You can take some absolutely outstanding day trips from Vienna! One of the best things about Vienna’s location is that it is easy to hop over the border for a quick international adventure. But there’s also some great day trips from Vienna within the Austrian borders. Here are nine terrific day trips you can take during your stay in Vienna.
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Wachau Valley
Number one on our list of day trips from Vienna is Wachau Valley, a UNESCO-listed wine region nestled along the Danube River. The valley is best known for Grüner Veltliner and Riesling wines, so tasting a few should top your agenda.
Start your visit in Melk and explore the breathtaking Melk Abbey. This monastery features stunning golden interiors, ceiling frescoes, and a terrace featuring panoramic views of the valley. Take a guided tour to see the Imperial guest rooms and learn more about the abbey’s history.
Take a Danube River sightseeing cruise or rent a bike to explore one of Europe’s most scenic routes between Melk and Krems. Stop in Dürnstein, the region’s most beautiful town. Climb up to see the Dürnstein Castle Ruins. This is where the English King Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned upon returning from the Crusades after he tore up an Austrian flag and refused to share his plunder with the Austrian king. You will see breathtaking views of the river and vineyards from the ruins.
Nearby you will find Domäne Wachau, one of the region’s best wineries. Take an estate tour and sample four of the vinyard’s wines.
The Wachau Valley is famous for marillen (apricots). So along the way look for marillenknödel (apricot dumplings), apricot strudel, and marillenschnaps (apricot schnaps). Other local dishes to try include steckerlfisch (grilled fish on a stick), wachauer laberl (crusty bread), and meals of wild game such as venison or wild boar..
Logistics
It’s easy to get to the Wachau Valley by train from Vienna. It will take about an hour to get to either Melk or Krem to start your adventure. You can also drive there in about an hour. Another option is to book a tour from Vienna.
Semmering & Rax Mountains
Semmering’s most famous site is the Semmering Railway. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was built in the mid-19th century and is an engineering marvel. The route includes 16 viaducts, 15 tunnels, 100 bridges through some of the most gorgeous scenery in Austria.
Actually riding on a train through this 26 mile stretch is possible. You can take a direct train from Vienna Hauptbahnhof Station to Bruck/Mur Train Station. This will take about 2 hours. Sit on the right side of the train for the best views. If you want, wander around the charming historic town of Bruck an der Mur.
Then you can hop on the hour-long train ride to Semmering. Once there, take a 10 -15 minute taxi/rideshare or a 30-45 minute scenic hike to the 20-Schilling View. The hike offers views of the Semmering Railway and the Kalte Rienne viaduct as well as stunning mountain views.
From Semmering, take a taxi or ride share to Reichenau an der Rax. Here you will make your way to the Rax cable car for a journey up Rax Mountain. Once you are up the mountain, there are several hiking trails to explore. Or ride the cable car back down the mountain to explore the historic spa town of Reichenau an der Rax. After you are finished exploring, simply hop on the 1-2 hour train ride back to Vienna.
Logistics
I’ve included train directions above, but you can also drive to the various towns. This will be quicker and you will see more of the viaducts and tunnels when you aren’t racing past them on a train. But driving won’t allow you to actually experience riding on the Semmering Railway. If you like to hike, this group tour from Vienna is another good option.
Burgenland & Lake Neusiedl
We’ve visited two beautiful areas of Austria already in this list of day trips from Vienna. Here’s a third! Burgenland a state located in the eastern part of the country. The most notable place to visit is the UNESCO World Heritage Site Lake Neusiedl, the largest steppe lake in Central Europe. It’s a great place for water sports like sailing, surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing, and swimming. The Neusiedler See Radweg (B10) bike path goes all the way around the lake. If you want a short cut, ferries are available to take you from one side to the other in the months of April-October.
After all of this activity, you will be ready for a break. Visit the town of Rust known for its Baroque architecture and stork nests on rooftops. Explore the old town and enjoy tasting local Austrian red wine at a Heuriger (wine taverns).
In nearby Eisenstadt, visit Esterházy Palace where Joseph Haydn once worked as a court composer for the powerful Esterházy family. Tour the grand rooms and explore the castle gardens and orangery.
If you are interested in wine tasting, spend the rest of your day at one of the many wineries in the area. Popular choices include Weingut Leo Hillinger in Jois and Scheiblhofer Winery in Andau. If wine tasting isn’t your thing, head over to Seewinkel National Park to explore nature trails and birdwatch. Or visit Forchtenstein Castle, a medieval fortress displaying many treasures from the Esterházy princes.
Logistics
A bus, train, or car journey to Burgenland takes less than an hour. It’s easier to get around to all the sites if you have your own car. But there is also a good bus system in the region. Once you arrive, you can easily get around by walking or renting a bicycle. You can also book a pricey private tour to Burgenland from Vienna.
