Austrian and Slovenian Escapade: Cities, Nature, and History

10 Day Tour of Vienna, Salzburg and Ljubljana

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Trip Map
Itinerary
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10 Days 9 Nights

Best Time: Jan-Dec

Outdoor Activities

Nature Lovers

This 10-day journey through Austria & Slovenia blends picturesque European cities with breathtaking natural wonders. Begin in Vienna, where imperial grandeur meets Baroque elegance. Wander historic streets and hike to a castle during a scenic Danube cruise. Next, discover Salzburg’s remarkable beauty & musical heritage, and take an excursion to an Alpine lake. Continue by train to Slovenia, where the enchanting city of Ljubljana awaits. Stroll its charming streets and cycle along the river. Conclude with the serene landscapes of Lake Bled, perfect for nature lovers and hikers. Enjoy a stress-free trip with our detailed travel guidance.

Discover Vienna’s inner city with a private guided tour, including the historic Hofburg Palace.
Explore the medieval Hohensalzburg Castle in Salzburg, offering stunning city and mountain views.
Visit the incredibly clear Königssee Lake, surrounded by towering mountains and Alpine meadows.
Enjoy private guided walking & cycling tours in Ljubljana, uncovering unique architecture & history.
Take a serene boat ride on Lake Bled and hike through the breathtaking Vintgar Gorge.

Discover Vienna’s inner city with a private guided tour, including the historic Hofburg Palace.
Explore the medieval Hohensalzburg Castle in Salzburg, offering stunning city and mountain views.
Visit the incredibly clear Königssee Lake, surrounded by towering mountains and Alpine meadows.
Enjoy private guided walking & cycling tours in Ljubljana, uncovering unique architecture & history.
Take a serene boat ride on Lake Bled and hike through the breathtaking Vintgar Gorge.

Hofburg Palace

Castles & Chateaux

St Stephen’s Cathedral

Churches & Monasteries

Museumsquartier

Museums & Galleries

Schönbrunn Palace & Zoo

Parks & Gardens

Hohensalzburg Fortress

Castles & Chateaux

Old Town

Architecture

Triple Bridge

Architecture

Ljubljana Castle

Castles & Chateaux

Old Town

Historic Landmarks

Must see sights

Hofburg Palace

Castles & Chateaux

St Stephen’s Cathedral

Churches & Monasteries

Museumsquartier

Museums & Galleries

Schönbrunn Palace & Zoo

Parks & Gardens

Hohensalzburg Fortress

Castles & Chateaux

Old Town

Architecture

Triple Bridge

Architecture

Ljubljana Castle

Castles & Chateaux

Old Town

Historic Landmarks

Starting from

$1940

per person

4.8 (365 reviews)

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Day-By-Day Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive Vienna

Day 1

Arrive Vienna

To Be Determined

Arrival in Vienna Airport and Transfer to Hotel by Public Taxi

Vienna has one main airport, Vienna International Airport, where almost all visitors arrive. Taxis are available directly at the terminal exit, or you can arrange a private transfer for added convenience. Uber is also available to those who have the app.

Day 1

Arrive Vienna

To Be Determined:

Taxi Transfer to Hotel

Mid-Day/Afternoon:

Ring Street

Late Afternoon/Early Evening:

Inner City

Day 1

Arrive Vienna

Day 1

Arrive Vienna

To Be Determined

Arrival in Vienna Airport and Transfer to Hotel by Public Taxi

Mid-Day/Afternoon

Along Vienna's Ringstraße (Ring Street)

The Ringstrasse, or the Ring Street, surrounds Vienna's old town where the city walls once stood until the 19th century. The Austro-Hungarian Empire was at the height of its prosperity at the time the walls were torn down, and so it lined the wide Ringstrasse with monumental buildings such as the neo-Gothic town hall and neo-Classical parliament buildling. A fun experience is to take a tram ride around the entire length of the Ringstrasse, soaking in the full richness of the spectacle.

