Vienna offers a unique blend of history, culture, and modernity, making it an excellent destination for travelers of all interests.
Musical heritage, world-class museums, and a stunning and eclectic mix of historical, modern, and contemporary architecture are the primary reasons why visit Vienna, the beautiful Austrian city.
Even though there is a lot to see, spending 3 days in Vienna is enough time to see the best Vienna offers. Make a perfect long weekend getaway or a stopover as part of a more extended vacation in Austria. This 3 days in Vienna itinerary will help you plan the most beautiful trip.
How to get to Vienna
Vienna airport offers many direct flights to other European cities and destinations, such as the US, Canada, the Middle East, and Asia.
The Vienna International Airport is about 20 km (12 miles) or 35 minutes away from Vienna when there is no traffic. There are several ways you can reach the city.
Train: The City Airport train is the fastest way to reach the city, with a journey of 16 minutes and the cheapest option.
It operates daily from 05:37 to 23:38, 365 days a year. The City Air Terminal is a 10-minute distance from St. Stephan’s Cathedral at Wien Mitte station and can be easily reached by tram, underground, bus, or taxi.
Bus shuttle: Vienna Airport Lines connects Vienna Airport with the main Vienna transport hubs. Every 30 minutes, there are connections to the airport from Wien Westbahnhof and Wien Hauptbahnhof. Buses to the city center (Morzinplatz/Schwedenplatz) run 24 hours a day, journey time of just 20 minutes.
Private transfer: This is the most comfortable and expensive option, and it takes about 20-35 minutes, depending on traffic, and costs approximately €40-50, depending on the taxi meter. A better option will be to book a transfer in advance that offers fixed rates, and it’s a little bit cheaper, €30-35.
Best time to visit Vienna
Vienna is a year-round destination with something to offer visitors in every season. However, the best time to visit Vienna will depend on your interests and preferences.
Here are some factors to consider:
Weather
Vienna has a continental climate with warm summers and cold winters. The peak tourist season is during the summer months of June to August, when the weather is warm and sunny. However, if you prefer cooler weather and fewer crowds, consider visiting in the spring or fall when temperatures are milder.
Festivals and events
Vienna hosts various festivals and events throughout the year, such as the famous Viennese ball season in the winter, the Vienna Jazz Festival in the summer, and the Vienna Christmas markets in the winter. Plan your visit accordingly to attend a particular festival or event.
Crowds
The peak tourist season in Vienna is during the summer months when the city can be pretty crowded with tourists. If you prefer to avoid crowds, consider visiting during the spring or fall shoulder seasons.
Budget
The high season in Vienna is generally more expensive than other times of the year, so if you are on a budget, consider visiting in the off-season, when hotel rates and airfares are often lower.
So, the best time to visit Vienna depends on your preferences and interests. Summer is the peak tourist season, but the city is enjoyable year-round, and you can find plenty to do no matter when you visit.
How to get around Vienna
Vienna’s Innere Stadt is very walkable. You can also rely on the excellent public transport system to get you everywhere efficiently and cheaply.
U-Bahn (subway): The Vienna U-Bahn is a modern and efficient subway system that covers most parts of the city. There are five lines, and trains run from about 5:00 am to midnight on weekdays and around the clock on weekends.
Trams: Vienna has an extensive network of trams that cover the city center and many outer districts. Trams run from early morning until late at night, and they are a convenient way to get around the city.
Buses: Vienna also has a bus network covering areas not served by the subway or trams. Bus lines are less frequent than the U-Bahn and trams, but they are still a convenient way to get around the city.
City Bike: Vienna has a bike-sharing program called City Bike that allows you to rent a bike at one of the many stations throughout the city. This is a great way to explore the city, especially in the summer when the weather is nice.
Taxis: Taxis are widely available in Vienna, and you can usually hail one on the street or book one by phone. However, they are more expensive than public transportation, so it’s best to use them only when necessary.
Walking: Vienna is a very walkable city, and many major tourist attractions are located in the city center, which is compact and easy to navigate on foot.
Vienna cards
The Vienna transport card is a great option for unlimited journeys within a specified time, and a 72-hour ticket will suffice for the 3 days in Vienna itinerary.
Vienna City Card is also a good option if you frequently use public transport. It allows unlimited use of all public transport in Vienna, and you can choose from 24, 48, or 72-hour cards depending on your stay. In addition, you can enjoy countless discounts on popular attractions, museums, shops, and more.
Where to stay in Vienna
Vienna offers various accommodation options to suit different budgets and preferences. We recommend first-time visitors stay in the Innere Stadt. Alternatively, you can choose accommodation in other famous districts. Learn more and read our guide about best areas to stay in Vienna.
If you’re in a rush, here are a few suggestions for the best places to stay in Vienna for three nights.
