I sincerely believe they spend 3 days in Vienna is the perfect amount of time to get to know the city without ever getting bored. Three days will allow you to see most of the main attractions of this beautiful city, as well as some of the lesser known attractions, without being in too much of a rush.
In this article I'll tell you what I saw at Vienna in three days, and in my opinion it is the perfect itinerary, in the sense that if I went back I would do the same again.
In addition to listing all the main attractions that I think you will enjoy visiting, I will also share a few practical advice for your visit, including tips on where to stay, where to eat, tips for getting around Vienna and how to save money on sightseeing.
PRO TIPS
If you want to get to know Vienna well why not take part in a guided tour in ENGLISH?
Alternatively you can join a FREE TOUR of Vienna
Il VIENNA PASS saves you money and gives you access to over 60 Vienna attractions and unlimited rides on the Hop-on Hop-off Buses.
Here's what you'll find in this Vienna itinerary in 3 days:
- Day 1 Itinerary
- 1 – Mozarthaus
- 2 - St. Stephen's Cathedral
- 3 - Vienna Opera
- 4 - Vienna Museum
- 5 - Karlskirke
- 6 – Naschmarkt
- 7 - In the evening: Free evening tour of Vienna
- Day 2 Itinerary
- Day 3 Itinerary
- More things to see and do in Vienna
- Map of What to see in Vienna in three days
- Getting around in Vienna
- How to get to and from Vienna airport
- Vienna discount cards
- Where to sleep in Vienna in 3 days
- Vienna in 3 days PDF
Day 1 Itinerary
1 – La Mozarthaus
Among the tips on what to see in Vienna in 3 days I cannot fail to include the house where the famous composer Mozart lived and which was the first stop on my trip. For music lovers, the Mozarthaus it is an unmissable stop.
Vienna was the home of the celebrated composer for many years during his prolific career and he lived on numerous properties during his time in the city.
If in Vienna you will also find the houses of Beethoven and Schubert, know that this is the only one of the houses to have remained (almost) intact.
Here Mozart lived from 1784 to 1787 and composed what is perhaps his most famous work: Le Nozze di Figaro.
La Mozarthaus is open every day from 10:00 to 19:00 and admission is subject to a fee.
You can buy single tickets online in advance by clicking here.
2 - The Cathedral of Santo Stefano
A few steps from the Mozarthaus is the magnificent Stephen's Cathedral, seat of the Catholic Church of Vienna.
The Vienna Cathedral is a true masterpiece of Gothic art and one of the most majestic buildings in the city.
I'll leave you some numbers: I'm sure it will certainly leave you impressed.
- The roof is covered with 250.000 colored tiles which together form the Austrian coat of arms.
- The South Tower is the tallest and largest 137 meters.
- The incomplete north tower houses a huge bell, called Pummerain, that weighs 20 tons.
- It is possible to climb the South Tower, but to reach the top you will have to do more than 300 steps.
- To access the towers you will have to pay a ticket as well as if you want to participate in a guided tour.
Of course, you can also enter the cathedral and visit its interior which is largely Romanesque / Gothic and mostly dates back to the Middle Ages. The three-nave design with its huge columns is definitely an impressive sight and you can visit it for free. You can also visit the Treasury.
This requires a small ticket (included with the Vienna Pass), but you can see more and offers a good view of the interior of the main church from a first-floor observation area.
The fare also means it's much less crowded, so you can enjoy the building without feeling too trapped among other tourists.
3 - The Vienna Opera
Opened in 1869, this is it the most famous and important theater in Vienna.
Its inauguration, with the premiere of Mozart's Don Giovanni, was attended by Francesco Giuseppe I of Austria and Elisabetta di Baviera (Sissi).
If you are particularly interested in the Opera, chances are you will spend a night here watching a show be an experience you will never forget.
If you are usually led to think that the opera has prices that are often inaccessible, in this case you are wrong: in Vienna you can buy a ticket even for less than 10 Euros. Of course, they will not be the best places, but you can say that you have seen a show in a unique setting like that ofVienna Opera.
If the genre isn't your thing, but you're still curious to visit the theater, I suggest you join one guided tour.
Guided tours last around forty minutes and you'll learn all about the building's fascinating history, see all the main highlights, and even get a behind-the-scenes look at how an opera house is run.
