Vienna is a city where imperial palaces, world-class museums, and leafy boulevards sit within easy reach of each other. Spend your time walking the grand Ringstrasse and exploring the art and history inside the Belvedere, Albertina or KHM. In between take café breaks we locals have perfected into an art form. Even a short stay lets you see its architectural highlights, sample rich pastries, and catch the city’s slower rhythm away from the main squares.

Top Stops

• Inner City Walk with the Gothic St. Stephen’s Cathedral: Climb the South Tower if the queue is short for a rooftop view over the old town.

• Belvedere Palace, KHM or Albertina for an art-filled stay. All three are awesome.

• Schloss Schönbrunn: is the most time-consuming sight. Either view it from outside and enjoy a walk through the extensive park or skip the Hofburg.

• Hofburg Palace complex (2-3h): choose what interests you the most - Imperial apartments or the Sisi Museum

• Ringstrasse loop (45–60 min): Tram ride or walk past the Opera House, Parliament, and Rathaus. Best in the early evening light.

Car is not recommended.

Rent your car when leaving town. Almost the entire city centre is a short-stay zone (max 2 hours). If you have your own car, use Park & Ride or a hotel garage to avoid fines.

Where to sleep

The 6th and 7th district is great. Inner Stadt for walking access to sights, or Leopoldstadt for quieter streets and good value.

From Krems to Melk, the Danube winds past terraced vineyards, cute ferry docks, and villages with sun-warmed cobblestone streets. This stretch is one of Austria’s loveliest regions, with short scenic hops - never more than half an hour apart.

Visit the medieval Dürnstein ruin, where King Richard the Lionheart was once held captive, and explore the magnificent baroque abbey in Melk with its peaceful gardens. Along the way, indulge in local specialties: fragrant apricot liquors, a refreshing white wine spritzer, and apricot pancakes.

Ideal choice if you want a relaxed day between Vienna and the Salzkammergut lakes.

Drive: Vienna → Dürnstein → Melk (or reverse route)

Top Stops

• Melk Abbey (1,5 - 3h): the library and church are simply stunning. Walk along the garden path loop before you leave.

• Dürnstein Castle Ruin + village walk (1,5 - 2h): the steady climb opens to a beautiful river view. Sneakers are fine, bring water in summer. Best in the morning or after 5pm

• Aggstein Castle (2 - 3h): well-preserved fortress with sweeping valley views, atmospheric ruins, and a fun puzzle-rally for kids.

• Spitz riverside (30–45 min): a flat walk among vintners and boathouses; good leg-stretcher between abbeys.

Heads-up: Parking fills on weekends. Use the first available lot and walk five minutes rather than circling the core.

Where to sleep?

Time-wise it's best to travel east to west and stay overnight in Melk. However, if B&B's are limited, stay in Krems instead. It's charming and has plenty of restaurants.

Detour

Cross the Danube on the Spitz–Arnsdorf ferry for a slow river view and a pretty loop back along the opposite bank (+40–60 min).

Add a day

Combine Dürnstein with the Aggstein Castle and visit Melk on the next day.

Between green peaks and deep blue lakes, the Salzkammergut feels like Austria’s summer postcard. Spend one day exploring Hallstatt’s car-free old town and the glacier-fed waters of Gosausee, then another riding the Schafbergbahn cogwheel train and lingering over coffee in imperial Bad Ischl. Afternoons are for swims, ferry rides, or simply watching the light change over the water.

A perfect base if you want alpine scenery without strenuous hikes, with a mix of famous sights and quieter corners.

Top Stops

• Hallstatt old town & viewpoint (1–2h): Car-free lanes, lakefront views, and that classic photo. Visit before 09:00 or after 17:00 for fewer crowds. Park at P1 or P2 and take the shuttle/walk 10–15 min.

• Gosausee (1,5-3h): Flat shoreline loop with glacier views. Walk clockwise for more afternoon shade

• Schafbergbahn (half-day): Historic cogwheel train to a summit lookout over three lakes. Reserve ahead on weekends; best in clear weather.

• Bad Ischl (2h): Elegant riverside town with imperial villas and relaxed cafés.

Heads-up: Midday heat reflects off the lakes. Carry water and a light layer, even in breezy weather.

Where to sleep

St. Wolfgang or St. Gilgen for good restaurants without Hallstatt’s crowds.

Detour

1. Fuschlsee’s public strandbad for a clear-water swim (half a day).

2. Eisriesenwelt near Werfen (between Hallstatt & Zell am See)

Zell am See is a gentle lakefront town with the Alps rising just beyond its quay. One day is best spent on Austria’s most famous mountain drive, the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, stopping at glacier terraces and panoramic spurs. On the other, stroll Zell’s promenade, explore the shaded Sigmund-Thun Klamm gorge, or drive to the Krimml Waterfalls via the scenic Gerlos pass.

Top Stops

• Grossglockner High Alpine Road (full day): Scenic toll road, typically open May–Nov. Enter before 09:30 for emptier viewpoints and easier parking.

• Franz-Josefs-Höhe: Glacier terrace with short boardwalks and museum. Bring a layer, as wind can be sharp even in July.

• Edelweißspitze (30–45 min): Narrow spur to a 360° panorama. Skip if visibility is poor; the view is the main draw.

• Sigmund-Thun Klamm (1–2h): perfect for a hot afternoon

Heads-up: Weather changes quickly above the treeline; check webcams before starting the drive.

Where to sleep

Zell am See for lakefront strolls, Kaprun for quicker access to gorges and reservoirs.

Detour

Krimml Waterfalls via the Gerlos Alpine Road. It’s Austria’s highest cascade with a shaded forest walk (+2–3 hours round trip).