As lovers of mountains and nature, Austria had been on our bucket list for years. When we found ourselves nearby at the end of summer, it felt like the perfect chance to finally explore Austria’s lakes, Alps, and villages. This isn’t a strict day by day itinerary, instead, it’s a region based guide of the places we loved most from our 10 day, with tips to help you plan your own Austria itinerary. Even though we did our trip during summer, many of these Austria destinations are still musts during winter, spring and autumn
Austria Itinerary Overview
We spent 10 days exploring some of Austria’s most beautiful spots during summer in August. Starting in Salzburg we picked up our hire car and worked our road trip through the lakes region and down into the Alps of Tyrol to Innsbruck. After Innsbruck we jumped on the train for our last few days in Vienna.
Where we based ourselves
- The Lake District – to explore the lakes and alpine valleys southeast of Salzburg.
- Tyrol near Innsbruck – to access Innsbruck, Alpbach, and the surrounding alpine peaks.
- Vienna – After dropping the car in Innsbruck, we took the train to Vienna for three nights to finish our trip.
How to Get Around Austria
The best way to explore Austria’s Alps and lakes is really by car, it gives you alot more freedom to explore deeper and cover more areas faster. We rented ours through Booking.com, which gave us more freedom and saved time compared to public transport. Expect to pay around €50–70 per day for a compact car.
If driving isn’t an option, Austria is well connected by trains and buses. Just note that access to some alpine areas will be limited, so you’ll need to plan more carefully and factor in more time.
Best time to Visit Austria
We went during summer in mid August, when the weather was hot and humid, around 27 to 30°C most days. We were lucky with clear skies, though just before we arrived it had rained nonstop for two weeks. Weather in the Alps can be unpredictable, so build in buffer days if you can. Personally, we found it a little too hot for long hikes but the long summer days were great for lake swimming and exploring villages.
September – October is probably the sweet spot: cooler hiking weather and autumn colours, plus most people have finished their summer vacations so its a little quieter. Winter (December–March) is of course ideal for skiing.
Things to Know Before You Go to Austria
- Cash is still king – many cafes, restaurants, and even city spots in Vienna are cash only. Bring euros.
- Parking machines are often cash only – especially in alpine areas, so keep coins handy.
- Cable cars can be pricey – around €30+ per person round trip. Some packages can include a meal voucher at an alpine hut (worth it).
- Sundays – a lot of shops, restaurants and even grocery stores are closed on Sundays especially in rural areas, so keep that in mind.
Best Things to Do Around The Lakes & Salzburg Alps
Liechtensteinklamm Gorge
(€14 entry) – A dramatic gorge with tunnels, bridges, and a stunning waterfall at the end. Go early for fewer crowds and morning light. You can buy tickets online (note: you have to choose a time slot for your entry).
Admont Abbey Library
(€19.50 entry) – Around a 1-2 hour drive from the lakes area, but easily one of the most stunning libraries in the world. It feels straight out of a fairytale (many call it the real “Beauty and the Beast” library). Definitely worth the drive if you have time. The Park Cafe opposite is a nice spot for schnitzel and salad after.
Sound of Music Meadow (Werfen)
Even though we haven’t seen the movie its a pretty iconic spot asn the view here was beautiful, with Burg Hohenwerfen Castle in the distance. You can drive right up to the spot or hike the sound of music trail from Werfen town through the alpine woods.
Spiegelsee am Hochkeil
A short one hour hike up to a viewpoint with a pond that perfectly reflects the alpine peaks. You’ll pass through alpine meadows, cows with bells, and postcard Austrian alpine views. Parking (€5, cash only) just past Berg Hotel Arthurhaus.
Best Things to Do in Hallstatt & The Lake District
Hallstatt
Hallstatt is easily the most photographed village in Austria, and yes, it’s touristy but worth seeing. We arrived by 8am and had it pretty quiet for an hour or so before the tourist buses rolled in. Its also best to arrive early as the parking fills up quick and you’ll have to park further out of town and walk a fair way in. If parking is already full you can drive to Obertraun, a village on the opposite side of the lake and get the ferry across to Hallstatt.
Things to do in Hallstatt:
- Walk to the iconic viewpoint to catch the morning sun lighting up the village
- Head down to the lakeside next to the church to see the white swans.
