Insiders' Guide: One day in Vienna
Rich in history, royalty, architecture and art, we ideally recommend spending around 3 days in Vienna to be able to visit everything. However, if you only have one day, you can still follow this guide to see the most of the Austrian capital.
Firstly, you can get the Vienna Pass which gives you access to over 60 attractions and unlimited rides on the hop-on-hop-off bus. Once you get the pass and have settled your way of transportation, you can start your journey of exploration.
1- Breakfast at Café Demel
You can have a traditional Viennese breakfast and a delicious piece of cake at one of the oldest patisseries in Vienna. Make sure to also get a melange, Vienna's traditional espresso with steamed milk, topped with foam.
Photo credit: @demel_wien
Photo credit: Demel.com
2- Visit Hofburg Wien
5 mins walk from Café Demel lies the Hofburg Palace, famous for showcasing many different architectural styles, from Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Classicism, and more. You will spend about two to three hours in the palace thus we suggest going earliest. Discover the inside and outside and get enchanted by the luxury, royalty, and history of the place.
Photo credit: VoloGratis
Photo credit: Vienna Pass
On the way to the palace, you will be passing through the inner city, a pedestrian zone with lots of flagship stores, antiques, jewelry and art stores. We suggest roaming around the stores as you will come across some unique gems.
3- Learn about Sisi's fashion and beauty routine
Inside the palace are many museums you can go to but our favorite is Sisi Museum. Sisi is the name of Elisabeth the Empress of Austria. She was known as an empress of eternal youthfulness and beauty. The museum highlights the myths and realities of Sisi, showcasing her personal objects, portraits, fashion and beauty.
A fun fact about Sisi is that she believed in natural beauty and tend to turn to unusual remedies. To preserve her beauty, she would never use any cosmetics or fragrances. Sisi would also spend about 2-3 hours daily to take care of her hair, which was typically washed with eggs and cognac. The Sisi museum will take you into her life, exploring how the empress used to live and take care of herself.
Photo credit: Wein.info
4- Lunch at The Palmenhaus
In the same inner-city area, you can lunch at Vienna's world-famous botanical hothouse, overlooking the Burggarten gardens. The food is a mix between Austrian and Mediterranean cuisine with a selection of wines, mixed cocktails, and delicious desserts.
Photo credit: Arrival Guides
5- Hop on the bus and decide your next attraction
After lunch, hop on the bus where you will pass by two historical complexes, Karlskirche and Belvedere. The first is a baroque 18th-century church with a panoramic view to see the dome paintings and a view across the city. At the church, you will enjoy contemporary art and classical music. On the other hand, Belvedere consists of two palaces home to Austria's most valuable art pieces.
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
Photo credit: HiSoUR
6- Admire the Hundertwasser house
Hope back on the bus and proceed to Hundertwasserhaus district where you will see the Hundertwasser house. It is the most unusual resident in Vienna, the architect used bold colors and different patterns, making it seem like a real drawing and not a building. The lack of straight lines and sharp corners are Hundertwasser's way of expressing individuality and rebellious characteristic.
If you're interested further in architecture and furniture, you can continue to the Hundertwasser Museum a couple of blocks away or continue to the next attraction.
Photo credit: Flickr
7- Dinner and drinks in Schwedenplatz
Dine at Pramerl & the Wolf, a Michelin star restaurant located in Schwedenplatz district, central Vienna. You get to choose between a small or large taster menu and get a delicious and surprising combination of meals beautifully represented. Make sure to book before as it can get busy.
Photo credit: The Fork