Vienna -- there's so much I want to see! Please help with figuring out schedule

I don't see the Kunsthistorische Museum on your list. It houses the most amazing collection of Low Countries and German art I have ever seen. Think Durer, Bruegel, Vermeer, Bosch, Cranach, etc. We spent 6 hours there. I'd rank it as a "must-see." The Jewish Museum is small. A half a day should be enough for both parts. I strongly advise that either before or after visiting it you stop at Demel for some apple strudel and coffee. The Secession building is also small. It's very close to the Naschmarkt, so plan to see them together. The Belvedere is located some distance from the other museums. You could easily devote a day to it, especially because the palace gardens are very extensive and extremely beautiful If you haven't seen the movie, "Woman in Gold," I recommend it for some insights on the subject of art looted by the Nazis. The Belvedere has a starring role (not as good guys). Enjoy! Vienna is wonderful.

I stayed near the Opera when in Vienna last August and thought it was a perfect location for walking to so many areas as well as using the trams and metro. We have similar museum tastes, but I was also on an epic quest to see all things related to The Third Man and that got mixed in with my museum-going. My first day included the Albertina, Museum of Applied Arts (MAK, plenty of jugendstihl design and some Klimt) then over to the Prater for a ride on the Riesenrad and then to the Leopold--which ended up being my favourite of them all due to all the Klimt and Schiele.

I thoroughly enjoyed poking around the Flohmarkt at the Naschmarkt on Saturday, be warned that it can be wall to wall people but since I like funky vintage stuff it was worth the effort to wade into the fray. The buildings that line that street are absolutely gorgeous, including the Majolica House by Wagner. The Secession is right there so visit at that time--be warned that there's really not much else to see there besides the Beethoven Frieze; well-worth it but that's about it. The Wien Stadt Museum was really interesting, too, in that general area. If you are interested in life in Vienna just after WWII you might enjoy The Third Man Museum, not just about the movie but the black market days in the aftermath of the war. On Pressgasse right near the Naschmarket, only open Saturday afternoons, though they might have added more days.

I spent a good 3 hours each at the Belvedere and Schonbrunn--get an early timed ticket for that one because otherwise it gets really crowded, just like Rick advises.

I didn't visit the Military History Museum but have heard excellent reviews of it so on my list for next time. I visited the Hofburg Imperial Apartments but not the Treasury--ran out of time/energy on my last day.

Thank you Christa and Rosalyn; this is just the kind of guidance I was hoping to find. I saw the THE WOMAN IN GOLD about a month ago, and found it very interesting as well as moving.

Hi,

I always go back to Mil Hist Museum (the HGM). Presently, it is showing in its special reopening an extended exhibit on WW 1, definitely recommenable esp if you read German, which gives you a different perspective than what you find in run of the mill anglophone historiography of Austria-Hungary's role in the war. Since the presentation is much more in detail and extensive than in the past, be prepared to spend ca. two hours on this exhibit, located on the ground floor.

Thanks, Fred -- the WW1 exhibit sounds very interesting. You succeeded in pushing it to the 'yes' category!

@ Todd...You're welcome. I believe you will find that extensive exhibit worthy of your time. If you happen to be in Vienna the first Sunday of the month, the museum is free. Much of the history is pretty esoteric to anglophone readers as to Austria-Hungary's participation in the war esp in the first year of 1914, pretty awful due to a several reasons. Check out the shop afterwards, aside from the refreshments offered there.

I spent a quick three days in Vienna in the spring and loved it.

I, too, enjoyed the HGM (military history museum). It has the car in which Archduke Ferdinand was shot, triggering WWI, as well as the so-called "panzer garten," a collection of tanks parked in the rear of the museum (go through the back door of the gift/coffee shop). Sadly, I was only able to see the tanks from a distance as the tank display was still closed for the winter when I was there.

A highlight of my trip was a walking tour with "Cold War Vienna Tours" (they also offer bike tours). Our guide was the enthusiastic Gerhard S., the owner of The Third Man Museum and a recommended guide in the RS Vienna book. He took us to sites of significance with respect to post-WWII Vienna, sharing the history of that time (as well as its present-day implications) and carrying a book that let us compare current streetscapes with their bombed-out post-WWII appearance. The tour finished up in the Third Man Museum, where we did a quick breeze through the Third Man part and spent most of our time in the section of the museum dedicated to post-WWII Vienna.

I was doubtful about the appeal of Schönbrunn, but very much enjoyed my time there, too. The English tour of the palace was nicely paced, and the gardens are gorgeous. Leave yourself plenty of time to wander in the gardens.

Enjoy your trip. It will be great!

Another vote for the Military History Museum. Unfortunately the new WW1 exhibit was still under construction during my 2014 visit so I will have a do-over next trip to see the ArchDuke's car.

I really enjoyed the Treasury but I have a thing for fine china and porcelain. Unless you have an affinity for those things you might want to skip this. I can see that it doesn't really appeal to a majority of visitors.

And If you have the time, go to the Prater and ride the wheel. Views are amazing.

@ Elaine...The Archduke's car is indeed displayed and lots more in the new extended exhibit and presentation on the war, lots of realia. You'll see evidence of the horrific battles of Lemberg (Lviv) in 1914, from which the Austro-Hungarian officer and junior officer corps never recovered, evidence such as the Panzerkuppel (armored cupola) of the fortress guarding Przemysl.

last time i went, we managed to squeeze so many attractions into a day and half. this was my itinerary:
schobrunn, belvedere, naschmarkt, prater, the church(could't remember the name gosh), princess cici museum, jewish museum.