We know travel time is precious, and that sometimes there are just too many things to do on your bucket list than time allows. Although we recommend spending 2-3 days in Vienna, Austria, below outlines the highlights of this great city, easily completed in just 24 hours.
Morning in Vienna
Conveniently located outside of our recommended Vienna hostel
1. Start your morning at Naschmarkt
Hours: Mon - Sat from 6am - 5pm; Sun: Closed
Vienna's largest open-air market with a variety of different local street vendors that make it worth stopping by to explore. Walk through this market to taste many different cuisines, purchase some quality spices, grab a drink, buy a souvenir, or to savor a delicious pastry.
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2. Utilize a 24-Hour Vienna Metro Ticket to go to Schönbrunn Palace
Hours: Daily 9:30am - 5:00pm
This Rococo palace was the summer residence of the Habsburg rulers and consists of over 1400 rooms. Although it is outside the city, you can easily get here via the Vienna metro and we highly recommend this attraction be prioritized on your trip. With 500 acres of the palace grounds that can be explored for free, there are also attractions that can be visited for an entry fee including: Europe's oldest Zoo, a Labyrinth, and a tour of the rooms within Schönbrunn Palace.
Tickets: starting at €18 (€16 students)
3. Head back to the city and treat yourself at Café Central
Cafés are a huge part of the culture in Vienna. Viennese come to coffee shops to hang out, drink coffee, and eat snacks or pastries. One of the most renowned cafés is Café Central. It is a beautiful coffee shop that was frequented by many famous historical figures while they lived in Vienna.
The architecture of the building, attention to detail, ambiance, live piano playing, traditional coffee options, and delectable desserts are all reasons to stop by this classy café. You may have to wait for a table due to its popularity, however, we found it to be well worth the wait and enjoyed an apple strudel and iced coffee.
Also Read: Must Try Cafés of Vienna
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Afternoon in Vienna
4. Grab yourself some Street Food for lunch at Bitzinger Wurstelstand
A must-try while in Vienna is an Austria Sausage stuffed with cheese, or Käsekrainer. Our personal favorite was from Bitzinger Wurstelstand, a charming little stand located right outside of the Albertina Museum near the Vienna State Opera house. Conveniently located and priced under €5, it is hard not to stop here multiple times while in Vienna.
J&L Recommended: Must try food!
5. Take a stroll around Hofburg Palace
The 13th century former imperial palace of the Habsburg's and current workplace of the President of Austria. This stunning palace offers guided tours of the imperial apartments and the Sisi Museum. Exploring the grounds is free and will also lead to many pleasing views. With horse and buggy rides coming and going throughout the grounds, walking through this central city palace its a can't miss experience.
Sisi Museum Tickets: starting at €15
Volksgarten has beautiful flowers and sculptures to admire, as well as, the occasional musician adding to the elegant ambiance. Burggarten, on the opposite side of Hofburg, is a large park where people lay out to enjoy the outdoors.
J&L Recommended: Don't miss!
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6. Admire the beauty of St. Stephen's Cathedral
Hours: Monday to Saturday 6:00 am – 10:00 pm; Sunday 7:00 am - 10:00 pm
Not only the main attraction of Stephansplatz, but the mother church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vienna. It has a magnificently tiled roof, ornately decorated interior, tours of underground catacombs, and a 500-foot southern tower that provides views of the entire city.
Tower Tickets: Roughly €5 (paid at door entrance)
Evening in Vienna
7. Enjoy an authentic dinner at Zwolf Apostelkeller
A large underground cellar with a rustic feel, this is a wonderful place to experience a true Viennese/Austrian meal (schnitzel and potatoes). It has affordable prices and an extensive wine list in a truly unique atmosphere. We highly recommend stopping here to complete your experience in Vienna. It is certainly an added bonus when dining with their live musicians, however, we recommend to reserve a table ahead of time due to their popularity.
Try: traditional schnitzel and potatoes
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8. Sip an evening brew at 1516 Brewing Company
Recommended Brew: 1516 Weisse (Hefeweizen- 5% ABV)
A cascade hopped wheat ale that will satisfy you on a hot summer Vienna day. We found a seat here on their spacious patio under the shade of an umbrella on a hot summer day. Their Hefeweizen is light and sweet with notes of banana.
9. End your day at Vienna Opera House
This Renaissance Revival venue is breathtaking to just see outside from its exterior alone If you wish to find a show during your stay, you can purchase tickets here. However, if you are like us and traveling on a budget, we recommend watching one of the performances from the streets! Each show is projected onto the side of the opera house with audio projected from the outside speakers. Many people line up along the sidewalk with lawn chairs and blankets to watch these marvelous shows that happen every evening.
J&L Tip: Watch for free! Projecting each live performance on the outside of the building, grab some street food and enjoy the show.
Also Read: Vienna Austria Complete Guide
Happy Adventuring!
J&L
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