Four Day Itinerary in Vienna - Travel With A Butterfly

Before coming to Vienna, I had no idea, no preconception, no expectation of what this place would be like. Besides knowing that it’s a place for music and that Mozart was a prominent figure in Vienna, and that Jay Chou loves to visit here, I had no idea what this place would look like or feel like.

After coming here, I have to say as a tourist, I enjoyed this place very much. Amongst many places to visit as a tourist, I would rank Vienna to be high up compared with all the travel destinations I’ve been to. Vienna has a lot of beautiful museums that showcases a lot of incredible and vibrant artwork and antique collections, the city is very safe and very clean and tidy (comparable to Japan standards, even their gardens are tended very well), and the architecture of different buildings were all stunning. The museums offer a lot of its rich cultural history as well.

The city’s historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage site, showcases grand palaces, churches, and museums, such as the stunning Schönbrunn Palace, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, and the Belvedere Palace, which houses the famous artwork of Gustav Klimt. Vienna is also renowned for its classical music heritage, being the place where renowned composers like Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss stayed, and home to the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. The city hosts numerous music festivals and concerts, including the world-famous Vienna Opera Ball. Additionally, Vienna is celebrated for its coffeehouse culture, offering a cozy and traditional atmosphere to enjoy coffee and pastries.

We were there for four days in Vienna, and I would like to share with you our 4-day itinerary that you can utilize as well for your next visit.

DAY ONE

We landed from Dubai and arrived at the Vienna International Airport at 8pm. We initially thought about taking a taxi, but the taxi from the airport would have been like €60! No way we wanted to pay that much for a 20-30 minute taxi ride. So we instead called Uber which got us for about €43 which was more reasonable.

Vienna International Airport

Airbnb (Airbnb room site)

We stayed at an Airbnb near the metro station Pilgramgasse, about a 5 min walking distance. The place had two bedrooms, an open kitchen, a living room with a sofa bed, and 1.5 bathrooms. They also had a towel warmer. They did not have a machine dryer but did have a washing machine. While the inside of the place was furnished and nice, the lobby of the buliding looked like it was being renovated.

Pilgramgasse

The U-Bahn station nearest us, Pilgramgasse

Pilgrimgasse during sunset.

Rave Up Records, a vinyl disc records store for rave music nearby us (website)

Hotel Indigo near us

McDonald’s near us. I told myself I would get McDonald’s breakfast one of the days, never happened.

Hokkaido Ramen

Vienna State Opera (Wikipedia)

The Vienna State Opera, also known as Wiener Staatsoper, is a historic and prestigious opera house located in the heart of Vienna, Austria. Built in the 1860s, the opera house is renowned for its stunning architecture and world-class performances. It is home to a talented ensemble of singers, musicians, and dancers who deliver captivating and memorable productions of opera, ballet, and classical music. With a rich and diverse repertoire that includes both traditional and contemporary works, the Vienna State Opera has rightfully earned its reputation as one of the leading opera houses in the world, attracting audiences from across the globe.

In order to go inside, you’ll actually need to either book 1) a guided tour or 2) actually go watch a performance one of the nights. You cannot just walk in to check out the opera house. Also, note that not all days have performances as well.

Vienna State Opera at night

The ALBERTINA Museum Vienna (website)

Our first stop was actually the Albertina Museum, a prominent art museum and cultural institution that houses an extensive collection of masterpieces spanning various periods and styles. Located in the heart of the city, the museum is housed in a magnificent neoclassical palace and is renowned for its vast collection of graphic art, including drawings, prints, and photographs. It boasts an impressive array of works by renowned artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Rembrandt, Monet, Picasso, and Klimt. In addition to its permanent collection, the Albertina Museum hosts a range of temporary exhibitions, showcasing diverse and thought-provoking artworks.

Albertinaplatz

The ALBERTINA Museum

Inside where to buy tickets

We proceeded to the basement floor first. They were showcasing Valie Export, she was this artist that did performance art and capturing in photography, specifically on the topic of women empowerment in the 1960’s. We didn’t really like the artworks that much.

We went to the next floor up and saw incredible statue figures

I think some of these figures were created by Michelangelo as well

The floors that we visited

We proceeded to see the state rooms

We then proceeded to the floor with the Monet and Picasso artworks. This section was by far my favourite section in the entire museum.

Picasso

Also Picasso

Joel Sternfeld

I also didn’t really understand or appreciate Joel’s photographs as well.. well I mean it was just okay but nothing stood out for me.

More pics around the museum

Archduke Albrecht monument

Lunch at Brasserie & Bakery – The Guesthouse Vienna (website)

We were searching for a couple of places to have lunch and saw that this place was nearby and also had good ratings on Google Maps, so that’s why we lunched here. And I’m glad we did, because the dishes and the bread were all actually quite yummy! Much better than I had expected. The ambience was quite pretty too.

The chowder soup was delicious!

I also remember this to be yummy!

FishLooking up

State Hall of the Austrian National Library – Prunksaal (website)

After having rested our legs and eating a very good meal, we had the energy to proceed to the next stop, which was the State Hall of the Austrian National Library, one of the most beautiful libraries in the world (and I’m saying this with confidence and without exaggeration, the library was truly magnificent).

