How Long to Stay in Austria

Although small in size, Austria’s breathtaking alpine scenery, superb Habsburg architecture, and rich musical heritage bequeathed by the likes of Mozart, Schubert, and Strauss make it a major travel destination. You would ideally want to spend many days discovering this remarkable country but if you have just 5 days in Austria, you can immerse yourself in one majestic city like Vienna or Salzburg. Alternatively, you can explore some of Europe’s most enchanting scenery amid the lakes and mountains of the Salzkammergut. Visit Vienna’s grand Schönbrunn Palace, once the summer resort of the royal family; enjoy a dazzling performance at the historic Vienna State Opera; and see works by the likes of Caravaggio, Rubens and Raphael at the city’s Kunsthistorisches Museum. Read on to find out what your 5-day tour to Austria can look like.

Given its striking alpine beauty, exquisite city palaces, and rich classical music heritage, you can spend a lot of time exploring Austria. But it’s possible to get a wholesome introduction to this beautiful country in as little as four days. If you have 4 days in Austria, you can spend the days in Vienna or Salzburg with enough time remaining for a cycling expedition to picturesque locations such as the Trumer Lake region or a visit to the enchanting village of Hallstatt. Alternatively, you can do a 3–4 day hike on one of the many scenic mountain routes like the Arlberg trail. Go to Salzburg’s iconic Hohensalzburg fortress for excellent views of the city, do ‘The Sound of Music’ tour visiting scenes from the famous film, and learn about the region’s mining history at the Hallstatt Salt Mine during your 4-day Austria tour.

Get dazzled by the gorgeous landscape on the Inn Valley High Trail, taste the finest wines of Wachau, and see the remarkable rockfaces of the Lienz Dolomites towering over the countryside during 6 days in Austria. You can thoroughly explore all the top sights of Vienna and add other excellent destinations like Hallstatt to your itinerary. Alternatively, enjoy the great outdoors and go hiking on the mountainous trail between Innsbruck and Schwaz, or a delightful cycling tour along the charming Drau (Drava) River. See Lienz’s main attractions like the Liebburg and Bruck castles, cycle past ancient Roman trade routes in the scenic Oberdrautal Valley, and soak in the Italian vibes of Villach’s Old Town. Read on to find out what your 6-day trip to Austria can be like.

With 10 days in Austria, you can cycle through the changing landscapes of the Zillertal Valley, visit Vienna’s grand Hofburg Palace, and admire the soothing waters of the 10 lakes. You can also spend your time hiking and cycling amid the Austrian Alps, covering varied terrains like the Salzach River Valley, the mountains of Zell am See-Kaprun and the idyllic Schwarzensee Lake. Alternatively, you can focus on two major cities Vienna and Salzburg, combining them with spectacular forays into the countryside and exploring enchanting towns like Bad Gastein and natural spectacles like the Sigmund Thun Gorge. Follow the lovely cycle trail along the Inn River, glimpse Austria’s highest mountain, Grossglockner, and discover how ‘green’ electricity is generated at Mooserboden Dam during a 10-day tour of Austria.

Explore the medieval Hochosterwitz Castle, soak in the many charms of the lakeside town of Hallstatt, and enjoy the Baroque architecture of Salzburg during 2 weeks in Austria. You can comfortably cover two major Austrian cities, Vienna and Salzburg, in 14 days and also visit beautiful lakes like Gosausee, well-preserved fortresses like Hohensalzburg, and splendid imperial palaces like Hofburg. Besides, see Austria’s famously stunning scenery in places like the Wachau Valley. Taste some excellent wines in Krems, visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral (first built in the 12th century) in Vienna, and stroll around Innsbruck’s historic city center on your 2 weeks Austria tour.

Stunning Alpine landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant cities make Austria a captivating destination. Ideally, spending 7 to 10 days allows you to immerse yourself in Austria's breathtaking scenery from the majestic Austrian Alps, where outdoor adventures abound, to the baroque splendor of Vienna. Discover Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart, with its picturesque streets and stunning mountain backdrops. The Salzkammergut region is enchanting with shimmering lakes and quaint villages like Hallstatt. Whether you're sipping coffee in a traditional café or discovering hidden gems in small villages, our Austria itineraries promise a truly memorable exploration.