Late Afternoon/Early Evening

Exploring Vienna's Inner City

When the Viennese say they are going “into the city”, they are talking about the Inner City (Innere Stadt). The Inner City corresponds to Vienna’s original medieval city, which was once surrounded by defensive walls that stood where the Ringstrasse (Ring Street) now runs. A warren of medieval alleyways crowded into the protected space between the walls, creating a dense network of pedestrian streets that remains to this day.

Day 2

Vienna

Day 2

Vienna

Day 2

Vienna

Day 2

Vienna

9:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Guided Walk through Vienna's Inner City

This tour takes you back in history to explore the Vienna that stood within the old city walls. You will learn about the humble beginnings of Vienna before it became the capital of a great empire and one of the most important cities in Europe. You will discover how Vienna's early inhabitants lived and how they left their mark on the city and its beautiful Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture.

Mid-Day to Late Afternoon

Experience the Imperial Vienna

Discover the very heart of the Habsburg Empire that once covered most of central Europe. Within the vast Hofburg Palace complex, which was once home to Austria’s emperors and their administrators, you will find palaces, museums, a famed riding hall, the Austrian national library, and much more. The State Opera House and other major monuments are also nearby. Majestically stunning, the buildings and squares of Imperial Vienna still evoke awe in the observer even if the Empire they were built for is now long gone.

Late Afternoon to Evening

Stroll from the Hundertwasser Haus to the Prater

The charming and unusual Hundertwasserhaus is one of Austria's architectural highlights. The colorful building represents a harmonic place where human beings and nature can live together with equal rights. Just a short walk away is the Prater, a large and pleasant public park. You can make your through the park to Vienna's oldest fun park, which is home to a towering Ferris wheel called the Wiener Riesenrad.

Day 3

Vienna

Day 3

Vienna

Day 3

Vienna

Day 3

Vienna

Early Morning to Early Evening

Danube Cruise in the Scenic Wachau Valley

A one-and-a-half-hour train ride from Vienna brings you to the town of Melk, where you can tour the vast Melk Abbey. From there you can begin a 22-mile cruise through the Wachau Valley, considered the most beautiful stretch of the entire Danube River. You'll pass medieval castle ruins, hills covered in vineyards, and several charming villages, where you can debark to try some wine or take a hike up to a castle. The valley is also a perfect destination for cyclers and winery tours.

Day 4

Vienna to Salzburg

Day 4

Vienna to Salzburg

Day 4

Vienna to Salzburg

Day 4

Vienna to Salzburg

11:40 AM

Transfer to Station by Taxi or Public Transport

Your hotel front desk will also be happy to arrange a taxi pick up for you. Vienna taxis are generally reliable and honest, so this is cheaper than a pre-arranged transfer. Your itinerary will provide more information on ordering a taxi, as well as detailed information on navigating the train station and finding your train, making the whole process simple and stress-free.

12:38 - 15:08

Rail Journey to Salzburg

The scenic journey on the comfortable train will take about two and a half hours. The journey is aboard a comfortable, modern train with wi-fi, provided either by the Austrian rail company or a private rail carrier called Westbahn. The verdant rolling countryside of northern Austria makes for a pleasant voyage, and on clear days, you can also enjoy a view on the Alps in the distance from the left side of the train. You also have detailed instructions below for the voyage, as well as a translation and explanation of your tickets in your ticket booklet.

3:08 PM

Arrival and Transfer by Taxi or Public Transport

Most trains arrive in Salzburg Main Station (Salzburg Hbf) station, the largest station in the city. Before spending money on a transfer, be sure to check whether your hotel is within easy walking distance. Also consider that public transport is the cheapest and sometimes fastest option, and buses pickup directly in front of the station. Taxis are available near the station entrance and are generally honest. Uber is also available for those with the app.

