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3 Days in Vienna: The Perfect Vienna Itinerary

Last updated: July 24, 2024 . Written by Laurence Norah - 46 Comments

We think that three days in Vienna is the perfect amount of time for a visit. Three days will let you see the majority of the main sights in this beautiful city that you’re interested in, plus add in a few of the less well-known attractions, without being too rushed.

In this post, we’re going to share with you our idea of the perfect itinerary for three days in Vienna. As well as covering all the key attractions we think you’ll enjoy visiting, we’re also going to share some practical tips and advice for your visit, including tips on where to stay, where to eat, tips for getting around Vienna, and how to save money on sightseeing.

If you do have less time in Vienna, check out our itinerary for two days in Vienna . But now, let’s take a look at how to spend 3 days in Vienna.

Table of Contents:

3 Days in Vienna

Day 1 in vienna, mozarthaus vienna.

Vienna is very much associated with Mozart, one of the most well known composers of Classical music. Vienna was his home for many years during his prolific career, and he lived at a number of properties during his time in the city. Only one of these homes survives today – the Mozarthaus , which you’ll find in Vienna’s Old Town on Domgasse. Which is our suggested first stop on day one of our three day Vienna itinerary.

Mozart lived at this property for three years between 1784 and 1787, and it has been open to the public since 1941. In 2004 it was totally redesigned, and now the whole building is a centre dedicated to the life of the composer.

You don’t have to be a Mozart fan to enjoy a visit to this building – it’s a good insight into life in general in Vienna in the late 18th century. Naturally it’s also filled with information about Mozart and his life, so even if you don’t know much when you arrive – you’ll certainly know a lot when you leave!

The Mozarthaus is open daily from 10am – 7pm, and there’s an admission fee. You can see the official website for more details.

Entrance is included for holders of the Vienna Pass .

You can also buy individual tickets online in advance here .

St. Stephen’s Cathedral

Just a short walk from the Mozarthaus is the magnificent St. Stephen’s Cathedral , the seat of the Catholic church in Vienna. This is found right in the centre of the old town. and is hard to miss!

As you approach you will instantly notice the roof, which is decorated with glazed and painted tiles in an ornate design. There are also two large towers – the massive south tower, which stands at 136m tall, and the smaller north tower which is 68 metres tall. Both of these towers are open to the public, and can be climbed for a fee. As expected, the higher south tower offers the best views over the city.

Naturally, you can also go inside the cathedral, which is of a largely Romanesque / Gothic design, and predominantly dates from the Middle Ages. The three nave design with it’s huge columns is definitely an impressive sight and you can visit for free. You can also visit the Treasury.

This does require a small fee (included with the Vienna Pass), but you get to see more stuff and it offers good views of the main church interior from a first floor viewing area. The fee also means it’s a lot less busy, so you can enjoy the building without feeling too hemmed in.

Vienna State Opera House Tour

Vienna has a world famous state opera house which dates from 1869 and has played host to some of the world’s most famous singers and conductors.

If you are particularly interested in the Opera, then a night here watching a performance is likely to be an experience you will never forget. You can check performance times and buy tickets for shows at various venues in Vienna here .

However, you can also visit the opera house without seeing a performance, by taking a guided tour.

These last around forty minutes, and you’ll learn all about the fascinating history of the building, see all the main highlights, and even get a behind the scenes look at how an opera house is run.

Tours run a number of times during the day – see the official website for information and pricing.

Wien Museum

If you’re interested in learning more about the history of Vienna, we suggest heading to the Vienna Museum, or Wien Museum.

This is spread out over a number of buildings across the city, but we recommend you visit the main building on Karlsplatz .

Spread across three floors, this building houses an excellent spread of artistic and historical exhibits that will give you an excellent overview of the history of Vienna, as well as some of its more notable artists and other residents over the ages.

On display you’ll find everything from neolithic finds through to Roman archaeological discoveries through to displays from the present day.

There are also notable artworks from Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele on display, as well as two incredible models of the city, one of which shows what Vienna would have looked like in the mid-19th century.

Even if you aren’t usually a “museum” person, we think you will enjoy the Wien Museum, and if you only visit one museum in the city, this should be it.

Karlskirche

Right next to the Wien Museum is the beautifully ornate Karlskirche, or St. Charles Church.

This is an 18th century Baroque style church with two impressive spiral columns on the exterior. It was built by Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI, largely to celebrate the end of the plague in the city, and is dedicated to St. Charles, known as a plague healer.

It’s a striking building with the central dome and two spires, and the lake in front of it offers a lovely reflection as well.

Of course, you can also go inside, where one of the highlights are the spectacular frescoes that adorn the interior of the dome.

You can also take a panoramic elevator for a closer view of the frescoes. There’s an admission fee for the church, and you can see that and the opening times at the official website.

We’re going to round off our first day of sight-seeing in Vienna with a visit to one of Vienna’s most famous markets – the Naschmarkt . This is just a short walk from Karlskirche.

The Naschmarkt runs for almost a mile along Wienzelle, and is Vienna’s largest market by far. It’s also got some pedigree, having existed here since the 16th century – although back then if you came here you’d largely only be able to buy milk.

Today there is a lot more on offer than milk. You’ll find fruit and vegetables from the around the world, exotic spices, olives, cheeses, meat, seafood – almost anything you can imagine in fact. There are also many restaurants and food stalls serving everything from sushi to Viennese specialities. A fine way to end your first day exploring Vienna, we think you’ll agree!

Day 2 in Vienna

Spanish riding school.

One of Vienna’s most famous attractions is the Spanish Riding School, home of the Lipizzan horses. These horses and their riders regularly perform shows in the winter riding school arena, a purpose built building which dates from 1729. The shoes focus on classical dressage, and are rightly world famous.

However, you don’t have to book tickets for a show to see these beautiful horses in action. On a number of mornings through the week, the riders and the horses do training exercises in the arena, and you can watch these training exercises for a moderate fee.

It’s worth noting that these are training exercises rather than a whole show, so don’t go expecting to see an elaborate co-ordinated spectacle. If that’s what you’re after, you should attend an actual performance. Also note that photography is not permitted during the training.

If you are interested in the behind the scenes operation of the Spanish Riding School, you can also take a guided tour. We were lucky enough to be taken on a private guided tour, and very much enjoyed getting to meet the horses and learn about their lives.

Just be aware that for the horses’ health, you aren’t allowed to actually touch the horses (although as you can see from the photo, the horses did try and have a nibble on my hair in case it was actually hay!).

For information on times and prices, see the official website of the Spanish Riding School .

Entry to the morning exercise is included on the Vienna Pass . You can also book tickets online here .

I’m now going to suggest a number of museums and art galleries that you might be interested in visiting.

Visiting all three of these might be a challenge if you also want to do the activities at the end of the day, but I wanted to include them all so you can decide which sounds best to you.

You could also add them in to the first day of the itinerary if you have time. It all depends on your own pacing.

The first museum you should consider adding to your Vienna itinerary is the Albertina . This is an art museum, found in the Hofburg Palace complex, which is home to one of the largest print rooms in the world.

With over a million items in the collection, you are assured to see something you like, with art from world renowned artists from Monet to Cezanne to Picasso on display. It’s also home to the Hofburg Palace staterooms, which included as part of your entry fee.

The Albertina is open daily from 10am to 6pm, and until 9pm on Wednesdays and Fridays. There’s an admission fee – you can see more at the official website here . Entry is included on the Vienna Pass.

Natural History Museum

If you prefer your museums to contain fossils, dinosaurs and other items of a natural history theme, then you should head to Vienna’s Natural History Museum .

This is housed in a spectacular building (Vienna has a lot of spectacular buildings), which was purpose built and opened in 1889 as a museum to house the Habsburg collection. Today, the museum collection contains over 30 milion items, collected over 250 years, and makes for an impressive visit.

The Natural History Museum will definitely be for anyone who loves to learn about the history of the earth, and there’s everything here from dinosaur skeletons to exhibits on the history of the solar system. You could easily spend a whole day just exploring this museum if you wanted to.

The Natural History Museum is open Thursday – Monday from 9am – 6.30pm, and Wednesday from 9am – 9pm. It is closed on Tuesdays and for public holidays. You can see full opening hours and ticket prices on the official website here . It’s also included on the Vienna Pass.

Note that directly opposite the Natural History Museum is the Kunsthistoriche Museum . This is built in the same style and is a museum to the arts. So you might opt to visit this instead of (or as well as!) the Natural History Museum.

Sigmund Freud Museum

With Jess’s background as a psychologist, naturally, we had to visit the Sigmund Freud museum in Vienna – and this might be something you are interested in as well.

The museum is housed in the former apartment and office of Freud himself, and has been open to the public since 1971. It’s not a huge space, but it does contain a number of items related to Freud including some of his clothes and part of his antiques collection.

The museum also has information related to the history of psychoanalysis and its influence on art and society. However, it does not contain much original furniture, as most of this was taken to London by Freud when he moved there, and is now in the Freud Museum in London.

There is a small fee to visit the museum, and do be aware that there can be a wait at busy times as it is not a large space and it is a popular spot to visit. You can see opening times and prices at the official website .

Included on the Vienna Pass.

City River Cruise

We always enjoy taking a river cruise if it’s an option in a city, and Vienna of course has the Danube. A river cruise is a relaxing way to see a few sights whilst taking the load off your feet (and perhaps enjoying a refreshing beverage?), and there are a number of operators who run cruises in Vienna.

We took the tour with City Cruises Vienna on the MS Blue Danube, which was conveniently included on our Vienna Pass .

This was a fun and comfortable experience, and we saw parts of the city, including a lot of street art, that we hadn’t seen before. Cruises run throughout the year, but the schedule varies depending on time of year.

If you don’t opt for the Vienna Pass, you can book a cruise online in advance here .

Danube Tower

If you’re looking for a good view in Vienna, look no further than the Danube Tower . This tower, originally built to host the 1964 Viennese Horticultural show, is the tallest structure in Austria.

From the viewing platforms, which are 450ft above ground level, you get an excellent view of the entire city and much of the surrounding area.

As well as the viewing area (accessed by high speed elevator) there are also two revolving restaurants in the tower, which would make for a good spot for your evening meal. This would also be a great place to watch the sunset at the end of your second day exploring Vienna!

The Danube Tower is open from 10am – midnight every day, and there’s a fee for visiting. You can find out more on the official site here .

It’s included on the Vienna Pass, or you can buy tickets online in advance here .

Day 3 in Vienna

Schönbrunn palace.

No visit to Vienna is complete without a visit to the spectacular Schönbrunn Palace , home of the Habsburg empire.

This is a large complex with a lot to see and do, so we suggest you allocate at least half a day, if not more, to your visit.

You’ll also want to arrive as early as you can, as the queues here can become long as the day progresses.

On arrival, you’ll want to join those queues and book your time slot for the palace tour, as well as get tickets for whichever of the other attractions you want to visit. We’d highly recommend access to the gardens, which are massive.

Once you have your tickets and tour time set up, you can plan what to do for the rest of your visit.

There is so much to do at Schönbrunn, including a big zoo (the oldest in the Western world!), the Imperial Carriage Museum, and the Orangery. A visit to the Gloriette, a huge structure which crowns a hill here, offers great views of the palace.

We’d also highly recommend taking the time to visit the Apple Strudel show, where you can learn all about traditional apple strudel making techniques – plus eat a slice yourself.

Schönbrunn Palace is open every day, including public holidays. Closing times vary depending on the time of year, but it opens every morning at 8am, when tickets and display rooms are opened. You can see opening times and prices here .

Schönbrunn Palace is also included on the Vienna Pass , and we highly recommend the pass if you are planning on visiting the palace, which is relatively expensive due to all the various attractions on site.

If you don’t want to buy a pass, we recommend buying a ticket in advance to skip the lines, which you can do from the official site here .

Another option is to take a guided walking tour of the palace, such as this well reviewed one . This will also skip the lines, as well as give you lots of information and historical context about the palace.

To be honest, if you have the time and inclination, you could easily spend all day at Schönbrunn Palace, and we wouldn’t blame you if you choose to do just that. On a warm sunny day it’s definitely one of the nicest places to be in the city.

If you’d rather do a bit more sightseeing though on your third day in Vienna, here are a couple more options for you to consider.

Belvedere Museum

If you have time, we very much recommend a visit to the UNESCO world heritage listed Belvedere Museum .

This actually consists of two buildings, the Upper and Lower Belvedere. which were constructed  in the early 18th century as the summer residence for Prince Eugene, a military commander and statesman of the Holy Roman Empire.

The two palaces are separated by sloped landscaped gardens which contain a number of water features and sculptures, and are considered some of the finest examples of Baroque architecture in Europe.

Within the museum are a number of artworks, including the largest collection of Klimt paintings in the world, as well as works from Monet, Van Gogh, Renoir and Cezanne. The Upper Belvedere also affords an excellent view of the city.

The Upper Belvedere is open daily from 9am – 6pm (9pm on Fridays), and the Lower Belvedere is open daily from 10am – 6pm (9pm on Fridays). Each palace has an individual entry fee, and you can see full details of fees and opening times here .

Both are also included on the Vienna Pass, or you can buy your tickets online in advance here .

Time Travel Vienna

If you are travelling in Vienna as a family, or you prefer to learn about history in a more interactive way, then you might enjoy a visit to Time Travel Vienna .

This is a fun tour through 2,000 years of Viennese history, told through the medium of costumed guides, animatronic shows and a “5D” cinema experience, as well as various special effects and music.

The tour lasts around an hour, and is available in a number of languages. Definitely a fun way to learn about Vienna!

Time Travel Vienna is open daily from 10am – 8pm, with the last tour starting at 7pm. There’s a fee for entry, and you can check times and prices here , and book tickets in advance here .

Prater Park and Ferris Wheel

Last on our list of what to do in Vienna for three days, before we move on to some practicalities for your visit, is a visit to Prater Park.

This is an old traditional amusement park, a couple of metro stops from the old town centre, which is home to Vienna’s iconic Giant Ferris Wheel .

Originally built in 1897, this was the world’s largest ferris wheel for decades, right up until 1985 in fact. It was seriously damaged in World War 2, and today’s version is the rebuilt model from after the war.

If you’re visiting with a partner and  feeling romantic, you can even hire out your own cabin on the Giant Ferris Wheel and have a romantic meal . Group cabin reservations are also possible, perhaps if you are celebrating a special event.

Otherwise, you can just do what we did, and take the standard tour which lasts around twenty minutes, and offers lovely views of the city.

Prater Park itself is also a lot of fun, especially for families. There are rides, an arcade, a Madame Tussauds and a number of places where you can get food. One thing to be aware of though is that it attractions aren’t open that late all year round, so check opening times on the official website before you go to avoid disappointment.

For the wheel, there is a fee to ride it, and it’s also included on the Vienna Pass. You can also purchase tickets in advance here .

3 Day Vienna Itinerary Map

To help you with your planning, we’ve put together a map of all the attractions in our three day Vienna itinerary. You can see this below, and access the original on Google Maps here .

3 Day Vienna Itinerary Summary

• Day 1: Mozarthaus Vienna, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Vienna State Opera House, Wien Museum, Karlskirche, Naschmarkt
• Day 2: Spanish Riding School, Albertina, Museum of Natural History, Sigmund Freud Museum, City River Cruise, Danube Tower
• Day 3: Schönbrunn Palace, Unteres Belvedere, Time Travel Vienna, Prater Park and Ferris Wheel

Where (and what) to Eat in Vienna

Vienna has a wide range of excellent restaurants and cafes to choose from, at a variety of price points. There are also plenty of bars of course. Local food specialities in Vienna include Wiener Schnitzel (a breaded veal cutlet), Tafelspitz (boiled beef) and of course, Apfelstrudel, or Apple Strudel.

Many of the restaurants throughout Vienna will serve the classics, with prices ranging from 13 – 18 euros for a main course in our experience. We enjoyed particularly good food at Zwolf Apostkeller  and Glacis Beisl , both of which serve high quality traditional Viennese food at reasonable prices.

Where to Stay in Vienna for 3 Days

As we often do when visiting a city like Vienna, we opted for an apartment . This was right in the city centre, and meant that we had room to work, cook meals and do our laundry.

Of course, there are plenty more options in Vienna, with everything from hostels through to mid-range hotels and of course, luxury five star hotels available. Here are some recommended options to consider:

• wombat’s CITY Hostels Vienna – Found in Naschmarkt, near the large city market, and close to the museum quarter, this is a highly rated hostel that offers both dormitory and private rooms at a great price. For hostels, also consider CH-Hostel .
• CH-Budget Centre Rooms – at the budget end of the spectrum, this is a well located guesthouse offering free wifi, private bathrooms and TV’s, with a good value breakfast also available.
• Motel One Wien-Staatsoper – just 100 yards from the Vienna State opera, this three star property is fantastic value. Air conditioned rooms are all en-suite, and WiFi is available throughout.
• Hotel Am Parkring – A highly rated and great value four star property that offers stunning views over the city from its high floor location
• Hotel König von Ungarn – Vienna’s oldest hotel, this four star property is well reviewed and rooms come with free wifi and air conditioning
• Hotel Imperial – a great value yet impressive 5 star luxury hotel in the heart of the city, with a range of rooms that include luxury amenities, marble bathrooms, and at the higher end, a butler service
• Grand Hotel Wien – a highly rated and centrally located 5 star historic property which offers 5 restaurants, luxurious rooms, spa and business centre. A fantastic choice at the high end

We recommend you checkout the Vienna listings on Booking.com if you prefer a hotel stay, we find they usually come back with the widest choice and best deals, plus once you book a few times you get access to Genius discounts, which can save you even more.

For more tips and ideas on how to get the best deals on accommodation (and more!), check out our comprehensive travel resources page .

How to Save Money on your Vienna Trip

As a European capital. Vienna is not exactly a budget destination, although there are ways that you can save money on your trip.

Nearly all the attractions on this list carry an entry fee, which ranges from a few euros up to thirty euros per person. So the cost of sightseeing can very quickly add up.

Thankfully there’s a solution, which is the excellent Vienna Pass . We’re big fans of using city passes like this to save money, and think that the Vienna Pass is one of the best value city pass cards available.

To give you an idea of the savings, if you visited all the attractions on the itinerary above, you’d be looking at over 250 euros in attraction entry fees per person.

With the Vienna Pass, all of the attractions above are included, with the exception of the Karlskirche, Wien Museum, Time Travel Vienna and the Vienna State Opera Tour. It also includes a great many other attractions not listed above, which means you can see even more should you want to.

And a three day Vienna Pass normally only costs 159 euros (as of July 2024). As you can see, this is a considerable saving.

Of course, you’ll want to check your own savings against the attractions you want to visit, and you can see many of the attractions covered by the Vienna Pass here . We definitely think you’ll find it saves you money, and the included Hop on Hop off bus is a real bonus as well for helping you get around the city.

Finally, if you don’t think you’ll use the Vienna Pass enough to get value out of it, you might instead consider the Vienna City Card . This includes free transport around the city, as well as discounts at the major attractions and museums.

Where to see Live Music in Vienna?

A popular question that we are asked from visitors to Vienna is where to attend a classical music concert in the city.

There are many venues throughout the city which offer live music, from the opera house through to performances in churches, many of which will be classical music concerts.

Popular performances include:

• Vivaldi’s Four Seasons at Karlskirche
• Mozart and Strauss at Kursalon Vienna
• Classical Concerts at Schönbrunn Palace
• Classical Concerts in St. Anne’s Church
• Classic Ensemble Vienna in St. Peter’s Church

For more options, visit this page on the official website for Vienna, which has event listings for every type of musical event, and in particular, classic music lovers will want to check out the Classical Music listings .

You can also purchase tickets for live music in Vienna on this website .

How to Get Around Vienna

Vienna is a very walkable city for the most part, and the majority of this itinerary can be done on foot. There are a few locations that are a little further out of the old town centre, like Schönbrunn Palace, the Danube Tower and Prater Park, for which you might need to take public transport or a taxi.

Vienna has an excellent public transport system that includes a metro, buses, and trams. We invested in a three day travel card for our time in Vienna, which gave us free access to all the public transport options in the city.

To be honest though, we didn’t use it enough to really justify the cost – we found ourselves walking between most of the sights, or taking Vienna’s hop on hop off bus.

As discussed above, if you pick up a Vienna Pass , this includes a Hop on Hop off bus pass good for the duration of the pass, which is excellent value.

There are multiple routes around the city, including to all the major sights in this itinerary (including Schönbrunn Palace), and it’s a fun way to do a bit of sight-seeing whilst resting your legs as well.

If you don’t pick up a Vienna Pass or a travel card, instead consider the Vienna City Card . This includes free transport around the city, as well as discounts at the major attractions and museums.

Further Reading for your 3 Days in Vienna

We hope this post gives you nearly all the information you need to plan out your three days in Vienna.

However, we have some additional resources that we think you might find useful for planning your trip. Do check back from time to time and bookmark this page, as we’re always updating and adding new content to our sites to help you make the most of your travels!

• Our guide to spending 2 days in Vienna , if you are visiting for a shorter trip.
• We also have a number of other detailed itineraries , which cover cities, countries and road trips around the world.
• Visiting Vienna in summer? Take a look at our tips for visiting Europe in summer to make the most of your time
• Looking for a guidebook? We used the DK Eyewitness Travel Guide to Vienna , and found it very informative
• Planning to stay in an apartment? Check out our guide to over 20 websites that allow you to book apartments online to make sure you get the best deal

And that sums up our post on how to spend three days in Vienna! As always, we hope you found it useful, and that you have a wonderful trip! If you’ve got any questions or thoughts on how to spend three days in Vienna, let us know about them in the comments below!

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Marianna says

13th September 2023 at 9:42 pm

Hello there ! currently planning an (almost) 3-day city break to Vienna with my partner and stumbled upon your post.. it’s really very helpful, especially when (like us) , you don’t have enough spare time to plan trips ahead! thank you 😃 About Vienna pass, does it provide skip-the-line/fast-track access to the sights it includes? And would you need to book a slot separately to visit each sight, or you can just drop by, show your Vienna pass and get into the sight?

Laurence Norah says

14th September 2023 at 6:11 pm

Hi Marianna!

Thanks very much 🙂 So the Vienna Pass currently (September 2023) includes skip the line access to the following attractions:

Belvedere 21 – Museum of Contemporary Art Albertina Belvedere (Upper and Lower Belvedere) Desert Experience House Gloriette, Maze, Privy Garten, Orangery Garden and Children’s Museum at Schönbrunn Palace Gardens Hofmobiliendepot · Imperial Furniture Collection Imperial Palaces Schloss Hof and Schloss Niederweiden Imperial Treasury Vienna Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna (Museum of Art History) Leopold Museum mumok (Museum of Modern Art Ludwig Foundation) Museum of Natural History Museum of Technology Schönbrunn Zoo Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel State Hall of the Austrian National Library

As far as I know you don’t need to pre-book with the Vienna Pass, you should just be able to turn up 🙂

Have a great time in Vienna and let me know if you have any more questions! Also, if you have any feedback about this guide after you have visited feel free to let me know 🙂

1st September 2023 at 8:20 am

I will be in Vienna on a business trip for 3 days. The hotel is in the center (Stephansplatz), I will use the metro twice a day. What card will be profitable to buy or single tickets. There will be no time to visit museums.

3rd September 2023 at 7:54 pm

Honestly, only using the metro twice a day I think buying single tickets will make more sense. A single ticket is currently €2.4, so two rides will be €4.8. A 24 hour metro card is €8. So unless you will be riding more, single tickets will make more sense.

Have a great time in Vienna!

Rachna says

20th July 2023 at 5:33 am

Love the itinerary. We are going from August 7- Aug 10. Do you think we can cover eveything in this. We also have a concert that we pan to see in one of the days. if u had to suggest 2 museums which one would you suggest n what will u leave .

24th July 2023 at 9:00 am

Thanks! Yes, you should be able to see everything on the itinerary. The Wien Museum is still mostly closed other than some temporary exhibits. In terms of which museums to visit, it really depends on what you are interested in seeing. If you prefer natural history (dinosaurs etc), then obviously the Natural History Museum would be a pick. But there are museums covering art, psychology, etc. So it really depends on what you want to see and what interests you 🙂

Enjoy Vienna!

Lea Tufford says

4th July 2023 at 9:55 pm

Hi Laurence and Jessica,

Thank you for this wonderful information. My family and I are leaving for Vienna this Friday. We are visiting a few other places in Europe. Do you have any blogs on other cities?

5th July 2023 at 10:10 am

We certainly do! It will depend on where you are going but we have content on a number of European cities and destinations, including Rome, London, Paris and Barcelona. You can see all the areas where we have content on our destinations pages:

https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/category/destinations/europe/ https://independenttravelcats.com/category/travel-destinations/

Let me know if you have any questions, and have a great trip!

5th July 2023 at 1:40 pm

Hi Laurence,

Thank you for this. I see you have information on Munich and Berlin, which we are also visiting so I will check out those cities. Do you have any information on Salzburg and Prague? Those are the other two cities on our trip.

Kind regards, Lea

6th July 2023 at 11:44 am

I don’t unfortunately, I have visited both those cities but it was a very long time ago so my information is not up to date. I do hope you have a lovely trip though!

6th July 2023 at 2:09 pm

Thank you Laurence,

Belle Wong says

19th May 2023 at 9:35 am

Thanks for the Info. For the Spanish Riding schools, to visit with the Vienna Pass, do you need to pre-book ? Can you go any time or need to go at specific timing ?

20th May 2023 at 2:24 pm

So with the Vienna Pass you can only visit the training which takes place in the morning. It should be between 10am and 11am, with the entry time is 15 minutes before that. You don’t need to pre-book as far as I know. Hopefully this answers your question!

Have a great time in Vienna and let me know if you have any more questions 🙂

30th August 2022 at 8:02 am

Thanks for this wonderful info

30th August 2022 at 11:16 am

My pleasure Anu, have a great time in Vienna!

John Wong says

11th July 2022 at 10:35 pm

Hello, Can you explain how to book the MS Blue Danube 75 min Boat Cruise ahead of time, with the Vienna Pass? E.g. Do I buy the Vienna Pass now, then the pass will give me some coupon code, and then I can use the code to book the Boat Cruise?

12th July 2022 at 11:23 am

As far as I know the Vienna Pass doesn’t currently allow for advance bookings in this way. Other city passes do allow this for sites with reservations, such as the Paris Pass for reservations to places like the Louvre, but this isn’t currently supported. What we did was we just went to the ticket office with our pass and booked our tour in person.

30th October 2021 at 7:55 pm

Thanks for all the good suggestions, but did I miss something? What about the Kunsthistorisches Museum?

