12 Days in Austria: The Perfect Family-Friendly Itinerary
We are safely back home from our Austrian summer vacation, and let me tell y’all, it was the best time with my family! My dad’s side of the family is from Austria, so we had the incredible opportunity to visit with them and reconnect with our roots.
My sister, her husband, and their two little girls joined Tommy and me for an unforgettable journey through the Alps and beyond. We retraced the footsteps of our childhood, visited the places our dad used to take us when we were their age, and introduced the next generation to all that beauty and history.
SO many of y’all followed along on Instagram stories and asked me to share more about the itinerary when we got back—and I’m so happy to do just that! If you’re dreaming of an Austrian vacation filled with postcard-worthy villages, mountain adventures, and just enough city life, here’s our personal day-by-day itinerary. Feel free to follow it exactly or use it as inspiration to plan your own magical trip.
Day 1: Arrival in Vienna
After an overnight flight connecting through London, we touched down in Vienna mid-afternoon and headed straight to our hotel just outside the city center. We stayed at Hotel-Residenz Schrannenhof in Klosterneuburg, a charming spot with breakfast included and easy access to Vienna’s top sights.
Day 2: Vienna Must-Sees for All Ages
We started our morning at Schönbrunn Palace, where we explored the gardens, marveled at the palace itself, and spent hours at the Schönbrunn Gardens. They have an interactive maze and playground perfect for children and adults.
In the afternoon, we visited the Prater Park, home to Vienna’s iconic giant Ferris wheel and several family-friendly playgrounds. After picking up local snacks at the Naschmarkt, we wrapped up the day with a short stroll through St. Stephen’s Cathedral and did a little shopping.
Family-Friendly Highlight: Don't miss the Kindermuseum at Schönbrunn—it's interactive, educational, and absolutely magical for little ones.
Day 3: Doing Whatever we missed the days before in Vienna
This day was all about flexibility. We spent the morning visiting family and enjoying good food and company!
Side note: you must visit Haus der Musik, an immersive music museum in Vienna where kids can conduct a virtual orchestra. We did not get a chance to make it there, but our family said it is a must.
By early afternoon, we hit the road for Weiz, my dad’s hometown, nestled just a couple of hours south. Visiting Weiz felt like stepping into a memory. We had lunch, visited family landmarks, and made a stop at the beautiful Weizberg Church. We traveled to Teichalm where we learned to ski as children and ate all the traditional Austrian foods. Our hotel this night was Stadt Hotel Zur Goldenen Krone.
Day 4: Scenic Drive to St. Gilgen
We left Weiz in the morning and drove through the breathtaking Austrian countryside to St. Gilgen, a village on Wolfgangsee Lake. Even the drive itself is a highlight, winding past lakes and into the mountains.
We stayed at Hotel Schernthaner, a cozy and family-friendly spot within walking distance to everything. This was the cutest little town!
Day 5: Lakeside Adventure in St. Gilgen & St. Wolfgang
We began the day with a ride up the Zwölferhorn Cable Car for panoramic lake and mountain views, then caught the Wolfgangsee Ferry to St. Wolfgang.
In St. Wolfgang, we took the ferry which I highly recommend. The children were tired so we opted out, but strongly recommend taking the Schafberg Cogwheel Railway—one of Austria’s most scenic train rides—and enjoy lunch overlooking the lake. Tip: Sit on the left side of the ferry for the best views, and try to take an early ride to beat the crowds.
Every night we ate ice cream and swam in the lake… it was so refreshing. Remember, they do not have air conditioning, so it was a nice way to cool down. If you go during summer, be sure to take one of these portable fans! It saved us when we were getting too hot. If you’re looking for more of my Must Have Travel Gear, click here!
Day 6: Day Trip to Salt Mine in Salzburg
We headed just outside Salzburg for a day of underground adventure at the Salzwelten Salt Mine (the oldest salt mine in the world!). This experience was a hit with both kids and adults. Dressed in our white miner’s overalls, we boarded a miner’s train, and rode deep into the tunnels. The guided tour was equal parts fun and educational, offering a fascinating look at Austria’s salt mining history, and the girls LOVED sliding down the underground slides the miner’s used to use!
Day 7: Salzburg’s Old World Charm
After waking up at the Sheraton Grand Salzburg and enjoying breakfast, we explored the city’s many treasures:
The playful Hellbrunn Palace & Trick Fountains
The lush Mirabell Gardens (this is where The Sound of Music was filmed and you must see)
The hilltop Hohensalzburg Fortress
The Haus der Natur, filled with exhibits that delighted our young travelers
We ended the day wandering through Salzburg’s Old Town and the lively Getreidegasse shopping street.
Hellbrunn Palace & Trick Fountains
Day 8: Headed to our Nature Hotel in Leogang
Recommendation: If you have time, take the short drive across the German border to visit Berchtesgaden National Park. You can board a boat on the Königssee Lake to see the famous St. Bartholomä Church. Unfortunately we did not have time to do it on this trip, but definitely plan to go again in the future!
We spent this day day enjoying the jaw-dropping views while driving to our hotel, Naturhotel Forsthofgut, in Leogang. This hotel, y’all!! It was simply UNBELIEVABLE. Definitely a splurge, but honestly it was worth every penny! I cannot recommend it enough. Just look at this view! It was fabulous!
Days 9–11: Relaxing, Recharging, Reconnecting
While the rest of our group headed to Greece for the second leg of their summer vacation, Tommy and I opted for some peace and quiet at the nature hotel and spa. I cannot begin to tell you how much we enjoyed it! It was the perfect reset before heading back to Vienna to return our rental car and prep for the journey home. Plus, the food was amazing!
Day 12: Vienna to London
We flew from Vienna to London for an overnight stay before our final flight back to the States. Since Heathrow can be tricky to navigate, we used our go-to travel hack for making it as smooth as possible.
Bonus Travel Hack: Navigating Heathrow airport with Ease
If you’re flying through Heathrow Airport, do yourself a favor and stay at the Hilton Garden Inn London Heathrow Terminal 2 and 3. It's directly connected to the terminals and makes early flights a breeze.
Here’s how to get from the hotel to the terminals like a pro:
From the second-floor hotel reception, walk down the link bridge.
Walk straight across the car park toward Terminal 2.
When you reach the end, take the elevator on the right for Terminal 2 departures. For Terminals 3, 4, and 5, continue forward.
As you approach Terminal 2 arrivals, follow the yellow sign to International Arrivals and head toward the elevator on the left for Terminals 3, 4, 5, and the train station.
Pass the first set of elevators and keep walking to reach the second set (C).
Take elevator C down to floor -1 to access the tunnel to Terminal 3 and trains to Terminals 4 and 5.
Even if you’re not headed to Austria, this is such a time-saving tip for any trip connecting through London! The traffic in London is absolutely awful, and you don’t want to be stuck in a cab across town when your flight is boarding. We always stay here when we fly to London because it makes things so easy and stress-free.
Planning Your Own Austrian Getaway?
Austria is a destination that offers something for everyone. Whether you want to explore imperial cities, hike through alpine valleys, or relax by mountain lakes, this itinerary gives you a little taste of it all. Travel with kids or go as a couple—just make sure to leave time to slow down and soak in the beauty that’s around every corner.
Have questions about where we stayed, what we packed, or how we planned it all? I’d love to share more.
And if you use this itinerary to plan your own adventure, be sure to let me know.
There’s no place quite like Austria.
It has my heart!
Wondering what to pack on your trip?
Get inspired by the mix-and-match outfits I chose for my trip, and browse all my travel essentials!
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