If you’re a first time visitor, here’s a tried and tested Austria Itinerary if you travel fast! Even if you don’t, this trip itinerary shall help you plan 1 – 2 days in Vienna, 2 days in Innsbruck and 2 days in Graz. It should help you with your tour of Austria to see some of the best places in Austria!
We’re sat at a couple of massive tables in Glockl Brau, a restaurant in Graz. There’s approximately about 40 of us and all of us are yodeling. It’s a bittersweet feeling as it brings back memories from my childhood, as the family sat together for a meal while Bollywood songs by Kishor Kumar, played in the background.
Many Indians have known and even yodeled without their knowledge since the 1970s. When I was a child, I did too; little did I know then that about 20 years later I would be doing so with about 50 people, from at least 15 different nationalities, while enjoying traditional Austrian food.
Many travelers associate yodeling with Switzerland but yodeling, which was used by the locals to communicate with each other in the Alps, is a tradition shared by a few countries in Europe and Austria is proud of it!
Vienna, the capital is the most visited city in Austria however the more you head to the countryside, the more you get introduced to traditions like these and the way Austrians go about their daily lives.
As a fast traveler, while many may prefer to just visit a single city or two in Austria, if you can spare a few extra days, you can see the best of Austria in about 5 days. Here’s an Austria itinerary for 5 days that will show you some of the best places in Austria.
If you have even fewer days to spare, adjust accordingly to spend 4 days in Austria.
Day 1 of your Austria Itinerary: Graz
Things to see in Graz
While many would suggest starting your Austria trip in Vienna, I prefer to keep the city where you’re most likely to get your flights out from, for last, as it gives you time to settle down a bit.
How to get to Graz
From Vienna: Graz is about 2.5 hours away from Vienna and you can get here easily by train. Check this site for booking tickets and more info. If you’re looking to get here by flight, it takes about 35 minutes from Vienna and about an hour from Munich, Frankfurt and other connecting airports locate nearby.
If you’d rather drive, it takes about 2 hours 15 minutes by road to get to Graz.
From London: It takes about 4 – 6 hours to get to Graz from London. There are no direct flights to Graz so a connecting flight via Munich, Frankfurt or Vienna will be needed. You could also get a train from Vienna as mentioned above.
The airport is about 9 kilometers away, hence it takes about 15 minutes by cab to get to the town center. You could also take Bus 631 to get to town from the airport. If you have access to the internet, you can check updates here.
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A walk around the historic old town, The Hauptplatz and Herrengasse
Depending on when you get to Graz, the best way to see Graz is by taking a walk around the center of town, the Hauptplatz (Main Square). We were staying at the Grand Hotel Weisler which was a 5-minute walk from the main square.
The town center is an eclectic mix of the old and new. Just like the center of Marrakech was an important trade hub, so was Graz where traders converged to sell their goods. Pastel-colored buildings are located around the Townhall (Rathaus) which takes center stage.
Each building is unique and has its grandeur in late Gothic, Baroque and Biedermeier styles. The most eye-catching of these are the Luegg house in Baroque style at one end of Sporgasse which culminates in the square and the ‘Painted house’ (Gemaltes Haus) at the intersection of the Hauptplatz and Herrengasse.
A statue of Archduke Johann, an important figure in the history of Graz is situated in the middle of the square and several food stalls are located around the statue that still gives the square character as a medieval marketplace.
Right next to the Hauptplatz is Herrengasse, where the town comes together to get some shopping done!
An interesting thing to note about Herrengasse is that here you’ll find three houses squished together in the huge town hall building. This is because in 1803 when a new town hall was built to accommodate the expanding population, a few residents refused to give up their space and hence these houses continue to stay just the way they are, thus adding more personality to this city.
DETAILS
Address: Hauptpl. 1, 8010 Graz, Austria
One of the free things to do in Graz
Explore the courtyards of Graz
The Hauptplatz branches off into little courtyards scattered around the square. One of these is the Grazer Landhaus or the Landhaus courtyard.
The first Renaissance building in the city of Graz, the Landhaus has the coat of arms on one of the walls while huge round-arched windows take up most of the space. The courtyard is connected to the square on one side and Herrengasse on the other and is used for various important concerts and musicals.
While this is the easiest to find there are other countless courtyards scattered all around Graz which double up as cafes, pop-up shops, and even Christmas markets. If you have time to spare, this is a great way to get to know the city!
