Don’t worry, this is still a somewhat PG blog, but who doesn’t love a good weiner joke.
Let me just say this: Vienna doesn’t play.
I had just over a day to explore the Austrian capital, after the cancelled Taylor Swift concert. If you’re wondering whether you can truly experience Vienna in 24-ish hours… the answer is yes, if you embrace chaos.
First stop: my hotel for night one was the Lindner Hotel Vienna Am Belvedere. I may have had approximately 17 hours before checkout, but thanks to my Hyatt Globalists status I was upgraded to a giant room, and allowed to check in early. Room score: 10/10, would unpack snacks again.
The hotel is just a quick 5 minute walk from the train station (pro tip: don’t take the fancy “CAT” train unless you want to spend more money and save like 5 minutes. Just hop on the ole faithful Citymapper App and take the S-Bahn to your location. This hotel was also just steps from lively restaurants and bars, popular attractions and of course there was a Hop on Hop Off Bus stop close by. Y’all know I love me a good hop on hop off bus. I’ll know I’ve made it in the blog world when Big Bus Tours Sponsors me.
Night two was spent across town at the Andaz Vienna Am Belvedere. 10/10 experience. The front desk folks were so lovely, I was again able to check in early, she also gave me intel on local promotions being offered to heartbroken Taylor Swift fans–the one in particular was for a free gift from Swarovski, which I happily gifted to a true Swiftie upon returning home.
My gorgeous room came complete with welcome treats. If you guys don’t have hotel loyalty status, but are interested, I highly recommend Hyatt status. It’s very rare that I am ever turned away for early check-in, late check-out, room upgrades, welcome treats, and OBV free breakfast.
Breakfast of Champions
Let’s talk about the moment I knew Vienna was my kind of place: they let me squeeze my own orange juice at breakfast.
Not metaphorically — I mean literal, DIY orange-juicing machines in the hotel buffet. Nothing wakes you up quite like hand-wrangling a citrus fruit while strangers judge your pulp technique. Pair it with some flaky pastries and questionable amounts of coffee, and I was fully alive. If you all know me, I LIVE for breakfast. Europeans and the British do brekky right….Italy–you have work to do.
McDonald’s but Make It European™
In the depressive state following the Taylor concert cancellation, I visited McDonald’s — not for sustenance (okay, maybe nuggets), but for the cultural experience. I don’t eat that crap in the US, but it does hit a little different in Europe. Vienna’s version? Sleek. Modern. Serving macarons. And if you haven’t ordered a McFlurry before dinner while questioning your life choices, have you even lived?
Hop On, Hop Off, Repeat Until Dizzy
Next up: the hop-on-hop-off bus. Judge me if you want, but when you’ve got under 36 hours in a city with centuries of culture and your legs aren’t as young as they used to be, you board that red double-decker and go full tourist.
Highlights included:
- Driving by palaces I couldn’t pronounce
- Being aggressively impressed by Vienna’s architecture
- Learning exactly 1.5 facts before zoning out and just enjoying the ride
Wiener Riesenrad: Ferris Wheel Royalty
No Vienna sprint is complete without hopping on the iconic Wiener Riesenrad, aka the giant Ferris wheel that gives you stunning views of the city and a mild existential crisis when you realize how much ground you didn’t cover. Worth it? 100%.
After the weiner hop, I took a stroll riverside to see the river cruise ships in port. I can’t wait until the day I cruise those European Rivers. (Spoiler Alert: Christmas Markets 2026!!)
Final Thoughts from the Fast Lane
Vienna in 24-ish hours was:
✔️ Unexpectedly refreshing
✔️ Maybe too hot for me in August.
✔️ Full of swifties, history, shopping food, and architecture
Would I go back and give it the proper multi-day itinerary it deserves? Absolutely, and I will.
~Kel
Wanderlust Kel 
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