This article contains affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. Read our Disclosure for more. Thanks for your support!
Last updated on July 4th, 2025 at 02:03 pm
If you’re planning to see Vienna in 3 days, this travel guide is all you need to plan the perfect Vienna itinerary, no matter which month you’re travelling to the Austrian capital.
Vienna is one of the most sought-after destinations during the Christmas holidays and for good reason. The city’s glistening Christmas markets render Vienna even dreamier and more beautiful during the festive season.
However, with its magnificent architecture, fascinating history and rich musical heritage, Vienna is a lot more than its Christmas markets.
Therefore, even if you won’t be visiting Vienna at Christmas, the Austrian capital is well worth a trip any other time of the year too.
The 3-day Vienna itinerary you’re about to read is made up of amazing suggestions and incredible things to do in Vienna all year round. Here’s what to do in Vienna in 3 days for the first time.
Some of the links in this article are affiliate ones.
This means that if you click through them to make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Also, this article contains sponsored content.
For more information, visit our Disclosure page.
Where Is Vienna
Situated in the eastern part of the country, Vienna is near the borders with the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary. Austria’s capital is the largest of the cities built along the Danube River.
Best Time To Visit Vienna
Vienna is popular for its Christmas Markets. Therefore, November and December are considered the best months to travel to Vienna to enjoy the festive season.
However, from May to late September you can enjoy better temperatures and sunny days. Keep in mind the city is packed with tourists during the summer months.
How To Get To Vienna
By Air
Vienna is connected with direct flights to most major European cities as well as big hubs in the USA.
While Vienna’s International Airport is a 30-minute drive from the city centre, the fastest way to reach the heart of Vienna is by the City Airport Train (CAT). CAT takes you to the Vienna Station Mitte-Landstrasse in just 16 minutes.
However, if your hotel isn’t near Vienna Station Mitte-Landstrasse, consider booking a private transfer directly to your accommodation.
By Train
If Vienna is part of a longer trip across Central Europe, then the most comfortable way to move around is by train.
You can get to Vienna from Brno in one and a half hours, Prague in four hours, Bratislava in one hour and Budapest in two and a half hours. Check out all the train routes going to Vienna to plan the perfect trip in Central Europe.
Vienna’s main train station is Wien Hauptbahnhof, a 10-minute drive from St. Stephan Square.
By Bus
With Flixbus operating multiple routes in Vienna, taking the bus is also a great way to get to Vienna from a nearby city. The central bus station for international routes is next to Vienna Central Station.
Where To Stay in Vienna
The best area to stay in Vienna is Innere Stadt, the city centre. However, our favourite hotel in Vienna is Beethoven Hotel with a convenient location near Naschmarkt.
Another great accommodation option in Vienna is 25Hours Hotel Vienna in Neubau, perfect for visiting some of the best museums in Vienna. You can read our detailed article about the best areas to stay in Vienna.
Is The Vienna City Card Worth It?
The Vienna City Card and the Vienna Pass are the two discount city cards available to Vienna visitors. During our trip to Vienna, we tried the Vienna City Card. Before answering the question if it’s worth buying the Vienna City Card, let’s see what it offers:
- Unlimited public transport including bus, tram and metro.
- Discounts on museums, tourist attractions, restaurants and more.
- Optional add-ons for airport transfers and/or hop-on hop-off buses.
- The card is available for one, two, three or seven days.
- You can purchase the card online and use it through the official mobile app.
- For families, one child under 15 travels for free for each Vienna City Card holder.
We used the Vienna City Card during our 3 days in Vienna trip. Although the discounts for the attractions seemed relatively small at first – ranging around 10% to 20% off the full ticket prices – we found the card very handy in the end.
We activated the card before our arrival. Once we arrived in Vienna, we started using public transportation without restrictions whenever we needed to cover longer distances or when it rained.
As it turned out, the total amount of discounts wasn’t bad at all. But most of all, we enjoyed the ease of getting on and off public transport without worrying about buying single tickets all the time.
All in all, if you’re planning to see Vienna in 3 days like we did, we would recommend buying a Vienna City Card for a hassle-free experience. Everything is in the mobile app, making the card a lot easier to use.
