When planning a trip to Vienna, you may be wondering how many days will be enough for your visit. Vienna has so much to see and do but we’ve broken it down into 3 days of sightseeing and exploring, perfect for a city break or shortstop while interrailing across Europe.
In this guide to Vienna, we will give you an overview of how to spend 3 days in the Austrian capital. Each day is filled with the best places to visit in Vienna so that by the time you finish your trip, you will have seen the top attractions of the beautiful city and experienced the wonders of Wein.
Vienna is made up of 23 districts, with each one having its own atmosphere and attractions. The good news is that you are certain to find a place to stay that suits your needs and budget!
The best districts to stay in Vienna are Innere Stadt, Leopold Stadt and Nuebau. Each has its own unique atmosphere which will add the perfect ambience to your Vienna itinerary.
No matter where you choose to stay, you should invest in a Vienna City Card. This helpful card will cover your costs for public transport and even gets you discounted entry to Vienna’s museums and other attractions, making it a must-have for your trip.
Kicking off with a bang, you should start your trip to Vienna with a visit to Mozarthaus. The famous composer had multiple properties in Vienna and this is the only one that remains today. Mozart lived here from 1784 to 1787 and the apartment is where he composed many of his greatest works.
It was refurbished in 2004 to turn the space into a celebration of his career and music. You don’t have to be a classical music expert to enjoy a visit to Mozarthaus Vienna. Beyond commemorating his work, Mozarthaus will give you a great understanding of his life as well as Vienna in the late 18th century.
This is a great first stop on a Vienna trip as it captures the rich cultural atmosphere that thrives in the city and will give you better insight into one of Europe’s best composers.
Vienna is full of beautiful architecture, but St. Stephen’s Cathedral is not one to miss. Situated in the heart of the city, the Cathedral’s south tower dominates the skyline and immediately draws you in with its enchanting gothic architecture.
The interior of the Cathedral can be visited for free but you will need to purchase tickets to enter the catacombs and climb the towers. The catacombs are the resting place of many religious officials and royals, like Emporer Friedrich III. A guide can take you through the underground cemetery and give you more details about the historical significance of the catacombs.
The south tower can be accessed by ascending 343 steps. At the top you will find the Türmerstube which provides breathtaking panoramic views of Vienna, it’s the perfect place to grab a picture for your socials.
Vienna is a city brimming with culture and there is no place better than the Vienna State Opera to immerse yourself in it. The opera house assembles first-class productions of opera and ballet and runs up to 50 works every season.
A night at the opera is a magical event and can be made even more special by watching the musicians perform in period dress. The Vienna State Opera House is famous for its elaborate productions and is a major highlight for fans of theatre.
If you can’t find time to watch a production you can still take a guided tour of the Opera House. The tour will tell you all about the wonderful history of the building and even give you a behind-the-scenes look at how the opera house is run.
You can treat yourself to dinner at the Opera if you’re feeling fancy. But if you want to taste Viennese comfort food, there is no place better than Leberkas-Pepi. This local favourite has been serving Austrian staples for over 30 years and is a short walk from the Vienna State Opera.
For your second day in Vienna, we recommend you take a break from museums and sightseeing and explore Naschmarkt. This popular market is made up of 120 stalls that will provide you with an international food experience like no other.
There are plenty of stalls offering authentic Viennese dishes, but you will be delighted to discover a wide range of food options from around the world. The offering is near limitless with every cuisine seemly having a kitchen here. From Greek to Turkish and Chinese to Korean, you are truly spoilt for choice. If you are the type who gets overwhelmed by options, a small-group tour could be a great way to traverse the market.
Other than delectable food you will also find some of the freshest produce. From exotic fruits and vegetables to butchers and fishmongers, Naschmarkt is often where locals will do their food shopping. Once you’ve enjoyed a filling breakfast, you can pick up some bread and cheeses for a picnic later!
At weekends Naschmarkt comes alive with a flea market on Saturdays which is a wonderful sight even if you aren’t the thrifty type. If you’re in Vienna for summer, this is a great place to settle in the sun while you people-watch and listen to music performances from local DJs.
You can easily find a great place to eat at Naschmarkt with all the choices. But if you’re eager to explore the gastronomic delights of Vienna then ULRICH is a great spot to try. This local favourite serves a mix of Vienese and Pan-European food, not to mention their classic cocktails.
Once you’ve had a bite to eat and explored the Naschmarkt, it’s time to get sightseeing. On your second day, you should head to the Albertina and discover one of the best art collections in the world. Built upon the last remaining fortifications of the city, the Albertina was extensively renovated and opened to the public as an art museum.
You will find Habsburg staterooms kept in immaculate condition alongside the beautiful works of art that have made the collection world-renowned. The art displayed at Albertina ranges from French impressionist works to modern art.
