Austria rewards the curious: medieval lanes that hum with music, Alps that tumble into glassy lakes, and kitchen traditions that turn simple ingredients into memory-making meals. This weeklong itinerary is designed for an immersive taste—three days in Salzburg’s elegant baroque core followed by four days beside Lake Zell in Zell am See, with easy train links and plenty of time outdoors.

Salzburg’s story spans Roman roots, prince-archbishops, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. You’ll wander the UNESCO-listed Altstadt, ride the funicular to a hilltop fortress, and, if you like, follow the Sound of Music film trail through meadows and palaces. Evenings bring vaulted beer halls and candlelit concerts.

In Zell am See, the Alps take center stage. Cruise across turquoise water, ride up Schmittenhöhe for ridge walks, and head to the nearby Kitzsteinhorn glacier for year-round snow views. Practical notes: many hotels include guest cards; in summer, the Zell am See–Kaprun Summer Card can cover lifts and boats. Mountain lifts may pause for maintenance in shoulder seasons—check schedules locally. Bring a light layer even in July; lakeside breezes are refreshing.

Salzburg

Salzburg is a baroque jewel on the Salzach River, crowned by the Hohensalzburg Fortress and laced with lanes like Getreidegasse where wrought-iron signs still swing. It’s Mozart’s birthplace and the stage for festivals that fill churches and palaces with music. Compact and walkable, it’s perfect for café-hopping, museum-hopping, and scenic viewpoints.

• Top sights: Hohensalzburg Fortress, Salzburg Cathedral, St. Peter’s Abbey, Mirabell Gardens, Mozart’s Birthplace, and the riverfront promenades.
• Food and drink: from Bärenwirt’s legendary fried chicken (Backhendl) to the historic beer halls of Augustiner Bräustuben and wheat beers at Die Weisse.
• Stay central in the Altstadt for history on your doorstep, or on the Right Bank near Linzer Gasse for quieter streets and value stays.

Where to stay: Browse stays on Hotels.com Salzburg or apartments on VRBO Salzburg.

Getting there: Fly into Salzburg (SZG) or Vienna (VIE) or Munich (MUC). For intra-Europe flights and trains, compare on Omio (flights) and Omio (trains). If you’re coming from outside Europe, check fares on Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com. Vienna–Salzburg train: ~2.5 hours, ~$30–55; Munich–Salzburg: ~1.5–2 hours, ~$20–40.

Day 1: Arrive in Salzburg

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Drop bags, then stretch your legs along the Salzach to Mirabell Gardens—frame the fortress between the flowerbeds for a classic photo. Pop into Café Bazar for coffee and an Esterházy slice; this riverside institution has hosted writers and musicians for a century.

Evening: Stroll Getreidegasse as shop signs glow at dusk; peek into Mozart’s Birthplace courtyard. Dinner at Bärenwirt for Backhendl and potato salad, or reserve at St. Peter Stiftskulinarium for a candlelit meal inside one of Europe’s oldest restaurants. Nightcap at Augustiner Bräustuben in Mülln—grab a stoneware mug, have it rinsed, then fill with Märzen and snack from the indoor food stalls (try the pretzels and spreads).

Day 2: Old Town Icons + Sound of Music

Morning: Funicular up to Hohensalzburg Fortress for sweeping views, then descend to the Cathedral and Residenzplatz. Snack stop: Balkan Grill Walter in a tiny arcade for a “Bosna,” Salzburg’s cult curry sausage sandwich.

Afternoon: Join the city’s most famous film pilgrimage with The Original Sound of Music Tour in Salzburg (approx. 4 hours). You’ll roll past lakes and palace gardens to filming sites while hearing behind-the-scenes stories.

Evening: Dinner near the Festival Hall at Triangel for seasonal Austrian plates, or head to Die Weisse for house-brewed wheat beer, dumplings, and roast pork. Gelato at Icezeit or a Sachertorte slice at Café Sacher Salzburg to finish.

Day 3: Hallstatt and a Concert Night

Morning: Easy start with pastries at Café Tomaselli—the waitresses still carry trays piled with cakes so you can choose at the table. Browse the Grünmarkt on Universitätsplatz for fruit, cheese, and flower stalls.

Afternoon: Head out on the lakes-and-alps postcard you’ve seen a thousand times: Hallstatt Half-Day Tour from Salzburg (about 5.5 hours). Expect serene lakefront paths, pastel houses, and optional viewpoints.

Evening: Dress up for a classical finale. Choose the intimate Palace Concert at the Marble Hall of Mirabell Palace—Mozart performed here—or combine views and dining with Best of Mozart Concert and Dinner at Fortress Hohensalzburg.