Tours run several times a day: consult the official website for information and prices.
WHERE TO LUNCH IN VIENNA?
There are so many places to eat in central Vienna, whether you fancy a seated meal or a quick bite in between visits.
There is a dish that you absolutely must try: the Wiener Schnitzel or "Viennese schnitzel"
For an unforgettable cutlet, you could try Plachutta's Gasthaus zur Oper who claims to serve the best in town or FigmĂĽller serving its original recipe for 110 years!
4 - Vienna Museum
For those interested in learning more about the history of Vienna, you definitely can't miss the Vienna Museum.
This is spread over several buildings, but I recommend you visit the main building in Karlsplatz.
Spread over three floors, the museum houses an excellent variety of art and historical exhibits that will give you an excellent overview of Vienna's history as well as some of its most prominent artists and other residents over the centuries.
In short, you will find everything from Neolithic finds to Roman archaeological discoveries up to the present day.
There are also notable works of art by Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele, as well as two stunning models of the city, one of which shows what Vienna would have looked like in the mid-19th century.
Even if you are not usually a "museum" person, I think you will like the Vienna Museum anyway.
5 - La Karlskirke
Another beautiful church in Vienna is the Karlskirke, majestic example of Baroque.
You will be fascinated by it just by approaching its monumental entrance with the two columns reminiscent of the Trajan one in Rome.
Inside, the high altar, decorated with stucco reliefs, and the frescoes in the dome, the work of Johann Michael Rottmayr, deserve attention. If you want to admire them up close, I recommend that you take the elevator up to the 32,5 meter high platform, specially positioned to allow you to better observe them.
6 – Naschmarkt
We will conclude our first day of sightseeing in Vienna with a visit to one of the most famous markets in Vienna: the Naschmarkt which is within walking distance of Karlskirche.
The Naschmarkt stretches along Wienzelle and is by far the largest market in Vienna. The market has been held since the XNUMXth century, although it seems that in those days it only sold… milk.
Today there is much more than milk. You will find fruits and vegetables from all over the world, exotic spices, olives, cheeses, meats, seafood, almost anything you can imagine. There are also many restaurants and food stalls serving everything from sushi to Viennese specialties.
WHERE TO DINE IN VIENNA: BEISL
You will surely be eager to try the traditional Austrian cuisine during your visit.
The best way to do this is to visit a typical Viennese beisl, or Vienna bistro, essentially a traditional local tavern. In beisl you can indulge in local dishes such as cutlets, sausages or roast meat with dumplings.
7 - In the evening: Free evening tour of Vienna
One FREE tour when leaving 18:00 p.m. at Helmut Zilk-Platz, one of the city squares with the most history. You will start the free evening tour of Vienna contemplating the Danube Fountain by Albertinaplatz.
The walk continues towards the park Burggarten, where the Mozart statue is located, up to the Imperial Palace of Hofburg, an already imposing building that, when illuminated, is even more majestic and that you prepare, you will visit on day 2 of our itinerary in Vienna!
You will reach then Josefplatz e and you will see the Monument against War and Fascism and many other things.
See HERE the details of the free Vienna evening tour
Day 2 Itinerary
1 – Schönbrunn Palace
No visit to Vienna is complete without a visit to the spectacular Schönbrunn Palace, summer residence of the Habsburgs and certainly one of the most beautiful palaces in Vienna.
This is a large complex with a lot to see and do, I spent over half a day here.
This imposing yellow building was made magnificent as you can see it today thanks to the will of Maria Theresa of Austria who transformed the small hunting palace into one of the most beautiful residences in Europe.
Today the Schönbrunn Palace has 1441 rooms of which only a very small part is open to the public.
To visit it you can choose between different types of tickets: the Imperial Tour will give you the opportunity to see 22 rooms and is perfect if you don't have much time, while with the Grand Tour you will visit 40 rooms.
The most complete ticket is the Classic Pass with which you can also access the crown prince's garden, the panoramic terrace, the labyrinth and the orangery.
HERE you will find all TICKETS and TOURS of the Schönbrunn Palace Palace
I also recommend that you take a walk in the park surrounding the castle: admission here is free.