Palais Hansen Kempinski
This is a luxury hotel located on the famous Ringstraße boulevard in the heart of the city. The hotel is housed in a historic building that was initially built as a hotel in 1873. It features 152 luxurious rooms and suites, including two restaurants, a bar, a fitness center, and a spa.
This is a 5-star hotel located in the heart of Vienna, Austria. The hotel is situated on the historic Ringstrasse Boulevard, just a few minutes from many of the city’s top attractions, such as the Vienna State Opera, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, and the Hofburg Palace.
This is a modern 4-star hotel located in the heart of Vienna’s historic city center, just a short walk from St. Stephen’s Cathedral and other popular attractions. The hotel is situated in a beautiful landmark building that has been renovated to provide guests with a comfortable and stylish stay.
This hotel is conveniently located within walking distance of many of Vienna’s top attractions, including St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the Hofburg Palace, and the Vienna State Opera. The hotel’s central location, modern amenities, and friendly staff make it a popular choice for travelers looking for a comfortable and elegant stay in the heart of Vienna.
The ultimate 3 days in Vienna itinerary
Day 1: St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Anker Clock, Café Sacher, Vienna State Opera, Albertina Museum, Karlskirche, Belvedere
Day 2: Palace of Justice, Austrian National Library, Muchaelerplatz, Hofburg Palace, Burggarten, Schmetterlinghaus, Cafe Central, Votivkirche, Rathaus, Vergnügungspark Prater
Day 3: Schönbrunn Palace, Schönbrunn Palmenhaus, Museum of Natural History, Kunsthistorisches Museum, Cafe, Concert
3 days in Vienna itinerary: Day 1
St. Stephen's Cathedral
The St. Stephen’s Cathedral is the most famous church in Vienna and the tallest in the country, and it dominates the city skyline.
Featuring a blend of Romanesque and Gothic architectural elements, the colorful tiled roof sparks the most awe among visitors. You can look closer when you ascend the North or South Tower.
Hours: 09:00 – 17:30
Ticket: €6 (cash only, no card payment is possible)
If you want to explore the cathedral thoroughly then it’s cheaper and more efficient to buy a combo ticket rather than paying for each area of the church separately.
North Tower
An elevator inside St. Stephen’s Cathedral will take you up the North Tower for €6. There is an open-air platform up in the tower where you can walk around and admire the panoramic view of the city from different angles.
South Tower
The South Tower is higher than the North Tower and has no elevator, so you must climb up 343 stairs on a spiral staircase.
It’s a spiral staircase, a little bit narrow, and you might feel dizzy, but the views are absolutely worth it.
There are no open-air platforms at the top. Instead, a chamber offers incredible views of Vienna in every direction. The ticket is €5.5, and the entrance is on the cathedral’s south side.
Pro tip: If you have the time (and the strength to climb the stairs), both towers are worth visiting, as well as the inside. However, I recommend the North Tower if you have to pick one. Getting up there is more accessible, and you’ll get a view of the city and the beautiful cathedral roof.
Anker Clock
The Anker Clock is ancient and highly embellished in the heart of the Innere Stadt. It’s only a 5-minute walk from the cathedral, so it’s completely worth the detour.
The clock was built in 1914, forming a bridge between the parts of the Anker Insurance Company’s building. It displays 12 historical figures that rotate slowly around the front as time passes.
Each figure is assigned an hour, and they rotate around the minute display so that you can see a new figure in every passing hour. If you visit at noon, you can see a little show where all the 12 figures complete a bonus rotation, each with different music.
Café Sacher
Visit Cafe Sacher to experience the Viennese coffee culture. The café has been a meeting place for artists, intellectuals, and politicians for over 150 years, and its elegant interior and friendly atmosphere make it a perfect place to relax and soak up the ambiance.
Here you can taste the original Sacher Torte, the most famous dessert in Vienna. The original recipe has been a closely guarded secret for generations, and the cake is made by hand every day using only the finest ingredients.
Cafe Sacher is located in the lobby of the Hotel Sacher Wien and opens daily at 08:00.
Vienna State Opera
It is one of the world’s leading opera houses, known primarily for performances of works by Richard Wagner, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and Richard Strauss.
The building exterior is stunning, and if you want to see the interior, join a 40-min guided tour for €10.
Alternatively, if you visit between September and June, you could go to a concert.
Albertina Museum
The Albertina Museum in Vienna, Austria is one of the most visited museums in Austria. It houses one of the largest and most important collections of old master prints and drawings in the world.
The collection includes works by Albrecht Dürer, Rembrandt, Raphael, Titian, and many other artists. In addition, there is a rich collection of modern art, which includes works by Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, and others.
Hours: 10:00 – 18:00
Ticket: €18.90
Karlskirche
This monumental building was built during the 18th century in gratitude for the city’s deliverance after the plague’s outbreak in 1713.
