Vienna is the capital of Austria and one of the most elegant European cities. The former capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire has kept all the imperial grace of the Habsburg dynasty. At the same time, it is a city that loves art, music and excellent food. Vienna has always played an important role in European culture, and it has been the home or the birthplace of many famous composers, painters and writers. The city has numerous art museums, concert halls and theatres. Also, with its coffee house culture, a long tradition in confectionery and a vibrant culinary scene, it could please every taste. It is a dream destination for the art lover, the music lover and the food enthusiast.
In this article, we are going to suggest a two-day itinerary, adapted to the opening hours of attractions, museums and shops during the weekend. We will give the guidelines for the first visit at this wonderful city, in order to understand it and feel its unique ambience.
Day 1 – Saturday
Stephansdom to Graben
Start your day at Stephansplatz, the centre of the old town. The square is dominated by the emblematic Stephansdom, Vienna’s historic cathedral. The church we see today was built in the 14th century on the ruins of two earlier churches. The cathedral has been a witness to many events in Austrian history. During the Siege of Vienna in 1529 and the Battle of Vienna in 1683, its massive south tower was used as a command post and observatory. Its glory is its ornately patterned, coloured roof, covered with 230,000 glazed tiles and measuring 111 metres long.
From Stephansplatz, follow Graben Street to admire the buildings’ majestic facades, the golden plague monument, and the stores of many international brands. If you feel hungry, you could grab a traditional Viennese open sandwich and a small glass of beer at Trzesniewski on Dorotheergasse. It is just a few metres from Graben.
Kartnerstrasse to Albertinaplatz
From Graben, return to the square and follow Kartnerstrasse, the main shopping street in the old town. During your walk along Kartnerstrasse, you will come across the historic department store Steffl, the famous American Bar designed by Adolf Loos, and many stores of Austrian brands, such as Swarovski, Heindl Chocolate, and EMI Austria (for fans of classical music). At the end of the street, turn right and walk up to Albertinaplatz.
The equestrian statue of Archduke Albrecht dominates Albertinaplatz in front of the Albertina. It was formerly part of the palace and is now a museum. The museum houses one of the largest and most important print rooms in the world. It houses 65,000 drawings and approximately 1 million Old Master prints. It also has more modern graphic works, photographs, and architectural drawings. If you want to visit the museum, you should spend at least two hours here. Just opposite the museum is the famous Cafe Mozart. You could stop here for a coffee and the best strudel in Vienna.
Staatsoper to Naschmarkt
At the end of Albertinaplatz, you will see the breathtaking building of the Staatsoper. It is the home of the Vienna State Opera, a Neo-Renaissance building designed by the renowned Czech architect and contractor Josef Hlávka.
Leave the Staatsoper and continue ahead, first along Operngasse and then along Friedrichstrasse. After a while, you will come across the distinctive Secession building. In 1897, Gustav Klimt and a number of other artists founded a new art association called the Vienna Secession. The building of the same name was completed in 1898 to house an Art Nouveau exhibition for the association. The gilded leaf-work dome is the symbol of the Secession, and mounted above the entrance is the motto of the artists’ association: “To every age its art. To art its freedom.”
Just opposite the building is the Naschmarkt. It is the largest open-air market in the city, beloved by locals and tourists alike. It is open from Monday to Saturday, from 06:00 to 21:00.
MuseumsQuartier to Neues Rathaus
At this point follow Getreidemark street and after 500 metres you see on your left hand the emblematic MuseumsQuartier Wien complex. Once home to the imperial stables, the complex is one of the largest cultural centres in Europe. Developed in the 1980s, it houses a wide range of facilities: art museums, venues for theatre, film and dance, a creativity centre for children, cafes, restaurants and shops.
The Baroque architecture of the original stables is blended with modern buildings and elements. The main courtyard is known as “Vienna’s living room”, a favourite place of the locals for walking and social meeting. For more information about what is going on at the various venues visit the official site.
At this point, follow Getreidemarkt and after 500 metres, you will see the emblematic MuseumsQuartier Wien complex on your left. Once home to the imperial stables, the complex is one of the largest cultural centres in Europe. Developed in the 1980s, it houses a wide range of facilities: art museums, venues for theatre, film, and dance, a creativity centre for children, cafes, restaurants, and shops.
The Baroque architecture of the original stables is blended with modern buildings and elements. The main courtyard is known as “Vienna’s living room”, a favourite place for locals to walk and socialise. For more information about what is happening at the various venues, visit the official website.
After the visit to the complex, cross the street and have a stroll around Maria-Theresienplatz and the nearby Rathausplatz with the magnificent Neues Rathaus building.
Schnitzel at Figlmuller
The end of the first day has come and it is time for a good dinner. Book a table at one of the two Figlmuller venues. They are both at the centre of the old town and here you could taste one of the best schnitzels in Austria. It is huge, crispy, extra tasty and something you will never forget. There are several places in town that serve good schnitzel (like Purstner and Schnitzelwirt) but this one is our favourite.
Day 2 – Sunday
Cafe Central and Demel Konditorei
Start your Sunday at the most renowned cafe in Vienna, Cafe Central at Herrengasse. However, be sure to arrive early because the queue is usually long. The cafe was opened in 1876, and in the late 19th century, it became a key meeting place of the Viennese intellectual scene. After coffee, have a walk in the surrounding area. Enjoy the peacefulness of the streets and the grace of the Habsburg nobility’s palaces.
End up walking at Michaelerplatz and see here the Roman remains at the centre of the square, the white Baroque church Michaelerkirche (the place where Mozart’s Requiem was performed for the first time) and, of course, Kohlmarkt. It is the most elegant pedestrian street in Vienna. It houses some of the most exclusive shops and remarkable shopfronts (closed on Sundays but wonderful to watch).
Kohlmarkt is also the location of the most famous Viennese pastry shop, Demel Konditorei. This shop still bears its imperial patent lettered above the shopfront, and it is one of the two places in the city (the other is Hotel Sacher) that have the legal right to produce and sell the authentic Sachertorte, the chocolate cake invented by Austrian Franz Sacher in 1832 for Prince Metternich in Vienna and probably the most famous Viennese culinary speciality.
Spanish Riding School
From Kohlmarkt, return to Michaelerplatz and the Neo-Baroque Michaelertor, the impressive entrance to Hofburg’s palace inner courtyard. On both sides of the doorway are two 19th-century wall fountains. On the left side of the entrance, Stallburg is located. This former royal residence was converted to house the Hofburg stables and the Spanish Riding School. The origins of the school are obscure, but it is believed to have been founded to cultivate the classic skills of haute école horsemanship.
Today’s shows take place in the building, known as the Winter Riding School. The performances are limited, basically; during weekends, the tickets are quite expensive (our suggestion is to buy a ticket for the standing room), but this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The show of the dancing horses and the ability of the riders to control them is a spectacle you will carry with you forever (book your tickets early and only from the official site—also watch a video to understand the magic of the show).
Belvedere
After the show, head to Burgring Street and take the tram (Line D) for Schloss Belvedere. Belvedere, a palace and gardens, was built as the summer residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy, the military commander who defended the city from the Turks. Belvedere consists of two palaces, with impressive interiors, linked by a spectacular French-style garden. Your visit here is focused on Upper Belvedere, which houses an Austrian art collection from the Middle Ages to the present day. It also has an important collection of works by the two most famous Austrian painters, Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele. There are 24 paintings altogether by Klimt, including the world-famous and recognizable “The Kiss” (for information about the museum, visit the official site).
On your way back to the city centre make an additional stop to visit Karlsplatz and the Baroque church Karlskirche, an iconic location in the city.
The second night and Riesenrad
The second and last night in Vienna you could either book tickets for a music concert at Musikverein or a show at Staatsoper or you could just stroll around the Old City and along Danube Canal, where you could have dinner or a drink at one of the boat restaurants like Holy-Moly Am Badeschiff.
During your stay in Vienna, if you have the time and especially if you are a movie buff, visit Riesenrad, the famous Ferris wheel in Prater Park, which was placed on the list of Treasures of European Film Culture by the European Film Academy in June 2016. For more information about Riesenrad, check our related article.
A unique city
Vienna is a city with a long legacy and a unique style of living. A weekend in this city could only be an introduction and is never going to be enough. From the moment you leave Vienna, your only thought is when to come back. Maybe next time for Christmas in Vienna?
Map of the first day (Saturday) and the second day (Sunday) itinerary