Schönbrunn Palace is open every day, including public holidays. Closing times vary according to the time of year, but it opens every morning at 8 when the exhibition halls are open.
To be honest, if you have the time and the desire, you could easily spend all day at Schönbrunn Palace, and honestly if you decide to do so there would be nothing to blame you for. On a warm sunny day it is definitely one of the nicest places to stay in the city.
If you'd rather do a little more sightseeing on your second day in Vienna, here are a couple more options to consider.
2 – Belvedere
In the LandstraĂźe district you will find the Belvedere Castle, a true masterpiece of the Austrian Baroque.
This splendid palace was built on a project by the architect Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach at the behest of Prince Eugene of Savoy.
Construction began in 1696 and ended in 1717 when external works began.
The complex consists of two opposing palaces (the Upper Belvedere and the Lower Belvedere) separated by the English gardens.
Inside the castle today is housed the Austrian Art Gallery consisting of the Baroque Art Museum, the Museum of Medieval Works and the Art Gallery of the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries. It is in this last section that you can admire the famous painting by Klimt "The Kiss".
3 – Prater
A true symbol of the city, the Prater it is the right place to relax and spend a few hours in the countryside.
The Prater is an old amusement park, a couple of subway stops from the historic center, which is home to Vienna's iconic giant Ferris wheel.
Here you can ride your bike, walk or get on the Liliputbahn train that will accompany you on your exploration.
Definitely not to be missed is a ride on the famous Ferris wheel inside the WĂĽrstelprater amusement park. The Riesenrad, this is its name, has been in operation since 1897 and was the largest Ferris wheel in the world for decades, until 1985 in fact.
It was badly damaged during World War II and today's version is the post-war reconstructed model.
Being one of the favorite attractions in the city I suggest you buy your tickets in advance so as not to waste time in the queue.
The standard tour lasts around twenty minutes and offers great views over the city.
The park is great fun, especially for families. There are rides, an arcade, a Madame Tussauds wax museum, and places to grab a snack.
4 - Boat trip on the Danube
One of the best things to do in riverside cities is to join a cruise. In fact, I find it a way not only to relax and rest for a while, but also to see the city from a different point of view and to experience its atmosphere.
The offers of river cruises in Vienna are plentiful.
Cruises are available all year round, but the schedule varies depending on the time of year.
Among better options find:
XNUMX hour cruise on the Danube Canal: Discover Vienna from the water on a one-hour cruise along the banks of the Danube Canal. Enjoy the view of the city's monuments, from the oldest buildings to the trendy new neighborhoods.
GRAND CRUISE on the Danube of 3 and a half hours: Admire the beauty of Vienna aboard a ship. Visit Vienna from its famous river and through the 2 routes "Green Vienna" and "Modern Vienna". Taste local specialties as you relax aboard the ship.
EVENING CRUISE with dinner: spend a magical evening on the Danube with this boat tour, where you will have a buffet dinner with traditional Austrian dishes. Experience a different evening and enjoy the views of illuminated Vienna!
5 - In the evening: Dinner with show in Vienna
Experience a different evening in Vienna and enjoy one full dinner with show at the Wiener Rathauskeller, a restaurant located in the Town Hall.
We will meet at the Wiener Rathauskeller restaurant where we will be able to experience a different evening in full center of Vienna. Its various halls and rooms will immerse you in typical environment of the monumental Austrian capital.
During dinner you can enjoy one typical show of Vienna, with dancers and singers who will perform in the most popular songs of the city.
He Wiener Rathauskeller offers a complete menu based on the most traditional dishes of Vienna:
- Assortment of Viennese appetizers.
- Beef roulade stuffed with vegetables with gratin potatoes.
- Pastries with plum compote.
See HERE the details and what is included
Day 3 Itinerary
1 – L’Hofburg Palace
The imperial palace which for a long time was the seat of power of the Habsburg family, today houses the residence of the President of the Austrian Republic.
This is the most majestic building in Vienna, a real city within the city: we are talking about an extension of 240.000 m².
Just think that the Hofburg Palace has 18 wings, 19 courtyards and 2.600 rooms!
Inside there are several institutions such as the Imperial Chapel, the Naturhistorisches Museum, the Kunsthistorisches Museum, the Austrian National Library, the Imperial Treasury Chamber, the Burgtheater, the Spanish Cavalry School, the imperial stables and the Hofburg congress center.
