my trip to vienna essay

My trip to Vienna

It was in August last year, probably this time that I had visited this beautiful city. From Mumbai to Amsterdam and then Austria . So I landed up in the Vienna city in a total of 13 hours journey including the transit. I was putting up at Ramada And the first place I visited in Vienna was Schonbrunn Palace. It was about few stations away from my hotel room. A beautiful museum with grand manifest. This place is a former imperial summer residence located in Vienna, Austria. The 1,441-room Baroque palace is one of the most important architectural, cultural and historical monuments in the country. Since the mid-1950s it has been a major tourist attraction. The next day I visited Praterson station where there is prater- an amusement park with complete adrenaline rush going alive. Viennese Prater is one of the oldest amusement parks in the world. It is situated in Prater Park. Rides include the Riesenrad (Giant Ferris wheel), which was built in 1897. You can take a ride in one of the 15 carefully restored cabins and enjoy views over Vienna. Others rides include Rollercoasters; Bumper Cars; Ghost Trains; Go Karts; Wild Mouse; and extreme rides like Turbo Boost, Ejection Seat, among others. There are over 200 attractions for all ages. There are also many cafes, restaurants, snack bars, and beer gardens. The next I visited Stephanplatz which is quite famous for its beautiful churches which stands the test of time and showcases the thousands years of existence. The Stephansplatz is a square at the geographical centre of Vienna. It is named after its most prominent building, the  Stephansdom , Vienna's cathedral and one of the tallest churches in the world. Vienna is a beautiful city and you must for sure take a tour of this place. 

Hey a sunny day @Schonbrunn

Stephanplatz church, Vienna

Schonbrunn palace

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Further Reads

• Why You Should Visit Vienna...

Why You Should Visit Vienna, According to People Who Live There

In 2019, for the second time running, Vienna was named the “World’s Most Liveable City” in a ranking of 140 cities around the globe by the Economist Intelligence Unit. So, if you haven’t been to Vienna, here’s why you should see what all the fuss is about and visit the Austrian capital.

“ Vienna is a wonderful mélange of history, of a contemporary international city, and of old-world joie de vivre. It’s unparalleled to me, and that is the reason why I love living here so much,” raves Gregor Plieschnig, a PR professional. Vienna-based photo editor Sabina Nassif adds: “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 to ever get bored.” And they’re not the only ones in awe of the central European metropolis. Vienna’s top ranking in the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) ’s liveable city index sees it beat Melbourne, Sydney and Osaka for the title. The annual survey considers 30 factors, from culture and environment to stability and infrastructure, to determine the best places to settle down. It also came first in the Mercer Quality of Living Ranking for the tenth year in a row in 2019.

Culture Trip spoke to some of Vienna’s residents for their take on why the hometown of Sisi (aka Empress Elizabeth of Austria), the famous schnitzel and the Viennese Opera Ball deserves to go straight to the top of your bucket list.

Vienna’s music scene is renowned around the world

It’s impossible to talk about Vienna and not mention music. In the 19th century, the masters of classical music , such as Mozart, Schubert or Beethoven, all lived here, and for many Vienna remains synonymous with the famous Vienna State Opera and the Philharmonic Orchestra. More than 15,000 music events a year see an average of 10,000 fans being treated to live classical music every single day of the week. And you don’t have to rob the bank to join in the fun: standing tickets for the opera, which are available 80 minutes before a performance starts, are just €10 (£8).

However, gigs in Vienna are not limited to the classics. “The city has a thriving scene with venues and events covering everything from pop to modern and classical music, jazz, opera and folk,” says Gregor Plieschnig, a passionate music fan and choir singer. Popular venues for gigs in the city include Chelsea, Arena Wien and Porgy & Bess (jazz), while international A-listers regularly fill the Stadthalle and Ernst-Happel-Stadion.

The city has an astonishing collection of art

Gustav Klimt , Friedensreich Hundertwasser and Egon Schiele all called Vienna home, and many of their most famous works are still exhibited today. Lovers of the fine arts can easily spend days just wandering through the city’s many museums and galleries, checking out original pieces and learning more about their creators. “Vienna is one of Europe’s top destinations for art lovers,” says Tina Müller, a Vienna-based millennial freelancer, naming top art galleries the Albertina, Belvedere and Hundertwasserhaus as the must-sees. Contemporary arts can be found at MuseumsQuartier or one of the many smaller galleries in the 7th district. “Neubau is a playing ground for artists, students and hipsters alike,” explains Müller, adding: “My personal favourite is ‘ Westlicht ’, a gallery solely dedicated to photography, with changing exhibitions including the ‘World Press Photo of the Year’.”

For cool street art, head to the Danube Canal . “It’s a very popular meeting spot for locals, especially in summer,” says yoga teacher Miriam Höhne, who has lived in Vienna for 20 years. “It’s hip and trendy, and there’s always something new popping up.”

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Vienna is a foodie’s paradise

The extensive restaurant scene in Vienna echoes the city’s passion for food. No matter if you are looking for a classic Wiener Beisl (rustic Viennese restaurants that serve hearty Austrian food in a rustic setting) or a luxurious rooftop terrace restaurant, you won’t be disappointed. “Vienna’s food scene is to die for, with old grand restaurants, unique coffee houses, modern eateries and a booming contemporary street food and craft beer scene,” stresses Plieschnig.

Journalist Manuela Tiefnig, who has lived in Vienna for many years, points to the wide range of different foods available in the city: “Living in Vienna means having the world at your doorstep – especially food-wise.” Asked about her favourite local eateries, Tiefning happily shares her tips: “ Hotel am Brillantengrund in the 7th district is great for Filipino cuisine, Riva in the 9th district has the best pizza in town, and if you want to try a classical Viennese schnitzel, Figlmüller right in the city centre is a must-visit.”

Other spots worth checking out are the city’s most popular markets, namely Naschmarkt, Brunnenmarkt or Karmelitermarkt and the famous coffee houses .

Vienna has top-notch public transport for a bargain price

Wondering about the quickest way to get from point A to B? Do it the local way, and hop on the underground. “Vienna has one of the best public transport systems in the world. You really don’t need a car here,” says Tina Müller. The five underground lines and over 100 tram and bus routes connect every corner of the city. What’s more, public transport in Vienna is surprisingly affordable. With day tickets at €5.80 (£4.90) and the year pass just €365 (£307), you can get around town for a bargain price compared to cities like London or New York.

Vienna’s centre is also pleasantly walkable, and major streets such as its popular shopping boulevards Mariahilferstraße and Kärntner Straße are car-free. Alternatively, rent a Citybike at one of over 120 stations around town and check out the city’s sights on two wheels.

It’s an incredibly green city with parks, lakes, woods and even vineyards

There aren’t many big cities in the world where you can jump into a lake, hike in the woods or raise a glass at a vineyard all within half an hour from the city centre. “Something unique about Vienna is that it is green. Nature is never too far away and easily reachable by public transport,” says Plieschnig. Apart from the many parks in and around the centre, Plieschnig highly recommends visiting one of the city’s heurige (wine taverns) in Grinzing for an authentic Viennese experience. Apart from being a great place to sample Austrian wines, you can also try out traditional food buffet-style. For some exercise before or after, head to one of the city’s official hiking trails (“ Stadtwanderwege ”), a delightful way to explore Vienna’s beautiful surroundings.

If you arrive from another major capital, chances are that you will be pleasantly surprised by Vienna’s clean air, no matter if you are in the outskirts or right in the heart of town. Vienna’s air quality keeps improving by the year. And not just that: the city’s tap water ranks among the best worldwide.

In less than ten years from now, the population is expected to hit the two million mark. And considering how much the Austrian capital offers in terms of culture, cuisine, entertainment and infrastructure for a relatively affordable price, it isn’t hard to see why the metropolis keeps attracting people from around the world and winning awards for its high quality of life.

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Vienna Itinerary: How to Spend 7 Days in Vienna

Vienna . Home to schnitzel, Freud, Mozart, the Hapsburgs, opera, art, coffee shops, and so much more. Over the decade I have been visiting this city, I’ve watched it change from a stiff capital city to a cool, hip, foodie, and arty paradise.

Ok, it’s always been an arty paradise and maybe the “stiff capital” was just my incorrect first impression.

See, when I first visited Vienna, I wasn’t a fan. It felt too stiff. Too proper. It had the air of a city too long steeped in imperial history. Despite being taken around by a local friend, I kept comparing it to Prague and Budapest and went “mehhh.”

But, over time, I’ve come to appreciate the city and all it has to offer.

In short, I was wrong about Vienna.

The city has countless museums, palaces, markets, restaurants, quirky art exhibits, delicious food halls, neighbors a wonderful wine region, and is a quick train trip to Bratislava .

While most people just spend a day or two here, there’s actually a ton to see and do. In fact, you could easily spend a week here and just scratch the surface.

To help you plan your trip, here’s my ideal Vienna itinerary to help you save money, have fun, and make the most out of your time in this beautiful capital!  

Three excellent free walking tours are:

• Anna Loves Vienna
• The Original Free Vienna Walking Tour

Whenever I visit a new city I kick things off with a free walking tour. Just make sure to tip your guide at the end!

If you’d prefer a paid tour, you can take a World War II walking tour around the city for 25 EUR.

See the Imperial Palace Built in the 13th century, this is a giant complex with multiple attractions. You can easily spend half a day here. First, there are the Imperial Apartments, which are really three activities in one: the silver collection featuring thousands of royal dinnerware, the Sisi exhibit highlighting the life of the beloved Empress Elisabeth of Austria, and the royal apartments themselves.

My favorite section is the Imperial Treasury. Here you’ll find tons of royal artifacts, crowns, scepters, and a really detailed history of the Hapsburg family and empire. And, though not free, you should definitely get the audio tour. It adds a ton of context to the exhibits.

Additionally, you can listen to the Vienna Boys Choir during mass on Sundays at the Royal Chapel (which is located at the Imperial Palace). They are one of the most famous choirs in the world. There are around 100 boys in the choir. Seated tickets start at 12 EUR.

Michaelerkuppel, +43 15337570, hofburg-wien.at. Open daily from 9:30am-5pm. Admission is 16 EUR. Skip-the-line tours start at 212 EUR.

Wander the Naschmarkt This is Vienna’s largest open-air food market. It’s been operating for hundreds of years (as far back as the 16th century) and has a variety of restaurants, street stalls, and grocers. It’s a little touristy (don’t go food shopping here) but it has a cool vibe and, on a warm sunny day, it’s nice to sit out with a meal and a glass of wine. Despite its fame, you’ll still find a lot of locals here. Be sure to hit up Umarfisch for seafood and wine.

1060 Vienna, +43 1400005430, naschmarkt-vienna.com. Open Monday-Saturday from 6am-9pm (6pm on Saturdays). Admission is free.  

The Museumsquartier is also home to a number of festivals throughout the year. Basically, if you love modern art, you need to come here!

Museumsplatz 1, +43 15235881, mqw.at. Hours vary. Admission for each museum/gallery varies, ranging from 8-14 EUR.

Visit the Museum of Fine Arts Opened in 1891 by Emperor Franz Joseph I, this is the largest art museum in the country, with artifacts from ancient Egypt and Greece as well as paintings from Raphael, Rembrandt, Pieter Brueghel the Elder, and more. Most of the items are from the Hapsburg’s old collection. This museum is more “classic art” and there’s enough to keep you busy for a few hours (at the very least). The interior itself is incredibly ornate too, boasting lots of marble, gold leaf, and murals.

Maria-Theresien-Platz, +43 1525240, khm.at. Open daily from 10am-6pm (9pm on Thursdays). Admission is 18 EUR.

See St. Stephen’s Cathedral Built in Romanesque and Gothic styles, this cathedral has been standing since the 12th century. Inside, you’ll find an ornately decorated church with high archways, vaulted ceilings, and a plethora of statues and religious paintings. Additionally, there are two beautiful altars: the High Altar, built in the 1640s, and the Wiener Neustadt Altar, commissioned in 1447.

The cathedral also has two towers, though one was never finished because they ran out of money. You can pay 6 EUR to climb the several hundred steps of the south tower and/or pay 6 EUR for a tour of the catacombs below the cathedral.

Stephansplatz 3, +43 1 515523530, stephanskirche.at. Open for worship Monday-Saturday 6am-10pm and Sundays from 7am-10pm. Open for visitors Monday-Saturday from 9am-11:30am and 1pm-4:30pm. Open for visitors on Sunday from 1pm-4:30pm. Just make sure you dress respectfully as it is a place of worship.

Stroll Along the Danube If you haven’t done so already, take a walk along the Danube. It’s Europe’s second-longest river (the Volga is the longest), stretching almost 2,900 kilometers (1,800 miles). There are plenty of bars, stores, and cafes along the water so you can grab a drink and chill or just window shop if you don’t feel like stopping. In the summer, there are also a few small “beaches” where you can relax and soak up some sun and relax on a nice day.  

Seilerstätte 30, +43 15134850, hausdermusik.com. Open daily from 10am-10pm. Admission is 16 EUR.

Admire the Schönbrunn Palace This palace started off as a hunting lodge in 1696 before becoming the summer residence of the Hapsburgs (at the time, this location was far outside the city center). There are over 1,400 rooms in the palace but only a handful are open to the public (you’ll see 22 rooms with the imperial tour and 40 rooms with the grand tour).

However, there’s enough to spend a few hours wandering the exquisitely restored rooms. The gardens are free (you’ll see a lot of locals running here) and there’s also a neat maze as well as the “Schonbrunn Tiergarten” (the Vienna Zoo), which is a great place to visit with kids.

I love coming to the gardens, climbing up the hill, and enjoying a bottle of wine with friends while looking out over the city in the distance.

Schönbrunner Schloßstraße 47, +43 1 81113239, schoenbrunn.at. The palace is open daily from 9:30am-5pm (longer hours in the summer). The Park is open daily from 6:30am-5:30pm (8pm in the summer). The Imperial Tour is 22 EUR and takes around 40 minutes while the Grand Tour is 26 EUR and takes over an hour. Both tours include an audio guide. Skip-the-line tours cost 48 EUR.

Enjoy the Vienna State Opera Vienna is synonymous with opera. This opera house is one of the largest and most famous in the world and opera is a major focal point of Viennese life. Completed in 1869, it has over 1,700 seats. For 9 EUR, you can take a behind-the-scenes tour of the building and learn about its history and importance.

To see a show, I recommend buying last-minute standing-room tickets for around 13 EUR (often less) the day of a show, usually around 60-80 minutes before it starts (you can line up earlier than that, but they don’t start selling until right before the show). It’s first-come, first-serve and you can only buy one ticket per person.

Opernring 2, +43 151444/2250, wiener-staatsoper.at. Check the website for the most up-to-date performance schedule.

The free grounds feature beautiful fountains, gravel walkways, ponds, statues, plants, and flowers.

Prinz-Eugen-Strasse 27, +43 1 795570, belvedere.at. Open daily from 10am-6pm. Admission is 13.90 EUR for lower Belvedere, 15.90 EUR for upper Belvedere, and 8.90 EUR for Belvedere 21 (contemporary art, film, music).

See the Jewish Square (Judenplatz) For centuries, Vienna was home to a sizable Jewish population. Then the Nazis came. This area of town features two important museums: the Vienna Jewish Museum that details the role Viennese Jews played in the development of city life; and the Medieval Synagogue, which gives a more authentic look at the history of Jewish life in Vienna.

There is also the nearby Holocaust Memorial designed by British artist Rachel Whiteread which commemorates the 65,000 Jewish Austrians who were killed by the Nazis.

Dorotheergasse 11, +43 1 5350431, jmw.at . Open Sunday-Thursday from 10am-6pm and Fridays from 10am-2pm. Admission is 12 EUR.

Visit the Natural History Museum The Natural History Museum features a huge collection of minerals, precious stones, meteorites, fossils, and even some taxidermy. With over 30 million objects, the museum’s collection is one of the biggest in Europe. The museum also has a digital planetarium where you can watch movies about the earth and its development. I highly recommend visiting — it’s super fun and educational!

Burgring 7, +43 1 521770, nhm-wien.ac.at. Open Thursday-Monday from 9am-6pm and Wednesdays from 9am-8pm. Admission is 16 EUR.  

Domgasse 5, +43 1 5121791, mozarthausvienna.at. Open daily from 10am-6pm. Tickets are 12 EUR and free for anyone under 19. Free admission on the first Sunday of the month.

See the Freud Museum Sigmund Freud, the famous founder of psychoanalysis, lived in this apartment-turned-museum from 1891 to 1938. The museum was opened in 1971 with the help of Anna Freud (his youngest daughter) and is home to the original furniture and Freud’s private collection of antiques as well as the first editions of his works. There are also films from his private life. It’s small and only takes about an hour to visit.

Berggasse 19, +43 1 3191596, freud-museum.at. Open daily from 10am-6pm. Admission is 14 EUR.

Visit the Albertina The Albertina is one of the best museums in the city (which says a lot because this is a city of museums)! It’s housed in one of the old private residence wings of the Imperial Palace. It’s most famous for its print collection, which is comprised of over one million prints and 60,000 drawings. However, they have a lot of temporary exhibits that rotate through here too, which I found to be the highlight (I saw one on Raphael).

Albertinaplatz 1, +43 1 53483, albertina.at. Open daily from 10am-6pm (9pm on Wednesdays and Fridays). Admission is 18.90 EUR (free if you’re under 19).  

If you’re looking for a tour operator, I suggest Discover Vienna Tours . They are who I used when I ran tours to Vienna and people loved it. Honestly, it’s the number one thing people remember!

Expect to pay around 85 EUR for a full-day wine tour.  

Take a Day Trip to Bratislava Bratislava, Slovakia makes for a great day trip from Vienna. Located only an hour away, you can easily head there for a day to explore its charming medieval center, several castles, a cathedral, beer halls, restaurants, and paths along the Danube. Bratislava is a relatively small capital so it’s easy to get around on foot.

Trains depart regularly from Vienna for as little as 10 EUR, while Flixbus runs a regular bus service with tickets starting around 6 EUR.

For cheap accommodation, stay at Hostel Folks . It’s a fun, social, and affordable hostel in the city.

Explore Vienna Woods This beautiful woodland (known as Wienerwald) is located on the outskirts of the city and is filled with a lot of hiking paths. Spanning over 1,100 square kilometers (424 square miles), the woods are just 30 kilometers (18 miles) from the city and are extremely popular with locals (few tourists get out there). If you don’t have a vehicle, you can take public transportation or try the ride-sharing service BlaBlaCar . It makes for the perfect afternoon getaway when the sun is out.  

Where to Eat

• Figmueller (Wollzeile 5, +43 15126177) – Founded over 110 years ago, the Figlmüller is famous for its schnitzel. Yes, it’s super touristy but the schnitzel is very good and it’s about the size of your face so you’ll have leftovers. Be sure to make reservations!
• Der Wiener Deewan (Liechtensteinstraße 10, +43 1 9251185) – This pay-what-you-want restaurant cooks Pakistani cuisine with excellent daal, naan bread, and salad. It’s popular among students (the university is nearby). Don’t go in a huge group or you’ll never get a seat.
• Café Jelinek (Otto-Bauer-Gasse 5, +43 15974113) – This is one of many coffee houses in Vienna. It’s cool, stylish, serves great drinks, and has comfy tables.
• Japanisches Restaurant NihonBashi (Kärntner 44, +43 18907856) – This is the best sushi restaurant in Vienna. Not only is the food mouth-watering but it has an extensive sake menu.
• Plutzer Bräu (Schrankgasse 2, +43 15261215) – A Westernized bar, this place has delicious Viennese food, along with steaks, burgers, and lots of beer.
• Café Phil (Gumpendorfer 10, +43 15810489) – This cafe is also a bookstore. It’s very laid back and a great place to people-watch. They also have fast wifi, friendly staff, and serve food!
• L’Osteria Bräunerstraße (Bräunerstraße 11, +43 1512253610) – To die for Italian and pizza joint right downtown with outdoor seatings, friendly staff, and a huge wine list.
• Restaurant Hidori (Burggasse 89, +43 15233900) – Another solid sushi place that also services some pretty amazing yakitori (grilled skewers).
• Café Sperl (Gumpendorfer 11, +43 15864158) – This traditional coffeehouse dates back to the 19th century and is home to some delicious pastries. It was featured in Before Sunrise and A Dangerous Method.

Vienna has a ton of things to see and do — no matter your interests. Sure, there are a lot of museums (and by the time you leave here you’ll have museum overload) but there are also a lot of great walking tours, excursions outside the city, food markets, places to eat, and cafes to sit around with a good book in.

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Book Your Trip to Vienna: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. My favorite places to stay are:

• Wombats City Hostel
• The MEININGER Hotel

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• Safety Wing (for everyone below 70)
• Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
• Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.

Want More Information on Vienna? Be sure to visit our robust destination guide to Vienna for even more planning tips!

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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Visiting Vienna

A Guide to Vienna

This article is going to be biased because I live here and love the city. But let me just introduce you to a few topics that should help you find your way around Vienna (literally and figuratively) as you consider or plan a visit.

We’ll look (briefly) at what the city offers visitors, its history, its layout, and some basic information on issues like public transport and languages.

• Book a concert experience * for your trip
• My top places to visit
• Concert & tour overviews
• What to do in a day
• What to do in the evening
• Events & festivals

Read on or jump to…

Background & history

• Historical sights
• Music & art
• Food & “Gemütlichkeit”
• Layout & getting around

Best time to visit?

Your next steps, quick overview for visitors.

(The Graben pedestrianised street in the city centre. I’m going to guess early on a Sunday morning)

This really is a beautiful clean city full of urban charm, with a rich and long history, plenty to see and do (also with children ), excellent services and amenities, and a selection of cakes that will do evil things to your willpower.

(Told you I was biased.)

Let us begin with a bit of…

( Michaelerplatz : one entrance to the central Hofburg palace area)

Vienna is the capital of Austria (a western democracy and member of the European Union). Located in the east of the country on the banks of the mighty Danube river, the city is home to just over 2 million people.

Despite its size, Vienna retains the feel of a large town. Part of that is down to the numerous parks, woodland, outlying hills, and other open and green spaces.

Global urban liveability rankings tend to put Vienna at (or near) the top: the city has excellent public services (particularly public transport ), accessibility, economic success, relatively low crime rates for its size, and a wide range of leisure and cultural activities.

Vienna’s not perfect, but there are worse places to live…

(The Burggarten park in the very centre of town)

Vienna owes its size (and much of its beauty) to the legacy of the Habsburg monarchy that ended in 1919.

The Habsburgs ruled over large areas of Europe for many centuries, and Wien (to give the city its German name) was both their home and the administrative centre of their authority for almost all that period.

An Imperial capital inevitably attracts wealthy residents as well as musicians, architects, artists and designers.

As a result:

• Numerous monumental buildings and concert venues exist (also because the Emperors, Empresses, and their families constantly engaged in a game of one-upmanship in architecture)
• Great works of art fill Vienna’s museums (also because Imperial families, aristocrats and wealthy residents had expensive hobbies, an eye for collecting, or received rather nice gifts)

The city’s history predates the Habsburgs, of course. The Romans settled here, for example, when Vienna was known as Vindobona . And we still have churches that date back over 1000 years.

What Vienna offers

(The coffee house in Palais Ferstel )

Vienna counts as a popular tourist destination, particularly for short city breaks. The huge tourism sector and high level of education means service personnel and similar normally all speak good English (the national language is, however, German).

Obviously the city has all the amenities and opportunities you’d associate with a large, wealthy and well-run European city (and the Euro as its currency ).

People visit for various reasons, and I can’t speak to, for example, the nightlife and cocktail bars because I’m a shy writer whose idea of a wild night is a glass of wine on the sofa. (Two glasses, if I’m throwing caution to the wind.)