Late Afternoon/Early Evening

Explore the Altstadt

Salzburg's Altstadt, which simply means Old Town, is one of the world's most charming city centers. It possesses an amazing wealth of Baroque buildings, as its 17th and 18th centuries archbishop rulers focused on beautifying their town rather than fighting foreign wars like neighboring states. A series of squares runs through the old town, and most you will find dominated by a beautiful church. Throughout the Altstadt, you will find markets, pleasant shops, and cozy restaurants.

Day 5

Salzburg

Day 5

Salzburg

Day 5

Salzburg

Day 5

Salzburg

9:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Guided Walking Tour of Salzburg

Salzburg is simply overwhelming in all the best ways. It is alive with fascinating history, grandiose and sublime architecture fills every street and square, culture and music permeate the atmosphere, and it is surrounded by breath-taking natural scenery. This guided tour with a local will provide the context needed to bring all of this beauty into perspective, and to connect the physical city to its history, culture, and environment.

Mid-Day/Afternoon

Visit to the Hohensalzburg Fortress

The Festung Hohensalzburg dominates Salzburg, appearing simultaneously formidable and enticing. From one side of the fortress you will enjoy a breathtaking view of the city and from the other a beautiful view of the nearby Alps. In addition to touring the fortress staterooms, you can also visit the Fortress Museum, a Marionette Museum, the Torture Chamber, an observation tower, and more.

Afternoon to Early Evening

The Mönchsberg & Augustinian Beer Hall

Although tiny in comparison to the mountains of the nearby Alps, the Mönchsberg (Monk’s Mountain) dominates the Altstadt. While the highest portion of the mountain is occupied by the Fortress Hohensalzburg, the rest of the mountain is covered by idyllic forests and pastures, romantic homes, and castle ruins. A stroll through this enchanting landscape also affords numerous beautiful views of Salzburg's Altstadt below. Perhaps best of all, it can all be enjoyed away from the crowds of the city. The Salzburg Card covers the cost of an elevator built into the side of mountain which will take you to the top!

Early Evening to Late Evening

Concert at the Salzburg Music Festival

The Salzburg Music Festival (Salzburger Festspiele) is the world's most prestigious and renowned music festival. The greatest classical musicians from Austria, Europe, and the world converge on Salzburg to perform in the festival, and visitors from far and wide also arrive to see a performance. The festival was made famous to English-speakers in the movie the Sound of Music, wherein the climax of the movie the family sings in the Rock Riding School theater and then escapes the Nazis.

Day 6

Salzburg

Day 6

Salzburg

Day 6

Salzburg

Day 6

Salzburg

Early Morning to Afternoon

Excursion to the Königssee (King's Lake)

The breathtakingly beautiful Königssee (King's Lake) is the deepest lake in the Alps and is surrounded by steep mountains. Taking a cruise on the lake is an unforgettable experience. The boat will take you to the red-onion domed Kloster St. Bartolomä, where you then take a relaxing and enchanting walk along the forested lakeshore. For serious hikers, you can also continue on the boat to the far end of the lake, and then take a hike to a dramatic waterfall.

Late Afternoon/Early Evening

Explore the Neustadt and Mirabell Palace Gardens

On the right bank of Salzach river lies the Neustadt (New Town). Although it may be just a bit newer than the Altstadt, it still boasts hundreds of years of history in it's winding and narrow Medieval lanes. The Mirabell Palace, a Baroque masterpiece built in 1606 by the Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg for his concubine, is the most famous site in the Neustadt. As impressive as the palace and its interior are, the elaborate gardens surrounding the palace are more famous than the palace itself.

Day 7

Salzburg to Ljubljana

Day 7

Salzburg to Ljubljana

Day 7

Salzburg to Ljubljana

Day 7

Salzburg to Ljubljana

9:10 AM

Transfer to Station by Taxi or Public Transport

Most trains depart from Salzburg Main Station (Salzburg Hbf) station, the largest station in the city. Before spending money on a transfer, be sure to check whether your hotel is within easy walking distance. Also consider that public transport is the cheapest and sometimes fastest option. If staying at a hotel, they can order a reliable taxi. Some private transfers will even help with your bags. Uber is also available for those with the app.