- Rent a small electric boat or take one of the scenic lake cruises
- take the funicular railway up to the salt mines and the sky walk for views over the lake
- Try some Austrian pastries at the traditional bakery in town
Stay:
These Austrian lakes were our real favourites:
Vorderer Gosausee
Our favorite spot in Austria. We walked the whole lake loop (about an hour) and swam halfway around in crystal clear glacial water. Afterwards we took the Gosaukamm cable car up to the alpine meadows for lunch at Reining hütte with dumplings, sauerkraut, apple strudel, and beers with a view. This was our perfect Austrian day. (2 corse lunch & return cable car package €60 for two). There are also some great alpine hikes accessible from the Gosaukamm cable car.
Wolfgangsee
A beautiful lakeside town with traditional houses, cafes, shops and lanes to explore. We had a great schnitzel at Hubertuskeller restaurant before heading to the Sommerrodelbahn Strobl-Gschwendt, a summer toboggan ride down the hillside nearby (about €7 each), highly recommend for a bit of fun.
Stay:
Attersee
A lively lake with a strong summer vibe. Locals flock here for swimming and “beach days.” We went at sunset and jumped off jetties into the water at Freibadeplatz Sprinzensteinpark a free municipal swimming spot. There are also other paid swimming spots around the lake similar to beach clubs. Dinner at Das Attersee by the lake is a perfect way to end the day.
Zell am See
Another gorgeous lake town. We found it a bit hard to get parking here during summer but the lakefront paths and parks are great for an afternoon stroll, swim or picnic.
Innsbruck Region & Best Tyrol Day Trips
Instead of staying in Innsbruck city, we based ourselves in a nearby alpine village to explore the Tyrol area. It was quieter, more traditional, and surrounded by nature. Innsbruck was still easy to reach by car for a day trip.
Alpbach Village
Often called Austria’s prettiest alpine village, with traditional wooden chalets and flower covered balconies. We visited on a bit of a rainy day, which gave the meadows and misty mountains a moody charm. its a beautiful village to wander around with some nice cafes and restaurants.
Stay:
Seefelder Spitze Mountain Peak
A great alpine ridge hike with dramatic views. You take the funicular from the base station then take Rosshütte cable car, from there it’s a 40 minute walk to the summit with sweeping alpine views. On the way back, stop at Kaltwassersee, a man made lake with reflections of the peaks. There are plenty of alpine huts here for lunch, Hochegg is a good option. Cable car and funicular combo: about €35 pp return.
Stay:
Innsbruck Old Town
Walk along the river and explore the iconic colourful row houses, then wander around the old town lanes with unique architecture like the the Golden Roof building. Innsbruck has plenty of hotels, cute cafes, restaurants and shops to discover.
Stay:
- Hotel Innsbruck
- Boutiquehotel Weisses Rössl
- The PENZ Hotel
- Altstadthotel Weisses Kreuz
- Grauer Bär Studios
Nordkette cable car
From the Innsbruck it takes you straight up into the mountains in about 30 minutes, with panoramic alpine views over the city and beyond. Once up there you have many alpine hikes to choose from or you can just take in the views and grab lunch or drinks at the alpine stations.
Other options if you have more time around Innsbruck region: hikes on the Stubai Glacier, visit Ambras Castle or scenic drives deeper into the picturesque Tyrol valleys and alps exploring the many smaller towns and villages.
Vienna – best things to do
We finished our trip with three nights in Vienna, staying at MGallery Vienna Konzerthaus. The city is full of grand palaces, cafes, museums and amazing architecture, a complete contrast to the Alps.
Belvedere Palace
One of Vienna’s most famous landmarks. Belvedere is a Baroque palace with beautiful gardens and one of Austria’s most important art collections. The highlight is Gustav Klimt’s The Kiss, along with works by Schiele and Monet. Tickets to the Upper Belvedere (where The Kiss is displayed) cost around €19, while combined tickets for both Upper and Lower Belvedere are about €25. The palace grounds and gardens are free to wander and especially pretty at sunset.
St. Stephen’s Cathedral
Vienna’s Gothic icon rising from the city centre, with its unique patterned roof and spire. You can climb the South Tower’s 343 steps for views across the city, or visit at dusk when the square lights up and streets fill with after work shoppers. Opposite the church grab a great take away kaiserschmarrn (Austrian pastry desert) at Demel cafe
Vienna State Opera House
Definitely worth touring inside, you go around in guided groups and get plenty of photo ops without crowds. Price is €10 per person. Even better if you are there in concert season to catch a show (September through June).
