10 Days in Budapest, Vienna & Salzburg (Itinerary)

A trip to Central Europe is a fun and impressive affair! Prosperous cities, historically significant sites, entertainment centers, and distinctive European culture - dip into all that by exploring the three gems in the heart of the continent: Budapest, Vienna, and Salzburg. All have quite different vibes and are very individual in their development, but all equally awesome!

Check out our 10-day itinerary to discover the charms of these remarkable cities.

Days 1-3: Budapest

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One thing you should know about this city is that there are plenty of different directions you can take regarding your interests and vacationing! Anything you are interested in pursuing, whether it may be active entertainment, quiet admiration, or an educational take on the city’s history - Budapest has it all! So, let’s look at some of your options!

• Buda Castle

Three days in Budapest is actually plenty of time to visit the essentials. You could definitely start by exploring Buda Castle. Topping Castle Hill is one of the most impressive architectural and historical pieces in the city. We recommend choosing a guided tour to learn the most you can about the Renaissance ruins, superb Habsburg-era facade that perfectly displays Neoclassical style, and communist-style interior.

• Szencheny Baths

Another popular entertainment in the city is the Szecheny Baths, the main reason Budapest earned the name of being the SPA city! The steaming thermal outdoor pools are quite cheap to enjoy and are really well-kept, so you can see what Hungarian SPA means without going through the expensive, lavish side of it.

• Children’s Railway

If you are a history buff at heart, spend some time riding the Children’s Railway. Do not be fooled by the name, though! It is not directed at children, though its historical background involves kids - mainly being run by them. This lovely 45-minute drive through the forest is a remnant of a youth communist group called “The Pioneers,” whose main goal was to encourage children to work and learn about labor ethics. You cannot say Budapest does not have an interesting history!

• Hungarian Parliament

After a couple of days of exploring, make sure you visit the main attraction of the city - the splendid Hungarian Parliament. A true gem adorning the cityscape is a sight to behold, with its Neo-Gothic spires, intricate gargoyles, and an impressive dome. If you happen to walk along the Danube River in the evening, make sure to peek at the Parliament - it is at its most beautiful illuminated at night!

During your three days in Budapest, make sure to try out their local restaurants and show some support to small businesses, and try to meet people! Hungarians are generally a very laid-back and friendly nation, so conversing with the locals will be the easiest, funniest thing ever!

Days 4-7: Vienna

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After a short trip on the Budapest to Vienna train, get ready for three more days of exploring one of Europe’s finest. The beating heart of culture, art, and elegance, Vienna will prove to be one of the most beautiful places you have visited, for sure! Let’s see how you can spend your time here.

• Schonbrunn Palace

Firstly, when you arrive, take a couple of hours to just walk around and inhale the Austrian beauty around you. However, when you wish to start guided explorations, start with the imperial Schonbrunn Palace and Gardens.

This 18th-century fortress perfectly portrays the genius architectural minds of Austria and captures your interest with the beautiful Baroque facade and interior. There are also beautiful, impeccably trimmed gardens around, so take your time inspecting everything! We also suggest guided tours to learn about Schonbrunn’s historical background!

• Hofburg

Once you start learning about Vienna’s past, it is imperative that you visit the famous Hofburg. As a seat of the royal Habsburg family, Hofburg palace is of great significance to all Austrians and, now, to the political campaign of the country. The vast complex of 18 groups of buildings, 19 courtyards, and 2600 rooms will be a tour you will not be soon forgetting!

• Belvedere Palace

For your third mansion to visit, see the Baroque masterpiece in Vienna’s further corner. The Belvedere palace is one of Vienna’s most popular tourist attractions and the perfect ending to your Austrian mansions tour.

You should definitely see the Marble Hall, an impressive two-story hall of splendid period sculptures, paintings, and even ceiling frescoes! Hardly any other place in Vienna is as artsy as the Belvedere Palace, so make sure to bring your camera to capture all of it!

• Vienna Zoo

While you will probably not have more time to visit any more palaces, as they are so prominent and touring them takes a lot of time, head to Vienna Zoo! It is the oldest continually operating zoo in the world, established in 1752, and besides its impressive age, it has a wide variety of interesting animals!

For example, here, you can meet giant pandas, cubs, and some fascinating marine animals in the aquarium. Have a relaxing afternoon inspecting the animals and enjoying the beautiful surroundings!

• Vienna State Opera House

Lastly, make sure to explore the Vienna State Opera House in any way possible. If you cannot attend a show featuring the best ballet and opera troupes, at least take a tour of the building.

There are actually guided tour packages allowing you to see the Vienna State Opera House in all of its Early French Renaissance beauty and explore the design up-close. The tour takes you all the way backstage, too!

Days 8-10: Salzburg

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Finish off with yet another Austrian beauty. Take the Vienna to Salzburg train to reach the city quickly and waste no time getting to know it better.

• Old Town

Start by exploring the Old Town. All of the beautiful passageways starting from University Square will catch your attention and beg to be inspected. UNESCO recognized the busy passenger way as one of the World Heritage Sites, so make sure you promenade along.

• Hohensazlburg

The other thing you should not miss is ascending to the Hohensalzburg Palace, a stunning and significant 11th-century fortress that dominates the whole cityscape. Though originally built in 1077, Hohensalzburg overcame lots of changes, and most of what you will see today comes from the reconstruction in the 1500s.

• St. Peter’s Church

One of Salzburg’s most beautiful and important churches, St. Peter’s was built in the perfect Austrian Rococo style. You should put some time aside for it because its design and the overall interior are a lot to take in. St. Peter’s church is also known as the Abbey Church for its location within the St. Peter’s Abbey complex, so keep that in mind.

• Krimmler Waterfalls

Finally, if you want to experience some natural beauty after a week of touring multiple mansions and castles, head to see Krimmler Waterfalls. Falling from a dizzying 380 meters, the waterfall is a spectacular and somewhat relaxing sight. So, breathe in the humid fresh air, and view the city from a bit of a different perspective.

There you go! 10 days of touring three of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Follow our suggestions, but ultimately, leave some time for yourself - to enjoy the food and the people, and maybe even get a little bit lost. Unexpected experiences often lead to the best stories.

Written by: Tim Smith Tags: Austria, Europe, Hungary