However, Vienna’s traditional big selling points from my perspective are the historical sites, the music & art, and the gastronomic Gemütlichkeit .

Let’s begin with the buildings…

Historical sights & sites

( Schönbrunn Palace )

Like many of the great European cities, you can simply wander around the streets and enjoy the mix of past architectural eras, such as Baroque townhouses, Jugendstil shop fronts, Biedermeier villas and Neogothic municipal offices.

We have, for example, three large palace complexes:

• The Hofburg in the very centre: seat of the Habsburgs for centuries and full of attractions like the Imperial apartments, the crown jewels, and the Spanish Riding School (home to the Lipizzaner horses)
• Schönbrunn : giant summer palace of the Habsburgs with a landscaped park, award-winning zoo, evening concerts, VR experience, carriage museum, and more
• Belvedere : two Baroque palaces now home to some fabulous art (see below)

We also have a giant Gothic cathedral , a whole host of gorgeous museums and churches , and various delightful buildings from the 1800s that appeared when they turned the city fortifications into prime real estate .

I’ve written a guide to the main sightseeing areas here .

Music and art

(The State Opera House )

Vienna can legitimately lay claim to being the home of classical music, whatever the rest of the world may say.

Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn, Brahms, Mahler, Bruckner, Schubert, Lehár, various members of the Strauss family, and many others all tinkled the ivories, plucked at strings, and produced copious quantities of sheet music here.

Many people choose to visit the landmarks associated with the famous composers, such as their homes, or to listen to their works in one of the city’s (often historical) concert venues : Vienna has one of the world’s greatest opera houses and one of the world’s best classical music concert halls .

The Habsburgs did a lot of interior decorating, which is one reason why Vienna can show you quite a bit of world-class art with numerous exhibitions on at any one time.

The top three locations are probably:

• The Albertina : the permanent collection covers names like Monet and Picasso. But they always have a selection of additional special exhibitions that range from Albrecht Dürer to Andy Warhol and beyond
• The Kunsthistorisches Museum : as well as paintings from a who’s who of old masters that includes the world’s greatest Bruegel collection, the Kunstkammer chamber of wonders never fails to blow my mind
• Belvedere : mentioned earlier and home to Gustav Klimt’s The Kiss , for example, as well as other paintings by Austria’s most famous artist. Another location with regular special art exhibitions

As a large, flourishing city, contemporary art and music gets a shout in, too (see, for example, the MuseumsQuartier collection of institutions).

Food & Gemütlichkeit

( Apfelstrudel )

Gemütlichkeit is a German word that means a kind of cosy congeniality. Fast and furious are not words typically associated with Viennese restaurants and cafés.

As for food and drink , think cake and coffee.

Vienna has a notable café cultural heritage and its own particular brand of wood-and-marble coffee houses . The latter can date back up to 200 years and once echoed to the sounds of artists, intellectuals and politicians arguing into the night over a melange and Sachertorte .

Ah, Sachertorte.

(A typical Viennese breakfast. I’m not completely joking)

The locals love their cakes . The whole coffee and cake thing counts as a genuine authentic experience here.

The broader cuisine errs on the heavy side (cough, sausages ), but Vienna has long caught up with “modern” trends like healthy eating and vegetarianism .

It goes without saying that a city of this size covers a whole range of culinary options. But the Wiener Schnitzel still rules supreme, no matter what your doctor says.

On the alcoholic side of things, Vienna and Austria don’t go in for corporations much. So regional beers and wines dominate. Vienna even has its own (high quality) vineyards .

Now for just a few words on the city’s layout and getting around…

Layout guide & mobility

(Trams on the Ring boulevard that replaced the city’s walled defences)

Vienna consists of 23 districts . You can think of them (roughly) as a central district surrounded by two rings of inner and outer districts.

The central (first) district corresponds to the boundaries of the historical fortified city. Until the late 1800s, a wide open space surrounded this city, beyond which you had villages, country houses, and palaces.

When the city took down its fortifications and released the open ground for development , Vienna slowly merged with those outer areas.

That first district, which grew organically over the centuries, remains quite compact, eminently walkable, and stuffed to the brim with beautiful pristine buildings that either look historical or are historical. Many people just wander through the centre on their first trip.

(The Kunsthistorisches Museum)

That open area is now the Ring boulevard . The late 19th-century buildings either side of it form another highlight.

Many of Vienna’s most famous sights line the Ring. Like the State Opera House , for example. Or the Kunsthistorisches and Naturhistorisches museums.

To summarise, many of Vienna’s tourist attractions lie close to each other in that relatively small first district or at its edge.

But not all.

For example, some of those country residences that Vienna eventually absorbed also come top of the tourist rankings . Like Schönbrunn Palace, for example: the Habsburg summer residence mentioned earlier and home to the Tiergarten Schönbrunn zoo , where you might see giant pandas .

(One of the new generation of trams coursing through Vienna’s streets)

Don’t be too concerned by the prospect of travel in the city, though.

Vienna has a fast, frequent, comprehensive, clean, cheap, and efficient municipal subway, tram and bus system that means even the outlying sights can be reached quickly and easily without ruining your holiday budget.

This also means accommodation outside the centre still provides relatively swift access to the first district: just jump on a tram, for example.

Vienna also has its own international airport (code VIE), located around 20km to the east of the town centre. As you can imagine, getting into the city from the airport and out again is easy when you have a decent public transport system.

(The Christmas market on the Rathausplatz)

Finally, are there good and bad times to visit?

Given all the city has to offer, you really can’t pick a poor month for a trip to Vienna. Although, frankly, January and February can feel a bit grim in the Austrian winter. Though that also means fewer crowds, of course.

If you force me to commit, then the best times are kind of the obvious ones:

• Second half of November through to early January: the time of the Christmas and New Year markets, which are just wonderful. Not to mention the lovely Christmas lights
• Late May to August : warm weather allows you to wander freely around all the beautiful streets, parks and gardens, and enjoy the street café and wine tavern culture

The downside of those dates is a lot of people agree with that assessment, so Vienna can fill up with visitors.

Finally, a couple of other guides that should help as you decide what to do, where to go, and where to stay:

• Events : current event tips and a month-by-month selection of festival and other highlights
• Sightseeing overview : lots of suggestions on where to focus your time
• Hotels and accommodation tips : broad advice but also suggestions for key locations like major venues, the city centre and similar

Hope to see you here sometime soon…you can probably recognise me by the notebook, pen and cake crumbs on my shoulder bag.

Vienna in 4 Days: An Ideal Itinerary for First-Time Visitors

Vienna has been on my bucket list for quite some time, but I actually knew almost nothing about it. Now, after seeing the best of Vienna in 4 days, I can safely say that your itinerary will not be empty. You’ll even need more time to fully explore it.

Vienna, one of the best places to visit in Austria , is where you can find incredible historical landmarks and architecture, world-class museums, amazing coffee, and drool-worthy cakes, all wrapped up in a classic European vibe.

Well, there’s a lot more to this city, but those are some of the things that you absolutely must experience while in Vienna, and here’s the itinerary that will help you do exactly that.

* This post may contain affiliate links from which I earn a commission (for more info, read my disclosure ). As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

* I try to keep the information on this blog as updated as possible, but I still recommend consulting the latest prices, opening hours, and other details on the official website of each site, hotel, and tour, as well as checking the updated public transport routes and timetables.

Table of Contents

4-Day Vienna Itinerary – Summary

Here’s what you’ll see in four days in Vienna:

Day 1: Schönbrunn Palace, Naschmarkt, the Spittelberg quarter.

Being such a highly-visited complex with lots of things to do and see, you might want to book a guided tour of the Schönbrunn Palace and its gardens .

Day 2: Vienna State Opera, Burggarten, the Butterfly House, Hofburg Palace.

Day 3: Hundertwasserhaus, Kunst Haus, the Vienna Ring Tram, St. Stephen’s Cathedral (one of the most beautiful European cathedrals ) + city center.

Day 4: City Hall and Parliament, Volksgarten, Maria-Theresien-Platz and its museums, MuseumQuartier.

If you want to get out of the city in one of the four days, consider taking a day trip from Vienna to Salzburg independently by train.

Alternatively, book yourself: 1. A guided day tour to Salzburg , the filming location of The Sound of Music 2. A day trip to the scenic Wachau Valley and Melk Abbey with wine tastings 3. A day trip to Hallstatt , a fairytale town in Austria

Other Things I Would Have Loved to Do in Vienna

Well, it’s impossible to do and see everything in Vienna in four days, so here are a few more experiences I would have loved to try:

• Visiting the Belvedere Palace , a UNESCO Site. Get your ticket here .
• Local wine tasting in a historic cellar .
• Visiting the historic Prater amusement park and getting on the Giant Ferris Wheel .
• Taking a Viennese coffee, cake, and chocolate tour .

You can also take a classic free walking tour of Vienna or a free night tour of Vienna that includes many of the landmarks mentioned on this itinerary.

Where to Stay for 4 Nights in Vienna

I stayed at the Ibis Styles Wien City and had a great experience.

Although it’s not located in the city center , it ticked all the boxes for me as far as price, general atmosphere and design, connection to public transportation, staff (which was available 24/7), breakfast, and room comfort.

With double, triple, and quadruple rooms, it can be a great hotel choice for couples, a group of friends, and even families. You can check the latest prices of Ibis Styles Wien City here.

If you prefer finding accommodation in the city center itself (which is pricier but more convenient), check out the highly-rated: 1. Boutique Hotel Das Tigra (mid-range) 2. Boutiquehotel Das Tyrol (4-star boutique)

For other accommodation options, see the best areas to stay in Vienna for Christmas markets .

Vienna in 4 Days – Day 1

Schönbrunn palace.

The  Schönbrunn Palace is a beautiful baroque royal residence and a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to the Middle Ages.

Apart from being a residence of emperors and empresses (like Emperor Franz Joseph), the palace hosted important events and conferences, making people like six-year-old Mozart and Napoleon its guests.

The palace is one of Vienna’s most visited attractions, so if you want to take a tour inside it, you can book a guided Schönbrunn Palace and gardens tour in advance and skip the lines .

Touring the complex is free of charge, and you can easily spend a few hours wandering around the gardens.

You can also visit several other attractions (that have their own admission fee ):

• The historic Cafe Gloriette: Located on top of a hill, overlooking the beautiful gardens.
• The Imperial Carriage Museum (you can get your ticket in advance here ).
• The Orangery Garden.
• The Maze Garden.
• The Palm House.
• The Privy Garden.

If you’re visiting Vienna in winter as I did, most of these are closed, but if not, you’ll probably need more than half a day to fully explore the different activities in this amazing complex.

Naschmarkt is Vienna’s most famous market, and it offers a combo of market stands and restaurants in the same place.

To be honest, I had high expectations from this market, and it was quite underwhelming. Apart from some market shops selling beautiful produce like vegetables, bread, and cheeses, most stands were disappointing.

Also, most restaurants in the market seemed unappealing to me, and we ended up eating lunch at Neni which was one of the only spots that were packed with people.

I did like the concept and some of the stands, so I wouldn’t skip out on visiting the market.

If you want, you can also take a guided food tour of the Naschmarkt.

Tip #1:  If you love flea markets, that’s what you’ll get if you visit the Naschmarkt on a Saturday.

Tip #2:  In this area, you can find some really cool street art ( see this map for all street art spots in Vienna ) and unique buildings like Majolikahaus (Linke Wienzeile, 40).

Spittelberg Quarter

When I’m traveling to a big city, finding charming little corners like the Spittelberg neighborhood is like finding a treasure.

Although it’s a small area, it’s packed with cafes, restaurants, and bars, and its enchanting streets are the perfect place to spend an afternoon and evening.

If you’re planning a pre-Christmas visit, don’t miss Spittelberg’s Christmas market, which is super cozy and inviting.

Location:  Between Breite Gasse and Sigmundsgasse.

Tip: Only about a minute away there’s a really cute hidden cafe called Cafe in der Burggasse24 (Burggasse 24) you should totally check out.

Vienna in 4 Days – Day 2

Vienna state opera.

I admit it, opera is not my cup of tea, but that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate Vienna’s Opera House , which is one of the city’s most important landmarks.

This incredibly beautiful building from the 19th century hosts more than 60 different operas and ballet productions each season, including a yearly ball (isn’t that mindblowing?). To learn more about it, you can book a behind-the-scenes guided tour (on some days, it takes place in the morning).

If you want to see a concert, you can purchase your tickets on the opera’s official website .

Who doesn’t love to stroll around parks and gardens? It’s a great way to take a little break from sightseeing and experience another side of a city.

I particularly loved Vienna’s Burggarten . Although it’s not a big park, it seemed super charming to me. Perhaps it’s because I got to see it covered in snow, and there were still hints of green and orange underneath it.

The Butterfly House (Schmetterlinghaus)

Right next to Burggarten, you can find a quirky yet interesting attraction that will make you forget that you’re in the middle of an Austrian city.

The Butterfly House is home to hundreds of butterflies that are flying freely in a rainforest environment recreated especially for them.

Here you can learn about the different types of butterflies and their life cycle and feel like a kid when you see them happily chasing each other.

With this amount of uniqueness, you’ll probably want to take beautiful pictures, so I feel like I should give you a heads-up that the humid setting makes it a bit challenging.

Coffee Break

If there’s one thing you absolutely must do in Vienna, it’s relishing a cup of Viennese coffee and cake. Since I’m a total sucker for local cafes, this important part of the Viennese culture was right up my alley.

Now, it’s quite difficult to pick out which Viennese coffee houses to check out (even if you have 4 days in Vienna and you can go to multiple places).

However, I wouldn’t skip out on institutions like Cafe Central (Herrengasse 14) and Demel (Kohlmarkt 14).

It’s not just the amazing coffee and cakes but it’s the entire atmosphere that feels elegant, sophisticated, and inviting all at the same time. Now, let’s talk about desserts.

After tasting Cafe Central’s strudel and kaiserschmarrn (Austrian shredded pancake), and Demel’s strudel and almond cake, I have one word for you: YUM.

Hofburg Palace

Once a royal residence and seat of government, the Hofburg Palace is now a huge palace complex that houses museums (like the Sisi Museum and The Imperial Treasury ), the Spanish Riding School , and other Viennese landmarks .

The amount of time you’ll need here obviously depends on your interests. You can either stroll around the complex for free or visit a museum or two (or more).

If you do plan to visit some museums, you can skip the lines by purchasing your tickets to the Imperial Treasury .

Vienna in 4 Days – Day 3

Hundertwasserhaus.

Being a huge fan of Antoni Gaudi (Spain’s most famous architect), I was thrilled to get to know Friedensreich Hundertwasser – an Austrian artist and architect who was influenced by him.

Amongst his creations, he designed the unusual Hundertwasserhaus .

This colorful work of art is actually an ordinary residential building (I don’t know about you, but I would be more than happy to live in such a quirky building), so you can only appreciate its exteriors.

The architect also designed the adorable Hundertwasser Village , a small shopping center right next to the Hundertwasserhaus. It houses a cafe and shops selling all kinds of Hundertwasser-style products.

Only a few minutes from the Hundertwasserhaus, you can find the Kunst Haus, another architectural creation of Hundertwasser.

This is a museum showcasing his work, but what I liked most about the place was the cafe on the ground floor.

It was probably one of the coolest cafes I’ve visited, and the coffee and the cheese strudel I had were not too shabby either.

Vienna Ring Tram

One of the most popular things to do in Vienna is walk alongside Vienna’s Ringstrasse.

It is a circular/ring road that passes through some of Vienna’s most important landmarks, like the State Opera, City Hall (Rathaus), and the Natural History Museum.

I’ve included some of them on this Vienna itinerary, but since the road is 5.3 km long (about 3.3 miles), taking a tram that runs alongside it seemed like a great way to explore the entire route.

You can definitely do it by walking, but you might need more than four days in Vienna if you don’t want to rush it. You can also explore the Ringstrasse with a local guide.

The Vienna Ring Tram leaves Schwedenplatz every half hour, and you can buy your tickets right on the spot (look for yellow coats).

You also get a set of earphones, so that you can listen to an informative audio guide about the different sights.

Walk Alongside the Danube Canal

When you get back to Schwedenplatz, cross the street and spend some time walking alongside the Danube Canal . This is one of the biggest areas where you can find really amazing street art.

Obviously, the canal is quite long, so feel free to explore different parts of it and check out this map to find the coolest street art spots.

St. Stephen’s Cathedral

Walk towards the city center and get to  St. Stephen’s Cathedral , an undeniably stunning Gothic structure from the 12th century and one of the most famous landmarks in Austria .

If the thought of climbing 343 stairs doesn’t make you cringe, you can get to the tower room and see Vienna from above (and take a closer look at the colorful tiled roof).

Also, try to spot the iron rooster on the roof, which connects to one of the most intriguing European myths and legends .

Explore the City Center (Old Town)

The area surrounding the cathedral is a maze of squares and streets packed with shops, cafes, restaurants, museums, churches, and other beautiful traditional buildings.

Take your time and explore this vibrant part of Vienna and don’t miss streets like Graben, Rotenturmstrasse, and Kärntner Strasse (as well as smaller hidden streets you’ll discover on your own).

Vienna in 4 Days – Day 4

City hall and the parliament.

Vienna’s City Hall is one of the most beautiful I’ve seen. Its Gothic style makes it look like a cathedral rather than a city hall, and that’s what makes it unique.

Apart from its stunning facade, you can take a free guided tour inside the building on certain days of the week.

In winter , the city hall square (Rathausplatz) hosts the biggest Christmas market in Vienna, and parts of it turn into a giant ice skating rink.

Not too far from City Hall, you can see Vienna’s Parliament which is one of the most important landmarks in the city.

Volksgarten

If you feel like taking a little break from sightseeing, Volksgarten is a beautiful park that would be perfect for that. It houses a few buildings, monuments, fountains, and about 3,000 rose bushes.

If you’re not visiting during springtime, there will be a lot fewer roses, but this park is still a stunning spot you must see in Vienna.

Maria-Theresien-Platz and Its Museums

Apart from being a gorgeous European public square ,  Maria-Theresien-Platz sits between two very significant museums: the  Natural History Museum and the Art History Museum .

Both buildings were built in the 19th century, and if you look carefully, you will see that they are identical.

Another thing you can see in the square is the Maria Theresa Monument , honoring Empress Maria Theresa.

Tip: Skip the lines by buying tickets online to the Art History Museum (Kunsthistorisches Museum) or combo tickets with the Leopold Museum or the  Imperial Treasury which will save you a bit of money.

Museumsquartier

If you think you’re in for just another museum complex, think again.

Vienna’s MuseumQuartier has become a cultural space where you can find all kinds of museums (including the famous Leopold Museum), performances, shops, cafes, and restaurants all in the same area.

Programs and events in the complex are constantly changing, so check the official website for the latest updates.

4 Days in Vienna – General Notes

Is 4 days in vienna enough time.

While I feel like I’ve seen many of Vienna’s highlights, I would have loved to spend at least one more day in the city itself and take 1-2 day trips.

Getting Around

Vienna’s public transportation is incredible. There are more than enough U-Bahn (Metro) and tram stations in the city so you can get anywhere easily. Simply buy a daily or multi-day travel card in advance or at one of the U-Bahn stations.

Where to Eat

We had our breakfast at the hotel, and since we had visited Vienna in late November (because Vienna is one of the top winter city breaks in Europe ), we ate most of our meals at the Christmas markets’ food stalls. So if you’re looking for recommendations for restaurants in Vienna, check out this guide .

Solo Travel

If you’re traveling alone, check out this solo traveler’s guide to Vienna (though Vienna can also be a great girls’ trip destination ).

Vienna City Card – Worth It or Not?

For unlimited use of public transportation and discounts on many attractions, I purchased the  Vienna City Card .

Most attractions are pretty pricey and don’t offer free admission if you visit them on certain days or hours (unlike other attractions in Europe), so the card was great in saving me money on museums and landmarks in Vienna.

Plus, the city card offers discounts on tours of Vienna, day trips, concerts, and taxis from the airport to the city (and discounts in several cafes and restaurants).

Whether it’ll save you money or not depends on how much you’ll take advantage of these discounts .

The city card offers discounts on more than 10 attractions mentioned on this itinerary. Read more about it and get your Vienna City Card here.

Alternatively, you can also get a Vienna Pass , which is pricier but offers free entrance to many museums and attractions.

Related Posts

Planning your Vienna trip itinerary? Read more:

• Free museums in Vienna
• Cities to visit in Austria

Do you love European city breaks and were you inspired by my Vienna travel itinerary? Check out my:

• 3-day Turin itinerary
• 2-day Madrid itinerary
• 4-day Madrid itinerary
• 4-day Budapest itinerary
• 2-day Brussels itinerary
• 2-day Lisbon itinerary
• 2 days in Mostar
• 4-day Milan itinerary
• Long weekend getaways in Spain

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About Or Amir

Hey, I'm Or! I'm a passionate traveler with a severe coffee, chocolate, and pastry addiction (or any other carb for that matter). I'm always planning my next trip to Spain, Italy, or any other country in Europe, and my goal is to help you make the most of each destination.

4 thoughts on “Vienna in 4 Days: An Ideal Itinerary for First-Time Visitors”

I recently returned from a trip to Vienna and I have to say, it was a truly magical experience. The city is absolutely beautiful, with stunning architecture and a rich cultural history. I was particularly impressed by the Schönbrunn Palace and the Kunsthistorisches Museum, which both had incredible collections. The food was also delicious, particularly the pastries and coffee.

It’s such an elegant city! I can’t wait to go back!

I love your post! I am traveling to Vienna in March and I am so excited to visit! I am also traveling by bus to Salzburg. Have you ever been there? Do you have any recommendations?

Yay! I’m so happy you liked it! I LOVED Vienna 🙂 I would have also loved to take a day trip to Salzburg, but I didn’t have enough time :/

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Hi, I'm Or!

I'm a passionate traveler obsessed with traveling in Europe and discovering hidden gems in each place I visit. For me, it's not about ticking destinations off the bucket list but experiencing each one of them to the fullest. Read more about me and my story.

Solo Travel Story

A Complete 4 Day Vienna Itinerary For First Time Visitors

In 2018 I took the plunge and travelled solo to Vienna for the very first time. I needed a break from London and the Austrian capital seemed to be the best choice for my first solo travel adventure. The city is consistently ranked at the top for best quality of life, is known for its rich imperial past and of tremendous cultural & artistic significance. I’ve visited Vienna many times ever since and even spent three months living there last summer. Here’s my 4 Day Vienna itinerary for first time visitors and I invite you to follow along and explore this wonderful city with me.

My Vienna travel guide for first time visitors includes a detailed day to day itinerary filled with activities and local things to do alone in Vienna for solo travellers. I’ll also tell you where is the best area to stay in Vienna for your visit, which activities I feel you could skip and how to access the city from the airport.

