Spend One Day in Vienna: Things to Do in a 24 Hour Visit
Vienna is such a beautiful city, you’ll want to spend much more than a day here!
Still, a lot of people find themselves passing through on a riverboat cruise or moving around cities in this part of Europe. So this guide should help pinpoint a few great spots to experience in the city.
In one day in Vienna, you can visit imperial palaces, historic coffee houses, and world-class concerts. Austria is, after all, the home of Mozart, Strauss, and other greats.
Vienna is walkable, but you can also use public transport (trams, subways) to get around efficiently.
Where to Stay in Vienna
If you’re on a riverboat cruise, skip this part. For others looking for a hotel for a night or two, you can use this interactive map below to plug in your dates to check rates on top sites like Booking, Expedia, Hotels.com, and VRBO:
Day Tours in Vienna
While Vienna is easy to navigate on foot or in cars, you might get more out of your stay by taking tours of different sites (depending on your interests).
These three have perfect 5-star reviews:
➡️ Click to Book: Walking History Tour
Breakfast & Coffee Houses in Vienna
Vienna is famous for its coffee culture, which dates back to the 17th century when the first coffeehouse opened after the Turks left sacks of coffee beans behind during their siege of the city.
Over the centuries, Viennese coffeehouses became social hubs where writers, intellectuals, and artists gathered, shaping their cultural significance.
Cafe Central
Start your day at one of Vienna’s most iconic cafés, Cafe Central. It’s a historic coffeehouse where intellectuals like Sigmund Freud and Trotsky once sat.
Enjoy a Viennese breakfast with one (or more) of the pastries in the glass counter at the entrance.
You can sit down and enjoy the soaring ceilings and stonework, or take your order to go.
- Address: Herrengasse 14, 1010 Wien
- Tip: Arrive early to avoid long lines! Or consider making a reservation.
Spend a Morning in Vienna
From Cafe Central, it’s a quick walk to Volksgarten, a beautifully manicured park that’s perfect for a short stroll.
The Gardens of Volksgarten
The public gardens opened in 1823 and are known for well-manicured landscaping, and stunning rose gardens. Hundreds of varieties of roses grow here.
The park also has notable memorials and monuments, including a replica of an ancient Greek temple.
Austrian Parliament Building
From Volksgarten, continue walking over to the Austrian Parliament complex.
The building’s design is heavily influenced by ancient Greek architecture, symbolizing democracy, with large columns reminiscent of a Greek temple.
- Address: Dr. Karl Renner-Ring 3, 1017 Wien
Lunch in Vienna
When it’s time for lunch, I’d suggest a stop at a large outdoor market with restaurants serving every kind of cuisine you can imagine.
Naschmarkt
Naschmarkt is Vienna’s largest and most famous open-air market. It dates back to the 16th century! My photos are from an evening visit, but it’s open all day.
Since you’re in Austria, sample the local specialties like Wiener schnitzel or goulash, or indulge in international street food from the many stalls.
- Address: 1060 Wien
- Hours: They vary by restaurant, but several are open late-night.
- Sundays: Fewer restaurants are open.
- Saturdays: There’s also a flea market with vendors selling antiques and vintage items.
Pastries at Cafe Demel
If you’re not looking for a large lunch, but rather a smaller snack, consider Demel, a renowned coffee house and pastry shop.
The cake in the window says it all!
- Address: Kohlmarkt 14, 1010 Wien
- Hours: 10:00am – 7:00pm daily
Spend an Afternoon in Vienna
After lunch, let’s head to more of Vienna’s famous landmarks.
Stephen’s Cathedral (Stephansdom)
You’ll find St. Stephen’s in Vienna’s city center, where crowds surround the massive cathedral in awe of the stunning Gothic architecture.
If you’re feeling energetic after lunch, you can climb the 343 steps of the tower for an amazing panoramic view of Vienna.
- Address: Stephansplatz 3, 1010 Wien
- Highlights: In addition to a standard tour and tower climb, you can also visit the catacombs below.
Schönbrunn Palace
This one you’ll have to take public transportation (U4 subway) or a taxi/Uber to. The palace is still in the city, but a bit of a walk if you’re just spending one day in Vienna.
You can tour all 40 rooms, plus the expansive gardens and orangery, which turns into a concert hall at night.
- Address: Schönbrunner Schloßstraße 47, 1130 Wien
- Schönbrunn Zoo: The oldest zoo in the world is here!
Hofburg Palace
If you look at the map and Schönbrunn is too far, consider visiting the Hofburg Palace in the city center.
It was once the winter residence of the Habsburg dynasty. The palace is now the official residence of the Austrian president.
Inside, visitors can explore the Imperial Apartments, the Sisi Museum, and the crown jewels and other royal artifacts.
The Hofburg also includes the renowned Spanish Riding School, where the famous Lipizzaners train and perform.
