📍 Austria

AUSTRIAN ALPINE LAKES: IMPERIAL GRANDEUR AND PEAKS

Q: What weather should you expect?

Peak Summer (July-August): Perfect weather for hiking and festivals, warmest temperatures, highest prices, most crowded attractions and alpine areas. Shoulder Seasons (April-June, September-October): Excellent balance of good weather, moderate crowds, reasonable prices, ideal for sightseeing and cultural activities. Winter (December-March): World-class skiing season, Christmas markets, cozy atmosphere, higher accommodation prices in ski resorts, magical snowy landscapes. Spring (April-May): Blooming flowers, mild weather, perfect for Vienna and cultural sites, fewer tourists, excellent value for money.

Turquoise lakes mirror granite peaks, baroque bells echo, passes wind toward the summits. Discover Austria's lake region.

≈ 9

Days

969

Stops

📖 4 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Discover Vienna and its imperial grandeur, then head to the lake region: St. Wolfgang, Hallstatt with its postcard scenery, Salzburg and its baroque bells. Austria's lake country will enchant you.

Hallstatt: cliff-carved lakeside gem
St. Wolfgang: turquoise mirror peaks
Salzburg: baroque bells valley heart
Alpbach: meadow-carved timber village

Your day-by-day itinerary

Day

Vienna

imperial palaces grand plaza

7 photos

Day 1

🔍

Discover

UNESCO historic center: Stephansplatz, Graben, Kohlmarkt

Schönbrunn Palace and baroque gardens

Belvedere Palace (Klimt, The Kiss) and terraced gardens

🎯

Activities

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Traditional Viennese cafés: pastry break

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Walk on the Ring and in front of the State Opera

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Next stop

⏱️ Long drive (5h+)

Distance: 291 km

Travel time: 5h49

Day

Vienna

imperial palaces grand plaza

7 photos

Day 2

🔍

Discover

Latest discoveries in Vienna: MuseumsQuartier or stroll in the Prater

🎯

Activities

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Café-concert or museum according to preferences (Kunsthistorisches, Albertina)

Day

St Wolfgang Im Salzkammergut

turquoise water storybook cliffs

9 photos

Day 3

🔍

Discover

Wolfgangsee: lakeside walk and views of the Schafberg

Mondsee: cloister and lake suitable for summer swimming

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Activities

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Swimming at Wolfgangsee (water up to 25°C in summer)

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Mini-cruise or boat rental on Wolfgangsee

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Next stop

Distance: 32 km

Travel time: 39min

Day

Hallstatt

cliff-side village salt heritage

7 photos

Day 4

🔍

Discover

Hallstätter See and village of Hallstatt (UNESCO)

Welterbeblick panoramic platform (view over the lake and village)

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Activities

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Gosauseen hike: 15 km loop (D+≈458 m) around Vorderer Gosausee

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Beach/lake break at Hallstätter See

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Next stop

Distance: 68 km

Travel time: 1h22

Day

Salzburg

baroque bells mozart mountain

8 photos

Day 5

🔍

Discover

Old Town of Salzburg (UNESCO): Getreidegasse, Residenzplatz

Hohensalzburg Fortress: panorama over the city and the Alps

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Activities

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Walk on the trails around the fortress (viewpoints)

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Eisriesenwelt giant cave in Werfen (cable car access)

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Next stop

Distance: 124 km

Travel time: 2h28

Day

Alpbach

timber-built meadow sanctuary

6 photos

Day 6

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Discover

Village of Alpbach (974 m): traditional architecture and flower-lined streets

Innsbruck (option): Old Town, Golden Roof, Bergisel overlooking

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Activities

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Alpine cable car (return trip) to a panoramic viewpoint

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Family hike 10.4 km (elevation gain ≈360 m) on alpine pastures and viewpoints

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Next stop

Distance: 84 km

Travel time: 1h41

Day

Zell Am See

lake basin granite fortress

8 photos

Day 7

🔍

Discover

Bruck an der Großglocknerstraße: gateway to the scenic route

Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe: views of Grossglockner and Pasterze glacier

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Activities

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Grossglockner panoramic route (48 km, 36 bends) with viewpoint stops

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End-of-day walk along Zeller See

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Next stop

⏱️ Long drive (5h+)

Distance: 370 km

Travel time: 7h24

🗺️ Itinerary map

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🛡️ Travel advice - Austria

Check official recommendations

UK Foreign Travel Advice →

❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Peak Summer (July-August): Perfect weather for hiking and festivals, warmest temperatures, highest prices, most crowded attractions and alpine areas.

Shoulder Seasons (April-June, September-October): Excellent balance of good weather, moderate crowds, reasonable prices, ideal for sightseeing and cultural activities.

Winter (December-March): World-class skiing season, Christmas markets, cozy atmosphere, higher accommodation prices in ski resorts, magical snowy landscapes.

Spring (April-May): Blooming flowers, mild weather, perfect for Vienna and cultural sites, fewer tourists, excellent value for money.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 7 and 11 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

What to discover in Austria?

Mozart's birthplace offers imperial palaces, Alpine beauty, and world-class classical music scene. Vienna's coffeehouses and Salzburg's baroque architecture create cultural magic while ski resorts provide winter adventures. The Sound of Music landscapes and Danube River cruises enchant visitors. Austria perfectly combines high culture with natural splendor.