Salzburg
Probably the most obvious day trip from Vienna is Saltzburg. Famous for being the site of the events in the Sound of Music, there’s so much to see and do in Saltzburg. In fact, I recommend that you spend a few days in Vienna and also a few days in Salzburg. But if you have limited time in Austria and only visit Vienna, definitely squeeze in a day trip to Saltzburg.
Saltzburg is pretty far away, so you will spend a good chunk of your day getting there and back. But if you leave early and don’t mind coming back late, you should be able to spend about 8 hours in the city. How you fill those 8 hours depends on your individual interests.
For Sound of Music Fans
My number one choice is taking a Sound of Music tour. This 4 hour tour takes you to all of the locations both inside and outside the city shown in the film. You will also hear insider details about the Von Trappe family, the actors who starred in the film, and other juicy details. Best of all, you will get to participate on a singalong featuring all of your favorite Sound of Music songs. This tour combined with an exploration of Salzburg’s Old Town, a walk through the Mirabell Palace & Gardens, and lunch and a brew at a traditional Austrian beer hall would be a great way to spend the day!
Other Options
If you prefer classical music over rhyming stanzas, then visit Mozart’s Birthplace & Residence. The famous composer was born in Salzburg in 1756 and you can tour his birthplace as well as the residence he lived in from 1773-1780. A selection of instruments that Mozart played are in the birthplace museum while the residence museum houses special exhibits, a display of Mozart’s writings, and the garden cottage where he composed parts of The Magic Flute.
Another great place to explore is Hohensalzburg Castle, one of Europe’s largest medieval castles. It’s perched on Festungsberg Hill and offers a great view of the city. You can access the fortress via funicular railway. You can tour the entire castle, including the magnificent rooms and halls, the armory, and even the dungeon!
If you have more time, you can visit the Salzburg Cathedral, Residenz Palace, or St. Peter’s Abbey. Or you can simply wander through Salzburg’s Old Town discovering the many squares, shops, and restaurants. Another option is to take a relaxing river cruise on the Salzach River.
Logistics
It will take you 2.5-3 hours to get to Salzburg from Vienna by train or car. You can also book a small group tour. Once there, you can get anywhere you want to go on foot.
Hallstatt
Hallstatt is another one of the day trips from Vienna that’s pretty far away. It will take you about four hours to get there. But once there, you will experience a picture-perfect lakeside Alpine Village!
Once you arrive, you will be ready for lunch. Take a bit of time to explore Hallstatt’s Old Town and Marktplatz where you will find pastel-colored houses and plenty of shops and restaurants. While in the city center, make sure to check out the Bone House (Hallstatt Ossuary) dating from the 12th century. This collection of 1,200 skulls are located in St. Michael’s Chapel. About half are painted with flowers, snakes, and crosses, and marked with death dates.
Spend the afternoon visiting the Hallstatt Salt Mine & Skyway. Known as the world’s oldest salt mine, you can discover the mine’s 7,000 year history with a three-hour visit. You will start at the Salzbergbahn funicular in Hallstatt. After a brisk ride up the mountain, you will take a bridge towards the lookout platform, Hallstate Skywalk. Then you will be guided on a 90 minute tour of the mine.
After touring the mine, take some time to walk along the lake and take some photos. If you have time, rent a boat to enjoy lakeside views.
Logistics
The most scenic way to get to Hallstatt from Vienna is by train and ferry. Depart from Vienna Hauptbahnhof (Wien Hbf) and transfer trains in Attnang-Puchheim to Hallstatt Bahnhof. Then take a 5 minute ferry across the lake to reach the town center. This will take about 4 hours.
Another option is to drive yourself. This will take 3-3.5 hours each way. You can also book a group tour.
Bratislava, Slovakia
While all of these day trips would be terrific, it might be even better to visit another country during your stay! Vienna is in a great location to base yourself for day trips to several different countries. The closest one is Bratislava. This city is the capital of Slovakia and has plenty of sites and attractions to fill your day.
Learn more about the history of the region at Bratislava Castle. This gorgeous building holds the Slovak National Museum of History which documents the history of society from the Middle Ages to present time. Marvel at a the massive Treasury containing gold and silver objects. And enjoy meandering in the Baroque gardens and the panoramic views of the city from the castle towers.
Wander around Bratislava’s Old Town where you can climb Michael’s Gate, the last remaining medieval gate in the city. Visit Main Square (Hlavné námestie) to see the Old Town Hall and Roland Fountain. You can also tour Primate’s Palace, a beautiful neoclassical palace featuring a Hall of Mirrors. As you wander through town, keep an eye out for the quirky bronze statues scattered around. Tuck into some traditional Slovak food for lunch at Bratislavskej Reštaurácii.
