

Tyrolean Folk Show Ticket in Innsbruck

Innsbruck: A Walking Food Tour with Full Meal by Do Eat Better

Where to stay: NALA Individuellhotel (design-forward, quiet street) or Hotel Innsbruck (right by the bridge, spa with mountain views). Also compare on Hotels.com and VRBO.

Departure: Trains to Munich (~1h45) or Vienna (~4h30) on Omio. For flights, compare Omio (flights); for long-haul options also check Trip.com.

Budget & logistics tips (sprinkled through the trip)

• Trains: Book advance fares on Omio for the best prices; morning departures keep your afternoons free.
• Museum days: Many close Monday; plan coffee-and-shopping days then.
• Lunch smart: Hearty lunch specials and market snacks (Naschmarkt, Schrannenmarkt) keep costs in check.
• City cards: If you’ll hit several museums in a day (e.g., Vienna), a pass can pay off.
• Gratuities: Rounding up or ~5–10% at sit-down restaurants is appreciated.

Trip summary: In 20 days, you’ve traced Europe’s cultural spine—Brussels’ guildhalls, Cologne’s cathedral, Nuremberg’s walls, Vienna’s palaces, Salzburg’s melodies, and Innsbruck’s peaks. With museum mornings, coffee rituals, and scenic trains, it’s a route you’ll remember—and repeat in new seasons.