Vienna, the capital of Austria, is a very popular city trip destination. The so-called “City of Dreams” has a lot to offer its visitors. There are so many amazing things to do in Vienna that 3 days seem to short.
We visited Vienna around Christmas and enjoyed the big ice-skating rink around the Rathaus, the hundred little stalls with trinkets, food & drinks and the cosy atmosphere.
If you’re looking for inspiration, have a look at our 3-day itinerary. It’s a quite intense weekend, with a lot of sightseeing and walking around, but you can easily adapt it to your travel style.
Find out what to do and see in Vienna, how to save money on transportation, where to stay and what guided tours options you have. Enjoy!
Day 1 in Vienna
Arrive in Vienna and check in at your residence
You probably won’t have a full day, as you’ll spend part of it travelling to Vienna. That’s why this day is all about settling in and have a chill afternoon and a fun evening.
Already selected your accommodation? If not, have a look at these stylish boutique hotels in the centre of Vienna.
Hundertwasser House and Hundertwasser Village
Friedrich Stowasser, also known as Hundertwasser, built the famous Hundertwasser Haus that draws visitors worldwide. This quirky and colourful building really stands out from its surroundings.
Unfortunately, the Hundertwasser house is only accessible for its residents, but you can get some amazing shots from the outside.
Don’t worry, Mr Hundertwasser thought of us and of all the other admirers of his artwork.
So, he created the Hundertwasser Village right in front of it. It is a little village recreated in his typical style, filled with cosy shops and a central square with a bar. A very cool place to have a drink and just stroll around.
Address: Kegelgasse 37-39, 1030 Wien
Kunst Haus Wien
Do you like Hundertwasser’s style and are you intrigued to see some more of his creations? Then head over to Kunst Haus Wien. It is just a short stroll away from the Hundertwasser Village and you will surely recognise it by its style.
Here you can visit a permanent exhibition of Friedrich’s artwork as well as changing exhibitions of a variety of contemporary artists.
Address: Untere Weißgerberstraße 13, 1030 Wien
Prater Park
Prater Park has a bit of everything!
The green side of the park? You guessed it, it’s a city park! This former imperial hunting ground of the Habsburgs now is a popular public park. It is an oasis of green in the Leopold district where a lot of Viennese come to relax and enjoy their free time.
Tip: Take a ride on the Liliputbahn. You get to see a piece of the Park and it’s just fun!
The other side is the amusement side of Prater Park, with its most noticeable feature, the Giant Ferris Wheel. From March 15th until October you can amuse yourself with all kinds of attractions like a ghost house, a mirror house and carousels.
Of course, there are a lot of possibilities to eat and drink too. The Ferris Wheel is open all year round and offers you fantastic views of the city. The amusement park is a fantastic way to end your first day in Vienna.
Address: Prater, 1020 Wien
Day 2 in Vienna
Breakfast
Find a nice place to get a good Viennese breakfast. The city has plenty of excellent restaurants, so fill up that tummy because you are going to need the energy! We packed day 2 of this Vienna itinerary with top places to visit in Austria’s capital.
Belvedere slot and Garden
Belvedere slot is a grandiose Palace in Baroque style that now is home to a treasured art collection. At the Belvedere, art lovers can admire the work of famous artists such as Klimt and Schiele.
As impressive as the Belvedere slot might be, the surrounding gardens of the Belvedere are a work of art on its own. To capture that perfect mirrored shot of the Belvedere slot, you have to be outside in the Garden. There is a big pond placed strategically in front of the building, which reflects its grandeur beautifully on windless days.
Address: Prinz-Eugen-Straße 27 ,1030 Wien
Lunch
Take your time to get lunch. Getting to know a city or country is partly getting to know its food.
Vienna is famous for its Schnitzel and you can find it all over town. Personally, I’m not a fan of breaded food, so I must admit we didn’t try it.
We love chocolate cake, though! That’s why we had the iconic Sachertorte for dessert, and it did not disappoint! It is a must-try dessert when eating in Vienna. The Sachertorte is a piece of chocolate cake with some layers of apricot marmalade in between. Njammie.
Free guided walking tour
A free guided walking tour is a perfect way to get to know a city, and we especially enjoyed this one! Our guide, Wolfgang, really knew his stuff! He was hilarious. We had the best time exploring Vienna’s top attractions together with him and the group.
Practical information:
- The tour starts in front of The Albertina at 2 PM
- There is also a tour at 10 AM
- Normally it takes about 2.30 hours, ours took almost 3 hours
- Look for a person holding a green umbrella
- The tour is free, but it’s normal to tip the guide after the tour. You are free to give what you like.