Watch our Vienna YouTube video
Travel Resources To Help You Plan Your Trip To Vienna
Vienna in 3 Days: The Ultimate Year-Round Itinerary
Day 1: A Look Into The History of The Habsburgs
The House of Habsburg is one of the most important dynasties in history. The Habsburgs ruled Austria for centuries on end and their history is inextricably linked to Vienna’s very essence.
This is why it makes sense to focus more on this mighty dynasty on your first day in Vienna. However, this doesn’t mean that you won’t be stumbling upon bits of Habsburg history throughout your entire trip to Vienna anyway.
Vienna State Opera Tour
To save time and avoid unnecessary back and forth, start your first day in Vienna by joining one of the guided tours of the famous Opera House.
Completed in 1869 and inaugurated by Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth, the Vienna State Opera House is one of the most significant opera houses in the world.
During the tour, you will have the opportunity to go behind the scenes, learn the building’s history, discover interesting facts and take in the splendour of the opera’s auditorium.
You can book a guided tour in several languages. Check out available times and buy your tickets here.
Imperial Crypt (Capuchin Crypt)
Your next stop is into the depths of the Habsburgs’ history. The vaulted crypt below the Capuchin Church at the busy Neuer Markt is the resting place of 150 Habsburg royals, including several emperors, empresses and queens.
The monarchs’ remains are kept in sarcophagi. The most impressive among them is the double sarcophagus of Maria Theresia and Emperor Franz I.
Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth are among those who rest in peace in the depths of the Capuchins’ Crypt. Sisi’s tomb is often filled with letters of love from people from all over the world who come to pay their respects to the late Empress.
Augustinian Church
A few steps from the Imperial Crypt, the 14th-century Augustinian Church is another religious site connected to the Habsburg monarchy.
All of the Habsburgs you saw in their sarcophagi in the Capuchin Crypt got married in the Augustinian Church, back in happier times.
The weddings of Franz Joseph and Sisi in 1854 and Emperor of France Napoleon with Marie Louise in 1810 were among the most glamorous royal weddings that took place within the walls of the Augustinian Church.
However, the true highlight of the Augustinian Church is the Herzgruft. This is a crypt where urns with the hearts of 54 Habsburgs are kept. You can visit the crypt on a tour on specific days and hours.
Demel Café
Before visiting the Sisi Museum and the Imperial Apartments, it’s time to recharge your batteries by savouring Sachertorte, the renowned Viennese cake. But before polishing off this divine cake, a bit of history first.
Sachertorte is named after Franz Sacher. In 1832, when Sacher was a 16-year-old apprentice chef, he stood in for the chef who was ill. His mission wasn’t an easy one. He had to impress Chancellor Metternich’s guests.
Young Sacher came up with Sachertorte, a chocolate cake with two thin layers of apricot jam and dark chocolate icing on top. As you can imagine, everybody was thrilled that day. Since then, Sachertorte has become viral and remains one of the best cakes in the world.
The two most famous places to try Sachertorte are Café Sacher with its Original Sachertorte and Demel with its Eduard Sachertorte variation. By the way, both cafés feature elegant historic interiors that make them worth a visit in their own right, regardless of the cake.
Demel’s Sachertorte is slightly different than Café Sacher’s original one. In our humble opinion, Demel’s version is better. Therefore, if you can only have a single piece of Sachertorte during your trip to Vienna, brace the queues at Demel and try it there.
Hofburg Vienna – Sisi Museum & The Imperial Apartments
After seeing where Habsburgs are buried and where they got married, it’s time to see where they lived.
Built in the 13th century, Hofburg was a massive palace that the Habsburg monarchs called home for 600 years until 1918. That was the year that the Habsburg monarchy came to an end.
When Schönbrunn Palace was built in the 18th century, Hofburg Palace served as the Habsburgs’ winter residence.
The most interesting sections of the palace are the Sisi Museum and the Imperial Apartments complex. This was where the famous imperial couple of Austria, Franz Joseph and Elisabeth, used to live.
Elisabeth, Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary – affectionately known as Sisi – was a Duchess in Bavaria before she got married to her cousin Franz Joseph in 1854 at the age of 16.