In the afternoon, head down to the river front to see the 15th century Gothic St. Martin’s Cathedral. Then take the pedestrian overpass over the Danube to the UFO Tower. An elevator will zip you up to the top in seconds where you can take in terrific views from the tower’s observation deck. If you still have some time to kill, cross back over the pedestrian overpass to explore the Eurovea Waterfront promenade full of shops, green space, and great views of the Danube. And take some time to visit the lovely Blue Church.
Logistics
This is a easy option on our list of day trips from Vienna as there are several ways to get to Bratislava. There’s a direct train that takes about an hour. Or you could enjoy a high-speed ferry ride that takes a little over an hour. Driving will also take about an hour, but you will need to purchase a Slovak highway vignette. You can also book a group tour.
Český Krumlov, Czechia
While a little further away, Český Krumlov in Czechia is also a great option on this list of day trips from Vienna. This UNESCO listed fairytale medieval town has one of Europe’s best-preserved castles. Český Krumlov Castle dates from the 13th century and features Renaissance and Baroque architecture. You can visit the Castle Museum and enjoy views from the Castle Tower. If you want to see more of the castle and grounds, book a guided tour.
Make sure to stop by Plášťový most, a multi-level bridge offering panoramic views of the city. Then make your way to Old Town where you can wander through cobblestone streets and admire the colorful houses. Have lunch at Tarvern Šatlava, a medieval-style tavern featuring grilled meats. Or enjoy a riverside view and traditional Czech dishes at Papa’s Living Restaurant.
In the summer, taking a sightseeing cruise on a wooden raft is definitely in order! Other great things to do during your visit include exploring the St. Vitus Church, poking through the artisan shops in the Latrán district, or simply walking along the Vltava Riverside. If you appreciate art, check out the Egon Schiele Art Center.
Logistics
If you have a car, you can get to Český Krumlov in 2.5-3 hours. You can also get there via shuttle bus in about the same amount of time. The train takes longer (about 4.5 hours) and requires transfers, but it’s a scenic way to get there. You can also take pricey small group tour there.
Budapest, Hungary
Next on our list of day trips from Vienna is Budapest, Hungary. Known as the “Pearl of the Danube,” Budapest is the capital of Hungary. It’s really two different cities, Buda and Pest, separated by the Danube. Start your visit by taking the funicular up into the hills of Buda and visiting Buda Castle. You can take a tour of the royal palace and of the cave system under Castle Hill. Make sure to stop by the fairytale-like Fisherman’s Bastion for the best views of the city. And definitely take the time to go inside the Gothic Matthias Church featuring colorful tilework.
Walk down or take the funicular down to the Danube and walk over a bridge to the Pest side of the city, Here you can see the Holocaust memorial of Shoes on the Danube Bank. You can also visit the Hungarian Parliament Building on a guided tour. Climb to the dome of the beautiful neoclassical St. Stephen’s Basilica for more great views of the city. Make sure to allow plenty of time for a soak or spa service at Széchenyi Thermal Baths.
During your day, sample Hungarian food at Hungarikum Bistro for goulash or chicken paprikash and dumplings. Or you can seek out Karaván Street Food to try lángos, fried dough with cheese and sour cream). You can also try Tokaji wine or Unicum, a Hungarian herbal liquor.
Logistics
A direct train takes about 2.5 hours to get from Vienna to Budapest. If you want a cheaper option, you can take a FlixBus. This option will take 3-3.5 hours. Driving takes about 2.5 hours. You can also visit on a small group day trip.
Passau, Germany
Last on our list of day trips from Vienna is Passau, Germany. Known as the “City of Three Rivers.” Passau sits at the confluence of the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers in Bavaria, Germany. Start your visit by admiring the stunning baroque architecture in Old Town (Alstadt). The cobbled streets and colorful houses all add to the city’s charm. In the main square (Residenzplatz), you will see the Town Hall and flood markers showing historic river levels.
Visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral, home to the world’s largest cathedral organ. It has 17,974 pipes! If you are visiting April to October, you can see it in action at noon each day. You can also hear the organ during mass on Sundays at 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. year-round.
Another key site to visit is Veste Oberhaus. This fortress is perched over the town and provides beautiful views of the rivers. Inside, you can tour the castle and see museum exhibits on the history of Passau from it’s origins 7,000 years ago up to the early 19th century.
Spend some time on the river during your visit. Stand at the Dreiflüsseeck (Three Rivers Confluence) where you can see three different colors of water merge. You might also enjoy a Three Rivers sightseeing river cruise.
While you are in town, sample some traditional Bavarian food and drink. Grab local brew at the historic Hacklberger Bräustüberl brewery. Or visit one of Germany’s oldest taverns, Heilig-Geist-Stiftschenke. And definitely try the gingerbread and other special treats from Simon Passau.
Logistics
Taking a train is the best way to get to Passau from Vienna. It will take about 2.5 hours. You can drive there in about 3 hours.
What tops your list of day trips from Vienna?
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