DETAILS
Grazer Landhaus
Address: Herrengasse 16, 8010 Graz, Austria
The best views at Kastner & Öhler HOME store
About 250 meters away from the Hauptplatz is the massive department store, Kastner and Ohler. While retail therapy works well for many, it isn’t just shopping that you should visit Kastner and Ohler for.
Located on the 6th floor is the Freiblick Tagescafe, where you can have 360-degree views of the city while having a meal, but if it is just the views you’re after, you can most certainly just grab a drink and head to the sky-walk.
A platform with glass sides juts out over the roof and looks over the Hauptplatz and provides some great views of the clock tower too. If you’re not keen to hike or climb the stairs to the Schlossberg, this spot will help you get some of the best views of Graz!
DETAILS
Kastner and Ohler
Address: Sackstraße 7-13, 8010 Graz, Austria
Timings: Monday – Saturday 9:30 AM – 6:30 PM. Closed Sundays
Drinks at the Murinsel and Lunch at Hauptplatz
After taking a first look at Graz by exploring the old town why not have a few drinks at the Murinsel?
The Murinsel is an island that contains an amphitheater, shops and a cafe that floats on the river Mur and is connected to both banks of the river by footbridges. The toilets are quite a draw too as the cubicle is covered with mirrors!
The Murinsel looks like a glass conch shell which looks even cooler at night as it lights up!
It was designed by New York artist Vito Acconci to commemorate Graz being the European Capital of Culture in 2003. If you’re not too hungry you could try having a light lunch at the Island in the Mur cafe itself or head back to the square to enjoy a wide selection of meals which are budget-friendly too at one of the numerous stalls.
DETAILS
Address: Lendkai 19, 8020 Graz, Austria
Timings: Monday – Sunday 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Continue delving into the architecture scene at Kunsthaus Graz
The ‘friendly alien’ is an architectural icon you can’t miss in Graz. It was located right next to the Grand Hotel Weisler and it wasn’t easy to see the whole structure clearly but there was a small model right in front of it.
The Kunsthaus Graz houses the Graz Kunsthaus (Art Museum) and is called the friendly alien because it doesn’t quite fit into the surroundings but is more than welcome by the locals. It was named so by Colin Fournier, one of its two architects.
The Kunsthaus looks like a heart, a baby hippo, a sea slug, or a spaceship. It is whatever you wish it to be! It is another piece that was commissioned to commemorate the city being the European Capital of Culture in 2003.
The emergence of this building helped give rise to many unique establishments in the area. The lower floor of the museum houses a shop, an event room, and a cafe. The other levels have exhibition spaces where various exhibitions are held throughout the year.
The top-level is another spot that provides unforgettable views of Graz.
DETAILS
Address: Lendkai 1, 8020 Graz, Austria
Timings: Tuesday – Sunday 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. ClosedMondays
Cost: Adults € 9.50, 24 hours – € 15, 48 hours – € 21. The full selection of tickets can be found here
Graz Cathedral, the mausoleum of Emperor Ferdinand II and the Spiral stairs
About an 8-10 minute walk away, is the Graz Cathedral and the Mausoleum of Emperor Ferdinand II. A medieval Gothic structure with refurbished baroque interiors, it is an important landmark to the city.
The Cathedral, part of the Stadtkrone (“Crown of the Town”) of Graz comprises other buildings like the Burg, the Old University and the Seminary, but many say that the blue dome of the Mausoleum does the job by itself!
The top of the tower is another spot for some amazing views of the city’s architecture up close.
Just opposite to the Cathedral is The Burg, the residence built by Emperor Frederick III, which is now the headquarters of the regional government.
While many may walk past it, if you head to the courtyard, it is here that you will find the ‘the stairs of reconciliation‘, the double spiral staircase. The two stone staircases meet at every full turn and provide great photo opp’s!
Graz Cathedral
DETAILS
Address: Burggasse, 8010 Graz, Austria
Closed for refurbishment until November 2019
Entry: Free
Stairs of Reconciliation
DETAILS
Address: Burggasse 3, 8010 Graz, Austria
Timings: Open everyday 7:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Entry: Free
Scout for street art and murals mostly in Lend
If you have time to spare, go on a hunt to find some great street art and murals scattered around the city. It’s a fun thing to do in Graz!
I always love coming across colorful murals, they brighten a city up and tell so much about its character and Graz has plenty!
While the one below is conveniently located right in the center of town, Lend, the adjoining hipster district, has many, especially near a street called Bürgerspitalgasse.
