14‑day family route through Austria

Day1: Vienna

8 attraction(s) · 5 km

This 3-day trip in Vienna begins with your arrival and a walk through the historic center, visiting St. Stephen's Cathedral, where you can go up the tower to enjoy the views, and strolling around the Innere Stadt with its main streets and the Hofburg from the outside, with stops to try typical sweets such as Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel. In the afternoon or evening, you visit the Prater, the classic amusement park of the city with the famous giant Ferris wheel Riesenrad and various attractions that are perfect for children to have fun.

1

Vienna

1 km

2

St. Stephen's Cathedral

Medieval Roman Catholic place of worship with an ornate spire, catacombs & a treasury museum.

1 km

3

Innere Stadt

1 km

4

Graben

The street named "Graben" is named after its ditch-like shape. It is a famous street in the inner city of Vienna, the capital of Austria, and a vibrant shopping district surrounded by many brand stores, clothing stores, restaurants, and outdoor cafes.

1 km

5

Kärntner Straße

Kärntnerstraße

1 km

6

Hofburg Palace

3 km

7

Prater

Large park with old-time amusements, including a landmark giant wheel dating from 1897.

1 km

8

Wurstelprater Vergnügungspark

Day2: Vienna

5 attraction(s) · 8 km

This itinerary in Vienna includes a visit to the majestic Schönbrunn Palace, where you can take a brief tour inside and then enjoy its extensive gardens and the Gloriette with views of the city, as well as spending time at the historic Schönbrunn Zoo, ideal for children. The day is completed with a visit to an interactive museum: the House of Music, where children can play with sounds and conduct a virtual orchestra, or the Natural History Museum, with dinosaurs, minerals, and a wide variety of animals.

1

Schloss Schönbrunn Gardens

Schönbrunn Palace Garden is located in the western part of Vienna and is a royal treasure with a history of three hundred years. It was built in the late 17th century and was once a Baroque style royal hunting palace of the Habsburg dynasty of the Holy Roman Empire. Legend has it that Emperor Matthias discovered a clear spring here and exclaimed, "Ah, what beautiful water!" The palace was named after this. In 1743, the palace was renovated in the Rococo style and transformed into a luxurious royal summer palace, designed by the famous Austrian Archduchess Maria Theresa. The final palace has nearly 1500 rooms with exquisite interior decorations. The garden covers an area of 2 million square meters, making it enchanting and unforgettable. Mozart first played the piano for the Empress at Schönbrunn Palace when he was six years old and was greatly favored by the Empress. In 1830, Emperor Franz Joseph I, the husband of Empress Elisabeth, the real Sisi, was born at Schönbrunn Palace. Franz and Empress Sisi lived in Schönbrunn Palace for a long time. He passed away in 1916 at the palace and was the longest-reigning monarch in the Habsburg dynasty. Today, Schönbrunn Palace is Vienna's most famous tourist attraction, known as the "Versailles Palace of Vienna," and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The recommended route for visiting is to enter through the main gate, visit the palace, then enter the garden, and take a leisurely walk to the triumphal arch on Schönbrunn Hill to overlook the panoramic view of the palace. The tour takes about 3-4 hours.

1 km

2

Gloriette

The Belvedere Palace is a famous attraction in Vienna, Austria. It consists of the Upper and Lower Belvedere buildings. The Lower Belvedere was built in 1714 as a summer palace for Prince Eugene, while the Upper Belvedere was completed in 1721 and hosted grand royal celebrations. Today, it serves as the Austrian National Gallery, showcasing artworks from the Middle Ages to the 21st century, with a focus on Austrian painters from the late 19th century and the period of Art Nouveau. The iconic Kiss by Gustav Klimt, a founding member of the Vienna Secession movement, is one of the highlights. Additionally, the Lower Belvedere houses a baroque-style Orangery with important collections, including works by masters of Romanticism and late Gothic altarpieces, such as Michel Pacher, Lulinand Fruhof, and Conrad Laib.

1 km

3

Schönbrunn Zoo

500 species of animals, including giant pandas, Siberian tigers & elephants, in 18th-century zoo.