Table of Contents

4 Day Vienna Itinerary Overview

What You Need to Know When Visiting Vienna

• Cash is preferred over card payments
• Vienna has a city tax which covers an additional 3.2% of the original accommodation fee
• Vienna Mitte (central) is not Vienna Hauptbahnhof (main station). The CAT train runs to Vienna Mitte. If you need to go to Hauptbahnhof, you have to use a regular train.
• Vienna has an odd layout and walking is sometimes faster than public transport
• Vienna is consistently voted as a top city with a high quality of life
• Vienna consists of 23 districts and they all have names, too
• Austrian’s are smart, sophisticated and laid back
• No matter what time of the day, but if you do switch the TV on you’ll notice there’s always a Sissi, Habsburger or Vienna themed documentary airing
• Aldi operates under the name “Hoffer” 
• Austria is part of the DACH countries, please do not refer to them as Germans. Their language is also not German, but Austrian 
• Be careful when taking pictures in public. The DACH countries have strict privacy laws and you need to respect others when out and about. Always ask for permission to avoid potential confrontation
• Tickets for the underground or tram can be purchased in advance. If you purchase the ticket on the train they charge 20p extra
• The city provides free drinking stations across town and has a top water quality.
• All social classes are represented & integrated throughout the city
• Word of caution though: you may get approached by seemingly normal people who will blatantly ask you for money or work. I guess every city has its weirdos
• Vienna is constantly evolving as a city. Authorities & administration are very committed and invested in maintaining the quality of life for all citizens & visitors 

4 Day Vienna Itinerary For First Time Visitors

Vienna is the city that keeps on giving, no matter how many times you come back to it. I love returning to the city and actively plan new visits, simply because I’ve never had a bad experience here. Having spent the entire summer 2022 test living in Vienna, I still feel I haven’t seen all it has to offer.

The main pull for visitors are: the glamourous imperial past, the UNESCO recognised coffee house culture, Prater and of course its prestigious status as a horse city. Mozart, Freud, Ferstel, Loos, Klimt, Hundertwasser or the Sacher family are all world renowned household names – they all made Vienna the intellectual centre and sophisticated city that it is today.

For this 4 Day Vienna Itinerary I’ve compiled a few places for each day which continue to engage me and have been a pleasure to revisit. The post includes my personal suggestions on what you could do and see during your stay in Vienna. You can take what resonates best with you and don’t have to follow my itinerary strictly. What’s interesting and engaging to me, may not work for you. I try to provide as much information for your planning as possible including alternatives, so you get the most out of your 4 Day Vienna stay.

This Vienna itinerary uses Quartier Belvedere as a base and starting point for your daily explorations. All prices and costs are correct as of January 2023. READ MORE : 15 Activities and Free Museums in Vienna

Day 1 Vienna Itinerary

For your first day, arrive and get an overview of Vienna’s structure. Stroll casually into town and explore along the way. Whilst you explore, never take your eyes off from the buildings. Vienna is steeped in history and proud of its imperial past which the buildings reflect. 

Day 1 Vienna Itinerary Afternoon

After your arrival and luggage drop off at your hotel, freshen up, have a little rest and then let’s explore the area.

Palace Belvedere Grounds

The baroque Palace Belvedere sits within a manicured garden & park landscape. The grounds are neat with impressive white Sphinx statues, fountains and romantic setups. It’s a popular place for runners but also to stroll into the city centre. There’s an orangery at the bottom of the area, the University Botanical Gardens and an open air theatre during the summer months. 

The highlight, however, is the extensive art collection displayed in the Upper Belvedere . The unique collection includes notable works by Schiele, Van Gogh and Klimt. The latter’s most famous work “The Kiss” is a true visitor magnet.  Keep the art gallery for Day 2.

Schwarzenbergplatz

When you leave the grounds of Belvedere, you’ll be at Schwarzenbergplatz. The square has a Soviet War Memorial , an impressive fountain ( Hochstrahlbrunnen ) which entertains visitors with a lightshow after dark, and numerous interesting buildings. The French Embassy in art nouveau style is one of my favourite buildings in Vienna.

Note : the Viennese art nouveau movement is called Viennese Secession. The Karlsplatz station entrance is another example of this exquisite style.

Keep your eyes open for Vienna’s smallest vineyard , which is located between the Universal Music Booking and Casino on the right-hand side of the square. 

Vienna Central, District 1

The centre of Vienna is a joy to walk around. First time visitors will easily spend a good 3 to 4h exploring the area. It starts with the impressive opera house, to the nearby Albertina museum and iconic Hotel Sacher. There are countless traditional coffee houses alongside modern cafés, bakeries, restaurants and chains. One thing is for sure, you won’t starve in Vienna. 

Check Out : Vienna’s street food is pretty filling. Favourites of mine include a Käsekrainer Hot Dog (cheese filled sausage in a bun, 6€) which you can get from Bitzinger outside the Albertina or a Korean corn dog (deep fried sausage in a potato coating, 6.50€) from KOON .  

From the main High Street, there are several smaller, narrow alleys and side streets which will take you to quieter parts of the city. The small squares, imperial buildings and the Mozart house boast history on every corner. The cobbled streets are intertwined in a maze and invite you to get lost. Favourite parts of mine include the area around the Clock Museum , the Jewish Square and the newly designed Neuer Markt .  

Coburgbastei

If you keep exploring on the East-side, you’ll find plenty of local restaurants, galleries, churches and the Literature Museum. A personal favourite of mine is the Coburgbastei 4 – Vienna’s only surviving city fortress. The final remains of the Viennese city wall and former Brown bastion are inside a luxury hotel. How did that happen you may ask? So back in the 12th century Duke Leopold V captured Richard I during the third crusade and thus demanded a high ransom from the British for Richard’s release. From the money, the Austrian king expanded Vienna’s city structure and established a circular city wall: 5km long, with 20 towers and 10 entrance gates. This structure lasted for 300 years. 

The Brown Bastion was then built in 1545-55 as an extension on top of this city wall. It served as a protection against the Ottoman attacks and was at the time the most prestigious bastion. It had a sophisticated underground system for storing ammunition and even had canons. 

Duke Ferdinand of Saxony-Coburg & Gotha acquired the land in 1840 and built a grand city palace on top of the Brown Bastion remains. Today, the Coburgbastei is a 5 star hotel. Guided tours to the basement and state rooms are upon request through the hotel’s newsletter, but the rest of the ruins can be explored for free in the hotel lobby. Make sure you let reception know and then enjoy this unusual but highly interesting place. 

St Stephen’s Cathedral

If you prefer to stay on the High Street, you will follow the Kärntner Straße . At its end you’ll have arrived at St Stephen’s Cathedral and if you turn left you can explore The Graben, Vienna’s posh end of the High Street. 

I’ve never explored the cathedral properly. A quick glimpse inside is free and you can then decide for yourself if you want to pay and access other areas of the cathedral, such as the tower, altar or crypt. 

Note : St Stephen’s Cathedral is a catholic institution and therefore a Camino site. The Camino sign is on a lamp post outside of the watchmaker shop Bucherer (north-west side of the cathedral). On the east-side of the church is the community centre Quo Vadis (Stephansplatz 6) which provides visitors with information on the Austrian Camino. You can obtain the Credential and take part in their monthly coffee meet ups with like-minded pilgrims. 

If you follow the Camino signs, you’ll pass The Graben, the Holy Trinity column and eventually pass through the Hofburg. The Hofburg is home to the Spanish Riding School, the Sissi museum, the treasury and presidential administration of the city of Vienna. 

Have a look, just outside of the Hofburg, in Michaeler Square , are the remains of a former Roman military camp. The ruins of Vindobona are approximately 2000 years old and free to explore. This may be just a small excavation site, yet it connects Vienna to a long and rich history of its Roman origins. 

Find some time for a rest in the nearby Volksgarten . This charming park designed in 1821 is a favourite amongst locals and visitors. It provides lots of benches, shade and has a stunning rose garden display. It’s a lovely oasis to recharge, people watch and enjoy the flowers. 

Rathaus & City Information Centre

After your break, check out the Rathaus (City Hall). In the summer, the square in front of the City Hall has a free open air cinema, showing mostly classical & pop concerts, as well as ballets and theatre performances. There is more. Not only is this building exceptional with its intricate baroque features, I would advise you to pay the City Information Centre (Friedrich Schmidt Platz) on the other side of the building a visit. This tourist information is different from the ones near the Albertina, as it provides lots of information on Vienna as a city itself, rather than promoting and selling tours. 

The City Information Centre has tons of interesting material on Vienna’s city structure, its (on going) development plans, statistics and specific information on hiking trails, music performances, cultural events and living in Vienna. I needed some help with my research on the Viennese coffee houses and the staff at the City Information Centre were extremely invested and provided me with free books on Viennese coffee culture. I left with 2kg of material and it was such a great support for my article. You can also pick up your passport for the inner city hiking trails and fetch your hiking needles, once you’ve completed your hikes. 

From the Rathaus, you can either take the tram (line D) back to your hotel or walk towards the Museum Quarter . This is another newly developed area with interesting museums, art galleries and a chill out zone. It is not only exclusive for museum guests but invites everyone to relax, mingle and soak up the atmosphere. When I spent three months living in Vienna, this was my Sunday afternoon place to hang out and read. 

Day 1 Vienna Itinerary Dinner

For dinner you could consider Le Burger. I’m in love with this small Austrian burger chain and its unfuzzy and “Oh-so-instagrammable” vibes. Swings and green lush plants make the place atmospheric and very laid back. The burgers are all delicious and the menu includes a wide range of flavour combinations. They even do nachos with pulled beef and sauces. One quirky highlight of Le Burger is their sauce bar which offers unusual flavours such as blueberry ketchup, garlic mayo and BBQ dip. 

Quite a lot of impressions for your first day in Vienna, so get a good night’s sleep and let’s explore more tomorrow. 

Day 2 Vienna Itinerary

Check out some of the art galleries and museums that Vienna has to offer. Finish the day with a rollercoaster ride at the ever so fun and entertaining amusement park Prater.

Day 2 Vienna Itinerary Morning

Palace Belvedere Art Gallery (Upper Belvedere)

Start your day by visiting the exhibition and art gallery. The palace inside is architecturally stunning. The many treasures of art work have been given a space worthy of their admiration and you’ll be drawn into the worlds of Klimt, Hundertwasser and Schiele. I personally loved the gallery at Belvedere and in comparison to other museums and galleries in Vienna, it was relatively quiet. Best to make use of that. 

Time spent: approximately 90 minutes Costs: Tickets start at 16€

Day 2 Vienna Itinerary Lunch

You can’t come to Vienna without spending some time at a traditional coffee house. Recognised as a UNESCO cultural heritage, Viennese coffee culture attracts over 8 million visitors annually. 

FIND OUT MORE : How Authentic are Coffee Houses in Vienna Today?

The list of traditional coffee houses is long and they vary in style and service. I personally would choose Café Central for first time visitors to Vienna. It is touristy, yes, but it is located within the prestigious Ferstel Palais, which in itself is quite the experience.  

Heinrich von Ferstel was a Viennese VIP architect and designed the city palace between 1856-1860. It follows the venetian/Florentine art trecento style and was originally planned as a finance, exchange and bank center. Built during the Wilhelmina era, the Ferstel Palais is regarded as one of the most prestigious buildings in Vienna. Today it also hosts a grand hall for extravagant events and has an arcaded shopping area with high-end local brands. Café Central moved into the building 16 years after its completion and has been there ever since. 

If you decide for Café Central, Café Demel or Hotel Sacher, make sure to book in advance as these are the most popular cafés in town. 

Time spent: 1h Costs: apple strudel 8.50€, Sacher cake 8.90€

Day 2 Vienna Itinerary Afternoon

Albertina Gallery

Another art gallery not to be missed when in Vienna. The permanent collection hosts over 65,000 artworks by Hundertwasser, Monet and various German expressionists. It is slightly more modern orientated and always has a special exhibition running, which comes free with your admission. The Albertina also has a sub gallery, the Albertina Modern, near the Karlsplatz which focuses on modern performance artists.

Note : The Albertina is also a good address for your bathroom breaks in town, as they are well kept and free of use. Take the escalators to the entrance, then keep right. The bathrooms are one level down. 

Time spent: 2h Costs: 18.90€ adult ticket, combi ticket with Albertina Modern 24.90€

Alternative Activity in Vienna: Kunsthistorische Museum 

An alternative thing to do alone in Vienna is to visit the Kunsthistorische Museum (art history museum). It is filled from bottom to ceiling with over 2,100 objects that belonged to the Habsburg monarchy’s treasury. The Cupola Hall is an impressive marbled circular room in the heart of the museum. From here you can further explore the extensive painting collection which includes treasures from Dürer and Bruegel. 

The Tower of Babylon is one of my favourite paintings and the generous sofas laid out all around the museum, make this visit highly enjoyable to fully appreciate the paintings. There’s a lot to see so you can get fatigued easily. Therefore I would advise not to exceed a 2h stay.  

Time spent: 2h Costs: 18€ adult ticket

Day 2 Vienna Itinerary Evening

Prater Amusement Park

From the Albertina walk towards St Stephen’s Cathedral and down Rotenturm Street. At the end you’ll pass Sweden Square, cross over the river and follow along the Danube in an east-bound direction. At Franzensbrücke, walk up the stairs and walk north-bound until you’ve reached Praterstern. 

Time: approximately 40 minutes, depending how fast you walk

Prater is an inner-city nature reserve with a huge – partially kept natural- parkland and a permanent amusement park. I absolutely love this place as fairgrounds are the ultimate summer essential for me. Prater is good fun, maybe not on a late Friday evening but other than that, walking around the fairground will always engage me. Fetch a Langos, some candy floss and watch the brave take a spin on Prater Turm, the world’s largest high swing carousel at 117m. 

Other highlights of the Prater fairground include the Vienna Ferris Wheel which I rode on my first time visiting Vienna. Before you board the wooden capsule, you’ll learn more about its 100 year history in a separate exhibition. The capsules are very rocky and not stable as they are e.g. at the London Eye. The views however make up for this, so for me this is a definite thing to do in Vienna. 

Take the S1, S2 or S3 from Prater Stern in the direction of Meidling. It’ll be three stops to Quartier Belvedere. 

Time Spent: 2h or more, depending on rides Costs: entrance is free, the rides costs between 5€-10€, Ferris wheel 13.50€, candy floss 2.50€, Langos 5€

Day 3 Vienna Itinerary

Start your day by visiting the Hundertwasser House and museum. Have lunch in town and then explore the Prunksaal at The National Library. Use your afternoon for a stroll along Gumpendorfer and Mariahilfer Straße, two excellent eclectic neighbourhoods with shopping opportunities and local communities. Finish at Naschmarkt and Schleifmühlgasse, one of my favourite streets in Vienna. Alternatively, you could embark on an inner-city hiking trail and explore lesser known parts of the city. Let’s go!

Day 3 Vienna Itinerary Morning

Let’s start the morning with some more culture and art. A well-known son of Vienna is Friedensreich Hundertwasser. This visual artist and architect is legendary with his quirky and colourful designs. Have you noticed that several buildings in Vienna carry his legacy? The Spittelau Incinerator is one such remarkable building. Another, more centrally located residential building is in Kegelgasse 36-38. 

Keep in mind, whilst this is free to visit, this is only to look at from the outside. There are small shops selling Hundertwasser prints and memorabilia, but if you’re after a proper museum, walk 10 minutes north-bound. 

The Kunst Haus Wien Museum Hundertwasser is at Untere Weißgerberstraße 13. This museum features a wide collection of Hundertwasser’s paintings, architectural designs and performance art. Hundertwasser had quite the love-hate relationship with Vienna and preferred to travel the world instead. He has very close ties to Australia and New Zealand and even designed an Uluru flag for Oz. The exhibition is highly interesting and engaging, not least because design elements by Hundertwasser were integrated into the museum. I’m not giving too much away, let’s just say it is a surprising and educational museum.

Time Spent: 90 minutes Costs: 11€ adult ticket

Day 3 Vienna Itinerary Lunch

Whilst you walk back into town to fetch lunch, make sure to pass by Anker Uhr at Hoher Markt . This elaborate historic clock is often overlooked but it is such a gorgeous piece of Viennese history right in the heart of town. Similar to the Astronomical Clock in Prague and Bern, this one comes with copper accents & figures that move around on the hour.

For food, maybe now is the time to give the Austrian classic Wiener Schnitzel a try. A traditional staple of Viennese cooking, a tender piece of veal is dipped in flour and breadcrumbs and then carefully fried. The biggest Schnitzel have a diameter of 30cm and are sold at Figlmüller , where they’ve been made since 1920. 

Alternative Restaurants for Wiener Schnitzel : Little Giant or check out Roma & Russel’s guide to Wiener Schnitzel . 

Day 3 Vienna Itinerary Afternoon

After lunch, visit the grand State Hall (Prunksaal) at The National Library . This part of the former imperial library was built in the 18th century. 200,000 books pile up on 80m² in length and 20 metres in height. Four venetian globes, frescos and an elaborate ceiling make this library one of the most beautiful in the world. 

Time Spent: 30-40 minutes Costs: 10€ adult ticket, combi tickets with the globe museum, literature and papyrus museum are possible

Alternative things to do alone in Vienna : nearby is the globe museum which belongs to the same complex. Might be a bit specific and quirky, but I’ve heard many good stories about it. 

Viennese Neighbourhoods & Localities

Use the rest of your afternoon to explore Vienna’s lively neighbourhoods, in particular Mariahilfer Straße & Gumpendorfer Straße . 

Mariahilfer – a leafy pedestrian zone with lots of shopping opportunities. The vibes are friendly and the street is picturesque. It used to be the home of Vienna’s prettiest coffee house, The Café West End, but unfortunately it closed during the pandemic. At the end of the street, turn right into the Gumpendorfer and walk back up. 

Gumpendorfer – runs parallel to the Mariahilfer and is one of the most interesting streets in Vienna. Pay attention to the art nouveau Arik Brauer Haus , another impressive residential building. The building was designed by Viennese architect Arik Brauer and then executed by city designer Peter Pelikan who also collaborated with Hundertwasser. 

Follow the “Gumpi” along and indulge in some trendy cafés along the way. Brass Monkey , espresso bar Apa-To or Fain are just a few interesting addresses for you to check out. 

Have a look at the Flak Tower which hosts The House of the Ocean. This is an interesting historic building, built as a defence tower during the WW II. Today there are six remaining towers across the city, mainly because they are difficult to demolish. So instead, the city decided to maintain them as homes for new concepts. Anyway, you can fetch a drink on the rooftop terrace which has stunning 360 degree views over Vienna. There’s a separate entrance for the rooftop to the very far right of the building. 

Turn right down Köstlergasse and end up on Linke Wienzeile . This, too, is a highly interesting street with local restaurants left, right and centre front, historic buildings that’ll astonish you including the impressive Café Savoy. Sandwiched in between is the Naschmarkt (snack market), Vienna’s inner-city open planned food market. Have a look and taste around. I’ve had lunch here once at Neni’s which serves mostly Middle Eastern cuisine. 

Alternative things to do alone in Vienna : follow one of the inner-city hiking trails. You can pick up your free pass and guide at the City Information Centre on Day 1. I would personally suggest Route 9 in Prater or Route 11 through District 5 & 10. 

Day 3 Vienna Itinerary Dinner

Fetch food at Naschmarkt or close by. If you need some vegan options, I got Tolstoy and Swing Kitchen on my list. On your way back to Quartier Belvedere, walk through Schleifmühlgasse . 

“Schleifmühli” in District 4 (Wieden) is another favourite of mine. A former address for a mill grinding cutting knives and thrusting weapons, this street is a thriving community today, often nicknamed as “Vienna’s public lounge”. 

Next to local cafés such as Alt Wien coffee roastery, Lisboa Lounge, Vollpension (a quirky concept café) are numerous independent galleries, bookshops, Bobby’s England shop and various al fresco restaurants. My favourite is Pinsatore which serves traditional Italian Pinsen, a very thin and mega crispy, yet flavoursome pizza. 

Day 4 Vienna Itinerary

Step back into Vienna’s imperial past and explore Palace Schönbrunn. Not only is the palace worth a look, but the extensive grounds are home to Vienna’s zoo and other attractions.

Day 4 Vienna Itinerary Morning

Today will be spent at Schönbrunn. I have cycled to the Imperial Palace many times and love seeing Vienna from a different perspective that way. I leave this up to you. After breakfast, you could rent a bike from your hotel, e.g. Hotel Daniel or get one from “Die Radstation” at the train station. Day rates for a city bike should come at around 15-20€. Alternatively, you can take the Underground to “Schönbrunn”. Take the U1 (Leopoldau) and change at Karlsplatz into U4 (Hietzing). 

Palace Schönbrunn is on the westside of Vienna and lies outside of the city centre. It is worth the trip as there is much to do and see there and explore its extensive grounds. 

Palace Schönbrunn Tour

Come early, as the palace is Vienna’s top attraction and it will be well visited. There are a couple of different tours on offer. Some tours only cover a few rooms and then require you to “upgrade” if you’d like to continue and see more of it. 

I like that the tours offer you flexibility and you’re not coerced into a full tour. On my first visit, I opted for the Imperial Tour , a rather small tour covering 22 rooms including the state rooms and private bedrooms of the monarchs. For me, this was plenty to see and to be honest, the rooms were a bit bland and repetitive after a while. You’ll be given an audio guide too so you can guide yourself around the Palace. 

Time: 90 minutes Costs: 22€ adult ticket

Day 4 Vienna Itinerary Lunch

Schönbrunn Gardens

The Palace is always worth a visit. Last but not least, because of its spacious and impressive gardens. There are countless shaded alleyways, pavilions, fountains, rose bushes, hedges and even a labyrinth to admire. Strolling around the grounds will make you feel grand, too. It’s a very relaxing activity. When you feel ready, tackle the slopes ascending to the Gloriette. Gorgeous views over the Palace and the city, as well as a well deserved cup of coffee, await you on top. Secure a spot on one of the benches and take in the views.   

Time: easily 2h Costs: free

Day 4 Vienna Itinerary Afternoon

Alternative 1: Palm House

At the west side of the Schönbrunn grounds is a palm house. Opened in 1882 with a total space of 2,500m² it used to be the biggest greenhouse in the world. The construction consists mainly of steel and glass that needed regular restorations throughout its history. Taken under monumental protection in 2011, the palm house received its latest restoration. Today, it is very well preserved and made of three houses. Each house, or section, has a separate temperature to accommodate the exotic plants inside. The average temperature is 18°C and the lowest is 6°C.

If you’re a fan of rare plants, palms and intricate 19th century gardening architecture, this is a magical place for you. There are also benches for you to sit, admire and ponder about life. It’s a lovely atmosphere and I enjoyed this very much. 

Time: 1h Costs: 7€ adult ticket   

Alternative 2: Vienna Zoo

Opened in 1752 and now a UNESCO world heritage site, the Vienna Zoo is another option to spend your time when in Schönbrunn. The enclosures are spacious and generously laid out. See Koalas, Giant Pandas, Ice Bears and wolves whilst walking around a manicured and neat park design. I loved spending time here and there’s even a treetop walk. 

Book your tickets online to avoid the queues at the entrance. Online tickets are not dated to a specific day so you have more flexibility for your visit. Although once inside, you won’t be able to go out and come back again. 

Time: 3-4h Costs: 26€ adult ticket

Alternative 3: Strudelshow at Café Residenz

In the basement of Café Residenz is the imperial bakery and kitchen. The traditional cross rib vault kitchen is the domain of Head Confectioner Michael. He’ll run the Strudelshow a couple of times in the morning and early afternoon, which introduces you to the art of apple strudel making within 30 minutes. 

Michael makes apple strudel baking look so easy, but it’s his highly entertaining and engaging demonstrations that make the Strudelshow so enjoyable.

If you have more time in Vienna, definitely take part in the baking course. In a small group, you’ll learn the craft of apple strudel making and perfecting dough stretching skills. During the 3h course there’s not just food on end, but a casual atmosphere and lots of fun, too. Plus you’ll go home as a certified Viennese Apple Strudel Confectioner. The course runs mostly on a Friday, so do check on their website and request your space beforehand. 

Time: 30 minutes Strudelshow, 3h Baking Course Costs: 14€ including coffee and a slice of apple strudel, 75€ Baking Course

Alternative things to do alone in Vienna for Day 4 : start your day with a performance at the Spanish Riding School and view the stables afterwards. Leave Schönbrunn Palace for the afternoon, but note it might be very busy then to do a tour inside the palace. You can still stroll around its grounds, visit the zoo or the palm house.