Lend is on the opposite side of the old town and sits on the other bank of the river Mur. It provides a modern angle to Graz with its mix of vintage and contemporary and will show you a different side of Graz.
Dinner at Glöckl Bräu
Wrap the day up with some dinner at Glockl Brau which serves some of the best traditional Austrian food you can ask for and beer in some of the largest pitchers I’ve seen! The setting is rustic and the staff friendly.
I had the Kasespatzle (tiny pasta with a local cheese that looks like macaroni and cheese with fried onion on top) here and some Backhendl (deep-fried traditional Austrian chicken), both of which are tasty.
They have an extensive menu and you can always refer to my post for suggestions on what to pick!
DETAILS
Address: Glockenspielpl. 2-3, 8010 Graz, Austria
Timings: Monday – Sunday 10:30 AM – 12:00 AM
Day 2 of your Austria Itinerary: Graz
Some more places to visit in Graz
Visit the farmer’s markets
Visiting a local farmers market is the best way to get to know a city through its food scene. You’re sure to find the best fresh produce, fruits that you can snack on and delicacies like spreads and cold cuts exclusive to the city!
The main markets in Graz are the one on Lendplatz and Kaiser Josefplatz with Kaiser Josef Market being the biggest in Graz. They’re open only in the mornings so you need to visit before 1 PM!
Make sure to buy some local bread, pumpkin seed oil, and pesto which the region is famous for here and cheese. Have a quick snack at one of the stalls if needed!
DETAILS
Address: Lendplatz, 8020 Graz
Timings: Monday – Saturday 6:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Schlossberg, the Clock tower, lunch at Aiola and the Slide down!
The clock tower located at the top of Schlossberg or castle hill is visible from almost all of Graz.
There’s a couple of ways to get to Schlossberg and the clock tower.
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Climb to the top via the 260 steps set in the rocks starting from Schlossbergplatz square or using paths from Karmeliterplatz square or Wickenburggasse street
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Get a ride to the top via the Schlossberglift with its glass cabins
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Via the funicular which takes you up the castle hill of Graz
Once you’re at the top you’re sure to be rewarded with stunning 360-degree views of Graz. It is one of the best free things to do in Graz.
There’s an interesting feature about the clock tower. If you look at it closely, the long hand points to the hour and the short hand to the minutes. This is because only the hour hand was added initially and was made huge to be seen from a distance. The minute hand was added later and had to be made smaller to fit inside the clock!
Inside the mountain, there’s a network of tunnels that were used as shelters during WWII and now has many cool illuminated art installations.
The clock tower isn’t the only feature at the top. While I was taking a walk here one evening, even though the clouds were threatening to pour, someone played a beautiful melody on the piano placed here. It was the perfect romantic evening for many as you can see from the pictures!
There are multiple cafes, restaurants at the top due to which you can spend an entire morning and afternoon here without having to return to town for food.
DETAILS
Address: Am Schlossberg, 8010 Graz, Austria
Timings: Funicular – Monday – Thursday 10.00 AM – 12;00 AM, Friday – Saturday 10.00 AM – 02.00 AM, Sun 10.00 AM- 10.00 PM, Lift – Mon – Sun 08:00 – 0:30
Price: Funicular: 2.40 Euros, Lift: 1.60 Euros per person
LUNCH AT AIOLA UPSTAIRS
Having lunch at Aiola Upstairs isn’t just to skip going back to town, its because the restaurant provides some amazing views of the city while you eat. The food here is simple and delicious and uses organic produce from the region.
It will probably be one of the best meals you have during your time here from what I’ve heard from friends who’ve visited Aiola Upstairs!
DETAILS
Address: Schloßberg 2, 8010 Graz, Austria
Timings: Everyday 9:00 AM – 12:00 AM
BACK TO TOWN ON THE WORLDS TALLEST UNDERGROUND SLIDE
Once you’re done exploring the Schlossberg and its time to get back to the city, an alternate way to do so is via The Slide, the tallest underground slide in the world, located beneath the Schlossberg.
Fully enclosed it takes about 40 seconds to get to the bottom. It is one of the newest attractions in Graz opened in March 2019 and as such a must-try for people who aren’t afraid to do so!
I got here after it was closed but heard good reviews from friends who did go on it.