Café Gerstner
A timeless Viennese cafe with elegant interiors, indulgent pastries and a touch of imperial charm. The perfect spot for a unique brunch or coffee and cake. Best early morning before the tourist rush. The Eggs Benedict were amazing.
Ferstel Passage
A beautiful little arcade in Vienna with mosaic floors, archways, and cafés. It feels like stepping into a secret corner of the city. It’s also home to the iconic Café Central, one of Vienna’s most famous coffee houses.
St Peters cathedral
A Baroque cathedral tucked just off Graben, smaller than St. Stephen’s but with an ornate golden interior that glows under candlelight. Stop by in the evening as they occasionally have free organ concerts or paid classical music concerts.
Hofburg Palace & Michaelerplatz
The heart of imperial Vienna, with grand facades, courtyards, and domes that glow beautifully at dusk. Michaelerplatz sits just outside the palace, it’s here where the iconic Vienna horse carriage rides start from.
Austrian National Library
One of the most beautiful libraries in the world, with marble columns, frescoed ceilings, and rows of antique books that feel straight out of a fairy tale. It’s worth timing your visit for late afternoon as the light filters through the tall windows, the whole hall glows golden, and if you go close to closing you might even catch the space almost empty as people leave. Entry €11.
Volksgarten & Rathaus
Park benches, rose gardens, fountains, and one of the prettiest city squares in Europe. The perfect place to read a book in the sun, a picnic or just people watch. In the summer months the Rathaus has concerts and even film festivals in its plaza.
Spanish Riding School
Vienna’s Spanish Riding School is home to the world famous Lipizzaner stallions, trained in classical dressage since the 16th century. The easiest way to see them is during the morning exercise (most weekdays, 10am–12pm, tickets €16–25), where you can watch the horses practice in the Baroque Winter Riding Hall. Formal performances run a few times a week (from €25 standing to €100+ for seats), and stable tours are also available. For a more local experience, head to Burggarten park early in the morning (around 7am to 8am) to catch the stallions being walked before training, free and much quieter.
Best hotels to stay in Vienna
Hotels in Vienna that are highly recommended, top rated and close to the cities main sights. For a first time we recommend staying within the inner city circle near Michaelerplatz so you’ll be closer to the main iconic sights.
- Hotel Sacher Wien
- Hotel Imperial
- Anantara Palais Hansen
- Hotel Zur Wiener Staatsoper
- Almanac Palais Vienna
- Hotel MOTTO
- Imperial Riding School
- Hotel Sans Souci
- Wilde Vienna Fleischmarkt
- Hotel Am Konzerthaus
Compare all hotels in Vienna and current prices here
Austria Travel FAQ
How many days do you need in Austria?
10+ days is a great start. It allows time for the Alps, lakes, and Vienna without rushing.
Is Hallstatt worth visiting?
Yes, but only early in the morning. Otherwise, expect crowds. For a quieter experience, try Gosausee or Wolfgangsee.
Best time to visit Austria?
September to October for hiking and autumn colors, December to March for skiing, June to August for lakes and long summer days.
Do you need a car in Austria?
No, but it helps. Trains reach main towns, but hidden lakes and valleys are only accessible with a car.
Is Austria expensive?
Expect €12–18 for meals, €100–200 per night for hotels, and €30–35 for cable cars.
Most beautiful part of Austria?
For us: Vorderer Gosausee — swimming in a mountain lake and lunch in alpine meadows was the highlight.
Packing Tips for Austria
- Hiking shoes (even for short trails).
- Reusable water bottle — alpine water is drinkable.
- Pick up some hiking snacks — Trail mix, mini Austrian salami sticks, fruit
- Small backpack.
- Light rain jacket & warm packable layer — mountain weather changes quickly.
- Cash — a lot of Austria is still cash only (especially coins for parking).
- Swimwear / light towel for lakes in summer.
- Sunscreen, good sunglasses & hat — the alpine sun is bright and harsh
- Passport & Visas
10 Days in Austria
Ten days in Austria flew by. Our favourite was Vorderer Gosausee, where we swam in the lake and had lunch at an alpine hutte in the meadows, it felt like the iconic Austria alpine experience.
If we returned, we’d go in September for cooler hikes or in autumn to see the fall colours. Having a car made our trip smoother, but Austria is also doable by train with careful planning.
If you’re dreaming of an alpine escape, Austria is stunning. And if you love the idea of mountain lakes and crisp air, check out our Dolomites guide for another one of our favourite alpine trips.
