| 
With over 27 castles and 150 historic buildings, Vienna ranks among the cities that have 1,000 or more things to do, and see. Its historic center is called Inner Stadt and is the area where the largest number of museums and attractions are concentrated. Not far from the centre, the Schonbrunn Palace, a world heritage of humanity, is one of the unmissable places on a weekend in Vienna. More info from here.
However, it is truly impossible to think of visiting such a beautiful city in just a couple of days. Here are some of the places not to be missed on holiday in the capital.
WHAT TO SEE ON A WEEKEND IN VIENNA
CATHEDRAL
A weekend in Vienna could start by visiting the beautiful old town. St. Stephen’s Cathedral is a must-see for any tourist visiting Vienna, with its spire overlooking the city.
The most important Gothic monument of Austria is the symbol of Vienna: outside the gaze is captured by the magnificent roof made up of 250,000 colored tiles that draw the Austrian coat of arms, and by the elegant bell tower, affectionately called Steffl</i > (Stefanino) with its tapered spire.
It has four towers, of which the highest is the south tower with its 136.44 metres. The summit can be reached via a staircase of 343 steps: from here, the view over the city is wonderful. Not to be missed the impressive Treasury of the Cathedral, with artistic relics decorated with gold and precious gems; the building also houses numerous tombs of important historical figures.
TIMETABLES AND TICKETS
The Duomo is open from Monday to Saturday 06:00 – 22:00; Sundays and holidays 07:00 – 22:00. The visits take place from Monday to Saturday from 9:00 to 11:30
and from 1pm to 4.30pm
Sundays and holidays from 13:00 to 16:30.
North Tower (Pummerin) and South Tower are open every day, from 09:00 to 17:30. Last access allowed at 5.15pm.
The tour in the Catacombs takes place from Monday to Saturday at 10.00, 11.00, 11.30, 13.30, 14.30, 15.30 and 16.30. Sundays and public holidays, at 1.30pm, 2.30pm, 3.30pm and 4.30pm.
The autonomous visit of the Cathedral is FREE, but during the religious functions it is not possible to go beyond the initial part of the Cathedral.
There are several possibilities for guided tours: the rates vary according to the choice, age and number of participants. The cost of a guided visit to the Duomo is €6 for adults and €2 for children up to 14 years of age. For the tour of the Catacombs or the visit to the North Tower, the ticket costs €6 for adults and €2 for concessions. For the South tower you pay €5.50 (€2 reduced).
With the All Inclusive ticket you will have access to all areas, including the Treasury of the Teutonic Order. It costs €20 for adults and €5 for children.
For info and updates, you can consult the official website.
HOFSBURG
Still in the historic center, the Imperial Palace (Hofburg) is the symbol of the city, an unmissable stop during a weekend in Vienna. This majestic palace was the residence of the Habsburgs, a symbol of elegance and royalty, and for a long time the political center of the Austrian empire. It is made up of a complex of buildings from different eras, and covers an area of approximately 240,000 m2. (18 wings, 19 courtyards and 2600 rooms).
Do not miss the 18 rooms of the Royal apartments, the Silverware Museum, the Museum of Sissi, the famous and unforgettable Princess.
Inside the Hofburg (entrance from the Swiss courtyard), there is the Schatzkammer, or the Imperial Treasury Chamber which houses the sacred and profane treasure of the Habsburgs. The museum houses objects of inestimable value.
Anyone wishing to get there directly by public transport can use the U3, stop Herrengasse. Alternatively, Tram lines 1, 2, D, J, getting off at the Burgring stop. By Bus: line 2A or 3A, stop Hofburg.
Open every day, including holidays, from September to June from 09:00 to 17:30; July and August from 9 to 18. The ticket to access the Sissi Museum, the Royal Apartments and the Silverware Museum costs €16 for adults and €10 for children aged 6 to 18. Free for children under 6 years old.
KUNSTHAUS
Vibrant surfaces with irregular shapes, many of which are covered in lush greenery, characterize Kunst Haus / Hundertwasser Museum. Started in 1989 and inaugurated in 1991, it houses a permanent exhibition entirely dedicated to Hundertwasser, his philosophy, his work in painting, graphics and architecture. The easiest way to get to the Vienna Kunsthaus is by tram 1, getting off at the Radetzkyplatz stop.