Sisi – or Sissi – became the most famous of the Habsburgs for her free spirit and independence, her endless travels and her beauty. Throughout her reign, she was loved by the Hungarians for her contribution to the dual monarchy.
Empress Elisabeth was assassinated in 1898 in Geneva. At the Sisi Museum, you will have the opportunity to see 300 exhibits about Sisi’s life that will help you get a better understanding of her controversial personality.
After the Sisi Museum, the tour continues to the 24 rooms of the Imperial Apartments. There, you will see the room where Emperor Franz Joseph received people, his plain bedroom and study as well as Sisi’s apartments. Among these, the exercise room is the highlight.
Although the Sisi Museum is fascinating, it has narrow exhibition spaces and it can get overwhelming and chaotic with the crowds.
Musical Concert at St. Charles Church (Karlskirche)
Rest at your hotel and save some energy for a classical musical concert in the evening.
Vivaldi concerts take place periodically in Karlskirche in his honour since the famous composer died in Vienna and was buried next to the church. Second only to the Vienna State Opera, Karlskirche is the best place to experience the magic of classical music in a divine setting.
Day 2: Habsburgs & Classical Music
As we said before, seeing Vienna in 3 days means that you’ll inevitably have your share of Habsburg history on a daily basis. That said, your second day on this Vienna itinerary also touches upon the city’s unique musical heritage, before exploring Vienna’s quirky side.
Schönbrunn Palace
Located less than half an hour by metro from Vienna’s city centre, Schönbrunn Palace is your first stop on your second day in Vienna.
Spend the morning at the Habsburgs’ former summer residence, one of Vienna’s main attractions, to learn more about the renowned monarchs’ glorious past.
Remodelled in the 18th century at its present form by Emperors Maria Theresia and Franz I, Shönbrunn Palace features 1441 rooms.
Decorated in Rococo style, the palace’s elaborate interior has hosted prominent personalities like Mozart and Napoleon.
Like in Hofburg, at Schönbrunn, you will have the opportunity to explore the apartments of the most adored imperial couple, Franz Joseph and Elisabeth. Within the palace’s grounds, you can also visit the Imperial Carriage Museum.
Besides the palace itself, it’s worth spending a few hours at the Shönbrunn Gardens. Take a stroll from the former imperial palace to the Gloriette, a true symbol of the Habsburg power, for fantastic views of Schönbrunn Palace.
The beautiful gardens also offer several other attractions. The Schönbrunn Maze is the perfect place to have a few laughs for kids and grown-ups alike. Keep in mind that you need an extra ticket to visit the attractions of the gardens.
For more information about opening hours and admission fees, click here.
Naschmarkt
After visiting the Schönbrunn Palace take the metro to one of Vienna’s oldest markets.
Dating back to the 16th century, the Naschmarkt initially had stalls selling milk and dairy products alone. From 1793 onwards, according to the laws of the time, fruit and vegetables that didn’t arrive in Vienna via the Danube had to be sold at the Naschmarkt.
When Vienna’s second river, the Wien River, was covered around 1900, the Naschmarkt was expanded to its current form.
Today, the Naschmarkt features around 120 stands with fruit, vegetables, spices, sweets and other treats from all over the world. You can have lunch at one of the market’s bars and restaurants or experience Vienna’s multicultural food scene on this Naschmarkt Food Tasting Tour.
If you happen to be in Vienna on a Saturday morning, don’t miss the flea market at the end of the Naschmarkt.
St. Stephen’s Cathedral
Head to St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Vienna’s ultimate religious symbol and the most recognisable building in the city.
It was remodelled in Gothic and Romanesque style in its present form in the 14th century. With its splendid Gothic stone pulpit and the high altar that represents St. Stephen’s stoning, the Cathedral’s interior is equally impressive.
Among the Cathedral’s highlights are the Catacombs. These were constructed after Charles VI closed the Cathedral’s cemetery to protect the city from the 1730 plague.
What’s more, you can climb the 343 steps of the 136-metre-high South Tower for fantastic panoramic views of Vienna. At the North Tower, you can see Austria’s largest bell that has been hanging there since 1957.
Graben Street
From St. Stephen’s Cathedral starts Graben Steet, Vienna’s main pedestrianised shopping street. Walk along Graben Steet and take a look at the Plague Column or Trinity Column.
