7 Days in the Austrian Alps: Innsbruck & Salzburg Itinerary for Mountain Scenery, Music, and Classic Austrian Food
The Austrian Alps have been the backdrop to emperors, ski legends, and the soundtrack of Mozart. Roman roads once threaded these passes; today, panoramic gondolas rise above medieval rooftops and glassy lakes. This 7-day itinerary puts you in the heart of it: Tyrol’s capital Innsbruck and the baroque showpiece of Salzburg.
You’ll ride the Nordkette cable car straight from the city to the high ridge, walk beneath the 16th-century Golden Roof, and savor schnitzel and käsespätzle in wood-paneled taverns. In Salzburg, fortress views and church spires give way to lakes and limestone cliffs—perfect for a Hallstatt excursion and a classic Mozart dinner concert.
Trains knit it all together, with frequent direct Railjet connections between Innsbruck and Salzburg. Consider city passes (Innsbruck Card; Salzburg Card) if you plan multiple museums, lifts, and funiculars. Pack layers; mountain weather turns quickly, and even summer evenings can feel alpine-crisp.
Innsbruck
Ringed by jagged peaks, Innsbruck feels like a postcard come to life. It’s a rare city where you can sip espresso in the Old Town at 10 a.m. and be on a high-alpine ridge by noon. Architecture fans will love Zaha Hadid’s Bergisel Ski Jump and the sleek Nordkette stations; history lovers can dive into imperial Ambras Castle.
- Top sights: Golden Roof, Hofkirche (Emperor Maximilian’s cenotaph), Ambras Castle, Nordkette (Seegrube & Hafelekar), Bergisel Ski Jump, Swarovski Crystal Worlds (nearby Wattens).
- Food to try: Tyrolean gröstl (crispy potatoes with speck and onion), käsespätzle, schlutzkrapfen (spinach-filled pasta), and apple strudel.
- Cafés: Café Munding (1803, classic cakes), Café Central (belle-époque vibe), Breakfast Club (hearty brunch), Bäckerei Ruetz (quick, quality bakery stops).
Where to stay: Compare alpine apartments and central hotels on VRBO Innsbruck or browse well-located stays on Hotels.com Innsbruck.
Getting in: From Munich to Innsbruck is about 1h45–2h by train (from roughly €19–35 if booked early). Vienna to Innsbruck takes about 4h15 on Railjet; Salzburg to Innsbruck about 1h50. Check schedules and book Europe trains on Omio Trains or buses on Omio Buses. If you’re flying into Europe, compare fares on Omio Flights.
Day 1: Arrive in Innsbruck, Old Town Stroll, Tyrolean Comfort Food
Morning: In transit.
Afternoon: Arrive and settle in. Stretch your legs beneath the Goldenes Dachl (Golden Roof), then wander Herzog-Friedrich-Straße’s arcades and pastel facades. Pop into Café Munding for a slice of Sachertorte or a seasonal fruit tart—this is the city’s oldest patisserie.
Evening: Dinner at Die Wilderin (reservations advised): hyper-seasonal Tyrolean dishes, house charcuterie, and thoughtful Austrian wines. For a nightcap with a view, head to the glassy 360° Café atop Rathausgalerien and watch the alpenglow fade over the Nordkette.
Day 2: Nordkette Heights, Imperial Innsbruck, Folk Show
Morning: Coffee at Breakfast Club (try the mountain-strong filter) and take the funicular from Congress up to Seegrube on the Nordkette. Continue to Hafelekar (2,334 m) if skies are clear—the Inn Valley panorama is spectacular. Optional stop at the Alpine Zoo on the way down.
Afternoon: Visit Hofkirche to see Maximilian I’s elaborate cenotaph and silent line of bronze “schwarzmander” statues, then browse at the Markthalle for a quick bite (Tyrolean speck, mountain cheese, fresh soups).
Evening: Clap along at the classic Tyrolean Folk Show—yodeling, dancing, and traditional instruments in a lively setting (a fun, cultural crowd-pleaser). Book here:
Tyrolean Folk Show Ticket in Innsbruck
Day 3: Ski Jump, Castles, and Crystals (or Stubai Valley)
Morning: Espresso at Café Central, then ride up to the Bergisel Ski Jump, a Zaha Hadid landmark with a small museum and a café overlooking the landing slope. On competition days, you may catch athletes training.
Afternoon: Choose your path: - Culture route: Tram/bus to Ambras Castle for Renaissance art, antique arms, and a tranquil park. - Design route: Shuttle to Swarovski Crystal Worlds (Wattens) for the subterranean “Chambers of Wonder” and outdoor art installations.
Evening: Old Town dinner at Gasthof Weisses Rössl (schnitzel, schlutzkrapfen, and apple strudel that rivals grandma’s). If you prefer riverside atmosphere, stroll the Inn promenade and finish with gelato on Maria-Theresien-Straße.
Salzburg
Salzburg marries mountain drama with Baroque grace. The Salzach River curves past elegant squares, pastel townhouses, and the cliff-perched Hohensalzburg Fortress. Mozart’s birthplace still hums with music—street quartets in summer, candlelit concerts year-round.
