With its beautiful architecture and historic charm, Vienna - the Austrian Capital - is sure to steal your heart. The home of the renowned Mozart, Strass and Haydn, Vienna is a culture lover’s playground and a visit is a must.
1 day in Vienna | The Must Do’s
Wake up early, beat the crowds and kick off the day right in the heart of this incredible city. The iconic St. Stephen’s Cathedral, with its standout multi-coloured roof and intricate architectural design, was completed in the early 16th Century. The cathedral is free to enter and visitors are able to marvel at the gorgeous high interior. Don’t forget to take some time to visit the towers and take in the breath-taking views. The North tower stands tall at 68m while the South tower, with its blood pumping 343 steps, is a whopping 136m high. After your early morning exploring – and cardio work out if you’ve headed up the towers – a well-deserved spot of brunch is on the cards to fuel the rest of your day. Head over to L. Heiner K.u.K. Hofzuckerbacker, a café that’s within walking distance of the cathedral, and fill up Austrian favourites such as eggs, bread and cereals….just make sure you leave some room for a delicious apple strudel. Next, get ready for an adventure at Time Travel Vienna. During this 50-minute part-guided tour, you’ll delve straight into the fascinating history of the Austrian capital as well as enjoying animated mannequins, a super fun 5D cinema ride and knowledgeable guides who are there to answer any questions you may have. Open from 10am until 8pm daily, the last tour starts at 7pm and the tours operate whatever the weather.
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Once you’re all done at Time Travel, head over the Hofburg Palace. A must see when visiting Vienna, the palace was the political centre of the monarchy until 1918. Today, it fulfils the same role for the democratic Republic of Austria. Visitors can soak in the rich history of the palace by taking one of the 60-minute guided tours through the Sisi Museum and the Imperial Apartments, offered daily. This evening, head to Fabios for dinner. The restaurant’s menu features a modern, creative twist on some much-loved Mediterranean classics in addition to the traditional mouth-watering Austrian fare. After dinner, Jazzland is the place to be for a night of music, dancing and an all-round good time. Jazzland, founded in 1972 by Axel Melhardt, is Vienna’s oldest jazz club. With appearances and performances from both international stars and established Austrian musicians, Jazzland is a must-do.
If you have more time | local experiences
Start of day 2 with a visit to the Natural History Museum. Opened in 1889, the museum is home to a whole load of magnificent sculptures and will fill your mind with curiosity. The museum building is an attraction in itself, with its palace style exterior and impressive grounds. Directly across from the Natural History Museum is the Kunsthistoriche Museum, also known as the Art History Museum. The museum opened in 1891 and was originally built to house the Habsburg collection.
If you’re still after a little more of an art and history fix, head over to the Schönbrunn Palace. A UNESCO world heritage site, the palace features over 1,400 rooms, botanical gardens spanning over hundreds of acres and a number of guided tours so you can truly appreciate the palace in its entirety. The palace has witnessed some major events over time, including the first concert that the great Mozart played when he was just six years old. Once you’ve finished exploring the palace’s extensive interiors, make sure you pay a visit to the Princes Gardens, the Glorietta and the famous Schönbrunn Zoo. As your visit to the place is likely to take a few hours or so, grab some lunch in one of the several cafes and restaurants on site.
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After all of the day’s exploring, relax in one of the nearby bars for a drink or two. Connolly’s features a cosy exposed brick interior and serves up some of the nicest cocktails in the city, or If you prefer, a delicious local Austrian beer. For dinner this evening, head over to Palmenhaus. Built in the 19th Century, the building was originally intended to be used as summer greenhouse for the emperor at the time. An Instagrammer’s dream, the now-restaurant is an exotic greenhouse that’s home to an array of botanical delights. With a menu full of traditional Austrian cuisine, it’s a favourite with both locals and tourists alike.
Finish off your day with a ride on the Wiener Riesenrad (or the giant ferris wheel) and take in some of the most beautiful views of the city. Jump on the metro and head to the Prater Amusement Park, where the wheel is situated. Originally built in 1897, the ferris wheel takes about 20 minutes to do a full rotation and if you time it right, you’ll get to witness some incredible skyline views at sunset.