10:12 - 12:43, 12:53 - 14:32

Rail Journey from Salzburg to Ljubljana

Your scenic journey to Ljubljana should take about 4 hours and 20 minutes. In most cases, you will travel on a RailJet or InterCity train, which is a modern and comfortable train with air conditioning and a good wifi connection. After leaving Salzburg, you will travel along the Tauren Railway, which features many beautiful valleys, mountains, and gorges. You will leave Austria after stopping briefly in Villach and reach the first station in Slovenia after passing through the Karavanke Mountains (WARNING: Do not leave your seat as you pull into Villach and your carriage may be decoupled and attached to another train before continuing on to Ljubljana; the other part of your train will continue to Klagenfurt). As Slovenia is the third most forested country in Europe (60% is covered in trees), you'll therefore mostly travel through thickly wooded but enchanting valleys all the way south to Ljubljana.

2:32 PM

Rail Arrival and Transfer by Taxi

Trains arrive in Ljubljana Rail Station (Železniška postaja Ljubljana) station, the largest station in the city. Before spending money on a transfer, be sure to check whether your hotel is within easy walking distance. Taxis are available at the station but are known for taking advantage of tourists, so look for a marked taxi at the taxi stand and ask for an estimated price beforehand. you can schedule a private transfer for the maximum convenience. Some private transfers even meet you directly on the platform to help with bags. Unfortunately, Uber is not yet available in Ljubljana.

3:45 PM - 5:45 PM

Guided Walking Tour of Ljubljana

On this private walking tour, you get to know the unique character of Ljubljana Old Town, where distinct Baroque and Art Nouveau architecture combines with masterly creations by the 20th-century architect Jože Plečnik. See the city's best-known sights, like the Triple Bridge, the four squares of the Old Town, the areas dedicated to the city's famous outdoor market, and the beautiful Secessionist architecture around Miklošičeva cesta.

Day 8

Ljubljana

Day 8

Ljubljana

Day 8

Ljubljana

Day 8

Ljubljana

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Guided Group Cycling Tour of Ljubljana

On this guided cycling tour you will pedal along the enchanting embankments on the river Ljubljanica all the way to the Ljubljana Botanic Garden, take a garden tour, and continue through the famous vegetable gardens of Krakovo towards Tivoli Park to enjoy a rest and a picnic snack there. On the last leg of the tour, you will visit the Metelkova mesto alternative culture center.

Mid-Day to Late Afternoon

Wander Ljubljana's Charming Old Town

Ljubljana may be one of the smallest and newest European capitals without world-famous monuments, but what it lacks in renown it more than compensates for in spark and self-confidence in comparison to the introspection of Europe's larger cities. Having suffered little trauma from the breakup of Yugoslavia other than the 'Ten-Day War' in 1991, the Slovenian capital is now an obviously prosperous and self-assured place that has successfully absorbed and integrated a whole variety of external influences from Austria, the Mediterranean and the Balkans over the centuries, and then adapted and tailored them to produce a unique distillation that's remarkable in such a small country. It's one of the continent's greenest and most liveable capitals, having been awarded by the EU with the coveted Green Capital of Europe title for 2016. Car traffic is restricted in the center as one street per year is pedestrianized, leaving the leafy banks of the emerald-green Ljubljanica River, which flows through the city's heart, free for pedestrians and cyclists. There's even a free taxi service in the car-free city center, which is a golfcart-like electric vehicle called Kavalir. It travels slowly around the pedestrianized streets and you can jump on and off anytime you like (it holds up to 5 people at a time). In summer, cafes and restaurants set up shaded seating along the river, making it one of the liveliest (and busiest) open-air dining areas around.