DETAILS
Address: Schlossberg-elevator from the bottom coming from the Schlossbergplatz or from the top right next to Cafe Aiola
Timings: Everyday 8 AM – 12.30 AM
Entry: 6.10 – 6.70 Euros for a combo ticket with a lift to the top. Single trip: 1.60 Euros
Dinner to wrap up our time in Graz
There are a few options to choose where to have dinner on your evening in Graz. There’s Aiola Im Schloss (not to be confused with Aiola at Schlossberg), there’s the Kunsthaus cafe which serves light meals or you could always head back to the Hauptplatz.
Aiola Im Schloss is a little away from the city but is a beautiful location with gardens and fountains around it. The restaurant which also has an event space is popular for its tavern and serves local specialties. The Aiola Upstairs is actually its sister restaurant!
After dinner, its time to call it a day and prepare for the next stop on our Austria trip itinerary, Innsbruck.
DETAILS
Address: Andritzer Reichsstraße 144, 8046 Graz, Austria
Timings: Wednesday, Thursday 5:00 PM – 1:00 AM, Saturday 12 PM – 2 AM, Sunday 12 PM – 10 PM, Closed Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays
HOTELS
Grand Hotel Weisler is the perfect spot and is 5 minutes away from the old town and right next to the Friendly Alien.
Or you can look for alternate options here.
AIRBNB
If you prefer to stay in a Airbnb, prices for a private room can be from about £30- £70 with an entire house. If you’re new to Airbnb, sign up using this link to get £30 off your first booking.
How to get to Innsbruck
From Graz: Innsbruck is about 5 hours away by road and 6 hours by train. If it seems too long you can take a stop at Zell-am-See or Salzburg and maybe spend a day in these cities.
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The Altstadt Von Innsbruck (Old Town)
The Altstadt aka the old town is the best place to start exploring Innsbruck, just like we did with Graz.
The old town contains The Golden Roof, a balcony on the old square that contains about 2657 gold-plated copper tiles. Built in 1946 to commemorate Emperor Maximilian’s marriage, the balcony was used as a viewing point by the Emperor and royal dignitaries to watch events in the main square.
You can also visit the Goldenes Dachl museum which contains a few of the original tiles.
Just opposite to the Golden Roof is the Helblinghaus with a baroque facade which looks like a building with icing on it.
A few steps from the Helblinghaus, is the Stadtturm, the watchtower in Innsbruck, which provides stunning views of Innsbruck and the river Inn.
DETAILS
THE GOLDEN ROOF
Address: Herzog-Friedrich-Straße 15, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Timings: Museum – Monday – Sunday 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. The roof can be viewed from the square 24 hours
Price: Adult – 5 Euros, Child – 2.50 Euros. Free with the Innsbruck card. Get yours here
HELBLINGHAUS
Address: Herzog-Friedrich-Straße 10, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Timings: Not open to visitors however the building can be viewed from the square 24 hours
Price: Free
ALTSTADT
Address: Hofgasse 4, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Timings: Open 24 hours
Price: Free, however, if you’d like to learn more and have someone show you around, this tour is suggested. More info can be found here
Off to visit Ambras Castle
45 minutes from the Old Town is the Ambras Castle which is home to the oldest museum in the world.
Located on a hill above Innsbruck, it is surrounded by lush English gardens where a few peacocks roam freely.
The Castle is divided into the Lower Castle and the Upper Castle. The Lower Castle has the Chamber of Curiosities which is supposedly the oldest museum in the world and the Armories.
The Upper Castle has portraits from the era of the Hapsburgs, the chapel of St. Nicholas and a few Gothic sculptures.
DETAILS
Address: Schloßstraße 20, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Timings: Monday – Sunday 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Price: Adults – 12 Euros, Children – 8 Euros. Free with the Innsbruck card. Buy individual tickets here
Getting here by public transport: Get to Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof. There are a few buses that get to Ambras Castle and take about 30-40 minutes. The official website can be found here
Lunch at Fischerhausl
Once back in town, head to Fischerhausl which serves some great Tyrolean delicacies.
There’s Kaspressknodel Suppe, the cheese dumpling soup and the popular Wiener Schnitzel, that I had for lunch. Both were flavorful and budget-friendly.
Located in the town center, it is one of the oldest restaurants in Innsbruck.
DETAILS
Address: Herrengasse 8, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Timings: Monday – Saturday 10:00 AM – 1:00 AM. Closed Sundays
Explore the Hofburg district in Innsbruck
In the evening, explore the Hofburg district in the city. The Hofburg district houses the Imperial Palace, the Landestheater, the Hofgarten and Saint James’s Cathedral (Dom St.Jacob).