The State Hall of the Austrian National Library is a breathtaking architectural gem and a significant cultural and historical landmark. This magnificent baroque library, constructed in the 18th century, is renowned for its opulent design, grandeur, and vast collection of books. The hall features a stunning ceiling adorned with elaborate frescoes and numerous statues, creating a majestic atmosphere. Housing over 200,000 volumes, including rare and valuable manuscripts, the State Hall is a treasure trove of knowledge.

Simply breathtaking

Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien – Art History Museum (website)

Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien was one of THE highlight in Vienna, and quite possibly one of the best highlights the entire trip. And I’m saying this because the collections there were absolutely stunning. Like real freaking gold worth probably billions of dollars!

As a world-renowned art museum celebrated for its extensive collection of masterpieces and its impressive architecture, the museum showcases an array of exceptional artworks spanning several centuries and various cultures. Established in 1891, the museum houses works by prominent artists like Vermeer, Rembrandt, and Raphael, among others; the museum offers visitors a comprehensive journey through the history of art. The grand building itself is a work of art, characterized by its stunning marble facade, elaborate interior decor, and magnificent halls. The Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien is a must-visit destination for art enthusiasts and art non-enthusiasts!

Because after filtering down a selection of photos there were still a lot of photos, I thought that it would clutter this blog post too much. As such, I placed all the photos of artworks and masterpieces into a different blog post. Click here to see photos of the artworks and masterpieces in Kunsthistorisches Museum.

So instead, I’ll show you the interior of the place instead!

Even without showing you the collection, I’m sure you can see from the remarkable Baroque style rooms just how beautiful this place was. It’s so underrated in my opinion!

The Café. I’m glad we came here for a rest, as you can tell how stunning this is.

My cup of Viennese hot chocolate

From above

Good photo spot

That concludes our Day 1! After today’s activities, I was very excited about the upcoming days as to what other beautiful architecture and museums we would visit. During the night, we simply stayed at home and ate instant noodles.

DAY TWO

Landstrabe, the station that you will get off from the airport if you took the airport express train

Lunch at Plachutta Stammhaus Hietzing (website)

Our first stop was at Plachutta Stammhaus Hietzing. We actually came here because it was one of our bucket lists of places to eat in Vienna, as they were famous for their Tafelspitz boiled beef. While we had to wait around 5 minutes, it was so worth it. I loved all their dishes – from the potatoes, to the beef soup, to the schnitzel as well.

The street we passed by to the restaurant, Bäckerstraße

Entrance

Plachutta’s famous beef broth, and you get to select which beef you want

Starters trilogy – Tafelspitz beef aspic, goose liver & beef tartare. Very delicious, highly recommend

Original “Wiener Schnitzel” – from the best part of veal

Parsley potatoes, sauces, and other good things around the table

Öfferl – Brote mit Charakter (website)

After checking out Plachutta, this bakery place called öfferl was literally 1 minute walking distance away, and we heard people recommended it, so of course we had to come here as well.

Forgot what we bought, but whatever we bought, I remembered that the taste was very bland and mediocre, like I wouldn’t come here again that kind of mediocre

St. Stephen’s Cathedral (Wikipedia)

St. Stephen’s Cathedral, also known as Stephansdom, is a majestic Gothic cathedral located in Vienna, Austria. It serves as the mother church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vienna and is one of the most iconic landmarks in the city. Construction of the cathedral began in the 12th century, and it has undergone various expansions and renovations over the years, resulting in its unique architectural blend of Romanesque and Gothic styles. The cathedral’s distinctive multicolored tile roof, towering spires, and intricate stone carvings make it a true masterpiece. Inside, visitors can marvel at the beautiful stained glass windows, stunning altar, and the grandiose Pummerin bell, one of the largest bells in Europe. St. Stephen’s Cathedral is not only a place of worship but also a symbol of Vienna’s rich history and cultural heritage.

Different angles from outside the St. Stephen’s Cathedral

The inside was beautiful

Right outside there was a Column of Pest – Wiener Pestsäule

Sisi Museum in Hofburg Palace

From https://www.private-prague-guide.com, “Vienna’s Hofburg Palace has housed the government of empires and republics since 1279 and has been the residence of Austrian leaders for more than six centuries. It has 18 wings, 19 courtyards, and 2,600 rooms. The Imperial Apartments and Sisi Museum are sights not to be missed in this complex.”

The Sisi Museum, located in the Hofburg Palace, is a captivating exhibition dedicated to the life and legacy of Empress Elisabeth of Austria, also known as Sisi. The museum showcases a collection of personal belongings, including dresses, accessories, and private letters, allowing visitors to gain insight into Sisi’s fascinating world. The exhibition explores her unconventional lifestyle, her beauty ideals, her struggles with mental health, and her philanthropic endeavors. Additionally, the museum provides a glimpse into the historical context of the time, highlighting the political and social situation of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. In the museum, there are a lot of immersive displays and meaningful artifacts, providing insight into the life of one of Austria’s most iconic and enigmatic figures.