Maybe Not: Vienna Activities to Skip

Reflecting on previous visits, some experiences stood out to me, which didn’t do it for me. This is my personal opinion and you can, of course, give them a go and decide for yourself.

Spanish Riding School & Stables

The 1h performance cost around 60€ and if you’re unlucky, you’ll be seated at the top, meaning you have to lean slightly over the balustrade to see anything. I personally didn’t get much out of this experience. I’m not into dressage and I’m open to understanding it, yet I questioned its practice and ethics many times. The following 1h guided tour around the stables was equally disappointing. The guide was disengaged and it felt like she hadn’t prepared herself well. The generic information were limited and poorly presented. I found it too basic overall and I felt I had learnt zero about the tradition, the upkeep ect. It was an experience that didn’t give me anything, so may as well invest those 2h into another Viennese activity. I have still listed the performance & stable in this 4 Day Vienna itinerary, as I’m aware that the tradition is a huge pull, especially to horse lovers.

Haus des Meeres (House of the Ocean)

This is a privatised aquarium on Gumpendorfer Straße. The concept is quirky as the aquarium is located within a historic Flak Tower, one of Vienna’s six remaining defence towers. Built for protection during the war and made from reinforced concrete, this is basically a high tier bunker facility. This in itself is impressive to pay attention to when you walk around in Vienna. Now home to a privatised aquarium, I was not a fan. The tickets were expensive, staff unfriendly, the enclosures way too small, forbidden signs left right and centre front, the aquariums very lifeless and not attractively designed. It felt like a rip off. Instead save your 20€ and visit the Zoo in Schönbrunn instead.

Some Popular Restaurants

I’ve had a few disappointing dining experiences. I was not impressed by restaurants Fratelli and Figlmüller ; especially the latter is a bit of a tourist trap. Unfriendly waiters, long waiting times, Schnitzel are massive yet they come without any side dishes and those needed to be ordered and paid extra for. No thanks! In-Dish , a supposed “upscale” Indian was far from high quality. My Chicken Tikka Masala was extremely dry and full of onions. NEXT!

Vienna Airport to City Centre Transfer

Getting into town from the airport via public transport is swift, easy and straightforward. Here are your options:

By Bus : the bus terminal is very well signposted. The signs will automatically lead you out of the terminal. Bus stop 7 will take you directly to Vienna main station (Hauptbahnhof) or to Vienna West Station. A return within a month costs 13€. Alternatively you could use a SlovakLine or Regiojet service coming from Bratislava as it’ll cost you 2€ but will need to be booked in advance and the service is not running frequently. 

By Train : Vienna main station (Hauptbahnhof) is not Vienna Central (Mitte). There is confusion and the direct airport train CAT at 16€ goes to Vienna Mitte (Central). If you need to catch a train to travel further to Prague, Bratislava or Budapest, you most likely have to go to Hauptbahnhof (main station). The direct train to Hauptbahnhof runs every 30 minutes and the ticket should cost 4.60€

If you stay in the Quartier Belvedere area, drop off your luggage and start exploring. A walk into central Vienna via the grounds of Palace Belvedere will take approximately 20-30 minutes. 

The Best Area To Stay In Vienna

Ever since my first visit to Vienna in 2018, I have been staying and returning to Quartier Belvedere , the best area to stay in Vienna. This area is located in walkable distance south of the city centre and offers many accommodation choices. 

Quartier Belvedere sits on the border to Vienna’s lively District 4 (Wieden) and District 10 (Favoriten). The area is a newly developed square with cafés, restaurants, hotels and parks. Next door is the main station (Hauptbahnhof) for easy access to the airport and organising day trips. Tramline D goes straight to the city centre and you can also use U1 from Hauptbahnhof and Tram 18 goes to Westbahnhof. From Quartier Belvedere there’s also the S1- S4 which take you to Prater in just three stops and Vienna Mitte (central) in two. 

Hotels in Vienna near Quartier Belvedere :

Budget: Prizotel, Ibis, Novotel

Mid-tier: Hotel Daniel , Hotel Shani

Luxury: Moons

Apartment Hotels: Adina (5 Star), JOYN (4 Star), Smartments (3 Star) 

FAQs about the 4 Day Vienna Itinerary for First Time Visitors

I understand this is quite a lengthy post and you may have some quick questions about the 4 Day Vienna itinerary for first time visitors. You can, of course, always come back to any section of my post and read in more detail what you’d need for your trip. If you have questions or need help, please get in touch and I’m happy to assist.

How many days do you need in Vienna?

If you’re visiting Vienna for the first time, I would suggest staying for 4 days. This will give you enough opportunity to try out a variety of activities and see if its vibe is compatible with you. Vienna has a very high standard of living and I would describe its character as sophisticated & intellectual without coming across as pretentious.

Are there many things to do alone in Vienna and is the city solo travel friendly?

A clear yes. Vienna is friendly to solo travellers and there are many things to do alone, such as hiking, exploring the historic Inner City or hopping around the many coffee houses. Culturally you have tons of museums, the Mozart concerts or the Imperial Palaces such as Hofburg & Schönbrunn. In the summer, you can also do a wine tour around its many vineyards, take a spin on the Prater or do a day trip to nearby Bratislava. Each of the 23 districts have their own character and are also worth exploring, my favourites are Wieden (District 4), Ottakring (District 8) and Favoriten (District 10).

When’s a good time to visit Vienna for the first time?

I’ve only ever been to Vienna during the summer & autumn so I can only comment on this time of the year. I hear the Viennese Christmas Markets and celebrating New Year’s in Vienna are magical but I prefer the warmer temps. Plus there’s more time to explore due to the extended daylight hours. Prater amusement park is way more fun when the weather is warm and you can enjoy being outside.

Thanks so much for reading. If you’ve enjoyed my 4 Day Vienna Itinerary for First Time Visitors and would like to support my blog & research, you can do so via Buy Me a Coffee .

Till next time,

You may also enjoy reading:

• How Authentic are Coffee Houses in Vienna Today?
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• Local, Unusual, Underrated: The City Hiking Trails Vienna  
• Tales from My Epic Summer Baltics Tour & Finland Trip
• Ultimate Travel Guide with 30 Things to do in Antwerp
• Coming soon: Test living in Quartier Belvedere
• Big Travel Guide to Brunch & Modern Cafes in Vienna
• A Complete Brussels 3 Day Itinerary For First Time Visitors

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About SoloTravelStory

Blogs about her travel adventures in the world from her London home.

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21 Comments

This makes me so excited for our trip in October. Great, great itinerary- I love that you include things not to do – sometimes that’s equally as helpful as thing to do. Beautiful neighborhoods, coffee houses, and sights, and the food sounds amazing.

I’ve just re-read this for a second time as we are starting to get into the details of our Vienna trip. I’ve picked up even more! You we able to do so many things in 4 days and I hope we can do it justice in only 2 or 3 days!

Such an interesting article and full of facts and info that I did not know about. I’m an Aldi shopper in the UK and never realised Hoffer was the Austrian version. I visited Vienna many years ago , but only for a weekend and you saw so much more in your 4 days that I wish I had spent longer there. I had no idea the world’s smallest vineyard was here – and I had walked straight past it on my way without knowing – damn! Also that part of the old city wall is located inside Coburgbastei, something else I would have loved to see but didn’t know about. Clearly I should have done more homework before visiting this city. Loved the tips about where to eat and where to get the best specialised foods – and I appreciate your honesty about which of those eateries to avoid.

I really need to start planning for Vienna. I’ve always postponed it because I have the idea of being a extremely expensive destination. Anyways, your guide it’s detailed enough to make me want to go for it and stay like you suggest, for 4 days. You managed once again to dive into the food in an exquisite way (strudel it’s my guilty pleasure)!

You’re totally right in describing the State Hall (Prunksaal) at The National Library breathtaking, wow! As a geographer, I would also love to visit the nearby Globe Museum. A huge draw for me is the opportunity to become a certified Viennese Apple Strudel Confectioner haha! Sounds like a lot of fun 🙂

I found Vienna a great city to explore, especially as a solo traveler. I definitely took your recommendation of Neni’s and was not disappointed, so thank you for that. Which means next time I’m in Vienna I’ll have to try Le Burger and your cafe recommendations. I was definitely overwhelmed with what to see here, and next time I would visit in summer. I loved the Christmas markets but like you say, the longer days and warmer temperatures are probably a bit nicer

Carina | bucketlist2life

What an amazing Vienna itinerary. I guess, I have to go back and do and see the things I have missed the first time around. Especially all the amazing food options. There are still so many Kaffeehäuser I have not visited. And the rooftop terrace. And I can always come back for a giant Figlmüller Schnitzel and more Käsekrainer!

This is such a detailed post. I am considering visiting Vienna in October and this gave me so much insight. I prefer to be outdoors and I love the fact that there are inner city hiking trails. I’m also a coffee love and was surprised to learn that the coffee shops are a UNESCO site. I’d spend the entire 4 days checking out the coffee shops. The strudelshow would be fun to see and I’d be signing up for the strudel making class for sure.

I love that you have the important tips for visiting right at the beginning – as someone who doesn’t carry cash that’s important for me to know! Also really good to know about pictures in public! I like that more places are adopting those practices. The coburgbastei has a fascinating history! I learned a lot about visiting Vienna from your post – thank you!

This great – such a cultured and varied itinerary! My eyes lit up when you mentioned Klimt because the Secession was a highlight in Vienna when I went. But that was a long time ago when I was only 18… I’ve long thought I should go back again., so I’ll check your recommendations when that day comes…

Henry at fotoeins

Carolin, thanks for this post; I learned some new things and picked up some reminders along the way. I’ll send an e-mail with comparisons and comments, because they’re too long to put here; heh 😅

Lyn (aka Jazz)

What a wonderful trip down memory lane for me! I studied music in Vienna many years ago and absolutely loved the city and all the wonderful concerts. You reminded me of the many afternoons I enjoyed in Schönbrunn Gardens, coffee houses and simply walking around the city, soaking in the atmosphere.

You’ve inspired me to revisit. I must take a strudel course!

This is such a detailed and informative piece on Vienna. We love to visit places which are rich in culture and art. Some of these places look really beautiful, especially Prunskaal at the National Library.. this is such a handy resource for anybody who’s planning to travel to Vienna

Vienna is always a good choice whether for a weekend trip or for a week. It’s one of my favorite cities and it’s great Carolin that you’ve mananged to highlight both city’s regular sights as well as the one’s less traveled. Vienna is a city for all seasons and one can’t help but keep coming back – time and again 😉 #flyingbaguette

That’s a pretty detailed itinerary and I wish I had read it before visiting Vienna in 2016. Sadly the city didn’t impress me but that’s probably because I expected too much (something I no longer do when I travel). Also I had no recommendations on places to eat and really didn’t enjoy the food. It was the end of Spring however and we did make the most of the gorgeous gardens and huge parks. If I ever go back I will use your guide and try and get a room at Moons Hote just for that view!

Paul (Paul Passing Through)

Great guide and I agree with almost everything (the things I don’t agree with are because I didn’t do them so can’t have an opinion lol). I loved the Upper Belvedere art gallery. It had one of my favorite paintings from the many galleries we saw during our trip to the region (one of Monet’s). I also really enjoyed the Kunsthistoriches but defintiely agree that it can be overwhelming if not right. Seeing all the Bruegel paintins was so exciting for me! We didn’t do Schonbrunn because I read that it wasn’t as worthwhile in winter when the garden isn’t in full bloom, so we did the Hoburg instead. It’s a shame we missed so much of the smaller roads and less touristed spots. It was so busy for New Year’s that it was a bit overwhelming. The day after everyone left, it was like a whole different city.

I don’t know why the first time I visited Vienna I felt like it didn’t live up to the expectations I had of it. Maybe because too many people said it was super royal and gives luxury, but when I went it was cold, rainy, and windy. Reading your post really makes me feel like I need to give it another try, but when the weather is nicer at least. I have a lot more things to add to my list for my second visit thanks to your guide!

Well you’ve officially put Vienna on my list! The city looks quite beautiful without being overwhelming. I would love to visit Coburgbastei and walk around the fortress. We had Koon in Japan and it was delicious! But I’d have to say that the Strudelshow sounds right up my alley. I love making strudel so learning how to make it the traditional way would be awesome.

Wow – so many wonderful things to see and do in Vienna. We have never visited this city but very much want to. Love how the old and new architecture have integrated so well at Coburgbastei 4. The Palace Belvedere Art Gallery and the Albertina Gallery would be essential places to visit as we love art. Prunksaal at the National Library looks amazing and the Globe museum appeals. And we would particularly enjoy experiencing the food and drink. The coffee houses, with torte, the Wiener Schnitzel (could we manage a 30cm diameter one each – maybe one to share?) and we would absolutely love to learn to bake apple strudel – complete with confectioner qualification! Great itinerary, with really useful recommendations, which we will bookmark for a future trip.

Great itinerary with some new suggestions. We are possibly popping to Vienna as my wife fancies a return to pratter and i fancy the 2 palaces ive not visited yet.

Wow, this is a great itinerary. I LOVE that you have not only described some of the places to see but you also added where to eat along the way. Not too many posts include this detail. I will have to bookmark this one for sure!!

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A Complete Travel Guide to Vienna: Tips for Exploring Austria’s Famous Capital

• Versed Traveler
• October 29, 2023

Vienna, the capital city of Austria, is a cultural hub that boasts of a rich history, stunning architecture, and a vibrant art scene. With a population of over 1.8 million people, Vienna is the largest city in Austria and is home to numerous museums, galleries, and theaters. The city is renowned for its classical music, with famous composers such as Mozart, Beethoven, and Haydn having lived and worked here.

Visitors to Vienna can explore the city’s many attractions, including the Hofburg Palace, the Schönbrunn Palace, and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. The Hofburg Palace was the former imperial residence of the Habsburg dynasty and today houses several museums, including the Sisi Museum and the Imperial Apartments. The Schönbrunn Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Vienna. Visitors can take a tour of the palace, stroll through the gardens, and enjoy a concert at the Orangery.

Vienna is also known for its coffee culture, with numerous coffeehouses scattered throughout the city. These coffeehouses are not just places to grab a cup of coffee but are also cultural institutions where people can socialize, read, and relax. The Viennese coffeehouse culture was added to UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2011, recognizing its importance in the city’s cultural heritage.

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Table of Contents

History and Architecture

Vienna is a city that boasts a rich history and stunning architecture. The city was once the capital of the Holy Roman Empire and later the Habsburg Empire, which has left a lasting impact on the city’s architecture.

Vienna is known for its Baroque architecture, which is characterized by its ornate decoration and grandeur. The city is home to many Baroque-style buildings, including the Belvedere Palace, the Karlskirche, and the Schönbrunn Palace. These buildings are must-visit sites for architecture enthusiasts.

In addition to Baroque architecture, the city also has a variety of other architectural styles, including Gothic, Renaissance, and Art Nouveau. The city’s architecture is a reflection of its rich history and the many different cultures that have influenced it over the years.

Visitors can explore the city’s architecture through guided tours or by exploring on their own. The city offers a free architecture guide, which provides information on the city’s most significant buildings and neighborhoods.

Overall, Vienna’s architecture is a testament to the city’s rich history and cultural heritage. Visitors to the city can experience the grandeur of the Habsburg Empire and the beauty of Baroque architecture while exploring the city’s many historic buildings and neighborhoods.

Art in Vienna

Vienna is a rich city in history, architecture, music, and art. The city has been home to some of the world’s most influential artists, including Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele, and Raphael. Vienna’s art scene is a reflection of the city’s cultural heritage and its contemporary artistic expression.

One of the most famous artworks is Gustav Klimt’s “The Kiss.” The painting is considered one of the most iconic works of art in the world and is housed in the Upper Belvedere Palace. The palace is home to many other famous works of art, including pieces by Rodin, Schiele, and Van Gogh.

Another famous artist associated with Vienna is Egon Schiele. The Leopold Museum in Vienna is home to the largest collection of Schiele’s works in the world. Schiele’s art is known for its raw and emotional intensity, and his works are a must-see for art lovers.

Vienna’s art scene is not limited to the past. The city is also home to many contemporary art galleries and museums. The Museum of Modern Art (MUMOK) is one of the most popular museums in Vienna and features works by contemporary artists from around the world.

Vienna is also known for its Art Nouveau architecture. The city has many buildings that are designed in the Art Nouveau style, including the famous Secession Building. The building is a masterpiece of Art Nouveau architecture and is home to the famous Beethoven Frieze by Gustav Klimt.

In addition to Klimt and Schiele, Vienna has been home to many other famous artists, including Mozart, Schubert, and Strauss. The city’s rich cultural heritage has influenced its art scene, making it a must-visit destination for art lovers.

Famous Palaces

Vienna is known for its impressive palaces that reflect the city’s rich history and architectural heritage. These palaces are a must-visit for anyone traveling to Vienna, and each one has its unique story to tell.

Hofburg Palace

The Hofburg Palace is one of the most significant palaces in Vienna. It served as the imperial palace of the Habsburg dynasty for more than six centuries. Today, it is home to the offices of the President of Austria and several museums, including the Imperial Apartments, the Sisi Museum, and the Silver Collection.

Belvedere Palace

The Belvedere Palace is a magnificent Baroque palace complex located in the heart of Vienna. It consists of two palaces, the Upper and Lower Belvedere, which are connected by a beautiful garden. The palace houses the Belvedere Museum, which has an extensive collection of Austrian art from the Middle Ages to the present day.

Schönbrunn Palace

The Schönbrunn Palace is undoubtedly the most famous palace in Vienna. It served as the summer residence of the Habsburg emperors and is considered one of the most beautiful Baroque palaces in Europe. The palace has over 1,400 rooms, and visitors can explore the staterooms, private apartments, and gardens.

This post talks about the most beautiful castles in Europe

Other Museums and Attractions

Vienna is home to some of the world’s most impressive museums and attractions. From art and history to music and science, there is something for everyone in this vibrant city.

One of the most popular museums in Vienna is the Albertina, which houses an extensive collection of graphic art, including works by Dürer, Rembrandt, and Picasso. Visitors can also enjoy temporary exhibitions and special events throughout the year.

Another must-visit museum is the Leopold Museum, located in the MuseumsQuartier. This museum is dedicated to Austrian modernism and features works by Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele, and Oskar Kokoschka, among others.

For those interested in history and culture, the Kunsthistorisches Museum is a must-see. This impressive museum houses a vast collection of art and artifacts from around the world, including works by Raphael, Caravaggio, and Vermeer.

Music and Opera

Music lovers should not miss the Haus der Musik, an interactive museum dedicated to the history and science of music. Visitors can explore exhibits on sound and acoustics, learn about famous composers and musicians, and even conduct a virtual orchestra.

No trip to Vienna would be complete without a visit to the famous MuseumsQuartier. This cultural complex is home to several museums, including the Leopold Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Kunsthalle Wien. Visitors can also enjoy outdoor concerts, film screenings, and other events throughout the year.

Vienna is known as the City of Music, and for good reason. The city has a rich musical heritage, with famous composers such as Mozart, Beethoven, and Schubert having lived and worked here. Visitors can experience this musical legacy through a variety of music and opera-related activities.

One of the most popular attractions for music lovers is the Vienna State Opera, also known as the Staatsoper. This historic opera house has been in operation since the mid-19th century and is renowned for its world-class performances. Visitors can take a guided tour of the opera house to learn about its history and architecture, as well as the inner workings of the opera business.

Other Venues

In addition to the Staatsoper, there are many other venues in Vienna where visitors can enjoy classical music and opera performances. The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra is one of the most famous orchestras in the world and performs regularly at the Musikverein concert hall. Other notable venues include the Konzerthaus and the Theater an der Wien.

For those interested in learning more about the lives and works of famous composers, there are several museums and composer houses in Vienna. The House of Music is a museum dedicated to the history of music, while the Musical Instrument Museum houses a collection of over 1,000 musical instruments. Visitors can also visit the former homes of composers such as Mozart, Beethoven, and Schubert to learn about their lives and see artifacts related to their work.

Overall, Vienna’s music and opera scene is a must-see for any visitor to the city. With a rich history and a variety of venues and attractions, there is something for every music lover to enjoy.

Local Cuisine

Vienna is famous for its rich culinary culture, which is a blend of traditional Viennese and international cuisines. The city offers an array of dishes that are sure to tantalize your taste buds. From hearty stews to delicate pastries, you will be sure to find something that delights you.

One of the most popular dishes is the Wiener Schnitzel. This dish is made from veal that is pounded thin, breaded, and then fried to perfection. It is typically served with a side of potato salad or lingonberry jam. If you’re looking for a more traditional Viennese dish, try the Tafelspitz, which is boiled beef served with horseradish and apple-horseradish sauce.

In addition to its savory dishes, Vienna is also known for its sweet treats. The Sachertorte is a must-try dessert that was invented in Vienna in the 19th century. It is a chocolate cake with a layer of apricot jam and a chocolate glaze. Another popular dessert is the Apfelstrudel, which is a pastry filled with warm, spiced apples.

When it comes to wine, Vienna is home to some of the best vineyards in Austria. Gruner Veltliner and Welschriesling are two of the most popular white wines in the region. If you prefer red wine, try the Blaufrankisch or Zweigelt. Wine-tasting tours are a popular activity in Vienna, where you can sample some of the best wines in the region.

Overall, Vienna’s local cuisine is a must-try for any foodie visiting the city. From its famous Wiener Schnitzel to its delectable pastries, Vienna’s culinary scene is sure to leave you satisfied.

Outdoor Activities

Vienna is a city that offers a wide range of outdoor activities for visitors. Whether you are looking for a leisurely stroll in a park or an adventurous hike in the Vienna woods, there is something for everyone.

Vienna is home to numerous parks that offer a peaceful escape from the bustling city. The most famous park is the Stadtpark, which is located in the heart of Vienna. The park is known for its beautiful gardens, sculptures, and monuments. Visitors can take a relaxing walk, have a picnic, or simply enjoy the scenery.

Another popular park is the Prater, which is located on the outskirts of the city. The park is home to the famous Ferris wheel, which offers stunning views. Visitors can also enjoy a variety of other attractions, including roller coasters, bumper cars, and a haunted house.

Vienna Woods

For those looking for a more adventurous outdoor experience, the Vienna Woods offer numerous hiking trails and scenic views. The woods are located on the outskirts of the city and offer a peaceful escape from the city noise. Visitors can take a leisurely hike or a more challenging trek through the hills.

Vienna is also known for its vineyards, which are located on the outskirts of the city. Visitors can take a tour of the vineyards and learn about the wine-making process. They can also sample some of the best wines in the region. The vineyards offer a beautiful setting for a romantic picnic or a leisurely stroll.

While Vienna may not be located near the ocean, it does offer a unique beach experience. The Danube Island is a popular destination for locals and visitors alike. The island offers a variety of activities, including swimming, boating, and beach volleyball. Visitors can also enjoy a picnic on the sandy beach.

Overall, Vienna offers a diverse range of outdoor activities for visitors. Whether you are looking for a peaceful escape or an adventurous hike, there is something for everyone.

Shopping and Markets

Vienna is a shopper’s paradise with lots of unique shopping experiences to explore. From high-end fashion boutiques to traditional markets, Vienna has something for everyone.

One of the most popular markets in Vienna is the Naschmarkt, which is considered a tourist attraction. Located in the heart of Vienna, the Naschmarkt is a vibrant and bustling market that offers a wide range of products such as fresh fruits, vegetables, spices, and exotic foods. The market is open from early morning to late evening, and there are numerous cafes, restaurants, and bars around the market that are open until 11 p.m. making it a great spot to visit in the evening.

