From St. Stephen's Cathedral to the Wurstelprater, from the Naschmarkt to Schönbrunn Palace: Vienna is teeming with highlights. Squeezing all of this into one day is quite a challenge, but certainly not impossible. That's why we'll show you how to discover (almost) all of Vienna in one day and which sights you shouldn't miss out on during your city trip.

Tip for savers: make sure you get the Vienna Welcome Card for your visit, as it gives you great discounts on many attractions and means of transport. 

Vienna in fast-forward: city tour & Big Bus Vienna

You only have one day in Vienna and still want to experience all the highlights? On the guided tours from Vas Tours Vienna, local guides will take you to the city's best sights, provide you with exciting background information and reveal a few insider tips along the way. Want a discovery tour with a twist? Discover Vienna's hidden gems on CityRiddler's puzzle tours and solve tricky tasks with up to five of your favorite accomplices. The city tours with Big Bus Vienna are just right for rainy days or sightseeing with a relaxation factor. They also save you valuable time and take you to the most important places without any detours.

Speaking of saving: Don't forget your Vienna Welcome Card, as it gives you great discounts everywhere. 

Vienna city trip: start at St. Stephen's Cathedral

We can also help you out if you want to discover Vienna on your own in one day. The perfect starting point: St. Stephen's Cathedral. In Vienna, people say that our Steffl can be seen from anywhere in the city. It's not quite true, but you certainly can't escape it on your day trip - and nor should you. After all, St. Stephen's Cathedral is not only Vienna's landmark, but also the perfect place to start your tour. From the imposing south tower, you have a magnificent view over the whole of Vienna. And who knows, you might even spot your next stop: there are other great sights all around, such as the Albertina and the Hofburg, as well as countless beautiful alleyways and hidden secret passages. Be sure to keep your eyes open!

Relax in old Viennese coffee houses

If you're out and about in the first district and want to immerse yourself in Viennese culture, there's no way around an Altwiener Kaffeehaus. Take a seat where film stars and artistic geniuses once enjoyed their Melange and a slice of Guglhupf and let the Viennese way of life take effect on you. Because these traditional coffee houses are much more than just places for the next caffeine kick: in the classic film The Third Man, a discreet meeting was arranged in the Schanigarten with the words “Can't we meet at Café Mozart?”, Gustav Klimt loved the atmosphere at Café Museum and Café Landtmann is still a meeting place for personalities from the worlds of art, sport, business and politics.

An added bonus: with the Vienna Welcome Card, you can even save money on your visit to the café. 

Imperial Vienna at Schönbrunn Palace

Schönbrunn Palace is also an absolute must-see for your city trip - and not just for fans of Sisi. Here you can fully immerse yourself in imperial Vienna and be enchanted by the imperial atmosphere. Depending on how much time you have, you can admire the magnificent summer residence of the Habsburgs from the outside, walk up to the Gloriette and enjoy the magnificent view, stroll through the palace park or explore the maze. If you have the opportunity, you should definitely also visit the imperial interiors of the palace. By the way: did you know that Schönbrunn Zoo is the oldest zoo in the world? Although you should definitely plan more time for it, it is definitely worth a visit.

Tip: show your Vienna Welcome Card and get great discounts. 

Cuisine from around the world at the Naschmarkt

What if we told you that you can even cross a sight off your list while having lunch in Vienna? The Naschmarkt is the ideal place to satisfy your hunger and experience culture at the same time. Between fresh fruit, exotic spices and genuine Viennese specialties, you can feast your way through delicacies from all over the world. Get the best falafel in town as you pass by, take a break in one of the market cafés and soak up the hustle and bustle.

Tip: On Saturdays, one of Vienna's most popular flea markets also takes place here - from genuine second-hand jewels to kitschy, beautiful junk, all kinds of old goods change hands here.

A day in Vienna: finish off in the Prater

Still time for a sundowner? For the perfect end to your Vienna adventure, you should definitely stop by the Wurstelprater and marvel at the sparkling rides. If you're looking for a good dose of adrenaline, you can really let off steam on Volare, Break Dance and co. Meanwhile, things are quieter on the Giant Ferris Wheel, where you can not only enjoy a fantastic view of the city and the green Prater Forest, but also experience a ride on one of Vienna's oldest landmarks - even at a discount with the Vienna Welcome Card.

Speaking of the Prater from above: Just a stone's throw away is ZOKU Vienna, which provides you with delicious drinks and at least as fine a view in the cozy rooftop terrace bar. 

Are you planning a trip to Vienna and still not sure how long you should stay? Here we tell you how much time you need to see Vienna. And if you want to get an overview before your visit, you can find the most beautiful views of the city in this article.