Start your first morning in Vienna with a relaxed stroll through the historic Innere Stadt, stopping for a hearty Viennese breakfast at Café Central to fuel up while soaking in its grand, literary atmosphere. Afterward, join a guided walking tour that highlights St. Stephen's Cathedral (viewing the exterior and opting for a short climb if you're up for it) and winds through the elegant Graben and Kohlmarkt streets, giving you a clear sense of the city layout and easy orientation for the rest of your trip.
Ease into Vienna's rhythm with a leisurely walk across the Ringstrasse, pausing to admire the façades of Vienna State Opera and the ornate exterior of the Parliament Building, then duck into the leafy Burggarten to relax on a bench or visit the small but charming Mozarthaus exhibition nearby. Continue with an atmospheric stop at Café Sacher for the original Sachertorte and coffee, followed by a short tram ride to Naschmarkt to browse its vibrant stalls and perhaps sample local cheeses, sausages, or a glass of Austrian wine as you watch the city go by.
As twilight falls, head to the lively Prater for a ride on the historic Wiener Riesenrad to get sweeping nighttime views of the city, then wander the tree-lined paths of the park. Afterward, take tram or U-Bahn to the nearby Karmelitermarkt area for dinner at a cozy local restaurant-try traditional Wiener schnitzel at Figlmüller or seasonal fare at a modern bistro-followed by a nightcap at the intimate cocktail bar Loos American Bar to toast your first evening in Vienna.
Begin your day with a guided tour of the imperial Hofburg Palace, exploring the grand imperial apartments and the enthralling Sisi Museum to deepen your sense of Habsburg history; follow this with a short walk to the ornate Spanish Riding School to catch a morning training session if available. Afterward, stroll through the nearby Volksgarten, pause by the rose beds, and finish with a leisurely coffee and pastry at the elegant Demel pâtisserie to refuel before an afternoon of further discoveries.
Wander through the elegant arcades of Graben and pause at the gilded Pestsäule before slipping into the atmospheric Café Hawelka for a relaxed light lunch and people-watching. In the early afternoon, explore the art-filled rooms of the nearby Albertina Museum (including its famous graphic art collection) and then stroll across to the leafy Burggasse area to browse independent galleries and boutique shops, finishing with an aperitif on the terrace of Steirereck am Stadtpark to enjoy local flavors with views over the park.
As dusk settles, head to the elegant Stadtpark for a stroll past the gilded Johann Strauss statue, then continue toward the atmospheric Rathausplatz where seasonal events or light installations often enliven the square. For dinner, enjoy refined Austrian cuisine at Plachutta (famous for tafelspitz) followed by a digestif at the historic Zum Schwarzen Kameel or a relaxed evening concert at Musikverein if tickets are available, rounding out a day of Vienna's grand civic and musical traditions.
Start with an immersive morning at the Kunsthistorisches Museum, lingering over Old Masters and the lavish imperial collection before stepping next door to the dramatic Naturhistorisches Museum to compare art and science in twin palaces. After the museums, unwind like a Viennese at Café Museum, savoring a melange and a slice of cake while watching scholars and artists converse, then stroll through the nearby Maria-Theresien-Platz to admire the statues and plan your afternoon museum-hopping.
After a cultured morning, cross to the vibrant MuseumsQuartier and lose yourself among contemporary works at the Leopold Museum, then pop next door to the strikingly modern MUMOK for cutting-edge international art. Pause mid-afternoon at the storied Café Sperl for a leisurely melange and Apfelstrudel while observing the elegant Viennese café ritual, then stroll through the nearby Mariahilfer Straße for boutique shopping and a chance to sample craft chocolates at Xocolat before an early-evening concert or gallery opening.
As twilight deepens, enjoy an intimate chamber-music recital at Wiener Konzerthaus or check the program for a late performance at the nearby Konzerthaus Café, then take a short evening stroll to the cobblestone streets of the Spittelberg quarter to admire its historic Biedermeier houses and browse artisan boutiques. Finish with a relaxed dinner at the cozy, locally loved Gasthaus Pöschl (try the seasonal Viennese dishes) and end the night with a nightcap at the cozy bohemian bar Das Werk for a final taste of Vienna's creative energy.
Begin with a serene start at Schönbrunn Palace, touring the imperial state rooms and then wandering the formal Great Parterre; don't miss the Gloriette for panoramic city views and a coffee at the terrace café. From there, stroll through the palace's wooded paths to the lesser-known Neptune Fountain and continue to the nearby Palmenhaus greenhouse to admire exotic plants and warm up with a light breakfast amid tropical palms.
After the morning at Schönbrunn Palace, take a short tram to the elegant Belvedere Palace to wander its baroque gardens and view masterpieces like Klimt's The Kiss in the Upper Belvedere; linger on the sun-drenched terraces with a hot chocolate from the palace café. Then stroll through the adjacent Botanischer Garten der Universität Wien to enjoy winter pruning and sheltered greenhouses, finishing with a relaxed late-afternoon visit to the serene grounds of Türkenschanzpark, where locals walk and sip takeaway coffee as the light softens over sculpted lawns.
As dusk falls, wander the romantic terraces of Augarten and catch the soft glow over its baroque gardens before popping into the nearby Porzellanmuseum for a brief, atmospheric look at imperial porcelain. Continue with a relaxed dinner in the Meidling neighborhood at Zum Huth, savoring hearty Viennese specialties, then finish the night with a classical concert at the intimate Schubert Geburtshaus or a late-evening stroll along the lit canals of the Wiental, listening to the city settle into night.
Head out early by regional train to Heiligenkreuz Abbey, where a guided walk through the peaceful cloister and Romanesque church sets a reflective tone amid forested hills; afterwards follow the marked trail to the nearby Kahlenberg viewpoint for sweeping panoramas of Vienna and the Danube. Continue with a scenic descent into Grinzing for a late-morning visit to a traditional heuriger like Weingut Cobenzl, sipping local Grüner Veltliner and sampling slabby bread and cold cuts while watching vintners prepare for the afternoon crowds.
After a restorative morning, hike the sun-dappled trails toward Kahlenbergerdorf and stop at the hilltop Cobenzl Aussichtspunkt for sweeping views over Vienna paired with a warming snack from the nearby Weingut Cobenzl Heuriger terrace. Later, follow a woodland path down to the peaceful Lainzer Tiergarten western gate, stroll the imperial game reserve trails to the atmospheric Hermannskogel overlook, and warm up with a late-afternoon coffee and homemade cake at the rustic Kaisereck guesthouse before returning to the city.
As twilight settles, descend to the charming village of Mauerbach for a stroll past the atmospheric ruins of Mauerbach Abbey, then warm up with hearty regional fare and a glass of local wine at the cosy Gasthof Gruber. Finish the day with a short drive to the illuminated hilltop terrace at Kaltenleutgeben Aussichtspunkt for panoramic night views over the Vienna basin before returning to the city, reflecting on the peaceful contrast between urban Vienna and the winter woods.