Antique Shopping

For those looking for a more unique shopping experience, Vienna has many flea markets and antique shops to explore. The city is known for its antique shops that offer a wide range of items such as antique furniture, jewelry, and artwork. One of the most popular antique shops in Vienna is the Antikmarkt am Naschmarkt, which is located near the Naschmarkt. The market offers a wide range of items such as antique furniture, jewelry, and artwork.

Farmer’s Market

In addition to the Naschmarkt, Vienna has many other markets that are worth exploring. The city is home to many farmers’ markets that offer fresh produce and local products. One of the most popular farmers’ markets in Vienna is the Karmelitermarkt, which is located in the Second District. The market offers a wide range of products such as fresh fruits, vegetables, and meats.

Public Transport

Vienna has a well-organized and efficient public transportation system that makes it easy for travelers to explore the city. The public transport network consists of buses, trams, subways, and trains, which are collectively known as “Öffis” by the locals. The Vienna Transport Authority (Wiener Linien) manages the public transport system in Vienna.

Types of Public Transport

The following are the primary forms of public transport in Vienna:

• U-Bahn (subway)
• S-Bahn (local train)
• Straßenbahn (tram)
• Autobus (bus)

The U-Bahn and S-Bahn are the quickest ways to travel around the city, while the tram and bus routes offer a more scenic view of the city. The public transportation system operates from 5:00 am to midnight, and night buses (known as “Nightline”) run from midnight to 5:00 am.

Tickets and Fares

Travelers can use the same ticket for all modes of public transport in Vienna. The tickets are available at ticket machines located at subway stations, tram stops, and bus stops. Travelers can also buy tickets online from the Wiener Linien website.

The ticket prices are based on the number of zones traveled. A single ticket for one zone costs €2.40, while a 24-hour ticket costs €8.00. Travelers can also buy weekly, monthly, or annual passes. The passes are ideal for travelers who plan to use public transport frequently during their stay in Vienna.

Taxi and Uber

Taxis are readily available in Vienna, and travelers can hail them on the street or book them through a taxi app. The taxi fares in Vienna are regulated, and the rates are displayed on the taxi meter. Uber is also available in Vienna, and travelers can book an Uber ride through the Uber app.

Overall, Vienna’s public transport system is efficient, reliable, and affordable, making it easy for travelers to explore the city.

Accommodation and Hotels

Vienna offers a wide range of accommodation options to suit every traveler’s needs and budget. From luxury hotels to budget-friendly hostels, visitors can find an option that fits their preferences.

Vienna has a vast selection of hotels to choose from, ranging from five-star luxury hotels to budget-friendly options. The city has several international hotel chains, including Marriott, Hilton, and InterContinental. Visitors can also find boutique hotels that offer a more personalized experience. The average price for a hotel room is around €100-€150 per night, but prices can vary depending on the location and season.

For budget travelers, hostels are an excellent choice. Vienna has several hostels that offer affordable accommodation options, including dormitory-style rooms and private rooms. Hostels are an excellent option for solo travelers or backpackers looking to meet new people and save money on accommodation costs. The average price for a hostel bed in Vienna is around €20-€40 per night.

Accommodation Prices

The cost of accommodation can vary depending on the location and season. During peak tourist season, which is from June to August, prices for accommodation tend to be higher. Visitors can save money by booking their accommodation in advance and traveling during the off-season.

Overall, there is a vast selection of accommodation options to suit every traveler’s needs and budget. Visitors can choose from luxury hotels, budget-friendly hostels, and everything in between. By planning ahead and booking in advance, visitors can find the best deals and make the most of their stay.

Vienna is a year-round destination, and each season has its own charm. In general, the best time to visit Vienna is during the shoulder seasons of spring and fall when the weather is mild, and the crowds are smaller. However, each season has its own unique attractions and experiences to offer.

Spring in Vienna is a beautiful time of year when the city comes alive with blooming flowers and greenery. The weather is mild, and the crowds are smaller than in the summer months. This is a great time to explore the city’s parks and gardens, such as the Schönbrunn Palace Gardens or the Stadtpark. You can also attend the Easter markets, which offer traditional crafts, food, and drinks.

Summer is the peak tourist season and is when the city is bustling with activity. The weather is warm, and there are plenty of outdoor events and festivals to enjoy. From the Vienna Jazz Festival to the Danube Island Festival, there is something for everyone. You can also take a stroll through the historic city center or enjoy a picnic in one of the city’s parks.

Fall is another great time to visit, with mild weather and fewer crowds than in the summer. This is the time when the city’s cultural calendar is in full swing, with events such as the Vienna Design Week and the Vienna International Film Festival. You can also enjoy the fall foliage in the city’s parks, such as the Prater or the Lainzer Tiergarten.

Winter in Vienna is a magical time of year, with festive markets, ice skating, and warm drinks. The city is known for its Christmas markets, which offer traditional crafts, food, and drinks. You can also attend the New Year’s Eve celebrations, which include a spectacular fireworks display. If you’re looking for indoor activities, you can visit the city’s museums or attend a concert at one of the many venues.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days are recommended for a visit.

The recommended duration of a visit to Vienna depends on the traveler’s interests. If one wants to see the major tourist attractions, a three-day trip would suffice. However, for those who want to explore the city in-depth, a five-day trip would be more appropriate.

What should I know before traveling?

Before traveling to Vienna, it is essential to know that the official language is German, but English is widely spoken. The currency used is the Euro, and credit cards are accepted almost everywhere. The city is safe, and tourists need not worry about their safety.

What is the best time of year to visit?

The best time to visit Vienna is from April to May or September to October when the weather is mild, and the crowds are smaller. During these months, the city is less crowded, and the hotel prices are lower. However, the Christmas season is also a popular time to visit Vienna, as the city is famous for its Christmas markets.

Is Vienna a tourist-friendly destination?

Vienna is a very tourist-friendly destination, and visitors can easily navigate the city using public transportation. The city has an excellent public transportation system, including buses, trams, and trains. Visitors can also purchase the Vienna City Card, which offers discounts on attractions and public transportation.

What are some must-see attractions?

Vienna is home to many famous attractions, including the Schönbrunn Palace, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the Vienna State Opera, and the Hofburg Palace. Other popular attractions include the Belvedere Palace, the Naschmarkt, and the Prater amusement park.

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3 Days in Vienna: An Itinerary for First Timers

• Destinations
• Western Europe

Looking to spend 3 days in Vienna but not sure where to begin? This travel guide is for you. I spent more than 2 weeks exploring Austria, and half of that time was in Vienna alone. It is one of my favorite capital cities in Europe, with some of the richest heritage, beautiful palaces, and a ton of cool things to do.

Within this itinerary, we will be exploring the long and rich history of Vienna, visiting some of the most impressive palaces in Europe, while also spending some time learning more about it at one of its many world-class museums, before enjoying all the cool and quirky attractions the city has to offer. Without further ado, here is a complete 3-day itinerary for Vienna.

Vienna 3-Day Itinerary Map

Quick summary: 3 days in vienna: an itinerary for first timers, day 1: exploring the palaces of vienna, day 2: strolling around the heart of vienna, day 3: visiting the museums of vienna, where to stay in vienna, when to visit vienna, how to get to vienna, how to get around vienna, how much money do i need for 3 days in vienna, is it safe in vienna, which tourist sim card is best for austria, what to pack for vienna, further reading for austria.

Tips: Get the Vienna Pass or FlexiPass if you want to save money on tourist attractions. The card includes all free public transportation and all tourist attractions for the Vienna Pass, or 3-5 tourist attractions for the FlexiPass.

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3 Days in Vienna Itinerary

On our first day in Vienna, we are going to be exploring all the beautiful palaces the city is known for, and there is nothing more iconic than Schönbrunn Palace , a historic palace located on the outskirts of Vienna. It was the principal imperial summer residence of the Habsburg dynasty, and if you know a little bit about the Habsburgs, they always go above and beyond with everything they do.

Schönbrunn Palace is known for its beautiful Baroque architecture, vast gardens as far as the eyes can see, and ornately designed interiors that will blow you away.

It is one of the greatest palaces that showcases just how prosperous and influential the Habsburgs were when they ruled vast parts of Europe for so many centuries.

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The highlight of visiting Schönbrunn Palace is, funny enough, not the palace itself, but its massive gardens. Extending for 1.2 km from east to west and approximately one kilometer from north to south, it can take you hours to see it all.

There are several points of interest in the gardens alone, from museums to zoos. However, the best thing to do here is to hike up the 60-meter-high (200 ft) hill where the Gloriette is located, and all the paths around the huge garden point to.

Schönbrunn Palace is massive, and if you want to visit the palace, be sure to give yourself at least 3 hours. The walk from the subway station to Gloriette took me about 30 minutes, so be sure to dedicate enough time for your visit. I would suggest spending the first half of the day here to really do this place justice. The gardens around the palace are free to enter, which is just awesome.

After you are done at Schönbrunn Palace, you can take the metro back to the city and check out Belvedere Palace , another impressive palace located not too far from the city center.

Although much smaller when compared to Schönbrunn Palace, Belvedere Palace can stand on its own with its world-renowned art collection, beautiful Baroque architecture, and stunning gardens, and best of all, it's much easier to navigate and way closer to the city center than Schönbrunn Palace, making it a great alternative for those who do not have much time in Vienna.

The palace consists of two Baroque buildings - the Upper Belvedere and the Lower Belvedere - connected by a beautiful garden that you can explore for free, just like Schönbrunn Palace.

If you want to see the art collection of the world-renowned artist Gustav Klimt, among other things, you will have to pay the entrance fee. It should be around 15 EUR for access to one of the Belvederes and 25 EUR for a combination ticket. If you want a guided tour, you can also reserve a spot here .

For the evening, I highly recommend you visit Prater , a large public park with a pretty interesting history known for its wide range of recreational activities, including amusement park rides, sports facilities, and other entertainment options. Definitely one of the most fun things I did in Vienna.

The park itself is massive, and it has changed functions many times throughout its existence since the 16th Century when it was used as a hunting ground before it was slowly converted into a public park.

This amusement park is home to the famous Wiener Riesenrad, the oldest still-operating Ferris wheel in the world, standing over 64 meters (212 ft) high. It was constructed way back in 1897 and was considered the tallest Ferris wheel in the world for more than 65 years before the one built in Japan in 1985 took the lead.

There are so many rides in Prater; it is hard to count them all. I spent 2 days exploring Prater in the evening, and I have yet to see all the rides. There are at least 3 roller coasters here, among other thrill rides.

The place can be enjoyed by people of all ages, and if you are looking for a unique place to visit in Vienna at night, Prater is the best place to be. The park is free to enter, but each ride costs a few EUR to get on. The park opens from 10 AM to 11.45 PM every day in the summer.

If you want to get on the giant Ferris wheel for sunset, be sure to be there early, as the line can get quite long. The ticket to ride the Ferris wheel is 13 EUR per person.

On our second day in Vienna, we are going to explore the historical city center, and one of the most important landmarks right at the heart of the city center itself is the prominent St. Stephen's Cathedral . It is a Romanesque and Gothic structure built in the 12th century, and that is where you should begin your exploration.

The cathedral is a beautiful and impressive example of Romanesque and Gothic architectural styles, with its exterior adorned with intricate carvings, sculptures, and decorative elements, while its interior is filled with impressive frescoes, paintings, and other works of art.

The inside of the cathedral is massive, but it can still get pretty crowded during the day as people flock to the old historical city center. You can escape the crowd by climbing up to the top of either the North or the South Tower, where you will be able to have a stunning view over the historic city center and see just how beautiful the roof tiles of the church are.

Although it is free to enter St. Stephen's Cathedral, in order to access the towers, you will have to pay about 6 EUR and climb about 343 steps up the 67-meter-high towers using the narrow staircase to reach the top. I do not recommend doing this if you have claustrophobia.

After you are done with St. Stephen's Cathedral, be sure to spend some time exploring the other tourist attractions in the city center, such as the Column of Pest (Column of The Trinity) . It is a stunning late 17th-century sculpted Holy Trinity column built to commemorate the victims of the Great Plague of Vienna that occurred in 1679.

One of the most photogenic spots in Vienna is the Austrian National Library , which is the largest library in the country located not too far from St. Stephen's Cathedral. The library houses a vast collection of books, manuscripts, and other materials that document the cultural, historical, and intellectual achievements of Austria and the surrounding region, so be sure to drop by there before we continue on.

Next up, we are going to visit one of the most unique attractions in the city center that not many people know about. It is the Capuchin's Crypt , the resting place for the imperial Habsburgs among other 3,000 Capuchin friars who were buried there between the 16th and 19th centuries.

Capuchin's Crypt is not just one crypt, but a series of underground chapels located beneath the Church of Our Lady of the Capuchin (Kapuzinerkirche). It is also known for its unique and unusual decor, which includes the bones of the Capuchin friars arranged in a variety of patterns and designs, such as chandeliers, crosses, and other ornate structures.

Some of the tombs here are larger than the hotel room where I was staying in Vienna, and way more decorative - on the outside, at least 😂 - than my house in Thailand.

After you are done, you can spend a few minutes relaxing at Albertina , a 19th-century Habsburg palace turned museum, where you will find a lovely balcony overlooking the Vienna Opera House.

While here, be sure to check out Vienna Opera House , one of the most prestigious and important opera houses in the world. It was built in the late 19th century in a Neo-Renaissance style, and its interior features elaborate decorations and ornate architectural details.

In the evening, I highly recommend you go for a stroll at the romantic Ferstel Passage , a historic shopping arcade built in the late 19th century and named after its architect, Friedrich von Schmidt.

The passage consists of a series of connected shops and restaurants with tables lining both sides of the passageway under this beautifully ornate architecture, with a glass roof, marble flooring, and intricate decorative details.

There is a nice French restaurant at Ferstel Passage that serves delicious buckets of mussels with a romantic seating area along the passageway. So, if you are looking for a romantic place for dinner, check out Beaulieu Épicerie Bistro .

On our third day in Vienna, we are going to dedicate the entire day to museums. There are a ton of amazing museums in Vienna, but my favorite of all is the incredible Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien , the Vienna Museum of Art History.

This place is probably one of the best art museums I've been to so far. The museum houses a vast collection of art and artifacts from a variety of historical periods, from the Middle Ages to the present day.

Even if you are not so interested in the art and artifacts the museum holds, you are going to be blown away by the place, as it is housed in a beautiful building that is itself a work of art. The museum was built in the late 19th century and is an example of neo-Renaissance architecture, beautifully adorned and decorated with frescoes, paintings, and other decorative elements, to the brim.

Vienna Museum of Art History is open from 10 AM to 6 PM every day, and the entrance fee is 18 EUR per person. You can get the ticket online with free cancellation here. You can expect to spend around 2 hours in the museum alone. Do not miss the Egyptian collection here. I've visited the Egyptian collection in Cairo before , and in many ways, it is actually better presented here, so do not miss it.

The museum is also located in the beautiful Maria-Theresien-Platz , a historic plaza surrounded by museums that will please everyone's curious minds. If you have the time, be sure to check out the Museum of Natural History Vienna while you are here.

Right next to the Kunsthistorisches Museum, you will find the Hofburg , an imperial palace that used to be the primary residence of the Habsburg dynasty. What's cool about the Hofburg is that it is not just one palace but a complex of buildings that were constructed over many centuries and includes a number of ornate and opulent rooms and spaces you can explore.

Within the palace, you will find many interesting museums such as Weltmuseum Wien and Kunsthistorisches , as well as many beautiful parks surrounding these buildings where people often come to picnic during sunset. It is a beautiful area that will give you a glimpse of what's to come for you in Vienna.

After you are done exploring the museums, you can spend the afternoon enjoying a little downtime and chill out at one of the many old-school vintage cafes like Café Sperl , a local cafe housed inside this stunning 1880 coffeehouse building, best known for their homemade pastries.

The coffeehouse was built in 1880, while Cafe Sperl was established here 4 years later, and it continues to run today, more than 130 years later. The place is best known for its homemade pastries like the delicious chocolate wafer cake, but you can also dine here as they serve common dishes like schnitzel at a pretty affordable price.

If you are looking for a really filling dinner to reward yourself for all the walking you've done in Vienna, I can't think of a better place than Ribs of Vienna , an underground eatery with a barrel-vaulted ceiling that specializes in, you guessed it, ribs. It is one of the best ribs I have ever had in my life!

Their signature dish is the ribs that come with different flavors, and it is hard to describe just how tender and juicy the meat is. I highly recommend you come and try it for yourself.

The place gets packed extremely fast, and you might not have a table if you are there during prime times. Even when you get a table, it will take about 45 minutes to one hour for the dish to be ready, but I assure you, it is worth the wait.

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The best time to visit Vienna is from June to September when the weather is nice and warm, perfect for all the summer outdoor activities and events that often take place during this period.

Like most cities in Western Europe, Vienna does get quite overwhelmed with tourists in the summer months, and it can get quite hectic in touristy places like the city center. So, if you want to steer away from them, I highly recommend you stick to September.

That said, between June and August, you will have the highest chance of clear days, which will allow you to do so many more things. Just be aware that it gets pretty hot in Vienna in the summer, so be sure to pack accordingly.

If you decide to visit between June and August and are looking to avoid the tourist crowds, I highly recommend starting your day as early as sunrise. You will have many of the places I mentioned here all to yourself. I have done this many times and thoroughly enjoy places so much more when there's no one around, even in the busiest month of the year.

There are several ways you can get to Vienna: flying directly; taking a train from other countries; or hopping on an international bus across Europe.

From the US , there are many direct flights from cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York that will take you straight to Vienna in about 9-11 hours. You can browse through great direct flights from here .

From Europe , you have quite a lot more options here. You can either fly directly from places like the UK via Wizz Air, take a train from all the major train stations around Europe, or catch one of the many buses connecting Vienna to Europe. Flixbus is highly recommended when it comes to bus travel in Europe.

From Asia , there are also many direct flights operated by Austrian Airlines and local carriers from cities like Bangkok. You can also go with connecting flights, which are often a bit cheaper. There are many flights from Asia that connect via Middle Eastern countries like Emirates via Dubai or Etihad via Abu Dhabi. The journey should take approximately 10 hours direct.

To find a cheap flight to Vienna, I would recommend you use Skyscanner or Expedia to look for the cheapest route and schedule so you can compare and pick the best one.

Vienna is very well-connected by metros and trams, and these are the two modes of transportation on which you will rely the most for this itinerary.

By Metros: The metros here are pretty reliable with a strict schedule and excellent coverage, and they come equipped with modern facilities, so it should not be too hard to move around the city. The metro costs about 2.4 EUR per trip or you can get the 24, 48, 72-hour tickets for 8 EUR, 14.10 EUR, and 17.10 EUR respectively.

You can buy the ticket online through its official WienMobil apps and pay with a credit card prior to your trip, or you can get one from the ticket machine at the station. I prefer using the app to get the ticket right away so I do not have to fiddle with the machine with all my belongings. I highly recommend you check out the WienMobil app ( iOS | Android ).

If you plan to move around a lot during your time in Vienna, you can get the 72-hour day pass for 17.10 EUR, so you can travel around the city on both the metro and trams as many times as you like within the 3-day duration.

By Trams: You can also travel around Vienna with trams, which also use the same ticket as the metro. The issue with traveling by tram is that not all trams have ticket machines on board, so I highly recommend using the WienMobil app ( iOS | Android ) to purchase your ticket.

By Walking: Like most Western European cities, Vienna is a walkable city and you can pretty much cover all the tourist attractions in the city center on foot without problems. For places like Prater and Schönbrunn Palace, you are going to need to rely on the metros to take you there.

From this 3-day itinerary, we can calculate approximately how much money you will be spending here as follows:

Accommodation: For 4 nights in Vienna, you can expect to pay around 75 EUR for accommodation at a minimum, considering you are staying in hostels.

Food: For 3 days, 3 meals a day in Vienna, you can expect to pay around 126 EUR for food, considering you eat out for every meal. It will be cheaper if you cook it yourself.

Transportation: For this itinerary, you can expect to pay around 17 EUR to get around Vienna via metros and trams.

Activities: Depending on how much you want to follow my itinerary, you can expect to pay around 90 EUR for activities, considering if you go for Vienna Pass , which in my opinion is worth every dime.

Total Budget for 3 days in Vienna: 306 EUR

Vienna is a very safe city, and there isn't much to worry about when you travel here, except in crowded places like train stations. As in any other big European cities, petty theft and pickpocketing often occur in places where there are a lot of tourists.

As usual, it is always a good idea to exercise caution by not leaving your belongings unattended and watching out for them at all times. Keep your hands in your pockets when entering or exiting crowded places like a tram or a train, and make sure you are holding your phone and wallet tightly.

Other than that, you should be fine traveling around Vienna. I didn't have any problems in Austria when I was there. Keep your wits about you, and you will be fine.

There are three major carriers in Austria, namely A1, Magenta, and 3, that offer prepaid SIM cards for tourists to purchase while traveling in Austria. Unfortunately, with the increasing popularity of eSIMs, the need to physically be in the country to buy a SIM card at a store is quite inconvenient and not ideal.

If you have a smartphone that supports eSIMs, I highly recommend you take a look at this eSIM . They have a variety of data packages, price points, and durations for you to choose from, ranging from 1 GB for 7 days costing only 5 USD to 10 GB for 30 days costing 22.5 USD.

The setup is fast and instant, and you can buy it prior to your trip, so you don't have to scramble your way to get one at the airport after a long flight. The data speed is also equivalent to what you get with a local SIM card with 4G speed across the entire country.

Or if you are traveling to Austria as part of a bigger Europe trip, I highly recommend you get the regional Eurolink eSIM , which will give you access to data from over 39 countries across Europe. I have personally used this eSIM on my 3-month trip around Europe, and it has worked wonders.

For more information on eSIMs in Austria, click here: Check Austria's Available eSIM .

As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Vienna, Austria:

• Walking/Hiking Shoes : With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
• Breathable Shirts : Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
• Shorts/Jeans : Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
• Fleece Jacket : For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece ( for women ).
• Outer Shell Jacket : An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket ( for women ). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
• Microfiber Towel : A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
• Camera : You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens , which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
• Power Bank : Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank .
• Water Bottle : The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
• Universal Adapter : You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
• Packing Cubes : Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
• Daypack : The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
• Large Backpack : You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack . With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.

For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials .

Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:

Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.

I hope you found this Austrian travel guide helpful. If you would like to read more about Austria, here is a selection of articles that you might enjoy:

• Looking for a complete itinerary for Austria? Check out: 2 Weeks Backpacking Austria Itinerary .
• If you are visiting Austria, you cannot afford to skip Vienna. This city is jam-packed with beautiful sights and some of the prettiest landmarks in Europe. To help your visit, here are 16 Best Things to Do in Vienna .
• Popularized by the classic movie, "The Sound of Music," Salzburg is one of the most beautiful cities to visit in Europe with a ton of things to do. Here are the 15 Best Things to Do in Salzburg .
• Want to visit Salzburg for 3 days and are looking for the perfect itinerary? Check this out: 3 Days In Salzburg: An Itinerary For First Timers .
• Probably one of the most picturesque towns in Europe, Hallstatt is so much more than just getting that perfect Instagram photo. Here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Hallstatt .
• Innsbruck is one of the best places to visit if you want to see the wonderful Austrian Alps up close and personal. Here are the 13 Best Things to Do in Innsbruck .
• One of the best hikes you can do in the Austrian Alps is the Olpererhütte hike, and you can do it all in one day from Innsbruck. Here is A Complete Hiking Guide to Olpererhütte from Innsbruck .
• Not convinced by my words? Here are 125 photos that will inspire you to visit Europe .
• To see all the articles about Austria, visit the Austria Travel Guide page.
• Traveling in Europe can be cheap, really cheap. These are the 12 Cheap European Countries to Visit .
• Looking for more travel guides for Europe? You can find more on my Europe Travel Guide page.
• Or if you want something more specific to the region, visit our Western Europe Travel Guide , Central Europe Travel Guide , or Eastern Europe Travel Guide pages.
• For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.

