Top 10 Things to Do in Vienna

Using this list

Ten of Vienna's landmark experiences as a checklist — palaces, museums, music, and coffee houses. The centre is compact and the public transport is among the best in Europe, so this is a comfortable list to work through.

The palaces are half-day commitments each

Schönbrunn and the Hofburg are both large enough to fill an afternoon, and Schönbrunn's gardens are extensive and free to walk even without a palace ticket. Timed entry applies at Schönbrunn, so book ahead in summer.

The Belvedere holds Klimt's The Kiss, which is the single most-visited object in the city — expect a crowd around it and enjoy the rest of the collection, which is excellent and quieter.

Music is worth planning rather than improvising

The State Opera, the Musikverein, and the boys' choir all have their own seasons and booking patterns. Standing-room tickets at the opera are sold cheaply on the day and are one of the best-value experiences in Europe if you're willing to queue.

Be wary of costumed sellers touting concerts on the street — those are tourist productions, not the city's real musical life.

The coffee house is a genuine institution

Sitting for two hours over one coffee is expected, not rude. It's listed by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage, which tells you how seriously it's taken.

Practicalities

Transport tickets must be validated before travel. Museums commonly close on Mondays.

Timing

Run it plain, or add due dates from your arrival date.