The capital of Austria is a popular tourist attraction for good reason: It’s home to an artistic and intellectual legacy created by the likes of Mozart, Beethoven, and Sigmund Freud. Vienna is a great place to spend a week or more, but if you have just one day, use this short guide to pack as much as you can into one memorable tour.
Start the Day With Incredible Views
Start the day off with a visit to St. Stephen’s Cathedral, an impressive Catholic church located in the center of Austria. This cathedral is the most popular church in the city and can be seen from almost anywhere. Not only will the 800-year-old building impress you, but you’ll also get impressive views of the city.
Next, head over to the Hofburg Palace for an authentic view into the life of the once-powerful family that ruled the Austria-Hungary Empire. This was one of the most powerful dynasties in Europe, producing many kings who ruled Western Europe. Here you’ll find many interesting museums that will educate you on the traditions and history of the imperial court.
Enjoy Some of the Best Art in the World
Afterwards, indulge your artistic side at the Art History Museum, which is known as one of the best art museums in the world. The building itself is worth looking at, and inside its doors you’ll find a collection of Egyptian and Greek art as well as pieces from many other regions. If you happen to arrive on a Thursday, the museum serves a fine dinner on the cupola rotunda.
After seeing the art museum, it’s time to explore the current culture with a visit to the most famous and busiest market in Vienna. Naschmarkt is conveniently located in the heart of the city and is a great place to find fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, cheese, and delicious breads. If you’re visiting on a Saturday, be sure to check out the nearby flea market.
Don’t Leave Vienna Without Some Baroque and Mozart
Next, head over to the Belvedere Palace to see one of the best examples of Baroque architecture in Europe. Not only will you find some of the finest rococo interiors on the continent, but you’ll also find a museum that hosts a good selection of work from Austrian artists. The impressive gardens are a great place to take a stroll and admire the city views.
Finish off the day with a visit of the Schonbrunn Palace, which is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Vienna. This massive palace boasts 1141 rooms, 40 of which are open to the public. The gardens surrounding the palace are very impressive and music historians will treasure the fact that Mozart played here when he was only 6 years old. This is one of the best Baroque palaces in Europe and a great way to end your day in the city.
As you can imagine, this is going to be a tiring but rewarding day. Make sure to treat yourself to some local food, drinks, and a quality sleep at one of the many hotels in Vienna.
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Photo by Jim Nix via Trover.com
This article was written as part of the Hipmunk CityLove project. As a paid writer for Hipmunk, I’ve written about many world-class cities such as Munich, San Francisco, and Bangkok.