Vienna holds a classical charm like no other city in Europe. On top of its long standing musical traditions, it boasts a number of imperial palaces, beautifully designed pieces of architecture, and has a flourishing modern scene. It’s definitely a city that perfectly blends the old with the new and you won’t get bored spending one week in Vienna.
The Austrian capital is in a great location to do day trips from too. If you have time, I’d recommend hopping over the border to Bratislava, which is only an hour by train and the tickets are very budget friendly. A few years ago I stayed in Bratislava and did a day trip to Vienna, which is another option if you’re not planning on spending one week in Vienna.
Whether you’re a lover of classical music, a foodie, a history enthusiast, or just love to immerse yourself in different cultures, Vienna has it all and is the perfect location to visit during a trip to Europe.
Getting to Vienna
If you’re arriving to Vienna via train, Wien Hauptbahnhof is the main station. From here, you’re only a short tram or metro ride away from the very centre of the city. I found that Google Maps was very accurate with all the public transportation times, so there’s no need to download any extra apps.
If you’re arriving by plane, this is also the station you will get the train to. At the airport there are lots of signs pointing you towards the train station, and you can purchase your tickets either in the terminal or at the station itself. The train takes around 15 minutes to get to Wien Hauptbahnhof, which is quicker than a taxi (and a lot cheaper).
How to explore Vienna
There are many fantastic things to see in Vienna, as well as plenty of unique events in Vienna to add to your itinerary. The best and cheapest way to get around is by purchasing the Vienna City Card which allows you to use all modes of public transportation (bus, tram, metro) within the city. I’d highly recommend getting this card so you don’t have to worry about what tickets to purchase every day.
The trams are very frequent in the city centre and you can see more of the city by using them compared to the metro. If you’re exploring the outer districts then the metro is your best bet though. Another great way to see the city, and get some interesting information along the way, is to use the hop-on-hop-off bus with Vienna Sightseeing. There are four routes to choose from which take you to different parts of the city. I’d recommend the red and yellow lines.
Is one week in Vienna enough time?
It’s a difficult question, and one that can only really be answered by you. You need to take into account which attractions you want to see, if you’re planning on doing a day trip while you’re there, and what your budget is like. We spent one week in Vienna and saw absolutely everything there was to see and at a leisurely pace too. It would be very easy to see the main parts of Vienna on a 2 or 3 day itinerary though. Even a day trip to Vienna is doable if you only want to see a few attractions.
Best things to do during one week in Vienna
Karlskirche
Chances are if you’ve looked up photos of Vienna, Karlskirche has come up. It’s a very unique piece of architecture, combining many different styles such as Greek, Roman, and Baroque. It was built in the 18th century as a result of a religious vow made by the Holy Roman Emperor at the time of the last great plague. Charles VI vowed that if the city was saved he would build a church dedicated to his namesake.
You can take a panoramic elevator to the top of the ceiling to get a closer look at the frescoes which is a unique feature of the church. Take a look at the church’s schedule, because they often have musical performances that you can attend as well.
Karlsplatz
The plaza surrounding Karlskirche is known as Karlsplatz, which is also home to the Otto Wagner Pavilion. Yes, it’s a metro stop, but it’s a pretty one. It’s named after the designer of the city’s rail lines that were built in the 1890’s. There are two pavilions facing each other – one is a cafe and the other offers a very small exhibition on the man himself.
Vienna State Opera
The Vienna State Opera is one of the most famous opera houses in the world. Towards the end of the second world war much of the building was destroyed by allied bombing intended for another target, so it was reconstructed in the years following. If you want tickets to a performance, you definitely need to book well in advance, or you’ll end up paying a ridiculous amount for them.
Burgtheater
Another theatre, another beautiful piece of architecture. The original Burgtheater was built more than 100 years before the Vienna State Opera and it was where Mozart premiered some of his operas. It sits opposite the Rathaus, which is a very impressive building in itself.
Take a ride on the Wiener Riesenrad
You can’t go to Vienna and miss the opportunity to ride on the world’s oldest Ferris wheel. Wiener Riesenrad sits at the entrance of the Prater Amusement Park and was built in 1897 to mark the 50th year anniversary of the emperor’s accession to the throne. Its been a city landmark ever since and is loved by locals and tourists alike.
