Austria, known for its castles, ski slopes, Mozart, apple strudel, and the Sound of Music (amongst other things), is a stunning place to road trip. Full of scenic drives, super cute little towns, and far more than those headline sights. Taking an Austrian road trip will combine great city stops and some extraordinarily lovely scenery – here’s some inspiration and planning advice.
Planning a Road Trip Around Austria
Austria is a landlocked European Union country that is surrounded by other great road-tripping countries, so it is perfect to weave into a longer trip.
Austria is surrounded by Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary and Slovenia. As you can imagine, this position meant that Austria was hotly contested over the years, and wasn’t declared an independent and neutral country until 1955! Ending the four-country occupation between United States, Great Britain, France, and the Soviet Union.
Being part of the EU means that there are no borders, the roads are in great shape, and signs are easily followed, despite being (mostly) in German.
TOP TIP: To drive in Austria, you must have a vignette (sticker) on your windscreen – which is akin to a toll or road tax. You can buy them at petrol stations near the borders, or online in advance (10-day, 2-month & annual).
Austrian Road trip Destination Ideas
Vienna
Vienna, a grand ol’ dame of a city. Home to 1.89 million people, and millions more tourists each year, the scale of this place is immense. From Baroque and Rococo architecture, to huge avenues and famous coffee houses, it is a city of dynamism, culture, music and river-city magic.
Hundertwasser House is a wonderfully quirky legacy from the famed artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser. I have a fondness for his work because he lived in New Zealand later in life and designed an amazing public toilet!
Top sights include: Seeing fancy horses at the Spanish Riding School, taking in a Mozart concert, Schönbrunn Palace, the Giant Ferris Wheel at Prater Park, and Danube Tower.
Some of the typical tourist things to do in Vienna are a little overrated – Sacher Torte at Hotel Sacher for instance, but the city is full of amazing places to try the famous cake. Schönbrunn Palace is grand and impressive, but the crowds can be insane… and if you want to learn more about the Hapsburg dynasty then Hofburg Palace is probably more informative.
It is perfectly acceptable to experience Vienna in a way that suits your tastes. We did a lot of cafe-hopping, chi-chi cocktail-drinking, and wandering (bring good shoes). We enjoyed exploring the old centre, late night coffee and topfenstrudel, and the way the grandiose buildings are lit up at night. It is a city in which to flaneur, and flaneur hard – the people-watching opportunities are fantastic.
Where to stay in Vienna
Because we were visiting Vienna by car, we had to choose a hotel with easy access and parking. Simm’s Hotel is a straight shot into town by tram or U-bahn, and has parking, restaurants and supermarkets at its doorstep. We found it very comfortable, modern and it gets points for the free coffee stations!
If you are hiring a car after your stay in Vienna, and don’t have to concern yourself with parking at the hotel, I recommend the lovely Vienna Marriott Hotel.
Wachau Valley
The Wachau Valley is a great day trip from Vienna, but can be woven into an Austrian road trip with ease. This low-key wine region produces lively Grüner Veltliners and dry Rieslings. Between the towns of Krems an der Donau and Melk, you’ll find lush vineyards terraced into the hillsides, and lining the Danube.
Don’t miss cake in Krems (Konditorei Hagmann), and the Melk Abbey. During the summer you can take a boat tour between the two towns.
Mauthausen Concentration Camp
Visiting a concentration camp is the most heartbreaking, yet necessary discomfort you can experience. The starkness will leave you teary, yet the importance and gravity of these sites feels too important not to see at least once in your life.
Mauthausen was known as one of the most brutal of all the Nazi concentration camps, and nearly half of the 190,000 inmates died here. Seeing it now, there is an eeriness and scale which is hard to rationalise. Imagining all those souls living in this hell… well, it is sobering to say the least.
I believe we must remind each generation of the horrors of the World Wars, to ensure they don’t happen again.
After visiting a concentration camp, it’s important to give yourself space to reflect and de-stress, because it is a heavy thing to experience. We drove in silence on our way from Mauthausen to Salzburg, then had an early night to recover.
Salzburg
Salzburg is a great little city, and it really is a lot more than just Mozart and The Sound of Music. With exceptional art gallery options, a vibrant café culture, and lots of history to soak up; Salzburg is also compact and very walkable. We loved wandering the streets of the Altstadt (Old Town), window-shopping and cafe-hopping.
