I love traveling with my kids – but I am so lucky that I was able to leave them with my husband and mom, and take a trip with my best friends for a couple of days to Vienna, Austria! My friends and I had a great time – with some city exploring and a lot of cafe time chatting away. I list below the 5 best things to do on a girls trip to Vienna.

Additionally, for more on what information to leave behind for caregivers of your kids while you are away, see this post here. 

1. Visit Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna:

Schönbrunn Palace is a must-visit attraction in Vienna. Explore the opulent interiors of the palace, stroll through the stunning gardens, and enjoy panoramic views from the Gloriette. Consider taking a guided tour to learn about the palace’s history and the lives of its former residents, including Empress Maria Theresa.

We had limited time, so we selected the specific area to browse and used the audio headset provided. My favorite part was the gardens and views from outside. Make sure to purchase the correct tickets for the rooms you want to visit beforehand

2. Experience Viennese Coffee Culture:

Vienna is famous for its rich coffee culture, and experiencing it is a must during your trip. Visit one of the traditional Viennese coffee houses, such as Café Central, Café Sacher, or Demel, and indulge in a cup of delicious coffee accompanied by delectable pastries. Enjoy the elegant ambiance and soak in the unique atmosphere of these historic establishments. Our favorite spot, based on food taste and the ambiance, was Gerstner Cafe.

For more recommendations on great places to eat, check out the instagram account of this expat living in Vienna who shares beautiful suggestions.

3. Explore the Vienna Historic Center:

The historic center of Vienna is a UNESCO World Heritage site filled with architectural marvels and cultural landmarks. Take a leisurely stroll through the streets and admire iconic sights like St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Hofburg Palace, and the Vienna State Opera House. Explore the vibrant shopping street of Graben and the elegant Kohlmarkt, where you can find luxury brands and boutiques. We also enjoyed a restaurant on the rooftop of Bar Onyx which served Japanese food and had a view of the center.

What made it easy is that our hotel, Le Meridien Vienna, was located an easy walk away from this area and were able to explore with ease. Either stroll through or take a horse carriage ride – we did both!

4. Attend the Vienna State Opera:

The Vienna State Opera, German Staatsoper, theatre is one of the world’s leading opera houses, known especially for performances of works by Richard Wagner, Wolfgang Mozart, and Richard Strauss. It is a beautiful venue in itself, and hosts dozens of shows a year.

Although the language may be in German, each seat has a screen in front of them with the translation of the show, in the language of their choosing. Even with this feature, I should have prepared for the Opera in advance by reading the story line beforehand – to better understand the show as it happened. We purchased our tickets on the site here.

5. Take a day trip from Vienna:

Vienna is central to many other cities in Austria, as well as other countries, via train or boat. We opted to take a 75 minute boat ride to Bratislava, Slovakia. We purchased our tickets on the following website here.

We signed up for a walking tour beforehand, which was very thorough. The guide was very kind, but went over the time by almost an hour, causing us delays in getting food before our ferry back. Although I would not recommend this specific tour for that reason, I would check reviews on other walking tours because we learned a tremendous about this city.

The activities we did offer a mix of Viennese history, culture, and culinary delights, providing a memorable experience for a girls’ trip to Vienna. Of course, Vienna has much more to offer, including museums, art galleries, parks, and a vibrant music scene, so feel free to explore additional options based on your group’s interests and preferences. For more content on planning a group girls visit, visit this post here.

To be honest, I could be sitting in the middle of no-where with these girls, and I know I would be laughing and have a full heart. It was an added bonus that we got to be in a beautiful European city together.