I loved Vienna so much! It’s incredibly beautiful, clean, and filled with stunning architecture. Let me tell you all about my favorite activities and how much they cost me. One thing to note: several places, especially local joints, were cash only, so be sure to have cash on hand just in case!

The prices for food and drink depend on the area and type of restaurant, but in my experience most casual dining meals were between 10-15€. Cocktails were around 8-12€ on average, and the sweet treats I sought out were each less than 5€. (And all of it was delicious!)

My food/drink recommendations: apple strudel, mulled wine, and schnitzel!

*I went during Christmastime, so there was mulled wine everywhere. It was the perfect spiced drink to warm me up!

1. Belvedere Palace: 17.50€

Belvedere Palace was first on my to-do list in Vienna, and it did not disappoint! I explored the Upper Level, which houses the permanent exhibitions. One of the most notable aspects is the large collection of Gustav Klimt art pieces, including The Kiss. All of his works are magnificent, and there are several other famous paintings there like those of Van Gogh and Monet.

Tickets to the Upper Level are 17.50€ per person, and you will want to buy your ticket in advance! The tickets are available by entry time, so you can choose when to go. I arrived at about noon, got in line, and tried to buy my ticket while waiting in (the very long) line. But as I got to the front of the line, there were no more tickets available for that time, so I had to buy one for about an hour later and start over from the back of the queue.

If you are like me, and are going to read “buy tickets in advance,” think “I should totally do that,” and then forget until the last minute… do not fret! The surrounding area is very nice, and there is a small café and lovely garden area to explore while you wait. But beware that during Summer and certain holidays, tickets can sell out for the whole day.

2. St. Stephen’s Cathedral: Free; Tower: 6.50€

I still daydream about St. Stephen’s Cathedral! The church itself is spectacular: stunning gothic architecture and gigantic walls detailed with incredibly ornate designs. Standing at 136m (446ft) tall, it is the tallest Church in Austria and a key point of the Vienna skyline. The 12^th century giant is incredible, and exploring inside the church is free, so it’s certainly worth checking out!

The cathedral is also known for its North and South towers, which boast breathtaking views of the city. The South tower is the taller one, and only accessible by a narrow, windy staircase of 343 steps. The Northern one is a little less high and accessible by a lift.

I chose to summit the South tower stairs, and it was one of the most magnificent views I’ve ever seen. Entrance to the tower costs 6.50€, and there is a small gift shop at the top. The way back down was a bit of a doozy (If you’ve read A Court of Silver Flames, you know all I could think was “Around and around, down and down…”), but it was well worth the view! I was traveling solo, but there were several others along the way who shared encouragement and laughs with me on the stairs. I often look back at the pictures I took at the South Tower and look forward to going back someday.

3. Mozarthaus: 14€ (10€ with any student ID)

More classical composers have lived in Vienna than any other city in the world! Mozart was from Salzburg, and his career really took off after he moved to Vienna. The Mozarthaus museum is in the classical composer’s former apartment right in the city! It walks you through his rise to success, telling tales and showcasing his old letters and authentic handwritten sheet music. It is also right next to the smaller apartment he lived in before becoming successful, which is visible through one of the windows.

It’s so amazing getting to look out the same windows that Mozart once did, and to walk through his home and imagine the music and liveliness that once filled those halls.

4. Wander around the Hofburg Palace Complex

Hofburg Palace was the former home of the imperial family and one of the biggest palace complexes in the world. I mean, it is massive. Today, it’s home to several museums, government office areas, and event spaces.

On one side of the palace, you have Burggarten, where there is a famous Mozart statue and a lovely area to walk around. On the other side is Volksgarten, an exquisite garden with fountains and beautiful plants. Sit on a bench and enjoy the garden’s fresh air while you take in the magnificent views. You can easily spend a couple of hours walking around the palace complex!

You also have the option to go inside Hofburg Palace and explore the museum areas. You can buy a Sisi ticket for 20€, which will give you access to the imperial apartments and the Sisi Museum.

5. Naschmarkt for food

Naschmarkt is a charming local area with over 100 restaurants, market stands, and some shops. There is delicious cuisine ranging from Vienna classics to middle eastern favorites and more. I purchased a gyro wrap here for 5€ and it was delicious! I also got a cappuccino from a local vendor, which cost me 4.80€

The market is open from dawn to dusk each day. On Saturdays, they have a flea market, filled with unique and interesting items. It’s a great place to wander around, and I imagine it would be perfect to sit and have lunch or people watch on a summer day!

6. Chicken Schnitzel- 9.90€ (cash only)

Traditional schnitzel is made with beef/veal, and can be very expensive. Many locals eat chicken schnitzel more often because it’s cheaper (and still very delicious.) I went to a local restaurant called Fritto 1070, which was just around the corner from my hostel in the Spittelberg area. I ordered the chicken schnitzel with potato salad, and it was incredible!

The restaurant is cash only and closed on Sundays.

7. See an Opera/Classical Music Show!

Since Vienna is known for its many classical music producers… what better to do? There are classical music concerts at various churches and event spaces throughout the city, usually ranging from 15-20€.

Opera tickets can be pricey, but there are “Standing Room Only” tickets available for 5-10€ each show. To get the standing room tickets, you access the opera website or visit the box office in person at 8am the morning of the show.

P.S. If you visit Vienna at Christmas time, be sure to check out the Christmas markets, which are like real life Winter Wonderlands.

And that’s it! I hope I have given you some inspiration for your future travels to Vienna 🙂

How many of these will you be doing? Have any more recs to add? Let me know in the comments!