For a short visit to Salzburg, here are the top tourist sites
- Salzburg Castle / Fortress Hohensalzburg – the imposing Salzburg Castle sits atop a rocky promontory above Salzburg. You can take the funicular up to visit, or walk the path up the hill (which has great views as you go). Check out Paul Passing Through’s great article for more info on the Salzburg Castle.
- Palaces – If you love to explore the grandeur of royal life, then a visit to one of the palaces in Salzburg is for you. Hellbrunn Palace was built in the 17th century by Prince-Archbishop Markus Sittikus, and has fabulous fountains. Hellbrunn sits south of the city near the zoo. Mirabell Palace and gardens sits in the old town, on the north side of the river.
- Salzburg Cathedral – I love Baroque cathedrals – the curlicues, bulbous copper roofs, and symmetry.
- Mozart’s Birthplace or Residence – Mozart history is a big-seller here in Salzburg. Neither site is comprehensive, but if you are a fan of Mozart, then a combo ticket to both would be ideal. Both rely heavily on the site being significant rather than the contents, so don’t expect too much.
- Residence Square – Like many other European cities, Salzburg excels at large convivial squares. We enjoyed sitting out at Café Glockenspiel, between Residenzplatz and Mozartplatz. Eating apfelstrudel, drinking Weinschorle (white wine spritzer), and watching the world go by.
- Linzer Gasse & Platzl – Don’t miss exploring north of the river, the ancient old pedestrian streets like Linzer Gasse are delightful.
Here are some fun alternatives
- Museum der Moderne – If modern is more your style, don’t miss the fantastic Museum der Moderne up on the opposing hill north of the castle. Take the Mönchsberg Elevator up to get there + great views back towards the castle.
- Stiegl-Brauwelt – Love beer? Well, you’re in the right place in Austria. Enjoy this amazing brew-pub and restaurant to experience the local beverages!
- Salzburg Open-Air Museum – If you want to learn about village life from the 1500s, visit Salzburg’s open air museum in Untersberg Nature Park. With over 100 buildings, and with seasonal festivals, this amazing piece of heritage offers a look into rural life around the city.
Where to stay in Salzburg
The Das Jedermann Boutiquehotel mit Stadtgarten is in the Schallmoos District, where there is a concentration of hotels with parking, but still within walking distance of the old town. This boutique hotel offered recently renovated rooms with some quirky design features and designated parking spots for each guest. This was useful when we went out for the day, knowing we would definitely have somewhere to park on our return.
We are fans of the NH brand of hotels, and the NH Collection Salzburg City is near to St. Sebastian Cemetery and the joys of Linzer Gasse. There is a subterranean parking garage nearby (dug into a mountain, called Park Garage Linzer Gasse).
For a luxury experience, the Sheraton Grand Salzburg is right next to Mirabell Palace.
Innsbruck
Innsbruck’s setting in between the Nordkette mountain range and the Tyrolean Alps is simply breathtaking. Everywhere you look there is another peak, adding layers of depth and interest to the horizon. Sitting on the Inn River, Innsbruck is a vibrant Austrian city in all seasons.
Great things to see in Innsbruck include: Maria-Theresien-Strasse / Alstadt (the pretty old town with mountain backdrop), the Golden Roof, Funiculare Nordkette, Triumphal Arch, and Ottoburg. We loved the conviviality of dusk along Maria-Theresien-Strasse – restaurants, people spilling out of eateries and takeaways, and the variety of cuisines available.
I was rather captivated by Innsbruck. There was a mountain spirit in this town that was just so joyous. Perhaps it was the time of year we visited? It was spring and the weather was bright and hopeful. We went out on the town and everyone was so friendly.
TOP TIP: Innsbruck is only 40 minutes from the Italian border, and 1.5 hours from the stunning Italian Dolomites – add these to your road trip if you can!
Where to stay in Innsbruck
We stayed at the absolutely brilliant AC Hotel by Marriott Innsbruck. While the outside is an uninspiring concrete tower, the inside is gorgeous. A spacious lobby and bar are perfect for a nightcap, and it is a short walk to the Triumphal Arch and Maria-Theresien-Strasse. There is an underground carpark with specified hotel parking, which is also shared with the next door casino.
For a mid-range hotel, right in the thick of the action, try the Best Western Plus Hotel Goldener Adler Innsbruck, next to The Golden Roof building. They don’t have their own parking, but have a drop-off zone, and a special rate with the nearby Altstadtgarage for hotel guests.
Scenic drives in Austria to include in your road trip
Hallstatt, Fuschelsee & Wolfgangsee
1 hour from Salzburg
Hallstatt
Hallstatt is probably one of the most photographed places in Austria. Tucked into a corner of Hallstätter See (lake), and only a 1-hour drive from Salzburg, it is definitely worth a visit.