- Top sights: Hohensalzburg Fortress, Mirabell Gardens, Getreidegasse, Mozart’s Birthplace, Residenzplatz, Hellbrunn Palace (trick fountains), and the riverside path to Mülln.
- Food to try: Salzburger Nockerl (soufflé-like dessert), backhendl (fried chicken), pretzels from street stands, and fresh dumplings at beer halls.
- Atmospheric bites: Café Bazar (river views), 220° Rösthaus & Café (specialty coffee), Bärenwirt (since 1663), Augustiner Bräustuben (monastic beer garden).
Where to stay: Browse central apartments near the river on VRBO Salzburg or compare Old Town hotels on Hotels.com Salzburg.
Getting there from Innsbruck: Take a direct Railjet/RJX train (about 1h50; often €19–39 booked in advance). See options on Omio Trains. If you prefer the bus, check Omio Buses.
Day 4: Innsbruck → Salzburg, Old Town, Fortress Concert Dinner
Morning: Depart Innsbruck by direct Railjet to Salzburg (≈1h50). Grab a bakery snack at Bäckerei Ruetz before boarding.
Afternoon: Check in, then walk Mirabell Gardens’ flower parterres to the Pegasus Fountain, continuing across the Makartsteg bridge (spot the love-locks) into the Old Town. Explore Getreidegasse’s wrought-iron guild signs and Mozart’s Birthplace exterior.
Evening: A quintessential Salzburg night: funicular up to the fortress for dinner and live Mozart. Book the combined experience:
Best of Mozart Concert and Dinner or VIP Dinner at Fortress Hohensalzburg
Day 5: Day Trip to Hallstatt and the Lakes (All Day)
Spend a full day in the Salzkammergut’s lake district—stilted houses, mirrorlike water, and mountain views. This small-group tour covers Hallstatt plus viewpoints like the 5 Fingers, with narration and logistics handled:
Full-Day Minivan Tour From Salzburg to Hallstatt with 5 Fingers, Lakes & Mountains
Tip: Pack a light jacket and comfortable shoes; even in summer, breezes off the lake can be cool. Back in town, a casual late dinner at Die Weisse (house-brewed wheat beer, dumplings, goulash) hits the spot.
Day 6: Sound of Music Sites, Hellbrunn, Beer Hall Night
Morning: Specialty coffee at 220° Rösthaus & Café (try the flat white), then trace “Sound of Music” landmarks: Mirabell Gardens (Do-Re-Mi steps), Residenzplatz, and the horse pond at Herbert-von-Karajan-Platz. Snap the fortress view from the Kapitelplatz giant chess set.
Afternoon: Take bus 25 to Hellbrunn Palace for trick fountains and gardens; the “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” gazebo sits in the grounds. If you love views, consider the Mönchsberg lift to the Museum der Moderne terrace for a coffee overlooking the rooftops.
Evening: Join locals at Augustiner Bräustuben in Mülln. Buy a ceramic stein, have it rinsed, and fill it with malty beer straight from the barrel. Pair it with roast chicken, pretzels, and radish from the food stalls. For dessert, seek out Salzburger Nockerl at Bärenwirt or in the Old Town.
Day 7: Strudel Class, Last Views, Departure
Morning: Roll up your sleeves for a hands-on pastry lesson—sweet, warm, and very Austrian. It’s a delightful send-off and includes lunch:
Austrian Apple Strudel Cooking Class including Lunch in Salzburg
Afternoon: Pick up Mozartkugeln (the pistachio-marzipan-chocolate originals) and stroll the river one last time before heading to your train or flight. For onward travel in Europe, check Omio Trains or Omio Buses; for flights to or from Europe, use Omio Flights.
Evening: En route or home—save your favorite alpine tracks to relive the trip.
Dining short list to bookmark
- Innsbruck: Die Wilderin (seasonal Tyrolean), Gasthof Weisses Rössl (classic fare), Stiftskeller (beer garden staples), 360° Café (panorama), Café Munding (historic cakes), Tribaun (craft beer).
- Salzburg: St. Peter Stiftskulinarium (heritage dining), Bärenwirt (backhendl and dumplings), Die Weisse (house-brewed wheat beer), Augustiner Bräustuben (monastic beer hall), 220° Rösthaus & Café (third-wave coffee), Café Bazar (riverfront breakfast).
Practical tips
- City passes: The Innsbruck Card and Salzburg Card can pay off if you’ll use lifts, funiculars, and museums within 24–48 hours.
- Seasonality: Alpine weather changes fast; bring layers and waterproofs. Some mountain roads/tours (e.g., Eagle’s Nest in Germany) are seasonal, typically late spring–autumn.
- Trains: Reserve earlier for the best fares; Railjet has ample luggage space and café cars for easy city-to-city travel.
Between high ridges and riverfront promenades, this Austrian Alps itinerary balances outdoor thrills with cultural depth. You’ll leave with powdered-sugar memories of strudel, music still echoing from fortress walls, and a camera full of mountain light. Until next time—servus!