5 Great Day Trips from Salzburg

1. Berchtesgaden

Just over the German border, and still just 30 minutes away from Salzburg, is Berchtesgaden. This charming, postcard-perfect town is beautiful in its own right, and its backdrop is made up of stunning mountain peaks and salt mines. These salt grottoes look like they are made from diamonds, not to mention the surreal subterranean lake. However, what makes Berchtesgaden so popular is that it houses the Eagle’s Nest, or Kehlsteinhaus. From this vantage point, you can admire spectacular vistas, and it was created as a gift for Adolf Hitler. Even after the end of World War II, Kehlsteinhaus was preserved. It is, today, a poignant reminder of the past.

2. Hallstatt

Southeast of Salzburg is Hallstatt, a small town that overlooks the gorgeous blue waters of Lake Hallstatt. The history of this town dates back for more than 4,000 years, with the region being used primarily because of its available salt mines. Today, most visitors arrive for the picturesque views and the charming town itself. During the summer, cars aren’t allowed in Hallstatt, making it a completely pedestrian-friendly spot to explore on foot. You can tour the original salt mines, if you wish, or you could explore a very unusual attraction called the Beinhaus. The Beinhaus, or Bone House, is where the stacked bones of previous residents are dried and stacked because of limited burial space in the town.

3. Wolfgangsee

Less than 30 km (20 miles) east of Salzburg is Wolfgangsee, a lake in the resort region known as Salzkammergut. On the banks of the Wolfgangsee, there are lots of charming restaurants and small towns with a rich, historic appeal. One such town, St. Gilgen, boasts so-called “chocolate box houses” with visible exterior timbers and a classic Austrian style. The Wolfgangsee is a place for outdoor adventure, and pastimes like hiking and boating are a big draw to the area. Don’t leave without trying the local culinary specialty, Steckerlfisch, which is a local fish grilled on a skewer over an open flame.

4. Munich

Direct train links connect Salzburg and Munich, making the Bavarian capital a great day trip destination for visitors. Munich is an incredible city with lots to see. In the city center, or Altstadt, you will definitely want to check out the New City Hall built on the Marienplatz. Listen for the sounds of the Glockenspiel, which goes off regularly all day. There are dozens of museums to explore in Munich, so pick the subject that appeals to you most: BMW cars, antiques, Bavarian history and so much more. Even if you’re not in Munich during Oktoberfest, join the crowds of tourists at beer halls like Hofbräuhaus for a pint.

5. Eisriesenwelt Cave

Also in the town of Werfen are the Eisriesenwelt Ice Caves. These are naturally formed ice and limestone caves in the Hochkogel Mountain. Eisriesenwelt, which translates into English as World of the Ice Giants, is considered to be the largest ice cave in the entire world. The cave is only open from May to October each year, but don’t let the summer climate aboveground fool you. In the cave, temperatures are often below freezing. Some of the top attractions on a tour of the cave include Alexander von Mörk Cathedral, which is the largest room in the cave, and the enormous stalactite called Posselt Tower.

5 Great Day Trips from Salzburg

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5 Great Day Trips from Vienna

1. Wachau Valley

Whether explored by bike, car or a cruise down the Danube River, the Wachau Valley is universally acknowledged as one of the most picturesque landscapes in Austria. The entire valley is bordered by castles, vineyards and quaint villages. The valley begins west of Vienna and stretches for 40 km (25 miles) between the cities of Krems and Melk. Vineyards in the Wachau Valley produce some of the Austria’s best wines, and the pretty town of Dürnstein is a great place to stop and sample the varietals. Castle ruins in Dürnstein are all that remains of the place where King Richard the Lion-Heart of England was imprisoned in the 12th century.

2. Salzburg

Fans of the 1965 movie “The Sound of Music” may find it hard not to burst into song when visiting Salzburg, the Austrian city that served as the backdrop for the much-loved film. From the baroque architecture and picturesque gardens to the blue Salzach River and surrounding snow-capped mountains, the place that the singing Von Trapp family called home is simply enchanting. As the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Salzburg is a popular travel destination for lovers of classical musical too. With its beautifully preserved medieval quarter, hill-top castle, Renaissance churches and charming array of specialty shops, the fourth-largest city in Austria is a day trip from Vienna not to be missed.

3. Budapest

A two-and-a-half-hour drive east of Vienna along the Danube takestravelers to Budapest, where the river divides the capital of Hungary into two distinct districts. The hilly Buda section boasts the 13th-century Royal Palace, a mammoth structure that has been destroyed and rebuilt six times over its long history. The complex is now home to the Budapest History Museum and Hungarian National Gallery. The flatter Pest side of town features the city’s revitalized Jewish quarter, which has the second largest synagogue in the world. With more than 100 natural thermal springs in the city, no visit to Budapest is complete without enjoying a relaxing dip in one of the city’s spas.

4. Melk Abbey

The wealth of Austria during the 18th century is on full display at the magnificent Benedictine monastery at Melk in the Wachau Valley region west of Vienna. With its 20-story-high dome, ornate towers and opulent interiors, the abbey is a gorgeous example of High Baroque architecture. The original structure was built in the 11th century as a castle on a rocky outcrop overlooking the valley, but most of the current buildings were constructed between 1702 and 1736. Standout attractions include the abbey church of St. Peter and St. Paul, the baroque ceiling frescoes by Austrian artist Paul Troger and a library that houses more than 100,000 books and manuscripts.

5. Bratislava

Easily accessible from Vienna by rail, bus or car, the capital of Slovakia can also be reached by taking a scenic hydrofoil ride down the Danube River. Ancient Bratislava has been occupied since the Neolithic era by a seemingly endless number of conquerors. Now one of the most prosperous cities in Europe, Bratislava has recently renovated its medieval Old Town quarter to a nearly pristine condition, with the addition of many outdoor cafés, pubs, shops and restaurants. The district is dominated by the hilltop Bratislava Castle, a structure first built in the 13th century that has also undergone extensive renovation.

5 Great Day Trips from Vienna

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