If you would rather discover the city on your own, go for it! The next stops on this Vienna itinerary are all very close to each other. With the guide, you get a bit of historical information and some fun facts about Vienna and life in the city at the time of Mozart, Freud and the reign of the Habsburgs. You don’t have the time to visit the inside of these stops. So if you want to do that, go on your own.
Address: Albertinaplatz 1, 1010 Wien
The Albertina
If you like art and history, then this museum is a must. It is on the Albertinaplatz in a part of the former Imperial Residential Palace. At the Albertina you can admire a valuable art collection from artist such as Renoir, Degas, Monet and many more.
Tip: Take the escalator to get some cool shots of the Opera that lies right across the street.
Address: Albertinaplatz 1 , 1010 Wien
The Opera
The Vienna State Opera is world-famous! You can enjoy one of many top productions of ballet or opera there almost every day of the week. If you would like to experience a show, then you must reserve your tickets.
It was possible to buy your tickets for the opera at the end of the walking tour. They offered A-tickets at a discount for B-ticket prices.
Address: Opernring 2, 1010 Wien
Hofburg, Heldenplatz and surroundings
We can find one of the largest palace constructions in the world in the city centre of Vienna: Hofburg. This imperial castle that belonged to the Habsburgs rulers of Austria since the 13th century expresses class and wealth.
It was the winter palace of the emperor and his family, and nowadays, it is open to the public. You can visit different museums and collections here, like the Sisi Museum and the Royal Apartments of emperor Franz Josef and empress Sisi.
Address: Heldenplatz, 1010 Wien
Austrian National Library
This is one of the most beautiful libraries I have ever seen. We didn’t have time to go in while we were on the walking tour, but we went to visit it on our last day, right before heading home. The entrance was €8, and you’ll need only half an hour, 1 hour tops.
Address: Josefsplatz 1 , 1015 Wien
Museum Quarter
The Museum Quarter is a popular meeting point for locals and tourists alike. They gathered a plethora of museums here, in the former Imperial Stables.
Some of the most popular museums of Vienna you can find right here. Such as the Leopold Museum, the Natural History museum and mirrored to it the Art History Museum.
The area boasts a multitude of bars and restaurants, and during the summer, people place big benches outside, making it much more enjoyable to bask in the sun and wander around.
Address: Museumsplatz 1 , 1070 Wien
Graben
If you want to go shopping in Vienna, then Graben is the place to be. A big shopping street in the middle of all the top sights that Vienna offers.Address:
Address: Graben, 1010 Wien
St.Stephen’s Cathedral
On the Stephansplatz you can find this original gothic Cathedral with its colourful roof.
Climb the 343 steps of the highest of the 4 towers and enjoy some of the best views of Vienna!
You can also climb the towers when it is already dark outside, so you can see all the city lights shimmering brightly. Picture time baby!
Address: Stephansplatz, 1010 Wien
Dinner
We had a splendid dinner at Vapiano.
This is a very affordable and popular restaurant where you can choose out of a large variety of salads, pizza, pasta, risotto, and lasagna dishes.
They work with a very fun concept. You get a card when you enter the restaurant. Then you head over to the cooks, where you place your order.
They prepare your dish right in front of you. They place the total amount you owe on the card you received.
Choose a seat and start eating! Every table has some fresh basil and herbs you can add yourself. There are also some yummy oils you can add to your liking.
Before you leave, you pass the register with your card and that’s it.
Address: Herrengasse 6, 1010 Wien
Rathaus und Rathausplatz
The Rathausplatz is always worth checking out. Most of the time, there is something going on. Depending on what time of the year it is, you will most likely have a good time.
We visited at the beginning of the new year, and they transformed the entire area into a giant ice rink. There was music playing, lots of cosy lights everywhere and many food stalls, so you will not get hungry.
Other parts of the year they organise, for example, a Christmas market here or an open air cinema.
Address: Friedrich-Schmidt-Platz 1, 1010 Wien
Day 3 in Vienna
Schönbrunn Palace and Garden
While Hofburg Palace was the winter residence of the Habsburgs, Schönbrunn Palace was the summer residence of the royal family. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
We bought a winter ticket which included a grand tour of the Schönbrunn Palace, entrance to the Zoo and entrance to the Palm Haus and Desert House.
Before noon, you can do the grand tour of the Palace. You go from room to room with an audio guidance that you can control.
Tip: This is one of the most visited spots in Vienna, so if you go in high season it might be a good idea to reserve your tickets
Address: Schönbrunner Schlossstraße, 1130 Wien
The Maze
Unfortunately, it was closed while we were there. Otherwise, you could try it, or you can watch people get lost in it from upon a stand.
