Vienna in 1 Day: a guidebook for getting the most out of your visit

The Austrian capital is a city with a lot to do. That's why organising a one-day visit to Vienna can be a real challenge. The key is to see its historic centre and take advantage of the proximity between its most important monuments.

The itinerary below is designed to make the most of every second, so make sure you get a good night's rest before your adventure. Happy travels!

Naschmarkt is the name by which Vienna's best-known market is known; wake up early on the morning of your first day to soak up the particular dynamics of this beautiful city.

Founded in the 16th century as a food market, today the Naschmarkt is home to delicacies from a variety of countries, flowers and stalls selling art and crafts.

You can take advantage of this time to do your gift shopping and you should definitely have your first meal of the day in one of the many restaurants you will find here.

• Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 6am to 6.30pm; Saturday from 6am to 2pm.
• Entry fee: Free for the general public.
• Transport or route: You can get there using the Vienna underground (line U4), the nearest stop is Kettenbrückengasse. But my recommendation is to book a bike tour of Vienna.

The Hofburg Palace is one of the most visited attractions and one of the best palaces in Vienna. It is also one of the earliest openings, so I recommend arriving early to make the most of the day.

It is a complex with several museums, cathedrals and a library. It is worth the trip to admire the Sisi Museum, where you can learn about the life of the particular Empress Sissi of Vienna and also see the royal apartments, perfectly preserved to this day.

The Hofburg Palace is one of the places included if you buy the Vienna Explorer Pass.

• Opening hours: Open to the public from 9am. From September to June it closes at 5.30pm and from July to August at 6pm.
• Admission fee: From €15 for an adult ticket, but free entry if you purchase the Vienna Pass.
• Duration of visit: You will need about 2 hours to do the whole tour.
• Transport or route: From your location on the Naschmarkt, it is best to take a leisurely walk up the Getreidemarkt and take Eschenbachgasse to the historic centre of Vienna, the Palace is only a 12-minute walk away.

Considered to be one of the most beautiful libraries in the world, this important historical building is striking to say the least as a result of its fabulous baroque decorations. The building is also considered one of the most important works of this architectural movement.

It is worth paying for the tour to admire the Imperial Hall, a fantastic hall with marble statues, frescoes on the ceiling and paintings on the walls; here is kept an important collection of approximately 200 thousand copies of books from the year 1500 to 1850.

• Opening hours: Open to the public every day from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm; on Thursdays extended hours until 9:00 pm. Closed every Monday from October to May.
• Entry fee: Approximately €8 per person.
• Duration of visit: 1 hour is usually enough time to visit all the rooms.
• Transport or route: The Library is right next to the Palace, just a five-minute walk across the shared grounds.

Leave the library behind and head to one of Vienna's most important squares, Ausgrabungen Michaelerplatz, from this vantage point you can admire another of the Hofburg Palace's facades, but above all the Spanish Riding School of Vienna.

Take the opportunity to take some nice pictures of these important historical monuments before continuing the tour.

No tour of Vienna would be complete without a visit to its exquisite Cathedral, considered the most important monument in the capital; tourism in Vienna revolves around this important building, as well as the affection of the entire Austrian people.

Built on the foundations of an ancient medieval temple from 1147, parts of the cathedral, such as the Giant's Gate and the Pagan Towers, have been preserved, as well as the clear influences of the Romanesque and Gothic styles. The Cathedral was badly damaged during World War II, but was repaired down to the smallest detail.

There is much to see inside the Cathedral, but some highlights are: the Pummerin Bell, the famous gothic Pilgram Pulpit; the 18th century Catacombs with the remains of more than 10,000 Viennese; the image of Christ Crucified and the tombs of many of the Habsburg family. Want to take pictures of the city? The Vienna Cathedral Tower offers some of the best views of the heart of Vienna - be sure to climb it!

• Opening hours: From 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Saturday. Mondays from 7am.
• Admission fee: You will find several types of access to tour specific areas of the complex, I recommend purchasing the all-inclusive pass which costs around €15 per traveller.
• Duration of visit: You will need about 2 hours to do the whole tour.
• Transport or route: Leaving from the National Library, the Cathedral is only an 8-minute walk in an easterly direction.

Considered one of the best museums in Vienna, the Museum of Art History is a space that can be enjoyed by both art experts and novices looking to learn a little more.