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Ultimate First-Time Vienna Itinerary (+ Map)

• December 26, 2023

A complete Vienna itinerary for first-timers (+ a map, the best day trips and how to save more than €60 with Vienna Pass).

Vienna (Wien) is the capital of Austria and its largest city. Once home to the powerful Habsburg monarchy, the city still preserves its imperial grandeur. Splendour Baroque architecture, imperial palaces and lavish coffee houses, the capital of Austria has it all!

Vienna is also known as a City of Music. Many famous musicians and composers lived and worked here (for example Strauss, Beethoven, Schubert, Mozart and Brahms).

The perfect Vienna itinerary

This Vienna itinerary for three days is perfect for you if you are visiting the city for the first time. It covers all the places you must see.

If you want to try some of the restaurants from the itinerary for dinner, better make a reservation or go for an early dinner.

Already have a hotel booked? See whether your hotel is in a good area in my guide to Where to stay in Vienna .

At the end of the article, you can find a map of this Vienna itinerary (with all attractions and restaurants’ websites).

The perfect Vienna itinerary (for first-timers)

Day 1 : St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Plague Column, St. Peter’s Church, Imperial Palace, Parliament Building, Vienna Rathaus, Giant Ferris Wheel

Day 2 : Spanish Riding School, Burggarten, Vienna State Opera, St. Charles’s Church, Soviet War Memorial, Belvedere Palace

Day 3 : Schönbrunn Palace, Danube Tower

Vienna itinerary – Day 1

Have breakfast at le bol.

08:30 AM – 09:30 AM Start the day with a breakfast at Le Bol or L. Heiner .

L. Heiner has the typical atmosphere of a Viennese café. Take a cup of coffee and a delicious piece of cake to sweeten your day.

Le Bol is a French café and it is a great place if you want something substantial for breakfast. Their Croque-monsieur is mouth-watering.

See the iconic St. Stephen’s Cathedral

09:30 AM – 11:30 AM The Gothic cathedral, Stephansdom, is one of the most famous sites in the city. The entrance is free, but there are areas within the church that you have to pay for.

The Treasury is worth it unless you are also planning to see the Imperial treasury in Hofburg. In this case, choose one of them.

The catacombs can be visited only with a guide ( see more info here ).

You’ll need about 2 hours to explore all areas of the cathedral (including the paid ones). The free visit takes no longer than 30min.

Admire the Plague Column

11:45 AM – 12:00 PM The Plague Column (Pestsäule) is erected to celebrate the end of the Great Plague epidemic in 1679. The column is right in the centre of the most famous shopping street in the city – Graben.

Visit St. Peter’s Church

12:00 PM – 12:30 PM St. Peter’s Church (Peterskirche) is easy to miss, but don’t! Although this Baroque Roman Catholic church is small, it is a real gem inside.

Have lunch at Trześniewski 

12:30 PM – 02:30 PM For lunch stop at Trześniewski or Hopferl . Trześniewski offers delicious little sandwiches. You can choose from many variations. They go along great with a cold beer.

Hopferl is a traditional Austrian pub and it is a nice option for a longer lunch.

Explore the Imperial Palace

02:30 PM – 04:30 PM Hofburg is the former Imperial Palace. It houses three museums: the Imperial Apartments, the Sisi Museum and the Silver Collection. Buying a ticket for Hofburg allows you to enter all of them.

Continue your walk through the imperial Wien with a visit to the Imperial Treasury. It is a stunning museum and a must even for a limited time. Here you can see one of the largest emeralds in the world. You need to buy a separate ticket for the Imperial Treasury (it’s not included in the ticket for Hofburg palace).

Austrian Parliament Building

04:45 PM – 05:00 PM You can’t pass without noticing this beautiful white building in a Greek style. Since the 19th century, this is the place where the Austrian parliament conducts its sessions.

Be amazed by Rathaus

05:00 PM – 05:15 PM Rathaus is the City Hall. The word “Rat” in German means council. The Neo-Gothic building of the Rathaus is outstanding, especially at night. If you have a chance to take a look at it in the evening, do it!

Prater and Viennese Giant Ferris Wheel

05:45 PM – 07:00 PM No visit to Wien is complete without a ride on the Giant Ferris wheel. The 64.75-metre (212 ft) tall Ferris Wheel does only one slow turn (a 20min ride).

This attraction is in the Prater, a huge amusement park. If you are not into such parks, you can skip it. Just go for the Ferris Wheel.

To get there take metro line U2 (Direction Seestadt): from station Rathaus to Praterstern Bf – 4 stop.

For dinner, I suggest you take the metro back to the city centre instead of looking for a place to eat around the Prater. There are two great places to dine close to St. Stephen’s Cathedral.

If you love spare ribs, go to Ribs of Vienna . They offer more than 20 variations of ribs.

If you prefer a traditional Austrian restaurant, try Gasthaus Pöschl .

More ideas for your Vienna itinerary – Day 1

If you have more time check out these attractions, too. They are close to the sites from the first day, so you can easily add any of them to your Vienna itinerary (if you are ahead with time).

Learn more about Mozart’s life

Mozarthaus is the only remaining home in the city of the famous composer Mozart. He lived here from 1784 to 1787. Discover the musical side of Wien by visiting Mozart’s former apartment ( book your ticket here ).

Watch the clock show at Anchor Clock

Ankeruhr Clock is a famous clock in Art Nouveau style. At every hour the clock shows some historical figures and at noon all of them parade. If you want to see the show at 12:00 PM, go 15 minutes early as there is usually a big crowd.

Clock Museum

I found the Uhrenmuseum fascinating. It houses about 700 clocks from around the world, some of which date even to the 15th century.

Judenplatz Holocaust Memorial

Judenplatz Holocaust Memorial is a moving memorial in the heart of the Jewish quarter. It commemorates the Austrian victims of the Holocaust. It’s also known as the Nameless Library. This concrete library is filled with books put backwards on the shelves.

Visit the cat café Neko

Tucked away in some side streets, this cat cafe is a must for every cat lover. It’s not fancy, has no entrance fee and five lovely cats are there to welcome you. Go early on weekdays for fewer crowds.

Votive Church

If you take a walk along Ringstraße a beautiful sandstone church in neo-Gothic style will come in your sight. The history of Votive Church (Votivkirche) began with a failed assassination attempt. In 1853 during one of his regular walks around the city, Emperor Franz Joseph was attacked from behind.

He was stabbed in the collar with a knife by the Hungarian nationalist János Libényi. The attack was unsuccessful. Although the emperor was heavily wounded, his life was out of danger. János Libényi was arrested for an attempted regicide and later he was executed.

The emperor’s brother, Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian, decided to build a church in gratitude to God for the salvation of the emperor. Maximilian asked the people for donations and after a year the needed amount was gathered.

The name of the church Votive Church (Votivkirche) derives from the fact that it is built entirely by donations (votive offerings).

Vienna itinerary – Day 2

Have breakfast at joseph brot.

08:30 AM – 09:30 AM Start the second day of the Vienna itinerary for 3 days with breakfast at Joseph Brot. A great bakery for pastries, coffee and of course Eggs Benedict.

Spanish Riding School

09:30 AM – 11:30 AM The Spanish Riding School is a traditional riding school for Lipizzan horses with a history of more than 450 years. You can attend a morning exercise of the school and see the beautiful and lively Lipizzan horses in action.

The performances take place at the Winter Riding School (Winterreitschule) in Hofburg.

To look behind the scenes, take a  Spanish Riding School Guided Tour . You’ll learn about the lives of the horses and even see them in their stables.

Burggarten and Mozart Statue

11:45 AM – 12:15 PM Take a rest in the Burggarten and see the famous Mozart Statue that is created in 1896.

Wien State Opera

12:15 PM – 12:30 PM Pass along the beautiful 19th-century-old building of the Wien State Opera (Wiener Staatsoper).

12:30 PM – 02:30 PM Choose between Café Museum and Phil . Café Museum is a traditional Viennese café where you can order a lunch beside the usual cakes and coffee. Or you can eat a few pieces of cake instead of lunch as I did. Phil combines a regular coffee shop with a bookstore.

Visit St. Charles’s Church

02:30 PM – 03:00 PM St. Charles’s Church (Karlskirche) is an outstanding Baroque church from the 18th century. There is a fee to visit the church, but the entrance ticket also includes the elevator to the dome.

Schwarzenbergplatz and Soviet War Memorial

03:15 PM – 03:30 PM The memorial is built to commemorate the Soviet soldiers who fell in the Battle of Vienna in World War II.

Tour the royal Belvedere Palace

03:45 PM – 05:30 PM Belvedere Schloss used to be the summer residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy. The Palace is housed in two buildings separated by a huge park.

The Upper Belvedere houses the world’s largest collection of Gustav Klimt’s paintings. Here you can see his iconic masterpiece the Kiss (Lovers).

The Lower Belvedere houses temporary exhibitions, but it’s worth visiting because of the few restored rooms. So if you want to find out how the palace looked back in its glorious days, don’t miss the Lower Belvedere.

Taste some Viennese food

Finish the day with dinner at Wiener Wiazhaus or Salm Bräu .

Salm Bräu is a few centuries old brewery. It is worth visiting for the beer.

However, I love the food in Wiener Wiazhaus more.

More ideas for your Vienna itinerary – Day 2

Natural history museum and kunsthistorisches museum.

These identical buildings from the 19th-century house the Habsburgs’ collections.

If you are into art and history, Kunsthistorisches Museum is the better choice. I found their Egyptian and art collections fascinating. You can buy a combo ticket for the Kunsthistorisches Museum and Imperial Treasury and save some money.

On the other hand, the Natural History Museum houses the unique 29,500-year-old statue of Venus of Willendorf and enormous dinosaur skeletons. It’s a really tough choice if you’re short on time.

Admire the art at Albertina

Albertina served as a residence of Habsburgs for more than 100 years. Nowadays it’s a must-see art museum. You can admire exhibitions of French and German expressionism, Russian avant-garde and many more. The museum also houses one of the largest graphical collections in the world.

Tour the sumptuous staterooms and see some incredible art. Get your fast-track ticket to Albertina here .

Austrian National Library

The Austrian National Library is a must-see for every book lover. Its lavishing interior is something not to be missed. You can visit the State Hall, Literature Museum, Globe Papyrus and Esperanto museum. Keep in mind that State Hall is located separately from the other museums.

Imperial Crypt

The Imperial Crypt lies beneath the plain-looking Capuchin Church. It’s the final resting place of the Habsburg dynasty. About 150 Habsburgs are laid to rest here, among them are 12 emperors and 18 empresses. You can tour the crypt on your own.

St. Michael’s Church

Michaelerkirche is one of the oldest churches in the city. The church is mostly known for its crypt. Around 4,000 bodies are buried in the crypt from 1631 to 1784. Due to specific climatic conditions, the corpses are well preserved. The crypt can be visited only on a guided tour. It takes place from Thursday to Saturday at 11:00 AM and 01:00 PM in front of the church.

Explore the food market, Naschmarkt

Naschmarkt is the best-known market in the city since the 16th century. The market has about 120 stands and restaurants, that ensure you a colourful culinary experience.

To learn more about Naschmarkt and try delicious delicacies, take a gourmet food tour .

Vienna itinerary – Day 3

Have breakfast at waldemar tagesbar.

08:30 AM – 09:30 AM Start the last day of the 3 perfect days in Vienna itinerary with breakfast at Waldemar Tagesbar .

Explore the royal Schönbrunn Palace

09:30 AM – 01:30 PM

Schönbrunn Palace (Schloss Schönbrunn) is the former imperial summer residence of the Habsburgs. It has over 1400 rooms! The rooms in the palace are well preserved and you can see only 40 of them. There are different kinds of tickets for  Schönbrunn Palace .

To get to Schönbrunn Palace take metro line U4 from Karlsplatz or Schwedenplatz to Schönbrunn metro station.

The gardens are huge, so be prepared for a long walk.

There a lot of fearless squirrels you can feed with nuts. I don’t go there without a package of walnuts in my pocket.

The most interesting sites in the gardens are Gloriette, the Maze and the Palmenhaus. For all of them, you will need a ticket.

At the entrance of the palace, there is an Imperial Carriage Museum (Kaiserliche Wagenburg).

As you see there are a lot of options to choose from and you will have to make a choice. If you want to see all of this you will need a full day, not only the morning. It is up to you.

Also, you can attend an Apple Strudel Show. You’ll see how the original Viennese apple strudel is made. Also, a tasty warm piece of strudel will wait for you at the end of the show.

Don’t forget to book your Apple Strudel Show ticket in advance.

Where: Schönbrunn Palace’s Café Residenz When: Daily 11:00 AM – 04:00 PM at the top of the hour Duration: 15-20 min

01:30 PM – 02:30 PM Have lunch at Café Restaurant Residenz or Landtmann’s Jausen Station . Both of them are located on the grounds of the palace.

Zoo or Danube Tower

02:30 PM – 06:00 PM If you are done with the palace and the gardens you have two options for the afternoon. You can visit the amazing zoo in the garden of the palace or the Danube Tower.

The Zoo (Tiergarten Schönbrunn) is the oldest one in the world and it is huge. It takes hours to see it all. You need an additional ticket for the Zoo unless you choose a Schönbrunn Pass that includes an entrance to the zoo.

If you stick with this option you can have dinner at Brandauers Schlossbräu or Plachutta. Brandauers Schlossbräu is a typical Austrian pub, while Plachutta is a little more formal.

Danube Tower

The tower (Donauturm) is far away from the palace and you have to use public transport.

Take metro line U4 (Direction Heiligenstadt): from station Schönbrunn to Schwedenplatz – 9 stops. Then change to metro line U1 (Direction Leopoldau): from station Schwedenplatz to Kaisermühlen – 5 stops. From there you have to walk about 1,5km to reach the Danube Tower.

A huge calm park surrounds the tower. From the top of the 252 metres (827 ft), you can enjoy spectacular views. Book your skip the line ticket for Danube Tower here .

For dinner return to the city centre and try Gasthaus Pfudl or Restaurant Pürstner . Both of them serve delicious Austrian food.

Mozart and Strauss Concert

Finish the day with the magical works of Mozart and Strauss. Attend a concert of Wien Mozart Orchestra in period costumes at the Golden Hall (it’s the most famous concert).

More ideas for your Vienna itinerary – Day 3

Museum of technology.

This is one of the best technology museums I’ve ever been to. It’s very interactive and it’s huge. The museum is close to Schönbrunn Palace, so you can combine it with a visit to the palace.

St. Francis of Assisi Church

The church is built to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the reign of Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria. It’s very different from the other churches in the city, it resembles a small castle. The church is located a bit out of the city centre. Yet you can easily reach it from the metro, getting off at Vorgartenstraße station.

Hundertwasser House

Hundertwasser House (Hundertwasserhaus) is a colourful and extraordinary house. It’s designed by the famous architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser. The house can’t be visited, but you can tour Kunst Haus Wien . It is also designed by Friedensreich Hundertwasser.

Schönbrunn Palace – it’s one of the most popular attractions with long queues. Buy your tickets in advance from the official website or use Vienna Pass to skip the line.

Spanish Riding School – one of the most popular activities in Vienna, so book tickets in advance here .

Giant Ferris Wheel – if you don’t have a Wien Pass, book tickets ahead to avoid waiting in line.

Attend a classical music concert – tickets for the most popular concerts sell out fast, so book as early as you can ( see all concerts here ).

How to save money on your Vienna itinerary

The Wien Pass is a great way to save money from entrance fees. Find out more details in this Vienna Pass review .

The pass includes:

• free admission to over 60 attractions
• fast-track entry at many sites
• unlimited rides on the hop-on-hop-off buses
• boat cruise along the Danube Canal
• guided walking tour

By using Wien Pass (€149 for 3 days) you will save €61 .

• sightseeing – €135 (all sites from the itinerary except Karlskirche)
• hop-on hop-off buses – €36
• boat cruise – €24
• walking tour – €15

Total without the card – €210 If you use the card – €149 Total savings – €61

Getting around in Vienna

Find a detailed map of the itinerary here .

Wien has a well-developed public transport network. You can get to every part of the city in no time. In most cases, you’ll need to use the metro only to go to Schönbrunn Palace or Danube Tower. Otherwise, the city can be explored easily on foot. There are different types of tickets .

During my trip, I mostly used the Weekly Pass (Wochenkarte). It’s a great option for a longer stay within a week. This ticket is valid from Monday 12:00 AM until next Monday 09:00 AM. To reach the airport by the S-Bahn (if you have the weekly pass), you’ll need only a supplementary ticket for Vienna outer zone (Aussenzonen).

Another option is the hop-on-hop-off bus . It’s a great and easy way to tour the city.

Also, you can take a ride on the famous Vienna Ring Tram . This tram is the only one that completes an entire round of the Ringstrasse boulevard.

How to get to Vienna

Vienna is easily accessible by train from any major European city. The Central train station is about 2km away from the Historic centre (you can easily reach it by metro). Check timetables and book tickets online at ÖBB official site .

If you’re arriving by car, it’s best to choose accommodation with available parking. Find more information about parking in Vienna .

Vienna International Airport (Flughafen Wien-Schwechat) is located about 20km outside the city. There are several ways to get to the city centre from there:

• if your accommodation is close to Wien Mitte – Landstraße, use the  City Airport Train that takes you to the city centre only for 16min
• another option is to take the  S-Bahn (suburban train)

Day trips from Vienna

Wachau valley and melk abbey.

A trip to the magnificent Melk Abbey is one of the most popular excursions from Vienna. Leopold II, Margrave of Austria founded the abbey in 1089. Soon it became famous for its extensive manuscript collection. Today, the abbey is a stunning example of Baroque architecture.

During the winter you can visit the abbey only with a guided tour.

How to get to Melk Abbey

• organized tour – this Wachau Valley tour is one of the most booked day tours. It combines a visit to the medieval Melk Abbey with a boat cruise on the Danube River.
• by train – take a regional train from Wien Westbahnhof to Melk Bahnhof (1-hour journey). From there it’s about 800m to the abbey.

Bratislava, the charming capital of Slovakia, is one of the most popular places to visit near Vienna. It’s a vibrant city with a unique mixture of 18th-century buildings and Soviet-era architecture. An impressive castle, quirky statues and a modern UFO tower add a little bit of atmosphere to the city.

Find out how to see everything in just one day with this Bratislava itinerary . 

How to get to Bratislava

• by bus – it’s the cheapest option (3 times cheaper than the train, 1h journey). Take FlixBus from the Erdberg bus terminal (the FlixBus station is right next to the metro station Erdberg).
• by train – take a train from Wien Hbf to Bratislava hl.st. (1h journey). From there it’s about 1.5km to the Old Town.
• by water – take the Twin City Liner boat (1h 15min journey).

Salzburg Located at the heart of the Alps, this picturesque city is a true Baroque gem. It’s also the birthplace of the world-famous composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Highlights of Salzburg include the Cathedral, Mirabell Palace, Hohensalzburg Castle and Mozart Museum.

You’d better spend at least 2 days here and explore the city at your own pace. See the best hotels to stay in Salzburg .

The easiest way to get from Vienna to Salzburg is by train (2h 30min journey). Check timetables at ÖBB official site .

Budapest is known as Paris of the East. And there is a reason why. It’s an outstandingly picturesque city due to its architecture spanning from Baroque to Art Nouveau style. Some of the top attractions are Buda Castle, Fisherman’s Bastion, Hungarian Parliament Building and St. Stephen’s Basilica.

Find out the must-see sites in this Budapest itinerary . It’s better to add an overnight stay for this destination.

How to get to Budapest

• by bus – the cheapest option. Take FlixBus from Erdberg bus terminal (about 3h journey).
• by train – take a train from Wien Hbf to Budapest-Keleti train station. (2h 40min journey).

A colourful city with medieval charm. Prague is located about 4 hours away by train or car. Thus you’d better add it as a next stop in your itinerary, not a day trip. For more information check out my complete itinerary for 3 days in Prague . 

How to get to Prague

• by bus – the cheapest option. Take FlixBus from Erdberg bus terminal (about 4h journey).
• by train – take a train from Wien Hbf to Praha hl.n. (4h journey).

How many days in Vienna

Are 3 days in vienna enough.

3 days (or 3 nights in Vienna) is the perfect amount of time. You’ll need 2 days to explore the main attractions in the Historic Old Town and 1 full day for Schönbrunn Palace.

I hope that my suggested itinerary for Vienna will be helpful for you.

2 or 3 days in Vienna?

The Historic Centre is walkable and you can tour it in one day. However to visit the Imperial Palace, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Spanish Riding School and Belvedere Palace you’ll need one more day. So, 2 days in Vienna are enough to visit almost all popular attractions (without Schönbrunn Palace).

Regarding the Schönbrunn Palace, it’s located out of the city centre (a 30min journey from the city centre). You’ll need at least half a day to explore the palace and its gardens. In addition, there is a lovely zoo. Thus, if you want to see everything you’ll need one whole day.

What if I don’t have 3 full days in Vienna?

If you have less than 3 days, skip the last day of the itinerary that includes Schönbrunn Palace, Zoo and Danube Tower. They are all located a bit far from the city centre and you’ll lose time in transportation. All other attractions are within walking distance from each other.

Best time to visit Vienna

For sunny weather, visit the city from May to September. The high season starts in June and ends in August. If you want to avoid the crowds, visit the city in late spring or early autumn.

Vienna Philharmonic Summer Night Concert  takes place every summer in May-June in the gardens of Schönbrunn Palace. It’s a spectacular event, not to be missed.

In September-October, the famous Wiener Wiesn-Fest takes places. This is the Viennese version of Oktoberfest.

Winters are freezingly cold and windy. Nevertheless, December is a great time to visit Vienna because of the Christmas markets. Find out  which is the best Christmas market in Vienna .

Practical information about Vienna

Austria is a part of the Schengen Agreement (the European border-free area). So you don’t need an Austrian visa, but rather a Schengen visa. If your country is part of the Schengen Agreement, you’ll need only a valid passport or ID card.

The official currency of Austria is Euro. The most popular credit cards are Visa and Mastercard and they are accepted in many places. However many of the restaurants or even supermarkets accept payments only in cash. Also, American Express is not popular and accepted in only a few places.

Austria is a German-speaking country. However, most people speak good English, too. 

Austria operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz. The associated plug type is F.

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3 days in Vienna, Austria – the perfect mix of classic landmarks and local gems

Austria , Europe , Travel Guides / July 9, 2018 by littleholidays / 2 Comments

In a word, Vienna is awesome. Not in the way that everything seems to be “ awesome ” these days, so much so that is has lost its meaning. Vienna is awesome in the truest sense of the word – inducing awe and inspiring an overwhelming feeling of reverence and admiration.

That feeling of awe starts the moment you step into the city. You are immediately surrounded by locals who truly appreciate the perks of living in the world’s best city and are happy to keep it that way. You’ll find yourself marveling at the efficient public transportation, the clean and orderly streets, and the meticulously manicured lawns and gardens you’ll find at every turn.

And then there’s the old city center – not at all what you would expect when you hear the word “old.” Unlike other historic centers that evoke the feeling of stepping back in time, a walk in Vienna’s historic center is more like being in a time-lapse. The towering spires of Gothic cathedrals coexist with the unapologetic opulence and sweeping curves of Baroque palaces, the gilt and ornamented buildings of Viennese art nouveau, and the mirrored windows and curved façades of modernist architecture, making the city a physical expression of the Vienna secession’s credo: “To every age its art; to every art its freedom.”