The elaborate column was built in Baroque style when Leopold I pledged to construct a memorial to the victims of the Great Plague of 1679.
Stadtpark
On your way to the eastern part of the city, take a relaxing walk through Stadtpark.
Opened in 1862, Stadtpark was Vienna’s first public park. While there, you will come across several statues of famous Viennese artists, such as Johann Strauss and Franz Schubert.
The massive building at the southwestern edge of the park is the Kursalon, a venue where the Strauss brothers gave concerts. It’s used for balls and concerts up to this day.
Walk along the uncovered part of the Wien River before you make your way out through the ornate U-Bahn station designed by Otto Wagner for the remodelling of the park at the beginning of the 20th century.
Hundertwasser House
From Stadtpark, you can walk or take public transport to one of Vienna’s quirkiest buildings. Constructed in 1985, Hundertwasser House is a residential building with offices, terraces and trees.
It was designed by Hundertwasser, an Austrian architect and visual artist. You are not allowed to visit the apartments as they are private properties.
However, you can visit Hundertwasser Village, a small shopping centre with bars and restaurants. It’s just across the street from Hundertwasser House.
Day 3: Spectacular Art & More Vienna Landmarks
Vienna is home to more world-class museums than we can count. Yet, if you’re planning to see Vienna in 3 days, it’s impossible to have much time for all of them.
This is why your last day on this Vienna 3-day itinerary starts with the art collection we believe no one should miss. From there, continue with some of the city’s landmarks before you end your Vienna trip with fun.
Belvedere Palace
Start your last day in Vienna from Belvedere, a Baroque palace complex built on a gentle slope slightly outside the city centre.
Inspired by the Versailles, the complex consists of the Upper Belvedere, the Lower Belvedere and the gardens that link the two palaces. The Belvedere was the summer residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy, an eminent general who gained his fame from his battles against the Ottomans.
Built in the 18th century, the Upper Belvedere houses collections of medieval to modern art.
Beyond doubt, the ultimate highlight of the Upper Belvedere is the room on the first floor that features 24 paintings of Gustav Klimt, the renowned Austrian painter and main representative of the Vienna Secession Movement. Among his works, you can see his masterpieces The Kiss, Judith and Adam & Eve.
Built before the Upper Belvedere, the Lower Belvedere was the actual residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy. In its lavish interior, you can learn more about the Prince’s victories.
You can also visit special exhibitions held in the Orangery, next to the Lower Belvedere.
If you don’t have enough time for both the Lower and the Upper Belvedere, limit your visit to the Upper Belvedere and a walk through the Baroque gardens designed in French style.
Book your tickets to the Upper Belvedere and its permanent collection.
State Hall of The Austrian National Library
Back to the city centre and time to visit another part of the Hofburg complex. Situated in the Neue Burg Wing of Hofburg, the National Library is the largest library in Austria. The library was constructed in the 18th century during the reign of Emperor Charles VI.
Step into the magnificent Grand Hall of the Library and be mesmerised by the scent of the over 200,000 historic leather-bound books from 1500 to 1850 that fill the old-fashioned wooden bookshelves.
Needless to say, you’re not allowed to read any of these historic books. However, it’s worth visiting the impressive State Hall.
The marble statues and Venetian globes that are scattered across the hall, the splendid frescoes on the dome, the vaulted ceilings and the aged books that line the wooden Baroque bookshelves generate an imperial aura.
Rathaus & The Austrian Parliament Building
After your visits to the Belvedere and the State Hall of the Austrian National Library, it’s time to explore the city centre and see some of Vienna’s most important buildings.
The 19th-century Rathaus or Vienna City Hall is the most important secular building in Vienna. The impressive building was designed by the architect Friedrich Von Schmidt in Neo-Gothic style.
The City Hall Square hosts the grandest of all Viennese Christmas Markets.
Before heading to your next stop, take a quick look at the Austrian Parliament, right next to the City Hall Park. You can notice another similarity there. This time to the Academy of Athens.
The building’s Neo-Greek style with the Pallas Athena fountain in front of the entrance and the Nike on the roof felt like home to us.