The Baroque church features a colossal dome as per traditional cathedral architecture but also features two giant towers that frame the entrance and borrow elements from Classical Greece.
Hours: 09:00 – 18:00
Ticket: €8
Belvedere
The Belvedere palace comprises several historical and modern buildings that house art museums and a beautiful garden.
Upper Belvedere is the ceremonial palace now home to the permanent art collection, while Lower Belvedere includes the Palace Stables, the Orangery, and the Privvy Garden, and it also temporarily houses art exhibitions. And you also have Belvedere 21, the Museum of Contemporary Art.
Upper Belvedere ticket:€15.90
Lower Belvedere ticket: €13.90
Belvedere 21 ticket: €8.90
Combo ticket: €24.90
Stroll around the gorgeous gardens and admire the building even if you want to avoid visiting the art galleries.
3 days in Vienna itinerary: Day 2
Palace of Justice
The Palace of Justice is a 19th-century building and a seat of the Austrian Supreme Court.
This building is known for its impressive architecture and elaborate interior decorations, including frescoes and sculptures. It is open to the public, and visitors can take guided tours of the building and learn about its history and significance.
While the facade is arresting and noble, the interiors will blow you away. The atrium will impress you with an elaborate staircase that houses a statue of Lady Justice and a gallery of columns and architectural details.
Hours: 08:00 – 15:00 (closed on weekends)
Ticket: Free admission
If you’re interested in history and architecture, visiting the Palace of Justice in Vienna could be a fascinating experience.
Travel tip: Visit as soon as the building opens to explore without the crowds.
Austrian National Library
Next stop on your 3 days in Vienna itinerary gives the splendor of the Palace of Justice a run for its money! The Austrian National Library is a part of the Austrian State Hall, a Baroque masterpiece comprising marble statues and a ceiling adorned with frescoes.
It’s the country’s most extensive library, containing over 200,000 books that clamber up over every inch of the wall and share the space with four magnificent Venetian globes. Besides the library, the complex also houses five museums which you should check out if you are spending more than 3 days in Vienna.
Hours: 10:00 – 18:00 (until 21:00 on Thursdays)
Ticket: €10
To visit the museums you have to purchase separate tickets.
You can purchase your tickets on-site or buy online reserve in advance. To beat the crowds, come as early as possible.
Michaelerplatz
Walk over to the next stop at the historic public square, Michaelerplatz.
You will easily spot it with the majestic turquoise dome sitting atop the building.
Michaelerplatz Square has several historic buildings, including the Hofburg Palace, the Spanish Riding School, and the Sisi Museum.
Hofburg Palace
The Hofburg is one of the most famous landmarks in all of Vienna. There are several historical buildings, beautiful squares, and pedestrian areas, so you can easily spend hours touring the palace complex.
Inside the Hofburg complex, you can find the Hofburg Palace, the Spanish Riding School, the Imperial Treasury, and the Neue Burg, home to the Austrian National Library and a few museums.
The Hofburg Palace is a former imperial residence, now the office of the president of Austria. Originally built during the 13th century, the palace was used as the winter home of the Habsburg emperors until 1918.
Hours: 09:30 – 17:00
Ticket: €16 (includes the Silver Collection, the Sisi Museum, and the Imperial Apartments)
You can also book a guided tour of the Sisi Museum and the Imperial Apartments, visit the Vienna Spanish Riding School on a guided tour, or see the performance of the Lipizzans at the Spanish Riding School. Book your tickets in advance if you’re interested in any of these!
Burggarten
After touring the palace, explore the gorgeous gardens that back onto Hofburg Palace. You can find statues of Austrian historical figures, including Mozart and Franz Josef.
While wandering the Burggarten, you can visit the Schmetterlinghaus. This Art Nouveau palm house contains a rainforest setting and hundreds of butterflies.
Hours: 10:00 – 17:00
Ticket: €9
Café Central
Visit another historic coffee house to experience the Viennese culture further. Cafe Central opened in 1876 and quickly became a popular gathering place for artists, intellectuals, and politicians. Some of its famous patrons included Sigmund Freud, Leon Trotsky, and Gustav Mahler.
The grand interior features high ceilings, marble columns, and elegant chandeliers, giving it a sense of old-world opulence. You can find a range of traditional Viennese pastries, coffee drinks, light meals, and cocktails on the menu.
Votivkirche
Next on the 3 days in Vienna itinerary is the Votive Church (Votivkirche), the second-tallest church in Vienna.
This Neo-Gothic church was built in the mid-19th century as a dedication to Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria for surviving an assassination attempt.
The church’s striking exterior features ornate carvings, intricate stained glass windows, and a tall spire that can be seen from many parts of the city. You’ll find the interior equally impressive, with a vaulted ceiling, towering pillars, and beautiful mosaics and paintings.