31st October 2021 at 10:35 am

Thanks very much for your comment! So I also like the Kunsthistoriche Museum, which I included in my 2 day Vienna itinerary . I didn’t want to overfill this itinerary, but you are right in that it does warrant an inclusion. So I’ve made a note about it in the Natural History museum section.

26th February 2020 at 8:33 am

Thank you for this! One of the best blog posts about a city I’ve honesty ever read. You’ve given me plenty of ideas for our upcoming trip!!

26th February 2020 at 10:42 am

Thanks very much Anna – that’s appreciated! Have a great time in Vienna, and do let me know if you have any questions!

stuart rosen says

30th October 2019 at 9:09 am

Very informative

Looking to go in May is this a good time ? Also Saltzburg day trip can it be done in one day have limited time?

30th October 2019 at 11:00 am

Thanks very much. May would be a great time, the weather is likely to be fairly warm but it won’t be as crowded as the summer months. It’s one of our favourite months to travel in Europe.

It would be possible to visit Salzburg from Vienna as a day trip, although be aware it’s around a 2.5 hour train ride each way, so you will want to get an early morning train to make the most of your time in Salzburg.

Have a great trip!

David Lynn says

16th September 2019 at 7:17 am

Just read your blog and took some good notes. I will be in Vienna for just three days; 5 Oct – 7 Oct. 2019. Your blog was very helpful. Thank you very much! David

16th September 2019 at 8:23 am

Our pleasure David – have a great trip to Vienna 🙂

Mohini says

7th June 2019 at 5:14 am

Thank you for sharing such valuable information Lawrence Norah. We are travelling to Wien today and will be there for 4 days. Your blog has been of great help!!

7th June 2019 at 8:35 pm

My pleasure, have a great trip Mohini!

Jennifer Kates Ramlo says

27th May 2019 at 4:55 pm

Just read your blog regarding things to visit in Vienna. Thank you for the wealth of information! We will be there in a few weeks and I now have a better idea as to how to spend my time. I’ll be sure to look for other posts regarding some of the other cities we will be visiting. Thanks again.

27th May 2019 at 6:40 pm

Our pleasure Jennifer. Do let us know if you have any questions, and have a great trip!

26th May 2019 at 9:26 am

Very happy to stumble across your blog. Heading to Vienna on Jun 8th for 3 full days and will definitely use your travel tips to plan our itinerary. Thank you

26th May 2019 at 10:52 am

Our pleasure Helen! Have a great trip 😀

3rd March 2019 at 4:13 am

We will be going to Vienna end of March, thank for the helpful tip. If you don’t mind, can you tell us which apt you stayed at as we are looking for one with Airbnb Much appreciated

3rd March 2019 at 9:27 am

I don’t mind at all. To be honest though, we rarely share our AirBnB apartments as we find that many hosts don’t stay on the platform for more than a few years, and so our recommendations can go out of date very quickly. Our apartment was this one , however you’ll notice they are not currently taking reservations until July 🙁

1st March 2019 at 5:46 pm

Will be following this itinerary on our upcoming trip this weekend!

Thank you for sharing this…. looking forward to all that Vienna has to offer

2nd March 2019 at 8:00 am

Have a fantastic time Eddy, and do pop back to let us know how it went!

Vandana says

20th September 2018 at 6:14 am

We will be visiting Vienna on 4th October for 3 days this article is a big help .Laurence and Norah.We will follow it as it is .Thanks for sharing.

21st September 2018 at 2:21 pm

Thanks Vandana! Have a great trip, and let us know how it goes!

franklin says

31st August 2018 at 3:16 am

just found out your blog about Vienna in 3 Days. Enjoyed reading it very much. will be visiting Vienna in Mid-March 2019.

31st August 2018 at 10:27 am

Have a great trip Franklin 🙂

Kristall Spaces says

20th August 2018 at 3:12 pm

Fantastic article, thanks for sharing this 🙂

I have been to Vienna loads of times and loved every single visit.

The city is rich with culture and incredible architecture.

Other notable places in Austria I would visit are Salzburg, Berwang and Otztal.

George Tod says

27th May 2018 at 10:15 pm

Hi. We went to Wien last September and now plan a trip to Salzburg this September. Do you have anything recommendations on Salzburg accomodation, where to stay/ things to do and trips tp Halstadd

28th May 2018 at 2:08 pm

Hi George – unfortunately not, we’ve not travelling in Salzburg and we only share information from personal experiences. Have a good trip though!

Valdenio says

21st May 2018 at 5:28 am

Going to. Vienna for our 25th anniversary, Thanks for your itinerary and tips

21st May 2018 at 1:31 pm

My pleasure – happy anniversary and have a wonderful trip!

HiCinko says

17th April 2018 at 1:08 pm

Vienna seems to be quite an iconic place to visit.

18th April 2018 at 6:20 am

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• Destinations

Work on Monday Travels

An amazing 3-day austria itinerary: innsbruck, zell-am-see, salzburg.

A 3-day Austria itinerary! Actually, if we’re being honest its more like a 3.5-day itinerary. Either way, it is a great PTO-friendly itinerary to Austria if you are trying to see a bit of Austria with Slovenia or Croatia (like we did 😍).

We actually flew into Munich in the late afternoon on this trip. Therefore, we stayed in Munich one night and did a walking tour of Munich in the morning before heading to Austria. A summary of this 3-day Austria itinerary:

• Innsbruck- Morning rooftop view, Bergisel Ski Jump, “painted ladies” of Innsbruck
• Gondola ride to the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier from Zell am See
• Salzburg- Self-guided walking tour, Hohensalzburg Fortress, Stiegkeller Brewery, Augustiner Brewery

Work on Monday Travels is supported by readers and, at no cost to you, may earn commission when you book or purchase using our links. Full disclosure found here.

Day 0.5: Innsbruck

After doing a walking tour of Munich, we drove 2 hours from Munich to Innsbruck.

If you are driving from Munich to Innsbruck, take the slightly longer route through Garmish-Partenkirchen to see gorgeous mountain views and stop in Garmish if you have the time! 

Arriving in early afternoon, you will have time to explore and have dinner in downtown Innsbruck. You’ll notice the vibrant and colorful architecture as soon as you turn on the central pedestrian street and it’s beauty is only magnified by the backdrop of the Austrian Alps. Take your time exploring the shops and boutiques around the town square.

Top the day off with dinner downtown and a walk along the Inn River afterwards. 

Day 1: Innsbruck/Zell am See

Day 1 will consist of finishing up what you want to see in Innsbruck before heading to Zell am See!

Itinerary for day 1:

• Free to walk around the ledge of the restaurant 
• Whether you are a skier or not, go up to the top for even higher panoramic views of Austria!
• Tickets are $10 per person and can be booked here!
• I don’t think the colorful houses located along the Inn River are actually called the “painted ladies,” but they are worth seeing and have become an identifying landmark for Innsbruck   

Click here for more information on maximizing your 24 hours in Innsbruck!

4. After seeing the colorful house row of Innsbruck, begin you 2 hour journey to Zell am See. Getting there before nightfall, you will be able to check into your room ( click here for some great options) and explore downtown Zell am See. Visit the Grand Hotel and its gorgeous landscape before having dinner!

Side note: Zell am See is a ski town located on a gorgeous lake. Like any other ski town, it is bustling in the winter for skiing as well as in the summer when there is outdoor fun like hiking and enjoying the lake. So, while we visited in October, Zell am See was a ghost town! Many stores weren’t even open, so the options for dining and things to do in town were slim this time of year. 

Day 2: Kitzsteinhorn Gondola

The main purpose of adding a pitstop in Zell am See  to this 3-day Austria itinerary was to ride the gondola up to Kitzteinhorn and see the glacier at the to; it was one of the highlights of this trip! I recommend it for ANY Austria itinerary.

• However, we had quite the time trying to plan our trip to include the views at Kitzteinhorn. We weren’t exactly sure what it was called or what town it was located in; I’ve provided all details in the guide here! 

After finishing at Kitzteinhorn, drive 2.5 hours to Salzburg to spend two nights. You will arrive about 2 hours before nightfall in order to spend the remaining daylight hours walking along the river before having dinner; we ate at a local restaurant and beer garden called Sternbrau . 

Day 3: Salzburg

Salzburg’s hills really are alive (iykyk)! Day three will be spent exploring Salzburg. We traveled in a group of 4, so our morning was split in two, with two people going on a “Sound of Music” tour while my husband and I took a self-guided tour around Salzburg using our headphones and an app with information about the main sights to see around Salzburg.

I highly recommend:

• You can climb to the fortress for free, but you have to pay to enter. You can also ride a cable car to the top if you aren’t excited about hiking up the hill. 
• The fortress is one of the top things to see in the city! Learn more about it here.
• You will pass this brewery if you choose to walk up to the fortress; it has a GREAT patio that overlooks the city!
• You go into the brewery, grab a stein off the shelf, rinse it in the fountain and have it filled out of the barrel! It is a very cool, traditional experience. 

For a list of everything we saw in Salzburg and a guide on recommended restaurants, where to stay and more, click here.

3-Day Austria Itinerary Recap (including possible additions/changes)

This is a fast-paced 3-day itinerary to Austria. However, we felt like we got to see a lot of Western Austria! Our end-goal of this trip was to travel down to Croatia, so we decided to leave out Vienna on this particular trip and fit it into our future trip to Hungry and Slovakia 🙂 Also, with more time we would have added a stop in Hallstatt on our drive from Zell am See to Salzburg. However, exploring Kitzsteinhorn took us longer than we expected, so we took it off the itinerary. Add it to yours if you have time! 

I hope you love Austria as much as we did; we have every intention of returning again because there is honestly so much beauty in Austria! 

You May Also Like

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Home » Europe » Austria » Vienna

EPIC 3-DAY VIENNA ITINERARY (2024)

Vienna is not only Austria’s capital, but it is also a hub for artistic and intellectual genius! This vastly beautiful and sophisticated city was once the home of Mozart, Beethoven, and Sigmund Freud. Even Einstein was known to enjoy the splendor of Vienna!

It’s easy to see how people worldwide flock to enjoy the exquisite glory that Vienna provides, as well as explore the many historical and fascinating sites it boasts.

Our complete three day Vienna itinerary will take you on an unforgettable journey, leading the way and making sure that your trip is overflowing with non-stop beauty. Let the stress of planning ease, and keep this guide with you to ensure you have yourself an amazing three days in Vienna!

This ancient city lies on the banks of the Danube River and is known for being the birthplace of free-thinking and artistic advancement! Vienna’s cafes are set within an inspiring ambiance, and it is said that you will feel as if you have consumed both time and space, yet only coffee will be found on your bill!

A Little Bit About this 3-Day Vienna Itinerary

Where to stay in vienna, vienna itinerary day 1: innere stadt and neubau, vienna itinerary day 2: schönbrunn, weiden, and mariahilf, vienna itinerary day 3: leopoldstadt and landstrabe, what to do with more than three days in vienna, best time to visit vienna, how to get around vienna, what to prepare before visiting vienna, faq on vienna itinerary, final thoughts.

You can see Vienna’s gorgeous sites walking along the streets, and exploring this picturesque city on foot is a must!  Take in the upbeat rhythm of Vienna’s streets as you enjoy many statues and imperial architecture. There are cafes everywhere, as well as art galleries and plenty of museums. Walking is one of the best ways to get around Vienna as a lot of the attractions can be found close to each other.

However, Vienna is huge and there can be times when you will need a faster and less strenuous way to get around! The train stations and underground subways are wonderful ways to get from A to B in Vienna, and they can be found in most of the big cities.

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You can also book tickets with U-Bahn metro systems. You can see the places for these buses quite easily as they are marked with a blue cube that has a white ‘U’ on it. You can save money with these by booking a day pass online or getting Vienna’s local travel card. There are also buses and taxis found within Vienna, and this makes for a quick way to travel.

If you are wanting to travel in your own time, you can also hire a car or bike in Vienna. This is a great option when travelling, and it gives you a lot more freedom. If you don’t trust your GSP, you can hire a private driver to take you from place to place and show you some of the best streets!

If need be, the airport also offers reasonable ticket prices for a flight from one part of Vienna to the next.

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3-Day Vienna Itinerary Overview

Day 1 in Vienna: Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien , Austrian National Library , St. Peter’s Catholic Church , St. Stephen’s Cathedral , Vienna Opera House

Day 2 in Vienna: Schönbrunn Palace , Naschmarkt , Secession , Karlskirche , Albertina , Mariahilf

Day 3 in Vienna: Volksgarten , Rathaus , Prater , Museum of Applied Arts , Hundertwasser Apartment House and Museum , Danube Canal

More Places to See in Vienna: Central Cemetery , Wien Museum Mozart Apartment , Belvedere Palace , MuseumsQuartier

Save more and experience more. Get a city pass before you travel.

A huge part of planning a trip to Vienna is knowing which neighborhood you want to stay in! Ask yourself what kind of place you are looking for – peaceful or bustling? Do you want to be close to Vienna points of interest or do you enjoy long journeys? Would you like to experience the luxurious side of Vienna, or are you more interested in the quirky parts? All of this comes into play, but we will share some of the best options of where to stay in Vienna!

If it’s your first time in Vienna, then the area of Innere Stadt is the best place for you to stay. This neighborhood is central and is also where most of Vienna’s beautiful historical sites can be found. You can see all of the best architecture and do some magical sightseeing without having to travel far. One of the best parts about this neighborhood is that it is surrounded by the Ringstrasse wall, which once used to be the city’s official wall.

Neubau is by far the coolest place to stay in Vienna! This is where Vienna showcases its trendy art galleries, cafes with unique character, and plenty of designer clothing shops. The restaurants in this area are also well worth checking out and provide tasty cuisine set in unusually decorated buildings.

If you want to learn more, be sure to read our awesome guide on the COOLEST areas in Vienna !

Best Hostel in Vienna – Hostel Ruthensteiner Vienna

This remarkable hostel provides spotless accommodation that is also conveniently close to the Wein Westbahnhoff station. The hostel members pride themselves on the cozy and friendly vibe that exudes from their establishment. There is also an amazing garden and music area for you to put your feet up and relax after a long day of adventuring!

Best Airbnb in Vienna – Unbeatable Home in Prime Location

Discover Vienna on foot while staying smack dack in the city center in this modern but cozy apartment. And if you do plan to venture out, this home is footsteps from the bus station.

Do you like meeting new people on your travels? If that’s you, this is the spot to be; the private room is in a huge home where you share the space with a few people that will quickly feel like family you may end up going o future adventures with during your time here.

Not to mention, even with a house full of people, the place continues to stay immaculate. With a full kitchen to use whenever you please as well as a cozy living area that has an organized space to play board games or cards, you may not even leave home!

Best Budget Hotel in Vienna – Pension Wild

This budget-friendly hotel also happens to be a historical building in Vienna dating back to 1904! It has been renovated and provides elegant accommodation for those in Josefstadt. The hotel is close to two subways, both the Rathaus and Volkstheater Underground Stations. The rooms are comfortable and the staff is always smiling. This may be the best place to stay in Vienna during your visit!

Best Luxury Hotel in Vienna – House of Time

Enjoy 5-star treatment with an incredibly charming, artistic touch at The House of Time. These fancy suites are exquisite, each with their own theme. The hotel offers not only luxury accommodation, but  style and an unforgettable hotel ambiance like no other. You can even book a room that has its own private room service, onsite bar, mini bar, and so much more are offered at the House of Time.

Want to save money on accommodation?

We got you. For reals.

We’re going to spend our first day in Vienna admiring some of the finest landmarks in the city.

9:00 AM – Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien

One of the best things about Vienna is its unique and rich artistic history; we’re going to start the largest art museum in the country on our first day in Vienna! The Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien is a magnificent building that hosts many priceless artworks, but its very structure is also a masterpiece.

It showcases excellent architecture with an artistic ambiance! Stroll the gardens and admire the external features of the building, then make sure to tour its interior. One of the most unforgettable parts of this museum is the signature octagonal dome.

Enjoy remarkable exhibitions, displays, and breathtaking artwork from the Viennese masters.

By the time you finish with the museum, you’re probably going to need a jolt of energy. Sit down for a relaxed meal and a cup of fresh coffee or a hot cup of tea at the museum’s cafe before leaving.

• Cost:  €16.
• How long should I stay here?  2-3 hours.
• Getting there:  There are two U-Bahn stops nearby: Volkstheater (Line 3) and the Museumsquartier (Line 2).

12:00 PM – Austrian National Library

The Austrian National Library is the largest library in the country so expect a library that oozes with grandeur of a whole new kind! There are over twelve million items in its enormous collection. The library building itself has been standing since the fifteenth century and carries a beautiful history of its own (that you can read up about when you are there). It was originally built as a part of the glorious Hofberg Palace and Sisi Museum.

The Austrian Library is also made up of three wonderful museums, the Papyrus Museum, the Globe Museum, and the Esperanto Museum. The oldest book in the entire library is a medieval clerical scripture called  ‘Evangeliar of Johannes of Troppau’, from 1368. It’s worth looking at because it is full of coloured drawings and beautiful calligraphy!

The impressive baroque State Hall is an immeasurable beauty! Marvel and stand in the middle of the cathedral-like oval dome, which is suspended by marble columns that are entirely covered in magnificent frescoes. There are also galleries of carved wood where you will find over 200,000 books that have been meticulously bound with precious leather.

There are wooden stairs on wheels to cross over the two stories of books! You will also see historic personalities that have been sculpted from pine marble and plenty of earth globes that are over 400-years-old.

When you’re ready to move on and/or you’re feeling a bit hungry, head over to Café Hawelka for some lunch!

• Cost:  €8. Free for those nineteen and younger.
• How long should I stay here?  1-2 hours.
• Getting there:  It’s a 10-minute walk to the Library from the Kunsthistorisches through the Burggarten.

3:00 PM – St. Peter’s Catholic Church

Also known as the Peterskirche, this Roman Catholic Church is one of the major Vienna landmarks and a highlight for any Vienna itinerary! Even from its exterior, it boasts a magnificent amount of classic domes, reliefs, and exquisite statues. Once you open those doors and step inside, you will have your breath taken away by this church’s uniquely colorful interior and form.

St. Peter’s Church was originally built in the 18th century, and it embodies all the architectural design qualities of that time. You can catch free concerts and recitals, so there is always a chance to enjoy an extra bit of fun when you visit!

This church is a captivating Baroque structure and has so much to offer everyone who visits! From gorgeous domes and artwork to well-designed interior details, there is a lot of magnificence fitted into a small space.

Begin your trip in Vienna with a place that captures the soul of this wonderful city!

Insider Tip:  You won’t need to go inside the church to marvel at its beauty, and most of its best features are seen from outside. Be sure to ride the elevator to experience one of the best views in Vienna!

• Cost:  €8-10 depending on if you want to go up to the dome by elevator or by foot.
• How long should I stay here?  An hour or less.
• Getting there:  If you dropped by Café Hawelka for a bite, St. Peter’s is less than 5 minutes away by foot via Graben Street.

4:00 PM – St. Stephen’s Cathedral

• Food Recommendation: Enjoy a luxurious meal at Cantinetta Antinori Gastronomie GmbH and be sure to try one of the many delectable wines made on the family estate!

Vienna has a host of fascinating and significant buildings, and St Stephen’s Cathedral is one of the most revered! It is the main mother church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese and is where the seat of the Archbishop is, therefore, it is the most important Roman Catholic church in the whole of Austria!

The exterior of the church is made of impressive limestone walls and boasts a variety of intricately detailed statues of both Romanesque and Gothic architectural styles. The most eye-catching and enchanting part of St. Stephen’s Cathedral is the decorated and colorful mosaic roof that has been made of 230,000 tiles and its intimidating Imperial Double-Headed Eagle that pops out in the black tiles!

The church’s tallest tower is known affectionately as ‘Steffl’, and it stands at a staggering 136 metres (446 feet) high. It is now renowned as an icon of the city’s skyline! The interior of the church is even more breathtaking, and your eyes might very well pop out in sheer amazement as you take in the luxurious and detailed design and artwork!

NOTE: We’re going to end our first day in Vienna at the Opera and shows usually start at 7:00 pm. We can either a) have a small snack before the show and then another at intermission or b) have a proper dinner before. If we choose plan b then we’ll need to leave St. Stephens by 5:00 at the latest. There are plenty of (expensive) restaurants around Innerstadt to choose from – just make sure you make reservations ahead of time.

• Cost:  Free! But it is €5.50 to enter the towers.
• How long should I stay here?  Depends on how much you want to eat before the next destination. If you just want to eat a bit, you can spend more time at the church.
• Getting there:  St. Stephen’s is practically across the square from St. Peter’s.

7:00 PM – Vienna Opera House

The Vienna State Opera House is one of the most famous and revered opera houses in the entire world, and it hosts a large variety of performances that are rich with culture and tradition. It is a true legacy of Vienna’s artistic accomplishments.

Each season, the schedule will feature 350 shows of more than 60 different operas and ballets! Every night there is a world-class artist among a permanent ensemble of Vienna Opera House members, accompanied by an orchestra. The orchestra is also impressively made up of the same artists from the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.

Enjoy world-class performances for a dazzling night out in Vienna! You can also enjoy events at the Vienna Opera House, such as special banquets and balls.

• Cost:  Tickets can be anywhere from €2-315 depending on where you sit and what show is being performed.
• How long should I stay here?  A typical opera is usually around 2.5-3 hours long.
• Getting there:  The Vienna Opera is less than 10 minutes walk from St. Stephen’s.

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When you travel to Vienna, there are some places that you can’t miss! Enjoy your second day in Vienna with these amazing sights and beautiful places.

9:00 AM – Schönbrunn Palace

  The jaw-droppingly exquisite and extravagant Schönbrunn Palace is a treasure trove of Viennese history and a place of opulent luxury! The palace, once the home of the famous Habsburg rulers, has 1,441-rooms and an unending amount of excellent features and displays throughout both the gardens and indoors. This palace was

The palace itself boasts a Baroque architectural design and is sure to make you feel like royalty as you stroll through the many halls and enjoy the mesmerizing gardens! Feast your eyes and take in one of Vienna’s most significant cultural, historical, and architectural landmarks.

Insider Tip:  You can sometimes end up waiting in lines for hours and hours, so be sure to book your ticket online before arriving, so that you can skip the queue and have a guided tour!

• Cost:  €16-52 depending on which pass you want.
• How long should I stay here?  1.5 hours inside and 1.5 hours in the park.
• Getting there:  Schönbrunn and Hietzing are the two nearest metro stops; both are served by Line 4.

12:00 PM – Lunch at Naschmarkt

Can you imagine a market that could be described as luxurious? Vienna is probably the only place in the world where there is a luxurious authentic market. There is an endless variety and range of products. Whilst strolling, you will never cease to find something new to see, taste, and simply enjoy!

Opened in the 16th century, the market has a history and used to serve as a marketplace for the Austrian empire to sell goods to farmers from overseas and outside of the city. In today’s time, the Naschmarkt provides a vast array of services! It is a priceless place to enjoy Viennese cuisine and experience the language and culture of the local people.

Each stall is set up with the intention of catching your eye, so expect grand appearances, bright colors, and impressive displays. Fresh fruits are arranged to dazzle, food is cooked with flavorsome spices, and many ingredients are laid out. There is no better place to indulge in Viennese food! Be sure to add this onto your three day itinerary in Vienna!

The city’s melting pot of culture is showcased here in a truly fantastic way, and people-watching is one of the things you will find yourself doing. There are families that have been in Austria for centuries who make cheese and baked goods, as well as ethnic vendors who have come from all over the world to live and trade in Vienna.

The Naschmarkt is open every day of the week, except for Sundays. If you’re visiting Vienna in December, be sure to come for the Christmas markets as well!

• Cost:  Varies. Meals usually cost around €15.
• How long should I stay here?  2 hours give or take.
• Getting there:  Take Line 4 from Schönbrunn Palace and get off at the Kettenbrückengasse stop.

2:00 PM – Secession

The Secession is a fascinating exhibition and structure of huge significance. Built in 1897, it marks the beginning of modern art in Vienna and pays homage to the powerful movement. When it was first introduced, it was highly controversial and clashed with the extremely traditional and conservative idea of art in that era.

Secession is a monument that honors the first designers and artists who were devoted to their forward-thinking and internationalist view of art! This is one of the very best and most interesting places to visit in Vienna !

• Cost:  €9.50
• How long should I stay here?  Less than an hour.
• Getting there:  The monument is around 5 minutes walk from the Naschmarkt via Wienzeile Street

3:00 PM – Karlskirche

Also known as St. Charles Church, Karlskirche is a fascinating, religiously significant marvel in Vienna! One of the main features of this magnificent church is its massive cupola, which was the last piece of work done by an eminent Viennese architect, Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach.

Karlskirche was built in the seventeenth century, and it was constructed because of a vow taken by Emperor Charles VI during a plague epidemic in Vienna. The church pays homage to the patron saint, Saint Charles Borromeo, and you can even find exhibits in the church that display his now very old traveling clothes!

The High Altar has been renovated but maintains its original design and captivating appearance. This is one of the best places to visit in Vienna on your second day!

Insider Tip:  If you are a lover of classical music and gospel, be sure to check out the church concerts performed on a regular basis.

• How long should I stay here?  An hour; maybe longer if you go inside.
• Getting there:  Cross the main street and Resselpark; the church is less than 10 minutes walk from the Succession.

4:00 PM – Albertina

If you love all things art and drawing, then you MUST visit the Albertina during your three days in Vienna! This museum is home to over 65,000 drawings and approximately one million old master prints. In fact, it has one of the largest and most important print rooms in the whole world!

The museum is special to Vienna, but it is also a monument that holds heralds of history from days long past and can give insight into the world’s artistic past.

You can also enjoy a host of majestic graphical words from the modern era, as well as impressive photographs and architectural designs.

• How long should I stay here?  Until closing (1-2 hours).
• Getting there:  The museum is located back in Inner Stadt and it’s about a 15-minute walk from Karlskirche.

7:00 PM – Mariahilf Neighborhood

After a long day of exploring Vienna, it’s time to sit down and have a nice meal and tall stein of beer. The best area to unwind in the city is definitely the district of Mariahilf.

Mariahilf is currently one of the trendiest neighborhoods in Vienna is very popular with younger crowds. Some of the coolest Viennese cafes and bars are located around this quarter so it makes for an excellent place to blow off some steam and get stuck in a long conversation. There are a lot of students around so the conversations may veer towards the academic what’s currently ailing society.

Cafe Kafka is one of the most notorious coffee house in the area and worth dropping by for a quick drink. Fair warning though: it can be noxious inside as smoking is allowed indoors here.

Secret Garden is a very charming vegetarian restaurant tucked away in an even more charming back alley of Mariahilf.

Finally, Stehbeisl is one of the best bars in Vienna thanks to the ambiance – imagine fancy dive with cheap beers and pictures of American rockers.

