Vienna is a stately and dignified city. It’s an amazing place that deserves a gentle waltz rather than a galloping rush.
But if you’ve only got one day in Vienna, I’m giving you the ultimate itinerary with lots of different options. The important thing it to see what you want to see, and see it in style.
To do this, you’ll need a plan of attack and reservations for certain attractions and restaurants.
Snapshot Of One Day In Vienna
Here’s a quick glance of what you can see with this 1-day Vienna itinerary:
- Ringstrasse
- Hofburg Palace or Belvedere Palace
- Classic Viennese cafe for lunch
- Golden U
- St. Stephen’s Cathedral
- Kunsthistorisches or Albertina
- Museums Quarter, Heuriger, Staatsoper, or Schonbrunn Concert
Here are some of my favorite hotels:
- Palais Coburg
- Hotel Sans Souci
- Wien Grand
- Ferdinand Hotel
- Hotel Sacher Wien
- Palais Coburg
- Hotel Imperial
Morning Walk Along the Ringstrasse
Begin your Vienna exploration with a stroll along the Ringstrasse. It will provide a nice little introduction to Vienna’s history and architecture.
The Ringstrasse is approximately 3.3 miles long. Walking the entire length at a leisurely pace, without stops, typically takes about 1 to 1.5 hours.
This grand boulevard is lined with some of the city’s most important buildings, including the Vienna State Opera, the Parliament, the University, the Rathaus (City Hall), and the Burgtheater.
If you don’t want to walk the entire loop, walk the stretch from the Vienna State Opera to the Rathaus (City Hall).
Alternatively, you could book a city walking tour or zip around quickly on a Segway tour.
Hofburg Palace
Your next stop is the Hofburg Palace, a short walk from the Ringstrasse. It’s the former palace of the Hofburgs that dominates much of the inner city.
It’s a large complex with many different buildings. You’ll have to pick and choose what you want to see.
One option, and the most popular one, is to explore the Imperial Apartments of Franz Joseph and Empress Sisi, the Sisi Museum, and the Silver Collection.
You’ll get a feel for the luxury in which the Hapsburgs lived. The Sisi Museum examines the public persona and private struggles of Sisi. It showcases personal items of the empress, including gowns, jewelry, and portraits.
>>> Click here to book a skip the line ticket
You could also opt for a visit to the Spanish Riding School to see the Lippizaner horses. You can attend a formal performance or attend a training session.
Or tour the gorgeous Austrian National Library. The latter will only take 30 minutes or so.
Renowned for its stunning Baroque architecture, the library holds a vast collection of manuscripts and rare books.
If you like fancy jewels, you may want to visit the Imperial Treasury. It’s home to an extraordinary collection of treasures that span over a thousand years of European history.
Trinkets on display include imperial crowns, regalia, and jewels of the Holy Roman Empire and the Austrian Empire, as well as other priceless artifacts like the Burgundian Treasure and the Order of the Golden Fleece.
>>> Click here to book a treasury ticket
Belvedere Palace Alternative
If you just can’t come to Vienna without seeing Gustav Klimt’s iconic The Kiss, visit the Belvedere Palace instead of the Hofburg.
It’s slightly off center, so instead of walking here, you should hop in a taxi to save time.
The Belvedere is Austria’s national gallery and one of the city’s finest palaces.
It’s a large complex and there’s a lot to see. With only one day in Vienna, you should concentrate your efforts on the Upper Belvedere.
It’s celebrated for its extensive collection of Austrian art, notably featuring the world’s largest array of Gustav Klimt’s works, including The Kiss. Expect a line to see it up close!
The collection spans various periods, highlighting masterpieces from Austrian artists like Egon Schiele and Oskar Kokoschka.
It also provides a comprehensive overview of the progression of art in Austria, particularly focusing on the Art Nouveau and early 20th century periods.
>>> Click here to book a skip the line ticket
Lunch
After exploring the Hofburg or Belvedere, enjoy lunch in the city center at a classic Viennese cafe. Be sure to reserve ahead! Without a reservation, you’ll be in a long queue at best.
Cafe Central is a historic cafe is famous for its traditional Viennese pastries, elegant interiors, and historical significance as a meeting place for Vienna’s intellectual elite.
Cafe Demel is located on the posh Kohlmark Street. It’s known for its exquisite pastries and chocolates.
It was once a purveyor to the Imperial and Royal Court of Austria-Hungary and maintains a charming, old-world atmosphere.
Cafe Landtmann is on the Ringstrasse near the Burgtheater. The cafe is a Vienna institution, known for its classic coffee house environment and wide selection of coffees and pastries.
Golden U
After lunch, take a stroll around the Golden U. It’s Vienna’s premiere shopping district and home to some stunning architecture.
It consists of three streets — Graben, Kohlmark, and Karnter Strasse. These pedestrianized streets are home to Vienna’s finest traditional boutiques and flagship stores.
You’ll find everything from relics from the imperial age like Kinze luxury store to fashion houses like Gucci and Chanel.
