Centrally located in Europe, the city of Vienna still gives a touch of the old world. It’s currently ranked as one of the most livable cities in the world. Upon arrival, it’s a seamless blend of European grandeur and modern comfort.
During my month of solo travel in Europe, I found myself staying here for only 3 days. It was just enough for me to get a taste of the Viennese way of life. While traditional, it was also very leisurely. No one seemed to be in any hurry to get anywhere. So I took my time to slow down, stretch my legs, and enjoy these simple pleasures in the Imperial City.
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Day 1
Schonbrunn Palace
Here you have the most visited attraction in all of Austria and one of the grand palaces in all of Europe. It’s a short distance away by public transportation from the city center. This was the former summer residence of the Austrian royal family and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, attracting millions of visitors each year.
Walk the surrounding grounds for free before entering the palace. It contains monuments, statues, fountains, and botanical gardens. The open green space feels peaceful, despite the constant movement of tour groups through it. You can find your own private space and just take it in.
Within the palace, there are 40 distinct rooms to explore, each with slightly different interiors. You will see historic state rooms, multiple salons for intimate gatherings, the royal bedrooms, and recreational and dining areas. All encompassed with portraits, photographs, furniture, and mementos. If you are concerned about waiting in line for a long time when purchasing a ticket directly, consider booking a Vienna skip-the-line walking tour in advance instead. The local guide is very knowledgeable and offers tours in multiple languages.
It’s also a popular location for city-wide holiday events, with Easter and Christmas markets in the open courtyard every year. They offer children’s rides, including a Ferris wheel and carousel. Enjoy the local food and drink vendors as you walk across the grounds. A perfect outing for solo and family travelers looking to enjoy not a unique celebration but a popular city gathering.
You should spend at least half a day here to get the whole Habsburg experience before heading back into central Vienna.
St. Stephen’s Cathedral
It’s hard not to notice the towering spires of this eminent church in the spiritual heart of Vienna. Anyone in Vienna comes here at least once, and you will find it one of the most crowded parts of the city. Before entering, take a walk around the entire building to appreciate the Gothic architecture and design fully. Admire the mosaic tile roof on the west side of the square. See the clergy members on the outside steps, friendly, conversing with everyone. Just enjoy the buzzing atmosphere of the entire square (I sat and enjoyed myself for two hours).
Inside, you have two options. It’s free entry to the central nave of the cathedral, and you can take in the site at your leisure. See the fantastic artwork and sculptures on the altars and sides. Or, if you want to climb the tower for panoramic views overlooking the Vienna rooftops or dive down into the adjoining catacombs to see the tombs of the clergy and royalty, you will need to pay for a guided tour. Musical concerts are also performed here because of the acoustics and popularity. There are many performances of classical music here in this amazing sound space.
Graben and Kohlmarkt
Consisting of two pedestrian shopping streets that are more suited for grand shoppers, but it is fun just to stroll around the cobblestones and enjoy the historic architecture in various styles. It is filled with luxury designer boutiques and retail stores.
What you can do is enjoy the cafe culture, which is big in Vienna, with bohemian vibes, to slow down and savor. Part of the city’s cultural heritage, sit down and linger to people watch with a nice traditional Melange or Einspanner and a piece of cake.
Day 2
Belvedere Palace and Garden
Behind iron gates, this pair of Baroque palaces makes up the Belvedere Museum. Before you enter, take a walk around the grounds and admire the formal, manicured gardens that connect the palaces, statues of mythological figures, and large fountains. It’s a massive, carefully designed green space.
Each palace features different exhibits on the inside. The Upper Belvedere has a collection of famous Austrian artwork, including landscapes, drawings, and portraits. The Lower Belvedere focuses on the Baroque style of art and culture during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance periods. Both always feature special, limited exhibitions of foreign artists and styles, offering a diverse experience.
Similar to Schonbrunn Palace, you can purchase a skip-the-line ticket with a local tour guide if you choose not to go directly as soon as you enter either of the museums. I think it’s better to get a more informed explanation and understanding of the exhibits.