• Cost:  €3-4. €10-15 for an affordable dinner.
• How long should I stay here?  As long as you want!
• Getting there:  You’ll need to backtrack past Kunsthistorisches and beyond the MuseumsQuartier. A bit of a walk from the Albertina but still less than 20 minutes away.

Are you wanting to know which places to visit in Vienna? Well, our itinerary covers a variety of places to go and things to do during your visit. If you plan on spending a weekend in Vienna , three days, or even a week, these activities will guarantee that you have an amazing time!

9:00 AM – Volksgarten

The Volksgarten is an extremely scenic public park that is apart of the Hofberg Palace, and it is well worth seeing! The park itself was built over the historical site of the city fortifications that got destroyed by Napoleon in 1809.

The park boasts historical value, pristine gardens, soothing fountains, and a gorgeous place to stroll about and enjoy one of Vienna’s most sculpted flower and bush formations. Start your morning easy and get the cobwebs out of your eyes before we start day 2 of our Viennese itinerary.

After you finish your walk in the park, be sure to drop by Café Landtmann in front of the Rathaus. It is one of the most famous coffee houses in Vienna and was one of Sigmund Freud’s favorite places to frequent.

• Cost:  Free.
• Getting there:  Take Line 2 and get off at Volkstheater.

10:00 AM – Rathaus

The Rathaus is Vienna’s City Hall. It is also the most expensive monument that has been built in Vienna during the 19th century!  It was originally constructed between 1872 to 1883 and has an incredible neo-gothic design.

There is a lovely 100-meter tall tower that resembles a cathedral bell tower, and it sticks out like an oddly beautiful sore thumb! The tower is topped by a significant statue of a regal armored knight holding a lance. In fact, you will find statues of Viennese nobels all over the Rathaus grounds.

One of the must-see sights is found on the eastern side of the building, and it is a wonderful loggia that leads you into the interior of Rathaus. From here, you can walk up a sleek staircase to view the extravagant banquet hall.

• Cost:  Guided tours can be bought on-site to see the halls but there’s not much time today.
• How long should I stay here?  An hour.
• Getting there:  The Rathaus is across the street (Universitätsring) from the Wolksgarten.

12:00 PM – Prater

Officially known as Wurstelprater , Prater is one of the most fun and exciting amusement parks in Vienna! Not only will you find a host of incredible sites, rides, and uncanny food stalls, but you can also enjoy an iconic ride on Vienna’s most popular and world-renowned symbol – the Wiener Riesenrad Giant Ferris Wheel. Movie buffs will also interested to hear that this Ferris wheel is where one of the most famous scenes from The Third Man – an iconic movie starring Orson Welles and made in Vienna – was filmed.

For those who are not interested in the theme park, there’s still plenty of green space to wander around. We suggest grabbing a  wurstel  (sausage) or something else to go from one of the stands back at Wurstelprater and then having a little picnic on a hill somewhere.

• How long should I stay here?  3-4 hours.
• Getting there:  Take the U-Bahn (Line 2) from the Schottentor stop near the Rathaus and get off at Messe-Prater.

3:00 PM – Museum of Applied Arts

Also known as MAK, the Austrian Museum of Applied Arts is an extraordinary museum and one of the most fabulous structures in Vienna! One walk around here will have you feeling inspired and invigorated with a fresh new set of eyes to lay on the world. It has been around since the eighteenth century and has a lot to boast about in terms of its function and architectural properties!

The museum traces the artistic history of Austria and emphasizes current art accomplishments. You will find every kind of exhibition displayed here, from baroque glassware to industrial design awards. The museum is also known for hosting remarkable temporary exhibits. It will be sure to add a sense of excitement to your visit, and you may be lucky enough to see one!

The building of the Museum of Applied Arts is a masterpiece in itself, and you could spend plenty of time admiring the ceiling, which is a gorgeous neo-renaissance design. This one-of-a-kind museum is a museum of Austrian art, design, and also history. It offers a huge variety of insight into all of these fascinating areas!

• Cost:  €12.
• Getting there:  From the beginning of Wurstprater, it’s about 10-15 minutes walking back across the Danube Canal.

5:00 PM – Hundertwasser Apartment House and Museum

The artist in which this entire adventure pays homage to is Friedensreich Hundertwasser, and -although his name might be a tongue twister- it is well known to all Viennese households. The Apartment House is one of his very first and very influential designs. He was an architect with a love for out-of-the-box thinking and a dream to inspire people all over the world to create their own paradise on earth!

The apartment is one of Vienna’s highlights and shows off remarkable Antoni Gaudi style architecture. It is a real sight to behold and an eye-catching gem on your three day itinerary in Vienna.

The Hundertwasser Village is found just opposite the house, and there is a building that has an entire forest for a roof! The village itself is a small shopping center, complete with a handful of beautiful souvenir shops.

The museum is a short walk from the apartment and provides excellent insight into the world of this famous Viennese artist! The museum building has a beautiful interior design and is worth having a look at. You can also enjoy a selection of his artwork and become inspired by someone who has left a magnificent footprint of love and art as his legacy.

The Hundertwasser Apartment House can be seen from outside all day every day, however, the infoshop is only open from 9 am to 5 pm. You can see the village every day from 9 am to 6 pm and the museum from 10 am to 6 pm.

• Cost:  €11.
• How long should I stay here?  1 hour is fine.
• Getting there:  From the Kunsthaus, it’s a 5-minute walk to Hundertwasser.

7:00 PM – Danube Canal

Spend your last day in Vienna lounging by the lazy Danube Canal. Whilst a fairly unremarkable sight on its own, during the summer the canal can get pretty busy with pedestrians. Lots of people come here at the end of the day to relax and drink beers with friends!

There are lots of bars and restaurants around the Danube Canal. Strandbar Herrmann is probably the best of the bunch and features some excellent DJ sets. There’s also Badeschiff Wien, similar to Strandbar, as well as Motto am Fluss, which is a bit fancier. Regardless of which you end up choosing, relaxing with a large beer and some chips is the best way to end your Vienna itinerary.

• Cost:  €4-7 for a drink. €10-15 for a dinner.
• How long should I stay here?  The rest of the night!
• Getting there:  Find Lowengasse street and then grab Tram 1 at Hetzgasse stop. Ride for a couple stops on then Strandbar will be on the right.

Need a place quick? Here’s the best neighborhood in Vienna

Innere Stadt

Innere Stadt is the most central neighbourhood in Vienna, and where most of the historical sights are located. It is your best option to stay there if you are visiting the city for the first time, as you will be close to everything and in the centre of the action.

• Get a slice of Austria’s most famous cake at the Sacher Hotel
• Get a glimpse of the Habsburg’s family life at the Hofburg
• Visit Stephansdom, Vienna’s most famous religious building

Ready to go BEYOND our three day Vienna itinerary? Here some other places to check out around the city!

Central Cemetery

If you want to know what to see in Vienna that is unusual and mysterious, then the   Zentralfriedhof (Central Cemetery in English) definitely falls into that category! Some may not be comfortable with it, and therefore you can skip this option if that is the case, however, there is a serene atmosphere and a sense of beauty found at this cemetery that is unique to Vienna.

The Central Cemetery’s origins have a rich history, and it was built due to the overwhelming jump in population (approx. one million inhabitants) in 1874. It is the largest and most beautiful cemetery in Austria and one of the largest in the world.

The cemetery is full of ancient monuments and gorgeous statues.  You will also find a beautiful church through the main gate, known as the  Church of St. Borromeo.

Take the chance to relish your life whilst in a place that honors the dead and enjoy the way this cemetery has found a way to celebrate the lives of those who have passed.

Insider Tip:  To get the full spectrum of the Central Cemetery, it’s best to book a tour!

• How long should I stay here?  1-2 hours.
• Getting there:  The Central Cemetary is pretty far away from the city center. To arrive, you’ll need to take commuter train S7/S2 or tram 71, not the U-Bahn.

Wien Museum Mozart Apartment

One of the best things to see in Vienna in three days for all history and classical music lovers is to visit Mozart’s Apartment at the Wien Museum. You can walk in the footsteps of this iconic, revered, and gifted musician.

Feel the ambiance of this special place, a place where Mozart once sat and wrote his world-famous music! You can even glimpse the very same views he had and feel the inspiration that came forth from it all.

The apartment has been untouched since 1787 when Mozart last lived here, and it is a true monument of the composer’s long and rich legacy.

There is also a Mozart Museum onsite that has incredible historical knowledge about the life Mozart lived in Vienna, as well as insight into his musical masterpieces.

Dive into this beautiful, significant spot and learn about one of the world’s most gifted musicians ever to grace us with his talent!

• How long should I stay here?  Around 1 hour.
• Getting there:  Mozart’s apartment is located very near to St. Stephens Cathedral. Stephansplatz is the nearest U-Bahn stop (Line 1 and 3).

The Belvedere Palace

The Belvedere Palace is very similar to the Schönbrunn Palace: both are formally royal estates turned museums, both are opulently designed, and both are quite massive (though the Schönbrunn is bigger).

What The Belvedere offers that the Schönbrunn Palace does not though is one of the finest collections of art in Vienna, including one of the most hyped paintings in the modern era: The Kiss by Gustav Klimt. Considered by many to be a tour-de-force and even greater than the Mona Lisa , buying a ticket for the Belevedere Museums is worth seeing The Kiss alone.

There’s more to the Belvedere than just Klimt’s masterpiece though. The museum features other works of art by Klimt’s contemporaries and predecessors and the halls of The Belevedere itself are still remarkable. Be sure to find the Marble Hall in Upper Belvedere and then look up at the ceiling.

• How long should I stay here?  2-3 hours.
• Getting there:  The D Tram will drop you off right in front of The Belvedere.

MuseumsQuartier

The MuseumsQuartier is a semi-enclosed area of Vienna that is made up of 4-5 different museums. It’s a good place to visit in Vienna if you want to see a couple of different exhibitions in a row without having to walk around the city.

The Leopold Museum is probably the most popular attraction in the district as it features the most impressive collections. Dedicated mostly to the modernists and the Succesionist movement, this museum features works of art from many of the greatest Viennese painters, including Schiele, Klimt, and more. The Schiele is particularly impressive and shouldn’t be missed by anyone interested in his work.

The  MUMOK  located across the plaza from the Leopold. This is one of the leading contemporary art museums in Vienna and features much more modern pieces from recent decades. It’s a bit more minimal and less crowded than the Leopold and is best for those who like both art and technology together.

Other institutions of note in the MuseumsQuartier are the  Architekturzentrum Wien  (architecture) and the  ZOOM Kindermuseum  (children’s).

• Cost:  €20,90 for all four museums. Individual tickets vary.
• How long should I stay here?  Depends on how many museums you visit.

Stash your cash safely with this money belt. It will keep your valuables safely concealed, no matter where you go.

It looks exactly like a normal belt  except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)

When traveling the world, it’s vital that you choose a time of year that suits your individual travel needs and desires. Knowing when to plan a trip to Vienna depends on what you want to see, how you want to experience it and whether or not you want to visit during peak season. Our Vienna itinerary will share some options to help you plan your trip!

Vienna has an oceanic climate, with pleasantly warm summers and icy dry winters. Peak season in Vienna is during spring and summer, with summer falling between the warm months of June to September. This is when most people flock to enjoy the good weather and get all of their sightseeing done in the sunshine.

If you want to experience a winter wonderland (complete with snowfall and Christmas markets ) then visiting Vienna in December is perfect. If rainy days spent in coffee houses sounds like something you want to make the best of, then visit in June, as this is when Vienna has the most rainfall on average.

The best periods to visit Vienna are typically between April and May, or September and October.  The weather is delightful and mild, with no extremes of any kind during these months. The upside of visiting during these months- as opposed to peak season- is that the prices of accommodation stay reasonable and don’t skyrocket.

Vienna has a truly impressive public transport network. Practically every part of the city is serviced by some sort of transit whether it be by bus, tram, or metro. Such connectivity makes backpacking in Vienna extremely easy.

For a city of its size, Vienna’s underground metro network is very impressive. The metro, or U-Bahn , is composed of six different lines that pretty much cover all of the top sights in Vienna . Even if you’re staying in the middle-of-nowhere Vienna like Donaustadt, you can still be in the city center in a half hour.

When using the metro, note that there are no turnstile kiosks where you would validate your ticket to gain entry BUT you still need to stamp it at a separate machine like it was back in the Industrial Fuckin’ Revolution.

What the U-Bahn doesn’t cover, trams and buses do. The tram network extends very far out into the outer neighborhoods of Vienna -. Ottakring, Funfhaus, and Wahring all have dedicated lines. So, again, don’t feel cut-off if you’re staying further outside the city center.

At 2.40 euro, tickets for public transport are a bit on the expensive side. They’re only good for one ride as well, which is a bit annoying. Since there are very few if any places that require to show a ticket, some people take a risk and ride without one. I’ll let you make that call yourself whether or not it’s worth dodging the occasional tram cop.

If you’re spending more than three days in Vienna and think that it would be worth it, buy a transit pass. You can buy a 48-hour pass for 14.10 euros or a 72-hour pass for 17.10 euros.

Depending on when you visit Vienna, you’ll need to pack accordingly i.e. warm clothing in the winter and lighter clothing in the summer; perhaps some outdoor gear as well if you plan on going to the Austrian Alps. For information on what to pack, refer to our general backpacking packing list article.

Although Vienna is not a prime spot for crime, it is always good to know some general knowledge about keeping yourself and your belongings safe while enjoying our Vienna itinerary. In fact, Vienna is a preferred travel destination because of it’s low crime rate, so we don’t expect you will run into trouble, but it is always better to be safe than sorry.

You may come across a lot of “Mozarts” dotted around Vienna, and these are typically panhandlers trying to sell tickets to concerts or performances. To get them to back off, simply state a strong ‘no’ and move on. You should be left alone. Buy your tickets from companies directly, as you don’t want to fall prey to a scam.

While traveling in Vienna, be aware of the cyclists. The cyclists in Vienna are super fast, and it can be easy to bump into them if you don’t look where you are going. Avoid this by keeping vigilant on the roads. There is a section clearly marked on the roads for cyclists, so this isn’t a major issue, but just make sure not to veer into this section by accident.

Keep in mind all of the general safety rules, such as not leaving your belongings unattended in a public space and making sure you don’t walk around with your handbag open wide. Try to avoid walking alone at night, as it is always safer to have a trusted company with you whilst walking.

For more information about keeping safe during your travels, read our list of crucial safety tips !

Don’t Forget Your Travel Insurance for Vienna

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

Find out what people want to know when planning their Vienna itinerary.

How many days are enough in Vienna?

Having 2-3 full days to explore Vienna will allow you to visit all the top attractions.

What should you include on a 3 day Vienna itinerary?

No trip to Vienna is complete without exploring these top places to visit: – Kunsthistorisches Museum – Schönbrunn Palace – Naschmarkt – Hundertwasser Apartment House

Where should you stay for a weekend in Vienna?

The Innere Stadt is the best area to stay in for a short trip. The heart of the city, it provides easy access to top attractions and is well connected to other areas.

What are the best day trips from Vienna?

Got time to explore further afield? Check out these top day trips: – Vienna Woods and Mayerling – Carnuntum – Salzburg – Hallstatt

Your trip to Vienna will be full of blissful galavanting, aesthetic scenery, unending historical knowledge, gorgeous imperial buildings, and plenty of priceless gems! Vienna has so much magic, and with our three day Vienna itinerary in hand, you will know all the best places to go and soak it all in!

The memories made on this adventure will be kept for an entire lifetime, and you will have stories to share with loved ones forever.

To make sure you can visit every hotspot, you need to have the right travel budget. Find out how expensive Vienna is , and how to use a couple of tips and tricks to keep a bit of money in your pocket. Even if you’re pushed for time then there are still some great day trips to take from Vienna too.

Made it this far? You get 15% OFF to book a place to stay ! Offer valid exclusively for Broke Backpackers 😉

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3 Days in Vienna Itinerary – How to spend 3 days in Vienna

Last Updated on March 17, 2024 by gregor

This is a complete 3 days Vienna itinerary for first-time visitors that covers every single must-visit historical landmark, attraction, monument, and other amazing places to visit in Vienna.

Three days in Vienna, we believe, is the ideal length of time to spend there.

In this Vienna Travel Guide, we’ll provide our recommendations for the perfect three-day itinerary in Vienna. We’ll give some practical suggestions and information about your visit, including where to stay, dine, get around Vienna, and how to save money on sightseeing, in addition to covering all of the key attractions we know you’ll enjoy seeing.

3 Days in Vienna Itinerary: The Best Places To Visit In Vienna, Austria

Day 1 itinerary: viennese old town city center.

The best place to start off your journey is in the old town. The place offers a view of what Vienna used to be, and can easily be covered with a classic city walking tour. One that includes a detailed history that helps you uncover some great gems. In case you want to go about it yourself, here is a quick guide.

VIENNA’S OLD HISTORIC STREETS IN THE CITY CENTER, AUSTRIA

Visit Vienna Mozart House

Located on Domgasse Street, Mozart’s house is one of the most celebrated places in Vienna. Called the Mozarthaus, it is the only Mozart apartment in Vienna. Mozart lived there for approximately 3 years and produced some of his best work while living there. The space offers you a full view of his 18th Century work and touches on his personal life.

Book your Ticket here: Tickets for the Mozarthaus Vienna with Audio Guide

St. Stephen’s Cathedral (Stephansdom)

Just a short walk away you will find the stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral. A defining landmark in Vienna, one that you cannot miss. Showing a breathtakingly beautiful sight, it is set up with a vibrant multicolored tiled roof, that will take your breath away. Head on inside, as both towers are open to the public and can even be climbed for a fee. While the south tower offers the best view, we suggest you pick the one you like. 

Read more: THE STEPHANSDOM CATHEDRAL IN VIENNA, SIGHTSEEING INFO AND TIPS

Book your tickets here: Secrets of the St. Stephan’s Cathedral

Vienna Opera House

A 10-minute walk away is the Vienna Opera House. Built in 1869, the opera house in Vienna is a magnificent work of art. Set in layers, the space has been home to some of the greatest of all time. Here is the place where all the best conductors and singers have stunned the world. If you are an opera fan, we suggest you take out 40 minutes and enjoy a complete tour of the place. 

Book your Ticket here :  Vienna State Opera Skip The Line Tour Ticket

ULTIMATE GUIDE VISITING THE VIENNA OPERA HOUSE, AUSTRIA

Visit a Vienna Coffeehouse – A Viennese Coffee Break

Once you have taken on the three greatest, it’s time to take a short break and enjoy a cup of coffee, and even a slice of cake. Slow down your mood a little, so you can take in the simple pleasures of life. 

BEST COFFEEHOUSES IN THE CITY CENTER OF VIENNA, AUSTRIA

Explore the Vienna Museum s

When in Vienna you are truly spoiled for choices when it comes to museums. There are so many choices, that you can waste endless hours wondering which one to cover. To help ensure you do not miss out, we have listed down the best. From the list, you may choose the ones that suit you best. 

• Albertinaplatz
• Museum Quarter 
• Sigmund Freud Museum
• Kunsthistorisches Museum
• Beethoven Museum

THE BEST 12 MUSEUMS YOU NEED TO VISIT IN VIENNA, AUSTRIA TRAVEL GUIDE (UPDATE 2022)

Vienna Food, Dinner & Drinks

After a long day exploring all the museums, you can finally make your way to a restaurant. The best way, the only way to ensure you do not miss out on the fabulous food is to plan ahead. Everyone has a different taste, so we suggest you do your research and find restaurants that match your mood. 

VIENNA FOOD GUIDE – TRADITIONAL VIENNESE FOOD YOU MUST EAT IN VIENNA, AUSTRIA (UPDATE 2022)

Day 2 Vienna Itinerary: Palaces in Vienna

Plan your Trip to Vienna?

• 🏨 Find the perfect accommodation on  Booking.com
• 🎡 Book the Best Guided Tour on  GetYourGuide
• 😍 Get more emotions from your trip with  Tripadvisor
• 🚘 Rent a car on  Rentalcars
• ✈️ Buy the cheapest flight tickets with  WayAway
• 🚂 🚌 ✈️ Best prices for Train, Buses, Cars, Ferries, and flights Omio

The only way to ensure you experience everything promptly is to get an early start. You can have breakfast where you are staying or grab a bit on your way. Remind yourself that you will be walking it all off soon, so we suggest you grab something that offers you energy. 

THE BEST BREAKFAST BRUNCH SPOTS IN VIENNA, WIEN AUSTRIA UPDATE 2022

Pro Tip: Get your tickets in advance so you do not waste precious moments in lines. 

Schönbrunn Palace

A UNESCO heritage site, and one of the most elegant palaces in the world. A Renaissance palace that was the summer home for the Hapsburg dynasty , enjoying its marvelous beauty for more than 650 years. The place is just half of the story, as the real journey begins when you make your way to the extensive garden complex. 

Book your tickets here: Schönbrunn Palace: Tour with Gardens

*) Let your guide bring the history of the palace and its gardens to life on a guided tour. See how the Habsburg Dynasty lived and learn more about the life of the Austrian court.

A QUICK TRAVEL GUIDE TO VIENNA’S SCHÖNBRUNN PALACE, VIENNA AUSTRIA

Belvedere Palace

 The second palace you need to see is the Belvedere Palace, it is a grand place and is said to be the most visited tourist spot in Vienna. Built back in 1712-23, by Johann Lucas von Hildebrandt. This masterpiece is considered to be one of his best works. While the place served as a summer home to Prince Eugene of Savoy , it is now open for everyone to explore. Said to be one of Europe’s most important museums, it has a great deal to offer. One that is sure to take hours of your day. 

Read more: VIENNA BELVEDERE PALACES AND BELVEDERE MUSEUMS, ULTIMATE VISITOR GUIDE

Book your ticket here: Entrance Tickets for Belvedere

Ending The Day – Once you have had dinner we suggest you take in the city as much as you can. You can either walk around or grab a ride. As nothing is more magical than taking in Vienna at night. If you don’t mind walking more, you can take on a two-hour nighttime walking tour to hear stories about Vienna

Liechtenstein Garden Palace

In the middle of Vienna, there is a stately garden palace, which is of outstanding interest to only a few tourists. The property with its extensive park can look back on a long history and houses one of the largest private collections in the world. 

Day 3 Vienna Itinerary: Viennese Architecture and Culture

Another day, another palace! Yes, for the history buffs we suggest you take on the Hofburg Palace . It is one of the most beautiful places you will ever experience, filled with a rich history that will take you back in time. Offering you everything you need is a wonder that is ideal for anyone who loves taking a walk down the past. 

Read more: THE HOFBURG IMPERIAL PALACE COMPLEX IN VIENNA, AUSTRIA

Lunch breaks are a must and will help you keep going. You can grab lunch at one of the stands, or pick any restaurant in the city center. 

St. Charles Church – Karlskirche

Built back in 1737, this freestanding column Church is a stunning sight to see. One that is known to hold some of the best concerts, and offers a full panoramic view of the city. However, if you are not in the mood for a concert or a view we suggest you talk to the Naschmarkt , which is filled with exotic and traditional foods. A market is a great place for any foodie.

Read more: DISCOVER THE MAJESTIC KARLSKIRCHE IN VIENNA: A BAROQUE MASTERPIECE

Book your tickets here: 3-Hour Churches of Vienna Private Tour

*) Visit 5 of Vienna’s stunning churches on this 3-hour private tour. Follow your guide on a special route to see architectural masterpieces and learn the history of the city’s famed churches. Enter St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Votivkirche, and more.

Vienna City Hall

 The 19th-century Rathaus is designed by Friedrich von Schmidt, making it a monumental and stunning sight you cannot miss. If you book in advance you can enjoy a complete guided tour. 

Book your tickets here: Traditional Dinner Show at the Wiener Rathauskeller

*) Experience the Austrian Dinner Show and enjoy the best regional delicacies along with popular melodies in the vaults of the famous Vienna City Hall.

Burgtheater

Just a short walk you will find the Burg, offering tours at 3 pm sharp, you can enjoy some of Klimt’s early artwork. There are four ceilings in the space, and a grand staircase to match the setting. Features the works of Klimt, Ernst, and Franz Match. 

Guided Tours Burgtheater: Info and Booking here (Click)

Concert at Schönbrunn Orangerie

A great way to spend your last evening in Vienna is to take in a concert at Schonbrunn. You can book a concert in advance, or simply take in the space and head to any other place you feel you need to experience. 

Read more: A QUICK TRAVEL GUIDE TO VIENNA’S SCHÖNBRUNN PALACE, VIENNA AUSTRIA

Book your tickets here: Tour of Schönbrunn Palace with Dinner and a Concert

*) Get the best that Schönbrunn Palace has to offer with a tour of the Palace, a fine dinner in a restaurant within walking distance, and the classical sounds of Mozart and Strauss in the Orangery.

Remember that everyone has a different idea when heading to explore a city, so do not be afraid to tweak the itinerary to find a guide that works best for you. Creating something based on your likes and dislikes can help ensure you enjoy your three days in Vienna.

How to Save Money on Your Vienna 3 days Trip?

As a European capital. Vienna is not exactly a budget destination, although there are ways that you can save money on your trip.

Almost every site on this list has an admission price, which can range from a few dollars to thirty euros per person. As a result, the cost of tourism might soon mount.

Fortunately, there is a solution in the form of the great Vienna Pass. We believe that city passes like this are one of the finest ways to save money, and that the Vienna Pass is one of the best value city pass cards available.

Get your Vienna Pass Tickets here: Vienna PASS: 1, 2, 3, or 6 Days of Sightseeing

*) The Vienna PASS is an all-inclusive sightseeing card that allows you to experience the many faces of Vienna. You’ll get free admission to many attractions, skip-the-line entry, unlimited hop-on hop-off bus rides, and plenty of discounts.

How to get around Vienna?

There are 4 Ways to get around Vienna.

By Public Transport, Vienna City Card

Taking public transportation is the most convenient method to get around Vienna (Euro 8.- for a 24-hour ticket).

A Vienna City Card , which permits unlimited use of the city’s metro, tram, and bus lines, can be purchased in advance.

Vienna City Cards are available for 1, 2, or 3 consecutive days, and prices range from 24 hours for Euro 17, to 3 days of use + airport transfer for Euro 46.-.

The  Vienna City Card  also offers discounts at over 210 major attractions, making it an excellent value.

By Bicycle Rent a Bike in Vienna

The city center of Vienna, and the majority of tourist attractions, are reachable by bicycle.

WienMobil Rad is the most popular bike-sharing service in Vienna.

Simply register online, find a terminal and scan the QRCode to unlock a bike.

