How to Spend 24 Hours in Vienna
A city famed for its Imperial palace, coffeehouse culture, and classical music, Vienna, Austria is a city filled with pristine architecture and beauty around every corner. If you’ll be passing through Vienna or have the chance to stop only for a short while, this guide is for you! Having been to the capital city of Austria twice now, I hope to give you some insight and guidance for a short stay in Vienna.
The first time I traveled to Vienna was in 2001 so, life was quite different back then. No Airbnb, Uber, or smartphones. (Pro tip: Uber is available in Vienna today.) I was there for a few days and decided to revisit Vienna again now that I’m a bit older and living abroad.
A major reason for this was because I just didn’t love Vienna on my first visit there. I know, I’m probably one of the only people to ever say that. I spent a lot of time in Austria and found that the smaller cities, such as Innsbruck and Salzburg, completely captured my heart. The Alps, the
Follow along below as I share what I loved, what I didn’t, and my top tips for a short Viennese vacation. At the very bottom, you will find a custom map I’ve created with each of these locations that you can save and open in Google (Simply click the star icon on the top of the map).
How to Get There
I traveled to Vienna by plane from Berlin and then ended up taking the train from Vienna to Prague when I left. Once you get to the airport in Vienna, the city center is about 20 km (12.5 miles) away. I found that the best option if you’re traveling into the city center is to take the CAT (City Airport Train) which will get you there in 16 minutes, without any stops, and with free WiFi. Tickets are €12 one-way or €11 if you book in advance here.
There are self-service kiosks to buy your own ticket or you can ask an agent to help you, which is what we did. He also helped us purchase a 24-hour Vienna ticket which is valid on all public transport services in Vienna. I definitely recommend buying one if you’ll only have 24-hours in Vienna and want to get around quickly and with ease.
What to Do
Depending on which attractions you’re planning to visit, you may want to consider buying a Vienna Pass which will give you free admission to many attractions, skip-the-line entry, and unlimited hop-on-hop-off bus rides.
Visit a Viennese Coffeehouse
You could say that the Viennese coffee scene is a lifestyle, an art form that’s been perfected in the Austrian capital. One does not go to a Viennese coffeehouse simply to get a coffee. One goes to experience the charming ambiance that makes these historic establishments so well-known today. An integral part of Vienna’s culture, Viennese coffee houses were included on UNESCO’s ‘National Agency for the Intangible Cultural Heritage,’ being described as a place where ‘time and place are consumed but only the coffee is found on the bill’.
24 hours is not nearly enough time to explore the coffee house scene but try to stop into one or two if possible! I tried two different coffeehouses. The first was Café Hawelka. As one of the most well-known in Vienna, I, unfortunately, found it to be far too crowded and the service was rude/condescending. As a customer, I felt rushed in and rushed out and because
However, the second cafe, Demel (pictured
Pro Tip: Arrive at Demel when they open. Due to its popularity, this cafe will fill up quickly but when we arrived, it was just us and a local man sipping on his melange and reading the newspaper. Truly the best way to experience something so legendary.
You also have the chance to watch as some of the beautiful cakes and pastries are prepared and decorated behind glass. A special treat indeed!
St. Peter’s Catholic Church
A Baroque Roman Catholic dating back to 1701, this is one of my favorite views in Vienna. The church sits nestled on Petersplatz in the middle of several streets as horse-drawn carriages make their way along the corridor. If the sound of horses trotting through the streets doesn’t take you back in time, then I don’t know
Be sure to take a step inside to see the elaborate and ornate interior that was typical of that time, complete with gold stucco and beautiful frescoes inside the turreted dome.
St. Stephen’s Cathedral
From its foundation in the 12th-century until today, St. Stephen’s Cathedral has been the spiritual center and focal point of Vienna. Your eyes will immediately spot the Gothic South Tower which was completed in 1433. This is the church where Joseph Haydn sang as a choir boy, and in which Mozart was married in 1782! If you have time, you can climb the 343 steps of a spiral staircase to the top for a picturesque view over Vienna.
Treat Yourself to Sachertorte
Vienna’s most beloved cake is a chocolate sponge cake covered in chocolate icing and filled with a layer or two of apricot jam. It was invented by Franz Sacher in 1832 and there are many great debates about who has the best
Schönbrunn Palace
Once the summer residence of the Habsburg rulers and built to rival Versailles, Schönbrunn Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the most stunning Baroque complexes in the world. The 1,441-room palace is one of the most important architectural, cultural, and historical monuments in all of Austria.
Though just outside of central Vienna, Schönbrunn is easily accessible by public transportation and I’d say it’s a must-see! Be sure to wander around the luxurious gardens.
Consider booking the Schonbrunn Palace & Gardens Skip-the-Line Guided Tour since you might be short on time.
Related Reading: A Charming Day Trip to Potsdam, Germany
The Hofburg
Dating back to the year 1279, The Hofburg is the former principal Imperial Palace of the Habsburg dynasty rulers. Today, it is used as the official seat of the Austrian Federal President.
Originally a medieval fortified castle, the Hofburg was extended by each emperor. Counting 18 wings and 2,600 rooms and halls, the area is much larger than it appears to be from the outside,
Even if you don’t have time to take an official tour of the interior, this is a beautiful area to walk around and bask in the ornate Baroque architecture of the Hofburg. Please be advised that people start lining up for tours early in the morning! I toured the Hofburg back in 2001 but since then, the Sisi Museum at the Imperial Palace has opened and I have heard such lovely things about this museum which is dedicated to the life and story of Empress Elisabeth.
Enjoy a Classical Concert
There’s truly no better place to experience an evening of classical music than in Vienna! As a lover of classical music (you can listen to my popular ‘Classical Concentration’ playlist here), I had the pleasure of attending a classical concert during my first visit to Vienna and it’s something that I will never forget. You have quite a few different venue options.
Experience one of the best-known performances of classic Viennese music with a Mozart & Strauss concert at the Kursalon, where Strauss directed his orchestra.
Or, if you’re in the mood for a formal black-tie affair, the Vienna Mozart Orchestra at the Golden Hall cannot be missed.
Ringstrasse
When you’re short on time, a great way to get acquainted with the city and see some of Vienna’s finest sights is to take a walk or bike ride, or even a tram, along the Ringstrasse.
The Ringstrasse is part of the World Cultural Heritage Site that is the historical center of Vienna.
Where to Stay
The central 1st District, known as the Innere Stadt, is Vienna’s old town. The Ringstrasse encircles this area, making it well-connected and quite walkable. I would recommend staying in this area, especially if your time in Vienna is limited as this will maximize how much you can see and do.
The Hotel Topazz & Lumée or the Hotel Astoria are both wonderful options if you’re looking to stay in a central part of Vienna.
Though I still didn’t feel a strong connection with Vienna, there’s no doubt that you’ll have an endless amount of things to experience during your time in the Austrian capital. If you’ll only be there for 24 hours, you won’t be able to see it all but you’ll have plenty to choose from.
If you’d like to follow along on my journey living abroad and traveling around Europe, find me on Instagram @ChelseaDinen and say hi as I’d love to connect with you!