6 km

4

Haus Der Musik/House of Music

House of Music Vienna

1 km

5

Natur historiches Museum Wien

Vienna Natural History Museum is one of the largest natural history museums in Austria, and is also recognized as one of the top ten most famous natural history museums in the world. It was established in 1807, with its collections dating back to the time of Emperor Franz I, the husband of Empress Maria Theresa. Currently, the museum houses over 20 million specimens, showcasing a wealth of natural history. The architecture of Vienna Natural History Museum is magnificent, resembling a grand palace. It harmonizes with the building of the Art History Museum opposite, creating a symmetrical beauty. Whether in terms of architectural design or exhibition style, the museum demonstrates the harmonious coexistence of history and modernity to visitors.

Day3: Vienna > Salzburg

5 attraction(s) · 255 km

This trip suggests leaving Vienna for Salzburg (about 3 hours by car or train), where you visit the charming old town with its historic squares and streets, such as Getreidegasse, Domplatz and Mozartplatz. Then you go up to the impressive Hohensalzburg Fortress, ideal to visit with children thanks to the funicular and the panoramic views over the city and the Salzach river. Finally, you stroll through the Mirabell Gardens, a pleasant place to relax, take photos and let the children play, before spending the night in Salzburg.

1

Vienna

253 km

2

Salzburg

1 km

3

Old Town Salzburg

1 km

4

Festung Hohensalzburg

Salzburg Fortress, located on a hill in the old town area, was built in 1077. It is one of the largest medieval castles in Europe and is an iconic landmark within the city of Salzburg. With over 996,000 visitors annually, it has become a popular tourist attraction in Austria. In addition to its museum showcasing ancient weapons, instruments, and folklore, the fortress also has a café where visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the magnificent scenery below. Regular classical chamber music concerts are held inside the castle, featuring popular classical music. The open spaces along the north and south walls of the castle have become popular spots for photography enthusiasts to capture city landscapes. The nearby Nonnberg Monastery Church, located halfway up the hill near the castle, is another popular spot for photo opportunities. Although the monastery is small, it has a rich history and can be reached via a flat path behind the mountain. Friends with a valid Salzburg residence permit can enter the castle for free, but they must hike up the hill and present valid ID to obtain their tickets. This special offer has been in place for several years, but the duration of this promotion is unknown.

2 km

5

Mirabell Gardens

Elegant landscaping, pathways & floral displays on lush grounds fronting the Mirabell Palace.

Day4: Vienna > Salzburg > Hallstatt > St Gilgen > fuschl am see > Mondsee

8 attraction(s) · 368 km

This trip goes from Salzburg to the Salzkammergut region, where you can enjoy landscapes of lakes and mountains. In Hallstatt you take a walk through the picturesque village next to the lake and you can go up by funicular to the Skywalk viewpoint. Afterwards, at lakes Wolfgangsee, Fuschlsee or Mondsee, children can swim in fresh water and rent pedal or electric boats. You can spend the night in one of the villages by the lake, such as St. Wolfgang, St. Gilgen or Fuschl am See, or return to sleep in Salzburg.

1

Vienna

253 km

2

Salzburg

53 km

3

Hallstatt

29 km

4

Wolfgangsee

The opening scene of the movie "The Sound of Music" presents a stunning view of Wolfgang Lake. This lake is considered one of the most beautiful lakes in Austria and is located near the Alps. A visit to this lake is a must to experience the gem-like blue water and breathtaking natural beauty.

11 km

5

Fuschlsee

Serene alpine lake with forested hiking trails, boat rentals & calm, clear waters for swimming.

8 km

6

Mondsee

10 km

7

Sankt Gilgen

6 km

8

Fuschl

Day5: Salzburg > Bled

5 attraction(s) · 182 km

This trip begins in Salzburg and continues by car towards the beautiful Lake Bled in Slovenia, a journey of about 3–3.5 hours. Upon arrival, you can walk around the lake, take an excursion on the traditional “pletna” boat to Bled Island, where children usually enjoy taking part in “steering” the boat, and go up to Bled Castle to enjoy spectacular views of the lake and its surroundings. In summer, it is possible to swim in one of the designated areas of the lake, taking advantage of its pleasant temperature. The night is spent in Bled or its surroundings.