Detailed Information on How to Rent a bike in Vienna on my Blog:

BIKE RENTAL IN VIENNA – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW – WIENMOBIL RAD (VIDEO TOUR)

There is also the very popular Classic Vienna:  3-Hour Guided Bike Tour  available to book in advance.

By Hop On Hop Off Bus

The City Card provides access to standard buses throughout Vienna. There is, of course, the well-known Vienna  Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus .

This  Hop On Hop Off bus  allows you to hop on and off at many locations throughout the city, including the Museums of the Hofburg, the House of Music, and the Schönbrunn Palace.

This choice is always popular amongst travelers, and it is a great way to see many of Vienna’s famous attractions.

By Guided Tour

There are some amazing tours available to book in advance on  Get Your Guide  for people who are short on time or prefer everything to be organized for them.

There’s much to do in the Austrian capital, from food tours to river cruises and bar crawls!

15 Best Food Tours in Vienna

15 BEST FOOD TOURS IN VIENNA, AUSTRIA – UPDATED 2022/23

HOW MANY DAYS DO YOU NEED TO VISIT VIENNA?

The perfect 2-days vienna itinerary.

So here’s a complete two-day Vienna itinerary, for those looking to do Vienna in two days.

When you are ready to explore  Vienna in two days  you need to decide how you want to get around the city. In this blog post, we give you a perfect answer:  How can I spend 48 hours in Vienna? 

TWO DAYS IN VIENNA PERFECT 2-DAY ITINERARY

The Perfect 4-Days Vienna Itinerary

This is a complete  4 days Vienna itinerary for first-time visitors  that cover every single must-visit historical landmark, attraction, monument, and other amazing location in Vienna. Making it the only way to get a full Viennese experience. The city has everything from open-air museums, imperial castles, and grand Baroque architecture to soothing sites.

4 DAY IN VIENNA ITINERARY – HOW TO SPEND 4 DAYS IN VIENNA

What to see in Vienna in ONE Day? 1 Day Itinerary

Please have a look at my blog post with all the detailed information

ONE DAY IN VIENNA I THE PERFECT 1 DAY ITINERARY

Top Things Vienna is Famous and Known For

Opera in vienna – the vienna opera houses, tips, tickets .

The perfect 3 days itinerary

Austria, a landlocked country in Central Europe, is renowned for its stunning Alpine landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and historic cities. From the imperial grandeur of Vienna to the musical legacy of Salzburg and the enchanting beauty of the Tyrolean Alps, Austria offers a diverse array of experiences. This 3-day itinerary will take you through some of Austria's most iconic destinations, blending cultural exploration with natural splendor.

What to do in Austria?

This 3 days itinerary is the perfect guide to the best things to see in Austria. It includes day-by-day activities, travel tips, and the top places to visit.

Day 1: Imperial Vienna

Start your Austrian adventure in Vienna , the capital city known for its imperial history and vibrant cultural scene. Begin with a visit to the Schönbrunn Palace , the former summer residence of the Habsburg monarchs. Explore the opulent rooms and stroll through the beautifully landscaped gardens.

Head to the historic city center and visit St. Stephen's Cathedral , an iconic Gothic structure. Climb the South Tower for panoramic views of Vienna . Afterward, take a leisurely walk along the Ringstrasse , a grand boulevard encircling the inner city, and admire the architectural marvels such as the Vienna State Opera and the Hofburg Palace .

Experience Vienna 's renowned coffee culture at one of its traditional coffeehouses. Try a slice of Sachertorte, a famous Viennese chocolate cake, paired with a cup of rich Viennese coffee. Conclude your day with a classical music concert at the Musikverein or the Vienna State Opera , immersing yourself in the city's musical heritage.

Day 2: Musical Salzburg

Travel to Salzburg , the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and a city steeped in musical history. Begin your exploration at Mozart's Birthplace , now a museum dedicated to the composer's life and works. Wander through the charming Getreidegasse , a historic shopping street lined with beautifully preserved buildings.

Visit the Hohensalzburg Fortress , one of the largest medieval castles in Europe. Enjoy the panoramic views of Salzburg and the surrounding Alps from the fortress. Afterward, explore the Mirabell Palace and Gardens , known for their stunning Baroque design and as a filming location for 'The Sound of Music.'

Stroll through the UNESCO-listed Old Town , admiring its baroque architecture and vibrant squares. Dine at a traditional Austrian restaurant and savor local specialties such as Wiener Schnitzel or Salzburger Nockerl, a sweet soufflé dessert. If time permits, attend a Mozart concert in one of the historic venues to end your day on a musical note.

Day 3: Alpine Adventure in Innsbruck

Journey to Innsbruck , the capital of the Tyrol region, nestled in the heart of the Austrian Alps. Start your day with a visit to the Golden Roof , a landmark building adorned with 2,657 fire-gilded copper tiles. Then, explore the Imperial Palace , a testament to Innsbruck 's rich history.

Take a cable car ride up to the Nordkette mountain range for breathtaking views of the city and the surrounding peaks. Enjoy a hike or simply relax at one of the mountain huts. For winter visitors, skiing or snowboarding in the nearby resorts is a must.

Return to Innsbruck and wander through the charming streets of the Old Town , with its colorful facades and lively atmosphere. Enjoy a hearty Tyrolean meal at a local restaurant, featuring dishes like Tiroler Gröstl (a fried potato dish) or Kaiserschmarrn (a shredded pancake dessert). Conclude your Austrian adventure with a nightcap at one of the cozy alpine bars.

Discover more Austria itineraries

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Perfect 3 Days In Vienna Itinerary

Vienna is the capital of Austria, the birthplace of classical music, and home to the Habsburg dynasty and its rich heritage. Vienna is dubbed the City of Music and the City of Dreams for all the famous composers that lived there.

Vienna is such a fancy city, an open air museum really. Vienna is awash in imperial palaces, grand Baroque architecture, and seriously swoonful museums. The UNESCO-listed buildings create the city’s distinctive look.

The city center is pedestrian-friendly, sprinkled with green parks, and crammed with quaint coffee shops.

And Vienna doesn’t just bask, unblinkingly, in its quaint fin-de-siècle glory. It’s not a time capsule. Vienna is much more hip since the last time I visited.

It has new and renovated museums, trendy boutique hotels and restaurants, and edgy neighborhoods. It’s cooler than you’d guess.

You could easily spend a week or two in Vienna, lost in its coffee culture and addicted to Wiener Melange and Sacher Tortes. In fact, I recently did just that.

But since most of us don’t have unlimited time, I’ve written up my ideal 3 days in Vienna itinerary.

Overview of 3 Days in Vienna Itinerary

Here’s an snapshot of what you’ll see and do:

• Day 1 : Old Town, Mozart House, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Vienna Opera House, Museums, nighttime tour
• Day 2 : Schonbrunn Palace, Belvedere Palace, Hofburg Palace, Austrian National Library
• Day 3 : St. Charles Church, Naschmarkt, Vienna City Hall, Burgtheater, Concert

Before You Go: Here’s How To Plan Your Visit To Vienna

Below are some of the top tours, hotels, and experience in Vienna. Donʻt forget to plan ahead, especially in high season!

Best Tours:

• city walking tour
• Schönbrunn Palace Skip-the-Line Tour
• Schönbrunn Palace concert
• food and market tour
• pastry tour
• Danube River boat cruise

Best Hotels:

• Palais Coburg
• Hotel Sans Souci Wien
• Grand Ferdinand Hotel
• Hotel Sacher Wien
• Hotel Imperial

3 Days In Vienna Itinerary

Day 1 am : explore the old town, 1. mozart house.

You’ll want to visit the Mozart House , on Domgasse Street. Vienna is obsessed with Mozart, its adopted son and a prolific composer.

Mozarthaus is the only Mozart apartment in Vienna that survives today. He lived there for 3 years. You’ll learn about 18th century Vienna and Mozart’s life and work.

Click here to book an entrance ticket and guided tour of the Mozart House. You can also book a walking tour exploring Vienna’s musical past .

2. St. Stephen’s Cathedral

Just a short walk from the Mozart House and you’re at the towering St. Stephen’s Cathedral , Vienna’s defining landmark.

You can’t miss it. Its most distinctive feature is its multicolor tiled roof, which looks glorious in the sunshine.

Both towers of the cathedral are open to the public and can be climbed for a fee. The south tower is high and affords the best views of the city (and the exquisite roof). But the other tower has a handy elevator if you don’t want a long hike.

The interior of St. Stephens isn’t as eye catching as the exterior to my mind. It’s rather gloomy. But its three nave design is nonetheless impressive to behold.

In high season, you will want to  pre-book an all inclusive ticket  to avoid long queues. You can also  book a combined ticket  to the cathedral and the Dom Museum.

3. Vienna Opera House

Then, sashay down to the Vienna State Opera (a 10 minute walk), which dates from 1869. The Staatsoper is a magnificent and storied building. It’s played host to some of the world’s best singers and conductors.

Go inside the sumptuous place. You can take a 40 minute guided tour several times a day.

Be sure to check the website for times. Click here for a skip the line ticket and guided tour of the opera house.

When we were there, there was a live performance of La Boheme playing on a big LED screen TV outside the opera house in the evening. It was brilliant, truly a highlight of our trip.

If you want to see opera live in person, you’ll need to book way in advance and pay for an exorbitantly priced ticket.

When strolling in Vienna, be sure to try Austria’s classic coffee shops and its most popular desert, the Sacher Torte.

Join the queue outside the Café Sacher on Philharmonikerstrasse for a classic Viennese atmosphere. Or try Cafe Demel, Hawelka, Sperl, or Rüdigerhof cafes — all great options. Just be sure to reserve in advance!

Day 1 PM: Museum Afternoon

In the afternoon, hit one of Vienna’s many museum. You’re absolutely spoiled for choice.

Here are some of my favorites. You can pick the one that best suits you.

1. Albertina Museum

From the opera house, you’re right next to Albertinaplatz. You can check out the Albertina Museum , housed in (naturally) a palace.

The museum’s vaults contain beautiful artworks by Michelangelo, Raphael, Dürer, Picasso, Monet, and the German Expressionists. It will remind you what drawing can really be. 

The museum also has a collection of European paintings and sculptures dating from the late 19th to the mid-20th century. It boasts pieces from celebrated artists like Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Vincent van Gogh, Marc Chagall, and Pablo Picasso.

The Albertina also hosts temporary exhibitions featuring big art names. When I was last there, they featured the drawings of Michelangelo.

Click here to book a ticket to the Albertina.

2. Museum Quarter

Or, you can head to the Museumsquartier in Vienna. Opened in 2001, the Museum Quarter is dubbed Vienna’s “urban living room.”

It’s a cluster of old master and contemporary art collections in a “culture plaza” teeming with shops and cafes. It’s on the site of the old Hapsburg Stables. The Museumsquarter galleries are surrounded by the edgy Street Art Passage for fans of graffiti.

There’s a lot to see here, if you’re a culture vulture. But you’ll have to choose, unless you want to camp out there for the entire 3 days of your visit.

I’m rather partial to the Leopold Museum , with its collection of Art Nouveau and Expressionist masterpieces from Egon Schiele and Gustave Klimt.

>>> Click here to pre-book a skip the line ticket

3. Sigmund Freud Museum

Another Vienna museum that I fancy is the Sigmund Freud Museum . Vienna was home to the godfather of psychoanalysis.

Housed in his former residence, the museum explores Freud’s life and work and the theory of psychoanalysis.

In 2020, the museum reopened after an expansion that doubled the size of its permanent collection. You won’t see Freud’s famous couch. (That’s in his titular museum in London). But there is some original furniture and Freud’s diaries.

>>> Click here to book a skip the line ticket for the Freud Museum

4. Kunsthistorisches Museum: Old Masters

In a sea of riches, the Kunsthistorisches Museum is likely the grandest of Austria’s museums. Opened in 1891, the Kunsthistorisches is Vienna’s Louvre . The museum is one of the world’s most impressive fine art museums.

The Kunsthistorisches is housed in a lavish palace. It consists of works from the venerable Habsburg art collection built by emperors.

The ornate facade, dramatic stairways, marble floors, and impeccable gardens won’t let you forget it either.

The museum’s Picture Gallery is just splendid. It features an extensive collection of paintings from the Italian Renaissance, Northern Renaissance, and Baroque periods.

There’s an unparalleled trove of art works by Pieter Bruegel the Elder, the chronicler of daily village life. There are also pieces by Vermeer, Durer, Caravaggio, Velazquez, Rembrandt, Raphael, and Titian.

Click here to pre-book a ticket. Click here to book a guided tour of this magnificent museum.

5. Beethoven Museum

If you’re a Beethoven fan (and who isn’t), Vienna is full of Beethoven sites . If you want to see and feel Beethoven’s ghost, head to the Beethoven Museum on the city outskirts. This tiny museum is superb and packed with Beethoven trivia.

The space only re-opened to the public in 2017, after renovation. There are 14 rooms grouped into 6 themes that illustrate Beethoven’s life and work. You can read, see, and listen to his astonishing music.

You can also see a lock of Beethoven’s hair and his death mask. You can even don earphones to see how Beethoven himself experienced deteriorating hearing.

Day 1: Dinner & Drinks

Whew, after that exhausting first day, you’ll be hungry for dinner. I recommend Salonplafond , a trendy restaurant in the MAK Museum on Stubenring.

The restaurant is in a large airy room with imaginative decor, food, music. And it wasn’t too loud. Here’s a good list of other restaurants in the city center for your other nights.

A great place for late night (or pre dinner) cocktails is the rather glamorous Krypt , right near the Sigmund Freud Museum. It’s a hipster bar where architecture and art provide the setting. You’ll be swathed in exposed brick in an underground 18th century building.

Another great spot is The Sign , hidden away in the city center. You can sit down at a table or the bar. If you don’t know what you want, the bartender will oblige you. Expect some unusual ingredients!

You also spend your evening in Vienna taking a nighttime walking tour of Vienna’s most beautiful buildings or a ghost and legends walking tour .

Day 2: Palace Day

Am: tour schönbrunn palace.

In the morning on day 2 of your 3 day Vienna itinerary, get started bright and early. Begin by visiting Schönbrunn Palace. It’s Vienna’s #1 attraction, a UNESCO-listed site since 1996, and the height of elegance.

Don’t dally. The lines worsen as the day goes by. Purchase your tickets online in advance. You can also hop on a guided skip the line tour , book a guided tour with a historian , or a dinner and concert evening .

The swishy Renaissance palace was the summer home of the Hapsburg dynasty, the family that ruled the Austro-Hungarian empire for nearly 650 years.

You’ll want to check out the palace itself and the extensive garden complex. Be prepared to walk.

Of Schönbrunn’s 1441 rooms, 40 are open to the public via audio guide or guided tour. The “Imperial Tour” takes you into 22 rooms, including the imperial apartments of Emperor Franz Joseph and famous wife, Empress Sisi.

The “Grand Tour” continues to 18 more rooms and includes the 18th century interiors from the time of Maria Theresa, who conceived of and built Schoenbrunn.

Don’t miss the Mirror Room, where Mozart gave his first concert at age 6.

And the Schönbrunn experience isn’t just limited to the palace. Oh no.

There’s the Apple Strudel Show, the Marionette Show, the Gloriette monument, the Orangery, the Imperial Carriage Museum, and a zoo. You could spend your whole day here, if you were so inclined.

PM: Belvedere Palace

But, since you have only 3 days in Vienna, I say it’s time to move on to the next grand palace, the Belvedere Palace .

The Belvedere Palace is one of Vienna’s most visited tourist spots and another important UNESCO site, for its showy architectural ensemble.

The Belvedere Palace was built in 1712-23 by Johann Lucas von Hildebrandt, a master Baroque architect. It was the swishy summer residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy, a legendary military leader of his time.

The palace has immpecably sculptured grounds and over-the-top interiors.

The Belvedere is also one of Europe’s most important museums. It’s a haven of Baroque and Austrian art from the 19th and 20th centuries.

The vast majority of the museum’s important art is stashed in the sumptuous Upper Belvedere, which sees the most visitors. The lower Belvedere boasts a Hall of Grotesques, the Marble Gallery, and the Golden Room.

The Upper Belvedere’s main claim to fame is the world’s largest collection of the gold-toned Art Nouveau paintings of Gustav Klimt , including the world famous The Kiss . It also boasts masterworks by Egon Schiele and Oskar Kokoschka, two important Expressionist painters.

Like Schoenbrunn, the Belvedere has some lovely gardens to meander in, if you’re suffering from art fatigue or the line to see The Kiss is too long. And the gardens are free.

Click here to pre-purchase a skip the line ticket to the Belvedere palace. Click here to book a 2.5 hour guided tour of the Palace.

At the end of day 2, stroll Vienna by night. The sites look different then, more surreal. You can even book an evening walking tour with food and wine .

If you’re inclined, take a 2 hour nighttime walking tour and hear stories about Vienna. Or, try The Third Man walking tour and visit the filming locations of the international cult film.

Day 3: Delve Deeper into Vienna

Am: hofburg palace.

Another palace you say? Why yes. Hofburg Palace is one of the world’s biggest palace complexes consisting of several imperial buildings. The Hapsburgs lived there until 1918.

Honestly, I enjoyed it more than Schönbrunn. Far less tourists and just as much historical intrigue and swirly Rococo glitter.

The palace itself is a lively combination of Rococo and Renaissance architecture.

There are three parts you can visit: the Sisi Museum, the Imperial Apartments, and the Silver Collection. If you want to see everything, it will take several hours.

The Imperial Apartments are a window into the opulent lifestyle of the Habsburg monarchy. Thee meticulously preserved rooms show the lavishness of the royal living quarters, including the Emperor Franz Joseph’s walnut room and Empress Sisi’s silver salon.

Opened in 2004, the Sisi Museum is a chic cult-like museum dedicated to the fanatic fans of Empress Elizabeth, the wife of Emperor Franz Joseph.

The museum shines a light on the “misunderstood” princess, whose life resembles that of Princess Diana, or so you’re told.

Unless you’re an avid jeweler or niche interior decorator, the Silver Collection is a bit of a yawn and skippable.

Click here to book a skip the line guided tour of Hofburg Palace and the Sisi Museum. Click here to book a performance of the Lippizaner horses at the palace’s Spanish Riding School .

Austrian National Library

Heroes’ Square, Heldenplatz, sits in front of Hofburg. There, you’ll find the stunning 17th century Austrian National Library .

Don’t just stroll by. You’ll regret not going in, especially if you’re a book lover.

The Baroque library has a dreamy time warp feel, almost like a movie set. Here’s the website with info on how to visit.

Built by Emperor Charles VI, it boasts a soaring frescoed ceiling, 200,000 books dating from 1500, and antique globes.

If you’ve seen enough imperial apartments, this is good alternative venue to the apartments in the Hofburg Palace.

Day 3 PM: Round Up Of Vienna’s Key Sites

1. st. charles church.

After the palace and library, grab some lunch in the city center at a cozy cafe.

Then you’re off to admire St. Michael’s Church in the Michaelsplatz. Then make the short walk to St. Charles Church , or Karlskirche, on Karlsplatz.

The striking Baroque church, with swirling freestanding columns, dates from 1737. There’s a panoramic view from its rooftop.

The church has concerts on a regular basis. So if you’re in the mood for music, click here to book a Vivaldi concert ticket or here to book a Mozart concert.

Close to the church is the Naschmarkt , Vienna’s vibrant and mile long market. You’ll find both traditional Viennese food and exotic food stuffs.

The market is lined with dozens of sit down eateries and coffee shops as well.

If you’re a foodie, consider going a food tour of the market. Or go on a longer sweet and savory food tour .

2. Vienna City Hall

Then head to the 19th century City Hall (Rathaus). Designed by Friedrich von Schmidt, the Neo-Gothic City Hall is both monumental and stunning.

You’ll be struck by the grandeur of the sweeping staircases and the spacious, ornate halls. The main ceremonial staircase, adorned with statues and intricate stonework, leads to the various floors of the building.

There are various rooms and halls to visit. Along the way, you’ll find a rich array of decorations – from statues and busts of important figures to frescoes and intricate carvings.

You can only visit via a guided tour on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 1:00 pm.

3. Burgtheater

Also nearby is the Burgtheater , fondly nicknamed the “Burg,” which means castle. There are daily tours at this German language theater at 3:00 pm.

For Klimt fans, this may be an unmissable site. Waltz up the grand staircase, and admire Klimt’s ceiling paintings from his early career.

There are four ceiling frescos created between 1886-88 for the grand staircase. They’re next to works by Klimt’s brother, Ernst Klimt, and artist Franz Matsch.

Although earlier and more traditional Klimt paintings, they still presage his Secessionist phase.

Day 3 Evening: Concert at Schonbrunn’s Orangery

On your final evening, consider going to a concert at the Orangery at Schönbrunn. I went.

Although it was a little touristy, the music and singing was quite sublime. Click here to book a concert.

Or, as I mentioned above, book a concert at St. Charles Church or the Staatsoper (the latter needs to be booked months in advance!)

Day 3 PM Alternative: Half Day Trip to Bratislava

But perhaps you’ve had your fill of princesses, plates, and Klimt? If so, as an alternative to these last few sites, you could opt for a half day trip to Bratislava, the tiny capital of Slovakia.

Bratislava is a little over an hour from Vienna. Vintage-y Bratislava is filled with pastel colored houses, quirky sculptures, and the world’s most adorable pastry shop, Konditorei Kormut.

Bratislava also features a unique, almost over the top, blue church, the Church of St. Elisabeth, 10 minutes from the city center.

Everything about the Art Nouveau church is blue — the interior (also with punches of yellow), the exterior, and even the tiles on the roof. Pretty isn’t usually a word I use to describe churches, but it’s apt here.

Even better, Bratislava is crowned with a historic castle, which is really the iconic spot in the town. Perched on a small hill and about a 15 minute hike, the castle is the best viewpoint of the old town.

Outside, it’s an elegant vision, with Gothic and Renaissance elements. Inside, there’s a museum of history.

Click here to book a full day guided day trip tour from Vienna to Bratislava. Or book your own 2 hour guided walking tour for when you arrive.

Though they are further afield than Bratislava, you can also book a guided day trip to Salzburg or a guided day tour to Hallstatt .

Tips For Spending 3 Days In Vienna

1. how to get to vienna.

You’ll likely fly into Vienna International Airport (VIE). You can get to the city by train, bus, or taxi.

You can also book a private transfer to your hotel. You can reach the downtown in about 25 minutes, more if there is traffic.

If you arrive in Vienna by train, you’ll be at Hauptbahnhof Station, the main train station in the city. From there, the metro or a taxi will have you downtown in 5 minutes.

2. How To Get Around Vienna

Vienna is a very compact and walkable city. The center is flat and many of the attractions are within the Ring Road that encircles the city. Many areas are pedestrianized.

But not all of the sites can be reached on foot. Fortunately, Vienna has a great public transportation system that’s easy to use.

There are trams and cabs are fairly plentiful. You can’t hail one on the street very easily. But they congregate around popular sites like the Staatsoper, Hofburg Palace, or the museums.

There are plenty of other fun ways to get around Vienna too. You can take a guided Segway tour , a bike tour , book a ticket for the hop on hop off bus , or (super cool option), take an e-scooter tour .

3. Vienna Passes

Vienna isn’t an inexpensive destination. And the main cost won’t be just food and lodging.

It’s the attractions that add up quickly. You may want to invest in either the Vienna Pass or the Vienna Card.

The Vienna Pass is more expensive than the Vienna Card . For three days, it’s $150.

However, the Vienna Pass gives you complete access to Vienna’s top attractions (except the opera) and you can generally skip the queue.

4. Carry Some Cash

You need cash in Vienna. Some restaurants and cafes don’t take credit cards. And you have to pay a euro or two to use restrooms and check your bags at museums.

5. Vienna Tourist Traps

There are some sites in Vienna that you’ve no doubt heard of, but are skippable tourist traps.

Unless you have way more than 3 days in Vienna, you should forget about:

• (1) Prater (an amusement park with loud crowds);
• (2) the Figlmüller (you can get schnitzel anywhere);
• (3) the tourist tram on the Ringstrasse (just walk);
• (4) the horse carriages that tote lazy tourists around (horribly overpriced);
• (5) the Spanish Riding School (expensive and really not worth the time and effort).

6. Cafes In Vienna

Vienna is serious about its cafe culture. They’re opulently decorated formal spaces. 

You can sink onto a damask couch and linger over coffee and a pastry, which will be served on a silver tray by a starchy uniformed waiter. It’s a uniquely Viennese experience.

You may want to book a walking tour of Vienna’s most famous coffee houses .

Cafe Central   is one of Vienna’s most famous coffee shops, once frequented by Freud and Trotsky.  Demel   is is the ultimate Viennese chocolate shop a cafe, where choco-dreams come true.

Across from the Vienna Opera House, you can splurge on Vienna’s most iconic dessert, the Sacher Torte, at the historic  Cafe Sacher .

The torte consists of two layers of dense chocolate sponge cake filled with a slice of apricot, which is then covered with chocolate ganache and a dollop of whip cream.

Those who want to indulge can book a pastry tour of Vienna , a coffee and strudel tour , or a cafe and market tour . I recently did the pastry tour and it was awesome!

7. Where To Stay In Vienna

Vienna is loaded with both grand hotels and adorable boutique hotels in centuries old neighborhoods.

One of my favorite hotels is the  Palais Coburg . It’s a beautiful hotel in a 19th century palace.

The lovely Hotel Sans Souci Wien is an elegant properly near Museum Quarter with a spa. The Grand Ferdinand Hotel is centrally located and has a unique rooftop pool and restaurant.

Of course, you can always check out classics like  Ritz-Carlton ,  Park Hyatt , and the elegant  Hotel Sacher Wien .

You should also check out these lovely boutique hotels:  House of Time or  Palais Hansen Kempinski .

I hope you’ve enjoyed my 3 days in Vienna itinerary. You may enjoy these other Austria travel guides:

• Guide To the Best Museums in Vienna
• Guide To the Wachau Valley
• Guide To the Danube River
• Beethoven Guide To Vienna
• Klimt Guide To Vienna
• Guide To the Sisi Museum
• Guide To Melk Abbey
• Guide To the Belvedere Palace
• Things To Do in Vienna in Winter

If you’d like to spend three days in Vienna, pin it for later.

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Last Updated on January 18, 2024 by Leslie Livingston

The Perfect 2 to 3 Days in Vienna Itinerary

Last Updated on October 9, 2023

by Hope Brotherton

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. That means if you click a link and make a purchase, we may make a small commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, see our privacy policy.

Planning the perfect itinerary for Vienna can see a bit overwhelming when you realise on every cobbled street corner, there’s something to admire here. There are baroque facades, imperial palaces and Viennese coffee houses.

A home for intellects, artists and politicians, in order to soak in all of the sophistication Vienna has to offer, you’ll need 2 to 3 days in the city.