The park itself is one of many free things to do in Vienna, so take your time and enjoy all that it has to offer. Tickets for the various rides can be purchased from the ticket stands if that interests you.
Take a photo of the Hundertwasserhaus
The Hundertwasserhaus is one of the city’s architectural highlights and is located in the third district. Make sure you add this to your list of things to do during one week in Vienna. Obviously you can only look at them from the outside, but opposite them sits a little “village” where you can shop for some souvenirs. A short walk from here is another very interesting building called Kunst House Wien which is a photography museum.
Augarten
If you like to stroll around parks, head to the Augarten, which is located in the second district. It now houses the second oldest porcelain factory in Europe, and is the city’s oldest Baroque park. There’s also a palace just next to the factory that you can visit if you have time.
Explore Belvedere Palace
For some reason Belvedere Palace doesn’t show up on a lot of blogs covering things to do in Vienna, or it’s very far down the list. I find this really strange because it’s my favourite palace in the city. It was built in the early 18th century as the summer home of Prince Eugene, and actually consists of not one but two Baroque palaces. Today it’s home to the world’s largest collection of Gustav Klimt paintings, and the grounds are free to walk around.
Museum of Military History
The Museum of Military History is located just a short walk from Belvedere Palace, and is worth a stop if you’re interested in history. We didn’t have chance to go inside but we had a quick walk around its impressive exterior. It covers the history of the Habsburgs as well as the years following the fall of the empire.
Go on a guided tour of the Naschmarkt
Vienna has quite a few markets to explore but its most famous one is the Naschmarkt. It stretches over 1km long and has 120 stalls, all of which offer different culinary experiences from a variety of countries worldwide. The best way to see the market is to go on a tour with GTours. The tour is just under 3 hours, and you get to sample different types of food, all while learning a lot of interesting information about the market and Vienna itself. One week in Vienna will definitely give you enough time to join this tour.
MuseumsQuartier
The MuseumsQuartier is located right next to the Imperial Palace and is one of the largest areas for contemporary art in the world. There are also a few cafes and restaurants in the complex as well as outdoor seating that you can take advantage of if the weather is nice.
Maria Theresien Platz
Located between the MuseumsQuartier and the Imperial Palace, Maria Theresien Platz is a very impressive square to walk around. It’s home to a huge memorial of Maria Theresa, the Museum of Natural History, and the Art History Museum. If you’re spending one week in Vienna during the summer months then it’s a good idea to get here as early as possible if you want photos without crowds in them.
The Hofburg
A short walk across the road brings you to The Hofburg, or the Imperial Palace as it’s also known. It was once the main palace of the Habsburg rulers, and today stands as the residence and workplace of the Austrian president. It’s recorded as being the seat of power since 1279 and has been expanded on over the years by various rulers.
Spanish Riding School
The Hofburg is also home to the world famous Spanish Riding School, which I can’t recommend enough. It’s an extremely popular activity as the institution is 450 years old and you get to see the beautiful Lipizzan horses in action. This is a magical way to start your day and if you’re spending one week in Vienna you won’t want to miss out on this.
Walk around Michaelerplatz
After exiting the Spanish Riding School you’ll come out at the other side of the Hofburg. This area is called Michaelerplatz and if you visit it near sunset you’ll get perfect lighting for your photos – though there will be crowds at this time. You’ll probably pass through Michaelerplatz a few times while spending one week in Vienna.
Take a horse drawn carriage tour of Vienna
Is it a trip to Vienna without taking a horse drawn carriage ride? Absolutely not. There are lots of companies to choose from, but why not take the only carriage ride in the city that also offers food and drinks! Riding Dinner is a completely unique experience in Vienna and one you won’t soon forget. You get to experience the best of Vienna while relaxing with Viennese delicacies, all served to you by your own personal butler.
We did the Sparkling Sightseeing tour and were given a variety of open-faced sandwiches to try, which are very popular in Vienna. We were also given a plate of small desserts to sample and some sparkling wine that was always topped up. We really did feel like royalty passing under the arches and parking outside of the Imperial Palace for a quick photo shoot. This is one of the best things to do during one week in Vienna.
Kohlmarkt
The street leading up to the Hofburg is known as Kohlmarkt and is the most prestigious shopping street in Vienna. It was formerly the location of many court-appointed jewelers, and today it’s home to several luxury retail brands. It’s a beautiful street to walk along while you spend one week in Vienna.