1

Salzburg

179 km

2

Bled

2 km

3

Lake Bled

Scenic lake surrounded by mountains & forest, featuring an island housing a historic church.

1 km

4

Bled Island

Landmark island with 99 steps to a 15th-century pilgrimage church & a cliffside medieval castle.

2 km

5

Bled Castle

11th century clifftop castle overlooking Lake Bled with a museum, restaurant & wine cellar.

Day6: Vienna > Bohinj > Postojna > Istria > Porec > Pula

8 attraction(s) · 509 km

This itinerary suggests leaving Bled for Lake Bohinj to enjoy a wilder and less touristy environment, with easy walks, kayaking or paddleboarding, and the possibility of taking the cable car up to Vogel to admire the Alpine views. As an alternative, you can go to Postojna to visit the famous cave by underground train and Predjama Castle, both very attractive for children. Afterwards, you continue towards Croatia, entering via Istria and staying in Rovinj or Poreč as a base to enjoy the coast and the villages of the region.

1

Vienna

287 km

2

Lake Bohinj

The mountains are mirrored in this expansive, tranquil lake for swimming & other water sports.

63 km

3

Postojna

2 km

4

Postojna Cave

Vast caves with halls & passageways reachable by a railway, plus concert & congress halls.

8 km

5

Predjama Castle

13th-century castle built in cliff face cave, with restored living areas, dungeons & secret tunnel.

91 km

6

Rovinj

17 km

7

Poreč

45 km

8

Pula

Day7: Rovinj

3 attraction(s) · 2 km

This trip includes a visit to the charming old town of Rovinj, with its cobbled streets, colorful houses and harbor, as well as the climb to the Church of St. Euphemia to enjoy a spectacular sea view. Then you enjoy the sea in the bathing areas near the Zlatni Rt forest park, where there are rocks, platforms and pine trees that provide shade, or with a short boat trip to some of the nearby islands. To end the day, an evening walk along the harbor and an ice cream complement the city’s summer atmosphere.

1

Stari Grad, Rovinj

1 km

2

St. Euphemia’s Church

Baroque Catholic church built in 1736, featuring a tall tower offering sweeping city views.

2 km

3

Park forest Zlatni Rt

Tranquil park featuring tall cedar & cypress trees, grassy picnic areas, boating & swimming.

Day8: Vienna > Istria > novigrad

3 attraction(s) · 433 km

In Istria, the main activity of the day will be visiting a water park that is very suitable for children, such as Aquapark Istralandia near Novigrad or Aquacolors near Poreč, where they can enjoy large slides, wave pools and areas designed for the little ones, ideal for spending the whole day if it’s hot. As a quieter alternative, you can spend time getting to know Poreč, strolling through its old town, the seafront promenade and, if you like, taking a small boat trip to see the coast. At night, it is recommended to sleep again in Rovinj or Poreč.

1

Vienna

406 km

2

Rovinj

27 km

3

Novigrad

Day9: Vienna

1 attraction(s) · 0 km

This leg of the trip goes from Istria to Zadar, with a 4 to 5 hour drive along a very picturesque coast (or partly by highway). Upon arrival in Zadar, you enjoy an evening walk by the famous Sea Organ, where the sound of the waves turns into music and is very entertaining for children, and you visit the light installation Greeting to the Sun, especially striking at night. You also walk through the old town with its Roman ruins and historic walls, and finally spend the night in Zadar before continuing towards the central coast of Croatia and Split.

1

Vienna

Day10: Vienna

1 attraction(s) · 0 km

The trip starts in Zadar, from where you can visit the small historic town of Nin, famous for its walls and its extensive shallow sandy beach, perfect for small children, something quite unusual in Croatia. From Zadar you can also take boat trips to nearby islands such as Ugljan or Pašman, or book a tour to Kornati National Park, an impressive archipelago of great natural beauty. After the visits, you can return to sleep in Zadar or continue the route towards Šibenik.