Since you are driving, I would recommend arriving around 3pm, this allows plenty of time to take the funicular up to the Hallstatt Skywalk before exploring the town in the early evening. If you want to visit the Salt Mines, I would recommend you arrive a little earlier to ensure you have time to walk further from the funicular and take the mine tour. The Funicular and Skywalk are open later than the Salt Mine. If there is low cloud, don’t bother going up to the Skywalk, as you won’t see anything.
The reason I suggest visiting later in the day is that the day trippers arrive in the morning and around lunchtime, so by 6pm, the town is pretty quiet!
The walk from the parking along the lakefront is so picturesque (once you get past the tourist tat shops), and you will enjoy the local bevy of swans that have a tendency to pose and wait for food. The town is small and exceptionally cute. We enjoyed a tiny bar on Market Square called I Da Mitt, which is also a hotel.
The famous view of Hallstatt can be found past the church, up past the Heritage Hotel Hallstatt, and along Gosaumühlstraße. The beautiful Baroque church of Pfarrkirche Mariä Himmelfahrt (up on the hill) is worth a visit (for the view as much as anything). The infamous ‘Bone Church’ (Churnel House) of St Michael’s Chapel is next door.
Parking in Hallstatt
There are 2 main carparks in Hallstatt – P2 and P1. P2 is closer to the Funicular, but smaller. P2 is slightly further along (south), but equally convenient. When we arrived at 3pm, there were plenty of parks in P2, however it was early spring and not the height of summer!
Fuschelsee & Wolfgangsee
The underrated Fuschelsee and Wolfgangsee are on the road to Hallstatt from Salzburg and are a delight.
Enjoy Schloss Fuschl Fischerei or Edenbergers on Fuschelsee for a glorious lakeview lunch.
At St Gilgen, there is a viewpoint before you reach the town (see photo below) with a view of over Wolfgangsee. Take the Zwölferhorn cable car on a clear day for more amazing lake and mountain views.
Stop at Welterbe-Wirtshaus Steegwirt at the north end of Hallstätter See for a traditional Austrian dinner in a beautiful old lodge.
Zell Am See
1.5 hours from Salzburg
Zell Am See is another genteel lake with mountain backdrops (a theme in Austria), and a visit here makes a great detour between Salzburg and Innsbruck.
Park at CONTIPARK Parkhaus Zentrum, and walk through the town to have drinks at the Grand Hotel Zell am See. Their terrace overlooks the lake and an afternoon coffee or a cheeky cocktail here is such a treat. Walk it off by walking along the lakeside path, or take the summer gondola up Schmittenhöhe.
TOP TIP: If you take the Zell Am See detour, why not also stop at Krimml Waterfalls, the highest waterfall in Europe (380 meters) – located half way between Zell am See and Zell am Ziller.
Arlberg
1.5 hours from Innsbruck
After leaving Innsbruck, if you are heading towards Liechtenstein and Switzerland, you will pass through the Arlberg ski area. It was one of the places where we drove through a snowy mountain pass even in late spring. These fairytale mountain passes, small villages and valleys are a fitting way to farewell Austria.
Bregenz
2.5 hours from Innsbruck
If you want one more beautiful Austrian lake view, head north to where Austria, Germany and Switzerland meet – at Lake Constance (Bodensee) at Bregenz. If you visit in summer, you may be lucky enough to catch a performance at the open air theatre at Bregenz, where the stage is ON the water!
Visit another country Nearby
Königssee (King’s Lake) & Obersee, Germany
40 minutes from Salzburg
Add in a brief visit to Germany on your way between Salzburg and the Zell Am See detour (before heading to Innsbruck). King’s Lake is utterly stunning, and the ferry journey across to Saint Bartholomew and Obersee will leave you in awe. If you are road-tripping in Germany or Austria (anywhere in old Bavaria), you MUST visit Königssee.
Park at the huge tourist carpark at Schönau am Königssee and walk through the town. There are tourist shops, restaurants and (somewhat morbidly) views up to Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest. You will then take the ferry all the way to the Salet, for the easy hike to Obersee. Stop at Saint Bartholomew on your way back to visit this special pilgrimage church.
Königssee and Obersee lakes are so clean and clear that the turquoise hues will mesmerise you. The ferries are electric and no petrol vehicles are allowed on the lake, keeping them crystal clear!
