Solo travel in Vienna: how to have the best trip

Vienna is one of my favorite places in Europe and it has a special place in my heart. That’s because my aunt used to live in Vienna when I was a kid and I spent a lot of Christmas and summer vacations in Vienna. This guide for solo travel in Vienna includes everything you need to know when you visit the Austrian capital for the first time. This post contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase I may get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Find out more here.

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I know I might be a bit biased since I spent a lot of time in Vienna growing up, but it’s such a great city! I love its rich culture, historic buildings, and the Viennese coffee houses. It’s a very beautiful city and there are so many tourist attractions waiting to be explored!

I am so grateful I got the chance to visit Vienna so much when I was a kid. I’m pretty sure that’s where my love for travel started. I remember how I was navigating the subway system like a pro when I was 7 or 8 (there was no Google maps back then!), how excited I was to explore new parts of the city with my aunt and/or grandma, and how I loved trying new food that you couldn’t find in Romania. I still love doing all of that and, as corny as it sounds, solo traveling now as an adult makes my inner child very happy. Traveling is my definition of pure joy.

Table of Contents

What should I visit in Vienna as a solo traveler?

Schönbrunn Palace

schonbrunn palace in vienna at night, a must see when you solo traven in Vienna

My favorite place to visit when I was little was Schonbrunn Palace (I still love it!). I was obsessed with Princess Sissy. I used to spend hours at Schönbrunn just looking at Princess Sissy’s dresses, the adornments she was wearing in her very long hair, the room she used to sleep in. The little girl in me felt like she was part of a fairy tale. A real life one.

The Schönbrunn Palace was the main summer residence of the rulers of the Habsburg Empire. The palace is huge and it has 1,441 rooms. It’s the most important landmark in Austria as this place has a history of over 300 years. Make sure to plan on being here for at least 3-4 hours. It won’t be enough time to see everything, but you’ll be able to see the highlights.

the author when she was a kid at schonbrunn — Little me at Schönbrunn

The gardens of Schönbrunn are as impressive as the palace itself. Strolling in the gardens and going to the Gloriette structure to get an amazing view of the palace is a must. The palace also has a zoo, an orangerie, and a large green house (or palm house) with species of plants from around the world. This palace used to be the poster child of European luxury.

And if all of these luxury staples weren’t enough, Schönbrunn also has an orchestra specialized in Viennese classical music. If you watched the movie Amadeus and you like Mozart’s music, you should definitely attend one of their concerts.

St. Stephen’s Cathedral

St. Stephen’s Cathedral, or Stephansdom, is a Gothic cathedral with Baroque fittings located in Stephansplatz, in the center of the city. It is one of the symbols of Vienna and it is the tallest church in Austria. Its construction began in the 12th century and its design changed multiple times over the centuries. It has a multicolored tiled roof, which makes it unique.

Belvedere palace

Belvedere is a complex of baroque architecture, consisting of two palaces, Upper and Lower Belvedere, the Orangery, and the Stables. This complex was built as a summer residence for Prince Eugene of Savoy. Upper Belvedere is the most impressive building in the complex, at least that’s my personal opinion. It’s a gorgeous baroque building and it has a large pond in front of it on one side, and manicured gardens on the other side. It’s a must visit place in Vienna.

Fun fact: Viennese architect Franz Anton Hillebrandt designed the Baroque Palace in my hometown of Oradea, in Romania, as a sister palace to Belvedere in Vienna.

Hofburg palace

The Hofburg Palace used to be the main palace for the Habsburg dynasty. It was their winter residence, while Schönbrunn was their summer residence. It is also one of the biggest palace complexes in the world. The president of Austria has been residing here since 1946. Only the Imperial apartments, the Sisi Museum, and the silver collections are open to guests.

Danube River

The Danube crosses the upper part of Vienna, away from the historical center. So unfortunately, you won’t be able to see it cut through the most beautiful part of the city, like you do in Budapest.

Even though it’s not in the city center you can take the subway and get there in a few minutes. There are plenty of walking and cycle paths, so it’s the perfect place to get some exercise in, along with the locals.

Prater

Prater is an amusement park in Vienna and it’s a popular place for children and adults alike. The best-known attraction is the Wiener Riesenrad, a ferris wheel. You can find a lot of other rides at Prater such as bumper cars, roller coasters, and carousels. There are also many restaurants to choose from, as well as souvenir shops. Spending a few hours at Prater is a lot of fun and I have very fond memories of it from when I was little.

