The grandeur of Vienna will call to you like no other city in the world. The unique culture blends great food, historic buildings, amazing art, and classical music into an ambiance unlike any other.
Vienna has been home to Beethoven, Mozart, and even Sigmund Freud. You will be able to see famous art by Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele and stroll through the gardens at Schönbrunn, the summer residence of the Habsburgs.
With so much to see and explore in Vienna, you really do need more than one day in this majestic city. But, when you only have a day you will want to make the most of every single moment and see as much as you possibly can.
While you are exploring the city, store your bags with Bounce luggage storage service in Vienna to ensure your things are kept safe and sound.
Schönbrunn Palace
Located in the center of the city in the Hietzing neighborhood, the Schönbrunn Palace and its grounds are an absolute must-see when you only have a day to see Vienna. The palace was originally built as an imperial hunting lodge in the 17th century.
The hunting lodge was built by Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach and replaced the Chateau de Plaisance that was built in 1642 for Eleonora of Gonzaga, the dowager empress. The hunting lodge grew into a full-fledged palace through the 18th century.
Today, it is the summer residence of the Habsburg imperial family. When they are not in residence, public tours are available including the Grand Tour. The Grand Tour includes entrance into the imperial couple’s private rooms.
Spanish Riding School
Experience the oldest riding school in the world. It also has the distinction of being the only school offering classical renaissance riding for over 450 years. The Spanish Riding School is a UNESCO heritage site.
You may wonder why it is called the Spanish Riding School when it is in Vienna. The Spanish comes from the 16th century when Emperor Ferdinand I brought a Lipizzaner stallion with him to the Vienna court.
The Lipizzaner horses have enchanted people around the world for centuries and are ideal for classical riding. The school offers special performances with the Lipizzaner stallions throughout the year and it is something that should not be missed!
The stable was built in 1565 and is one of the oldest buildings in Vienna. It is home to 72 white Lipizzaner stallions! Several different tours are available at the Spanish Riding School, you can sign up online to save time.
Hofburg Palace
The Hofburg Palace was constructed during the 13th century but has been expanded many times to make it the regal palace it is today. The Hofburg Palace was once the main residence of the imperial family during the Habsburg dynasty.
Today, it is the official home and office of the President of Austria and is located in the city center. With millions of people visiting Vienna each year, the Hofburg Palace has been the backdrop of many social media posts.
Purchase your tickets online to skip the long lines. Luggage, bags, and scooters are not allowed inside Hofburg Palace, be sure you stow your things before heading to the palace for a tour.
Vienna State Opera
This iconic opera house opened in 1869 and was one of the biggest opera houses in Europe with a 1,700-seat capacity. It was the first building constructed on Vienna Ring Road and was designed by Josef Hlávka.
The first show that opened at the Vienna State Opera was the “Vienna Court Opera”. Emperor Franz Joseph I and Empress Elisabeth of Austria were in attendance and became regular patrons of the opera.
If you are not able to catch a performance at the Vienna State Opera, you can still take a guided tour through the opera house and get a behind-the-scenes look at this iconic building.
MuseumsQuartier Wien
This rather large complex covers over 22 acres and is home to 60 different cultural institutions. Located in the 7th district of the city, it is easy to get to and you can easily spend the entire day here.
But since you are only in Vienna for a day trip, you will want to peruse the list of cultural and art spaces to find the ones you want to visit when you visit. There are shops and cafes scattered throughout the complex for you to sit back and relax.
Sign up for private tours or small group tours or purchase your admission tickets online and start your Vienna day trip adventure.
Rathaus
Your day trip to Vienna is not complete without dropping by Rathaus, or the City Hall of Vienna. Located in the Innere Stadt district on Rathausplatz, this Neo-Gothic building was completed in 1883 and is home to the offices of the Mayor of Vienna.
The five towers with the Rathausmann statue resting on top of the central tower are considered to be symbols of Vienna and must be on your itinerary when you visit the city. Rathauspark is across the street from City Hall.
Make reservations at the Wiener Rathauskeller, a historic and traditional Austrian restaurant with delicious Viennese dishes. The Wiener Rathauskeller is located at the Vienna City Hall.
St. Stephen’s Cathedral
This breathtaking Roman Catholic cathedral is the mother church of the Archdiocese of Vienna and the official seat of the Archbishop, Christoph Cardinal Schönborn. Construction on the cathedral began in 1137.
Vienna experienced a devastating fire that spread throughout the city in 1258 and St. Stephen’s did suffer damage. But it reopened in 1263. Another fire in 1945 during the last days of WWII caused significant damage to the cathedral.
St. Stephen’s Cathedral reopened once again in 1952 by Theodor Cardinal Innitzer. Today, daily mass is held at the church, and tours are offered for visitors. You will want to spend a little time here soaking up the history of this great cathedral.
Once you get to Vienna, you are going to wish you had more than just a day to explore this magnificent city! Since your time is limited, you will want to hit the high notes and find the things that most interest you.
Grab your overnight bag, book your tickets in advance to the different attractions, and wear comfortable shoes. You are going to fall in love with Vienna!