Alongside the fine art, visitors can also view the extensive collection of graphic art and sketches from legends like da Vinci and Andy Warhol. There are also sections of the museum dedicated to architecture and photography, making Albertina the crown jewel of Viennese arts and culture.
To round out your second day in Vienna, we strongly recommend a visit to Schönbrunn Palace. This 18th-century palace complex was the summer residence of the Habsburgs. It was a countryside escape, but as the city has expanded in recent years the palace is now very central. These days the site remains exceptionally well maintained and is a UNESCO world heritage site.
You can enter the grounds for free and explore the parks and gardens at your leisure. Wander the tree-lined footpaths, get lost in hedge mazes, and even find discover some Roman ruins! These aren’t authentic sadly, but are still just as wondrous as the other features of the palace park.
Entry to the palace itself does cost a small fee, but it has so much to offer. The palace boasts over 1400 rooms, but only 45 are open to the public. You can explore more of the palace via a virtual reality tour which expands on the lives of the Habsburgs. There is also the Carriage Museum (Wagenburg) on site, which houses an extensive display of carriages and other modes of transport used by the Habsburgs.
You can easily spend a long afternoon at Schönbrunn Palace due to its extensive tourist offering. We recommend dedicating a lot of time to the palace, as it is one of the most visited sites in Vienna and does get busy. To make the most of the Palace, you can book a guided tour that will let you skip long lines and give you more insight into the history of Vienna’s royals.
A trip to Vienna wouldn’t be complete without seeing the incredible Hofburg Palace. The palace was the main court of the Haburgs and is made up of interconnected buildings. It is notable for having the Sisi Museum, the imperial apartments, and the exquisite silver collection. The palace is truly extensive and can be overwhelming for first-time visitors. Taking a private tour of the palace will help you see all the main sights and make the most of your sightseeing time.
The Spanish Riding School can also be found at the Hofburg. Famous for its Lipizzan horses and their talented riders, the riding school holds entertaining performances paired with classical Viennese music that is more akin to ballet than horse riding. Book your visit well in advance as their spectacular shows are very popular.
Other than the riding school, you can also enjoy many historic collections that are housed in the Hofburg. For fans of ancient history, there is an impressive collection of Greek and Roman artefacts. For music buffs, there is a collection of historical musical instruments. And for those interested in Austrian history, be sure to visit the House of Austrian History and the Arms & Armour collection.
Outside of the Hofburg, there are two immaculately kept gardens. Burggarten features a monument to Mozart and showcases the imperial butterfly house. Whereas the Volksgarten, on the other side of the Hofburg, has a beautiful rose garden which blooms in high summer. While wandering the flower beds you can discover the hidden memorial to Empress Elizabeth.
Not too far from Hofburg Palace, you can find the MuseumsQuartier. This is one of the largest cultural quarters in the world and is a hub for creatives. Originally constructed as the imperial stables, the MuseumsQuartier (or MQ for short) now hosts varied events and exhibitions that celebrate multiple art forms.
Within MQ, you can find the Leopold Museum which features a collection of works by Schiele. Atop the Leopold, you can find the Libelle viewing platform which provides stunning views of the surrounding imperial buildings and city centre. There is also mumok, the Museum of modern art, as well as Kunsthalle, a venue for more avant-garde exhibitions which are sure to capture your attention.
The complex is completely free to enter, but individual museums and galleries will be ticketed. During summer, the courtyard is home to many open-air bars, making it a great place to unwind in the sun.
To finish up your Vienna trip, a visit to Prater Park is in order. This famous recreational ground features nearly 250 attractions and around sixty food stalls and restaurants.
For fans of rides and fun fairs, the wurstelprater is chock full of roller coasters and games. Attractions include a ghost train, a dinosaur park for fans of natural history and also features the Weiner Riesenrad. This was the first ever Ferris wheel, erected in 1897 and is a landmark in Vienna. Take a carriage up to the top to enjoy spectacular views of the entire city.
Once you’ve had your fill of thrills, take a wander through the Green prater. This section of the park is a serene natural escape within the city. Meadows and green spaces are popular for joggers and walkers and make up the habitat for many animals. To get the best experience of this beautiful landscape, take a ride on the liliputbahn, a miniature railway that runs through the park.
In essence, Vienna is a place to explore historical excellence and unique culture. With so many museums and galleries, you will have plenty of sightseeing opportunities in 3 days. The elegance of Vienna is truly captivating and it can be seen in the historical architecture, exquisite art collections and unparalleled gastronomy.
This suggested itinerary by no means covers everything that Vienna has to offer. The beauty of a Vienna trip is that there is so much to do, so you can make your visit very personalised. From spending a night at the opera to viewing the city at sunset from the Weiner Riesenrad, Vienna has everything you need for a long weekend or short stay.
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