Vienna, Salzburg, Both (or Neither)??

Salzburg is worth a stop. You will love it.

I absolutely loved Austria, so I wouldn't skip it entirely. Personally, I would pick two days in one or the other, and spend the rest of the time in small towns. Some of the smaller cities I loved were Hallstadt, Hall and Melk.

If you have 4 full DAYS, spend 1 in Salzburg and 3 in Vienna. If you have only 3 full DAYS, spend all 3 in Vienna. The big things about Salzburg are the castle and the old town area and that can be done in a day.

Jess, one other place I'd highly recommend is the small town of Hallstatt. It's an incredibly beautiful location (IMO) and the Salt Mine tour was interesting. However, if your time is limited you'll have to choose your stops carefully.

Cheers!

Hi Jess,

Please don't skip Austria. While we've never been to Vienna, we love Salzburg. It is definitely worth a full day.

Paul

Don't skip it! I agree with the advice about three full days in Vienna and one full day in Salzburg. The only caveat to that advice would be if you are a Sound of Music Fan or want to get out into the countryside a bit. Rick Steves has info on the SOM tour (use Bob's special tours). I took it and thoroughly enjoyed it. Be sure to find some music in both places.

Pam

Hello Jess. Both Vienna and Salzburg are worth seeing. I recommend : be at each city 2 nights.

Hi Jess,

I don't know where you are beginning or ending your trip. Salzburg and Vienna are both worth seeing. Vienna is a little out of the way if you are coming from the west. I think it gets overlooked because of that somtimes. A one night stop in Halstatt is a great way to break it up with a car. A couple of nights on the Danube staying in Melk are also great.

Now your whole trip is Austria. Oh well. Have fun.

I was in Vienna and Salzburg last summer and loved them both. If you like fantastic scenery then Salzburg is the best place for it. Might I suggest a trip on the Grossglockner road to the Grossglockner
glacier. I understand it is fantastic. Last year it rained everyday in July while we were in Salzburg and so had to cancel our trip to the Grossglockner.
Either way you can't lose.

Austria is amazing. I rented a car and drove from Vienna to Hallstatt to Salzburg. Spend two nights each and then then more on your next trip to Europe.

Thank you everyone for the advice, looks like I will be doing 4 odd days in Austria now.

My first trip to the continent I had planned to visit Germany only.

I didn't have my family in tow and didn't want to miss experiencing other countries for the first time with them.

The only exception was Salzburg. Everyone told me how beautiful it is and they were right. Even if you don't spend a long time there, it's a great place to visit. It's very walkable.

The evening view from any of the bridges just North of Altstadt is one of the top pictures that comes to mind when I think of Europe.

http://www.itisnet.com/english/e-ce/e-austria/e-vienna/e-r-vienna.htm

Hi Jess,
... we would definitely do both! We have done both on every one of our trips to Europe. The above is a link we recently found on-line which has very good information on Vienna/food. Viennese food is worth the trip! Salzburg is a magical place. bon voyage! P