24 hours in VIENNA

On my last flight to Vienna, I was surprised how many passengers were on their way to farther destinations, hence, only on a stopover in Austria’s mesmerizing capital. Therefore, I think it’s definitely time for an itinerary for up to 24 hours in yet another memorable metropolis in Central Europe.

24 hous in Vienna: Horse carriage — Although Vienna has a great public transport network, there are still countless horse-drawn carriages around the city.

After having already published a comprehensive guide to Vienna, below are my top tips for what not to miss in this city bursting with cultural treasures. Generally, it’s meant as an itinerary for just a layover or a short stop on a road trip through Europe. Mind you, the small country of Austria neighbors eight countries, after all!

In case you wonder: Austria’s neighbors are Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Slovakia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, and Hungary.

Local Currency

Euro (EUR) / 1 US$ = 0.93 EUR as of May 2024 / current rate

Emergency Contacts

Police: 133

Ambulance: 144

National Airline

Austrian Airlines

Airports

Vienna International Airport, IATA Code: VIA

Tourist Info Online and Onsite

The official Vienna Website is excellent and very informative. Also, there is the awesome ivie App. You can download it free of charge for iOS and Android. Also, at the airport are dispensers with free maps.

You get information and help either right at the airport

Tourist Info Vienna Airport
at the arrival hall
Open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

or at the info point downtown

Tourist-Info Vienna
Albertinaplatz/Maysedergasse
1010 Vienna
Open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Obviously, all the hotels can supply you with info material, tourist cards, and the like.

Getting Downtown and Back

In order to get from the airport to the city center, your best option is to take the S-Bahn 7, which is the regional train, towards Floridsdorf and get off at Landstraße/Mitte.

Visiting Vienna by streetcar is fun - and cheap, too. — Visiting Vienna by streetcar is fun – and cheap, too.

This train takes only about two minutes longer than the City Airport Train, the so-called CAT, but it costs a fraction.

If you just buy one way, it’s 4,40 €uros. If you get a 24-hour ticket – for 8 €uros highly recommendable since a single ride costs 2,40 €uros – you only have to pay an additional 2 €uro for the trip from the airport.

On the other hand, the CAT costs 12 €uro. Also, there is a shuttle bus for 8 €uro which is actually the least recommendable option.

Morning Activities

Even on a sunny day, a visit to the Stephansdom is, obviously, indispensable.

Stephan's Cathedral in the heart of the city. — Saint Steven’s Cathedral in the heart of the city.

Saint Stephen’s Cathedral is Vienna’s most important landmark and is within walking distance from the hotel respectively the Schwedenplatz.

Built in the early 12th century, it is the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vienna and also the seat of Vienna’s Archbishop. It has four towers, the highest being the southern tower with 136 meters.

Accordingly, there are 343 steps to be climbed to get to the tower chamber from where you have an incredible view of Vienna. Besides precious altars and chapels, there are also the treasury and the catacombs to be visited.

The cathedral opens daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., and on Sundays only at 7 a.m.

After visiting the church, you should still linger a bit around the Stephansplatz.

Candy at Manner — Apart from their iconic wafers, they also have all kinds of delicious candy.

Here, you will enjoy street artists performing, listening to the clatter of hooves of the horses pulling the traditional carriages, as well as stocking up on traditional wafers and other delicious treats at the iconic Manner Candy Store.

The store is open every day from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Shopping the Old Fashioned Way

If all the delicacies at Manner have whetted your appetite for a snack, you can satisfy it at the opposite corner of the square. The beautiful corner house on Kärtnerstrasse houses one of Vienna’s most famous traditional cafés, the Aida.

Building in the city center of Vienna. — The café is housed in one of the most beautiful buildings in Vienna’s very center.

Josef Prousek was born in Držkov in northern Bohemia. Like many of his countrymen, he came to Vienna where he became a master confectioner. With your coffee and rich hot chocolate, you can choose from a wide range of tarts, cakes, and other traditional confectionery products.

Aida is open every day from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Still in the mood to saunter? Then you already are at the perfect location. Saint Steven’s Cathedral is facing the so-called Graben, Vienna’s busiest pedestrian shopping street with the flashy plague column in its center.

Shopping street Graben in the center of Vienna. — Vienna’s elegant promenade is called Graben – which translates to trench. Well, as we all know, sometimes shopping can be war.

Although most of the stores and cafés are more or less like stores and cafés in any other city center, I’d like to point out – believe it or not – an H&M store!

In 2004, this chain opened its 50th store in Vienna. They chose the beautiful building of the former ritzy department store Braun & Co. for this special occasion.

Even though you are at an ordinary H&M, you’ll feel like shopping at a posh boutique with antique furnishing and decoration.
Don’t miss out on a ride with the ancient wooden elevator!

The store is open from Monday to Saturday between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Walking down the Graben away from the Stephansdom, you’ll reach another Viennese icon, the coffee roaster and deli Meinl am Graben.

