9 Things to Do in Vienna — Destination Dreamer Diaries

Vienna is what I’d call your typical European city. It wasn’t a stand out place for me, but what did make it special were the little idiosyncratic things that you can’t find elsewhere in Europe.

Here’s a list of things you should do while you’re in Vienna

1. Go to Stephen’s Platz

I’ve seen a lot of things around the world… this was one of the few that looked 2D in person. It’s so massive, so detailed – it doesn’t feel like it’s tangible when you look at it from afar.

You can also go inside and climb up stairs for a view of the city.

2. Eat Sachertorte

Vienna is known for this one. In the city center, you’ll see signs for this cake everywhere.

It’s basically a chocolate cake, but with a twist – a layer of apricot jam in the middle. Being the chocoholic that I am, it was the one of the first things I did when I got to Austria (the Sachertorte may or may not have been my dinner).

Vegan Sachertore in Vienna at Simply Raw Bakery

Being the plant-based freak that I am, I had my slice at Simply Raw Bakery. I found the sweetest Viennese people here, and one of the locals told me that alongside Café Sperl, they have the best cup of coffee in town!

P.S. – also eat the Mozart chocolate balls (packaged as little red candies) that you will, without a doubt, find in every single gift shop. I brought some back for my mom, and she thoroughly enjoyed them.

3. Walk around the Hofburg

When I got to Vienna, I was in the midst of one of Europe’s infamous wet & cold winter days. However, seeing the purple sky against the perfectly-painted-white buildings… made it worthwhile.

4. Tour Schönbrunn Palace

I was on an organized vacation tour that had previously booked this for me, but I’m sure you could buy tickets online as well – just make sure you book them in advanced. I usually get really bored with this kind of stuff – but I liked seeing all of the rooms inside the palace; they were actually quite stunning. However, I would’ve still been happy with just the outside, too. Vienna was my first European snowfall sighting, and seeing this palace with a white blanket atop it…

Schönbrunn Palace in the snow in January 2018

… was amazing, to say the least.

5. Take pictures of Karlskirche

Especially in the midst of the snow dustings, this was a fun one to shoot pictures of. It’s teal roof really stands out whenever you’re walking around the city, and it’s something that seems to make Vienna really distinct.

Karlskirche with snow dustings in January 2018

My friend who studied abroad there for three weeks, later asked me about my Instagram shot,

“What building was that? I never knew the name but I knew you were in Vienna when I saw that picture on my feed…”

Enough said – you’ve gotta make sure you see this one before you leave. You could also go up here for a view of the city.

6. Explore Naschmarkt

Okay, this was one of my favorite parts of Vienna. I went early on a Monday morning in the middle of January, so it was pretty empty… but I didn’t mind it.

While it’s still behind La Boqueira in Barcelona, Free Mantle in Perth, and Central Market in Budapest…this one is up there. Viennese dishes, fresh out of the oven still-warm-from-being-baked-bread, fruits, vegetables, buts, spices, clothes, knick knacks… anything you want, it’s kind of here.

7. Shop on Mariahilfer straße

A Viennse native I met while I was at my hostel in Paris recommended this to me. It’s a cute, lit up, charming shopping street. Somewhere I would definitely envision having a girl’s night out with my friends if I lived in Vienna.

It’s definitely worth a stroll if you like to feel like a local when you travel, but if you’re into the major sightseeing sort-of-thing; I’d pass.

8. See Belvedere Palace

While Schönbrunn took the crown for me, this one is also incredibly beautiful. Again, the sweet snowfall kind of swayed me a bit, but I’m sure these places are beautiful anytime of the year.

9. Enjoy a Show at the Vienna State Opera House

Now, I didn’t do this, but looking back – I’m wondering if I should have.

I’m a music freak: I sing, I’m a songwriter, play piano, guitar, ukulele… I was in orchestra all throughout my childhood years, where I played violin from fourth grade all the way through high school… I have a strong appreciation for all music, and if you want to hear a stellar performance, this would be the place to do it.

I got lost in Vienna one day, and I ended up walking into a music school of a sort to ask some students around my age for help. When you walk through the city, you can see the most gorgeous pianos for sale through the window.

This city has a sonic touch to it that no other one I’ve been to has.

So, if you’re into music… I would buy tickets (again, in advance!) and go to a show. It’s probably incredible, and probably (definitely) something I’ll be doing next time I’m in Vienna.

Along with the Danube Tower… I took an Uber all the way out there to find it was closed!

These were the things that stood out to me during my time in Vienna, thus – I think this is a great list of things to do for your first time in the city. If you’re looking for other things to do in other Eastern European cities, click here.