Ferstel Passage
A short walk from the Town Hall and the Austrian Parliament, Palais Ferstel is one of the few buildings in Vienna with a passage designed as a shopping arcade. The Ferstel Passage used to be a social hub in the 20th century.
Nowadays, it’s lined with small shops, cafés and restaurants, ideal for a quick refreshing stop in between your sightseeing in Vienna. Palais Ferstel was built in 1860 to house the Austrian National Bank and Stockmarket and it’s also home to the famous Café Central.
Judenplatz
From Palais Ferstel, walk to Judenplatz, the once vibrant centre of Jews during the Middle Ages. Once there, you will notice the statue of the German poet Lessing at one end of the square.
At the other end, the striking Holocaust Memorial designed by the English artist Rachel Whiteread stands silent and gloomy. This austere concrete block commemorates the 65,000 Austrian Jews who were murdered by the Nazis.
Moreover, if you’re interested in Jewish history, you can visit the Jewish Museum in Judenplatz. The latter showcases the foundations of a medieval synagogue that once stood there.
Alternatively, join this 2-hour walking tour to learn everything about Vienna’s Jewish past.
Ankeruhr
Constructed in 1911 by Franz von Matsch, the Art Nouveau Anker Clock decorates the bridge that links the two buildings of the Anker Insurance Company.
Similar to Prague’s Astronomical Clock, the Anker Clock features 12 historic figures, such as Prince Eugene of Savoy with whom you are familiar by now (the Belvedere guy).
Each of the 12 figures parades at every hour. Every day at noon they parade all together.
Prater
Finish your trip to Vienna at one of the largest parks in Vienna where fun and relaxation await.
Prater is famous for its amusement park, Würstelprater, which offers about 250 entertaining attractions. Constructed in 1897, the giant Ferris Wheel or Riesenrad is the indisputable highlight of Prater and one of Vienna’s very symbols.
Take a slow ride on the 64.75-metre Ferris Wheel for jaw-dropping views of Vienna.
Book your skip-the-line tickets for the iconic Ferris Wheel.
Besides the famed amusement park, Prater is also home to several beer gardens and restaurants where you can have dinner or just a couple of pre-dinner beers.
FAQ’s About Visiting Vienna
What language is spoken in Vienna?
The official language of Austria is German. That said, the Viennese speak very good English and you’ll have no problem to communicate for the basics in English.
What is the main currency in Vienna?
Austria is a member state of the European Union and its official currency is the Euro.
Is it easy to be a vegetarian in Vienna?
Yes, there are many vegetarian or vegan restaurants in Vienna. Most restaurants offer vegetarian options in their menu. Some of our favourites we tried in Vienna are Glacis Beisl, a typical Viennese bistro with a fantastic garden and Veggiezz for the delicious seitan steak and the tofu club sandwich.
Where to try Vienna’s famous desserts?
Café Sacher Wien and Demel serve the famous Viennese Sachertorte. The Café Sacher serves the Original Sachertorte whereas Demel serves the Eduard Sachertorte variation. Both cafés are worth visiting for their setting. Regarding the cake, we loved Demel’s Sachertorte more but it’s definetely a matter of taste.
Another great place to try Vienna’s famous desserts is Aida, a chain of confectioneries in Vienna, ideal for trying Topfenstrudel (Viennese curd strudel), Punschkrapfen (Vienna’s signature pink dessert) and of course the famous Viennese coffee.
If you’re planning to see the best of Vienna in 3 days, we hope that this 3-day Vienna itinerary becomes your go-to guide to planning the Vienna trip of your dreams.
WORDS & IMAGES: Katerina
EDITING: Maria
Disclosure: As media and marketing specialists, we often visit destinations on press tours or as part of marketing campaigns, but under no circumstances does this affect our opinions about the places we visit and the experiences we try. Rest assured that you will find nothing but honest reviews throughout our content. For the needs of writing this Vienna in 3 Days article, we were offered press Vienna City Cards and press passes to and/or tours of the following attractions: Imperial Apartments & Sisi Museum, Imperial Crypt, Vienna State Opera, Schönbrunn Palace, Prater Ferris Wheel, Upper Belvedere, Austrian National Library, Kunsthistorisches Museum, Sigmund Freud Museum, Vienna Furniture Museum.