Austria’s capital city is filled with world-famous paintings, artefacts and relics of one of the most impressive European royal dynasties, and it has picturesque views of the Alps too. To make sure you don’t miss the best attractions or skip out on the lesser-known sites, read on to plan the perfect trip.

Table of Contents

How Many Days in Vienna?

The majority of tourists are drawn to Vienna for its history. To feel truly satisfied with your trip, you’ll be wondering how many days you’ll need to spend in order to get the most out of your trip.

A weekend will give you plenty of time to tick off all of those bucket-list attractions. Those 2 days in Vienna will give you ample time to explore palaces, museums and even have a slice of Sacher torte too.

But you might be wondering if you should extend your holiday by one day to give yourself a long weekend in the capital. If you have the time, 3 days will give you time to squeeze in a day trip to the neighbouring capital city of Bratislava or over to Salzburg .

If a day trip isn’t your ticket, then a third day in the city will give you time to explore Vienna’s lesser-well known attractions.

Getting To & Around Vienna

For international arrivals, the easiest way to arrive into the city is by Vienna international airport. The airport is well-serviced by several public transport links, but the most convenient way to arrive is via the rapid transit railway (also known as the S-Bahn).

Services arrive at several stations including Wien Hauptbahnhof. A one-way single ticket costs €4.10, so they’re highly economical too.

If you’re travelling across mainland Europe, the easiest way to get to Vienna is by train to Vienna Central Station (Wien Hauptbahnhof). You can jump on a direct train into Vienna from Rome , Budapest , Munich , Bratislava, Prague and many many more. You can check schedules and prices here.

Now that you’ve arrived in the city, you’ll want to know how to get around Vienna. On the whole, the city is a highly walkable city with most of its top sites located within walking distance of one another.

Because some of the sites are further out of the city, you will need to navigate Vienna’s public transport. The best way to move through the city is on Vienna’s U-Bahn (the metro).

They’re highly frequent and run from 5 am all the way through to midnight. Vienna also has an extensive tram and bus network too – use CityMapper to navigate these. If you end up purchasing the Vienna City Card , public transit is included – along with entry into a number of different sites and museums. You can also get a travel card with the purchase of the Vienna Pass .

2 to 3-Day Vienna Itinerary

This is a great travel itinerary for first-time visitors getting to know the city who want to see the major attractions in Vienna.

Day 1 – City Centre Highlights

Free walking tour.

As we’ve already mentioned, Vienna is a highly walkable city so we recommend jumping on a free walking tour. Our favourite is the Red and White Walking Tour . They have an informative bunch of guides who offer tidbits about the city and local recommendations.

If you’re ever on a free walking tour, it is generally expected that those on the tour will tip their tour guide at the end. How much you’d like to tip is at your discretion (the tip is really about how much you enjoyed the tour).

But if you don’t fancy hopping on a free walking tour, then you can easily build your own or join a paid walking tour if that suits your schedule better. This will allow you to join more specialised tours such as this food tour .

Vienna Opera House

To see Vienna in 2 days, start your first day outside its world-renowned Opera House – the Vienna State Opera. Also known as the Wiener Staatsoper, this Opera House first opened its doors in 1869 and has since received a global reputation.

Its facade is grand and striking, a beauty that deserves to be admired.

If you want to watch an evening performance, then purchase tickets online well before you arrive in Vienna. Tickets for a night at the opera can be purchased for as little as €14 – it’s a bit of a bargain really.

The Albertina Museum

After you’ve ogled at the might of the Vienna Opera House, take a short walk over to Albertinaplatz where you’ll find the Albertina Museum.

The Albertina Museum houses one of the most important collections of art in the world. Inside its walls, there are around one million prints including paintings by Monet and Picasso. You can book entry tickets here .

Austria National Library

Once you’ve finished staring at some works of art, walk over to the Austrian National Library. The library houses several different attractions including the State Hall, the Literature Museum, the Papyrus Museum, the Globe Museum, the Esperanto Museum and the House of Austrian History.

Individual tickets can be bought for each attraction, if you want to visit more than two it is worth buying a combined ticket. At the moment, the State Hall is under refurbishment and will re-open its doors in 2023.

The Hofburg

Finally, it is time to walk on over to the Hofburg – an incredible place to visit on any trip to Vienna. The Hofburg is a labyrinth of monumental buildings and wings. To experience it in all its glory, make sure you enter from Michaelerplatz’s cobbled courtyard.

This part of the Hofburg is lined with statues of Heracles and soothing fountains. Here, you’ll find the classic horse-drawn carriages from the Spanish Riding School (they should be on your left).

As you walk through the Hofburg, you’ll find yourself in a courtyard with a large monument to Emperor Franz I. While you’re there, make sure you visit the Swiss Gates. These red and gold gates date back to the 16th Century and give the Hofburg’s exterior a pop of colour.

Straight ahead from the Swiss Gates is Heldenplatz (also known as Heroes Square). The balcony in Heldenplatz is where Hitler addressed a rally in 1938 – just standing in the square will give you the chills.

As well as walking around the Hofburg, there is plenty to see inside the imperial palace’s formidable walls. Inside the building you’ll find the Sisi Museum, the Imperial Apartments, the Imperial Silver Collection, the Spanish Riding School and many more.

You can gain entry to the Sisi Museum by itself, or you can purchase a combined ticket that will include a grand tour of the Schönbrunn Palace, the Sisi Museum, the imperial apartment and the silver collection as well as entry into the Vienna Furniture Museum.

You can also get tickets to the Spanish riding school or you can book a guided tour here.

Stephansdom

From the Hofburg, walk 10 minutes along Vienna’s winding cobbled streets to St. Stephen’s Cathedral. The Gothic cathedral stands in a busy, bustling square.

Before touring around the cathedral, we recommend stopping for a drink or a light snack at one of the many bars surrounding the cathedral. Even though these bars are in a tourist hotspot, the prices are relatively affordable.

As you sip your drink, admire the outside features of the cathedral. One side of the roof is adorned with Green tiles including the Hapsburg house crest (a double-headed eagle). You’ll also notice a golden ladder on the side of the spire, which is referred to as the stairway to heaven.

Now, it’s time to head inside. The Cathedral’s attractions are separated into these distinct parts: the cathedral, catacombs, south tower and the north tower. If you’re planning on going to only one or two of these attractions, then you’ll want to purchase separate tickets.

That being said, it makes more sense to purchase a combined ticket if you want to visit the entirety of the cathedral. You can also purchase tickets to see a concert here.

Day 2 – Schönbrunn Palace, Schloss Belvedere & Museums Quartier

Schönbrunn palace.

To see Vienna in 2 days, you’ll want to start your second day bright and early at the summer residence of the Hapsburg family, the Schönbrunn Palace.

It is one of the most famous examples of Baroque architecture in Europe. Head into the palace and move through the 44 rooms, including private apartments and staterooms, and other precious 18th-century interiors. A tour around the palace will take hours, and once you’ve come outside it’s not over there.

Take a stroll through the palace gardens to the viewing point. You’ll be able to soak in tremendous views of Vienna as well as glimpses of the Alps. When you’re here, sit down and have a coffee so you can really soak in those views.

There are numerous different tickets to purchase at Schönbrunn. Have a browse through the ticket options and pick one that piques your interest. You can also book a guided tour here if you want to learn more about the history with a travel guide and skip the line.

Karlskirche

After visiting the Schönbrunn Palace, it’s time to visit Karlskirche – an 18th Century cathedral. It dominates Vienna’s skyline, so it isn’t very easy to miss. On the outside, you’ll notice a large dome and two long columns. Entry into the cathedral is paid, and it’s worth paying the price for panoramic views of the city.

Schloss Belvedere

After visiting the cathedral, jump onto tram line D and head over to Schloss Belvedere. Formally two palaces, Schloss Belvedere is now a museum complex. Its collection of art ages from the middle ages all the way up to the present day.

Access to the majority of the gardens is largely free and accessible to the public. To visit inside, you’ll have to purchase a ticket here for the Upper Belvedere and you can purchase tickets here for the Lower Belvedere.

Museums Quartier

Spend the rest of the afternoon in the Museums Quartier. This former imperial stable is one of the largest cultural quarters in the world.

It’s an urban, edgy, part of the city where locals enjoy long summer evenings lounging around on bean bags and deck chairs.

You can easily spend a day in the Museums Quartier, but if you’re short on time make sure to see the Leopold Museum (you can pre-book tickets here ) and the Museum of Modern Art.

Day 3 – Day Trip from Vienna

Day trip to bratislava.

If you want to see Vienna in 3 days, there are a few ways you can spend your final day in the city.

Firstly, you can continue to explore Vienna a little deeper. You might want to return to the museum quartier and visit another museum or you might want to sit back and relax with a warm mug of coffee and a slice of cake. Take the time to, perhaps, visit the city hall and the nearby Rathauspark.

Alternatively, you could send your final day in another country. Bratislava (the capital of Slovakia) is only a one-hour train ride away from Vienna Central Station. Visiting Bratislava is really worth it if you have more time in Vienna to spend.

Because Bratislava is a small city, it can be easily explored within one day. Trains run every hour between the two capitals and can be purchased here. Alternatively, it is also possible to book a guided day trip if you don’t want to do the trip independently.

Once you’ve arrived in the capital, make a beeline for the Old Town. Head straight to St Michael’s Gate – one of the city’s last remaining fortresses. For great views of the city, climb to the top of the tower, but get there early to beat the crowds.

After you’ve taken in the views of the city, walk over to St Martin’s Cathedral. While it may not look impressive from the outside, underneath the cathedral lies a labyrinth of catacombs, which are worth a visit.

From here go for a wander around the main square where you’ll find brightly-coloured buildings. One colourful building in Bratislava that stands out, in particular, is the Blue Church. Officially known as the church of St Elizabeth of Hungary, it is a must-see if you’re a lover of whimsical buildings fit for a fairytale.

Where to Stay in Vienna

Motel One Wien – Hauptbahnhof – For those travelling on a mid-range budget in Vienna , then this hotel is a fantastic option. Situated within easy reach of Vienna’s main train station they have a number of clean, comfortable and nicely decorated rooms on offer. There is also a breakfast option available each morning.

Hotel Brauhof Wien – If you’re looking for a luxury option in the Austrian capital, then this 4-star hotel is a great choice for you. They have a myriad of luxe rooms available, a fantastic location for exploring the city and a number of other great amenities to ensure you have an excellent stay.

Hostel Ruthensteiner – For budget or solo travellers, this hostel can be a fantastic option in Vienna. Family-run, they have both private rooms and dorm beds available, a central location for exploring the city and there are plenty of great common areas that make it easy to meet other visitors to the city.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Vienna hotels!

Vienna is a city of grandeur, dynasty and culture, so it’s easy to feel sophisticated when you’re exploring palace after palace. However you’ve chosen to spend your time, we hope you found our Vienna itinerary useful.

Are you planning a trip to Vienna? Have any questions about this itinerary? Let us know in the comments!

Related Posts:

The Ultimate 2 to 3 Days in Salzburg Itinerary

The Perfect Day Trip to Salzburg from Vienna

Salzburg or Vienna: Which Austrian City to Visit?

About Hope Brotherton

Hope is a writer for The World Was Here First. Originally from Birmingham, England, she is passionate about budget-friendly travel and incorporating greener and more eco-friendly travel into her adventures. She keeps returning to Italy but loves to travel around any European country.

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3 Days in Vienna: The Perfect Vienna 3 Day Itinerary

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Vienna is one of the most underrated cities to visit in Europe and one of the best places to visit in Austria . Plus, 3 days in Vienna is all you need to have a fantastic trip!

From trying tasty local delicacies like bratwurst and sacher torte to exploring three different breathtaking palaces directly within the city, there are so many things to do in Vienna.

Without further ado, here is how to spend three days in Vienna!

Are you planning a trip to Vienna & you don’t have time to read this whole post? Here are some of our top recommendations to save you time.

Best Hotels in Vienna

Best Guided Tours in Vienna

Transportation in Vienna

Table of Contents

How to Get to Vienna

Because Vienna is a big city in Austria , there are multiple ways that you can quickly get there. You have your choice of transportation to visit Vienna in 3 days!

The most affordable to get to Vienna if you’re already in Europe is to take the bus. While this may not be the most comfortable way to travel, it can save you tons of money. I’m speaking from experience here! 

Flixbus is the most popular bus company, but there are also other options. Be sure to check a website like Omio to compare prices for different companies. This is also a great way to find the time and route that works best for you.

The majority of buses will bring you to either Wien Hauptbahnhof or Vienna International Busterminal.

A more comfortable (yet still affordable) way to get to Vienna is by taking the train. Almost every train will end at Wien Hauptbahnhof, and you can get the train from most bigger cities in the area, even if it’s across Europe.

When it comes to booking trains, keep in mind that it is always worth it to also buy your assigned seating. Otherwise, you’ll have to hop from seat to seat because sometimes a seat you sit in might be booked by someone else for a certain length of your trip. Dishing out a small amount of money for a seat can save you headaches later and make you a lot more comfortable.

Another easy way to get to Vienna if you’re in Europe is to drive a car. This gives you a lot of freedom when it comes to getting to the city because you’ll have the ability to go anywhere you want without relying on public transportation.

You can also rent a car if you’d like, even if you’re from another country. Just be sure to check and see if you need to have an International Driver’s License to be able to rent.

The most popular way to get to the city for this Vienna 3 day itinerary is to fly there! The Vienna International Airport is technically located right out of the city in Schwechat, but you can easily get public transportation to the city center from the airport.

To get downtown from the airport, you’ll want to take the City Airport Train. This is easily the quickest way to get to the city, especially if you can get on the S7 Express Train.

Vienna has made transportation within the city easy. Even if you aren’t a big fan of public transport, you’ll be shocked at how simple it is to get from one place to another. 

The S-Bahn is the regional train, which you will most likely only use to get to the city from the airport. You won’t have to use it otherwise unless you’re traveling a bit further outside of the city.

The U-Bahn is also known as the subway and is the most popular way to get around the city. There are five different subway lines that have multiple stops throughout the city. You can get almost anywhere riding the U-Bahn, and it will get you there really quickly .

City buses can be found throughout Vienna and can provide a quick way to get around if there isn’t traffic. If you aren’t investing in a transportation ticket, tickets for the bus are relatively affordable.

Straßenbahn

I used the straßenbahn most often when getting around the city. It’s essentially a tram that can get you throughout the city. While it’s not as quick as the U-Bahn, it provides you with a great ride to get where you want to go. Plus, because it’s above ground, you can enjoy the sights of Vienna during your ride.

24-, 48-, or 72-Hour Ticket

To save money during your 3 days in Vienna, if you know you’ll be using public transportation, you need to purchase one of these tickets! I suggest buying the 72-hour ticket for three days in Vienna, but if you know that you won’t need to use public transportation every day, then purchase one of the other ones.

With these tickets, you can use public transportation pretty freely to get around. Not only does this make it, so you don’t have to keep purchasing tickets every time you want to use public transportation, but it also saves you tons of money.

One thing to keep in mind is to make sure that you validate your ticket before you board. There are blue validation points near the trains’ barriers, so be careful not to miss them. 

A 24-hour pass costs €8 ($10), a 48-hour pass is €14 ($17), and a 72-hour pass is €17 ($21).

When to Visit Vienna 

There is not a bad time to visit Vienna in 3 days. Despite saying that, you can easily plan your trip to the city around when most people visit so that you can best enjoy your trip without the crowds.

The majority of people will visit Vienna in the summer because the weather is perfect. The temperature averages around 75°F, but keep in mind that the summer also gets the most rain. Because so many people visit during the summer, accommodation prices can be higher during this time. Transportation to get to Vienna may also be higher.

If you want to spend 3 days in Vienna during the time that not many people visit, consider going in the winter. The temperature is around 39°F, and they have a lot of fun events, specifically in the winter, like the Christmas markets. You can usually find affordable accommodation if you visit during this time.

The absolute best time to visit Vienna (in my opinion) is in the spring or fall! I visited during the spring, and the whole city was buzzing, but it was not very busy. The average temperature is around 60°F, so the weather is truly beautiful. 

Where to Stay in Vienna

No matter your budget, you can find a great place to stay for your 3 days in Vienna.

Wombats City Hostel Naschmarkt

The Wombats City Hostel Naschmarkt is the perfect place to stay if you’re traveling on a strict budget. The hotel is right next to Naschmarkt, which is a great weekend market in the city. Plus, you can walk to Hofburg Palace from here. Staying at hostels is also great if you’re a solo traveler or know you want to meet other travelers. 

Hotel ibis budget Wien Messe

The Hotel Ibis Budget Wien Messe is the hotel that I stayed at during my 3 days in Vienna, and it’s in the perfect location! It’s right next to the Prater Amusement Park and Anker Cafe, which is my favorite place to get chocolate croissants in the city. The hotel is relatively affordable, and it’s next to a U-Bahn station that can get you almost right to the airport.

Boutique Hotel Donauwalzer

For a nicer stay, consider booking your accommodation at the Boutique Hotel Donauwalzer . It has a cafe, breakfast buffet, spa, and even a pool. It’s also located pretty centrally, so you can get almost anywhere that you want in the city pretty easily.

Want more options? Check these out!

3 Days in Vienna

Vienna day 1.

Your first of 3 days in Vienna, you’ll probably be tired since you just landed there! So, today, there aren’t a whole lot of things to do on the itinerary in case you’re genuinely exhausted. Of course, you can add in some more stops if you feel up to it!

After you first land, you’ll probably be in the mood to get a delicious meal! Arguably, if you’re wondering what to do in Vienna during your first day, you do not want to miss out on heading straight to Bitzinger. This is the most popular wurstel stand in the city.

You might be wondering what is wurst? Well, it’s essentially a sausage that’s made with pork and beef as the main ingredients. It’s one of the best foods to try when visiting Vienna . At Bitzinger, you can get this in many different flavors!

Arguably, the most popular kind to try here is called Kasekrainer, a wurst filled with cheese. Be sure also to try some of the fries that they sell, which are available in a few flavors.

There are two different locations in the city. If you’re staying near Prater Amusement Park, then you can go to the stand there. The other location is at the Albertina, which is more downtown Vienna! 

From the Albertina Bitzinger stand, make your way to Rathaus. It’s only twenty minutes away by foot, or you can take the U2, which will get you there in ten minutes.

Rathaus is the city hall in Vienna, which was built in the nineteenth century. It’s a great example of Gothic-style architecture, and it’s stunning.

This is also a popular meeting place throughout the year, especially for city-wide events. For example, if you visit in the winter, this is actually where the Christkindlmarkt is held! In the summer, they host lots of fun markets and other local vendors.

Free tours of the building are available on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 1 p.m.

Sigmund Freud Museum

Make your way to the Sigmund Freud Museum after exploring Rathaus! If you weren’t able to go inside Rathaus, you’ll be able to go inside the Freud Museum. To get there, go on a fifteen-minute walk. Along the way, if you have time, be sure to walk through Sigmund Freud Park!

The museum opened in 1971 and is dedicated to the psychologist Sigmund Freud. All of the exhibits tell his life story and feature artifacts from his own home. 

Tickets cost €14 ($17) and can be purchased either online or right at the museum. Because the museum is pretty small, you most likely won’t need more than an hour to explore it fully!

Dinner at a Local Restaurant

To end your first day, go out to eat at a local restaurant . There are tons of great options, so here are a few top-rated restaurants in the city!

Rinderwahn is the perfect place to go if you love burgers. It’s tasteful fast food, and they also have vegetarian options.

Cafe Anzengruber is an excellent option if you want to try classic Austrian dishes at an affordable price. This is a favorite among both locals and tourists.

The Palmenahaus is situated inside of a botanical garden and will genuinely take your breath away. The menu has tons of different options and even great cocktails.

Vienna Day 2

Welcome to day two on this Vienna 3 day itinerary! Hopefully, you got a good night’s sleep, because day two is filled with lots of activities you won’t want to miss.

Breakfast at Anker Cafe

Start your morning off right by heading to a cafe. My personal favorite is the Anker Cafe which has a few locations around the city. There’s even one next to the Prater Amusement Park.

While Anker Cafe is a bit of a regional chain, they have so many great treats. You’ll want to try the chocolate croissants. The inside tastes a lot like brownie batter, and it’s the best chocolate croissant I’ve ever had!

While you’re eating breakfast, there’s no need to worry about what to do in Vienna for the rest of the day. Read on for what to do next!

Stadtpark (City Park)

Head to Stadtpark as your first stop of the day after breakfast. This is a big park in the Innere Stadt in the city. 

The park won’t take long for you to explore, but it’s peaceful early in the morning. If you’re lucky enough to be visiting in the spring or the summer, you’ll be able to see the gorgeous colors of the garden throughout the park. There are even great statues, like fun penguins.

St. Stephen’s Cathedral

With a quick thirteen-minute walk, head to St. Stephen’s Cathedral. From Stadtpark, it can also be reached with a seven-minute ride on the U3 towards Wien Ottakring if you get off at Stephansplatz. If you’re wondering what to do in Vienna in 3 days, this is one experience you won’t want to miss out on.

The church was built in the twelfth century but was rebuilt recently because it was destroyed during World War II.

What makes this church so gorgeous is the mosaic roof. It will take your breath away the second you see it. The roof is made up of around 200,000 mosaic tiles.

While you can go inside the church for free, you’ll want to pay €6 ($7) to climb to the top of the South Tower. There are 343 steps to get to the top, and they do wind all the way up. As you’re walking up, other people are walking down using the same small stairwell. If you’re claustrophobic, this is not the kind of climb for you. This is by no means an easy climb, but the view is well worth it. It’s one of the best views in Europe from above .

If you know that you won’t want to climb those stairs, you can still see a beautiful view from the North Tower, which can be reached by elevator. This costs just €6.50 ($8).

The whole experience at the cathedral will probably take you a minimum of two hours, so plan wisely. 

Begin to walk down the famous Graben shopping street, which is filled with historical sights. Make sure you walk towards St. Peter’s Church. Along the way, stop for lunch somewhere. There are lots of great cafes and restaurants in this area, so no matter what you’re in the mood for after your tower climb, you’ll be able to find something tasty.

Be sure also to explore Graben a bit because the architecture here is beautiful.

St. Peter’s Catholic Church

Even though you just saw a church before lunch, this is another one that you will want to stop by and see. It’s breathtaking and was built in the eighteenth century.

While the outside is pretty and unique with its great green dome, the inside is even more striking. Guests are welcome to go inside and explore. Be sure to pay close attention to the detailing throughout.

Be sure to check the church’s schedule because it hosts lots of events throughout the year, including shows with the organs.

Austrian National Library

Next, for your 3 days in Vienna, head to the Austrian National Library. This is truly one of the most beautiful libraries in the entire world, and the inside will take you back in time.

The library opened in the fourteenth century and is a stunning example of Austrian Baroque architecture.

The interior has excellent frescoes on the ceiling, and everywhere you look are more books. There is a small entrance fee of €3 ($4), but it’s well worth it.

Keep in mind that the library is unfortunately closed on Mondays. Don’t make the mistake of trying to visit on a Monday as I did!

Hofburg Palace

Right after exploring the library, walk around the corner to visit Hofburg Palace. This palace was first built in the thirteenth century and is most famous for being the home for the Hapsburg family. Inside, there are more than 2,500 different rooms! Today, it’s the Austrian president’s home.

Visitors can purchase tickets to go inside for €15 ($18) with an audio guide. You can also buy a €36 ($44) for your ticket to include the Sisi Museum. Each ticket also includes access to the Silver Collection and the Imperial Apartments.

Prater Amusement Park

For your last attraction of the day, hop on the U2 from Volkstheater to the Prater Amusement Park. This is one of the most fun attractions in the city, and if you’re wondering what to do in Vienna in 3 days, this is one that you’re not going to want to miss.

The amusement park is open to the public to visit for free! So, anyone can go inside and walk around to view all of the fun. However, if you want to go on any of the rides, you have to pay per ride.

Of course, the prized ride at the amusement park is the Ferris wheel, Wiener Riesenrad! It was built in 1894 and was even the most giant Ferrismany wheel in the world for a while. It stands at 212 feet tall.

While many people opt to ride the Ferris wheel during the day, it’s even better if you ride it at night. You can see the entirety of Vienna lit up from above when the sun starts to go down, which is truly magical. It costs €12 ($15) to ride the Ferris wheel, which may seem like a lot, but it’s well worth it. 

Dinner in Prater

For dinner, since you’ll already be in the Prater Amusement Park, you will definitely want just to grab dinner there. Many different restaurants can be found throughout the park, and they serve pretty good food!

A great one that I ate at personally is Zum Englischen Reiter. They serve classic Austrian dishes, and their wiener schnitzel is genuinely the best schnitzel I had during my entire trip to Austria. Plus, they have lots of seating.

Vienna Day 3

For your last of 3 days in Vienna, you’ll be finally visiting two of the most beautiful palaces in the country! If you don’t have a car, this is one day that you will want to make sure you at least have a 24-hour public transportation pass.

Volksgarten

Begin your morning by heading back downtown and strolling the Volksgarten. Similar to yesterday, starting your day off in the garden is just so peaceful. Plus, not many people opt to visit the gardens or public parks in the early morning.

Volksgarten opened in the nineteenth century and was built on top of a city-fortress that Napoleon unfortunately destroyed. Today, it’s a lovely park near Hofburg Palace.

Belvedere Palace

After exploring the palace, hop onto the D tram towards Wien Absberggasse and get off at Schloss Belvedere. This is one palace that you’re not going to want to miss out on!

This palace was built in the early eighteenth century under Prince Eugene of Savoy. Ass you may be able to tell by the architecture, he was heavily inspired by the beauty of Versailles on the outskirts of Paris, France.

Belvedere Palace is technically made up of two different palaces. There is Upper Belvedere, which is more popularly visited, and Lower Belvedere.

If you want to go inside and explore the palaces, it costs €16 ($19) per person. However, if you’re traveling on a budget, then you can just come and explore the illustrious gardens for free! They’re stunning and will take your breath away. 

Cafe Hofburg

After exploring Belvedere Palace, make your way to Cafe Hofburg. You can get there by taking the D tram. This is an excellent place to try Sachertorte, which is essentially a chocolate cake with chocolate icing and apricot jam filling. Trying sachertorte is one of the best things to do in Austria .

While the most popular place to try this is at Hotel Sacher, I can’t recommend enough that you go to Cafe Hofburg instead. The lines to get into Hotel Sacher take hours, especially if you visit during a popular time to eat (such as lunch). However, if you go to Cafe Hofburg, there is usually no line at all. Plus, outdoor seating is abundant, and it’s located right in Hofburg.

While here, you can also order yourself lunch and maybe even an apple strudel!

Schonbrunn Palace

The last stop on your final day in Vienna is Schonbrunn Palace! Save the best attraction for last.