During your visit to Vienna I suggest you visit the palace to admire the Imperial Apartments, the Silverware Museum, the Sissi Museum and the Imperial Treasury Chamber where the crown of the Holy Roman Empire is also kept.
To visit everything you will need to buy two separate tickets: one for the Apartments (which includes the Silverware Museum and the Sissi Museum) and one for the Imperial Treasury.
2 - Spanish Riding School
One of the most famous attractions in Vienna is the Spanish Riding School, home of the Lipizzan horses (I love horses).
These horses and their riders regularly perform in the arena of the winter riding school, a purpose-built building that dates back to 1729.
You can of course attend the equestrian shows, but if you want to save a little you can attend the morning training for a fairly low price.
If you are interested in the operation behind the scenes of the Spanish Riding School, you can also take a guided tour with which you can get to know the horses and see how they live (but unfortunately you will not be able to stroke them)
Below you will find the Lipizzaner guided tours and shows at the riding school:
Vienna: training at the Spanish Riding School: Watch the Lipizzaners and their jockeys train and watch the morning exercises performed by gray foals and more experienced stallions, known as "white stars".
Guided tour of the Spanish Riding School of Vienna: Discover the secrets of the Spanish Riding School with this guided tour. Admire the extraordinary architecture of this centuries-old institution.
Spanish Riding School: Lipizzaner Show: Marvel at the spectacle of the famous Lipizzaners in a breathtaking place, the Baroque Winter Riding School. The unique atmosphere of this place and the accompanying Viennese classical music will make this experience unforgettable.
Vienna: special entrance ticket for Lipizzaners: entrance ticket to see the latest show of the Spanish Riding School, the Lipizzaner Special.
ATTENTION: in Vienna there are many museums to visit. you will not be able to do them all, but I will put below the most important so that you can choose the one you prefer!
3 – Albertina
Inside Palazzo Taroucca is housed the Albertina Museum (from the name of the founder, Duke Albert of Saxony-Teschen).
It houses one of the largest collections of prints and drawings in the world.
Michelangelo, Raphael, Leonardo, Dürer, Rubens, Klimt, Picasso, Goya, Chagall, Monet, Cézanne, Mirò, Kokoschka, Rothko, Warhol… the list of artists exhibited here seems endless.
If you are a fan of the genre it is truly a must-see museum.
4 - Natural History Museum
If you prefer your museums to contain fossils, dinosaurs, and other natural history-themed items, then you should go to the Vienna Natural History Museum.
The museum is housed in a spectacular building (Vienna has many spectacular buildings), which was purpose built and opened in 1889 to house the Habsburg collection.
Today, the museum's collection contains over 30 million objects, collected over 250 years, and makes for an impressive visit.
5 - Sigmund Freud Museum
Il Sigmund Freud Museum it is housed in Freud's former apartment and office and has been open to the public since 1971. It is not a huge space, but it contains a number of objects related to Freud, including some of his clothes and part of his antiques collection.
The museum also contains information relating to the history of psychoanalysis and its influence on art and society.
After 18 months between 2019 and 2020 in which the museum was closed for renovations, today it is open to the public again!
There is an entrance ticket and being small as a museum, tickets are often sold out.
6 - Museum of the History of Art
Il Kunsthistorisches Museum it was inaugurated in 1891 in the presence of Francesco Giuseppe I of Habsburg who commissioned its construction to house the rich collection of the family.
Inside there are two art galleries that preserve paintings, among others, by Bellini, Correggio, Andrea Mantegna, Tintoretto, Raphael, Rubens and Vermeer.
In addition to the paintings, inside the Museum of Art History you will find an Egyptian - Oriental collection, a collection of Roman and Greek antiquities, a collection of sculpture and decorative arts, a numismatic cabinet and a library.
7 - Mumok
Il Mumok is the Museum of Modern Art in Vienna and houses about 9000 works of modern and contemporary art.
If you love this genre you will not regret choosing to visit it. Inside, in fact, you can admire, among other things, numerous works by Picasso, Warhol, Beuys and Lichtenstein.