Kohlmarkt is akin to LA’s Rodeo Drive or London’s Bond Street. If you can’t afford the exorbitant prices, it’s still fun to window shop.
St. Stephen’s Cathedral (Stephansdom)
After lunch, head to St. Stephen’s Cathedral in the early afternoon. It’s a masterpiece of medieval architecture.
The roof of the building is the most notable feature, distinguished by its colorful glazed tiles.
Approximately 230,000 tiles are arranged in an eye-catching diamond pattern, combining shades of white, yellow, green, and brown.
You can tour the cathedral interior and possibly climb one of the towers for panoramic views of Vienna.
For max speed, take the North Tower with the elevator to boost you to the top.
If you have time, it’s worth touring the catacombs, where generations of Hapsburg rulers (or bits of them, at least) are laid out in a maze of eerie underground chambers.
In high season, you will want to pre-book an all inclusive ticket to avoid long queues.
Kunsthistorisches or Albertina Museum
Spend your mid-afternoon at one of Vienna’s vaunted museums. I would pick either the Kunsthistorisches or the Albertina.
Housed in an opulent building on the Ringstrasse, designed in the Neo-Renaissance style, the Kunsthistorisches opened in 1891. Its facade is adorned with sculptures. And the interior is just as magnificent, with grand staircases, frescoed ceilings, and intricate marble floors.
The Kunsthistorisches is where you’ll find the centuries old Hapsburg art collection. It includes an extensive array of paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts.
Highlights include masterpieces from the Renaissance and Baroque periods, with works by artists like Caravaggio, Raphael, and Titian, as well as the world’s largest collection of Bruegel paintings.
Located in the heart of Vienna, near the State Opera and the Hofburg Palace, the museum, the Albertina is famed for its extensive collection of prints, drawings, and modern graphic works.
The Albertina’s collection boasts over a million prints and 60,000 drawings, making it one of the largest and most important graphic art collections in the world.
The museum’s holdings include works from the Middle Ages to the contemporary era, with pieces by artists like Albrecht Dürer, Rembrandt, Michelangelo, and Leonardo da Vinci.
In addition to these, the museum also features an impressive collection of modern and contemporary art, including works by Pablo Picasso, Paul Klee, and Marc Chagall.
Evening
In the evening, you have several options, depending on your personal tastes.
MuseumsQuartier
You could head to the MuseumsQuartier, a fantastic cultural complex. It’s a blend of baroque buildings and modern design.
This bustling hub is home to a dynamic array of contemporary art museums, performance spaces, and trendy bars and eateries.
The main courtyard is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike to relax and socialize. During the warmer months, the area is filled with outdoor seating, perfect for enjoying a drink and the vibrant atmosphere.
Tip: The must see Leopold Museum is open until 6:00 pm.
Have Dinner At A Heuriger
A heuriger offers a less touristy and uniquely Viennese experience.
A heuriger is a wine garden where homemade wine and simple dishes are served. They have a charming, old village feel and offer traditional Viennese cuisine.
Some of the best heurigers are in Döbling, which is the 19th district of Vienna. Döbling is renowned for its vineyards and offers a picturesque setting, making it a popular area for authentic Heuriger experiences.
Tip: The most convenient way to reach Döbling is by taking the U4 (green line) of the Vienna U-Bahn. You can get off at stations like Heiligenstadt, Spittelau, or Grinzing, depending on which part of Döbling you wish to visit.
Staatsoper
Another option is to attend a performance at the world famous Staatsoper. it will definitely be an unforgettable experience!
When you step inside, a grand marble staircase welcomes you, leading to the elegant auditorium. This space is stunning, with its red velvet seats, grand chandeliers, and ornate box seats, all showcasing traditional design at its finest.
You can also tour the opera house before settling down to enjoy the show, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the opulence and history of this iconic venue.
Tip: To get standing room only tickets, you can either sign up online for the Austrian Federal Theatre Card (this allows you to purchase standing room only tickets in advance) or wait in line the day of the performance for any remaining seats.
Concert At Schonbrunn
You won’t have time to visit the palace complex with only one day in Vienna. But you could seen a teeny part of it by attending a classical music concert in the evening.
Schönbrunn hosts classical music concerts in the Orangery. It’s a beautiful venue.
The concerts usually feature music by famous Austrian composers like Mozart and Strauss, performed by the Schönbrunn Palace Orchestra.
The setting in the Orangery, where Mozart himself once played, adds a historical and cultural richness to the experience.
>>> Click here to book a concert ticket
I hope you’ve enjoyed my one day in Vienna itinerary. You may find these other Vienna travel guides useful:
- 3 Days in Vienna Itinerary
- Best Museums in Vienna
- Beautiful Churches in Vienna
- Guide To the House of Music
- Beethoven Guide To Vienna
- Klimt Guide To Vienna
- Is Mozarthaus Worth Visiting?
- Things To Do in Vienna in Winter
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