You can easily take the U4 to get to Schonbrunn Palace and note that it is a little out of the city, so it will take close to forty minutes to get there.

Schonbrunn Palace served as the summer home for the Hapsburg family. Yes, this means they had a separate palace besides Hofburg Palace to stay at!

It has 1,441 rooms and is beautiful. The gardens are immaculate and free to visit. If you want the best sunset view in all of Vienna, you’ll want to climb up to the top of the gardens and sit down to watch it set over the palace.

There are many different tickets available, but the most popularly purchased one is the Classic Pass for €28.50 ($35).

After the palace, be sure to go out to grab dinner nearby and even consider hitting up some local bars to celebrate and think back on your 3 days in Vienna!

Final Thoughts: 3 Days in Vienna

If you follow this Vienna 3 day itinerary, you’ll truly have one of the best trips of your life. In fact, Vienna is my favorite city I’ve ever visited, so I know you will have a great time.

You can even mix and match the days and consider taking one of the best day trips from Vienna too if you want to leave the area.

Is there anything else that you think should be included in this 3 days in Vienna post? Have you ever been to this magical city? Leave a comment below!

Check out our travel diary from our few days in Vienna, still one of the best places we’ve ever visited.

Travel to Austria

Are you planning a trip to Austria? You’re in luck! We have more great Austria travel posts to help ease your stress. Check them out below!

• 14 Best Day Trips from Vienna
• Austria Bucket List: 23 Best Things to do in Austria
• 11 Best Places to Visit in Austria

9 Best Salzburg Day Trips

• Austrian Food In Vienna: 11 Best Local Dishes & Where to Eat Them

How to Spend One Day in Vienna, Austria

KP is the head blogger and founder behind Volumes & Voyages. After studying abroad in Dublin for a semester, KP got bitten by the travel bug. Now, she writes articles to help other travelers in between trips where she chases her wanderlust. KP has lived in many different places, including Boston MA, Denver CO, Las Vegas NV, southern VT, and Dublin IE.

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This looks so wonderful. I saw a deal for visiting Vienna a while back, and I was so tempted to get it except for not knowing what travel would look like. Even though I can’t go this year, I do plan on it in the next couple years and this is so helpful, especially for figuring out how to get around!

Vienna is so incredible. I miss going to the museums there – will be back after lockdown!

Vienna is an amazing city to visit! This is a great guide you’ve put together for 3 days. We spent a week there and still feel like we didn’t see everything.

I have flown through Vienna sooo many times – I would LOVE to visit properly, see that beautiful architecture and try the tasty treats. I knew I wanted to try the cakes, but I am now VERY tempted to eat a Bitzinger too!

I live, love, love Vienna and have been there several times. I’m always curious to read posts like this to see if there are places that are recommended that I may not have seen yet. There was… I haven’t been to the Freud Museum yet, nor St Peter’s Catholic Church. Next time! My favorite place to visit is the Belvedere with its amazing Klimt exhibition and the secession building. I am a huge Klimt fan!

Thank you for describing so many interesting things to do in Vienna. I, too, like buying unlimited transit passes. They make it easier to get around a city. I love your photo of the Prater ferris wheel. When I was there it wasn’t operating and I had to console myself with bratwurst in a bun.

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1 week in Austria: Epic 6-7-8 Day Itinerary (First Time Visit)

One week itinerary in austria: best things to do and see.

You’re planning to spend 1 week in Austria ? You’re looking for the best itinerary?

Then look no further!

In order t o help you plan your stay , I have prepared for you this 6, 7 or 8 days itinerary in Austria .

During your trip, you will visit  Vienna , Salzburg , Hallstatt and Graz as well as must-see attractions such as Melk Abbey or the lakes of Salzkammergut .

In addition to the best places to visit for each stage of the itinerary, I will also give you all my best tips and accommodation suggestions depending on your budget.

So, how to spend a week in Austria? Where to stay?

Let’s find out!

1) Vienna (3 days)

To start your one-week trip in Austria the easy way, just land in Vienna . The capital of Austria is the best-connected city in the country.

Depending on your arrival time, I recommend heading straight to your hotel to drop off your luggage and rest if you need to. You can take a quick stroll around the neighborhood to immerse yourself in the Austrian atmosphere.

For your first full day of sightseeing , you should start with Vienna’s main tourist attraction: Schönbrunn Palace .

This magnificent Baroque building is a UNESCO World Heritage site . During your visit, you can explore the state rooms and imperial apartments in what used to be the Habsburgs’ summer residence .

Schönbrunn Palace is also famous for its vast and beautiful garden , a lovely place for a walk.

If you’re interested, you can also visit the greenhouse, the zoo (tickets available here!) or the Vienna Imperial Carriage Museum all located within or near the palace grounds. You’ll need to pay extra for all of these activities, as they’re not included in the palace entrance ticket.

There’s also a guided tour of Schönbrunn Palace that includes access to the interior and gardens. Click the button below to book :

The visit to Schönbrunn Palace is also included with the Vienna Pass . It gives priority access to many monuments and also allows you to use the hop-on-hop-off sightseeing buses .

It’s simply the best pass for visiting Vienna during your week in Austria!

Buy your Vienna Pass directly with the button below:

In the late morning, head to Naschmarkt, Vienna’s permanent market . It’s the perfect place to have lunch and enjoy fresh, local products .

Then continue your sightseeing day by visiting Karlsplatz and admire St. Charles Church . I also recommend going inside for a unique experience!

Indeed, inside you can take a panoramic elevator to admire the ceiling frescoes up close. I’ve never seen anything like it in a church, and it’s quite surprising.

For the rest of the afternoon, take a leisurely stroll through Vienna’s historic center to discover the main tourist monuments like the Opera or the Rathaus , Vienna’s city hall.

And to end the day beautifully, head to St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna called Stephansdom in german. Climb the 343 steps of the tower to enjoy an exceptional panorama of the entire city . Preferably do it at sunset!

Don’t forget to grab your ticket in advance here so you’re all set for the experience!

For your second sightseeing day in the capital , head to the Spanish Riding School of Vienna . And now you might think “horse riding, but I’ve never done that before!” Don’t worry, you won’t have to ride a horse, just watch and admire.

Every morning, this world-renowned institution in the art of horse training opens its doors to spectators for training sessions .

In addition to the show, the venue where the session takes place, the Imperial winter riding arena , is well worth a visit!

If you plan on attending to a training session, entry is included in the Vienna Pass so make sure to book your tickets in advance using the following button:

For the rest of the morning, you should visit the Hofburg Palace . Like Schönbrunn Castle, the palace served as a residence for the Austrian imperial family during the winter months.

The visit will allow you to see the bedrooms and the emperor’s workroom . But not the emperor.

There is also a part of the imperial palace that houses the Empress Sisi Museum and an impressive silverware collection. Everything is included in the entrance ticket you can purchase right here :

The Vienna Pass also grants you access to the palace.

You can then start your afternoon by going to Europe’s largest baroque library, the Austrian National Library . The State Hall, with its 200,000 ancient volumes, is just stunning.

Entrance is free with the Vienna Pass.

Then, you should have a look at the Albertina Museum . There you can admire a significant collection of works by Monet and Picasso as well as 20 recently restored staterooms.

Included with the Vienna Pass. Otherwise, you can purchase tickets in advance directly with the button below :

If you don’t feel like spending the afternoon indoors, you can also replace one of the 2 visits I mentionned above with a small Danube cruise !

The most popular one is the 1-hour outing that you can book by clicking the button below:

Finally, to end the day with some relaxation, head to Prater, Vienna’s massive public park . Don’t hesitate to take a ride on the Ferris wheel , one of the city’s symbols and by far the most spectacular way to watch the sun set over Vienna .

You can buy your tickets directly here .

If you’re not a big fan of rides or if you’re scared of heights, I recommend a softer but equally classic option in Vienna: attending an opera or a classical music concert .

Several venues such as the Staatsoper (Vienna State Opera) , the Musikverein , the Volksoper, or Schönbrunn Palace’s Orangery offer this type of performance at various prices:

• Vivaldi’s Four Seasons at the Musikverein
• A concert featuring 30 musicians from the Mozart Orchestra in the Musikverein’s Golden Hall
• Ticket for a concert at Schonbrunn Palace
• A classical music concert in Vienna’s magnificent St. Peter’s Church
• A classical music concert performed by a string quartet at St. Anne’s Church
• A performance of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons at St. Charles Church
• Mozart and Strauss concert at Vienna’s Kursalon with musicians, singers, and dancers
• A concert by the Vienna Residence Orchestra , one of the world’s best chamber orchestras, at the Auersperg Palace.

Definitely one of the unforgettable experiences to have during your one-week stay in Austria .

If you’re looking for a extensive list of the best things to do and see in Vienna, check out my article here: Visiting Vienna .

To visit Vienna in 2 days, you should get the Vienna Pass .

Access to all the main monuments and museums of Vienna is included , as well as unlimited hop-on hop-off bus transportation .

Where to stay in Vienna

2) Salzburg (2 days)

For the second stop on this 6, 7 or 8-day itinerary in Austria , I’m taking you to Salzburg .

You’ll need to rent a car since it’s clearly the fastest way to get around when you plan on spending one-week in Austria . Plus, it allows you to make stops along the way to visit certain places that you wouldn’t see if you took the train.

You should use Booking.com Cars for 3 reasons :

• All the rental companies are listed, so you can easily compare prices .
• The comprehensive insurance protection is much cheaper than the ones offered by most rental companies. And, as an extra bonus, their reimbursement process is super efficient! I speak from experience after having used it a few times during my holidays in Sicily .
• Cancellation is often free.

If you know your travel dates in Austria you should book your car now to get the best possible rate! To compare prices and book your car, click on the button below :

Once you’ve picked up your rental car (preferably rent it at the airport, it’s more convenient), hit the road towards Salzburg. It takes about 3 hours and 15 minutes to drive from Vienna to Salzburg .

On the way, I recommend 3 stops to visit some of the most beautiful sites and natural landscapes you can see in Austria :

1) 1 hour and 20 minutes from Vienna , you’ll find the famous Melk Abbey .

Overlooking the Danube on its rocky outcrop, you can’t miss it. I recommend taking the time to visit it, especially for its world-renowned enormous library . The place is simply stunning.

Outside, you’ll enjoy a view of the Danube and its surroundings .

2) Before arriving in Salzburg , about 1 hour and 15 minutes from Melk , is where you’ll find the Salzkammergut lake region , famous for its beautiful alpine lakes. Definitely one of the most beautiful Austrian landscapes.

First, stop at Lake Attersee , the largest in Austria. Then continue to Lake Mondsee , a very well-maintained lake suitable for water activities.

You can easily spend an afternoon in the region and take the opportunity to have a picnic and hike around .

You’ll arrive in Salzburg in the late afternoon .

The next day on this 1-week vacation in Austria will be entirely dedicated to the city of Salzburg .

Start the morning by climbing up to Hohensalzburg Fortress , the city’s iconic landmark. Once the protector of the city and the local archbishops, it is one of the best-preserved castles in all of Europe .

You can buy your entrance ticket for the fortress in advance by clicking here ! Otherwise, the entrance is included with the Salzburg Card mentionned in the Voyage Tips Advice.

In order to reach it, you can choose the sporty option by climbing the hill on foot , or simply by taking the funicular ! You’ll find it on Festungsgasse street. This option also offers a lovely view during the ascent .

In the fortress, you can visit:

• The Golden Hall and the Golden Chamber , both adorned with beautiful wooden sculptures
• The dungeons and the torture chamber for a darker experience
• The Festungmuseum , a museum dedicated to the life of the princes archbishop
• The Rainermuseum and its collection of Austrian weaponry

After leaving the fortress, walk down to Nonnberg Abbey , about ten minutes away on foot. The place is world-famous for being the inspiration for the popular film “The Sound of Music” . This is the place in the movie where the main character Maria was a novice before she married the Baron!

Fans of the film will know what I’m talking about! Every day there are guided tours available for you to follow in the footsteps of the movie locations. For enthusiasts, I’m providing the link right here .

After this little movie interlude, head back to the historic center of Salzburg to visit the DomQuartier , a popular cultural attraction in the city.

The entrance ticket to the Dom (buy it here!) gives you access to several historical sites such as St. Peter’s Church , the residence of the princes archbishop and the cathedral . A great way to combine visiting the city and learning more about its history.

After a well-deserved lunch break following a busy morning, you should then head to #9 Getreidegasse . There you will find Mozart’s birthplace . It is a museum nowadays. If you are interested, you can of course visit it (and the visit is included with the Salzburg card).

When you’re done, don’t hesitate to stroll down Getreidegasse to admire its traditional houses and wrought iron shop signs , one of the main reasons for the street’s fame.

It’s also the perfect place for a bit of shopping or grabbing a drink.

Finish your day in Salzburg at Mirabell Castle . and especially by wandering through its magnificent gardens. You’ll find it on the other bank and can get there by crossing the bridge at the east-end of Getreidegasse.

The gardens offer a stunning view of the city and the cathedral . A must-see with its numerous fountains, the rose garden , the orangery, and even the dwarf garden made up of white marble garden gnomes – quite unusual, right?

And if you’re still craving more information about Salzburg , I got you covered! Check out my article: Top 17 must-see places in Salzburg .

To visit Salzburg in 1 day, purchase your Salzburg Card directly here :

All the places I mentioned in this itinerary are included in it . This will save you a lot of money .

Where to stay in Salzburg

• Stadtalm Naturfreundehaus : Hostel located near the Salzburg Museum of Modern Art. Dormitory beds from €25, breakfast included. Access is not very easy as it is on top of a hill, and the rooms are a bit small, but the view, on the other hand, is extraordinary. This is the best price for a hostel in Salzburg. Other ones start at €50, which is a bit expensive for a simple dormitory bed.
• Motel One Salzburg-Süd : Hotel located 4 km from the center of Salzburg. A bus stop right in front allows you to reach the center in just 10 minutes (and remember, with the Salzburg Card it’s free). Spacious and modern double room from €100 per night, breakfast at €9.5. Strong Points: quiet location, comfortable bedding, excellent breakfast. It’s my favorite for its excellent value for money !
• H+ Hotel Salzburg : Located 15 minutes walk from Mirabell Palace. Modern and comfortable double room from €120 per night, breakfast at €17. Strong points: breakfast room with mountain views, comfortable beds, shops, and restaurants nearby.
• Hotel Sacher Salzburg : 5-star hotel located in the heart of Salzburg’s old town and by the river. Comfortable and spacious double rooms, each uniquely furnished, from €400 per night, breakfast at €35. Strong points: central location for walking to all sights, very friendly staff, excellent bedding, high-quality and plentiful breakfast, view of the fortress. The best hotel in Salzburg for a luxury stay !

3) Hallstatt (1 day)

For the third stop on this one-week trip in Austria , hit the road to reach Hallstatt located about 1h20 by car .

Hallstatt is an extremely cute little village, considered one of the most beautiful in Europe and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site . An absolute must-see!

The downside of its popularity is that it can be quite touristy , and you may find yourself sharing the space with a large international crowd, many of whom Chinese. In fact, the Chinese were so taken with it that they even built a replica in southern China!

Start by walking around the village and don’t hesitate to venture into the narrow alleys and climb the various staircases.

You can also visit the Catholic Church , whose cemetery offers a lovely view of the lake below.

If you’re not scared by the idea of a few decomposed bodies in display, you can also visit a rather astonishing place: the ossuary. It contains hundreds of decorated skulls of the deceased from Hallstatt.

A decade after their passing, the residents of the town have the unique opportunity to be remembered this way. Those who opt for this unconventional practice can have their skulls meticulously exhumed, restored, and artistically adorned before being showcased. This exceptional tradition sets Hallstatt apart and adds an intriguing aspect to your Austrian road-trip.

After visiting the village, head to the Hallstatt Skywalk. You have the option to either hike up (it’s a bit of a climb, but manageable) or opt for the funicular. Upon reaching the summit , the awe-inspiring panorama of Hallstatt and its surroundings will simply take your breath away !

For the afternoon , I have 2 itineraries tailored to suit your preferences:

1. For the calm version:

Visit the world’s oldest salt mine , located near the Skywalk.

Enter the mines and discover one of Hallstatt’s main tourist activities. After your visit, head back to Hallstatt and take a walk by the lake or a small cruise.

2. For the sportier edition

After going up to the Skywalk, head back to Hallstatt and take the car to Obertaun , a few kilometers away.

There you’ll get to visit the ice caves of the Dachstein massif . You’ll have to take a cable car .

Not just one but 2 caves: the Giant Ice Cave and the Mammuth Cave .

You can choose to visit one or both. Allow about 1 hour for each visit .

Then take the cable car up to the second level to reach “The 5 Fingers” , a panoramic platform hanging 400 meters high on a cliff ! Needless to say, the view over the Dachstein massif and Lake Hallstattersee below is just incredible .

You will find every information you need to visit Hallstatt in my article: The 6 best things to do and see in Hallstatt .

If you want to visit Hallstatt and learn about its history, you should book a 2 hour guided tour . The cool thing is that the guide is a photographer and he will also take pictures of you facing the most beautiful spots.

The fee includes the printing of about ten pictures .

Book your Hallstatt tour with a photographer by clicking the button below:

Where to stay in Hallstatt

Hallstatt being a tiny village means that there is not much accommodation and that the prices are fairly high… although not as high as the 5 Fingers 😋

If you plan on visiting the place you should book your accommodation in Hallstatt now !

• Heritage Hotel Hallstatt : Located in the historic center of Hallstatt. Modern and bright double room from €190 per night, breakfast at €17. Strong points: the location of the hotel, right in front of the ship’s platform (convenient if you have suitcases), the calm and the size of the rooms.
• Fenix Hall : Double room combining rustic and modern design, starting at €200 per night, breakfast included. Strong points: comfort of the place, the very nice welcome and great tips offered by the owner, the location. It’s my favorite for its excellent value for money!
• Apartments Wallner: Large, modern, very clean and fully equipped apartments! One of them even has a magnificent view over the lake. Starting at €210 per night. Strong points: the location, the private car park (free and very convenient in Hallstatt!), the host’s readiness.
• Seehotel Grüner Baum : Located in the historic pedestrian center of Hallstatt. Warm, comfortable and spacious double room starting at €300 per night, breakfast included. Strong points: the location, the rooms with view on the lake, the terrace by the same lake, the magnificent setting, the delicious breakfast, the high quality of the reception. The best hotel in Hallstatt for a luxury stay!

Where to stay in Obertraun

If you are on a tight budget or if the hotels in Hallstatt are full, you should stay in Obertraun , a pretty village also located on the lake and just a 10 minute drive from Hallstatt.

Super conveniently, from Obertraun, you can also take the lake shuttle to Hallstatt . Fast, cheap and you’ll even get to enjoy a boat ride on the lake!

• Haus Marie : Suites and apartments with views of the Dachstein Massif starting at €90 per night. Strong points: the sight, the free and private car park, the generous garden with barbecue and picnic area, the spacious accommodations, the hospitality of the guests.
• W & S Executive Apartments – Obertraun : Situated just 2 km from the lake, in Obertraun. All apartments include a living area, kitchen and private balcony. Very well equipped, you’ll even find a washing machine and a dishwasher at your disposal. They are very modern and stylish. Starting at €95 per night + €25 cleaning fee per stay. It’s my favorite for its excellent value for money ! I highly recommend it if you want to sleep in Obertraun and visit Hallstatt comfortably!
• Seeblick Krippenstein: Hotel offering recently renovated and therefore modern and comfortable double rooms, starting at €100 per night, breakfast included. Strong points: the view over the mountains, the location near the cable car to the ice caves, the fine breakfast, the warm owners.
• Dormio Resort Obertraun : Modern, fully equipped cottages starting at €130 per night (up to 4 guests!). Each one has a balcony and a terrace. The Dormio also has a wellness center with indoor pool, sauna, steam room and a large garden with a playground for children. The perfect place for a family holiday in Austria .

4) Graz (1 day)

After discovering Vienna, Salzburg, and Hallstatt, let’s head to Graz for the second-to-last destination of your 1-week road trip in Austria .

The journey between Hallstatt and Graz takes about 2h20 . You should leave early in the morning to make sure you’ll enjoy your day in Graz.

Once there, start the tour with a climb to the Schlossberg , the hill overlooking the city. 3 options to get there: by foot, elevator or funicular .

From up there you will get a beautiful panorama of the whole place and will be able to spot the 2 symbols of the city: the Clock Tower and the Bell Tower .

Then carry on with your day by strolling through the historic center of Graz .

You should start with Hauptplatz , the main and most lively square in Graz, then wander along Herrengasse street .

On the main shopping street, you’ll find numerous shops, cafés, and stunning historical buildings such as Gemaltes Haus or Landhaus .

When visiting Graz, there’s one museum that simply cannot be missed: the Landeszeughaus .

It houses the world’s largest collection of weapons and armor : 32,000 pieces over 4 floors! If you’ve been to the Royal Armory in Turin , Italy , or the Grand Master’s Palace in Valletta , in Malta , you will have a tiny idea of what it can represent!

This is definitely a must-see attraction in Graz, and I highly recommend it.

On your way out of the Landeszeughaus, pass by Graz’s St. Giles Cathedral and The Mausoleum of Emperor Ferdinand II , 2 places whose interiors are definitely worth a look.

After a morning of exploring Graz and enjoying a nice lunch to refuel, I suggest crossing the Mur river to reach the other side.

To do so, you can pass through the Murinsel , a unique structure resembling a giant shell that connects the two riverbanks. The artistic structure was created in 2003 when Graz was chosen as the European Capital of Culture . Nowadays, it has become one of the main attractions in Graz .

Once you cross the Mur river, you will find the Kunsthaus, the most unique and futuristic architectural landmark in Graz and the city’s contemporary art museum.

Also designed in 2003, the Kunsthaus has a distinctive appearance with its blue coloring and what appears to be tentacles on the roof , which some may find controversial. Nonetheless, it remains a must-see in Graz. If you’re into contemporary art, make sure to pay it a visit .

I can’t give you details about what you’ll see there, as the exhibitions are temporary and only last for 1 to 3 months . So this will be a surprise!

To wrap up your day in Graz, make sure to check out Eggenberg Castle . To reach it, take tram line #1 , as the castle is not located in the city center.

The castle was built with a very specific logic, based on the concept of time and seasons : there are 365 windows for each day of the year, 4 towers to represent the 4 seasons, and so on. Make sure to check out the renowned Hall of Planets or the old gallery, both of which are located inside the castle.

Don’t miss the chance to visit the Museum of Archaeology and the Mint Museum , both located inside the castle.

Another great suggestion is to take a stroll in the expansive castle park (in addition to the interior visit, around 2€).

Check out my tips for visiting Graz in my article: Top 8 Things to See in Graz .

Where to stay in Graz

As with other cities in Austria, accommodations tend to be on the pricier side.

I can’t emphasize enough: book as early as possible to get the best deals!

Here is my selection of the best hotels to stay in Graz :

• Hotel Daniel Graz : Located a 10-minute walk from the historic center. Modern and pleasant double rooms starting at €77 per night, breakfast for €25. Strong points: the location, the good breakfast, the friendliness of the staff.
• Hotel Mercure Graz City : Located 400 meters from the clock tower. Spacious and comfortable double rooms starting at €100 per night, breakfast for €18. Strong points: the comfort of the rooms, the location, the quality of the breakfast.
• Hotel Weitzer Graz : Located in the heart of the old town. Spacious and well-equipped double rooms starting at €120 per night, breakfast for €25. Strong points: close to all places of interest, the hearty breakfast, the impeccable service.
• Augarten Art Hotel : Located 1 km from the historic center. Tram station nearby to reach the center. Elegant and design double rooms starting at €180, breakfast for €15. Strong points: the hotel’s decoration with numerous works of art, the comfort of the rooms, the swimming pool, the kindness and availability of the staff. The best hotel in Graz for a luxury stay !

5) Back to Vienna (1 day)

And now you’ve reached the final leg of your 6-7-8 day trip to Austria . Unfortunately, it’s not the most exciting part since it involves simply traveling to Vienna . From Graz it takes about 2 hours.

If you have plenty of time before your flight, you can head to the airport or take a quick trip to Vienna for a last taste of the city.

There’s still plenty to see, like MuseumsQuartier or Capuchin Crypt . You can also do some shopping on Kärntner and Graben streets , if you need to buy some souvenirs.

Check out my article on the best things to do in Vienna (click here) for more ideas on how to spend your time in the city!

7 day itinerary in Austria

If you only have 7 days to visit Austria, you can skip either Stage 3 in Hallstatt or Stage 4 in Graz depending on your preferences.

More activities for 1 week in Austria

If you feel like adding other activities on your week-long trip to Austria , I’ve selected some really cool ones for you.

Feel free to click on the links to access details and make your reservations:

1) Towards Salzburg and surroundings:

• A 15 or 30-minute paragliding experience to admire Austrian landscapes from above.
• A paragliding flight from Mount Gaisberg at an altitude of 1287 meters
• A paragliding experience from Mount Bischling at an altitude of 1834 meters
• A paragliding initiation in thermal flight with twists and turns and acrobatics (still at Mount Bischling)
• Canyoning – Beginner Level 
• Canyoning – Intermediate level
• Canyoning – Advanced Level / And for the experts among you, you should absolutely try canyoning in the Fischbach Gorge. Book here !
• A rafting trip down the Salzach River – Beginner level / For those who’ve done it before, the “athletic” variant can be booked here !
• Supsquatch on the Salzach River , a kind of giant paddleboard that you ride on with several people.
• A zip line descent : 1,600 meters long and 143 meters off the ground! With a top speed of 130 km/h it is one of the fastest in Europe!

Another exceptional activity: ever thought about booking a private helicopter tour ? You can find the information here !

And if you’re looking for a full list of all the sporty fun you can have in Austria, just click here to check out this site !

If you need help planning your one-week itinerary in Austria, don’t hesitate to ask me in the comments section below.

You’re traveling in Austria? These articles will help you!

Discover all my articles about Austria : All my articles to help you plan your trip to Austria are listed there.

• 20 Best Things to Do in Austria : all best places to visit and activities
• Itinerary: One week in Austria – The perfect itinerary for your 7-8 days trip to Austria
• Graz: TOP 10 best places to visit
• Hallstatt: TOP 6 things to do during your stay
• Innsbruck: The 15 best things to do and see
• Linz: TOP 12 places to visit and must-see attractions
• Salzburg: The 17 best things to do
• Vienna: TOP 25 tourist attractions  

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Creator of the Voyage Tips blog, travel and photography lover. I give you all my best tips to plan your next trip.

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A Perfect Austria Itinerary | Vienna, Hallstatt, Salzburg, Mayrhofen

By: Author Charles

Posted on August 21, 2023

From cities and villages to lakes and mountains, Austria has so much variety to offers its visitors.

This 7 day Austria itinerary will go over how to put together the perfect one week trip that will take you to 4 different places in the country.

The trip will start off in Vienna for 2 days, before heading westwards towards Hallstatt, where you can spend the next 2 days, followed by a day trip to Salzburg.

From there, the itinerary takes you further west to the valley town of Mayrhofen, where you can end with 2 days of exploring the Zillertal Alps.

*  Affiliate Disclosure : This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you make a purchase through the links provided, at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting the work I put into TripTins!

Austria Itinerary Overview

Before jumping into the itinerary, below are some helpful tips to better prepare you for your trip to Austria:

» The itinerary goes over 7 full days in Austria , meaning arriving early on day 1 (or the previous day), and leaving late on day 7 or sometime on day 8.

» The trip also begins in Vienna and ends in Mayrhofen (near Innsbruck). Depending on your travel plans, you can either 1) drive 5 hours back to Vienna on day 8, 2) fly from Innsbruck to Vienna sometime later on day 7 or day 8, or 3) fly out from Innsbruck internationally, which has flights to some other cities in Europe.

» You will want to rent a car for most of your trip . While public transport is an option, it will be much more difficult to visit everything within a week’s time.

You can pick up a car from Vienna city center on the morning of day 2 before heading towards Hallstatt. You will then drop off in either Vienna or Innsbruck depending on your travel plans at the end of your trip.

Car Rentals : If you are renting a car in Austria, be sure to check out Rentalcars.com to browse through options. Once on the site, you will be able to filter by price, car type, rental company, and more, to find the perfect car for your trip to Austria.

» This itinerary can really be done at any time of year , depending on your preferences. While Vienna and Salzburg are just cities, you can find some varying activities around Hallstatt and Mayrhofen depending on time of year.

For example, a summer trip will be perfect for those hikers out there, while a winter trip will be great for those wanting to ski.

» Since I did opt for a late summer trip, I will focus most of those mountain activities on the hiking portion of the country.

Where to Stay in Austria

The breakout of the itinerary will be as follows:

• Vienna | 2 Nights
• Hallstatt | 2 Nights
• Mayrhofen | 2 Nights

⇔ Depending on your flights you may need to add an additional night in Vienna or Mayrhofen at the beginning or end of your trip.

⇔ If you have extra time, feel free to check out the Grossglockner High Alpine Road Guide up on the site and a trip to the Pasterze Glacier

⇔ Below are my hotel recommendations for each of the three cities mentioned. Be sure to book ahead of time because they can sell out during peak season!

When visiting Vienna I would recommend staying close to the Innere Stadt district, where many of the main attractions are located.

From there you will also be super connected by all sorts of public transport to get you to different parts of the city when the time comes to travel a little.

Below are several options to choose from based on budget that are all situated in prime location:

• Budget: Pension Dr. Geissler | Hotel Bajazzo | Motel One Wien Staatsoper
• Mid Tier: Hotel Post Wien | Austria Trend Hotel Astoria Wien | Boutique Hotel Das Tigra
• Luxury: The Ring – Vienna’s Casual Luxury Hotel | Hotel Topazz & Lamee | Vienna Marriott Hotel

When it comes to Hallstatt you can decide to stay within the town itself or choose a nearby town instead.

While staying in Hallstatt is a great option, there is also a chance that either 1) all rooms are sold out or 2) the available rooms are out of your budget.

Since Hallstatt is pretty small, there are not that many options to choose from. So, if you can’t get something you are looking for, then it is time to choose a nearby town instead.

With that said, here are some alternatives to staying within Hallstatt – Bad Ischl, Bad Goisern, and Obertraun.

All of these towns are within a 10-30 minute drive to Hallstatt / you can leverage the trains and busses that pass through them to get to town.

Below are some of my recommendations to choose from in Hallstatt as well as in each one of the alternative towns. Each one is highly rated and would be a great option to choose from for your trip.

• Hallstatt: Heritage Hotel Hallstatt | Seehotel Gruner Baum | Gasthof Pension Gruner Anger
• Obertraun (10 minute drive): Seehotel am Hallstattersee | Hotel Haus Am See | Dormio Hotel Obertraun
• Bad Goisern (20 minutes): Hotel Moserwirt | Sofias Apartment | Wohlfuhlhotel Goiserer Mühle
• Bad Ischl (30 minutes): Hotel Garni Sandwirt | Sonnhof  | Der Hubertushof

Since Mayrhofen is a relatively small valley town, no matter where you stay in it, you will be at most a 20 minute walk to restaurants, bars, cable cars, and the train station.

Below are some great options to choose from depending on your budget:

• Luxury: Hotel Neue Post | Alpin Lodge das Zillergrund  | ElisabethHotel Premium Private Retreat
• Mid Range: Sporthotel Manni | Alpendomizil Neuhaus | Zillertalerhof Alpine Hideaway
• Budget: Birkenhof | Landhotel Rauchenwalderhof | Gasthof Edelweiss

Austria Day by Day

Below is the day by day breakdown of what to expect when visiting each one of these four cities in Austria.

Austria Map

I also wanted to pinpoint each attraction and activity that is mentioned throughout the rest of the itinerary. Each color represents a different day of the travel route through Austria.

If you click the icon in the top left hand corner of the map, you will be able to see the attractions by day.

A Perfect Austria Itinerary

Now let’s get into a more detailed view for what to expect on a day to day basis. At some points I will link some more detailed guides that I have written up about a particular place or activity.

Feel free to check those out along the way or take a look at the Austria itineraries and guides up on the site.

Day 1 – Vienna

After arriving either the previous night or earlier on in the day, it is time to explore the capital city of Austria. Vienna has so much to offer its visitors, and over the next two days you will have the chance to explore much of it.

For more info about Vienna and the attractions listed below, feel free to check out the Vienna Itinerary I have up on the site.

On your first day in the city I recommend heading off to the following attractions in the Innere Stadt district of Vienna:

Vienna State Opera : You can start the day by walking around the Vienna State Opera as you take in the architecture from all different angles.

Once you are all set from the outside, you can opt for a guided tour of the inside of the Opera House. Tickets for the tours cost 13 Euro and run a few times a day.

Take a look at the Vienna Opera House tour schedule to learn more.

St Stephens Cathedral : Up next for the day is St Stephens Cathedral, which is located straight down one of the main streets of downtown.

Not only is the Cathedral a gorgeous building to walk through, but it also gives visitors the chance to take in the views from the top.

Michaelerplatz : The Michaelplatz is the name of the square right in front of the Hofburg Palace. Here is where you can enjoy the best views of the Hofburg as you see the entirety of the grand architecture that makes up the complex.

Hofburg Palace : While the outside of the palace is a great view to take in, you can actually spend some time within the Hofburg Palace itself exploring the ins and outs of several exhibitions there.

Some of the main highlights include the Imperial Apartments, Sisi Museum, and Imperial Silver Collection.

Spanish Riding School : Also located within the Hofburg Palace directly across from the museums and apartments is the famous Spanish Riding School. Here you will find the training ground for the Lipizzaner horses classical dressage.

There are a few different main offerings that the Spanish Riding School has depending on what day you end up going there. Check out their website for events and hours by day.

Day 2 – Vienna

After a day exploring downtown Vienna on day 1, it is time to head a bit further out of the city on day 2 of your Austria itinerary.

You can hop on the metro to the Schonbrunn Palace and Gardens, where you can spend several hours exploring both attractions.

At day’s end, once back in the city center, feel free to just walk around and enjoy downtown Vienna as you roam around its streets.

Schonbrunn Palace : The Palace itself is an absolutely massive structure with all types of different rooms, architecture, and artwork to take in. There are two main ticket offerings for the inside of Schonbrunn – the Imperial Tour and the Grand Tour.

The Imperial Tour allows access to 22 different rooms with the Palace, which include highlights such as Great Gallery, Emperor Franz Josef’s apartment, and the Chinese Cabinets.

The Grand Tour offers access to 40 different rooms, which include highlights such as Feketin Room and Gobelin Salon on top of the others offered in the Imperial Tour. There are audio guides available for both options as well.

Schonbrunn Gardens : While you must pay an entrance fee to go into the Palace, you can actually roam the gardens free of charge. Do note however that not every section of the garden is free to enter.

There are a few places such as the Privy Garden, the Orangery Gardens, the Zoo and the Maze that do require an entrance fee. You can pay for them individually based on preference or you can buy one of the combo tickets offered.

The Gardens are absolutely massive in size, ranging 1KM+ in every direction. There are several different areas to visit as you make the walk around.

One of the highlights for me was definitely heading up the hill to the Gloriette, where for a small fee you can get a spectacular view of the Schonbrunn Gardens and Palace from above.

Day 3 – Drive to Hallstatt / Hallstatt Village

It is now time to grab that rental car and head west towards Hallsatt. The drive should take around 3.5 hours as you make your way across Austria and through the beautiful mountain areas of the country.

Odds are you will find some lakes, viewpoints, & villages along the way to stop at, so feel free to spend some time enjoying the countryside as you drive towards Hallstatt.

Once you arrive in Hallstatt, it should be sometime around midday or early afternoon. I will warn you now, that the village will be packed by all those day visitors.

For that reason, I recommend just enjoying the lake by the Small Island Viewpoint, heading up the Salzbergbahn to get a view from the Hallstatt Skywalk , and just taking it easy after the drive.

As the day goes on, you will see the town get less and less crowded as all those day trippers leave and the streets become more enjoyable. Spend the evening strolling around the village, taking in the views, and having dinner nearby.

» Note if you are not staying in Hallstatt itself, you may find it difficult to find a parking spot at midday. If that is the case you may want to take the local bus from the village you are staying into Hallstatt.

Learn More : The Hallstatt Itinerary I put together has a ton more info about the village and the things to do there including a visit to the Waldbachstrub Waterfall  if you have the time.

Day 4 – Hallstatt

You can choose from a variety of activities to do on your second day in Hallstatt. In the morning I would recommend getting up early and enjoying the town for an hour without the crowds .

You may also want to visit some of the local attractions such as the Marktplatz, Beinhaus Ossuary and the Lutheran Church.

I would then recommend heading to the Dachstein Krippenstein – a 2,100 meter high mountain overlooking Hallstattsee and the village itself. Up on the Dachstein you can choose from several unique attractions such as:

• The Dachstein Giant Ice Cave
• Mammut Cave
• 5 Fingers Viewing Platform
• Welterbespirale Viewing Platform
• Heilbronner Hiking Trail

On the other hand if you are more of a hiker or thrill seeker, I would HIGHLY recommend a day out to the Donnerkogel and Gosausee.

About 30 minutes away from Hallstatt is the Donnerkogel mountain, which can be hiked normally or be climbed by a Via Ferrata.

Learn More : Check out the Klettersteig Donnerkogel hiking overview

After a day of hiking, head down to Gosausee, one of my favorite lakes in the region (the first image of this itinerary).

You can hop in for a frigid swim as you cool down after the hike. Or you can just relax by the lakeside and stroll around for a bit before returning to Hallstatt for the night.

Day 5 – Salzburg Day Trip / Drive to Mayrhofen

It is now time to leave the village of Hallstatt and make the one hour drive to Salzburg on day 5 of this Austria itinerary.

Since the main area of Salzburg is car free, you will simply need to park at one of the many lots located just outside the town center.

Once you are all parked, it is time to head off for a day of exploring all that Salzburg has to offer. It is a perfect place to spend a day as you get to both enjoy some of the main sites and just spend time wandering around.

I would recommend visiting the following 10 places during your day in Salzburg:

• Hohensalzburg Fortress
• St. Peter’s Abbey
• Kapitelplatz
• Franciscan Church
• Residenzplatz
• Salzburg Cathedral
• Mozartplatz
• Mozart’s Birthplace and Museum
• Getreidegasse
• Mirabell Palace and Gardens

Learn More : Read about each attraction in the One Day Salzburg Itinerary up on the site

After a full day around Salzburg, head back to your car and make the 2 hour drive to the valley town of Mayrhofen. The next two days will be full of outdoor adventure!

Day 6 & 7 – Mayrhofen

The town of Mayrhofen is known both for its hiking and for its skiing. As mentioned though, I was there during the late summer so I will dive into some of my favorite activities and hikes to take part of for the next two days.

Check out some of the top things to do in Mayrhofen during a visit.

Ahornspitze Hike

Directly from town you can take the Ahornbahn up into the surrounding mountainside. From there you can begin the 12 km round trip trail that brings you to the top of the Ahornspitze.

At 2,973 meters high it is one of the tallest in the area and has 360 degree views of the surrounding landscape.

Learn more in the Ahornspitze Hiking Guide

Mayrhofen Via Ferratas

Throughout Mayrhofen and the nearby villages, you will find a variety of Via Ferratas or Klettersteigs.

These fixed line routes are a mix between hiking and mountaineering, and there are plenty to choose from in the area. From nice and easy to very difficult, there will something out there for every skill level.

Learn more in the Mayrhofen Via Ferrata Guide up on the site

Schlegeis 131

You can head further down the valley to the Schlegeis 131 area, where you can take part of a few adrenaline activities that are built above the 131 meter dam wall.

These activities include a Via Ferrata route, a zipline, a bungee jump, and an abseiling station.

Spending some time walking along the Schlegeis lake will be a great way to finish up your time around the area.

The Schlegeis 131 Guide goes over everything you need to know about the different activities

Olperer Hut & Friesenberghaus Hike

One of my favorite hikes in Austria is the one that takes you up to the Olperer Hut and the famous suspension bridge overlooking Schlegeis lake.

The beginning of the hike begins down the road from the Schlegeis 131 area and the route will take you up above the lake into the mountains.

If looking for a longer loop option, you can also add on the Friesenberghaus to your day as well. This will add a few more hours to your day hiking in the Zillertal Alps but it is one that is sure worth the effort.

I have guides for both the Olperer Hut Hike and Friesenberghaus Hike if you would like to learn more

Beyond those, you can also spend some time just enjoying town, heading up the Penkenbahn cable car, or even doing some whitewater rafting.

There is a ton that Mayrhofen has to offer and it would be my recommendation when choosing a base in the Austrian Alps.

After 7 days of making your way through Austria, it is time to head back home or onto your next destination.

Like mentioned at the beginning, you can either make the 5 hour drive back to Vienna, fly from Innsbruck to Vienna, or fly from Innsbruck to another city in Europe.

I hope this Austria itinerary has given you a better idea of how to plan your trip to the country. If you have any questions or comments about the above, feel free to add them in below.

Have fun out there and safe travels!

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Tuesday 26th of March 2024

Hi, I am from india. Planning 6-7days in austria in june24 with 2 kids age 19 and 14. Help me to plan a budget holiday

Sunday 11th of June 2023

Very informative blog, thank you! Can you share details of the hike that takes you up to the Olperer Hut and the famous suspension bridge overlooking Schlegeis lake? How much time does it take and what's the difficulty level? Can it be done without a guide?

Monday 12th of June 2023

Hi Satvik - feel free to take a look at the hiking guide I put together for the hike. It should have all the info you need in there. Enjoy!

Friday 27th of January 2023

Glad to find this website of yours. I am planning to visit on 3rd of April, I was wondering if it will still be snowy that time? I am not really into skiing so I was planning to replace Mayrhofen with Innsbruck. I think Innsbruck would still have some snowy mountains to visit to. Do you think it would be a good idea? Thanks very much.

Sunday 29th of January 2023

Hi Zue - it is likely you will still find snow on the mountains during the beginning of April. Ski season will mostly be over by then, but it is possible some trails may be open. Innsbruck would also be a great option for a visit. No matter which you choose, you should still be able to enjoy some views from on top of cable cars, and hikes at lower altitudes. Enjoy!

Tuesday 25th of October 2022

This itinerary is perfect. Everything we want to do in Austria. The extra links for added adventures are great too. I have two questions: first - how old is this itinerary (is everything still possible); second - is there a similar itinerary for 2-3 weeks? Thanks, Joe & Sandy Canadian travelers and adventurers

Thursday 27th of October 2022

Hi Joe - glad the itinerary has helped. As various attractions may continuously change their rules/hours/etc over time, I would just recommend double checking any places you plan to visit by looking at their websites. I have a hard time believing there would be much that isnt still possible. If you are looking to extend, I would highly recommend combining it with the Bavarian Alps -> https://triptins.com/bavaria-itinerary/. This should give you the perfect 2-3 week itinerary for the region. Enjoy!

Wednesday 19th of August 2020

Hey! Great informative blog. However I would like to know weather we will need a guide for the hikes you have mentioned or we can manage it by own. Your response will be appreciated.

Thursday 20th of August 2020

Hi Medha! Glad you found the blog post helpful.

You should have no problem doing the hikes on your own as they are all well marked throughout. I will say though that you should not do any of the via ferratas on your own if you have not had similar experience in the past. Feel free to take a look at any of the more in depth hiking posts that I linked in the article for more details.

Hope that helps!

The Richest Austria Itinerary for 5, 7 and 14 Days for First Timers

Getting done with all the tasks from covering all the attractions to finding the best hotels to stay in seems like a daunting task. Not to forget, the set limitations of budget for the 14 days to explore Austria. It looks like you might have to spend a lot of hours doing research for your Austria itinerary.

Do not worry! With our detailed itinerary for 14 days in Austria, you need to simply focus on what you’re going to wear to the trip and look amazing. Our ultimate Austria itinerary will help you with the day-to-day guides on where to visit with refreshment stops, hotel recommendations, and things to do.  

When To Plan Austria Itinerary Road Trip?

We went to Austria several times. The summer months of June through August are ideal for outdoor adventures like hiking and boating in Austria. Although Austria has high temperatures in summer, it is advised to visit the country in early summer or late fall between May and September.  

The weeks around the end of May and the start of June offer a delightful combination of nice weather and fewer tourists. In addition to experiencing the busy but not too crowded towns, you can take pleasure in trekking in the highlands or exploring lakes.

Driving in Austria

If you want the real experience of wading through Austria, the best way is a road trip. The open road and breathtaking scenery are the main attractions of road trips throughout Austria. Imagine looking out the window and witnessing wind-buffed meadows, silent lakes, and the beautiful Austrian alps. Sounds amazing, doesn’t it? 

That is why you should get a rental car to explore the old town while enjoying the picturesque views of snow-capped mountains. However, there are some travel tips to keep in mind while driving in Austria. 

Tips for Driving in Austria

• You should have a permanent driving license and a permit to drive internationally. 
• To drive on the highways, you need a toll sticker (vignette) from the post office or any gas station you find on the way. Note that the vignette is not needed for other national roads (than the hightway)
• Austria offers numerous panoramic mountain routes, such as the Danube valley or Villach Alpine Road, etc. However, you will have to pay toll tax on visiting these places. Taxes vary from 5 to 18€. Google Maps mentions that as “Toll Roads”
• Make sure that you check the weather before you drive up there because it makes no sense if you can’t see anything.
• The roads along the way are generally very good, but you will come across a steep slope when driving through the mountains. 
• Austria does not have a steady price for gas, so avoid getting the tank filled on highways or in small villages to avoid paying double the price.

Austria Road Trip Itinerary

This 14-day Austria road trip explores the best culinary and scenic landscapes. This itinerary is specially designed for those who wish to truly and profoundly experience Austria by road. 

Day 1-3: Start  from Vienna

We will start our road trip in Europe’s cultural center and the Austrian capital, Vienna, which is located on the banks of the Danube river. It is home to countless balls, imperial palaces like the Belvedere palace, and the sound of the music tour. 

After stepping out of the Vienna international airport, you’ll explore all that this beautiful city has to offer and you’ll feel as though time has stood still. The best way to get to the city from the airport will be to take the City Airport Train which will take you to Wien Mitte in 16 minutes.

Day 1: The Classics of Vienna

First things first, you won’t need your car here since the public transportation in Vienna is commendable and convenient. Now, let’s move on to Day 1 of our 3-day trip to Vienna. 

Tour of the Hofburg palace

The Hofburg palace of Vienna is one of the largest historic buildings in the world. It was the winter home to the Austrian dynasty of Hapsburgs for 600 years. Since 1946, this palace offers residence to the Federal President of Austria. 

For cultural and historic information on the palace, you can visit the Sissi Museum which offers comprehensive details about the life of Queen Elisabeth. The museum consists of more than 300 of her personal belongings, including her popular dresses. 

Don’t miss out on the best coffee house in the neighborhood, Cafe Central , for cake and coffee. The ambiance is dedicated to Franz Joseph and Sissi (Elizabeth I). After enjoying the sweet pastries, head on to St. Stephen’s Cathedral. 

Climb to the top of St. Stephen’s Cathedral

The St. Stephen’s Cathedral tower has ruled Vienna’s skyline with its renowned colorful tiled roof since it was built. The Archbishop of Vienna resides in the Gothic church. 

You can visit the church and climb to the top for unrivaled views of the city. After the grand tour, you can head for lunch at Settimo Cielo for an excellent menu and a splendid wine list.  

Take a ride on Weiner Riesenrad

Now, it’s time to move on to Weiner Riesenrad .

Spend your evening on the Giant Ferris Wheel in Vienna which is 65-meter-tall. Enjoy the stunning sunset in the air while taking in the beauty of Vienna city.  After that, you will enjoy your evening at the Vienna State Opera. 

Enjoy the Vienna State Opera

A night at Vienna State Opera is a must when visiting a city with such a rich musical and cultural heritage. With its stunning Neo-Renaissance architecture and interior that resembles a palace, the opera house is one of the best in the world. You can get 40-minute tour guides to understand the historical importance of the structure. 

Day 2: Vienna’s Must-See Places

Stroll the pathways of schönbrunn palace.

To start off our second day of sightseeing, we will visit the majestic Schönbrunn Palace, which will be just a 10-minute car ride from the city center. The 1,441-room Baroque palace is regarded as one of the most significant historical, cultural, and architectural structures built by empress Maria Theresa. The Hapsburgs have lived here as their vacation home ever since the 18th century.

Schonbrunn Palace front Facade at Sunset

You’ll visit 40 of the palace’s exquisitely decorated rooms as you do the tour of the place. One of those rooms will be the Mirror where 6-year-old Mozart performed his first concert. 

Then, you will head on to enjoy the local market at Naschmarkt which is a 10-minute ride by car. 

Enjoy the local colors at Naschmarkt

We’ll visit the Naschmarkt, one of Vienna’s most well-known marketplaces. It has some legacy, having been around since the 16th century. You can find anything here, including international fruits and vegetables, unique spices, all types of cheeses, and seafood.

The market hosts several eateries and food stands that offer Viennese specialties. It’ll be a great way to start your second day of touring Vienna! After you’ve enjoyed the local colors, you will head to the Spanish Riding School . 

Give the horses a visit at Spanish Riding School

The Spanish Riding School is home to Lipizzan horses and it is one of the most famous places in Vienna. The horses and their riders perform training exercises for the visitors in classical dresses which will leave you amazed. Then, you’ll head on to the Schönbrunn Garden .

Relaxing scenery at Schönbrunn Garden

Once you’re done with the interior, proceed to the gardens. Since 1779, the garden has been accessible to everyone. Admire the 8 wonderfully symmetrical, well-kept areas of the Crown Prince Garden along with the Neptune Fountain. 

Also, spend some time climbing the top of the hill of Gloriette for a fantastic sight of the palace and the main square of Vienna.

For an amazing dining experience, please visit the Schönbrunner Stöckl & Dinnertheater in its original setting with their staff dressed as famous characters from the old times. 

Day 3: Vienna’s Hidden Gems

Tour of the rathaus.

Many visitors just walk by this great building but never go inside. The 1800s saw the completion of Vienna’s Neo-Gothic Town Hall, which now houses the mayor’s offices. The Rathaus featured five towers, the greatest of which was the middle one and was topped by a statue of the Rathausman which you can visit for a guided tour.

Then, you can head to Wachau Valley for learning the history of the area.

Hike through Wachau Valley

The Wachau is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Danube Valley. It features some of the pre-historic monasteries, castles, and ruins with urban planning. You can visit its towns and villages to see its agriculture, primarily for the cultivation of vines. Head on to take a hike in the valley .

Enjoy the Sunset at Danube Tower

The Danube Tower is a great place to go for a great view in Vienna because it is the highest building in Austria.  You can enjoy a great view of the capital town. The best time to come here is in the evening, when you have a nice cup of coffee and enjoy the sunset. If that’s not enough, head on to the city river cruise. 

Wade away in the City River Cruise

If there is a river cruise opportunity in a city, we always want to take it. The river cruises in Vienna are a peaceful way to see some sights while relieving your feet of the strain and possibly sipping a cold beverage. It will be the best way to end your 3-day trip in Vienna.

Vienna Hotel Recommendations

Steigenberger hotel herrenhof: mid-range.

This hotel is a top pick owing to its ideal location in the heart of Vienna with many historic places within walking distance. The rooms at the Herrenhof are incredibly spacious with a touch of Baroque architecture and Art Déco.

Comfy apartments at Siebertgasse: Budget

Comfy Apartments at Siebertgasse is a pleasant, light-filled lodging. We adore these flats’ warmth, pastel accents, and minimalist aesthetic.

Day 4-6: Hello Salzburg!

It’s time to head to your next stop on your Austria road trip by train, which will take around 2 hours and 30 minutes. In Western Austria, Salzburg offers some of the best views of the Eastern Alps and the Salzach River, which runs through the heart of the city.

Day 4: Café Bazar & Architectural Attractions

Austro-hungarian breakfast at cafe bazar.

Start your day with the Cafe Bazar , a traditional Austrian café located beside the Salzach River. Here you will have a true Austro-Hungarian cafe experience. Then, you can visit the Mirabell Palace and Gardens .

Take a walk through Mirabell Palace and Gardens

Prince Wolf Dietrich built this magnificent castle in 1606 and gave it to Salome Alt, his mistress, as a present. You can stroll through the extensive gardens and peek inside the estate’s common areas.

Magnificent sightseeing at Residenzplatz

Then, head on to Residenzplatz for some beautiful sights. 

After admiring these magnificent sights, make your way to Salzburg’s central plaza, Residenzplatz. Here, you will find the Salzburg Museum, the Salzburg Glockenspiel, a clock tower, and the ancient residence of the Archbishop of Salzburg around a lovely fountain.

We suggest visiting the adjacent Mus Deli after all the sightseeing for the local cuisine at reasonable pricing from 9 €-24 € .

Go up the Hohen Salzburg fortress

Then, go on to visit the HohenSalzburg fortress.  

This structure is the most distinctive feature of the city’s skyline and is regarded as one of the best-preserved examples of its kind in all of Europe. It is perched on a hill with a view of the city. The fortress includes a variety of museums and observation decks where you learn about the background of this renowned fortress.