This space serves as home to the fantastic collection of artworks gathered over the centuries by the Habsburg dynasty which includes works from Ancient Greece and Rome, Oriental art, Egyptian art, 15th century paintings and more.

In addition to the fantastic art collection, the Art History Museum is worth a visit for the majestic architecture of the building. Unlike other important historical museums that were adapted in former palaces, this museum was from the beginning designed with an exhibition space. The collection is very extensive so it may be a good idea to take a guided tour of Vienna.

Take a lunch break in the museum's restaurant

Before your tour of the museum you may need to recharge your batteries. Just know that one of the best restaurants in the area is located in this facility. The terrace area is truly spectacular.

• Opening hours: Open daily from 10am to 6pm; extended opening hours on Thursdays until 9pm. Closed on Mondays from September to May.
• Admission fee: From €24 for an adult ticket, this attraction is included in the Vienna Pass.
• Length of visit: The museum is extensive, but you can spend about two hours to see the highlights and highlights.
• Transport or route: To get to the museum from Vienna Cathedral, retrace your steps and take a 15-minute walk through the Hofburg Palace gardens.

After soaking your senses with art and history from all eras, leave the museum behind for a leisurely stroll along what is known as the most important avenue in the centre of Vienna: Ringstrasse. Book a guided tour of Vienna and enjoy this characteristic place.

Built in 1857 after the demolition of the wall that protected the old medieval Vienna, the Ringstrasse boulevard is one of the most beautiful walks in Vienna.

If you do it on foot you will be able to admire and take pictures of the important historical buildings housed here such as: The Museum of Art History, The Museum of Natural History, The Votive Church, The University and more.

Wiener Staatsoper is the German name for the Vienna State Opera, the world's best known and most important opera house.

It was the first building to be erected on the Ringstrasse after the boulevard was completed. Because of its distinguished location, a first-class architectural work was required, and the first two architects who tackled the project died under the pressure.

Built in the Renaissance style, you can visit the opera house for a performance or you can pay for a tour of the interior; this is the recommended option if you only have one day in Vienna. During your visit you can admire the entrance hall, the fabulous main staircase and the 2,800-seat main auditorium.

• Opening hours: Guided tours start at 1pm and end at 3pm from Tuesday to Sunday.
• Admission fee: From €7.50 for an adult ticket.
• Duration of the visit: 50 minutes to 1 hour is usually enough time for a tour of the interior of the building.
• Transport or route: Along Ringstrasse, the Vienna State Opera is only a 9-minute walk from the Museum of Art History. You can also get there comfortably if you book the Vienna sightseeing bus.

To continue the itinerary, book your ticket for Upper Belvedere. Arriving at the Belvedere complex you will find two stunning palaces linked by a French-style garden of grand proportions.

The garden together with the beautiful facades of the palaces constitute one of the best views of Vienna and undoubtedly one of the best photo spots to capture the unique beauty of the city.

• Opening hours: Every day from 10 am to 6 pm.
• Admission fee: €17 for an adult ticket. However, if you buy the Vienna Pass you can get in for free.
• Length of visit: Minimum two hours if you want to visit the gardens and interiors.
• Transport or route: From your location outside the Vienna State Opera, the best way to get there is Resselpark and taking the Tram Line D to the Schloss Belvedere stop.

As you can see, there is plenty to see and do in Vienna, and what better way to end the day than with a good dinner. In particular, in the area around the Belvedere Palace, gastronomic variety is guaranteed. End the evening of your day out in Vienna with dinner at a nice restaurant in the city centre. Here are some suggestions of good places:

• Art Corner Restaurant: Located just outside the Palace, the gastronomic offer includes traditional Greek and Viennese dishes, the best part is its spacious terrace ideal if you visit Vienna in summer.
• Indian Restaurant Demi Tass: If you feel like enjoying good Indian food served in a nice atmosphere, this option is one of the best rated Indian restaurants a few minutes away from the Palace.
• Gorilla Kitchen: Ideal for those looking for a less formal atmosphere, Gorilla Kitchen has a young atmosphere and its menu revolves around easy and delicious dishes ranging from burritos, bowls or sandwiches to coffees, cakes and beers.
• Hard Rock: If you prefer something more international you can always book a burger menu.