Hi all,
We are trying to make sure we aren't cramming too much in to our trip and I'm having a hard time estimating time that some places will take in Vienna.
At St Stephens, I would like to see the main nave, catacombs, and north tower at St Stephens. The catacomb tour looks to be 30 minutes-- how much time would you give for the main nave and north tower?
I would also like to see the Imperial Apartments and Treasury. How long would you give these two?
Thanks!
Posted by
Maryland
863 posts
Depends on when during the day, and the day of the week when you go. All together you can fill a morning with St Stephens (including coffee)... depending on the wait for the elevator up the tower... and for the afternoon the lines at the Hofburg Palace/Imperial Apartments/Treasury. Also, it will depend on how interested you are in the religious regalia in the Treasury compared to the crowns, robes, etc. If you have time left cross the Ringstrasse south to the Kunsthistorisches Museum and enjoy the fruits of Franz Josef's "archeologist's" hauls from Egypt and other Near Eastern Civilizations. It was good to be "da king" and collect stuff from poor folks.
Posted by
Vienna, Austria
5381 posts
St. Stephen's (Stephansdom) - It is the exterior of the church that is remarkable, rather than the nave. I can see the nave in about 5 minutes, but that is me. Catacombs - 30 minutes. North Tower - depends on the line for the elevator. Once you are up, also depends on you. Could be done in 5 minutes or 30 minutes.
Hofburg Imperial Apartments and Treasury - I find the apartments very tedious and repetitive, so I'd probably be out of there in about 15 minutes. But if you plan to take the audio tour (and want to know every single details about Sisi), then plan on about 2 hours. For the treasury, I'd allow 1 - 1.5 hours. Are you going to the Prunksaal of the National Library when you are at the Hofburg? By far the most impressive sight in the complex. Note - The interiors of Schonbrunn are much more diverse and interesting.
Posted by
Washington DC
27104 posts
I haven't been to Austria recently but was going to warn about how long audio tours in churches have taken me in other countries. But I see that Emily has already taken care of that. Her specifics will help me a lot when I return (after decades) to Vienna in 2021 or 2022.
Posted by
OP
Colorado, USA
18 posts
This is very helpful, thank you! I do not plan to do the audio tour at St Stephens, just a walk around the nave. Your estimates sound about what I was thinking-- I have been to some churches in Europe and I usually take a few minutes to walk around and then move on.
I hadn't really thought about the library but I just looked at pictures and it looks fantastic! Thanks for the suggestion, I will check more into it!
We are also going to Schonbrunn on a different day!
Thanks again for all the help!