Hours: 10:00 – 18:00 (Sundays 09:00 – 13:00, closed on Mondays)
Ticket: Free admission
Cafe Francais
Another great option is Cafe Francais if you decide to skip Cafe Central. It’s a French restaurant next to Sigmund Freud Park, offering impressive views of Votivkirche.
Rathaus
This is another remarkable piece of architecture to check out in Vienna.
Vienna’s City Hall is situated in Rathausplatz and is distinguished by its sheer volume (1575 rooms and over 30 million bricks were used in the construction process!) and its five towers, the largest of which is topped with a Rathausman statue.
Pro tip: On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 13:00, you can take a guided tour for free.
The square in front of the Rathaus hosts many events, such as the famous Christmas Market during the holidays or the Film Festival during the summer months. No matter which time of the year you visit, you will always find something happening here!
Vergnügungspark Prater
Wind down for the rest of the evening at the Prater amusement park, which offers a selection of gentle and hair-raising rides. The headline attraction is the traditional Ferris wheel which has stood here since 1897.
It is free to enter the park, and you will pay as you go for the various amusements. The park remains open until around 23:30 and is a fun addition to your 3 days in Vienna itinerary.
3 days in Vienna itinerary: day 3
Schönbrunn Palace
The Schönbrunn Palace is a former imperial summer residence built in the 18th century for Empress Maria Theresa and her husband, Francis I, and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996.
It features over 1,400 rooms, including the Great Gallery, the largest room in the palace and used for court ceremonies and balls. Also, there are extensive gardens, which cover an area of 160 hectares and feature various fountains, statues, and a maze.
Hours: 09:30 – 17:00
Ticket: €18 for 22 rooms and €22 for 40 rooms
Both tours include a free audio guide and an option to upgrade to a guided tour.
The gardens have free admission. Walk around and see many beautiful tree tunnels, flowers, plants, and fountains. Also, climb up to the Gloriette for panoramic views of the gardens. This is one of the best photo spots in Vienna!
Schönbrunn Palace is also the location of the famous Vienna Zoo, the world’s oldest zoo.
Schönbrunn Palmenhaus
While at Schönbrunn, visit the historic greenhouse with a menagerie of exotic flowers and plants from the Mediterranean and tropical destinations. Built in 1882, the palm house is the largest in continental Europe.
The Palmenhaus is divided into three pavilions, each with a different climate zone: the complex houses around 800 different varieties of plants from all over the world.
Hours: 09:30 – 17:00
Ticket: €7
Museum of Natural History
The Museum of Natural History contains an expansive archive of artifacts that spans biology, earth sciences, anthropology, and archaeology. You can browse and interact with dinosaur skeletons, fossils, minerals, and even the world’sworld’s largest meteorite exhibit.
The building is a work of art, and loads of hands-on exhibitions will inspire you.
Hours: 09:00 – 18:00 (closed on Tuesdays)
Ticket: €16
Kunsthistorisches Museum
The Kunsthistorisches Museum is an enormous collection of lavish historical paintings, European antiquities, and thousands of coins.
It is housed in a grand neo-Renaissance building designed by architect Gottfried Semper and built between 1871 and 1891. The building is a work of art, with ornate decoration and impressive architectural features such as the grand staircase and the cupola.
Hours: 10:00 – 18:00 (closed on Mondays)
Ticket: €18
Gerstner K. u. K. Hofzuckerbäcker
What started as a confectioner’s shop, is now one of our most cherished and traditional coffee houses in Vienna. Café Gerstner is located vis-a-vis our beautiful Opera, right in the heart of Vienna’s inner city.
The three story-shop in Vienna’s inner city offers wide range of sweets and goodies. Their ground floor has gifts and souvenirs while the first floor was turned into a bar. On the upper floor you can drink and dine traditional Viennese cuisine.
Strauss & Mozart Concert
Classical concerts in Vienna are a must for everyone who loves culture.
Enjoy a selection of the most beautiful melodies of Johann Strauss and W. A. Mozart presented by Salonorchester Alt-Wien including musicians, opera singers and ballet dancers.
The event takes place at Kursalon Vienna, a historical venue in heart of Vienna, where Johann Strauss II performed with his orchestra in the late 19th century.
Vienna is a beautiful mixture of history, a contemporary international city, and the old world. It’s unparalleled to us, which is why we love it. It is beautiful and clean; it has wonderful architecture and a lively cultural scene. The city has everything you could wish for, making it impossible ever to get bored.
Save this 3 days in Vienna itinerary to have the most beautiful trip to the Austrian’s capital.
Are you still wondering if Vienna is worth visiting?
If you have yet to go to Vienna, Is Vienna worth visiting travel guide gives you the top 10 reasons to visit the Austrian capital.
