This June I launched into my first ever solo journey, which was a multi-destination journey by way of Austria. I visited Graz, Salzburg and Innsbruck over 5 days and 4 nights with a jam-packed itinerary from Go to Austria. Usually considered a winter vacation spot by Brits, my summer season expertise of Austria got here with countless blue skies and European sunshine. The inexperienced mountain landscapes, fairy-tale previous cities and historic structure stunned me in a approach I wasn’t anticipating and by the top of the 5 days I had completely fallen in love with Austria.
My route was completely deliberate in order that I may take the practice onwards to my subsequent vacation spot (spectacular cross-country and mountain views assured). I’m going to share my itinerary and all my metropolis highlights on this publish so that you could plan an identical Austrian journey itinerary! Though my journey lasted 5 nights, this itinerary could be excellent for a 7-night journey, or longer if you wish to slot in days for mountaineering or biking.
Graz
Austrian Journey Itinerary
Variety of Nights: 1 (however I’d suggest 2)
The place I Stayed: Resort Wiesler Grieskai 4-8
Graz was the primary cease of my Austrian journey itinerary, the place I spent 1 night time on the boutique Resort Wiesler (Arnold Schwarzenegger’s lodge of alternative when in Graz). Centrally positioned on the River Mur and by the sting of the attractive Previous City, this lodge comes extremely really helpful from me.
Regardless of being the second largest city in Austria, Graz is far much less well-known than Vienna and Salzburg. Town has an enthralling Previous City, which is stuffed with hidden courtyards and passageways. The Italian affect is clear in all the things from the structure to the gelato. I beloved the al fresco foodie tradition and that folks had been open air having fun with Aperol Spritz round each nook (one other factor Graz has acquired from the Italians).
Day 1 – Graz
Day 1 started with a implausible guided strolling tour with Helen Miles from Austria Guides. Graz is stuffed with hidden corners that you could be by no means discover by yourself, so a guided tour is an absolute should on this metropolis. Helen confirmed me an eclectic mixture of historic sights and funky native hangout spots, together with the rooftop bar of Graz’ high division retailer, Kastner & Öhler (a trendy place to come back for a drink and for superb photograph alternatives).
She identified the standard Glockenspiel within the Previous City and all the finest foodie spots. We escaped the warmth for some time within the lovely Graz Catherdral and on my tour I discovered that the 2 finest gelato retailers may be discovered on the Spoorgasse. I went again later that day to strive one out for myself!
Day 2 – Graz
My second day in Graz started with a go to to the Lendplatz Farmer’s Market. It was beautiful to see locals shopping for their fruit, greens and flowers and a stroll across the market was a pleasant perception into native life in Graz. The market runs from at 6.00am to 1.00pm and there are various different Farmer’s Markets within the metropolis.
Towering over town of Graz is the Schlossberg, and visiting it was my spotlight of the day. Translating as ‘citadel hill’ the Schlossberg is a rugged hill within the metropolis centre with a well-known Clock Tower on high.
Climb the steps or take the elevate then cease for lunch on the gorgeous Aiola Upstairs Restaurant. This stylish, modern restaurant has serves scrumptious meals for breakfast, lunch or dinner nevertheless it’s additionally an amazing spot for espresso or a glass of wine. Regardless of being in prime vacationer location, it stays fashionable and ‘in type’ with locals.
After lunch, I took a 15-minute stroll alongside the footpath on the sting of the hill till I reached the Schlossbergbahn Funicular. Alongside this stroll you’ll discover essentially the most spectacular metropolis views and you’ll reward your self with a cool beer on the Scholossbergbahn beer backyard. Take the funicular again down into the city and your afternoon loop is full!
On the night of Day 2 I took a 4-hour practice journey from Graz to Salzburg with OBB Rail. The primary class carriages are surprisingly reasonably priced and really snug, with leather-based seats, plugs, free Wi-Fi and a full bar service. The mountain surroundings is spectacular and travelling by way of it by practice is a particular expertise in itself.
Salzburg
Austrian Journey Itinerary
Variety of Nights: 2 (however I’d suggest 3)
The place I Stayed: Resort Amadeus Linzer Gasse 43/45
Though it’s the smallest, Salzburg was positively essentially the most well-known metropolis on my Austrian journey itinerary. Because the birthplace of Amadeus Mozart, it’s a metropolis impressed by music and can be effectively often called town the place The Sound of Music was filmed. Of all three cities I’ve to say that Salzburg captured my coronary heart essentially the most, and I will likely be writing a separate publish devoted to Salzburg. Coming quickly!
Day 3 – Salzburg
My first day in Salzburg additionally started with a guided tour, this time with native Salzburg information Martina Gyuroka. I informed Martina I wished to see the filming areas of The Sound of Music, so she started our tour within the lovely Mirabell Palace and Gardens, the place many well-known scenes had been filmed.
Our strolling tour took us over the Makartsteg Bridge (Salzburg’s very personal love-lock bridge) and on to Getreidegasse (essentially the most distinguished buying road within the metropolis). It was right here I received to strive on my very personal Dirndl, a standard gown worn by Austrian girls. It’s not unusual to see girls nonetheless sporting the Dirndl in every single day life, significantly for particular events. I ended for a Rooster Schnitzel at Zwettler’s. The dish was scrumptious and the restaurant was extremely genuine.