The tomb of Archduke Maximilian II is present in the Cathedral and so is the painting of The Madonna and Child in the Alps.
The Hofburg or the Imperial Palace is one of the top things to do in Innsbruck as the Giants Hall is magnificent and awe-inspiring. It has been featured in many movies and now contains portraits of Empress Maria Theresa’s relatives. There are 5 museums located in the Imperial Palace.
The Landestheater, which is the Tyrolean Provincial Theater is located a few steps ahead, in front of the Imperial Palace and the Hofgarten is located right next to the theater.
The theater hosts operas, musicals, and other performances. The Hofgarten is a great free thing to do in Innsbruck and you can take a break here while exploring the city.
DETAILS
Imperial Palace
Address: Rennweg 1/3, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Timings: Monday – Sunday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Last admission 4.30 M
Price: 9.50 Euros. Free with the Innsbruck card
The official website can be found here
Landestheater
Address: Rennweg 2, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Entry: Free, however tickets for performances can be brought here
Hofgarten
Address: 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Timings: Monday – Sunday 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Dinner at Stiftskellar
Stiftskellar has some of the best traditional Tyrolean fare in Innsbruck. I had the Tyrolean Grostl here, which is called Kedgeree in Britain. It is a traditional Tyrolean dish with fried potatoes, bacon and onion with was simple and hearty.
Stiftskellar has a good variety of beer and there are food options for vegetarians available as well.
DETAILS
Address: Stiftgasse 1-7, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Timings: Monday – Sunday 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Day 4 of your Austria Itinerary: Innsbruck
Our Austrian vacation itinerary continues in Innsbruck by starting the day off with a walk down Maria Theresein Strasse.
The street is great for shopping or people-watching while having a meal or a drink and stretches from the Triumphal Ark to the Altstadt with many buildings constructed in the baroque architecture style.
Christmas markets are held here in December and the mountains look picturesque placed at one end of the street.
While I’d highly suggest spending at least 3 days in Innsbruck to fully enjoy all that the city has to offer, if you only have 2 days at hand in Innsbruck, you need to choose between spending the rest of the day at either of the Swarovski Crystal Worlds (Swarovski Kristallwelten) or head to the mountains and visit the Karwendel Nature Park.
Both options are great and it depends on what you like to do with your time in Innsbruck.
If you have limited time to spare, for families I would highly suggest a visiting the Swarovski Crystal World, but if you love the mountains and hiking then take the Nordkette cable car to the top of the mountain range.
The Nordkette cable car has a few stops. These are Hafelekar, Seegrube and Hungerberg. All of these stops have a few things that that you can do at each of them.
The highest stop is the Hafelekar, which provides some of the best views of both Innsbruck and the mountains.
There are various restaurants that you can have lunch at, cafes and even a small cable car museum here. You should allocate at-least three quarters of your day if you opt to spend your time here.
If you need more details about what to do at each of the stations, more information can be found here.
If you choose to visit the Swarovski Crystal Worlds you will need at least half a day to visit the various Chambers.
Each chamber unique and is conceptualized and put together by famous people around the world. But it isn’t just the Chamber of Wonders that you can find here.
There’s also a Crystal cloud, a human circus and the latest find, Roman excavations that were found here that you can see. You can even spend an entire day here if you choose to!
End the evening with a meal at the Hotel Sacher and have the famous Sachertorte for dessert!
DETAILS
Swarovski Crystal World
Address: Kristallweltenstraße 1, 6112 Wattens, Austria
Timings: Monday – Sunday 8:30 AM – 10:00 PM
Tickets: 19 Euros for adults, 7.50 for children (6-14 years). Free with the Innsbruck card. Tickets with hotel pickup can be found here
Website: The latest info and additional details can be found here
Hotel Sacher
Address: Rennweg 1, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Timings: Monday – Sunday 8:30 AM – 10:00 PM
Entry: The concerts are free. Donations are encouraged. The latest calendar of events can be found here
Nordkette Cable car
Address: Innsbrucker Nordkettenbahnen – Kongress, Rennweg 3, A-6020 Innsbruck/Austria
Timings: Monday – Friday 07:15 AM – 07:15 PM. Saturday, Sunday and public holidays 08:00 AM – 07:15 PM
Entry: Euro 36.50 for a round trip right till Hafelekar, 9.50 Euros round trip till Hungerberg. Free with the Innsbruck card. Individual tickets can be purchased here
More information about the Nordkette can be found here
HOTELS
Most of the attractions are close to the old town hence anywhere near there or in the old town would work.