Zell am See

Cradled by the Hohe Tauern peaks, Zell am See pairs a medieval core with a glittering lake that warms for summer swims and freezes for winter scenes. It’s your launchpad for ridge hikes on Schmittenhöhe, glacier views on Kitzsteinhorn (nearby Kaprun), and leisurely lake cruises with mountain backdrops.

• Top experiences: Lake Zell promenade and boat tours, Schmittenhöhe panorama trails, Kitzsteinhorn’s Gipfelwelt 3000 viewing platform, and the Sigmund-Thun-Klamm gorge in Kaprun.
• Food and drink: local Pinzgau specialties like Kasnocken (cheesy dumplings), hearty schnitzels, and sweet Kaiserschmarrn; lakeside cocktails at sunset.
• Stay by the lake for views, in the Altstadt for ambiance, or in Schüttdorf for quick access to the AreitXpress lift.

Where to stay: Explore options on Hotels.com Zell am See or browse chalets on VRBO Zell am See.

Getting there from Salzburg: Morning regional train Salzburg Hbf → Zell am See Hbf: ~1h 30m–2h, ~$15–25. Check times and fares on Omio (trains in Europe). From Zell station, most lakeside hotels are a 5–12 minute walk; taxis line up outside.

Day 4: Transfer to Zell am See + Lakefront First Impressions

Morning: Depart Salzburg on a morning train for scenic rivers-and-pastures views; grab a pretzel and coffee for the ride. Arrive, check in, and take a quick orientation stroll through the compact old town.

Afternoon: Walk the Esplanade along Lake Zell and catch a gentle boat cruise to see the skyline framed by peaks. Coffee and cake at the Grand Café terrace of the Grand Hotel—watch sailboats drift by.

Evening: Dinner at Deins & Meins, a local favorite known for seasonal salads, trout, and slow-cooked meats, or at Kupferkessel for big-portioned Austrian classics. Nightcap at Villa Crazy Daisy—lakeside cocktails, lively but relaxed.

Day 5: Schmittenhöhe Views and Alpine Huts

Morning: Ride the Schmittenhöhe cable car to ridge-top panorama paths. Follow the Sisi circular trail for fortress-to-glacier vistas, pausing for photos at the art installations on the summit.

Afternoon: Lunch at a mountain hut—try SchnapsHans Alm-Bar near the summit for Kaspressknödel soup and a deck with broad valley views. Keep hiking a gentle loop or descend to the lakeshore for a swim (July–September) or paddleboard rental.

Evening: Casual dinner at Seehotel Freiberg Restaurant by the water (fresh fish and Austrian wines), or head back into town for Steinerwirt 1493, beloved for its wiener schnitzel, dumplings, and a rooftop terrace in good weather.

Day 6: Kitzsteinhorn Glacier and Kaprun Gorge

Morning: Bus or short drive to Kaprun (15–20 minutes). Ride the series of gondolas to Kitzsteinhorn’s Gipfelwelt 3000 for glacier air, an ice arena in summer, and broad platforms facing Austria’s highest peaks. It’s chilly up top—bring a jacket.

Afternoon: Descend for a walk through Sigmund-Thun-Klamm, a turquoise gorge carved by glacial melt. Late lunch in Kaprun at a rustic Gasthof—look for Kasnocken, goulash, and apple strudel—then return to Zell am See.

Evening: Unwind in spa time. If your hotel lacks a wellness area, book an evening session at a local spa in Kaprun, then dine back in Zell at Brasserie Traube for lake fish and crisp salads. Post-dinner gelato from an old-town stand as you wander the lamplit alleys.

Day 7: Slow Morning, Lakeside Brunch, Departure

Morning: Sleep in, then brunch at the Grand Café or grab coffee-to-go and a few lakefront photos. Optional: rent e-bikes to circle part of Lake Zell; it’s largely flat and very scenic.

Afternoon: Train back to Salzburg (~1h 30m) for your flight or onward train. Compare schedules and tickets on Omio (trains) and check flights on Omio (flights). For long-haul options, also see Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Extra tips: In summer, ask your hotel about the Zell am See–Kaprun Summer Card—it often covers lake cruises and cable cars. Many mountain huts are cash-friendly; carry a little euro cash. For popular concerts and tours in Salzburg, reserve a few weeks ahead, especially July–August festival season.

Optional Vienna Add-On (if you extend): If you add days in Vienna, consider these highly rated experiences: Skip the Line Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens Guided Tour and an evening at Schönbrunn Palace Concerts.

Seven days split between Salzburg and Zell am See deliver Austria at its best: music-filled evenings, mountain mornings, and lake-light afternoons. With trains as scenic as the destinations and meals you’ll think about long after you leave, it’s a week that lingers.