8 - The MuseumsQuartier
The Mumok is one of the institutions you will find in the district of MuseumsQuartier, inaugurated in 2001.
If you love to visit museums then you will spend a lot of time in this area.
Here you will also find:
- Il Leopold Museum which contains the world's largest collection of Egon Schiele's works as well as other works of modern art.
- THEArchitekturzentrum Wien, dedicated to architecture.
- Lo ZOOM Kindermuseum, a place completely intended for children.
- La Kunsthalle Wien, an art gallery.
You will be able to buy a combined ticket to visit everyone, with the exception of the ZOOM for which a separate ticket is required.
More things to see and do in Vienna
1 – Hundertwasserhaus
Asymmetrical and brightly colored houses: Hundertwasserhaus it is a truly bizarre housing complex.
These mansions were built by the architect and artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser in 1986.
No edges, just soft lines, hanging gardens to bring greenery into every home, bumps, spiral staircases, fountains and salvaged ceramics to embellish the facades: this neighborhood is a true work of art.
2 – Rathaus
In the center of Vienna you will find another of the things to see in the city: the Rathaus, City Hall.
This building is one of the best examples of neo-Gothic in Europe.
As for the Duomo, I want to leave you some numbers that will give you an idea of ​​its grandeur:
- For its construction, 30 million tiles and 40.000 cubic meters of stone were used.
- The internal courtyard measures 2804 square meters.
- The statue on the top of the Town Hall (Rathausmann) is about 6 meters high if we also consider the pedestal.
The entrance to the courtyard of the palace is free, while to visit the interiors you will have to participate in a guided tour.
A tip: go here at night, the lighting studied in detail makes it even more fascinating than during the day.
3 – Ringstrasse
About 5 km of road: la Ringstrasse it is a large tree-lined avenue that surrounds the entire city.
Its construction dates back to 1857 when Franz Joseph I of Habsburg decided to dismantle the city walls to accommodate this elegant street.
Numerous buildings overlook the avenue, including the Kunsthistorisches Museum, the Naturhistorisches Museum, the Parliament, the Rathaus and the University.
You could travel the whole way aboard a tram to enjoy the view.
4 - Viali Graben e Carinthia
Graben e Carinthia they are the two busiest avenues in Vienna.
These are the right places for a stroll dedicated to shopping or for a break in one of the many cafes in the area.
5 - The Plague Column
In the Graber there is what is perhaps the most important example of the Viennese Baroque: the Plague Column.
The monument was erected at the behest of Emperor Leopold I as thanks for the end of the plague in 1679.
6 – Ankeruhr
The Ankeruhr is a particular clock with moving figures that is located in the Hohen Markt square.
It was built in 1911 at the behest of the insurance company Der Anker.
During 12 hours 12 figures follow one another (including Marcus Aurelius, Prince Eugene of Savoy, Empress Maria Teresa and Francesco I) indicating the time.
At noon, every day, all the figures parade together one after the other: I recommend that you go to the place at this time.
7 - Hotel Sacher
Finally, among the things to see in Vienna there is certainly also theHotel Sacher, a real institution and the best place to taste the real Sacher - Torte.
It is here, in fact, that in 1832 Franz Sacher invented the famous cake for Prince Klemens von Metternich.
8 - Day trip to Hallstatt
If you have more than 3 days in Vienna or just want a break from the city, one day trip to the fairytale town of Hallstatt has your name written on it.
Surrounded by the Alps, Hallstatt is a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous among photographers for its beauty.
Organized day trips include a city tour, a ride on the Salzbergbahn Hallstatt funicular (for some panoramic views of the area), and a visit to the Hallstatt ossuary (to see a peculiar collection of decorated skulls).
See the DETAILS of the HALLSTATT TOUR
9 - Excursions and surroundings of Vienna
If you have 3 days but don't want to stay all the time in Vienna, or you are staying 4 or 5 days, there are interesting day trips and surroundings to visit that might interest you.
Here you will find what to see in the surrounding area.
Wachau Valley in the Lower Danube - The Lower Danube is very picturesque and makes for an easy day trip from Vienna. SEE HERE THE TOUR in ALLE DI WACHAU
Bratislava Slovakia - Vienna is only an hour from the capital Bratislava. You can easily explore the city on a day trip from Vienna to Bratislava. SEE HERE THE TOUR TO BRATISLAVA
Salzburg Austria - From Vienna to Salzburg it takes about 2 hours by train. It is really worth it. You can read my post on what to see in Salzburg and surroundings!
