I was too young to appreciate Vienna’s charm the first time I visited, despite how fortunate I was to be visiting all the way from Australia. The stately architecture, high culture, and imperial nostalgia were all lost on me. But I remedied that missed opportunity when I visited again as an adult—and many times over as I became a frequent visitor.
Finding things to do in Vienna is never going to be a challenge. There’s no end to the city’s palaces, museums, and seasonal markets. This itinerary will help you narrow the options down and see the best of the city in a short amount of time.
Summers in Vienna can be deceptively humid and draining, so bring a water bottle and plan for breaks.
If you only have time for one thing, make it Schönbrunn Palace and its gardens.
Start your trip in Vienna’s historic center, home to many of the city’s main attractions. Join a walking tour to get your bearings and see highlights like St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Graben pedestrian street, and Hofburg Palace.
In the afternoon, visit a museum or two to learn more about Vienna’s history and culture. Admire lavish jewelry and royal crowns at the Imperial Treasury or the vast collections of art at the Kunsthistorisches Museum.
Thanks to its longstanding imperial history, Vienna boasts several monumental palaces. Hop aboard the D tram to reach Belvedere Palace, home to ornate gardens and a laudable art collection.
After a break in one of Vienna’s famed coffee houses, take the U4 metro line out to Schönbrunn Palace. Take a tour of the palace’s extravagant state rooms and private apartments and stroll through its public and private gardens.
Spend the evening enjoying a classical music concert inside an elegant venue like the Musikverein, Kursalon, or St. Charles Church.
Start the day by learning more about Vienna’s food scene and visiting one of its markets, such as Naschmarkt, on a tour. Then, see a different side of the city’s architecture by taking the 1 tram out to Hundertwasser Village—a quirky and colorful building designed in the ‘90s.
Vienna loves its parks and there’s none greater than the Prater. Walk across the river and along the park’s walking trails until you reach the Prater Amusement Park, home to Vienna’s iconic Ferris wheel as well as other fairground activities.