I stayed at the Nala Individuelhotel, near the Triumphal Arch, about 8 minutes away from town. The rooms are clean, spacious and come with a tiny, basic kitchen. Some rooms have a terrace or a small garden and a sitting area too.
You can look for alternative hotels and prices here
AIRBNB
If you prefer to stay in a Airbnb, prices for a private room can be from about £25- £40 with an entire house starting from £40 onwards. If you’re new to Airbnb, sign up using this link to get £30 off your first booking.
Day 5 of your Austria Itinerary: Vienna
An Austrian itinerary isn’t complete without a visit to Vienna. Vienna is what I’d like to call posh as everything that I saw here was classy, the architecture here was diverse and there was a lot of history on offer.
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A traditional start to the day at a coffee house
Another item that you can’t miss while in Vienna is it’s coffee culture. Vienna has a couple of majestic coffee houses with the most popular being Cafe Central. If you haven’t had a chance to grab breakfast yet the best way to start your 1 day itinerary in Vienna is by having some cake, coffee and maybe breakfast at Cafe Central.
Other options to get some coffee and grab a bite are Cafe Demel or Cafe Hawelka.
Cafe Sacher is also very popular if you’d like to have the famous Sachertorte in the morning!
Most of the attractions in Vienna are encompassed by the Ringstrasse or the Ring Road. These are the Vienna State Opera, the Palace of Justice, Austrian Parliament Building, City Hall, Burgtheater, University of Vienna and the Museum Quarter to name a few.
The very center of the Ringstrasse of the First District is Saint Stephen’s cathedral or the Stephansdom in Vienna which provides some excellent views of Vienna.
So after having breakfast, it is time to head to the Cathedral.
DETAILS
Cafe Central
Address: Herrengasse 14, 1010 Wien, Austria
Timings: Monday – Saturday 7.30 AM – 10 PM, Sunday 10 Am – 10 PM
St. Stephen’s Cathedral (Stephansdom)
The Cathedral has the North and the South towers and it also has catacombs. The catacombs are where some of the Hapsburgs are laid to rest.
Catacombs can only be viewed via a guided tour. It can get quite busy at the Towers so allocate at least an hour for the same.
DETAILS
Address: Stephansplatz 3, Metro: Stephansplatz (U1 or U3 Line)
Timings: Church – Monday – Saturday, 6 AM – 10 PM and Sunday 7 AM – 10 PM,
Catacombs – Tours for the catacombs leave every 10-15 minutes. Monday – Saturday from 10 AM – 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM and Sundays from 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM; South Tower Monday – Sunday 9 AM – 5:30 PM
Tickets: Catacombs – Adults, €5; Children 14 and below €2. South Tower: Adults, €4; Children €1.50
Mozart House
Once you have visited the Cathedral, located right next to it is the Mozart house. The famous composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart moved to Vienna after giving up his teaching career in Salzburg when he was 25.
It was in Vienna that Mozart came up with his most famous compositions. The Mozart house has pictures from his life and some of his compositions.
DETAILS
Address: A-1010 Vienna, Domgasse 5
Timings: Everyday 10 AM – 7 PM last admission at 6:30 PM
Tickets: Adults €10, Children 14 and younger €3 Family Tickets available
The Hofburg Palace
The next attraction on our Vienna itinerary is paying a visit to The Hofburg Palace. A visit to the Palace is one item you should definitely include on your list of things to do in Vienna. Used as a place of residence by the Hapsburgs, it is is one of the most important landmarks in the history of Vienna.
The palace was rebuilt multiple times hence it is a mix of architectural styles.
The palace now has the Sisi Museum , the Imperial Apartments and the silver collection. Located within the Palace is also the Spanish Riding School. You can pay a visit to the stables and check one of the demonstrations by buying a combo ticket.
You would need to allocate at least 1-2 hours and an additional hour if you decide to pay a visit to the Riding School.
DETAILS
Address: Michaelerkuppel, 1010 Wien, Austria
Timings: September – June, 9 AM – 5:30 PM, July – August 9 AM to 6 PM
Tickets: Adults – €11.50 Children – €7 Students 19 25 – €10.50. Guide led tours cost 2 Euros more and start daily at 2 PM
Austrian National Library (Österreichische Staatsbibliothek)
The next stop is the Austrian National Library which is part of the Hofburg Palace however the main entrance is at Josefsplatz so you will have to walk a few steps away from the palace.
One of the biggest and oldest libraries in all of Austria, the library has on-site museums, one of which is the world’s largest papyrus collection. As a book lover, I would visit the library just to smell the books!
DETAILS
Address: Josefsplatz 1, 1015 Wien, Austria
Timings: Tuesday – Wednesday and Friday – Sunday 10 AM – 6 PM Thursday 10 AM – 9 PM, Closed Mondays
Tickets: State Hall Only Ticket – Adults €7, Combi Ticket for the Esperanto, Globe, and Papyrus Museums – Adults €4, Children under 18 go free with an adult ticket
The Rathaus (Town Hall)
Zum weißen Rauchfangkehrer and Reinthaler’s Beisl are a few options to grab a meal during your day in Vienna. While I haven’t visited myself they come highly recommended.
Once you’ve enjoyed your lunch, start walking towards the Rathaus, the town hall of Vienna. Various events are held at the Rathaus throughout the year. When I visited there was an international food festival taking place so if you’re lucky you could even grab lunch here.
The Rathaus is a great spot to grab some Instagrammable pictures and once you’ve done so, the next stop while exploring the first district of Vienna is the Museums quarter. The Rathaus Tower provides great views of Vienna and is accessible by more than 300 steps. Consider if you have more than a day t spend in Vienna.
Museums Quarter
The museums quarter is home to a collection of museums and is one of the biggest cultural complexes in the world.
Some of the museums here are the Leopold Museum which has Viennese pieces of art, The mumok that has contemporary and modern art pieces, the Kunsthalle Wien is about photography, video and other forms of new media. My favorite was the ZOOM museum which is designed for kids but is equally fun for adults.
In addition to the museums, there are also a few cafes here where you can grab a traditional Austrian meal for dinner.
Opera House
The best way to end a day in Vienna is by enjoying a performance at the Vienna Opera House. If you haven’t seen an opera performance before this is one of the best ways to get acquainted with it. Sometimes the performance is preceded by an orchestra playing some of Mozart’s compositions.
During the day you can take a tour of the Opera House which lasts for about 40 minutes. The performances are held in the evenings. You have to pre-book well in advance as most of the time it is sold out. If it is sold out, there are other numerous options to enjoy a lovely evening in Vienna, one of them is Musikverein.
DETAILS
Rathaus
Address: Friedrich-Schmidt-Platz 1, 1010 Wien, Austria
Timings: Monday – Friday 7.30 AM – 6 PM, Closed Saturdays and Sundays
Museums Quarter
Address: Museumsplatz 1, 1070 Wien, Austria
Timings and Tickets for all museums can be accessed here
Opera house
Address: Opernring 2, 1010 Wien, Austria
HOTELS
I stayed at Hotel Altstadt and Hotel Ruby Marie and can say more of them were very unique and definitely worth a stay. The interiors and the attention to detail in addition to the service is highly recommendable.
Or you could check alternate options here.
AIRBNB
If you prefer to stay in an Airbnb, prices for a private room can be from about £31 – 79. If you’re new to Airbnb, sign up using this link to get £30 off your first booking.
There are various other alternatives to spend 1 day in Vienna. If you’re planning on visiting the Belvedere Palace or the Schonbrunn Palace, I highly recommend spending an additional day or two in Vienna. If you’re pressed on time, another option to enjoy the sights on the Ringstrasse, is to take a tram ride.
If you still have some more time to spend in Vienna or would like to end the day by partying, why not visit Vienna’s Party district Schwedenplatz!
Austria will certainly give you your money’s (and time’s worth) if you decide to spend time here. No matter where I’ve visited, I have received exceptional service and never been disappointed.
The diversity in the natural landscapes has something for everyone and I hope this itinerary helps you plan your visit to this country soon!
WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT AUSTRIA
No matter when you visit Austria for a vacation, it will be a fantastic experience!
The cities will have plenty to offer no matter when you arrive. While I prefer summer, Innsbruck is ideal for winter visitors because there are so many activities to do and see the snow-capped mountains up close.
From October to May, temperatures range from below zero to around ten degrees, and from June to September, they rise to about fifteen. The two times I went, in May and July, the weather was beautiful with brief downpours.
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EXPLORE MORE OF AUSTRIA
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