Indeed, Vienna claims its artistic freedom brazenly, pummeling forward and taking art and culture into new directions, but always with a nod to the masters that have earned their permanent mark in the city’s story. You won’t be able to pass through Vienna without seeing prints of Klimt’s “The Kiss” or hearing strains of Mozart’s compositions. But graffiti-filled walls and electronic dance music wafting from underground tunnels are just as at home in this city, splashing youth and vibrancy to a city that has already seen and accomplished much but isn’t quite ready to relax and retire.

That gives us a city that has much to offer – a city break that is more than just a set of sights, a lineup of restaurants, and a checklist of must-dos. Vienna is the scent of coffee and fresh bread in the morning; the bold, deliberate strokes of Schiele; the twitter of birds and the rustling of the leaves as you look down on the city. All of these make us, like Klimt’s famous pair, fall in love with the city, boldly and indulgently.

3 days in Vienna – the best things to see and do in Austria’s glorious capital 

• Map of Vienna’s best landmarks
• What to see and do in Vienna
• Day trips from Vienna
• Essential travel guide – planning your trip to Vienna

Further reading – understanding Vienna

Read next – holidays in austria and central europe, map of vienna, austria.

Most of Vienna’s historic landmarks are concentrated in the Innerstadt, the old city center. Other exciting districts lie within a comfortable walking distance, or easily reached by trams and the subway.

Use this Google map to help you find your way around Vienna as you follow our recommended sights below.

Essential sights and local gems – 3-day itinerary in Vienna

Most Central European itineraries blitz through Vienna in a day or two, focusing on the city’s historical center. While, indeed, Austria’s majestic past is well-encapsulated in Vienna’s historic center, there’s much more to this city that a quick day trip cannot cover. You must go beyond the harried sightseeing trail to really experience what makes Vienna the best city to live in – its way of life that is all about balance, leisure, and lingering.

This 3-day itinerary gives you a glimpse of the Viennese lifestyle by understanding the history and traditions of the city, enjoying the art and food, and kicking back and living the good life, Vienna-style.

Day 1 – explore Vienna’s historic landmarks

Begin the day with coffee.

One of the first things you’ll notice when you step into Vienna is the peculiar mix of efficiency and leisure. While everything is orderly and functions excellently, the people seem to be so relaxed and unhurried. What’s their secret?

You can best understand this by spending your first morning in a coffee house. Ease into the city’s tempo with a cup of coffee and a hearty Viennese breakfast. You’ll find that the coffee houses are quite different from cafés elsewhere. Instead of baristas with man buns offering 80,000 ways to have your caffeine fix and then hollering out your name once they’ve fixed your venti iced skinny hazelnut macchiato, sugar-free syrup, extra shot, light ice, no whip cup to-go, you’ll find lush velvet couches, elegant chandeliers, and waiters in impeccable jackets and bowties, serving coffee on a small silver tray. The very traditional ones won’t have WiFi or sockets for your notebook, but they will have a rack of newspapers and subdued mood music, inviting everyone who walks in to linger, the perfect ode to idle time .

If these all sound old-fashioned, that’s because it is. The coffee house culture has been central to Vienna’s social life since 1683, when Turkish invaders left bags of coffee as they were chased out of town. This prompted the Viennese to build coffee houses, which became places designed for reflection and creation, reading and gossiping, and watching the world go by.

Over the centuries, Viennese coffee houses became the ultimate symbol of the public sphere – an extended living room where people gathered to do anything and nothing. It was the perfect place to bum around where a single cup of coffee could buy you an entire day’s stay on a comfortable couch. But it was also a place where some of Vienna’s most celebrated artists and intellectuals – like Sigmund Freud, Egon Schiele, Leon Trotsky, and Gustav Klimt – went on a regular basis. Strauss, Mozart, and Beethoven played in coffee houses, and writers finished entire novels in them.

In 2011, UNESCO added the Viennese coffee house culture to the list of intangible cultural heritage in Austria, whimsically describing coffee houses as “a place where time and space are consumed, but only the coffee is found on the bill.”

You can see coffee houses on almost every corner of the Innerstadt. Don’t be intimidated by the ornate decors and the butler-like waiters. And stop checking the time while you’re inside – let the coffee house magic wash over you.

If you’re in the Innerstadt, check out Café Mozart , a traditional Viennese coffee house service classic Viennese cuisine since 1794. Café Frauenhuber is another classic coffee house – and they have an adorable and useful Viennese tea and coffee primer that will bring you up to speed on everything you need to know about the coffee culture. Both can get pretty touristy, though, so if you’re looking for something totally off-the-grid, trek to Café Jelinek in the Margareten (5 th ) district.

If all these seem too stuffy and highbrow for you, you can find modern takes on the Viennese coffee house concept in hipster districts like Neubau. Check out Das Möbel or Kaffemik .

Bask in the majesty of the Schönbrunn Palace

Now that you’re officially “woke” to Vienna’s secret thanks to coffee and society, it’s time to pay a visit to the city’s most impressive structure.

The lavish buildings of the Old Town may have already given you a glimpse of the Habsburgs’ tendency for excess, but nothing will prepare you for the imperial majesty of the Schönbrunn Palace and the aptly-named Gloriette. (Its name is actually from the French word gloire which means “little room” but it sure looks more glorious than gloire !)

The Schönbrunn Complex, comprising of a palace, an extensive garden, and several more buildings, is a well-preserved Baroque ensemble and an excellent example of Gesamtkunstwerk , a masterly fusion of many art forms, earning it its designation as a UNESCO heritage site . It was the residence of the Habsburgs in the 18 th century, as well as a potent material symbol of their power and influence, and its 300-year history reflect the changing tastes of successive monarchs.

A tour of the palace will bring you to about 40 of the palace’s 1,441 rooms. Every room has a story about the Habsburgs, especially Empress Elisabeth (nicknamed “Sisi”) who married into the family and subsequently became one of the most fascinating, but ultimately tragic, characters in the history of the House. But my personal favorite room was the Mirrors Room, where 6-year-old Mozart played for the first time for the Imperial family. If you, like me, grew up playing his compositions or even just listening to them, no words could describe how you would feel standing in that room.

After the palace tour, go around the gardens and take your perfectly-framed ‘grams. Make your way to the Gloriette, a structure that stands on a 60-meter-high hill that was used as a dining hall, festival hall, and a breakfast room for Emperor Franz Joseph I. The views of the city – as well as the short trek to reach the panoramic viewpoint – will leave you breathless.

From here, you can visit other areas of the Schönbrunn complex – the world’s oldest operating zoo, a botanical exhibit, a greenhouse, and a museum. You could also attend a concert or seasonal exhibits in the palace.

You can get to the Schönbrunn Palace Complex via the underground U4, trams 10 and 60, and bus 10A, all with stops at Schönbrunn. You should get your tickets in advance as this is Vienna’s most visited tourist spot. Or, a sweeter deal is to combine your visit with a Mozart and Strauss concert and a scrumptious Austrian dinner with this Schloss Schonbrunn concert ticket .

End your first day on a high note

After a full day exploring the Schonbrunn Complex, it’s time to relax and enjoy yet more of the finer things in life that classical Vienna is all about. A concert at the Schloss Schonbrunn completes the picture, but if you want to experience the Old Town as well, you can get tickets to the Kursalon concert instead. You can combine the auditory experience with a gustatory one and add a traditional Austrian dinner to the package.

After the concert, take a walk around the Old Town to see the buildings illuminated at night. The Karlskirche is especially gorgeous, as well as the state buildings inside the Ringstrasse. For a sweet nightcap, partake of another Vienna staple: the sachertorte. Pair this with a cup of mélange at the Café Sacher before heading home.

Day 2 – get to know Vienna’s art and culture

Day 1 covered classical Vienna. For day 2, we’ll be immersing ourselves in the city’s art and culture, which is pivotal to understanding the city.

Begin the day with brunch

A city that loves its coffee would naturally love its breakfast and brunch, too.

Breakfast places are a relatively new addition to the Viennese morning landscape, but already, they are popping up on every district with different themes and specialties, and their own brands of quirkiness. You can opt to follow your nose or your hotel concierge’s recommendation, but if you happen to be at a loss, here are a few suggestions:

• Justizcafe in Innerstadt is a no-frills canteen inside the Justice Ministry, offering great views of the city center and cheap, delicious food.
• The Joseph Brot bistro in Landstrasse serves some of Vienna’s best artisanal breads.
• Mr and Mrs Feelgood in Wieden is where to go for a fresh and healthy fare.
• Café Goldegg , also in Wieden, serves a filling Austrian breakfast.

Next up: a quick tour of Viennese art

After filling up our bellies, it’s time to feed our minds!

Vienna has over a hundred museums, ranging from the classical collections to contemporary exhibits. You can visit most of the best ones with a Vienna Pass , including the following three museums that we highly recommend for first-timers to Vienna: Kunsthistoriches, Albertina, and the Belvedere.

The Kunsthistoriches , or Art History Museum, was built in 1891 to house the extensive collections of the Habsburg family. It is currently the largest art museum in Austria, and one of the most significant collections displaying precious artworks from the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and the Baroque era. The museum houses major works of European art history, including paintings by Raphael, Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Brueghel. The best thing about the Kunsthistoriches? While the exhibits certainly rival that of the Louvre in quality and quantity, it’s not as well-known and touristy. You’ll have time to really appreciate the art without jostling with the crowds.

From the classics, we move on to modern exhibits. The Albertina houses one of the largest and most important print rooms in the world with approximately 1 million old master prints. But the current star of the Albertina is the Batliner collection, featuring works by artists of Impressionism and Post-Impressionism, including Monet, Degas, Cézanne, Toulose-Lautrec, and Gauguin. You would also see examples of German Expressionism, as well as masterpieces by Picasso, ranging from his early Cubist works to paintings from his experimental late period.

From the Innerstadt, we move on to Landstrasse, where we will explore the beautiful Baroque garden palace, the Belvedere . This is where you’ll find the artworks of the 20 th century Austrian masters Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele, and Oskar Kokoschka. They were all prominent members of the Vienna Secession movement, who aimed to explore the possibilities of art beyond the confines of academic tradition. This is a great collection to experience the exciting spirit of the turn-of-the-century Vienna.

A slice of life at the Naschmarkt

Through Vienna’s top three museums, we traveled through the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and Baroque eras, through the Impressionist and Post-Impressionist movements, and all the way to the turn of the 20 th century with the Vienna Secession artists. You can continue your art appreciation with a visit to Schleifmühlgasse, a hip street in Wieden where you can find contemporary art galleries such as the Galerie Georg Kargl .

Otherwise, our next stop is Naschmarkt, an outdoor market that has been a part of Viennese daily life since the 16 th century. The market was first established to distribute the different products brought by vendors from outside the city, as well as those that come from overseas from parts of the world connected to the Austrian empire. Today, this is where locals do their daily shopping and where visitors like us can enjoy the sights and sounds of this ancient market.

Vienna’s multiculturalism is best represented in the Naschmarkt, where you will see local wines, sausages, and cheese, alongside a wide range of international goods like sushi, kimchi, kebab, and more. You can dine alfresco in the market or assemble your own picnic food and head to Volksgarten. Or if you want a proper restaurant serving hearty Austrian meals, head to the lively Gasthaus Pöschl and get a Wiener schnitzel served with creamy Viennese potato salad.

Living it up like the young ‘uns

If dinner does not end with you in a food coma, it’s time to experience Vienna’s nightlife scene! And I promise this one won’t involve operas or hundred-year-old cakes!

Head to Wieden, the city’s young and edgy district. You can find most of the excitement in and around the Schleifmühlgasse, an avenue lined with contemporary art galleries, specialty stores, trendy bars, vegan supermarkets, and multicultural restaurants.

If you’re looking for a fun and friendly place to relax after a whole day of walking, head to the Szigeti Sekt Comptoir , a wine bar selling Austrian sparkling wines. You’ll get to try plenty of grape varieties as they sell both by the bottle and by the glass.

If you’re looking for a livelier pub with plenty of food and drinks, head to Four Bells instead. This is an Irish pub also in Schleifmühlgasse where you can find sports-lovers and a hearty bunch.

You can also join this fun evening tour of the city with visits to bars, street food stalls, and the city’s trendiest nightspots.

Day 3 – live the good life, Vienna-style

We’ve had a pretty busy two days in Vienna so far. If your feet are already aching but your mind is still racing, it’s time to step back from the city’s hustle and bustle and live the good life , Vienna-style.

Do you ever wonder how the Viennese can keep their city in tip-top shape and their creativity at a constant high (and for centuries now!), while having seemingly infinite time to enjoy life’s pleasures? Their secret: productive idleness.

You can see this in the coffee houses, where time becomes irrelevant and ideas are born after a day of doing nothing. You can feel it in the cadence of the city, where no one seems to be in a hurry, and yet everything functions like clockwork. The locals have certainly weaved in little holidays into their daily routines, and for our last day in the city, our mission is to find that balance and hopefully bring it home with us.

Venture to Döbling, a residential district at the edge of the city, where the tree-lined alleys of the suburbs give way to the forests of the Vienna woods. While aimless wandering should be the theme for this day, here’s a sample itinerary with all the things you can enjoy on this day.

Begin the day with brunch at Blaustern . This quaint restaurant serves international dishes, and they have a large outdoor patio that’s perfect for warm days. Afterward, go for a walk along Döblinger Hauptstrasse, Döbling’s main shopping street. You’ll find indie bookstores and boutiques here, all contributing to the district’s charming, small-town feel. Pick up a bottle of wine and some bread for a simple picnic later in the day.

Head next to Setagayapark , a Japanese-inspired garden with waterfalls, ponds, and relaxing florals. If you get restless and start to crave for activity, walk the trails to the Vienna woods and find your perfect spot for a picnic. A 5-KM hike through the woods and vineyards will bring you to Kahlenberg, where you can enjoy amazing views of the city.

As the sun sets, make your way to a heuriger – a wine tavern serving young wine and simple traditional food, mostly set on picturesque vineyards with gorgeous views. You can find plenty in Grinzing as you make your way back from Kahlenberg, or in the other villages in the district. Some favorites are Fuhrgassl-Huber in Neustift, Müllers Heuriger and Weingut in Grinzing, and Mayer am Nussberg along Kahlenberger Strasse.

If the coffee houses and the secret gardens don’t succeed in pulling you into Vienna’s productive idleness, an evening in a heuriger certainly will. The beautiful sunset, the rustic ambience, the refreshing young wine, the hearty food, and the sounds of laughter and lively conversations will definitely make time stop for as long as it takes for you to finally feel gemütlichkeit – that warm, wonderful feeling of well-being and belonging, giving the perfect end to your little holiday in Vienna.

More things to do in Vienna

It’s difficult to capture a full Viennese experience in 3 days, but this itinerary gives a great overview of what Vienna has to offer. You can find more ideas in this district guide , where I write about the best things to do in Vienna’s most exciting districts, or check out these day trips you can take from Vienna.

Day trips in and around Vienna

Some days it’s nice to just relax and let others do the planning, the driving, and the research for you. Here are some day tours in and around Vienna with exciting itineraries and expert guides.

Food, coffee, and market tour – The yummiest way to experience Vienna! If you’ve ever wondered why Vienna is constantly ranked as the world’s most livable city, this tour will let you in on the secret. (Hint: Take one sip of the local coffee and you’ll love living and breathing in this city.)

Vienna at night – The days are glorious in Vienna, but the fun continues at night! Join this walking tour to Vienna’s most beautiful evening sights, night markets, and trendiest bars.

Danube valley day trip – If you need to take a quick break from Vienna’s dazzling city sights, join this day trip to the Wachau Valley. You’ll be treated to UNESCO World Heritage sites, rolling hills, and a romantic cruise along the Danube.

Salzburg day trip – Austria’s second city is definitely worth more than a day trip, but if you’re short on time, this full day tour will give you a great overview of Salzburg, as well as the nearby Salzkammergut region. You’ll ride comfortably through the Austrian countryside, stop by a picturesque storybook town in the mountainous lake region, and have ample time to explore Salzburg on foot.

Prague day trip – This is another neighboring Central European city with a lot to offer. Make time to explore the Czech Republic’s capital, even if you only have an extra day. This day tour also treats you to the lush Moravian countryside, guaranteed to make you start plotting your trip back to the region, ASAP.

Essential travel guide for your visit to Vienna

Vienna is a must-visit for every first-time traveler to Austria. You’ll learn a lot about the country’s history, traditions, and arts even with a short visit to its capital. Vienna is also a great base for road trips and day trips to other landmarks in Central Europe. Plus, it has its own international airport that connects Central Europe to the rest of the world.

Getting there – You’ll find plenty of flights to Vienna’s international airport , making it a convenient gateway to Central Europe. If you’re coming from other European countries, you can also take the train or bus .

Getting around – It’s easy to go around using Vienna’s public transportation. They have tourist-friendly rates and you can enjoy unlimited access to the city’s public transportation. You can get transportation cards from station kiosks, or online in advance . Use AnachB to plan your routes or the Google map above.

Where to stay – Here’s a comprehensive district and hotel guide to help you find the best place to stay in Vienna.

If you need quick recommendations, check out: Hotel Sacher Wien , the best luxury hotel in the city with a great location right in the middle of the historic city center; Hotel Sans Souci Wien , for a glamorous boutique hotel that straddles the old and modern districts of Vienna; Hotel Landhaus Fuhrgassl-Huber , if you want to stay in Vienna’s relaxing outskirts close to the Vienna woods, vineyards, and wine taverns; and Do Step Inn Central for a comfy hostel with fantastic prices.

Renting a car in Vienna – Austria is great for a road trip holiday . There are plenty of charming villages and magnificent natural landscapes, and it’s pretty much like being on the set of the Sound of Music. I don’t recommend driving in Vienna (it’s costly and difficult to find a parking space plus the public transportation is nice and convenient), but to get out of the city, driving is really the best way to go.

Make sure to reserve your rental car in advance to get good rates. Take note that Europe mainly drives manual; if you need an automatic transmission car, it’s recommended to reserve at least 3 months in advance. The major car companies all have convenient downtown pick-up locations. If you need to return the car to another city (like Salzburg or even Prague), you can compare all major rental car companies here to see which ones will allow you to do that.

Book your tickets to attractions online – There are so many things to do in Vienna that it would be a shame to have to spend a chunk of your holiday waiting in line for entry tickets, so if you have a good idea of things you want to do, it’s best to book your tickets online in advance. Here’s where to book the major sights:

• Vienna Pass – This all-in-one pass gives you access to Vienna’s top attractions, including the Imperial Palace, Schönbrunn Zoo, and the Natural History Museum. You’ll also get unlimited rides on the hop-on-hop-off bus which will bring you to all the popular destinations in Vienna. If you like museums and/or are traveling with kids, this pass gives you the best value.
• Bus pass + walking tour + boat ride – If museums are not your thing and you’d rather experience beautiful outdoor scenery, this pass may be best for you. You can still reach most of Vienna’s landmarks on the hop-on-hop-off bus, plus enjoy a boat ride on the Danube.
• Kursalon Strauss and Mozart concert – When in Vienna, you must experience Strauss and Mozart. Spend a night enjoying Austria’s grand traditions as you revel in classical music, traditional cuisine, and the city’s magnificent atmosphere.

Tell us: What are you most excited about your trip to Austria?

• Can’t wait to hit the road and see the beautiful countryside
• Looking forward to sinking my teeth into sausages, schnitzels, and sachertorte
• Excited to explore Austria’s majestic and opulent cities
• Hiking and biking Austria’s mountains and forests
• Recharging and unwinding with a low-key little holiday in a small, storybook town surrounded by nature
• Recharging and unwinding with a low-key little holiday in a small, storybook town surrounded by nature 38%, 209 votes 209 votes 38% 209 votes - 38% of all votes
• Can’t wait to hit the road and see the beautiful countryside 32%, 175 votes 175 votes 32% 175 votes - 32% of all votes
• Hiking and biking Austria’s mountains and forests 15%, 84 votes 84 votes 15% 84 votes - 15% of all votes
• Excited to explore Austria’s majestic and opulent cities 11%, 60 votes 60 votes 11% 60 votes - 11% of all votes
• Looking forward to sinking my teeth into sausages, schnitzels, and sachertorte 4%, 22 votes 22 votes 4% 22 votes - 4% of all votes
• Vienna’s recipe for living well

Workaholism is more and more becoming a common malady in today’s world. If the thought of taking a holiday – like the one you’re planning now – makes you feel guilty, you’ll want to read about Vienna’s brand of “productive idleness.” In Vienna, you don’t have to choose between productivity and relaxation – you can do both, and the results may be better than you think.

• Vienna, a gilded metropolis

A photo essay commemorating the Viennese art nouveau, the 1990s movement led by Gustav Klimt that splashed the city with gold, intricate ornaments, and a fresh deviation from the pomp of centuries past.

• How to eat like a local in Vienna

I won’t deny that almost half of my food and restaurant recommendations on this guide verge on touristy. I was a tourist in Vienna, and in my opinion, Vienna is one of those cities where you should just let your snootiness down and just be a tourist. However, it’s also great to try out Vienna’s “local” scene – those haunts that are less-frequented by the sightseeing crowd and thus have developed their cuisines and creations beyond appeasing the general international public. At least this Instagramming Vienna-food-authority and I have two things in common: we both love brunch and find joy in chocolates.

Apart from being a perfect city break, Vienna is also the perfect jump-off point for trips around Austria and the neighboring countries. Here are the best places to visit around Vienna.

• Hallstatt, Austria

Hallstatt is my top recommended side trip from Vienna! This storybook town lies in the middle of Austria’s mountainous lake region, offering the perfect escape from the grand cities. Snuggled between a mountain range and a lake, this little town has plenty of picturesque vistas and lots of outdoor activities to offer. It also harbors an ancient salt mine, ice caves, and plenty of nearby hiking and skiing spots. You can reach it in 3 hours from Vienna, and it’s the perfect stopover as you make your way to Salzburg.

• Drive to Salzburg, Austria

If you want to try your hand at driving in Austria, here’s the perfect road trip itinerary from Vienna to Salzburg. It passes through Hallstatt and plenty of charming little towns, giving you a great overview of Austria’s majestic cities and delightful countryside.

• Prague, Czech Republic

It would be a shame to miss Prague when it’s so close to Vienna. If you love art, history, and glorious pasts, you’d definitely want to make your way to one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. If you have a couple extra days, combine it with a trip to Cesky Krumlov .

• South Moravia, Czech Republic

Do you prefer the sprawling countryside to busy cities? Head to South Moravia instead. This is Czech Republic’s luscious wine region just an hour’s drive north of Vienna, where you’ll get to enjoy stunning natural landscapes, medieval castle towns, hearty food, and great wine.

I hope this travel guide to Vienna helps you plan your trip to Central Europe! This region is certainly one of the most magical places for a holiday, and Vienna is definitely a must-visit for art, history, and culture-lovers.

If you need more help planning your trip, get in touch and I’ll do my best to help you out!

Reader Interactions

August 12, 2020 at 5:03 pm

Thanks for sharing this awesome information. I was planning to visit Vienna in April but because of covid situation it got postponed. I love how your blog has a personal touch and it’s definitely going to help us out for planning our visit.

August 12, 2020 at 5:05 pm

Thanks, Tim! I hope you get to visit soon!

