Things to do in Vienna: palaces, museums and a coffee house a day
Vienna is an imperial capital of palaces, coffee houses, concert halls and some of the best museums in Europe. Three days cover the Ringstrasse, a palace, a museum and a coffee house a day. The one thing to know is timing: the big palaces and concerts need a ticket, and the city is quietest in January and February.
The short answer
- First trip
- Stay in the Innere Stadt or near the Naschmarkt, see Schönbrunn and the Hofburg, and spend each afternoon in a coffee house.
- Where to stay
- The Innere Stadt for sights, Neubau for design shops, Leopoldstadt for a local base.
- How many days
- Three days for the main sights. Add two for museums and a trip to the Wachau.
- Best time to go
- April to June, September and December for the Christmas markets.
- Book ahead
- Schönbrunn timed entry, the Spanish Riding School, State Opera tickets and concerts.
- From the airport
- Vienna airport is 18 km south east. The City Airport Train takes 16 minutes, the S7 about 25.
Where to stay in Vienna, in brief
Innere Stadt
sights and first-timers
The historic center within the Ring, with the cathedral, the Hofburg and the opera. Walkable and elegant. Hotels are pricey.
Neubau and Mariahilf
design, shops and cafes
Districts just outside the Ring with independent shops, the Museumsquartier and good cafes. A short walk to the center.
Leopoldstadt
a local base near the Prater
A district across the canal with the Prater and the Karmelitermarkt. Quieter and good for restaurants.
Wieden and Naschmarkt
food and the market
A district near the Naschmarkt, with good restaurants and the Karlsplatz. A short walk to the center.
Things to do in Vienna
Schönbrunn Palace
The imperial summer palace, with state rooms and gardens. Book timed tickets.
a few days ahead, weeks in summer
Hofburg and the Sisi Museum
The former imperial palace in the center, with the Sisi Museum and the Imperial Apartments.
St Stephen's Cathedral
The Gothic cathedral at the heart of the city, with a tower you can climb.
Kunsthistorisches Museum
A major art museum, with Bruegel, Vermeer and Habsburg collections. Allow half a day.
Belvedere
A baroque palace with Klimt's The Kiss. Go early.
Spanish Riding School
Morning training or a performance of the Lipizzaner horses.
weeks ahead for performances
State Opera
One of the world's great opera houses. Standing tickets are available on the night.
weeks ahead for seats
Naschmarkt
A long food market with stalls, cafes and a Saturday flea market.
Prater and the Riesenrad
A park with a historic Ferris wheel and amusements.
What to book before you go
These sell out. Most of the rest of Vienna can be decided on the day.
Every tour and ticket in Vienna, and which to pick- Schönbrunn Palace ticketsa few days to weeks ahead
Timed entry sells out in peak season.
- State Opera or concert ticketsweeks ahead
Popular performances sell out. Standing tickets cost less.
What to skip in Vienna
- Eating on Karntner Strasse
It is priced for tourists. Walk to a side street or a Beisl.
- Mozart costume sellers near the cathedral
The concerts they advertise vary in quality. Book a proper venue.
Best time to visit Vienna
April to June and September are best, with mild weather and open terraces. December has Christmas markets and a festive feel.
July and August are hot and some concert halls close for the summer. January and February are cold but quiet, and the coffee houses are warm.
- From Vienna airportThe City Airport Train takes 16 minutes to Wien Mitte. The S7 takes about 25 minutes.
- U-Bahn, trams and busesA cheap and efficient network. A 24 or 72 hour ticket suits a short stay.
- On footThe Innere Stadt is compact. Most sights are within 25 minutes of the cathedral.
Vienna in three days
- Day 1
Innere Stadt: cathedral, Hofburg, a coffee house and the State Opera in the evening.
- Day 2
Schönbrunn in the morning, the Naschmarkt for lunch and the Belvedere.
- Day 3
Kunsthistorisches Museum and the Museumsquartier, then an evening in a Heuriger.
Day trips from Vienna
- Wachau ValleyA Danube wine valley with abbeys and castles, about 1 hour 15 minutes by train and boat.
- BratislavaThe Slovak capital, about an hour by train.
Vienna: questions people ask
How many days do you need in Vienna?
Three days cover the main sights. Five adds museums and a trip to the Wachau.
Where should I stay in Vienna?
The Innere Stadt for sights and Neubau for shops and cafes.
Is Vienna expensive?
Moderate to pricey, though public transport and standing tickets for concerts are cheap.
What is the best time to visit Vienna?
April to June, September and December for the Christmas markets.
Is Vienna easy to get around?
Yes. The U-Bahn and trams are quick, and the center is compact.