Throughout the afternoon I took Salzburg’s funicular as much as the Fortress Hohensalzburg, essentially the most iconic historic attraction of Salzburg. The fascinating fortress is completely preserved and dates again to 1077! I took the downward pathway again into city earlier than heading as much as one other viewpoint on the Museum of Trendy Artwork. The Museum’s M32 Restaurant is an incredible place to cease for lunch or a candy deal with. I ordered an Apfel Strudel and took within the metropolis views beneath.
That night I used to be fortunate sufficient to have dinner with a special Martina from Go to Salzburg who took me to a hidden native spot within the metropolis. Tucked away in a slim road is a Paul Stubm (Herrengasse 16), an genuine restaurant and beer backyard that’s fashionable with locals. This place is a hidden gem and effectively value a go to.
Prime Tip: Purchase your self a Salzburg Card for all-inclusive entry to all the highest sights and free journey across the metropolis.
Innsbruck
Austrian Journey Itinerary
Variety of Nights: 1 (however I’d suggest 2)
The place I Stayed: Nala Resort, Muellerstrasse 15
The ultimate vacation spot of my Austrian journey itinerary was Innsbruck, which I travelled to from Salzburg through OBB practice once more. The journey solely took 2 hours and Innsbruck station is true within the coronary heart of town. Earlier than arriving, Innsbruck was town that I knew least about nevertheless it was town that stunned me essentially the most. Dramatically framed by imposing mountains at each angle, Innsbruck is within the coronary heart of The Austrian Alps.
In winter it’s a haven for skiers and snowboarders who can attain the slopes in simply 20 minutes. In summer season the inexperienced mountains develop into a haven for mountain bikers and hikers. There are many summer season mountaineering routes and a contemporary Funicular, which may whisk you 2,000m up Nordkette mountain in simply 20 minutes. If you happen to had an additional day or two to spare, I’d positively suggest exploring Innsbruck’s summer season mountaineering trails.
Inside Innsbruck metropolis itself is the enchanting Previous City, which might be the closest I’ve come to stepping inside an actual life fairy-tale. The baroque buildings and cobbled streets are sufficient to take you again in time. Colored homes line the riverfront and are framed by the spectacular mountains beneath. Innsbruck is a gem in The Alps and I felt fortunate to spend my remaining night time in Austria right here.
Day 4 – Innsbruck
The climate was lovely on my Day 4 so a visit as much as the highest of the Nordkette Mountain appeared like a transparent alternative. I discovered the Funicular Station proper within the metropolis centre, which whisked me as much as 2000m to the principle Nordkette station. If you happen to do the identical, make sure you schedule in sufficient time to cease for lunch at Nordkette Restaurant. The views are spectacular and stopping for lunch, a espresso or a glass of wine is the right technique to respect them.
If you happen to dare to enterprise even increased you’ll be able to hop on a further Funicular which can take you a further 300 meters to Hafelekar. I made the additional journey and was met with presumably essentially the most unbelievable mountain view I’ve ever seen. I felt above the clouds and on high of the world. It’s positively value going that little bit additional.
Half approach up the Nordkette Mountain is the Alpenzoo, Europe’s highest zoo with 2,000 alpine animals. Zoos aren’t actually my factor so I made a decision to not go to, nevertheless it’s one other fashionable factor do to on the mountain.
Day 5 – Innsbruck
I flew again to the UK on Day 5 however I had simply sufficient time within the morning to move to Innsbruck’s well-known Swarovski Crystal World. It’s positioned about 20-minutes out of town and you will get there on a shuttle bus from the Central Station. The Swarovski Crystal World entrance takes you underground right into a magical sequence of rooms, which all creatively function Swarovski Crystals.
Each room is a artistic spectacle with extraordinary issues. It’s positively one thing that must be skilled to be understood, however if you wish to know extra make sure you learn this useful Swarovski Crystal World weblog publish from Wanderlust Chloe.
Prime Tip: Purchase your self an Innsbruck Card for all-inclusive entry to all the highest sights (together with the Funicular, Swarovski Crystal World and the Alpenzoo).
Ideas on My Austrian Journey Itinerary
Wanting again I’m amazed by how a lot I packed in to simply 4 and a half days in Austria. I’d suggest this Austrian journey itinerary to anybody however would advise taking it at extra of a relaxed tempo. I feel 2 nights in Graz, 3 nights in Salzburg and a pair of nights in Innsbruck could be optimum and would completely fill 7 nights in Austria.
This journey opened my eyes to Austria as an unbelievable summer season vacation spot, which guarantees lovely cities, historical past, spectacular views and a way of journey. If you happen to select to find it, I’m certain you’ll really feel the identical.
What did you consider my Austrian journey itinerary? Have you ever been to any of those cities or do you’re feeling impressed to plan your individual Austria journey? I’d love to listen to your ideas so please depart me a remark on the backside of this web page!
Need to learn in regards to the private facet of my Austria solo journey? Learn 8 Issues I Learnt On My First Solo Journey
For extra data on Graz try Go to Graz
For extra data on Salzburg try Go to Salzburg
For extra data on Innsbruck try Innsbruck Tourism
This weblog publish has been sponsored by Go to Austria as a part of the #UncoverAustria marketing campaign. All views are my very own.
