Austria’s story sweeps from Roman frontier to Habsburg powerhouse to modern cultural hub, and you can feel that arc in its architecture, music, and table traditions. Vienna polished the waltz and perfected the coffeehouse; Salzburg gave the world Mozart and mountain silhouettes that look painted. Between them roll vineyards, abbeys, and lakes that turn trains into moving postcards.

Expect first-rate museums, operas, and easy rail connections tying cities to villages and valleys. Food is hearty but elegant when it wants to be: schnitzel large as a plate, silky tafelspitz, airy Kaiserschmarrn, and wines that smell like apricots in summer. Coffee isn’t caffeine; it’s ceremony—newspapers, marble tables, and pastries with history.

Practical notes: Austria is compact, safe, and punctual. Trains are frequent and fast; carry a reusable bottle for alpine tap water. Most venues take cards, but small bakeries may prefer cash. Reserve popular restaurants and concerts in advance, especially on weekends and during festival season.

Vienna

Vienna is a city of rings: the Ringstrasse circling Habsburg grandeur, the circular swirl of a Strauss waltz, and the daily ritual of coffee and cake. Slip between imperial halls and modern design, then end the day with live strings in a gilded hall.

• Top sights: Schönbrunn Palace and gardens, Hofburg complex (Imperial Apartments, Sisi Museum, Spanish Riding School), St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Belvedere (Klimt’s “The Kiss”), Kunsthistorisches Museum, MuseumsQuartier, Prater’s giant Ferris wheel.
• Food and drink: Wiener schnitzel at Figlmüller or Gasthaus Pöschl; beef boiled into velvet at Plachutta; pastries at Demel and Café Central; modern Austrian at Steirereck or Mraz & Sohn (book ahead).
• Fun facts: The Viennese coffeehouse culture is UNESCO-listed. The snow globe was invented here in 1900. And Vienna’s tap water comes straight from Alpine springs.

Where to stay: Browse central apartments and hotels near the Innere Stadt or MuseumsQuartier on VRBO Vienna or compare hotels on Hotels.com Vienna.

How to get there: Fly into Vienna (VIE) and compare fares/times on Omio Flights (Europe). If arriving by rail from neighboring countries, check Omio Trains (Europe) for schedules and seats.

Day 1: Arrive in Vienna, first sips and city lights

Morning: In transit.

Afternoon: Check in and stretch your legs along the pedestrian Kärntner Strasse to St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Climb the South Tower for city views or visit the catacombs. Coffee stop: Café Sperl for a melange and a slice of Sachertorte in wood-paneled ambiance dating to 1880.

Evening: Dinner at Plachutta Wollzeile—order tafelspitz, served with bone marrow, apple-horseradish, and chive sauce. Walk via the Hofburg and Michaelertor, then digest at Loos American Bar, a tiny Adolf Loos gem pouring classic cocktails since 1908.

Day 2: Old Town, Hofburg, and a night of music

Morning: Breakfast at Joseph Brot (Landstrasse) for flaky croissants and farmhouse bread. Tour the Hofburg’s Imperial Apartments and Sisi Museum, then peek into the Spanish Riding School; morning exercises often have same-day availability.

Afternoon: Lunch at Figlmüller Bäckerstrasse for a thin, plate-sized schnitzel (book ahead). Spend the afternoon in the Kunsthistorisches Museum—don’t miss Bruegel’s “Hunters in the Snow.” Espresso at Fenster Café, a literal window serving excellent flat whites.

Evening: Attend a concert at the Musikverein (golden hall) or the Vienna State Opera—book tickets in advance. Post-performance dinner at Zum Schwarzen Kameel for open-faced sandwiches and Austrian wines, or late plates at Gasthaus Pöschl if you prefer a cozy tavern vibe.

Day 3: Schönbrunn, Belvedere, and Naschmarkt bites

Morning: Head to Schönbrunn Palace early for the Grand Tour; then wander the formal gardens and climb to the Gloriette. Coffee and a warm apple strudel at Café Residenz—catch the strudel show if timing allows.

Afternoon: Tram to the Belvedere: see Klimt’s “The Kiss,” Schiele’s portraits, and views over the city. Lunch at Glacis Beisl tucked behind MuseumsQuartier—seasonal Austrian dishes in a leafy courtyard.

Evening: Graze the Naschmarkt: try Neni for vibrant Middle Eastern plates or Umar for ultra-fresh fish. Nightcap at Das Loft Bar for skyline views, or sample craft beer at Beaver Brewing Co. near WU campus.