Christmas Market

If you’re a fan of Christmas markets, then you must visit Vienna in December. Vienna has fantastic Christmas markets. I loved them as a kid and I still love them as an adult.

Viennese Dream Christmas Market is the main market and it is located right in front of the City Hall. It has stalls that sell Glühwein (mulled wein), sweet treats, and food.

There is a Christmas Market at Schönbrunn Palace as well. There are about 60 exhibitors that sell handcrafted gifts, as well as mulled wine and food. Even though the market in front of City Hall is the main Christmas Market, having Schönbrunn in the background makes this one a very special one.

Christmas Village Belvedere Palace is another great option. It’s located by Belvedere Palace, so it’s a really gorgeous setting. There usually are about 40 festively decorated market stalls that offer handcrafted goods, Christmas decorations and holiday treats.

Believe it or not, there are even more Christmas Markets in Vienna. Christmas Village on Maria Theresien Square, Christmas Village Campus University of Vienna, Christmas Market at Spittelberg, Christmas Market on Stephansplatz, and Winter Market on Riesenradplatz are other options you can check out during your winter trip to Vienna.

Vienna State Opera

The Vienna State Opera is a historic opera house that was built in the 1800’s. The building is also home to the Vienna State Ballet. The members of the Vienna Philharmonic are recruited from Vienna State Opera.

Speaking of the Philharmonic, if you happen to be in Vienna for New Year’s you should go to their New Year’s concert. It’s an annual concert of classical music performed by the Vienna Philharmonic on the morning of New Year’s Day. They have been hosting these concerts since 1939 and it’s a great tradition. Plus, Vienna Philharmonic is really good.

Where should I stay in Vienna?

Mid-budget hotels

Some really good mid-budget options are Small Luxury Hotel Das Tyrol, Hotel Kaiserhof, and Hollmann Beletage Design & Boutique Hotel.

Luxury hotels

If you have a higher budget and are seeking a more luxurious option in the city center, then Hotel Sacher (the hotel where Sacher torte was invented!), Hotel Bristol – A Luxury Collection Hotel, or Hotel Imperial are all great options.

Hostels

Unfortunately, I am not the right person to recommend you any hostels. I am in my 30s and I value comfort, so I will always choose to stay at a hotel vs a hostel. I can see how a hostel is a great option for younger people, but I’m at a different stage in life, so I prefer hotels.

Airbnb

I also tend to pick hotels over Airbnbs because I feel like it’s less of a risk and it’s a more reliable option. One time when I visited Miami with my friends we booked an Airbnb that looked great in pictures but looked really bad in reality. We ended up going to a hotel instead. After that experience I tend to avoid Airbnbs altogether.

What should I eat in Vienna?

Wiener schnitzel

Wiener schnitzel is one of my favorite foods ever. It’s made of thin, breaded veal cutlet. It will most likely be served with potatoes. Absolutely delicious! It’s also one of Austria’s national dishes, so you have to try it (if you eat meat).

Fun fact: people eat schnitzel regularly in Romania too. It’s a very popular food and everyone makes it at home. Romanians also eat chicken schnitzel, besides veal. Schnitzel is one of my comfort foods since it reminds me of home (Romania) and Vienna (where I spent so many vacations as a kid).

Sacher Torte

Sacher Torte is a dense chocolate cake with thin layers of apricot jam that’s covered in dark chocolate ganache. Franz Sacher created it. Hotel Sacher in Vienna serves the original version. But every cafe in Vienna will have Sacher torte for sale. It’s a very rich cake, but it’s delicious and you have to try it while in Vienna.

Viennese coffee

Vienna has a strong coffee house culture and their specialties are the Viennese melange and the Einspänner. A Viennese melange is similar to cappuccino, but it has a bit less milk. Sometimes it can come with a dollop of whipped cream, but technically that variation is called a Franziskaner. Einspänner is an espresso served with a dollop of whipped cream on top.

Sitting down in a coffee house in Vienna with a coffee and slice of cake is the best way to recharge in the afternoon. Or any time of the day. Coffee and cake are always a good idea! You can find many cafes in the city center area. The most famous ones are Café Central, Café Schwarzenberg, and Demel.

