Things to Visit in Vienna: Imperial Palaces and Cafés
Experience Vienna's imperial grandeur from Schönbrunn Palace to legendary coffee houses. Covers palaces, museums, the opera, Naschmarkt food scene, and the Prater.
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Imperial Palaces and Residences
Tour Schönbrunn Palace and gardens
The Grand Tour ticket (40 rooms) takes about 90 minutes and costs around €29. Arrive before 9:30 AM to avoid tour bus crowds that peak between 10 AM and 2 PM.
Walk through the Great Parterre gardens
Climb to the Gloriette hilltop for city views
Explore the Hofburg Imperial Palace
The Sisi Museum, Imperial Apartments, and Silver Collection are bundled in one ticket for about €18. Budget 2-3 hours for all three sections.
See the Imperial Silver Collection
Watch the Spanish Riding School Lipizzaners
Visit Belvedere Palace
The Upper Belvedere houses Gustav Klimt's The Kiss — one of the most recognized paintings in the world. Entry is around €17, and the gallery rarely needs more than 90 minutes.
See Klimt's The Kiss in the Upper Belvedere
Stroll through the formal Baroque gardens
Historic Landmarks and Churches
Visit St. Stephen's Cathedral
Climb the 343 steps of the South Tower for a panoramic view of Vienna's rooftops. The North Tower has an elevator and houses the Pummerin bell, weighing over 20 tonnes.
Climb the South Tower for rooftop views
Explore the catacombs beneath the cathedral
Walk the Ringstrasse boulevard
This 5.3 km circular road passes nearly every major civic building in Vienna. Riding tram lines 1 or 2 covers the full loop in about 30 minutes if walking feels too far.
See the Austrian Parliament Building
Visit Karlskirche (St. Charles's Church)
For about €9.50, take a panoramic lift inside the dome to see the ceiling frescoes at arm's length — a genuinely unusual experience you won't find in most European churches.
Museums and Cultural Attractions
Spend a day at the MuseumsQuartier
This complex holds major museums in converted imperial stables. The Leopold Museum (Egon Schiele collection) and MUMOK (modern art) are the two standouts. A combo ticket saves about 25% over individual entry.
Visit the Leopold Museum for Schiele and Klimt
Check out MUMOK for contemporary art
Tour the Kunsthistorisches Museum
One of the world's great art museums, with works by Vermeer, Raphael, and Bruegel. The Bruegel room alone — housing 12 paintings — draws specialists from around the world. Allow at least 3 hours.
Visit the Albertina museum
Houses one of the largest print collections on earth, with over 1 million works including Dürer's famous Young Hare. Rotating exhibitions change every 3-4 months.
Attend a performance at the Vienna State Opera
Standing room tickets go on sale 80 minutes before curtain for just €4-15. Arrive 2 hours early on popular nights to secure a spot near the front of the queue.
Coffee Houses and Culinary Experiences
Have Sachertorte at a traditional coffee house
The original recipe dates back to 1832 and two famous cafés across the street from each other both claim the authentic version. A slice with coffee runs about €12-15 at either spot.
Linger in a classic Viennese coffee house
Order a Melange (Vienna's cappuccino) and sit as long as you like — lingering is expected, not rushed. Café Central and Café Sperl both date back to the 1800s and still feel like stepping into a different century.
Browse and eat at the Naschmarkt
Vienna's oldest market stretches about 1.5 km with over 120 stalls selling produce, spices, cheese, and prepared food. Visit on Saturday mornings when the flea market extends the western end.
Try local cheeses and cured meats
Sample Middle Eastern and Asian street food stalls
Try a Wiener Schnitzel at a traditional Beisl
A proper Wiener Schnitzel is made with veal, pounded thin, and should hang over the edges of the plate. Expect to pay €16-22 at a good neighborhood Beisl (traditional Viennese tavern).
Sample Austrian wines at a Heuriger
These wine taverns in the vineyard districts of Grinzing and Neustift serve the current year's vintage alongside cold buffet platters. Take tram D to the end of the line to reach several within walking distance.
Parks and Leisure
Ride the Giant Ferris Wheel at the Prater
Built in 1897, the Riesenrad stands 65 meters tall and takes about 15 minutes per rotation. The views are best at sunset. The surrounding Prater amusement park is free to enter.
Walk through the Prater amusement park
Jog or cycle the 4.4 km Hauptallee tree-lined avenue
Relax in the Volksgarten rose garden
Walk along the Donaukanal
The canal banks are covered in street art and lined with pop-up bars from May through September. A 75-minute sightseeing cruise on the main Danube costs around €25.
Visit the Zentralfriedhof (Central Cemetery)
Beethoven, Brahms, Schubert, Strauss, and a Mozart memorial are all in Section 32A. The cemetery covers 2.5 square kilometers — pick up a map at the entrance gate.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need in Vienna?
Three to four full days covers the highlights including imperial palaces and residences, historic landmarks and churches, museums and cultural attractions at a relaxed pace. Five or more days lets you dig into local neighborhoods and take day trips. Most first-time visitors find four days strikes the right balance between seeing enough and not feeling exhausted.
What is the best time of year to visit Vienna?
Spring and early autumn typically offer the best weather with manageable crowds. Summer brings peak tourism pricing and longer queues at popular spots. Shoulder season travel saves 20-30% on accommodation and gives you shorter lines at top attractions.
How much should I budget per day in Vienna?
A mid-range daily budget of $100-180 per person covers a comfortable hotel, two restaurant meals, and attraction tickets. Street food and local markets cut food costs significantly. Pre-booking tickets for popular sites online often saves 10-15% and lets you skip long queues.
What is the best way to get around Vienna?
Public transit handles most tourist routes efficiently and cheaply. Walking between central attractions is often faster than waiting for buses or trains during peak hours. Multi-day transit passes pay for themselves after 3-4 rides per day and remove the hassle of buying individual tickets.
Do I need to book attractions in advance in Vienna?
Top-tier attractions and museums frequently sell out during peak season so book 2-4 weeks ahead for guaranteed entry. Lesser-known sites and neighborhoods rarely require advance tickets. Morning time slots (before 10:00) are the most popular; afternoon slots after 14:00 often have shorter waits.