Feeling overwhelmed with Vienna sites – suggestions please

I’d put Schonbronn at the top of my skip list. It’s harder to get to than some of the others; and I dislike Baroque/Roccoco architecture. The Belvedere has some wonderful art and pretty gardens, too. The Kunsthistorische Museum is a don’t miss; and it has a good cafe for lunching. So atmospheric being surrounded by the Klimt figures !

You can combine a Naschmarkt visit with a stroll along the waterfront lined with Jugenstihl buildings.
We liked Vienna so much that we returned the following year for another week.

Loved the Kunchh??? Museum..Introduced me to Brugels now a favorite. Dad and I had one day in Vienna and are slow walkers. We were able to do the Kunch? Museum, St.Stephens have lunch from street vendor and then coffee and cake at a Cafe and took the tour of the Opera House. In the evening the cruise has an optional trip to a concert which was great.
Enjoy

There's not much art at the Secession, so I wouldn't skip the Leopold. Sorry!

Maybe you can settle for just the Upper Belvedere, skipping the Lower Belvedere.

The Kunsthistorisches Museum is huge, but it's possible you won't be equally interested in all its exhibitions. Spend a bit of time looking at the floor plan and focus on what's most important to you.

I dislike palaces and stately homes, so I skipped the Schonbrunn without a second thought. I did go to the Treasury at the Hofburg.

I'd suggest trying not to agonize over your choice of sights in Vienna. Opt for places that give you a good variety and are convenient to each other. I spent 17 days in Vienna in 2024 because of the art and the Art Nouveau architecture; if you like art, you simply cannot see all you'll want to see in 4 days.

I was in Vienna last March with my sister and really enjoyed it. You might find my trip report helpful. We stayed in Vienna at the beginning and end of our trip, so be sure to read both those sections.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/sisters-in-vienna-and-prague-our-trip-report

St. Stephen’s opens at 6am. So, you can save time and visit early while you are waiting for the museums to open. You can’t walk through it that early, but you can see a lot from the entry way.

If you are a Phantom of the Opera fan, I cannot recommend that show enough. It’s in German and it was fabulous! It’s there through June, so will still be playing in May when you are there.

https://www.musicalvienna.at/en/schedule/100004/THE-PHANTOM-OF-THE-OPERA

So many great choices. If you’re not a fan of palaces, I would skip them. Leave some time for just walking around. It’s a gorgeous city!!

Good luck and have a great trip!!

The Schonbrunn Palace was a definite highlight for us. We reserved tickets in advance for the Grand Tour of 40 rooms. The grounds are magnificent. Walk up to the Gloriette for the view. We have seen many palaces in Europe over the years and this is one of the best.

My top 3 must dos for him are the Augustiner Church on Sunday-the music is sublime, the music museum mentioned in Rick's book and the Kunsthistoriches(be sure to have lunch in their beautiful cafe). I haven't been to Schonbrunn but went to Hofburg and honestly it wasn't the best palace I've ever seen-it wasn't nearly as interesting as the Royal Palace in Madrid or Windsor Castle.

As your husband is a music professor , The Zentralfriedhof will be a must . but depending on your personal interests , a 25 minute tram ride ( leave from the lower level tram stop st Schottentor on the # 38 to the end stop in Grinzing ) and a short walk behind the church will take you to Grinzing Friedhof , and the grave of Gustav Mahler The memorial is only inscribed with his name . When he knew the end was imminent he said . "any who come to look for me will know who I was and the rest don't need to know." His wife , Alma is buried with her daughter , Manon . nearby . Also a short distance from there , in Heiligenstadt , at Probusgasse 6 is the Beethoven museum , well worth a visit as well . AND ! Whatever else you do . be sure to watch this 90 minute video about Vienna ,written and presented by Joseph Koerner of Harvard about the city and its tortured history - https://youtu.be/AFZBOTgL_Hk?si=aE6b8BBeCur2w6FM

Something further - At the Kunsthistoriches Museum , be sure to spend some time in The Kunstkammer . The collection of Miseroni gem work is stunnng https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dionysio_Miseroni. and in a nearby gallery resides the famous Cellini salt cellar https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cellini_Salt_Cellar

This is a little folder, targeted at short-time visitors. It gives you a good overview of the main sights in Vienna, suggesting two walks in the city center which might appeal to you. (Ignore the very last page which is not up to date, as this folder has not be renewed since 2020 due to Corona times without tourists in Vienna.)

The Hofburg has a collection of musical instruments, I would not miss it. But you do not have to visit all the Hofburg, you can choose one or more of its collections.

I am not a big fan of the Kunstinstoriches Museum - as an Italian, I find it less interesting than even minor Italian museums; Belvedere is more interesting IMHO. Keep Schoenbrunn that is one of the big imperial palaces of Europe, on the same level of Versailles, but somewhat time consuming.

You forgot Mozart's last house.

As a musician myself, Vienna is the BEST! I've been twice and there is still so much to see. Some of my favorites are...

Central Cemetery
Musikverein
Vienna State Opera (if not for an opera, you can take a tour of the hall)
Grinzing Cemetery - as someone else mentioned, this is where Mahler is buried. It's a little outside the city but worth it. There are also a lot of wineries in this area, if that interests you.
Beethoven Museum - in one of his residences, 1190 Vienna, Probusgasse 6

I personally didn't go into any palaces, but I walked around the gardens and outside of Schönbrunn and Belvedere. The musical sites were much more interesting to me. St. Stephen's Cathedral is beautiful, I recommend going inside and walking up to the top for the view.

I don't know what your interests are for Salzburg but, aside from all the Mozart stuff, I did a Sound of Music bike tour and had an absolute blast.

Happy travels!

Thank you all for the advice!