City break in Vienna | 4 days of culture, including Schönbrunn Palace, Spittelberg and the Spanish Riding School

Day 1: Spittelberg and the Jewish Quarter

On arrival, check in at a Caractère hotel located in the artists’ quarter of Spittelberg. Start by exploring this charming neighbourhood, full of beautiful architecture, studios and boutiques. Stroll through the cobbled streets and be inspired by local artists. Then head into the city centre to discover St Stephen’s Cathedral and the Jewish Quarter.

Day 2: Coffee houses and Schönbrunn Palace

Coffee lovers must experience the unique ‘Kaffeehauskultur’ in Vienna’s many coffee houses. In the 19th and 20th centuries, these cafés became meeting places for artists and intellectuals, including Sigmund Freud. Some recommendations include Café Schopenhauer, Café Central or Café Landtmann. Next, accompanied by a guide, you’ll visit Schönbrunn Palace, a palace situated in the Hietzing district. Lose yourself in the lavishly decorated rooms, the highlight being the Millionenzimmer. Afterwards, admire the beautiful gardens of the palace grounds.

Day 3: Museum Quarter and Danube Island

Your day begins in the Museum Quarter. It is a lively meeting place buzzing with culture. Visit one of the museums, such as the Kunsthistorisches Museum or the Leopold Museum. If you can’t get enough of the city’s vast art collections, be sure to visit the Belvedere Museum. In the afternoon, escape city life for a while and head to the Danube Island, an artificial island built to protect Vienna from flooding. Stroll through the Donaupark and take in the most beautiful view from Austria’s tallest building, the Donauturm. If you wish, you can attend a show by the Spanish Riding School from Friday to Sunday, one of the world’s oldest and most famous riding schools.

Day 4: Austrian National Library and return flight

If you still have time to explore the city before heading home, be sure to stop off at the Austrian National Library. Here you’ll discover over 7 million books, including 200,000 historical volumes. The frescoes in the library’s grand hall are just as impressive. It is one of the most beautiful historic library halls in the world.

Frequently asked questions about this city break to Vienna

When is the best time for a city break to Vienna?

Vienna is beautiful all year round. Spring and early autumn are ideal for walks through the palace gardens and parks. In winter (December), the city transforms into a fairytale with its famous Christmas markets, whilst summer is perfect for relaxing on the Danube Island.

Is the “Vienna City Card” worth it for a 4-day stay in Vienna?

This depends very much on your plans. The card offers unlimited public transport and discounts at museums (such as Schönbrunn Palace and the Belvedere). If you plan to visit several museums every day and make frequent use of the metro to reach suburbs such as Hietzing or the Danube Island, you’ll quickly get your money’s worth. However, if you prefer to stroll through the city centre and Spittelberg, you’ll often find it cheaper to buy individual day tickets for transport and separate tickets for the main attractions.

What’s the best way to get around the city?

Vienna has an excellent and safe public transport network. For this city break, many attractions in the city centre and Spittelberg are within walking distance, but for Schönbrunn Palace and the Danube Island, the underground (U-Bahn) is the quickest and most comfortable option.