Kunst Haus Wien – Hundertwasser Museum, is open every day, including holidays, from 10:00 to 18:00. The whole ticket costs €12.00; reduced for children, €5.00.
Just a 5-minute walk takes you to the Hundertwasserhaus and the unique Village. More info from here.
BELVEDERE
In a weekend in Vienna, among the many things to see, a visit to the famous Belvedere should not be missing, to admire the magic of the place and, above all, the paintings by Gustav Klimt.
Considered one of the most beautiful princely residences in Europe, the Castello del Belvedere was built between 1714 and 1722 at the behest of Prince Eugene of Savoy, a victorious leader of the imperial army and a great lover of art. The Baroque-style complex is made up of two castles: the Belvedere Superiore and the Belvedere Lower. Today there is a collection of Austrian works of art from the Middle Ages to the present day.
Belvedere Superiore
The heart of the Belvedere collection consists of the paintings of Gustav Klimt, in particular his gilded paintings “The Kiss” and“Judith”.In addition to valuable masterpieces by Schiele and Kokoschka, and works of French Impressionism and masterpieces of the Viennese Biedermeier (Waldmüller, Amerling and Fendi), here are exhibited paintings by great masters such as Makart, Boeckl, Wotruba, Hausner and Hundertwasser.
Lower Belvedere
The feudal splendor of the aristocratic client is reflected in the Hall Of Grotesques, in the Gallery of Marbles and in the Hall of Gold.
How to get:
By train, Quartier Belvedere station; S-Bahn, Quartier Belvedere station; Tram D (Schloss Belvedere stop), n.18 and O (Quartier Belvedere stop); Bus, 69A (stop in Quartier Belvedere); Underground: U1 (stop Südtirolerplatz).
TIMETABLES AND TICKETS
The Belvedere (Upper and Lower), is open every day from 10:00 to 18:00
The Stables every day from 10 to 12.
The ticket for the Upper Belvedere costs €15.90. To enter the Lower Belvedere, you pay €13.90. To see both, the ticket costs €22.90 for adults and €19.90 for seniors. Children under 19 enter for free.
MARGARETENPLATZ AND DANUBE TOWER
Photo ©, Christian Lendl/Donauturm
Around the square, among the ancient Biedermeier-style buildings, several restaurants have been opened which in summer also offer outdoor tables in the pretty internal courtyards. The area includes the so-called “Schlossquadrat” and some buildings that line the Schönbrunner Strasse; in the evening it is very lively and you can choose from tons of places to dine.
Every day, from 10:00 to midnight, you can climb 252 meters high to the top of the wonderful Danube Tower (Donaturm). It is the tallest building in the entire capital. From here, an absolutely magnificent view of the old town, the Donaupark and the Vienna Woods. Two very fast lifts lead to the top, where, comfortably seated in a revolving restaurant, one can admire the panorama.
It can be reached by underground, Line 1, getting off at the Kaisermühlen stop. Every day from 10:00 to 23:00. Last ascent at 10.30pm. The ticket costs €16 for adults and €9.80 for children aged 6 to 14.
WHERE TO EAT ON A WEEKEND
Only 3 places that could come in handy for a gourmet break on a weekend in Vienna. At Stephenplatz (U-Bahn stop) you can savour excellent coffee and delicious cakes including, the Sacher, at the Konditorei Heiner. Among other things, many Viennese delicacies await you . Ideal to start your day. And, staying on the subject of sweets, the Cafè Central in Herrengaissein is considered a true institution. Here awaits you the best breakfast with cappuccino accompanied by the inevitable Sacher.
Plachuttas gasthaus zur opera is a typical restaurant with good value for money. Try the local specialty: the Wiener Schnitzel. It is centrally located and can be reached easily by public transport, getting off at Karlsplatz.
A weekend in Vienna cannot be a weekend without having visited the Prater and having admired the city from the top of the Ferris Wheel, a true symbol of the capital!