The walk to Obersee is nice and easy and definitely worth the 20-minute stroll. You can extend this to walk up beyond this second lake if you have the time. There are toilets at the Salet dock, and a restaurant a little beyond.
TOP TIP: Bring cash to Schönau am Königssee, signal isn’t great so many restaurants don’t use card machines and only take cash. The ferry terminal does take cards however.
Liechtenstein
2.5 hours from Salzburg
Liechtenstein is a tiny principality between Austria and Switzerland. Only 25kms long / 160 km², it is a fun stop before or after your Austrian road trip.
Stop into Vaduz, the capital city. There is convenient parking at Zentrum and Marktplatz. Learn more about the history of Liechtenstein at Liechtensteinisches LandesMuseum, or see an amazing modern art collection at Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein.
Don’t forget to try Liechtenstein’s National Dish – Käsknöpfle. A spatzl-like pasta dough served with local cheese, onions and with a side of apple sauce. Similar in style to Bratislava’s Bryndzové halušky, but a little weird with the apple sauce – it was an interesting mix!
Austria Road Trip Itinerary – 10 days
Our 10 day road trip across Austria was part of a bigger 3-week trip which took in parts of Germany, Bratislava (Slovakia), Switzerland and parts of eastern France.
- Day 1-3: Going from east to west, I recommend spending 3 days in Vienna.
- Day 4: You can then drive from Vienna to the Wachau Valley, and to Mauthausen Concentration camp in one day. Arriving into Salzburg in the evening.
- Day 5-7: I recommend spending 3 nights in Salzburg, using it as a base for exploring the surrounding countryside. 1 full day to explore Wolfgangsee, Hallstatt and any Sound of Music fun you fancy. and 1 full day to enjoy Salzburg.
You can squish this into 1 day (two nights) in Salzburg, but it’s nicer to take it slower.
- Day 8-9: Day 8 will be the biggest of your scenic drives. Heading south from Salzburg, you will pass into Germany for the morning to explore Königssee (King’s Lake). Enjoy lunch at Schönau am Königssee before heading to Zell Am See. Take the scenic route to Zell Am See (either via Pongau or Maria Alm), and have cocktails on the terrace at the Grand Hotel Zell Am See. This route skirts along the Alps and the landscapes are gorgeous. Finish your long scenic day in Innsbruck, where you will spend 2 nights / 1 full day to explore the city.
- Day 10: As you leave Innsbruck and head west, you’ll drive through the rolling Tyrolean Alps, home to the famous ski fields of Arlberg. Then into Vorarlberg, which borders Liechtenstein. We detoured to Vaduz in Liechtenstein to explore this tiny 25km-long principality.
Before or after your Austrian road trip
The options for carrying on this road trip are endless: We drove to Zurich, Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald, and then on to Basel after this.
On the drive TO Austria (from SW France), we stopped in Freiburg im Breisgau, Baden-Baden, and Munich, Germany. The possibilities are endless because of Austria’s location amongst other EU countries.
TOP TIP: Most public restrooms in Austria carry a 50c charge – even those within service stations. As someone who never carries cash, I found myself always having a 50c piece in my pocket! The good news is that most machines gave change if you don’t have it.
Austria Road trip FAQ
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All photos & content © Hannah Henderson and may not be used without permission (sharing this blog post is fine, though!). Images shot with a Canon DSLR T3i Rebel + Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM; and an iPhone.
My family visited Dachau in Germany. I agree with your assertion that visiting a concentration camp is important.
Austria is such an underrated country. It is steeped in history and has beautiful scenery. I particularly like Salzburg – Mozarts birthplace – and the chocolate Mozart Balls!
Last year I had a short road trip in Austria and was so impressed by the beauty of this country. Would be great to visit again, I’ve saved for the future a few places from your itinerary. Thanks for the inspiration!
Some great scope for road trips in and around Austria! Although I have travelled quite extensively in Europe, I have spent very little time in Austria – apart from ski trips! I really do need to visit some of the wonderful places you have included here. I was particularly interested to hear your take on visiting the concentration camp – and I agree completely. A few years ago, I visited Hiroshima in Japan. It felt odd being a tourist where such an atrocity had taken place and where so many people had died. But, it was a learning experience and every single person we saw on our visit, all the tourists, showed the utmost respect. It was very moving. Like you, I feel it is important to learn from history so I would definitely visit and pay my respects in Mauthausen.
Austria is the perfect destination for road tripping! So many great countries nearby to explore. Now that I know it’s easily accessible, I’ll definitely add it to my list of places to travel to.