The Hofburg
Found in the heart of Vienna’s historic center is a massive palace complex. The seat of power in Austria has been held for numerous centuries. Now it has become a political and cultural hub, containing grand art collections and historical museums, and is still in current use by the Austrian government.
Inside, you can see the richly decorated private apartments of the Emperor and Empress, which link to the Sisi Museum. Named after the Empress, this exhibit focuses on her life, daily routine in royal and societal contexts, the clothing style of that period, and specific memorabilia and items that belonged to her and the royal family. If you’re not interested in this type of historical figure, the museum may not be for you. You might find it overpriced and overcrowded, especially considering the short amount of time you spend here, trying to read the exhibits comfortably.
The Spanish Riding School can be a bit overhyped, but in my opinion, it is a must for tourists. These trained horse riders are professional and dedicated to their craft. You are getting a truly unique experience and cultural treasure in this riding hall, although some may find it dull unless you are a dedicated horse and animal lover. For your choices and schedule, the options range from 45 to 90 minutes. You can pick a morning session and watch the daily conditioning and training exercises. Or you can select one of several performances, with coordinated routines and jumps included—all inside this impressive riding hall, and accompanied by the classical music of Vienna.
Burggarten
A short distance away from the Hofburg Palace is this beautiful green space. Open to the public, it’s a great spot to unwind for locals and visitors alike. Even though Burggarten is smaller in comparison to other green spaces around Vienna, its popularity is in its simplicity and central location to so many other attractions.
The winding walking paths take you through the carefully manicured gardens, flowerbeds, and sculptures of Vienna citizens. One of its highlights is a monument and garden dedicated to the Vienna celebrity and world-famous classical composer, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. It’s become one of the most photographed landmarks in all of Vienna.
Day 3
Karlsplatz
A dynamic and popular public square of Vienna. Only a few blocks away from Vienna Central Station, it’s a transport hub and a good central base for your travel itinerary. Its most popular landmark is the Karlskirche (St. Charles Church). Come in the afternoon and enjoy the reflection of its baroque green dome and twin columns in the circular pool out in front. You can then take a stroll around Resselpark’s walking paths to see the several statues or to learn about the community events currently being hosted on the grounds.
Vienna Museum
Next to Karlsplatz, a now free-of-charge (except for special exhibitions) museum reopened after several years of renovations. It will provide a comprehensive history of Vienna through its permanent exhibits, which cover three floors. Starting from prehistory to the Roman era and extending to the present day, you will encounter medieval armor, religious artwork, statues, modern political organizations, and issues related to Vienna, such as immigration and urban development—an excellent opportunity to see the timeline and course of a major city in a short period.
Naschmarkt
This place has become a tourist trap in recent years, but I still think the open-air market is a good spot to eat and explore when you’re hungry and nearby. On one side, sit-down restaurants and cafes are offering regional Austrian dishes and multicultural cuisines, which some have found to be overpriced; however, I didn’t feel that way and enjoyed two lovely meals during my stay in Vienna.
The other side is a narrow mix of fresh produce stalls and international street food. Mixed in the middle are specialty shops offering gourmet cheeses and meats, as well as spices and teas. It’s nice to walk through and view everything, but the vendors will try to sell you on their items hard, sometimes being overly aggressive in the pitch and offering free samples to reel you in. Some stalls even sell identical food and snacks. Just be aware and politely refuse and ignore as you walk through the narrow street without trying to offend.
Wien River
It’s not a famous attraction in Vienna, but it’s a great place to hang out and relax without a care in the world. The river passes through the city’s neighborhoods and parks before ending at the Danube canal. You can grab a bite, sit outside, and enjoy the waters. Enjoy the viewpoints from the pedestrian bridges or cycle along the promenade route and take in all the street graffiti art. Take the opportunity to experience the local flavor in this way.
Conclusion
Overall, Vienna is a captivating European destination—a great place for solo travelers and slow travelers. You can see and do a lot in a short amount of time because it’s so walkable. But it doesn’t feel like it goes by so quickly at all. It’s just losing yourself in this city that makes it enjoyable.