Vienna: What to see in 1 day

Vienna sightseeing itinerary in one day

Key places on the itinerary:

• St. Stephen's Cathedral - 45 min + tower 20-30 min → transfer to the next sight 10 min
• Hofburg Palace - 1-1,5 hrs → transition 10 min
• Vienna Opera House - 15-40 min → transition 15 min
• Museum Quarter - 1-2 hours → transfer 25 min
• Belvedere Palace - 1-1,5 hours → crossing 15 min

This itinerary allows you to see the main sights of Vienna in one day, combining sightseeing of iconic places and pleasant stops in cafes.

Note: It is worth planning your visit in advance:

• Tickets to the Hofburg Palace are tied to a specific visit time and should be taken in advance.
• The guided tour of the Vienna Opera House is not available every day and there are clear time slots.

St. Stephen's Cathedral (Stephansdom)

Start the day with a tour of St. Stephen's Cathedral. Approximate visit time: 45 minutes. Climb the tower for a panoramic view of the city (additional 20-30 minutes).

• Address: Stephansplatz 3-6, 1010 Vienna
• Opening hours: Mon-Sat 06:00-22:00, Sun 07:00-22:00.
• Website: stephanskirche.at
• Tickets:
• Entrance is free of charge
• Audio guide + central part: ≈ €7
• Climbing the tower: €6,50-€7
• Combination ticket: ≈ €25
  
• Tip: buy tickets directly on site or in advance inclusive tour packages
• Approximate visiting time: 45 min (+20-30 min if climbing the tower)

From the Cathedral to the Hofburg walk about 10 minutes along Graben and Kohlmarkt streets, famous for their stores and cafes. On the way you can stop at Café Demel for coffee and traditional Viennese Sacher cake.

Hofburg Palace

A tour of the Hofburg will take approximately 1-1.5 hours, including a walk around the grounds and a visit to the Sissi Museum or the treasury.

• Address: Michaelerplatz, 1010 Vienna
• Tickets (Sissi Museum + Imperial Apartments): €20-23
• Buy tickets: sisimuseum-hofburg.at
• It is recommended to buy online, as there is a fixed entry time
• Approximate visiting time: 1-1.5 hours

Further to the Vienna Opera House, it will take about 10 minutes to walk along the Opernring. Nearby is the famous Café Sacher, where you can try the original Sacher cake.

Vienna Opera House

It takes about 15 minutes to see the facade and take photos. If time permits, you can take a short tour inside (about 45 minutes).

• Address: Opernring 2, 1010 Vienna
• Inside tour ≈45 min, €15 (tickets on the official website)
• It is recommended to buy in advance online, as there is a fixed entrance time.
• Approximate visiting time: 15-45 min

From the Opera House to the Museum Quarter, walk about 15 minutes through picturesque streets and squares. We recommend stopping by the Vollpension Café (Schleifmühlgasse 16) for lunch or a snack.

Museum Quarter

It will take about 1-2 hours to explore the Leopold and Mumok museums. If time is limited, just stroll around the quarter, checking out the architecture and art installations.

• Address: Museumsplatz 1, 1070 Vienna
• Tickets: ~€15-20 ( Leopold and Mumok museums)
• Approximate visiting time: 1-2 hours

From the Museumsquartier to the Belvedere is about a 25 minute walk through the beautiful park and main streets.

Belvedere Palace

It takes about 1-1.5 hours to walk through the gardens and see the main expositions of the palace. Here you can admire the works of Gustav Klimt, including the famous "The Kiss".

• Address:
• Upper: Prinz Eugen-Str.27, 1030 Vienna
• Lower: Rennweg 6, 1030 Vienna
• Tickets:
• Upper: €19.50
• Lower: €16
• Combo: €28,30-€29,80
• Buy tickets: belvedere.at
• Approximate visiting time: 1-1.5 hours

Where to go in Vienna in the evening

In the evening, walk to Karlsplatz (15 minutes from the Belvedere). It's a nice place to stroll around and take beautiful photos of the city at night. End the day in one of the traditional cafes, such as Café Schwarzenberg or Café Central.

What to see in Vienna in 1 day in winter

Vienna is especially charming in winter thanks to its Christmas markets. If you're visiting Vienna during the cold season, be sure to check out the fair at the Town Hall or Maria Theresa Square. Here you can warm up with hot mulled wine and sample traditional Viennese sweets.