Pay a visit to the Salzburg Cathedral

It’s time to move on to Salzburg Cathedral . 

In the early 19th century, Salzburg was governed by the Catholic Church, and it wasn’t until 1816 that Salzburg joined modern Austria. Because of this, there are several Catholic churches scattered across Salzburg, but the Salzburg Cathedral stands out above the rest.

Day 5: Traditional Markets & Nature

Wander around schrannemarkt.

Take a trip to the Schrannemarkt if any of your three days in Salzburg falls on a Thursday.  Open-air markets are something you’ll really enjoy exploring. This enormous market, which is right next to Mirabell Palace, is filled with several vendors selling locally made goods and seasonal, fresh fruit.

Visit the famous Salzburg Museum

Spend some time visiting a museum or two to find out more about Salzburg and its most well-known resident, Mozart.  You can choose to go to either Mozart House, the Museum of Modern Art, or the Salzburg Museum. 

Walp up Kapuzinerberg

Take a quick lunch break at Gasthaus Zwettler and head on to Kapuzinerberg .

It’s time to be a little active and walk up Kapuzinberg, the second significant peak defining Salzburg’s skyline. It offers a view of the Hohensalzburg Fortress and the city around it. Then move to Die Weisse for some fresh beers. 

Enjoy a Cold Drink at Die Weisse

The Die Weisse Brewery offers locally brewed wheat drinks along with some seasonal brews. With a full kitchen and a sizable and welcoming beverage garden, it’s a terrific spot to unwind on warm days. If you’d like, you could even stay for dinner there.

Day 6: A Taste of the Alps & Nature

Relaxing walk by mondsee & wolfgangsee.

The lakes Mondsee and Wolfgangsee are your best options if you want to relax or engage in some water sports in the Alpine lake. These are both conveniently close to Salzburg’s city center and are beautiful to visit with a mere 45 minute drive. Enjoy the picturesque views at the lake before heading to the Werfen Ice caves. 

Explore the Werfen Ice Caves & Hohenwerfen Castle

Explore the Werfen Ice Caves if you’re seeking an amazing and engaging experience. These ice caves, which can be found in Werfen, about 40 kilometers south of Salzburg, are simply amazing. You can look for amazing ski resorts in Werfen to enjoy skiing as well.

Hohenwerfen Castle, a historic fortress perched atop a towering hill overlooking the town of Werfen, is close to the ice caves and can be reached within 15 minutes by car.

Hike through the Gollinger Waterfall

Then, you can head to enjoy the beautiful Gollinger Waterfall. 

The Gollinger Waterfall is the ideal destination for a day of hiking. This waterfall, which is about 30 km south of Salzburg, is incredibly spectacular and can be seen after a brief stroll from the parking lot.

Although the waterfall is nearly immediately visible, there is a clearly defined and well-maintained trail that you may use to observe it from vantage angles.

Salzburg Hotel Recommendations

Hotel wolf: mid-range.

In the center of Salzburg Altstadt, the hotel is housed in a structure that was constructed in 1429. Hotel Wolf features comfortably designed colorful rooms with quirky furniture and spotless bathrooms. 

Hotel Flair: Budget

The rooms at this inexpensive hotel are tidy, spacious, and offer a nice view of the city. The hotel is close to Altstadt Salzburg and Salzburg train station, both of which can be reached by walking in 30 minutes.

Day 7-8: Time for the Amazing Hallstatt

With 2 days to spend in Hallstatt, you don’t need to skip any attractions in the city. 

Read Also: How Enjoy Hallstatt in Winter (Budget-Friendly!)

Day 7: The Ice Cave & Heilbronn Cross Loop

We advise fully covering the Alpine scenery on Dachstein mountain during the entire morning and into the afternoon by road. 

After breakfast, enjoy the views from the 5 Fingers Lookout or have lunch on the balcony of the Krippenstein Alpine Lodge. You can take the cable car from the second-level station. You don’t get to eat lunch overlooking a glacier on the summit of a mountain every day.

Spend the day after lunch either trekking between the Alpine lodges or completing the three-hour Heilbronn Cross Loop Trail before heading back to Hallstatt’s main square. 

Grab a leisurely lakeside meal at Heritage Cafe in the evening, but save your appetite for exploration of the town for the day the next day.

Day 8: Hallstatt Hidden Gems

You can fully concentrate on the in-town attractions on your second day. Start the day by taking the funicular with glass walls up Salt Mountain. Move on to Rudolph’s Tower Restaurant for breakfast and then to Hallstatt Skywalk lookout sights. 

Next, take the Salt Mine’s entire 2-hour tour and think about returning to town by way of the Salt Brine Trail, which descends a hill. It is the oldest brine pipe in Europe and dates back to 1670. It takes you through wonderful woodland areas and past a waterfall with breathtaking views of the town. 

After returning to the town’s center, visit the Bone House Chapel , take a round trip, and enjoy a nice lunch in Market Square.

Consider spending a leisurely afternoon by the lake in the Hallstatt style before dinner and renting a boat for the whole experience.

Hallstatt Hotel Recommendations

Fenix hall boutique hotel: mid range.

Fenix Hall is situated in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Hallstatt, about 800 meters from the center.  The rooms have oak floors and an earthy vibe. They are decorated in a contemporary country style and have mountain views.

Salzhaus: Budget

Salzhaus offers lodging with views of the mountains in Hallstatt. It also has water sports amenities. 

Day 9-10: Mayrhofen 

All seasons are wonderful in Mayrhofen, with winter and early spring offering traditional Alpine skiing and a developing ski touring culture.

Day 9: Krimml Waterfalls

If the ravine yesterday amazed you, wait until you see what is the most spectacular waterfall in all of Europe! You can choose how far you wish to travel to see the Krimml waterfalls as they cascade across a number of levels. It is amazing in and of itself that the first sight is a 15-minute walk from the parking.

You might enjoy getting into your hotel and spending a relaxing afternoon after a demanding morning. You can take another hike in the evening in the vicinity of your hotel by enquiring at your hotel reception. 

Day 10: Zillertal Valley

Another feeder town for the nearby ski resorts, is located in the Zillertal Valley in the Tyrol province and you can take a rental car up there. If you have the energy, you can take the cable cars from the city up to the resorts, where there are many hiking routes, although the scenery is beautiful on their own. Spend the day enjoying the snow activities in your ski resort. 

You can wander along the river in the city. Check out Goldkind if you need a suggestion for a dining venue.

Mayrhofen  Hotel Recommendations

Hotel berghof mayrhofen: mid-range.

This hotel features Chalet-style housing along with a restaurant serving traditional Austrian cuisine and a beer garden. For summertime dives, there is also a spa and outdoor pool. The distance to the closest ski lift is approximately ten minutes by foot.

Gasthof Zillertal: Budget

The Gasthof Zillertal provides lodging with the best views. The on-site bar is open to visitors and private parking is cost-free.  Some of the rooms at the Gasthof Zillertal have a mountain view or a river view.

Day 11-13: The Inevitable Innsbruck

Going to Innsbruck will be an overwhelming experience given its rich history, breathtaking scenery, and unique culture. You can take a train to Inssbruck or for the complete road trip experience, you can take the 1 hour drive to the place.

Day 11: Panorama Day

Check out the beautiful golden roof.

The Old Town will captivate history buffs with its ability to transport visitors back to the era of the Habsburg Emperor Maximillian I. The spectacular Golden Roof , composed of 2,657 fire-gilded copper tiles, is a unique vantage point. When exposed to sunshine, it gleams brilliantly gold, therefore its name. Then head on to enjoy the views from Nordketter cable cars.

Take a ride of the Nordkette cable cars

You have to take the Nordkette cable cars in Innsbruck to enjoy the scenic views of the city. It is a funicular that features stations that also feature works of art by the late architect Zaha Hadid.

Let your eyes sparkle at Swarovski Crystal Worlds

Next, take a toll in the Swarovski Crystal Worlds . 

The crystal company Swarovski is well-known to everyone. But not many people are aware that you can tour a museum, theme park, and exhibition area that showcases everything Swarovski! You must visit Swarovski Crystal Worlds to appreciate it, since some of its exhibits are simply extraordinary!

Day 12: Ambras Castles and Alpenzoo

Visit the famous ambras castle.

Innsbruck can also pride itself in its magnificent collection of royal palaces and Medieval architecture. One such building that supports this is the Ambras Castle . While entering the Ambras Castle will undoubtedly be a memorable historical experience, it is undoubtedly a pleasure to view.

Read Also: 19 Incredible Castles in Austria You Should Visit

Say Hi to the animals at Alpenzoo

The Alpenzoo is distinctive in that it exhibits Alpine animals in a setting that is similar to their natural habitat. Even when the animals are curled up in their winter caves, you can see them through viewing windows.

Enjoy the Bergisel Ski Jump

You may already be aware that the Winter Olympics were held in Innsbruck twice. It shouldn’t be surprising that the Bergisel, one of the most recognizable ski jumps in the world, is located in this popular area for skiing and other outdoor sports, which makes it a must-visit.

Return to Old Town Innsbruck after a strenuous day of hiking, and locate the Stiftskeller. Locals and visitors enjoy eating at this sizable restaurant in the form of a Biergarten. It’s a fantastic way to meet people because the tables are lengthy and are shared by different groups of people. 

Day 13: Discover Bad Ischl

It’s time to visit Bad Ischl , a city in Upper Austria that is also known as a spa town. Stroll along the Esplanade to take in the town’s royal splendor. Sit outside on a café patio to take in the opulent mountain views and majestic palaces.

The Museum of Bad Ischl offers a glimpse into regional history. Look for historical sites like Trinkhalle and the St. Nicholas Church, which is built in the Baroque style, in the town center. Kaiserpark has other artifacts from Austria’s imperial past on exhibit. Visit the lavish chambers of Kaiservilla, the summer residence of the Habsburg family.

If none of that appeal to you, then you can spend the day relaxing in one of the best spas in Austria. 

Innsbruck Hotel Recommendations

Eurothermenresort: mid-range.

The Salzkammerguttherme Thermal Spa is directly attached to this 4-star hotel in the center of Bad Ischl. The five dining rooms of the Hotel Royal provide traditional Austrian cuisine. The bar offers a large selection of cocktails and other high-quality beverages.

Sonnhof: Budget

The Sonnhof is a hotel near to the Bad Ischl train station and across from the Salzkammerguttherme Spa Center. It is surrounded by a park with old trees. The Sonnhof’s beautifully decorated rooms all come with balconies and a scenic view.

Bonus 1 (Extra Stops) Bavarian Alps

The Eastern Alps, more especially the Bavarian Alps, are a portion of the Alps that are located in Germany with spectacular views of the Alps. A lovely country like Bavaria is one that you should definitely visit. 

If not for the weather, then at least for the breathtaking scenery. Couples can enjoy some of Germany’s most beautiful scenery and a genuinely romantic experience in Bavaria.

Day 14: Back to Vienna

It’s the last day of your road trip and it’s time to get back to Vienna. But that doesn’t mean that your trip has come to an end. There’s still time to visit two more attractive places. 

Bonus 2: Day Trip from Vienna to Bratislava

The city of Bratislava has had many different identities over the course of its history, but it has ultimately evolved into the vibrant and eccentric capital of Slovakia that you see today.

Read Also: Vienna to Bratislava by Bike : An Amazing Journey!

For your one-day trip from Vienna to Bratislava, here are some things that you would enjoy:

• A walk to the Bratislava Castle
• Old town hall museum
• Wander around the charming medieval streets
• Spend time at the Blue Church and Pink Palace
• Skim through the Bratislava Christmas markets
• View the sunset at Ufo Tower

Final Thoughts about Austria Itinerary

Your ultimate 14-day itinerary for a road trip through Austria is now complete!  You’ll be able to take in all the natural beauty and cultural richness that Austria has to offer with this itinerary. So, what are you waiting for? Book your tickets and head on to visit the best places in Austria.

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Achraf is the cofounder of Walk Beside Me Blog. He is an expert traveler who spent 10+ years exploring 70+ countries around the world. Thanks to his passion for writing and photography, he could document his journey on 100+ blog posts on Walk Beside Me where he shared all his knowledge, expertise, and advice for like-minded travelers.

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3 days in Vienna, Austria

The city of Vienna is known as the “City of Music” and the “City of Dreams”. Being a big city, it has so many sights and attractions that will surely feed your sense of wanderlust. The problem is you only have three days. Of course, spending three days in some of the famous destinations of the city still won’t scratch the surface. However, by organizing your itinerary in advance, minimizing your travel time and prioritizing which places you would really like to see, then you can make the most of your Vienna holiday.

Things to consider before traveling to Vienna:

Language – The official language of Austria is German, which is spoken by about 98% of the population. Most Austrians speak English and German so you can absolutely get by without speaking the German language. Slovenian, Croatian and Hungarian are the other official languages of the country. Like in other countries, do not expect everyone to speak English so, speaking at least some German phrases or attempting to learn is greatly appreciated by the locals.

Etiquette – The Austrians are warm, family oriented and very welcoming to foreign visitors. However, it’s important to remember some do’s and don’ts to enjoy a faux pas free journey. Greetings for both men and women are a simple handshake, direct eye contact and an appropriate greeting depending on time of the day. Always greet with titles unless you’re on familiar terms with them or until your Austrian friend suggests otherwise. Another important thing to remember is that most Austrians are Roman Catholics, so behave respectfully inside the churches.

Currency exchange – Austria uses Euros, the same currency now used by most European Union countries with the exception of Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Poland, Denmark, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Prior to traveling, you can buy some euros ( enough for one day or whatever your preference ) and then exchange your money in the banks to get the best rates. You can also use the Bankomat ( ATM ), exchange bureaus which can be found at the airports, major railways stations and in other tourist areas.

Getting around – Vienna features a good public transport network consisting of buses, metro, trains and tram networks. If you are on a luxury vacation, consider hiring a driver to take you around Vienna. This option is expensive, but it will give you complete control of the trip. Another reliable option when getting around is by taxi. There are plenty of taxi companies in the city, which are inexpensive in comparison to other European cities. If you’re traveling on a budget, consider exploring the city on a rental bike.

Where to stay – There are many types of holiday accommodation in Vienna, from luxury hotels to cheap accommodation like youth hostels and bed and breakfast. There are also plenty of apartment rentals if you prefer the comfort and convenience of having your own place with cooking facilities. If you are going to stick with this suggested itinerary, you would need to look for accommodation near a metro station or a tram stop. We recommend the First District ( Innere Stadt ), which considered as the Historic Center of Vienna.

Detailed itinerary: 3 days in Vienna, Austria

Depending on your time of arrival, you can both take it easy and soak up the atmosphere in Vienna or you can begin your tour of its famous attractions. After your arrival at Vienna International Airport , check into your preferred hotel/guest house. The airport is about 20 kilometers away from downtown Vienna and travel time is 25-30 minutes. Rest and settle in before you start the tour. Assuming you arrived in the morning, you will probably arrive at your accommodation just before lunch time.

Where to stay in Vienna:

Hotel Sans Souci Wien

Best Western Premier Kaiserhof Wien

Hotel Das Tyrol

Hotel Sacher Wien

Park Hyatt Vienna

Before you begin your sightseeing tour, go to the nearest tourism office and get a city guide with map. Ask the tourism officers for practical tips while you’re there, so you can maximize your time in the city. Start your tour and learn about the history of this beautiful city at the Historic Center of Vienna , which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001.

Your first destination should be Hofburg , the former Imperial palace of the city. Known as one of the biggest palace complexes in the world, Hofburg is the former seat of power of the Habsburg Empire, the rulers of Austria. To appreciate the rich history of this palace, we suggest joining one of the guided tours offered. You may also get one of the audio guides in the palace if you feel like exploring the palace complex on your own. Aside from the palace complex, you may also visit of the one most loved gardens in the historic center like the Burggarten and Volksgarden . These gardens are very popular among the locals who love socializing.

Spend the rest of day at the St. Stephen’s Cathedral ( Stephansdom ), one of the most iconic attractions in the city of Vienna. As you walk through the cathedral, you will be amazed of its impressive interiors as well as its gigantic roof and tower. After your cathedral tour, treat yourself to dinner at a restaurant overlooking the Danube River . You may also splurge a little on an evening cruise to experience classical musical while enjoying delicious Viennese cuisine.

On day 2, after having a filling breakfast set out this morning for the impressive Sch ö nbrunn Palace , which is probably Vienna’s number one attraction. The opportunity for incredible photographs inside the palace is endless, so frequent stops are recommended for visitors to enjoy its interiors. You will wind your way through different rooms and apartments of the imperial monarchy, Emperor Franz Joseph’s private suite, the Hall of Ceremonies, and the Great Gallery. Unless you want to splurge a little on a private tour, audio guides are available at the entrance for visitors. No need to queue for the audio guides as they are available for free download at the palace’s official website – choose between Imperial Tour and Grand Tour .

In the evening, get a taste of Vienna’s nightlife by joining the International Pub Crawl Vienna . You may also watch opera or ballet performance at the Vienna State Opera . One of the best first-class productions in the world, this cultural extravagance offers unique premiers each month. Tickets for the show is money well spent, we assure you.

Today is your last day in Vienna. Spend the rest of your day checking out some attractions in the scenic town that you might have missed. Fit in one last amazing breakfast or lunch in the First District ( Innere Stadt ). You could even squeeze in some souvenir shopping before you travel to the airport. Head to the airport in time to check in for your international flight, continue traveling independently, or extend your stay in Vienna. Or why not take a train to Salzburg , the birthplace of Mozart, and see what the city has to offer. The decision is all yours!

Have you been to Vienna or anywhere else in Austria? Do you have any tips or suggestions to share? If so, you can leave your comments below.

Feature image: The famous Christmas Market of Vienna, Austria (Muellek Josef / Shutterstock.com)

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I never went there but after reading this i felt i have visited austria. Thanks of sharing this with us.

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How to Plan the Perfect Road Trip in Austria

Are you planning to go on a road trip to Austria and still looking for some great itineraries? Then I got you covered!

Austria, is the land of the mountains and land of the lakes. I could not think of a more perfect country for a road trip than Austria.

The country is relatively small, so you can reach any place in no time. The streets are in great condition and driving in Austria is easy. If you are planning on taking a road trip through Austria and don’t have an idea yet on what to see – I got you covered.

I have lived the first 27 years of my live in Austria – and I know the country like my backyard.

I have created the perfect Austria road trip itinerary for 10 days, a week as well as just four days that will take you on the most scenic routes!

Keep on reading to find your perfect itinerary for Austria.

Table of Contents

Driving in austria – things you need to know, how to get around austria, day 1: vienna, day 2: vienna – hallstatt – salzburg, day 3: salzburg, day 4: graz, styria, day 1: overnight stay in vienna, day 2: drive towards salzburg and stay overnight, day 3: salzburg – zell am see, day 4: zell am see – hallstatt – schladming, day 5: schladming – wörthersee, day 6: heading to graz for another night, day 7: return to vienna, day 3: spend the night in zell am see, day 4: innsbruck.

• Day 5: Innsbruck – Hallstatt – Schladming

Day 6: Klagenfurt am Wörthersee

Day 7: south styrian wine route, day 8: graz, overnight stay, day 9: graz – vienna overnight stay, where to stay in austria on road trips, how much time do i need for a road trip in austria, what is the best time for an austrian road trip, how much does a trip to austria cost, more road trip itineraries, conclusion: road trip in austria, faq: road trip in austria, about the author.

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Read my  disclaimer  for further information.

🚗 Austria has a toll system on the highways. It is important to check if you are headed towards a road with a toll. Make sure to buy a pass at a gas station beforehand! Most rental cars however do have one anyway. You can also pay the toll online .

🚗 Driving in Austria is relatively easy. However, in winter the roads can be difficult.

🚗 Make sure to have snow chains in your car if you are planning on driving in the mountains.

🚗 During winter months, you are obliged to put winter tires on your car. If you have year-round tires, like we do, you are legally fine, but driving gets difficult.

🚗 Our max speed limit on the highway is 130 km/h. If there is no sign, then this is your limit (unlike in Germany, where you have no limit).

🚗 In most places in Austria you can easily park your car. In the bigger cities, such as Vienna, there is underground parking, but it will cost you.

If you don’t have your own car, I suggest picking up a rental car at the Airport or the train station. Getting around Austria by train is not ideal, rural areas are not well connected.

We always book our rental car with the platform Discover Cars. They have reliable and cheap cars – or luxury vehicles.

You can find a great car for your taste and budget on that website. It is the best Austrian car rental search engine you can find.

Make sure to pick a car appropriate to the seasons – you need to be careful, especially in winter.

Do I need Travel Insurance for Austria? Yes, Travel Insurance is always recommended. While Austria per se is not unsafe, it is necessary to have Travel Insurance in case of sickness or accidents. EKTA offers worldwide coverage at amazing prices – without any hidden fees or clauses.

1. Four Days in Austria – Road Trip Itinerary

Four days is not a lot of time for a country like Austria, but I still feel like you can see plenty on a four-day road trip in Austria.

The most important places to see in four days are Vienna, Hallstatt , Salzburg, and parts of Styria .

Where to Stay

Steigenberger Hotel Herrenhof Vienna

• 5 ***** Hotel
• Amazing Location
• Charming Rooms
• Sauna & Fitness

Vienna is definitely the most important place to see during your road trip in Austria.

Spending a night in Vienna is enough time to see the most important sights, such as Schönbrunn Castle, the Hofburg , and the Belvedere .

Especially in Summer, Vienna is extremely beautiful and there are many amazing things to do! You can stroll along the Danube River, taste exotic dishes at the Naschmarkt, and enjoy an open-air concert.

In Winter, Vienna is also quite special. Christmas markets and sparkly lights everywhere make it totally worth a visit.

Make sure to spend at least one night in Vienna, as there is much to see.

Start your drive towards Hallstatt . The drive takes about 3 hours and will lead you through a fabulous landscape of rolling hills, impressive mountains, and stunning lakes.

At the end of your drive, you will reach the stunning city of Hallstatt. Going to Hallstatt from Vienna by car is the best option. You can find parking in the small town, just a couple of steps from the main square.

Hallstatt is a famous 16th-century town located right on the beautiful lake. You will roughly need three hours to tour the town and check out the Skywalk and the World Heritage Museum as well as the market square .

If you visit in winter, you can see the beautiful Christmas market in Hallstatt . The landscape in winter is especially beautiful, it is my favorite time to visit.

After Hallstatt, I suggest heading towards Salzburg, where you will spend the night. It is about an hour’s drive to Salzburg.

Boutiquehote l Amadeus

• 4 **** Hotel
• Uniquely Furnished Rooms
• Parking Nearby

The beautiful city of Salzburg is definitely worth a visit and has a lot to offer.

Check out the Mozart house in the Getreidegasse and the castle Hohensalzburg .

You can even take the Sound of Music Tour, especially if you’re a movie buff. Otherwise, you’ll love a tour through the Old Town; it’s like a fairy-tale.

Mirabell Castle and Gardens in Salzburg are some of my favorite spots to see.

Make sure to buy some original Mozart-Kugeln when in Salzburg. They are a local delicacy.

In the evening you should be headed towards Graz. I have marked a route with a scenic drive through Austria below, that takes you right through the impressive Dachstein glacier area.

Palaishotel Erzherzog Johann

• Stunning Location
• On-Site Parking
• Great Breakfast

Graz is a very picturesque city and the capital of the country Styria.

Graz is famous for its medieval town square as well as a clock tower on a small hill. Make sure to hike up there for an amazing view.

If you love shopping and rooftop terraces, head over to Kastner & Öhler. They have a great restaurant on the roof and some amazing shopping downstairs.

For people that have enough of Austrian cities, I suggest visiting the countryside in South Styria instead. You’ll find thermal spas and vineyards in this area.

Race fans will probably want to drive by Spielberg, to see the famous Formula 1 Race-Track.

In the evening of the next day, you will be headed back towards Vienna, where your 4-day Austria road trip ends.

2. A Week in Austria – Road Trip Itinerary

Spending a week on a road trip in Austria is a great amount of time. You can add some amazing stops for the perfect Austrian road trip.

The extra days allow us to add some more stops to the 4 days in Austria itinerary, such as Zell am See and Klagenfurt am Wörthersee. Both are super picturesque places that are totally worth a visit.

Please refer to the 4-days in Austria Road Trip Itinerary for information on Salzburg, Graz, and Vienna.

Elements Resorts Zell am See

• Free Parking
• Outdoor Pool

On the third day you will be heading towards the beautiful city on a lake, Zell am See . There you will also spend the night.

Zell am See is a famous Austrian town located right on a lake and nestled in between an impressive mountain range.

In summer this is a beautiful place to swim and hike , whereas in winter you have access to some of the finest skiing slopes in Austria.

Take the gondola up to Schmittenhöhe for panoramic views.

This is a great place to stay in a fabulous mountain spa hotel and do some relaxation before your next stop.

Falkensteiner Hotel Schladming

• Impressive Location
• Mountain View
• Indoor & Outdoor Pool

Take the scenic route via Hallstatt to Schladming. Spend the day in Hallstatt before heading over to Schladming.

Stay overnight in Schladming. Make sure to add the Dachstein Glacier . It is one of the most impressive mountains in Austria. I prefer visiting the Dachstein over the Hohe Tauern National Park because it is more accessible.

You can visit an Ice Sculpture Museum, a Sky Walk as well as the Stairway into Nothing .

Schladming itself is a super cute town. You can have coffee in the town square and enjoy the beautiful view.

Werzers Hotel Pörtschach

• Seaside Location
• Amazing Restaurant

Your drive will lead to Klagenfurt am Wörthersee, where you will spend another night.

The Wörthersee is a beautiful lake located in the south of Austria and is a famous tourist attraction. The water is clear blue, and there are many impressive castles located around the lake.

You can either explore Klagenfurt itself, which is a beautiful city, or spend the day at the lake. There are a couple of cute towns around the lake that are worth visiting.

Check out Velden, Maria Loretto and Pörtschach. If you love hiking, make sure to walk up the Pyramidenkogel for a stunning view.

3. 10 Days in Austria – Road Trip Itinerary

10 days is an amazing time to spend in Austria for a road trip. In 10 days you can see most of the country, so I definitely suggest staying this long.

In addition to all the amazing stops you can see on the 4-day road trip in Austria and the one-week road trip itineraries, there are many more gems to be discovered. Please refer to the stops above for hotel suggestions and tour ideas.

Seeing the capital city of Tyrol, Innsbruck as well as the famous wine region of South Styria are on the agenda!

Hotel Innsbruck

• Great Location
• Fabulous Spa
• Nearby Parking

On the fourth day, head towards Innsbruck, the capital city of Tyrol.

Innsbruck is famous for its impressive architectural highlights as well as the proximity to the Nordkette Mountain range. