Last Updated on March 10, 2024 by gregor
It usually takes several days to one weekend to fully embrace Vienna’s most beautiful areas. But what if you have only a short stay in Vienna like a business trip or a stopover, and you want to superfast embrace the very best of Vienna’s history, culture, architecture, lifestyle, and food. Yes, it’s possible! Here are the Best things to discover in Vienna within only 4 hours. (At the End of this blog post, I have attached a Google map of the walking route for your convenience)
Vienna State Opera – Starting Point
The best starting point is obviously the Vienna State Opera in the City Center. You can get there in about 25-35min by taxi from the airport. If you are, there, take a deep breath …. Yes, you are now in the epicenter of Vienna. Let’s get started!
GETTING TO THE VIENNA AIRPORT FROM THE VIENNA CITY CENTER
VIENNA TOURIST CENTER
Located very close to the Opera at the ALBERTINAPLATZ is the Vienna Tourist Center. Here you can get a lot of Information, free brochures, and use the Free Wi-Fi.
Albertina Museum
To keep your time schedule you probably won’t have time to enter the Albertina museum itself but the view from the Albertinaplatz to the Opera is glorious, time to take your first picture or video. The Albertina museum itself has a very elegant entrance, and make sure you visit their museum’s shop.
THE ALBERTINA MUSEUM VIENNA COMPLETE GUIDE (UPDATE 2024)
Vienna Secession
Head via the Operngasse to the Wiener Secession building. Built-in 1897 gives you a very nice impression of the Jugendstil area of Vienna (a branch of Art Nouveau)
Vienna Naschmarkt
The Naschmarkt is Vienna’s most popular food market. Located at the Wienzeile over the Wien River, it’s about 1,5km long. Enjoy the exotic herbs, cheese, baked goods, and small restaurants.
NASCHMARKT VIENNA GUIDE – MOST POPULAR VIENNESE FOOD MARKET
Hofburg Palace & MICHAELERPLATZ
Head back via the Albertinaplatz and walk via the Augustinerstrasse – Joseph Square and Reitschulgasse until you finally arrive at the beautiful Michaelerplatz where you can see Roman ruins as well as several other architectural masterpieces from several centuries, like the Loos house and the Neo-rococo Hofburg entrance and various Hercules statues.
THE HOFBURG IMPERIAL PALACE COMPLEX IN VIENNA, AUSTRIA
Kohlmarkt
Walk down the famous elegant shopping mile, the Vienna Kohlmarkt. Please make sure you have a quick sneak into the wonderful DEMEL bakery.
BEST COFFEEHOUSES IN THE CITY CENTER OF VIENNA, AUSTRIA
Vienna Graben
Enjoy the walk on the elegant Wiener Graben (click to see my blog post) towards St. Stephen’s Cathedral with a lot of luxury shopping possibilities. On the left side, you see the wonderful baroque St. Peter’s Church which was built by JL von Hildebrandt in 1703 inspired by the St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican in Rome. Inside, the church makes a stunning impression with its rich interior filled with golden stucco.
St. Stephens Cathedral
Founded in the 12th century, this gigantic gothic-style cathedral with its 18 altars and various chapels is overwhelming. Well, worth spending a few minutes inside. It’s pretty amazing so let yourself be inspired by the interior including one of the greatest treasures, the Wiener Neustadt altarpiece (1447) on the left side.
THE STEPHANSDOM CATHEDRAL IN VIENNA, SIGHTSEEING INFO AND TIPS
Mozarthaus VIENNA
The Mozarthaus Vienna is located in the Domgasse on the backside of the St. Stephen’s Cathedral. It’s one of Mozart’s apartments in Vienna that still exists today. Mozart lived there from 1784 to 1787.
MOZARTHAUS VIENNA TICKET GUIDE
Franziskanerplatz Old Backyards
One of the loveliest places in Vienna is the Franziskanerplatz hosting the famous “Kleines Cafe”. Make sure you take some nice pictures here. Afterward, continue on Weihburggasse and take a look at some little old Vienna Backyards.
ENJOY THE ROOFTOP BAR at THE RITZ-CARLTON VIENNA
Congrats! You made it! Awesome! If still some time left, and you want to enjoy a beautiful view over Vienna with a nice drink or coffee. You need to check out the rooftop bar at the Ritz Carlton Hotel
Hope you enjoyed it! Let me know if you need some more details, let me know in the comments. I am happy to support you!