The Gloriette
At the back of the Schönbrunn Palace, you look straight upon the Gloriette. Located on the hill, it is a magnificent building that has an observation terrace on top.
Now it is a café, but at the Gloriette you can take stunning pictures of Vienna, the Palace and its surroundings.
Lunch
There are a few spots where you can eat at the Schönbrunn Palace.
The Schönbrunn Zoo
First, I am not a big fan of zoos. It always makes me sad to see these animals living in captivity. But this zoo houses some animals that are close to extinction and takes excellent care of them.
They voted it the best zoo in Europe a couple of times, and it is the oldest zoo in the world. Over the years, they have maintained and modernised it very well.
The Palm House and the Desert House
This is the largest Palm House in Europe. You can stroll around the house on paths that lead you through all different tropical plants and flowers. Come to rest on one of the benches and imagine yourself being in a faraway, lush country. It’s really worth a visit.
The desert house gives you a glimpse of the conditions of life in the desert.
Dinner at Naschmarkt
The Naschmarkt is a popular fruit and vegetable market in Vienna. It is open until 19.30 PM. You can find many pleasant restaurants and bars here to enjoy your dinner.
Summary 3 days in Vienna
Day 1
- Arrive in Vienna and check in at your residence
- Hundertwasser House and Hundertwasser Village
- Kunst Haus Wien
- Prater Park
Day 2
- Breakfast
- Belvedere Slot and Garden
- Lunch
- Free guided walking tour at 2 PM
- The Albertina
- The Opera
- Hofburg, Heldenplatz and surroundings
- Austrian National Library
- Museums Quarter
- Graben
- St.Stephen’s Cathedral
- The Albertina
- Dinner
- Rathaus und Rathausplatz
Day 3
- Breakfast
- Schönbrunn Palace and Garden
- Schönbrunn Maze
- The Gloriette
- Lunch
- The Schönbrunn Zoo
- The Palmenhaus and the Desert Haus
- Dinner at Naschmarkt
3 Days in Vienna - Itinerary Map
Practical information about your city trip to Vienna
When planning a trip to Vienna, there’s more than just tourist attractions and sights. There’s also the getting there, getting around, and finding nice accommodation for your stay. In a lot of cases, booking a guided tour for special experiences is just the way to go. So, let’s dive into that first!
How to get to Vienna
Depending on your point of departure, many options are available.
Think about getting a flight from your hometown, straight to the international airport of Vienna.
Do you live in Europe and do you fancy a good old train trip through the different capitals of Europe? Then check out our guide about how to travel Europe by train, or book a ticket straight from the train station near your home, to Vienna. You can even get a Flixbus to Vienna.
In short, these are the best ways to travel to Vienna:
- Get a flight
- Travel by train – or make it a part of a great Central European railway adventure
- Book a seat on the Flixbus
- Drive your own car (but get a hotel with parking)
On a budget? Read how to get cheap train tickets in Europe.
Where to stay in Vienna
Vienna is a bit of a hipster city. To experience that fully, we recommend getting one of the many beautifully designed boutique hotels in the centre of the city.
A few recommendations:
- Budget-friendly: Urban Boutique Hotel
- Comfort: 25Hours Hotel
- Pure luxury: Boutique Hotel Das Tyrol
How to get around in Vienna
We explored a lot of Vienna’s attractions on foot, but we couldn’t have fit all the sights of this itinerary in 3 days without the use of the railway system.
Trams, trains, buses and metro in Vienna
Vienna has a well-equipped network for public transportation.
So, it is easy to get around once you get yourself a Vienna Public Transport City Card.
- This Card gives you access to all means of public transportation during the entire validity of your pass.
- Using this type of transportation pass is cheaper than paying for each bus, tram, metro, or train you hop on to.
- The Vienna Public Transport City Card is NOT a hop on hop off pass, but you can also choose to get one of those.
The Vienna Pass is a perfect solution to combine transportation and sightseeing.
- With the Vienna pass, you get unlimited use of the hop on hop off bus
- And free admission to over 70 attractions in the city.
- As an extra gift to make your Vienna trip quick and easy: the Vienna Pass lets you skip the lines on busy days!
Bike sharing, bike rental & public steps
If the weather is nice, but you’re no longer in the mood for walking, rent or share a bike, step or e-scooter to discover Vienna in a sportive way. There are multiple options to choose from. These two are big in Vienna:
Best guided tours to do in Vienna
Discover Vienna’s grandeur with a guided tour. Immerse yourself in the culture of the Museum Quarter, explore the Old Town, and discover the imperial history of Schönbrunn Palace. With a knowledgeable guide, you’ll unravel the rich tapestry of Vienna’s culture, art and heritage.
Pin it!