Late Afternoon/Early Evening

Explore Ljubljana Castle

Resting on a verdant green hill immediately overlooking the Old Town with its immaculately whitewashed walls, it's hard to imagine that the 900-year-old Ljubljana Castle was not so long ago on the block for demolition. One idea was to build a new parliament building atop the hill in place of the castle. Fortunately, the city authorities thought better of it and instead made the castle and its grounds as open and accessible to visitors as possible. These days most of the castle space is dedicated to interesting exhibitions of one kind or another, and its history is brought vividly to life by actors playing figures from the castle's past. Originally a medieval fortress, the first castle on the hill was probably constructed in the 11th century and rebuilt in the 12th century. It acquired its present profile with an almost complete overhaul in the 15th century, whereas the majority of the buildings you see today date from the 16th and 17th centuries. As soon as you approach the castle you'll be struck by how modern designs have been incorporated into the structure, such as large glass viewing panels, steel beams, and a clock tower. The inner courtyard also boasts glass-fronted gift shops, two popular restaurants, and a cafe. If you arrive via the funicular you will enter the castle basement supported by steel girders with a number of exhibition spaces featuring modern art and the story of the castle's 20th-century reconstruction.

Day 9

Ljubljana

Day 9

Ljubljana

Day 9

Ljubljana

Day 9

Ljubljana

Morning to Evening

Self Guided Excursion to the Picturesque Lake Bled

With its mountain setting, dark turquoise waters, boats rowing passengers out to the island church, and dramatic cliff-top castle, Lake Bled is picture-postcard perfect, making it the most popular destination in Slovenia for both international and domestic tourists alike. You can take a walk or ride a tourist train around the lake, row out to the island, and dine alongside the enchanting shoreline. With enough time to spare, you can also take in the dramatic Vintgar Gorge and the beautiful medieval village of Radovljica. Lake Bled is about an hour-and-a-half trip from Ljubljana. You have two options for getting to there by public transport - bus or train. Buses depart Ljubljana more frequently and arrive at a very convenient location near the lakeshore in Bled, but they can get very crowded during the summer, especially at the weekends when seemingly every young backpacker in the country wants to get there, while the train departs more infrequently and doesn't arrive directly in Bled, but it isn't as crowded. Of course you can also just take a guided excursion if you want to keep it simple.

Day 10

Depart Ljubljana

Day 10

Depart Ljubljana

Day 10

Depart Ljubljana

Day 10

Depart Ljubljana

Morning/Mid-Day

Self Guided Excursion to Gentle Hike Up Šmarna Gora Hill

Šmarna Gora, or Mount Saint Mary, is the go-to short hiking destination for Ljubljana residents on the northern periphery of the Slovene capital. It's only a 20-minute bus trip from the city center followed by a 30-45-minute hike up through woods to the top of the hill for wonderful views of Ljubljana and the surrounding countryside. There are a beautiful old church and a cafe at the summit serving an assortment of traditional Slovene meals and the usual delicious cakes and desserts.

To Be Determined

Transfer to Ljubljana Airport by Taxi

Ljubljana has one main airport, Ljubljana Airport, also known as Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport, where almost all visitors depart. You can also arrange a private transfer for added convenience. If you are picked up about two hours and forty-five minutes before your departure time, you should arrive at the airport with about two hours to spare, depending on traffic. The cost should be about 35 EUR. It is a very small airport so you should have little trouble finding your way upon arrival at the airport.

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Austrian and Slovenian Escapade: Cities, Nature, and History

10 Day Tour of Vienna, Salzburg and Ljubljana

$1940

Secure Your Customizable Trip Enter your details to embark on a journey that can be tailored just for you.

Craft Your Own Itinerary Select your interests and destinations for a trip plan inspired by you.

Trip Map & Itinerary

Day-By-Day Itinerary

Arrival in Vienna Airport and Transfer to Hotel by Public Taxi

Secure Your Customizable Trip
Enter your details to embark on a journey that can be tailored just for you.

Craft Your Own Itinerary
Select your interests and destinations for a trip plan inspired by you.