From dawn to dusk: Things to do in Vienna in one day

Straddling the graceful River Danube, Vienna is known and loved for its history, architecture, and musical heritage. With so much to explore, it’s little wonder the Austrian capital attracts over 8 million visitors a year.   

If you only have one day in Vienna, what to do with it will involve careful thought. You may even be experiencing some fear of missing out at the prospect of such a streamlined visit!  

Rest assured; you can pack a lot into a one-day itinerary in Vienna. All it takes is some forward planning, a few advance bookings and some very comfortable shoes! 

To kick-start your busy day in Vienna, you’re going to need to fuel up. Luckily, this city is famous for its coffee houses – with hundreds to choose from.  

For a quick hit of caffeine on the go, we recommend the pretty Fenster Café. This little hole-in-the-wall coffee stall serves aromatic shots of coffee from chocolate-dipped cones.  

Now, on to the first of the essential places to see in Vienna in one day. With its opulent interiors, majestic gardens and richly layered history, Schönbrunn Palace is the star attraction of any Vienna stay. This 1,441-room baroque treasure is well worth the 15-minute subway ride out of the town.  

We’d recommend booking a tour in advance and arriving early so you can be front of the line when the palace opens at 8am. This will help you avoid the crowds and snap a few pictures.  

Set aside at least two hours to explore this UNESCO World Heritage site. Prepare to be dazzled by the beautiful murals, sparkling chandeliers and ornate frescoes as you explore the private apartments of former Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth.  

Don’t leave without a walk through the gardens, where you’ll find fountains, flower beds and even some reproduction Roman ruins.  

When you get back to the city centre, you can tick off several landmarks by strolling its main boulevards. The gothic cathedral of St Stephen’s is a central spot where you can get your bearings. It’s the tallest church in Austria, so you can’t miss it. 

Head south from here and take in some of the impressive architecture that lines the Kärntner Straße, including Vienna State Opera House. From graceful statues and sweeping streets to genteel parks and baroque buildings, in this neighborhood majestic sights lay in wait around every street corner. Luxury stores like Swarovski, Chanel and BOSS line the street so you can indulge in some shopping en-route.  

Look out for the facade of Café Sacher – the perfect spot to tuck into a slice of the Original Sacher-Torte. This iconic chocolate dessert represents a true slice of Vienna history. Enjoy it with a generous dollop of cream and a coffee – the perfect pit-stop! 

If you’re eager to fit in another historic highlight, the sprawling 700-year-old Hofburg Imperial Palace is right in the centre of the city. The palace complex comprises the president’s official residence, as well as museums, the Spanish riding school and the Austrian National Library.  

You could easily spend a full day exploring its 18 buildings. If you have to pick just one, visit the Sisi museum, which charts the life of the former Habsburg Empress in the breathtaking surroundings of her former apartments.  

After feasting your eyes on all this culture (and racking up a healthy step count) your stomach might be grumbling. Happily, Vienna food is all about comfort and carbs. Wiener schnitzel is an Austrian national dish consisting of a thin veal cutlet in a breaded coating, deep fried to a satisfying crunch. Often, it’s served with a side of potato salad or fries. You’ll find it everywhere, from chain restaurants and family-owned eateries to hipster havens and opulent dining rooms. There’s no shortage of places to tuck into this traditional Austrian food in the city.  

Vienna is the birthplace of the waltz, the epicentre of the classical world and often referred to as the world capital of music. Our city has variously been called home by composers including Strauss, Beethoven, Mozart and Haydn. It would be remiss, then, not to make a musical experience part of your things to do in Vienna in one day.    

Every evening in the city, you can hear classical masterpieces chiming out from venues like St Peter’s Church, St Anne’s Church and St Stephen’s Cathedral and Vienna’s many concert halls. In summer, there are also free open-air concerts in parks and outdoor arenas – so it pays to do a little research before your trip to tee up your visit with a performance.  

If you prefer to delve deeper into the story of music in Vienna, you can learn about the city’s musical legacy at the Haus der Musik. This interactive sound museum set over five floors of a historic palace is open until 10pm most evenings. Here, you can try your hand at conducting the Vienna Philharmonic orchestra, learn about the fine art of composition or simply pick up an instrument and jam.   

Known as ‘the world’s most beautiful boulevard’, the Ringstrasse surrounds the city’s Imperial Palace and the old city of Vienna. First constructed in the mid-19th century, this street covers a lot: museums, the State Opera, Parliament, City Hall and the University, and a tapestry of architectural styles including Renaissance, Baroque and neo-Gothic.   

Many of Vienna’s most spectacular parks, buildings and city squares can be admired from outside without paying a penny.  

The uplifting grounds and gardens of Schönbrunn Palace, for example, are free to explore, and the perfect setting for a picnic or relaxing with a good book in fine weather. So are the rose-scented surroundings of the Volksgarten in the city centre and the Burggarten, behind the Hofburg.  

Many of the churches in and around Vienna offer free entry to visitors, like the ornate interior of St Peter’s Church. A lot of them host classical concerts – just look out for the flyers posted on their doors for performance times. 

The ultimate highlight of any trip to Vienna is dressing up for a night at the opera. There are several opera venues in the city, but none more iconic than the sumptuous State Opera House, where you can experience world-class performances of productions like The Magic Flute, Tosca and La Traviata. It’s worth noting that shows sell out fast, so you’ll need to book well in advance to secure your seats.

We’d always recommend preparing for your day in Vienna by booking a table for lunch and dinner before you get here. The iconic Café Sacher tends to fill up, so secure your spot by reserving to make those Sacher-Torte tasting dreams a reality.  

Similarly, if you’re planning to sample traditional Austrian dishes in Restaurant Rote or tuck into the fabulous tasting menu in Restaurant Grüne, book ahead, so the only thing that’s left to figure out is what wine to order.