Take a bus tour of Vienna
Like I mentioned earlier, a great option for seeing Vienna is using the hop-on-hop-off bus. There are quite a few companies operating in the city, but Vienna Sightseeing is the only one that has a face on the front and is instantly recognizable. Hopefully you have nice weather during your one week in Vienna so you can enjoy viewing the city from the top level of the bus.
Indulge in a Vienna food tour
I always say this, but in my opinion the best way to get a real taste of a city is by taking a food tour. We went on a 3.5 hour tour with Vienna Food Tours, which took us around the 7th district. We stopped at 2 restaurants, one cafe, and a sausage stand. Make sure you arrive at the meeting point on a very empty stomach! All of the food was delicious, and we were able to try dishes that we had never heard of which was a bonus.
Walk through the Austrian National Library
The State Hall is the heart of the Austrian National Library, and is one of the most beautiful library halls in the world as well as the largest in Europe. You can get a ticket on the day easily enough, and it isn’t too expensive which makes it a great budget friendly thing to do in Vienna.
Look up at the Anker Clock
While you’re walking around the streets of Vienna you may come across the Anker Clock. It was built in the early 20th century and isn’t too far from the main shopping streets. It’s also in an area where you can find some of the best Austrian food in Vienna.
Walk around Stephansplatz
Stephansplatz is the heart of Vienna’s city centre and it’s home to one of the tallest churches in the world, Stephansdom. Surprisingly, the church is free to go in, so start adding this to your list of things to do in Vienna for free. Just next to the cathedral is the Manner shop, who produce original Neapolitan wafers – a must eat in Vienna!
St. Francis of Assisi Church
St. Francis of Assisi Church doesn’t top the list of things to see during one week in Vienna but it’s still worth stopping at. It’s a little bit of a trek from the city centre, but if you have some spare time it’s a lovely church to visit with some interesting history behind it.
Schonbrunn Palace
And last but certainly not least, Schonbrunn Palace. It was once the main summer residence of the Habsburgs and it’s one of the most important historic buildings in the country. The grounds are free to walk around and you can purchase tickets on-site for the palace’s interior or for a guided tour. We used the hop-on-hop-off bus to get here on the yellow line as it’s nowhere near any of the other main attractions. It’s a lovely area though, and I would even add it to the list of romantic places in Vienna to visit.
What to eat and drink during one week in Vienna
Coffee in a cone
If you’re spending one week in Vienna you’ll probably want at least one good coffee. At Fenster Cafe you can order a cappuccino in a chocolate lined ice cream cone. We found it by chance when we noticed a huge queue so we had to try it out. It’s not your typical coffee house though, as it’s quite literally a window in a wall.
Desserts from Cafe Central
Cafe Central is a Viennese institution, and you’ll be very lucky if you don’t have to wait in the queue outside. It’s most famous for being the meeting place of Vienna’s intellectual scene. Some names you may recognize include: Trotsky, Hitler, Tito, Stalin, Lenin, Franz Ferdinand, Sigmund Freud, and Herzl. Safe to say this elegant cafe boasts a lot of history and has some great desserts too.
Sausages
Whatever you do, please don’t leave Vienna without trying out one of their many sausage stands. There are so many varieties to choose from that you really can’t go wrong. We went back to the sausage stand that we were shown during our food tour, which is located next to the Anker Clock. Eating out in Vienna doesn’t necessarily need to be expensive to be enjoyable.
Schnitzel from Figlmuller
Another thing you have to try in Vienna is schnitzel. Traditionally it was made from veal, but today there are many other options. Figlmuller is the place to go for schnitzel. I’m sure there are a number of other restaurants that do it almost identically, but the enormous queue down the street definitely suggests that they have the best schnitzel in Vienna. The restaurant itself is traditional and while you could probably get schnitzel cheaper elsewhere, you’re also paying for the experience here.
Have a fine dining experience at Herzig
Restaurant Herzig is a fine dining restaurant situated a short metro ride from the city centre. The mixture of food and flavours in each dish is spectacular, as is the presentation. They even have their own unique juice flavours which are presented in eloquently shaped glasses. So if you love food, and love new flavours, you won’t want to miss this dining experience in Vienna.