- Address: Michaelerkuppel, 1010 Wien
- Gardens: You can also stroll around the Burggarten park behind the palace.
Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Art History)
Opened in 1891, Vienna’s art history museum showcased the extensive art collection of the Habsburg dynasty.
The museum is home to masterpieces by artists such as Raphael, Caravaggio, Rembrandt, and Bruegel. It also houses a collection of ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman artifacts.
- Address: Maria-Theresien-Platz, 1010 Wien
Natural History Museum
Across the beautiful gardens from the art museum, you’ll find Austria’s natural history museum.
Opened in 1889, the museum boasts over 30 million specimens and artifacts, spanning disciplines like zoology, mineralogy, paleontology, and anthropology. Its highlights include a world-renowned collection of dinosaur skeletons, and one of the largest meteorite collections in the world.
- Address: Maria-Theresien-Platz, 1010 Wien
Dinner in Vienna
Are you looking for traditional Viennese food or something else? Here are two options.
Figlmüller
No trip to Vienna would be complete without sampling a Wiener schnitzel. Figlmüller is one of Vienna’s most famous schnitzel restaurants, known for its oversized, crispy veal schnitzels. It’s a beloved spot among both locals and tourists, so it’s best to reserve a table in advance.
- Address: Wollzeile 5, 1010 Wien
Pinsatore
Pinsatore is an Italian restaurant, which expands outside when the weather cooperates.
It’s a favorite among locals, who appreciate the value of the pinsas (pizzas) which are made to order. Their 5 Euro glasses of wine and homemade lemonade are also big draws!
- Address: Schleifmühlgasse 21, 1040 Wien
- Hours: Noon to 10:00pm (or later) daily, and closed Sundays
An Evening Concert in Vienna
If you’re a fan of classical music, Vienna offers an amazing selection of concerts in the evening.
Vienna was home to some of history’s greatest composers, including Mozart, Beethoven, and Schubert, who composed many of their masterpieces here. The city has preserved its long-standing tradition of classical music through its world-class venues, such as the Vienna State Opera and Musikverein, where the renowned Vienna Philharmonic performs.
There are many options to choose from, so you’ll always find a seat somewhere. Still, it’s best to book in advance.
Several are geared toward tourists who may not know a whole lot about the classics, but still want to experience this unique part of Austrian culture.
That would be me!
We enjoyed a 25-piece orchestra and opera singers, performing Mozart and Strauss. The concert was inside the Orangery at Schonbrunn Palace:
➡️ Click to Book: Concerts in Vienna
Late Night in Vienna
If you have any energy left at night, there are a few more options to consider to round out your one day in Vienna.
Drinks at a Rooftop Bar
Consider Das Loft Bar & Lounge at the SO/ Vienna hotel, for views of the city skyline.
- Address: Praterstraße 1, 1020 Wien
Stroll the Danube Canal
Enjoy the city sites lit up at night, canalside. If you’re still up for it, stop by one of the many riverside bars for a nightcap.
The Vienna Airport Train
Vienna’s airport is about 12 miles from the center of the city.
The standard taxi fare is about 50 Euros, though sometimes Uber is less.
It’s cheaper and even faster to use Vienna’s airport train to get to the city.
The “CAT” stands for “City Airport Train,” and it’s one of the most efficient airport trains I’ve used anywhere in the world.
After landing, bright green signs will lead you to ticket kiosks and eventually the train platform.
- Travel Time: 20 minutes
- Cost: 15 Euros (each way)
The drawback is: the Vienna Airport’s CAT train only runs twice an hour, so you might find yourself waiting a while on the platform.
The Best Time to Spend One Day in Vienna
For most of Europe, I love visiting in early June, later August, or September.
Spring in Vienna
- Early spring is chilly, with snow possible in March and rainy days in April.
- Late spring is mild and pleasant, with temperatures rising and the city’s parks greening-up and blooming.
Summer in Vienna
- Early summer is warm, and crowds don’t start growing until late June. Temperatures rise into the 90s in July.
Autumn in Vienna
- Early autumn can still be hot, with temperatures in September still in the 80s.
- Temperatures cool by October, and fall foliage becomes a draw.
Winter in Vienna
- Winter in Vienna is cold, with temperatures in the 20s, 30s, and 40s. Snow is common, especially in late December.
- Several Christmas-related festivities bring Vienna to life!
One Day in Vienna: Additional Advice
- Transportation: Vienna has an excellent public transportation system, including the U-Bahn (subway), trams, and buses. Consider purchasing a Vienna Card for unlimited travel and discounts on attractions.
- Language: While German is the official language, English is widely spoken in tourist areas.
- Currency: Austria uses the Euro.
While one day in Vienna isn’t nearly enough, hopefully this guide will help you figure out your itinerary for your visit!
Also, if you’re in the region for longer, I’d recommend day trips to both Bratislava and the Wachau Valley!