Here you’ll find all sorts of wonderful Austrian delicacies including Meinl’s famous coffees, obviously. You can sample them on the spot or take them home as a thoughtful and delicious souvenir. Meinl is actually another great place for a short break. Get a light snack on their terrace and watch people and the time go by.

Meinl is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Crossing Squares and Parks

Ready to move on? Walking up the Habsburgergasse, you’ll get to the so-called Hofburg, the former Royal Castle, that today is the Austrian President’s official seat.

The so-called Michaeler tract is the north facade of the Hofburg, the former principal imperial palace of the Habsburg dynasty in Austria.

While admiring the magnificent architecture, cross the Hofburg complex to the huge Heldenplatz, hence, the hero’s square, with the equestrian statue of Prince Eugen.

To your left is the Burggarten, the castle garden with the prominent Mozart statue. Yet, there are also many beautiful trees and a little pond which makes the park a perfect place to just hang out a bit on a hot day.

In case you need a refreshment, there’s the Palmenhaus serving light snacks as well as hearty Austrian food. Located in the vicinity of the Hofburg, it’s not exactly cheap. However, it’s really beautiful, and if you’re not on a budget, absolutely worth the visit.

The Palmenhaus opens weekdays from 10 a.m. until midnight, on Saturdays, they open only at 9 a.m., and on Sundays only at 10 a.m.

Don’t worry, even if you’re not up for a fancy lunch, you won’t spend the rest of the day starving.

Bitzinger’s sausages with all the fixings.

As you leave the Burggarten on the northeastern corner, you find yourself at the Albertinaplatz. Here is Vienna’s most famous sausage stand called Bitzinger Würstelstand. It’s open every day from 8 a.m. to 3 a.m., however, prepare for a long wait especially if you come here during the popular lunch hours. But who wants to wait until 3 a.m., am I right?

Morning Activities

Of course, every place looks much nicer in bright sunlight, but if there’s a city ready for liquid sunshine then it’s Vienna with its many exhibitions of world-famous paintings and sculptures. However, there are also rather unusual museums like the Museum of Heating, the Third Man Museum, and the Museum of Contraception and Abortion.

Vienna’s public transportation is excellent and if you stay at the recommended hotel right next to the train station Westbahnhof or at another one in that neighborhood, you’re in a perfect location to explore the city even in the rain.

Expressionist Superstars at the Belvedere

The easiest way to get from the Westbahnhof to the Belvedere complex is by tram #18 in the direction of Schlachthausgasse. Get off at the stop called Quartier Belvedere. From there it’s just a very short walk.

The Belvedere Palace is undoubtedly one of the most iconic places in Vienna. Johann Lucas von Hildebrandt designed the complex for Prince Eugene of Savoy at the beginning of the 18th century. The Upper Belvedere and the Lower Belvedere form a baroque ensemble with connecting gardens. Both buildings house exhibitions.

In the upper venue is the permanent collection of the world-famous Viennese Expressionists. Temporary exhibitions take place in the lower Belvedere. Some years ago, the galleries were completed by the so-called House 21. It is located about 10 minutes north of the Belvedere and presents contemporary art. Also, the museum café in the House 21 is highly recommended.

The Belvedere galleries are open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Upper Belvedere doesn’t close until 7 p.m. and a time slot must be booked to visit. The ticket costs 19 €uros. The ticket for the Lower Belvedere costs 17 €uros and the House 21 costs 11 €uros. You can save with a 2 for 1 respectively a 3 for 1 ticket. Plus, buying online is cheaper than in person.

Lunch

Your lunch options on a sunny day are a couple of snack stops along the way that I’ve mentioned in the morning itinerary.

Women eating Schnitzel and drinking wine in Vienna. — Of course, we had a Schnitzel – almost the size of the plate. The one to the left was vegan, by the way.

On a rainy day, you probably won’t be up for a quick bite on your way, but will enjoy a hearty hot meal at a cozy restaurant, so it’s good that you’re just a five-minute walk away from a typical so-called Beisl, a pub, serving authentic Austrian food.

On the Belvedere’s western border is the traditional yet not too stuffy Stöckl im Park. Here you can enjoy some of Vienna’s most iconic dishes and good craft beer in a modern setting.

They are located at Prinz-Eugen-Straße 25 and open every day from 11.30 a.m. to 11.30 p.m.

Afternoon Activities

You can walk from the Bitzinger sausage stand to the Belvedere complex, however, it’s not exactly close by. It will probably take about half an hour.

Alternatively, you can take either tram #1 or line D at the Opernring/Karlsplatz stop and get off at the stop Schloss Belvedere.

One of the many sphinxes watching over the beautiful grounds of the Belvedere.

As I explained in the itinerary for a rainy day above, the Belvedere complex consists of two main buildings which are connected by a very elegant park with fountains and statues.