Map of What to see in Vienna in three days
Below you will find the Vienna itinerary map in three days.
- In blue you will find the points of interest of the itinerary of day 1
- In yellow you will find those of day 2
- In purple those of day 3
You can access the map also from here.
Getting around in Vienna
Most of the itinerary in this post is walkable, even though Vienna is large.
There are some locations a little further away from the historic center, such as Schönbrunn Palace, the Danube Tower and the Prater Park, for which you may need to take public transport or a taxi.
Il Vienna's transport system is excellent: you can choose between bus, metro and tram.
Vienna has an excellent public transport system which includes metro, buses and trams.
There are cards that give you free public transport, but in my opinion it's much more worth it take the Hop-On hop-Off bus.
The Hop-on hop-off bus is included in some Vienna cards such as the Vienna Pass.
There are several routes around the city, including all the main sights on this itinerary (including Schönbrunn Palace), and it's a fun way to do some sightseeing while resting your legs too.
How to get to and from Vienna airport
There are several transportation options ranging from Vienna International Airport to the city center. The best ways to travel to and from the airport are:
Private TRANSFER: it is the easiest and most comfortable way to reach the city center, but it is also the most expensive option. If you are not on a budget, you can book your transfer online before departure and a driver will be waiting for you upon arrival. You can book the transfer here.
City Airport Train: The train from Vienna airport to the city center takes 16 minutes. The train connects the airport to the city center every day every 30 minutes. It is the fastest but most expensive way to travel to and from the airport.
CAUTION: At the moment (August 2021) the City Airport Train is not available.
However, you can check when it will be active again on the official website of the City Airport Train HERE.
S7 express train: this train takes about 37 minutes and connects the airport to the city center every day. Tickets can be purchased at automatic ticket machines and must be stamped before entering the train.
Taxi: the cost is between € 30 and € 40 and the journey can take up to 30 minutes.
Vienna discount cards
Almost all things to do in Vienna have an entry fee, so a good way to save money but still enjoy some of Vienna's best attractions is to use a pass.
There are different types of passes in Vienna and it's not easy to tell them apart. Below you will find the best:
VIENNA PASS: Includes access to over 60 of Vienna's most popular attractions. The price of the Vienna Pass varies depending on the length of the pass. The Vienna Pass includes unlimited use of the Vienna sightseeing buses (Hop On Hop Off sightseeing tours).
VIENNA FLEXI PASS: Gives you access to 3, 4 or 5 tourist attractions from over 30 options.
VIENNA CITY CARD: which gives access to all public transport such as trams, buses and metro, as well as discounts at many of the main attractions and restaurants. In addition, you can add the following add-ons at an additional cost: 24-hour Hop-On Hop-Off and transfer on all modes of transport to and from Vienna Airport.
It pays to take a pass per Vienna? The answer is it depends. In fact, depending on the things you want to see, it can make you save or not. as usual, the only way to check is to first decide what you want to see and add the cost of the single tickets to then compare them with the price of the card.
Where to sleep in Vienna in 3 days
Being a city of such magnificence, high-end hotels are in abundance in Vienna.
To experience Viennese luxury firsthand, why not stay at the Grand Hotel Wien? With rooms that look like royal residences and several in-house restaurants, bars and cafes to choose from, you may never want to leave.
Of course, Vienna also has a lot of mid-range hotels and apartments, such as the Drei Kronen Hotel Wien City. Just off the Naschmarkt, guests enjoy the modern comfort of the hotel rooms and a rich breakfast.
THEHotel-Pension Wild it is located near the city center and within walking distance of a metro station. It offers non-smoking rooms equipped with a fan, free toiletries, towels and linen. A very good breakfast is served in the morning. Pets can stay at the hotel and free Wi-Fi is provided.
Il Motel One Wien Westbahnhof offers elegant and modern rooms equipped with bathroom with rain shower, work station, air conditioning and flat screen TV. The friendly reception staff will assist you 24 hours a day. The hotel also has a bar and free Wi-Fi.
