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Austria

Vienna

Historic cafés, imperial palaces and an evening of classical music

A city to explore on foot and savour slowly: breakfasts in historic cafés, palaces and museums in the morning, schnitzel and goulash in the evening. Here are the areas we chose: pick the ones that inspire you and give each as much time as you like.

Budget
★★★★★PriceyVienna is pricey: palace tickets and dinners add up, but cafés and street food help you save.
Suggested length
3 days
Getting around
On foot and by metro
When we went
In autumn
Map with the places of the itinerary
  • To see
  • Lunch and dinner
  • Breakfast and sweets

Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors

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Mission Vienna

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Your trip 0/22

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3-day itinerary

An idea for a route, not an obligation: change the order, skip stops, stay where you like.

  1. 1Day 1The imperial centre

    Morning

    Afternoon

    Evening

  2. 2Day 2Schönbrunn and an evening of music

    Morning

    Afternoon

    • Lunch on site.
    • Free time and back to freshen up.

    Evening

  3. 3Day 3Belvedere and the Prater

    Morning

    Afternoon

    Evening

What to see

5 areas to explore.

1AREA 1 / 5

The imperial centre

Palaces, churches and lanes: the historic heart is made for walking.

  • A nineteenth-century crinoline evening gown on display in the Sisi MuseumOne of the empress's gowns at the Sisi Museum.Hofburg and the Sisi Museum: the Habsburg palace and the empress's life. Allow about 3 hours; entry about €16.
  • The Stephansdom seen from below, with its spire and mosaic roofThe Stephansdom, looking up.Stephansdom, St Stephen's Cathedral: free entry.
  • The entrance of MozarthausAt the door of Mozart's House.Mozart's House: the house where the composer lived.
  • The Peterskirche with its green dome and horse carriages in the foregroundThe Peterskirche, with the carriages.St Peter's Church: baroque, small and theatrical.
  • A carriage drawn by white horses in front of a large historic buildingA horse-drawn carriage in the centre.A stroll through the parks of the centre between visits.

2AREA 2 / 5

Schönbrunn

The Habsburgs' summer palace: it needs half a day, or more.

  • A couple's selfie in a baroque hall with a frescoed ceilingA selfie among stucco and frescoes.A couple's mirror selfie in a palace room with a large chandelierIn the mirror, under the chandelier.A historic building with statues and a balustrade, with a person leaning outSomeone on the balcony.Schönbrunn Palace and its gardens: entry about €20, about 5 hours to see it unhurried. You can have lunch on site.

3AREA 3 / 5

Belvedere and Hundertwasser

A baroque palace with Klimt's paintings and a house like no other.

  • The Upper Belvedere seen from the garden, with a person on the lawnThe Upper Belvedere from the garden.Klimt's The Kiss on display in the museumKlimt's The Kiss.Upper Belvedere: a baroque palace with gardens and works by Klimt. Entry about €20.
  • A person in front of the Hundertwasserhaus, Vienna's colourful houseThe Hundertwasserhaus, all colour and crooked lines.Hundertwasserhaus: the colourful, irregular house, best seen from outside.

4AREA 4 / 5

Prater and the Ferris wheel

The amusement park, for a lighter afternoon.

  • A stroll in the Prater, the city's big park.
  • A paper cone of chips with the Prater Ferris wheel behind itChips with a view of the wheel.The Prater at night seen from above, with coloured lights and the Ferris wheel in the distanceThe Prater at night, from the Ferris wheel.A ride on the Ferris wheel, a symbol of Vienna.

5AREA 5 / 5

An evening of music

In Vienna classical music is heard live.

  • The golden hall of the MusikvereinInside the Musikverein hall.A concert at the Musikverein, one of the most celebrated halls for classical music. Book ahead and eat beforehand.

Where to eat

3 areas with places to try.

1AREA 1 / 3

Cafés and sweets

In Vienna the café is a ritual: you sit down and take your time.

A glass with cream and chocolate and a Mozart ball on the spoonCream, chocolate and a Mozart ball on the spoon.
  • Café Landtmann: cappuccino and apple strudel, opposite the town hall.
  • A slice of strudel with cream in a historic caféStrudel with cream, among columns and paintings.The entrance of Café CentralThe entrance of Café Central.The Kaiserschmarrn, a shredded sweet pancake, with compote on the sideThe Kaiserschmarrn with compote on the side.Café Central: the Kaiserschmarrn, a shredded sweet pancake, served with plum compote on the side.
  • A slice of Sachertorte with cream at Café SacherThe Sachertorte at Café Sacher.Café Sacher: the Sachertorte, the city's emblematic cake.
  • Demel: a historic pastry shop, for breakfast or a sweet treat.
  • L'Amour du Pain: for a quicker breakfast.

2AREA 2 / 3

Eating the Viennese way

Schnitzel, goulash and tavern dishes, without fuss.

  • The Viennese schnitzel at Figlmüller, bigger than the plateThe schnitzel at Figlmüller, bigger than the plate.Figlmüller: the schnitzel with potatoes, the city's most famous. Booking is wise.
  • A plate of goulash with a sideThe goulash.Ilona Stüberl: goulash in a cosy little place.
  • Gasthaus Pöschl: soup with strips of pancake and Käsespätzle, cheese dumplings.
  • A stall of colourful fruit and vegetables at the NaschmarktThe Naschmarkt, among fruit and vegetables.Tubs of hummus and colourful dips at the Naschmarkt, with prices per 100 gHummus and dips, sold by weight.Naschmarkt: the big market with stalls of fruit, spices and tastings, for a snack or a curious stroll.
  • A giant cheese pretzel eaten in a parkThe pretzel for a quick lunch.Two Viennese hot dogs with the Stephansdom in the backgroundHot dogs with a view of the Stephansdom.A quick lunch: Viennese hot dog and pretzel at Zum Goldenen Würstel or Bitzinger.

3AREA 3 / 3

Prater and the Ferris wheel

  • The Rollercoaster Restaurant with neon-lit railsThe rails of the Rollercoaster Restaurant.Rollercoaster Restaurant: the food reaches your table on a little roller coaster. More fun than refined.

Good to know

  • From the airport to the centre: REX7 or S7 train, about €4.50.
  • The centre is walkable; the metro is needed for Schönbrunn and the Prater.
  • Times, prices and opening hours are indicative: please check before you go.

Got room in your suitcase?

Here is what I would pack.

  • Mozart balls The round chocolates (Mozartkugel) with pistachio and marzipan: the most classic souvenir and easy to carry in a suitcase.
  • Original Sachertorte At Café Sacher it is sold in a wooden box, ready to give as a gift.
  • Sweets from Demel Demel: chocolates and sweets in elegant boxes.
  • Manner The hazelnut wafers in the pink pack: found in supermarkets, cheap and weightless.
  • A bit of Klimt Magnets, postcards and prints of The Kiss in museum shops, like the one at the Belvedere.
  • Sisi keepsakes Books and items about the empress in the shops of the Hofburg and Schönbrunn.

Prices and availability are indicative.