Ten Days From Vienna to Munich via the Austrian Grand Prix
There are few better ways to spend early July in Europe than driving through Austria. The timing lines up perfectly with the Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring, and the route from Vienna through the lake district and Salzburg to the race — then onward to Munich — passes through some of the most beautiful scenery on the continent.
Vienna: Palaces, Coffee, and the Naschmarkt
We started in Vienna with two full days. Schonbrunn Palace is the obvious first stop — a massive Baroque complex that was the Habsburgs’ summer residence. The palace tour is good, but the gardens are the real highlight: sprawling, manicured, and free to wander. The Gloriette at the top of the hill gives you a panoramic view back over the palace and the city.
The Naschmarkt is Vienna’s permanent outdoor market and the best place for lunch. Stalls sell everything from fresh produce and cheese to Turkish food and schnitzel. It is busy on weekends but never overwhelming. From there, walk to Karlsplatz to see St. Charles Church, then through the old town to St. Stephen’s Cathedral. The climb up the cathedral tower is 343 steps and worth every one for the rooftop view.
Vienna’s coffee house culture is legendary, and it is not just marketing. Sitting in Cafe Central or Cafe Sperl with a melange and a slice of Sachertorte is one of those experiences where doing absolutely nothing feels like the main event. Budget two solid days for Vienna — there is more than enough to fill them.
Graz: Austria’s Second City
On the way south from Vienna, Graz makes an excellent stop. It is about two and a half hours by car, and the old town is a UNESCO World Heritage site that feels much less touristy than Vienna. The Schlossberg (castle hill) in the center has a famous clock tower and views across the entire city. You can hike up or take the funicular.
The Kunsthaus is the modern art museum, and even if contemporary art is not your thing, the building itself — a massive blue blob nicknamed the “Friendly Alien” — is worth seeing. Graz has a strong university culture, which means good restaurants and bars at reasonable prices compared to Vienna.
The Austrian Lake District: Attersee, Mondsee, and Hallstatt
Driving west from Vienna toward Salzburg, you pass through the Salzkammergut — Austria’s lake district and one of the most beautiful landscapes in Europe. We stopped at Lake Attersee (the largest lake in Austria, impossibly blue) and Lake Mondsee, where we had a picnic on the shore and watched people paddleboarding.
Hallstatt is the famous one — the tiny lakeside village that has become an Instagram sensation. It is genuinely stunning, with pastel buildings reflected in the glassy lake and mountains rising directly behind. The salt mines above the village have been operating for over 3,000 years and are worth a visit. Go early in the morning before the day-trip crowds arrive from Salzburg. By 10 AM the narrow streets are packed.
Salzburg: Mozart, Fortresses, and The Sound of Music
Salzburg sits between Vienna and the Red Bull Ring and makes the ideal base for a night or two. The old town is compact and walkable, with the massive Hohensalzburg Fortress dominating the skyline from its hilltop perch. The fortress is one of the best-preserved medieval castles in Europe — take the funicular up and spend an hour exploring the ramparts, the Golden Hall, and the views over the city and surrounding Alps.
Nonnberg Abbey, made famous by The Sound of Music, is a short walk downhill from the fortress. The Salzburg Cathedral (the Dom) anchors the old town, and a combination ticket gets you into several connected historical sites including St. Peter’s Church.
For food, Salzburg’s Altstadt has excellent Austrian restaurants. Kasnocken (cheese dumplings), Wiener schnitzel, and apple strudel are the local staples. The beer gardens along the Salzach River are perfect for warm summer evenings.
The Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring
The Red Bull Ring in Spielberg is about 90 minutes from Salzburg, set in a natural amphitheater in the Styrian Alps. The circuit is compact — you can see most of the track from any grandstand — and the mountain scenery in every direction makes it one of the most photogenic venues on the F1 calendar.
The atmosphere has a festival quality. The Dutch fans (Verstappen’s orange army) bring incredible energy, and the general vibe is more relaxed than some of the larger European races. The surrounding area has food stalls, merchandise vendors, and live music throughout the weekend.
Getting there: Drive from Salzburg or Graz (both about 90 minutes). Parking is available near the circuit but fills up early on race day. Some fans camp at the circuit — there are official campgrounds that create a mini festival atmosphere.
Best seats: The grandstands along the hill between turns 1 and 3 give you a view of most of the circuit. The start/finish grandstand is good for the opening lap chaos. GA tickets give you access to the hillside viewing areas, which are excellent because of the natural amphitheater layout.
What to bring: The mountains mean weather can change quickly. Pack rain gear even if the forecast looks clear. Sunscreen is essential — the altitude means you burn faster than expected.
Munich: Beer Gardens and Bavarian Culture
From the Red Bull Ring, Munich is about three hours northwest and makes a natural endpoint for the trip. We spent two days exploring the Bavarian capital.
The English Garden is one of the largest urban parks in the world and the heart of Munich’s outdoor life in summer. The beer gardens here — especially the Chinese Tower beer garden — are the quintessential Munich experience. Order a Mass (one-liter beer), grab a pretzel, and settle in. The surfers on the Eisbach wave in the park are a quirky bonus.
Marienplatz is the central square, with the Glockenspiel show at the New Town Hall drawing crowds daily. The Viktualienmarkt nearby is Munich’s premier food market — similar to Vienna’s Naschmarkt but with a more Bavarian flavor. For beer history, the Hofbrauhaus is touristy but worth one visit for the sheer scale and atmosphere.
Day trips from Munich include Neuschwanstein Castle (the fairy-tale castle that inspired Disney, about 90 minutes south) and Dachau Memorial (a sobering but important visit, 30 minutes north).
What It Cost
- Flights: Round trip to Vienna, returning from Munich — booked with miles, about 60,000 per person
- Car rental: About 50-70 euros per day for 10 days
- Hotels: 100-180 euros per night across Austria and Munich
- F1 tickets: GA from about 150 euros, grandstands 250-500 euros for race weekend
- Food: 40-60 euros per day for two people
- Activities: Schonbrunn Palace 22 euros, Hallstatt salt mines 38 euros, Hohensalzburg Fortress 16 euros
Planning Tips
- Book F1 tickets early — the Austrian GP sells out months in advance
- Hallstatt: arrive before 9 AM or after 4 PM to avoid peak crowds
- Vienna and Munich both have excellent public transport if you want to skip the car for city days
- Early July weather is warm (mid-70s to low-80s) but mountain areas can be cooler, especially at elevation
- The open-jaw flight (into Vienna, out of Munich) avoids backtracking and is usually a similar price to round-trip