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Best Time to Visit

Weather & Climate

Public Transportation

Airport Guide

48-Hour Itinerary

Top Things to Do

Top Museums

Naschmarkt Guide

Austrian Foods to Try

Best Restaurants

Nightlife in Vienna

Best Places to Taste Wine

Your Trip to Vienna: The Complete Guide

Vienna Guide: Planning Your Trip

TripSavvy / Alisha McDarris

Vienna looms large in the popular imagination as a European city that's steeped in history and elegance. When you picture the city, you might imagine well-dressed denizens drinking coffee in lavishly decorated cafés, or enjoying an evening at Vienna's world-famous opera. Its reputation for quaint—or even old-fashioned—style is a firm one. Yet the capital of Austria is more diverse and contemporary than you might imagine. Dynamic yet relaxed, the mid-sized city harbors trendy galleries, world-class wineries, a vibrant nightlife scene , and plenty of youthful energy.

Read on for our full tips on planning a vacation in Vienna, including information and advice on the best time of year to visit, the best things to see and do, where to eat, and how to get around.

Planning Your Trip

Best Time to Visit:  The city is at its best in the summer, when long days, lively festivals, and a relaxed ambience reign. In the early winter, holiday markets and postcard-perfect scenery offer a cozy backdrop.

Language : German is Austria's official language, though English is commonly spoken in Vienna  .

Currency: The Euro has been Austria's official currency since 2002   .

Getting Around :  As Central Vienna is fairly small, it's easy to get around on foot. The extensive tram system is also user-friendly and practical, though some visitors may want to use the affordable city bike scheme (note that sticking to bike paths is recommended).

Travel Tip:  If you're visiting during high season, remember that early birds succeed in avoiding the biggest crowds. We suggest hitting up museums, palaces, and other popular attractions as soon as they open, and going on weekdays if possible.

Things to Do

If you've never been to Vienna, visiting the main museums and monuments in the Hofburg Palace Complex —including the Sisi Museum, Imperial Apartments, and Silver Collection—is highly recommended. Also spend a few hours exploring the nearby MuseumsQuartier , where museums like Leopold Museum and Kunsthalle Wien feature masterpieces from the likes of Gustav Klimt. After that, wander through the old-fashioned, grand streets of the city center and then perhaps take a walk along the Danube River. If you have room in your schedule, consider taking a river cruise to see some of the city's key sites from the picturesque vantage point of the water. Note that the Vienna Pass includes a river cruise in addition to entry to numerous other popular city attractions and monuments.

• Stroll through Schonbrunn Palace 's breathtaking rooms and gardens and learn more about Vienna's Imperial history as well as the royal families that lived there.
• Pay a visit to the Secession Haus to see Gustav Klimt's magnificent "Beethoven Frieze" mural and marvel at the building's distinctive golden facade.
• Admire the harmonious Gothic architecture of St-Stephens Cathedral ( Stephansdom ) and take in panoramic views of the city from its southern tower, which rises to some 223 feet.

Explore more Viennese sights and attractions with our full-length articles on the  best things to do in Vienna and the best day trips outside the city . The city is home to more than 100 museums  , so check out our guide to Vienna's top museums to help narrow your choices.

What to Eat and Drink

Situated at the border between Western and Eastern Europe, Vienna offers a rich and diverse culinary culture. Local dishes are influenced by a number of traditional cuisines, including Germanic and Eastern European, and the city's unpretentious restaurant scene melds innovation with tradition. In the spring, local produce such as fresh asparagus is star of the show in the city's numerous, relaxed bistros and more formal tables. Specialties such as Wiener Schnitzel, Sachertorte chocolate cake, and Tafelspitz (boiled beef or veal with applesauce) have seen numerous creative spin-offs and adaptations, and vegetarian and vegan travelers can find plenty to eat in the capital.

The city's traditional coffeehouses aren't simply an excellent place to try a typical Viennese melange (similar to a cappuccino) or espresso. They're the center of a vibrant, casual food culture, and a place to meet friends over lunch or an early dinner. Meanwhile, open-air markets and beer gardens are popular places to enjoy a casual al fresco drink or meal.

This city is also home to one of Europe's most important wine-growing (and tasting) centers. Vienna's outskirts harbor dozens of authentic wineries that produce traditional (primarily white) wines such as Gruner Vetliner and Riesling. Starting from late spring, it's a beloved tradition to gather in the Heurigen (winery restaurants and outdoor terraces) to taste the local bounty. And in the fall, the city hosts a number of festive harvest celebrations that also place wine at the center of celebrations.

Explore our articles on the best foods to taste in Vienna , top Vienna restaurants , and the best places for wine-tasting in the Austrian capital .

Where to Stay

When deciding where to stay in Vienna, you should take your budget and travel needs into consideration. The city offers a diverse range of accommodations at numerous price points, from large international hotel chains to small boutique hotels and apartment rental services. We recommend that you browse deals and book your accommodation several months in advance to lock in the best rates.

It can be substantially more expensive to choose a hotel in the city center, close to the most popular tourist attractions. To save money, consider booking a hotel or an apartment rental in a neighborhood a bit further outside the center (but do try to make sure you're close to a tram or U-Bahn station so you can easily get to the sights). In addition, visiting during the off-season (spring and fall) may mean you can find better deals on accommodation.

Read our recommendations on the best Vienna hotels. If you're looking for something a bit upmarket to celebrate a special occasion, see our guide to Vienna's most luxurious hotels .

Getting There

You can also easily reach Vienna by train from European capitals including Prague, Munich, and neighboring Bratislava. Driving is not generally necessary given the extensive European train network and abundance of cheap flights from other capitals on the continent. If you do decide to drive to or around the city, make sure to study Austrian and European traffic rules and rent a car with a reliable GPS navigation system. 

Vienna International Airport is Austria's largest airport, and is located in the town of Schwechat (around 11 miles southeast of the city center). It serves as a regional hub for major European airlines such as Austrian Air, Air France, and Lufthansa, as well as low-cost carriers such as EasyJet. This is a comfortable, manageable airport with ample shopping and dining facilities. Getting into the city center using dedicated airport trains is easy and relatively quick, taking between 30 to 45 minutes on average.

Money-Saving Tips

• Consider buying a Vienna City Card , which gives you unlimited transportation on the city's tram, bus, and subway network and offers discounts on a variety of popular Vienna attractions. The Vienna Pass (mentioned above) is another popular money-saving option.
• Low season in the Austrian capital (generally spring and fall) can be less expensive, thanks to lower airfares and hotel rates.
• Enjoy annual events such as the Long Night of Museums, which sees the capital's major museums open to the public for free through most of the night in early October.
• You can travel around the city by bike using Vienna's Citybike scheme . The first hour is entirely free.
• In the warmer months, consider packing a delicious picnic of Viennese breads, pastries, fruit and other goodies, and taking it to one of the city's parks or gardens (such as the one at Schonbrunn Palace) .
• Enjoy a variety of inexpensive local foods and sit-down restaurants by paying a visit to the Naschmarkt, Vienna's largest and most popular outdoor market. 
• Enjoy  free concerts  in the open air during the summer, as well as outdoor movies.

Weather in Vienna: Climate, Seasons, and Average Monthly Temperatures

20 Top Things to Do in Vienna, Austria

Getting Around Vienna: Guide to Public Transportation

Nightlife in Vienna: Best Bars, Clubs, & More

The Best Time to Visit Vienna

Vienna International Airport Guide

Vienna's St. Stephen's Cathedral: The Complete Guide

Austria Wine Regions Travel Information

The Top 10 Museums in Vienna, Austria

Vienna's Naschmarkt Market: The Complete Guide

Austria Travel Planning Guide

48 Hours in Vienna: The Ultimate Itinerary

The 10 Best Places to Taste Wine in Vienna, Austria

The Best Places for Coffee in Vienna

Your Trip to Innsbruck, Austria: The Complete Guide

The 3 Most Beautiful Scenic Train Routes in Austria

Get the Reddit app

r/travel is a community about exploring the world. Your pictures, questions, stories, or any good content is welcome. Clickbait, spam, memes, ads/selling/buying, brochures, referrals, classifieds, surveys or self-promotion will be removed.

Travel advice for 4-5 day trip to Vienna

Hello! Im sorry if I'm in the wrong sub, but I cant think of a better place to ask this.

I'm planning on visiting Vienna for the first time on the 1st of December, and these are the days I will have free:

Day 1: Arrival and I'm ready to start exploring Vienna at 15:00

Day 2:I'm free (remote work) to explore Vienna at 16:00

Day 3: Daytrip to Salzburg

Day 4: Full day for Vienna

Day 5: Full day for Vienna

Day 6: Daytrip to Hallstatt

Day 7: I'm off to Budapest

Now, from what I've gathered, I should see the following places, some of which are paid entrances:

Schonbrun Palace 40€

Palmenhaus 0€

Tiergarten Schonbrunn 25€

Hofburg Palace 50€

Stephen Cathedral 0€

Belvedere Museum 10€

Wiener Staatsoper 25€

Museum Hundertwasser 10€

MuseumsQuartier 0€

Ringstrasse 0€

Neubau District 0€

My question is, will I have time to explore all I have in mind? Is there anything that you consider overrated, or some interesting place im missing :)?

Thank you, and sorry again if this is the wrong place!

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The English speaking magazine. Making the most out of Vienna and life.

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12 city trips that are easy-to-reach from Vienna by train that you absolutely must do

Can’t get enough of the city life now that traveling is possible again, why not enjoy a quick trip to some other exotic urban setting we’ve put together a list of easy-to-reach cities you can visit just by hopping on the next train. these all make for a perfect (long) weekend getaway..

Here are 12 city trips that are easy to reach from Vienna by train in less than 6 hours:

Images via Unsplash

Budapest – City trips from Vienna by train

Where: Budapest, Hungary

How to get there: from Wien HBF to Budapest-Keleti (around 2h 39min)

Obvious reasons why you should travel there: the giant and beautiful gothic style parliament building, take a dip at the Instagram-famous thermal Széchenyi Baths, to sit at the Danube somewhere other than Vienna, take in the views of the city from the Fisherman’s Bastion, to try the tasty Hungarian cuisine, to enjoy the rough but grand vibe of the city

Less obvious reasons: munch on a delicious langós with various toppings at the central market hall, to take a ship as public transport instead of the metro, partake in endless games of pinball at the Flipper Muzeum, spend rainy days at a former aristocrat’s mansion that was turned into Szabo Ervin Library, to spend a night at one of the very cool hidden open air ‘ruin bars’ located in the courtyard of buildings (like  Racskert ,  Szimpla Kert) , enjoy the view from the 360 Bar

Images © Graz Tourismus - Tom Lamm © Graz Tourismus - Harry Schiffer

Graz – City trips from Vienna by train

Where: Graz, Austria

How to get there: from Wien HBF to Graz HBF (around 2h 35min)

Obvious reasons you should travel there:  catch some  scenic views from the Schlossberg and the clock tower, visit an artificial island on the river Mur that looks like a giant shell, admire the beautiful buildings in the old town, take hundreds of pics in front of the outlandish art-museum Kunsthaus Graz that looks like a human heart

Less obvious reasons: build-your-own lunch at one of many Bausatz Lokale in the city, walk through Schlossbergtunnel, take in some modern art in a religious building at church St. Andrä, slide down the largest underground slide in the world at ‘The Slide,’ eat your way through the daily market,  Kaiser-Josef-Platz Market

Munich – City trips from Vienna by train

Where: Munich, Germany

How to get there: from Wien HBF to Munich HBF (around 4h)

Obvious reasons you should travel there: to drink  beer in the beer gardens (obvious, right?), visit the Hofbräuhaus , to eat Weißwurst for breakfast with a Wheat beer in a place where both is socially acceptable, to check out the town hall at Marienplatz aka. the city’s most favourite postcard-building, to explore the multiple periods of art in the Neue Pinakothek, to experience a car-lover’s dream in the BMW Museum, Munich’s former Olympics Venue at Olympiapark, spend time shopping and walking around the so-called ‘bohemian neighbourhood’ of the city, Schwabing

Less obvious reasons:  see  the devil’s footprint at Munich’s Frauenkirche, walk a hidden stairway that leads to nowhere called ‘Umschreibung’, the pavement memorial of the nazi-opposing student group White Rose, to explore the nearby alps on nature day trips out of the city, to indulge in some heavy and hearty Bavarian cuisine, to watch (or join in yourself) the people surfing on the one wave in a stream known as the Eisbachwelle, go for a walk in West Park or the English Gardens, spends some thinking time in the NS-Dokumentationzentrum , go for a swim in the Müller´sches Volksbad

Images via Pixabay

Nürnberg – City trips from Vienna by train

Where: NÜRNBERG in GERMANY

How to get there: from Wien HBF to Nuremberg HBF (around 4h 14min)

Obvious reasons why you should travel there: to explore the castle of Nuremberg, beautifully arranged fresh fruits and vegetables in the Hauptmarkt, see where renaissance-painter Albrecht Dürer lived and did his work

Less obvious reasons: Bratwurst at the last real “Bratwurstküche”, to let your inner kid loose in the Toy Museum, a medieval Holy-Spirit-Hospital turned restaurant, a rather grim interpretation of married life in the form of the fountain-sculpture Ehekarussel, the home of the city’s former executioner and some surprisingly beautiful views out his windows

Prague – City trips from Vienna by train

Where: Prague, Czech Republic

How to get there: from Wien HBF to Praha hl.n. (around 4h)

Obvious reasons why you should travel there: to marvel at the   astronomical clock in the main square , for strolls across the Charles Bridge, to take a scenic route to the Prague Castle, for some very affordable Bohemian cuisine and local beer, for the buzzing nightlife (including the likes of Chapeau Rouge  , Roxy , Hemingway Bar ), to enjoy the romance of its medieval streets

Less obvious reasons: ice-cream filled chimney cake, a huge graffiti wall in honor of John Lennon, to dance the night away in the five-story club, Karlovy Lazne , for pickled cheese, relaxing at the Beer Spa (just please don’t drink the bath water)

Blick über die Salzburger Altstadt vom Mönchsberg Images: © Tourismus Salzburg, Fotos: Breitegger Günter

Sehenswürdigkeiten Salzburg, Blick vom Kapuzinerberg auf die Salzburger Altstadt und auf die Festung Hohensalzburg, Untersberg im Hintergrund

Sehenswürdigkeiten Salzburg, Blick über den Mirabellgarten auf die Salzburger Altstadt

Salzburg – City trips from Vienna by train

Where: Salzburg, Austria

How to get there: from Wien HBF to Salzburg HBF (around 2h 30min)

Obvious reasons why you should travel there: to binge on the  original Mozartkugel chocolates to satisfy your sweet tooth, to check if the hills are actually alive with the sound of music, frolicking in a flower field between scenic mountain views, baroque architecture, to visit classical music’s most famous Wunderkind W.A. Mozart house, to catch impeccable views of the old town from the Kapuzinerberg, to explore the blissful nature surrounding the city, to climb up to the fortress and see the city from above, wandering through the narrow streets of the old town, do a kitschy skip in the idyllic setting of the Mirabell gardens

Less obvious reasons: beer with the locals at Augustiner Bräu , visit the stone dwarfs at the Zwerglgarten, five human-sized gherkins (unfortunately not edible), visit the Eagle’s Nest

Images: © Vienna Würstelstand

Bratislava – City trips from Vienna by train

Where: Bratislava, Slovakia

How to get there: from Wien HBF to Bratislava (around 1h 7min)

Obvious reasons you should travel there:  it’s just a stone throw away from Vienna, cheap booze resulting in fun nights out, to check out the UFO bridge and enjoy the view up high in the Flying Saucer , the charming streets and squares to wander through

Less obvious reasons: enjoy Middle Europe’s renowned and very affordable cuisine, find out how closely connected the city is to Vienna, to go on a hunt throughout the city to find ALL the hidden human-sized bronze statues, listen to some music in an upside down pyramid or in a granary, lounge on the ‘Magio Beach’ on the Danube riverside, to get messy with the amazing racks of ribs in Meštiansky pivovar 

Images: via Pixabay & Vienna Würstelstand

Brno – City trips from Vienna by train

Where: Brno, Czech Republic

How to get there: from Wien HBF to Brno main train station (around 2h 11min)

Obvious reasons you should travel there:  it’s very easy to reach from Wien, the cheap beer, the heartwarming bohemian comfort food, the mix of gorgeous Modernist and Medieval architecture

Less obvious reasons:  it’s undiscovered by tourists, there’s plenty of Instagram-worthy buildings and spots to take pictures at, to climb the highest church tower and have a grand view over the city, to enjoy a vibrant city during summer, to experience the hip cafe scene

Dresden – City trips from Vienna by train

Where: Dresden, Germany

How to get there: from Wien HBF to Dresden (6h 40min)

Obvious reasons you should travel there: to visit one of the trendiest city’s to visit at the moment in Germany, to taste some quality German beer, to check out a historically important city that’s been rebuilt from scratch, to check out the halls of magnificent masterpieces by the old masters in the  Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister , visit the architecturally unique, Semperoper , to marvel at the plentiful architectural gems

Less obvious reasons: to really check out why it’s known as a living and breathing book of German history, to taste a glass of fine wine from the surrounding wine-growing region, to take a long stroll and check out the alternative scene of the city that tries its best to match Berlin’s vibe (and it’s doing a damn good job), for some serious bar-hopping

Images © Pixabay © Vienna Würstelstand

Innsbruck – City trips from Vienna by train

Where: Innsbruck, Austria

How to get there: from Wien HBF to Innsbruck (4h 14min)

Obvious reasons you should travel there: to visit the Goldene Dachl and the Bergisel Ski Jump stadium , to get that priceless Alpine feeling, to experience some epic hikes around the city

Less obvious reasons: to take the Hungerburgbahn funicular railway and the Hafelekar cable car all the way up the 2,556 metres mountain for the breathtaking views over the region, to rent a bike and explore the city and its surroundings, to check out the hip café and foodie scene in the old town, to see Innsbruck’s version of their own unique Ampelpärchen aka. Ampelskier

Images via Pixabay & Unsplash

Košice – City trips from Vienna by train

Where: Košice, Slovakia

How to get there: from Wien HBF to Košice (around 6h)

Obvious reasons you should travel there: to check out a former European Capital of Culture and enjoy some Central European charm

Less obvious reasons: to eat your way through town and try some Lokše (thin pancakes), or Bryndzové halušky (dumplings with sheep cheese – the national dish), to admire the historic buildings of the old town, to check out the nearby Spiš Castle which is the largest castle site in Central Europe

Linz – City trips from Vienna by train

Where: Linz, Upper Austria

How to get there: from Wien HBF, or Wien WBF to Linz HBF (1h 14min)

Obvious reasons why you should travel there: to check out the rich cultural scene, take the steep Pöstlingberg tram up the Pöstlingberg for the great view over the city, the stunning old town

Less obvious reasons: to eat the famous Linzertorte, to check out the Hip Hop capital of Austria, to check out the local club and somewhat underground party locations such as KAPU , Stadtwerkstatt , Exxtrablatt or Solaris , to enjoy the summer breeze next to the Danube in summer, to eat and dance at the cafés/bar/art and cultural space mix on the ship that is the Salonschiff Fräulein Florentine , check out the Ars Electronica Center

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I flew over 15 hours to Vienna for my first Taylor Swift concert. I'm devastated the shows are canceled.

• Taylor Swift's three shows in Vienna were canceled after the Austrian police said they thwarted a planned terrorist attack.
• Bianca Capazorio flew 15 hours from South Africa for the Swift concert, which would have been her first.
• She'd spent more than a year planning the trip.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Bianca Capazorio, a 41-year-old Swiftie based in Cape Town, South Africa. It has been edited for length and clarity. Business Insider has verified her expenses.

I became a Swiftie the way a lot of Swifties became Swifties — through heartbreak.

The first album that introduced me to Taylor Swift was the album "Red." The song "All Too Well" came out during a time when I was going through a massive breakup.

Her lyrics resonated with me so much.

But as much as I was a fan, I've never had the opportunity to go to a concert before. She's never been to South Africa, where I'm from.

So when she announced the Eras Tour, I thought it was the perfect opportunity. Not only would I get to see her perform so many old songs, I'd get to hear her new stuff, too.

Related stories

My friends and I decided to try to get tickets for the European concerts

My friend and I decided we would go to the first European country where we could score tickets.

A few different sales went live on the same day, and I ended up taking that day off work so I could focus on getting the tickets.

In the end, the day off wasn't necessary. My friend had secured tickets to the Vienna show the day before. It took her less than five minutes to buy the tickets, and we even got great seats in the front standing section.

We were surprised, but it was that quick.

We had a budget in mind that we didn't want to go over. For me, my budget was between 5,000 and 6,000 South African Rand, or about $270 to $326, for a ticket. In the end, each ticket was about $197.

My flight ticket cost 14,828 Rand, or about $800. Since it's a long-haul flight — about 15 hours, including a three-hour stopover in Dubai — my friends and I decided to make a trip out of it. We'll be traveling around Austria for two weeks.

One of my friends made her own outfit, while the other had one made. I, too, bought an outfit for the concert — one of those tassel dresses that looks a lot like the ones Taylor wore in her "Fearless" era. It's blue and sparkly.

Together, the three of us made a whole bunch of friendship bracelets to trade at the show, too.

We heard the news last night

My friend and I were out at dinner when our third friend, who stayed behind in the hotel, called us to say that she saw chatter online about how the concert might be canceled .

Barracuda Music , an Austrian event organizer, had posted a notice about it. We hoped that it was just fake news but when we saw that Taylor Nation , the official social-media account for Taylor's team, reposting it, our hearts sank.

I was devastated. It's been a year in the planning, and I've been looking forward to it for so long.

Additionally, I feel like it's our only chance to see this show because the tour is finishing soon.

At the same time, I accept that the decision was probably not taken lightly. I would rather just be a little bit heartbroken today than be in the stadium if something happened.

We did a few touristy things the past few days, and we ran into a bunch of Swifties around Vienna. We managed to trade a few bracelets, so at least we've had that experience. Hopefully, we'll get the chance to meet more Swifties while we're out and about over the next couple of days.

My friend, because she booked the tickets, received an official email from the ticketing agency saying that our tickets would be fully refunded within 10 days.

Our tickets were for the first show tonight, and although we haven't made any plans yet, we've decided to do something today because we don't want to mope around in a beautiful country.

Watch: A glitch in air traffic control left thousands of travelers stranded

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Britain’s Violent Riots: What We Know

Officials had braced for more unrest on Wednesday, but the night’s anti-immigration protests were smaller, with counterprotesters dominating the streets instead.

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By Lynsey Chutel

After days of violent rioting set off by disinformation around a deadly stabbing rampage, the authorities in Britain had been bracing for more unrest on Wednesday. But by nightfall, large-scale anti-immigration demonstrations had not materialized, and only a few arrests had been made nationwide.

Instead, streets in cities across the country were filled with thousands of antiracism protesters, including in Liverpool, where by late evening, the counterdemonstration had taken on an almost celebratory tone.

Over the weekend, the anti-immigration protests, organized by far-right groups, had devolved into violence in more than a dozen towns and cities. And with messages on social media calling for wider protests and counterprotests on Wednesday, the British authorities were on high alert.

With tensions running high, Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s cabinet held emergency meetings to discuss what has become the first crisis of his recently elected government. Some 6,000 specialist public-order police officers were mobilized nationwide to respond to any disorder, and the authorities in several cities and towns stepped up patrols.

Wednesday was not trouble-free, however.

In Bristol, the police said there was one arrest after a brick was thrown at a police vehicle and a bottle was thrown. In the southern city of Portsmouth, police officers dispersed a small group of anti-immigration protesters who had blocked a roadway. And in Belfast, Northern Ireland, where there have been at least four nights of unrest, disorder continued, and the police service said it would bring in additional officers.

But overall, many expressed relief that the fears of wide-scale violence had not been realized.

Here’s what we know about the turmoil in Britain.

Where arrests have been reported

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