You can just stroll along the gravel paths, rest on the many park benches, and be enchanted by the beauty and majesty of the place.

If you choose to visit the buildings that today house museums, please check the rainy weather part above for details.

Not far from the Belvedere site is another beautiful park that’s worth a visit. It’s the Stadtpark, hence, the city park.

Johann Strauß statue in Vienna's central park — He’s golden – that’s how much Vienna loves the so-called King of the Valse Johann Strauß

Besides its shady paths and lush trees, there are many romantic statues of Vienna’s great artists. The most famous one among them is the Johann Strauß statue, made by Franz Metzner and Edmund von Hellmer in the symbolist style of the Vienna Secession.

Afternoon Activities

A rainy afternoon makes time for another one of Vienna’s essential museums, the Museum Leopold. To get there from the restaurant, just catch either tram line #1 or D in the direction of Nußdorf at the stop Schloss Belvedere and get off at the stop Burgring.

View of the Kunsthistorisches Museum from the Leopold Museum in Vienna. — The Leopold Museum is not only worth the visit for the art, but it also opens to Vienna’s most beautiful views.

The Museum Leopold focuses on Austrian art from the turn of the last century. That was a truly exciting era with many ingenious, daring artists such as Egon Schiele, Gustav Klimt, Oskar Kokoschka, Albin Egger-Lienz, Anton Kolig, Richard Gerstl, and many others.

Since not only the paintings of these gentlemen are colorful, but also the artists’ lives, it’s worth it to get an audio guide telling you about their shenanigans.

The museum is open from Wednesday to Monday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the general entrance fee is 17 €uros.

If it’s not raining too hard, you should definitely pay the recently opened rooftop terrace a visit. To get there, you need to take the elevator on the southeastern side of the building. The visit is free of charge, and they have a small bar up there.

A Royal Visit

As a matter of fact, no Vienna sojourn is complete without a visit to the Hofburg,
the Royal Castle. It was the Habsburg’s residence from the 13th century until the end of WWI in 1918.

Michaelertor in Vienna. — Carriages rush through the Michaelertor, the Michaeler gate. It is the most important entrance to the palatial Hofburg complex.

Later, after the end of WWII in 1945, it became the Austrian President’s official seat.

Besides the official apartments, the Hofburg houses Austria’s National Library and a couple of museums like the Sisi-museum, focusing on the beloved Empress, the ancient State Apartments, and the Silver Chamber.

This part of the complex, which is not as tacky and stuffy as one might think but actually quite interesting, is open every day from 9 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. The general ticket sets you back 19.50 €uros.

Dinner

If after all the snacks or hearty lunches you’re still hungry, there’s one of Vienna’s rustic yet modern restaurants just a few steps from your hotel.

The Brauhof Wien is located on Mariahilfer Str. 156 and opens every day from noon until 11.30 p.m.

Nightcap

Vienna might be historical and traditional, but it’s of course also trendy and hip and there are many clubs and bars.

View of Vienna from the IKEA building next to the Westbahnhof. — Sundowner with a view: From the hotel’s rooftop bar, you can look all around this marvelous city.

However, especially if you have an early flight, you’ll appreciate that one of the largest rooftop terraces with the best views of the city is just two floors above your hotel. Take the elevator to the 7th floor, grab drink, and feel like you’re in 7th heaven.

Accommodation

Even if you have a very early flight, it’s not necessary to stay at an airport hotel. A trip from downtown Vienna to Schwechat, where the airport is located, takes only 45 minutes max. In addition, you can choose from various options for how to get there. I’ve stated them above.

Booking.com

From the Westbahnhof where the JO&JOE hotel* is located, you first need to take subway U3 in the direction of Simmering. You then need to change to the regional train S 7 at the stop Landstraße. Keep in mind that the S 7 train runs only every 30 minutes, hence, adjust your schedule accordingly.

Vienna is one of the most touristy cities in Europe. Consequently, there is a wide choice of accommodation, however, none of them is a bargain.

Lobby of the JO&JOE hotel in Vienna. — Welcome to the colorful lobby of the JO&JOE hotel above Vienna’s IKEA branch.

Already due to this fantastic location, I can absolutely recommend the JO&JOE*. Also, it’s very convenient that the major hub Westbahnhof is right next to it. And if you’re too tired to look for a hip bar at night, simply take the elevator up to the 7th floor where you’ll find their spacious rooftop terrace.

Nevertheless, on this map, you can choose from various lodging options according to your budget and a location that’s convenient for you*:

Booking.com

Do you have more than 24 hours to spend in Vienna? Lucky you! You’ll find more ideas and inspiration for your stay in my post VIENNA – visited by streetcar.

Map

This map should help you to easily find all the wonderful places I’m introducing in this post. To switch between the itineraries for a sunny and a rainy day just open the legend at the left upper corner and you can hide or unhide the respective layer as you wish. This way, the map will show only the section you really need and be more clear.