Asian street food from Bao Bar 1020
If you love Asian street food, you’ll want to give Bao Bar a try. They have two locations in Vienna, but we went to their 1020 location on the university’s campus as it’s a 5 minute walk from Prater Park. Their bao buns and sauces are handmade, and all of their meat is locally sourced. So when you go to check out the giant Ferris wheel, make sure you stop by for a quick meal.
Pizza from RIBELLI
Wherever I go, I always sniff out a good pizza, and one week in Vienna brought me to RIBELLI. It’s located in the 25hours Hotel, and serves a good selection of pizzas and pastas. It also showed up as one of the best places to eat in Vienna when I was doing my research so it’s a popular place to go.
Sacher Torte from Cafe Sacher
Another must-try in Vienna is the Sacher Torte. You can find it all over the city, but it originally comes from Cafe Sacher. Again, because of its fame, be prepared to queue a little bit, but if you want to experience this cake in its original setting it’s worth the wait. You should also give the apple strudel a try.
I also came across a great blog post by Volumes & Voyages, Austrian Foods You Have To Try In Vienna!, which has some more tips on what to eat in Vienna and the best places to find them as well.
Where to stay during one week in Vienna
Hotel Bellevue
If you’re looking for a traditional Viennese hotel, equipped with modern amenities, then you’ll definitely want to book in at Hotel Bellevue. It’s located only a short tram ride from all the main attractions, and is situated in a gorgeous historical building. Our room was very spacious, and even had its own balcony overlooking the street.
They have a great selection of bar snacks and cocktails available during the bar’s opening hours, and offer their own Sacher Torte too if you’re having a craving for that. Breakfast is served in a buffet style and there are lots of options to choose from. The staff were all incredible and made us feel right at home, which nowadays is something hard to find.
>> Click here for the most up to date prices at Hotel Bellevue <<
Hotel Schani Wien
Hotel Schani Wien is a boutique hotel located right across the road from the central train station, with access to the trams and buses right on their doorstep. This is a great hotel to stay at if you’re wanting to be close to the station, and it’s right around the corner from Belvedere Palace.
It’s a very modern hotel with self check-in services, individual room selection, and very unique furnishings. Breakfast is served in a buffet style here, and you can even make your own fresh juice in the morning. The decor of the entire hotel is truly amazing and there are lots of little details that add to its modern charm.
>> Click here for the most up to date prices at Hotel Schani Wien <<
Hotel Schani Salon
Hotel Schani Salon is located right in the heart of the city, a stones through away from the MuseumsQuartier and the Hofburg. This hotel is Jugendstil themed (an artistic movement from 1895-1910), and brings modernity and classical charm together. Although smaller than its sister hotel, it makes up for it with its design and attention to detail.
The rooms are beautifully decorated and very comfortable, and the breakfast is served in the same buffet style as the other hotel. But the added bonus here is that there is constantly fresh coffee available, a sweets bar for all your sugar cravings, and board games to use. We also had their signature gin & tonic which I would recommend trying if you enjoy a drink.
>> Click here for the most up to date prices at Hotel Schani Salon <<
25hours Hotel Vienna at MuseumsQuartier
As you probably guessed by the name, 25hours Hotel Vienna at MuseumsQuartier is located in the MuseumsQuartier of the city. This is by far the most random hotel that I’ve stayed in but that’s what makes it so fun. The rooms are circus themed, with lots of little sayings spread out on various items across the room – some of which you can take home with you.
In the lobby they have a souvenir shop where you can buy things you’ve seen around the hotel as well as last minute gifts to bring back from your one week in Vienna. There’s also a photo booth, a rooftop bar, a mermaid’s cave, a sauna, a workout studio, a camera wall, and bike rentals. As I mentioned earlier, RIBELLI is located in the hotel which has great pizza. The breakfast buffet is enormous and very well presented too, so you definitely won’t be leaving hungry!
>> Click here for the most up to date prices at 25hours Hotel Vienna at MuseumsQuartier <<
If you have any questions about how to spend one week in Vienna, feel free to reach out on Instagram or send me an email. If you’re looking for some travel inspiration for Spain (which is where we went after Vienna), check out my posts covering unique places in Andalusia and a road trip to Toledo and Segovia.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission from the discount codes used or when a link/ad is clicked. All purchases made will come at no extra cost to you, and I only include products and services that I would personally recommend.
Pin this blog post for later!