Day 4: Wachau Valley day trip—Melk Abbey, wine, and the Danube

Morning: Train from Wien Hbf to Melk (~1 hr; ~€15–25 on Omio Trains). Tour Melk Abbey’s Baroque library and terrace over the Danube. Coffee at the abbey café before descending to the river.

Afternoon: In season (Apr–Oct), take a Danube boat to Dürnstein or Krems (~1.5–2 hrs; ~€28–35). Off-season, use the local train via St. Pölten. Lunch at a heuriger (wine tavern) like Weingut Schmidl in Dürnstein when open; taste Wachau Grüner Veltliner and Riesling—aromas of white pepper, apricot, and stone.

Evening: Return to Vienna by train. Celebrate with a classic heuriger evening in Grinzing or Heiligenstadt—try Mayer am Pfarrplatz or Heuriger Schübel-Auer for platters of cured meats, spreads, and local wines with live Schrammelmusik.

Vienna → Salzburg travel (tomorrow): Book a morning Railjet from Wien Hbf to Salzburg Hbf (~2h20–2h30; ~€25–60 depending on fare) via Omio Trains. Buses are slower but cheaper; compare on Omio Buses.

Salzburg

Salzburg is music made stone—baroque domes and narrow lanes staged between a fortress and the Salzach River. Mozart’s notes still linger, and the Alps frame every stroll like a proscenium arch.

• Top sights: Hohensalzburg Fortress, DomQuartier and Cathedral, Getreidegasse and Mozart’s Birthplace, Mirabell Gardens, Hellbrunn Palace (trick fountains), the Salzach riverfront.
• Food and drink: St. Peter Stiftskulinarium (one of Europe’s oldest restaurants), Augustiner Bräustuben (monastic beer hall), Bärenwirt for traditional dishes, cafés Tomaselli and 220° for superb coffee.
• Fun facts: “The Sound of Music” locations are sprinkled around town; a funicular has hauled visitors up to the fortress for over a century.

Where to stay: Look for Old Town or riverfront stays on VRBO Salzburg or compare hotels on Hotels.com Salzburg.

How to get there: From Vienna, take the Railjet (~2.5 hrs) via Omio Trains. If flying out after your stay, compare departures from Salzburg (SZG) or Vienna (VIE) via Omio Flights.

Day 5: Vienna to Salzburg, fortress sunsets and beer hall cheer

Morning: Railjet to Salzburg; drop bags.

Afternoon: Lunch at Bärenwirt for crispy backhendl (fried chicken) with potato salad. Walk Getreidegasse’s wrought-iron signs, visit Mozart’s Birthplace, and browse the DomQuartier for baroque art and terrace views over the cathedral square.

Evening: Ride the funicular to Hohensalzburg Fortress near sunset; wander courtyards and viewpoints. Dinner at St. Peter Stiftskulinarium—order Salzburger Nockerl for dessert. End at Augustiner Bräustuben: grab a ceramic stein, get it rinsed, and fill with Märzen; choose snacks from the indoor market stalls.

Day 6: Hallstatt and the Salzkammergut lakes (day trip)

Morning: Train Salzburg → Attnang-Puchheim → Hallstatt (~2h15; ~€20–35 via Omio Trains). From the lakeside station, take the short ferry across to the village. Stroll the Market Square, photogenic “Classic Village View,” and visit the Ossuary Chapel for its painted skull tradition.

Afternoon: Lunch on the lakeshore—look for fresh trout (Forelle). Ride the funicular to the Skywalk for panoramic views; if open, tour the historic salt mine with subterranean slides. Coffee at Café Derbl or an ice cream on the promenade before returning.

Evening: Back in Salzburg, casual dinner at Triangel (near the Festival Hall) for seasonal Austrian plates, or Balkan Grill Walter for legendary bosna (spiced sausage in a roll) if you want a quick bite. Nightcap at 220° Nonntal for excellent espresso or a glass of Austrian red.

Day 7: Mirabell, Hellbrunn, and departure

Morning: Breakfast at Café Tomaselli—order an Einspänner and a slice of Topfentorte. Wander Mirabell Gardens’ geometric paths and the Pegasus Fountain; music fans might hum “Do-Re-Mi.”

Afternoon: If time permits, head to Hellbrunn Palace for the playful trick fountains (seasonal openings; check times). Otherwise, shop for Mozartkugeln at Fürst (the original) before your afternoon departure. Train back toward Vienna or onward connections via Omio Trains and flights via Omio Flights.

Evening: In transit.

With imperial Vienna and melodic Salzburg as your anchors—and Wachau vines and Hallstatt’s mirror lake between—you’ve sampled Austria’s greatest hits without rushing the encore. Expect to leave humming a waltz, craving another melange, and planning a return for alpine hikes or a summer festival.