Did you know that Vienna is consistently ranked as one of the top liveable cities in the world? In consecutive years, Vienna received some of the highest scores in quality of life and there's no wonder. Highly regarded as the "City of Music" for its deep roots in classical music and culture, the city has played host to some musical composers you might be familiar with, such as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, Franz Schubert, Joseph Haydn, and Arnold Schoenberg. If you happen to find yourself travelling through Austria's largest city, follow our 24-hour itinerary that will help you navigate through Vienna and learn why life here is so loved by its locals.
Start your day with breakfast at a local café.
With an entire day of exciting travels ahead of you, let's start by fuelling your morning with food and a coffee at a nearby café, such as Café Pruckel. Other great breakfast spots dearly loved by the locals include Ulrich, Café Heuer or Café Ansari. Full of energy and a warm atmosphere, complete with a wide breakfast menu variety and some of the best coffee you'll ever drink, these spots will leave your stomach full, heart happy, and you feeling ready to start the day!
Marvel at Schonbrunn Palace.
Once you've filled up on breakfast, take a 20-minute train ride from the city centre to the Schönbrunn Palace, once home to the Habsburg dynasty. Boasting 1441 rooms and astonishingly expansive gardens, the palace is cited as one of the most important architectural and historical landmarks in all of Vienna. Walk through the thousands of elaborate rooms hidden inside, including the parlour where six year-old Mozart played recitals back in the day.
While you're at Schönbrunn Palace, check out Café-Restaurant Residenz, a classical Viennese coffee house located directly in the eastern wing of the palace. Live music plays in the coffee house room upstairs, while the imperial bakery in the basement offers the opportunity to dive into the secrets of Viennese baking art during the Apfel Strudel show.
Make your way to Naschmarkt.
Raise your hand if you love food! For the next stop of the day, head on over to Naschmarkt, the most popular, beautiful outdoor market in Austria and even all of Europe, covering a vast 1.5km in route length. Having been opened since the early 16th century, it's a feast for the senses, where you'll discover some of the most unique foods and hidden culinary gems -wasabi peanuts, rambutans, falafel, and rare wild meat (such as reindeer and French pigeon) to name a few. Snack on the several free samples offered as you stroll through the bustling streets, or just see where your eyes and nose take you, among the 120+ food stalls and restaurants.
If you want to fill up on a bit more for lunch, try heading to a würstelstand, a traditional Austrian street food stand which can be found everywhere on the streets of Vienna. Try the most popular foods würstelstands have to offer, such as Bratwurst or Kasekrainer.
Sip some wine and relax at Vienna's own heurige.
The Viennese "heurige", or wine tavern, is unique in that Vienna is the only metropolis which cultivates expansive vineyards within its own city limits, making wine production quite literally local. Spend the afternoon amongst the peaceful, colourful vineyards and taste the fruits of your surroundings, learning about the special Viennese climate required to produce the rich taste of their wines. At the same time, take in the incredible views of Vienna as you sit in the secluded gardens amongst good company and while taking a sip of wine.
Have a taste of a traditional Viennese dinner in the city.
Make it back into the city core for dinner at one of the local taverns, such as Zu Den Drei Hacken or Silberwirt. Vienna's vibrant food culture means that the possibilities are endless when choosing somewhere to dine. From contemporary spins on Asian and Central European cuisine, to dishes highlighting key ingredients such as honey and Austrian topfen cheese (quark). For those wanting to sample traditional Austrian cuisine, try Wratschko for a homely Viennese experience.
Bask in the centre of musical genius.
We recommend ending off your day taking in the best of what Vienna does and offers - music. Get tickets to see the Opera in the evening after dinner or for something cosier, try going to one of the local classical concerts dispersed throughout the city. Alternatively, if you'd like to experience the modern side of Vienna's music scene, dive into the local nightlife at Rote Bar or the new Sass Music Club for some home-grown Viennese electronic beats.
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