Things to do in Vienna

You are likely too arrive in Vienna midday if you are traveling from the United States. Check in to your hotel and head to one of Vienna's iconic coffee shops to grab some coffee to beat the jet lag. Check out one of Vienna's oldest coffee houses, Cafe Schwarzenberg, and try their famous hot chocolate.

The best way to discover Vienna is to walk, it is truly one of the most walkable European cities. Hire a guide for at least three hours to walk you through the historic city center to show you the main highlights such as but not limited to the Imperial Palace, the Ankor Clock, Judenplatz and much more.

Walk through the "Golden Quarter" where you can appreciate the gorgeous building facades and world class shopping before heading to an early dinner.

Reserve a table at my favorite restaurant, Zum Schwarzen, in the city center. This restaurant received three Michelin stars in 2023 and serves the best authentic Austrian cuisine.

After dinner walk to the iconic Cafe Sacher for one of their famous desserts.

Pro tip: avoid the line by reserving a table in their cocktail bar Blau Bar where they serve their full dessert menu

For breakfast, head to another iconic Vienna spot, Cafe Dumul, and indulge in one of their famous cakes.

After breakfast, take the metro to Belvedere Museum to explore the gorgeous Baroque palace along with the gardens and grounds which were inspired by the Palace of Versailles. Inside the palace you will find all of Gustav Klimpt's most famous works on display, including "The Kiss".

Pro tip: make sure to purchase tickets in advance for both the lower and upper parts of the grounds in order to get the full experience (tickets sell out weeks in advance)

For lunch, head back into the city center where you can get lunch at Palmenhaus, a converted greenhouse that is conveniently located in the middle of the city center. Make reservations ahead of time as they have a lot of walk ins!

Spend the afternoon going to a matinee in Mozart's former house. The show consists of a four string piece quartet that plays all of Mozart's classics along with a few of Bach's.

Walk to Huth Gastwirtschaft for another traditional Austrian dinner. Be sure to get the tartlettes for dessert!

Head to Schonbrunn Palace & Gardens on your last day in Vienna. This impressive summer estate was once lived in by the Habsberg family, including the infamous Marie Antoinette. Make sure to reserve tickets in advance as this is the most visited attraction in Vienna, a guided tour is preferable to skip the line.

For lunch, head to Vienna's newest hotspot, Cafe Kandl. Both the atmosphere and food make the visit well worth it.

In the afternoon, walk to Vienna's Jewish Museum to learn about the city's rich Jewish history before World War II and the aftermath of the holocaust.

For dinner, head to Fabios, a sceney spot in the center of town that has international dishes with a focus on Italian. The poeple watching make it a great spot to linger for a long dinner!

Walk around the corner to the Rosewood's rooftop, Neue Hoheit Bar, where you have some of the best views of the historic city center and inventive cocktails.