1

Vienna

Day11: Vienna > Sibenik > Šibenik-Knin County > Split-Dalmatia County > Split

7 attraction(s) · 554 km

This itinerary follows the Dalmatian coast from Zadar to Split, with stops in Šibenik and Trogir. In Šibenik you stroll through the old town, visit St. James Cathedral, a World Heritage Site, and St. Michael's Fortress, with sea views and space for children to run around. In Trogir you enjoy its very photogenic medieval town, the harbor, the walls and its ice cream shops. Finally, you arrive in Split in the afternoon to explore Diocletian’s Palace, whose interior forms the historic center itself, a maze of streets and squares that is very entertaining for children, and you end the day strolling along the lively Riva seafront promenade before sleeping in the city.

1

Vienna

499 km

2

Šibenik

1 km

3

St. Jacob’s Cathedral

Made entirely of stone, this Gothic-Renaissance cathedral features 70+ sculpted heads on its facade.

38 km

4

Trogir

16 km

5

Split

1 km

6

Diocletian's Palace

This huge, fortress-like palace served as a residence for a Roman emperor & the military garrison.

1 km

7

RIVA

RIVA, originating from Italian, means coastline. In Split, RIVA is regarded as the most bustling tourist leisure street near Diocletian's Palace. This coastal street is covered with white tented cafes and outdoor seats, where tourists can enjoy the harbor with ships coming and going while sipping coffee or beer, listening to boat horns and church bells, and spending their time. Meanwhile, there are also numerous handicraft stalls, restaurants, and hotels. For locals, if you don't know where to go, finding RIVA can guide you in the right direction.

Day12: Split > Brac > Hvar > Vienna

7 attraction(s) · 616 km

This 8-day family trip covers Zadar, Plitvice, Krka, Šibenik, Split and a getaway to an island (Brač or Hvar). It starts in Zadar with its old town, the Sea Organ and the Greeting to the Sun, continues with a full day at the lakes and waterfalls of Plitvice National Park, and then visits Krka National Park with its walk among waterfalls before exploring the historic center of Šibenik with St. James Cathedral. Afterwards you enjoy Split and its Diocletian’s Palace, going up to the Marjan viewpoint, before dedicating a day to a nearby island: Brač (Zlatni Rat beach and Vidova Gora viewpoint, ideal with children) or Hvar (old town and Španjola Fortress). The trip ends by returning to Zadar for the flight back, adjusting the last two days according to the family’s schedule and energy.

1

Split

18 km

2

Supetar

16 km

3

Bol

2 km

4

Golden Horn Beach

Windsurfing & boating are popular at this landmark spit with white sand & clear water.

3 km

5

Vidova gora

The highest point of the Adriatic islands, this landmark peak is accessible by foot or vehicle.

20 km

6

Hvar

560 km

7

Vienna

Day13: Vienna > Split > Zagreb

5 attraction(s) · 781 km

This trip begins in Dubrovnik, where you explore the walled old town, walk along the city walls and enjoy the view from the cable car, then follow the Dalmatian coast through small towns and beaches until you reach Split, where you tour Diocletian’s Palace and the seafront promenade. From Split you take the highway to Zagreb, where you stroll through the Upper Town, St. Mark's Square and its famous funicular, complemented by a walk through the underground tunnel and a quiet dinner before the return flight from Vienna.

1

Vienna

522 km

2

Split

259 km

3

Zagreb

1 km

4

Upper Town

1 km

5

Saint Mark's Square

City square bordered by government buildings with historic St. Mark's Church in the center.

Day14: Vienna > Zagreb > Dubrovnik > Salzburg > Pula > Split

6 attraction(s) · 1942 km

This roughly two‑week trip in August starts in Vienna, with 2–3 days to discover the city, and continues to Austria’s lake and mountain region (Salzburgerland and Hallstatt) to enjoy nature and family walks. You then enter Slovenia to visit Lake Bled and its surroundings, and head down to the Istrian peninsula in Croatia, combining coastal towns with beach days. Further south you visit Zadar and Split, with their historic centers by the sea and excursions to nearby islands, reserving several days for the children to enjoy swimming. Finally, you cross to Zagreb for a brief visit before driving back to Vienna and taking the return flight.

1