Mozart chocolate

Since Mozart was born in Salzburg, Austria, you will find all kinds of Mozart chocolates in both Salzburg and Vienna. The ball-shaped pralines are called Mozartkugel and they are filled with marzipan and nougat. You can also find Mozart chocolates that look like a coin and have a similar taste since they have the same nougat and marzipan filling. These chocolates can make for a great sweet souvenir for friends and family back home.

Strudel

Besides Sacher torte and literally every other kind of cake you can find at a coffee house, you also need to try a strudel slice. Apfelstrudel, or apple strudel, is one of the most famous Viennese pastries. Café Landtmann has some amazing slices.

Is Vienna safe for solo female travelers?

Yes, I always felt safe in Vienna. I’ve been visiting Vienna since I was 6 years old. I remember I was navigating the subway like a pro when I was little. Both as a kid and as an adult I felt very safe in Vienna. Of course, as always when you travel solo, do your research ahead of your visit and be on high alert, especially if you visit during peak season. But based on my 10+ trips to Vienna, I can say that it’s a safe destination in Europe.

How to get cell phone data when visiting from abroad?

The cheapest and most convenient way to get data while visiting from abroad is to buy an eSIM. An eSIM is a digital SIM that lets you activate a data plan from a provider without having to use a physical SIM card. They are super easy to use.

I use Nomad eSIM (use code IOAN43TM for 25% off your first purchase). You can go to their website, select the country you’re traveling to, select how many GB of data you want, and how many days you want the eSIM to be active for. After you pay you will receive a confirmation email with instructions on how to activate the eSIM.

You can activate it on your phone and the process takes under 1 minute. Once the eSIM is activated you don’t have to do anything else. When you’re at your destination you will automatically get data.

What is the best time for a solo trip to Vienna?

I visited Vienna in every season. I think the best time to visit is either early summer or in December. During early summer the weather is nice and you can walk around the city to explore all the attractions. There are fewer tourists compared to the peak summer months, so I usually enjoy my experience a lot more because of this.

If you’re a fan of Christmas markets, then you must visit Vienna in December. Vienna has fantastic Christmas markets. I loved them as a kid and I still love them as an adult.

Do I need to book tickets for attractions in advance?

I highly recommend you book all the tickets online in advance of your trip. If you visit during the peak summer months it’s a must to book in advance.

Do people speak English in Vienna?

Yes, local people speak English. However, they might be a little cold when they realize you’re a tourist. Let me give you an example. When I was in Vienna a few years ago I went with my friend who lives there to ask if they still had ballet tickets for that night’s show.

There was an Asian couple before us in line and they were speaking in English. The person working at the ticket office was very cold with them. When my friend spoke with him in German he was very friendly and chatty with her. You could clearly see the difference in attitude.

If you speak loudly or laugh in a cafe or restaurant, Viennese people will stare at you. Their culture is a bit more conservative and they prefer tourists to behave like that as well. Be aware of this, don’t be shocked when this happens, and don’t take it personally.

Do I need cash?

I didn’t use cash at all when I visited, I paid for everything with a credit card. But it’s always recommended to carry some cash with you so you can tip tour guides or buy souvenirs or something else from small mom-and-pop shops who don’t accept credit cards.

Pro tip: always get cash from an ATM in the airport instead of going to an exchange place. Your bank will always have better exchange rates when taking out cash in a foreign currency from an ATM.

How many days do I need in Vienna?

I think a three-night stay in Vienna is enough time to see the main attractions. If you want to explore some hidden gems as well, I recommend you stay for at least a week.

How can I get to the city center from the Vienna International Airport?

You can take the train. There are 2 options: CAT (City Airport Train) or S-Bahn. CAT is an express train and it’s the more expensive option. S-Bahn is the regular train and it’s slower, but cheaper. You can get tickets for either train option at the airport.

There is also a bus options if you don’t like taking trains. You can take VAL (Vienna Airport Line) buses 1, 2 or 3 to get to different parts of Vienna, depending on your destination. Tickets are more expensive than S-Bahn, but cheaper than CAT.

If you have a lot of luggage and don’t want to deal with public transportation you can take a taxi or order a car on ride-sharing apps.

Alternatively you can also schedule a private transfer.

How can I get around Vienna?

Like most European cities, the Austrian capital is a very walkable city. They also have great public transportation, so you can take the subway, tram, or bus to get to all major attractions.