The Hofburg. One of the areas was the Sisi Museum. Since photos weren’t allowed, so I don’t have any photos inside. But basically, while listening to their audio guide, the Sisi Museum showcases the life of Empress Elisabeth. The museum basically talks about how obsessed she is with her beauty, often engaging in different dietary plans, skipping meals even with family, and always going travelling. She liked to leave her hair incredibly long as well, down to her hips. She always felt more free alone and travelling. Amongst her three children, she only felt connected with one of her daughters, as for the other two she didn’t really feel connected. I also felt that she despised living her royal life, often feeling very confined and obligated to royal responsibilities, something she didn’t like doing. She seemed to have stated she didn’t care much marriage, suggesting she either married the wrong person or wanted a marriage outside of royalty, whereas her husband often indicated how much he loved her and he always had family portraits.

Added notes about Sisi – she was reclusive, liked to travel, not family oriented, did not believe in love or marriage, did not like responsibilities and royalty she preferred freedom

Naschmarkt Wien (website)

From their website, “originally a fresh produce market the Naschmarkt today is a key open dining area. So whether you want to sit, eat, and people-watch, or buy ready-made dishes to take away, or fresh produce to create your own culinary masterpieces this is the place to visit.” This market was nearby our Airbnb and on our to do list.

The open dining area. Apparently there are a lot of bars that are happening during night as well.

Also a couple of cheap clothing stores too

Still keeps its tradition of selling nuts, flavors, and fresh produce

Falafel

Secession art museum. This is where we tried to take an Uber back to our Airbnb. This building looked interesting so I took a photo of it. Didn’t know what it was until I started writing this post and found what this landmark was.

Volksoper Wien Opera House (website)

As I wanted to check the inside of the Vienna State Opera, I looked for tickets to see performances in the next few days. People said that the tickets weren’t very expensive, but I ended up paying €132. Wait, that is still pretty expensive right?

Turns out, I went to the wrong website and bought tickets for the wrong opera house! So what happened was, I searched for Vienna State Opera on Google, and I guess I clicked on a website that showed all the performances in their opera houses, and I ended up buying to see a show for tonight at a different place. I felt super silly and embarrassed afterwards. Regardless, all the other shows in Vienna State Opera were booked by the time I was wondering whether I should forfeit the tickets to Volksoper to go to Vienna State Opera. So I ended up not going to see the inside of the Vienna State Opera in the end since the next two days were already full / not open, and the day after we were leaving.

That being said, I guess it was also good we went to Volksoper, because it definitely felt much more humble and more catered towards the locals than had we went to Vienna State Opera. Founded in 1898, Volksoper Wien Opera House is a renowned venue for opera, operetta, musicals, and ballet.

The U-Bahn station we went to was called Volksoper

I had no idea where we were sitting and had to keep asking the staff where our seats were

The musical we watched was Fiddler on the Roof. Photos and videos weren’t allowed so I don’t have any pictures of the show. Also, the entire musical was in German, so I had zero clue what they were talking about (although we did Wikipedia before had about the musical so we have a vague idea on what was going on). While we didn’t understand the language, we saw / heard that the singing, dancing, and acting were all very spot on. A huge congratulations for a well performed show for the crew and cast.

When we came out, the opera house at night

Dinner at Café Restaurant Weimar (website)

It was about 8:15pm when the show ended and we looked for a restaurant nearby. We googled and found this Café restaurant Weimar, which looked authentically Austrian.

We were the only non-locals there

Not very good, this is Eiernockerl, the fried egg small dumplings dish, a traditional Viennese dish

Sauerkraut

Have to say, all the food here was meh. I would not recommend coming here.

Car Crash in Vienna

This was my first time ever witnessing a car crash happen live. Usually, you get stuck in a traffic and wonder why only to see two cars have collided with each other. This time, I actually saw it happening.

And it took me about a few seconds before I even realized what was going on. But I think what happened was one of the vehicles ran through a red light and crashed into another car. The guy coming out of the car looked so pissed. He even had at least two other passengers with him as well. The collision was so strong that you can see the huge dent on the side of the car and the screeching and the collision noise. Luckily from the looks of it, no one seemed to have been hurt.

Zoomed in photo. You can see the left door severely damaged, and the guy looked ready to fight. The passengers on the sidewalk were so lucky. We were actually incredibly lucky too because we were just at a different corner, so had the car swing a different way when they collided, who knows what would have happened to us!

Anyway, that concludes the first two days of our Vienna trip. The next two days in the Vienna trip will be in the next post, which you can read right here for Part two! Most things about the first two days of Vienna really impressed me, particularly the Baroque architecture from the outside to the inside. I think the most underwhelming aspect of the activities was visiting the Sisi Museum, and least favourite meal was eating at Café Restaurant Weimar. Something I learned about Austria just from the first two days here was that prior to World War I, Austria was actually considered a very very rich country, behind United Kingdom and France. And you can definitely feel that it used to be a rich place, with such beautiful architecture and such beautiful art collections in their museums. And it was probably a very thriving city so that composers like Beethoven and Mozart liked to frequent here as well.

Random Pics of Vienna