Vienna is a city that blends Western and Eastern influences. It has a long, rich history. Present-day Vienna is Austria’s capital and a place of interesting history and culture. It is known for its impressive architecture, immaculate imperial past, and classical music heritage. One day in Vienna is the perfect amount of time to explore the majestic landmarks, delightful food, and vibrant culture.
Want a guided tour to start out your trip and get acclimated to the city? Then check out Guru Walks for a free guided tour. You can book online to reserve your spot and pay what you wish when you get there. Check out the tours in Vienna here.
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Table of Contents
History of Vienna
Vienna has a long history that dates back thousands of years. At the foundations, Vienna became a military camp during the Roman era and an important trading stop. Through the Middle Ages, it continued to grow and became the capital of the Babenberg Dynasty.
Its most prominent period was during the Habsburg rule, which transformed Vienna into an extraordinary capital. Then, throughout the Renaissance, Vienna flourished culturally and became a center for art. It was during this time that impressive buildings were built.
In 1683, the city repelled the Ottoman Empire’s invasion and then became a capital city for several hundred years. Modern-day, it has become a hub for international organizations and a vibrant cultural, political, and economic center.
Currency in Austria
Austria uses the Euro as their official currency. As of right now, 1 Euro is about $1.10 USD.
Language in Austria
The official language in Austria is German. Most of the signage is in German, but you can also find many things in English. Many people, especially in popular tourist locations, will speak English. However, download German in Google Translate just in case.
When to Spend One Day in Vienna
The best time to spend one day in Vienna depends on the type of experience you want. Visit in the summertime for the best weather, but it will be the most crowded. It may get very cold in the wintertime, but you can experience the winter markets. Fall and Spring are shoulder seasons so things will be less crowded and less expensive.
Transportation Around Vienna
Most of the main sites are in Vienna’s City Center. Vienna also has a fabulous U-Bahn (metro) System. Taxis and Uber are also available but are quite expensive. If you are trying to save money, walk and use the U-Bahn. There is also a hop-on, hop-off bus available.
How to get to Vienna
Vienna International Airport is the main airport of Vienna, and you can get flights here from all over the world. You can often find flights for $600 round trip from Los Angeles.
To get from the airport to the city center, you can opt to take a taxi or public transportation. Taking the REX train or S-Bahn to the U-Bahn is an hour-long journey, which gets you to the city center. Just follow the signs in the airport for the trains towards the city center.
Where to Stay in Vienna
TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Search for the best Vienna hotels here!
There are several fabulous areas to stay in Vienna. The most central location is the Old Town by the Hofburg Palace. Other popular areas include the waterfront or near the Belvedere Palace. The following hotels are some of the best options, but you can always try searching Priceline Express Deals for a better price or try to price match a hotel.
- Hilton Vienna Danube Waterfront
- Boutique Hotel Nossek
- Ibis Styles Wein Messe Prater
- Courtyard by Marriott Vienna Prater/Messe
- NH Wein Airport
Things to do During One Day in Vienna
While you could easily spend more than one day in Vienna, one day gives you the highlights of this magical and charming city.
GoCity Pass
GoCity offers a ton of different sightseeing passes for cities around the world. These passes allow you to visit the best of each city for one low price, rather than paying individually for each attraction. I have used it in several cities around the world and would recommend getting a GoCity pass! Check out the options for the Vienna GoCity pass here.
Day 1
Schoenbrunn Palace
Cost: $5 and up
Hours: 8:30am-5:30pm
Start out the morning by heading to the Schoenbrunn Palace, the main summer residence of the Habsburg Family. Visitors can opt to wander around the various gardens, one of which has a maze, or visit the interior of the palace, which contains apartments and reception rooms.
Booking tickets online ahead of time is recommended to ensure admission and save time standing in line. Throughout the year are also various events, such as concerts and educational talks. Other things to do include the Panoramic Train, the Carriage Museum, or wine tasting.
Belvedere Schlossgarten
Cost: $10 and up
Hours: 10am-6pm
After visiting the Schoenbrunn Palace, head to the Belvedere Schlossgarten, another historic complex. This complex contains an upper and lower house with gardens to wander through.
The most popular part to visit is the Upper Belvedere, which contains many art masterpieces inside. The Lower Belvedere usually contains temporary exhibits. You can also go on a guided tour.
Lunch at the Vienna Central Station
The central train station has some great options to eat. While it may sound weird to recommend a train station, it is especially good if you have a large group and people want different things to eat. Also, this is an easy place to find a good kasekrainer (a sausage with cheese inside), another Austrian dish you must try.
Wander Around Old Town
This afternoon, opt to spend time exploring Old Town Vienna and visit the following sites. They are all within walking distance of one another, and the architecture is amazing. A guided walking tour or a canal cruise is also a fun thing to do during one day in Vienna.
Austrian National Library
Established in 1368 and founded by the Hapsburgs, it is the largest library in Austria, with more than 12 million items.
Austrian Parliament Building
The Parliament Building, created in the Greek style, is home to the two chambers of Parliament. Visitors can go inside to the visitor’s center.
Vienna City Hall (Rathaus)
The seat of the local government, and very ornately designed.
St. Stephen’s Cathedral
The main Roman Catholic Church in Vienna was done in the Romanesque and Gothic styles. It began being built in 1137 and was finally completed in 1578. Sometimes you can even attend a classical concert here.
Vienna Opera House
If you have the opportunity, grab tickets to an opera here for a very cultural and amazing experience. Vienna is known for always hosting a fabulous opera.
The Hofburg
After taking in the amazing architecture in the Old Town of Vienna, head to the Hofburg Complex. This complex is the former residence of the Hofburg, the former imperial family of Austria. It served as the family’s winter residence and the seat of the government.
Present-day, the complex is extremely accessible to the public. Inside, visitors can view former imperial apartments, the treasury, various museums, and even take in a classical concert on select nights. Visitors could easily spend several days exploring the exhibits, so pick one or two to explore during your one day in Vienna.
Eat dinner at Figlmüller Bäckerstraße
Cost: $$
Hours: 11am-10:30pm
Figlmüller is one of the most popular restaurants to visit when spending one day in Vienna. It specializes in Austrian cuisine, including the signature dish of schnitzel. Schnitzel is breaded meat cooked in a pan and usually served with cranberry sauce, and Figlmüller is one of the top-rated restaurants for schnitzel.
Visitors will need to make a reservation in advance or get there early. The place is small, and the line gets very long. Note that there are two different locations, so make sure you reserve a table at Figlmüller Bäckerstraße. Also, make sure to get kaiserschmarrn for dessert and have a radler to drink!
Stop at a Brewery
Cost: $
Hours: Varies
You cannot spend one day in Vienna without stopping at a beer hall or brewery. Two awesome options include 1516 Brewing Company and 7Stern Brau. Both of these have delightful outdoor areas and tasty, cheap beer. It is the perfect way to end your time in Vienna.
More Than One Day in Vienna?
If you have more than one day in Vienna, there are many other amazing things to do or day trips to take.
Sigmund Freud Museum
Cost: $15
Hours: Wed-Mon: 10am-6pm (closed Tuesdays)
The Sigmund Freud Museum is a good addition to one day in Vienna. This museum is dedicated to the life and works of the psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud. It shows his former practice and residence. He moved to this building in 1891 and lived here for 47 years. Buy your ticket ahead of time here or you can also opt to go on a walking tour of the area.
Day Trip to Bratislava
Bratislava lies about an hour east of Vienna and is another very easy day trip by train or tour. Once there, take in Bratislava Castle, St. Martin’s Cathedral, the UFO Observation Deck, and Devin Castle. Make sure to eat at the Slovak Pub.
Final Tips for One Day in Vienna
Vienna is a charming city with an interesting history and many amazing things to do. Make sure you try some apple strudel and sachertorte. If you have more time, pair Vienna with a trip to Salzburg, Budapest, or Prague to explore more of Eastern Europe.
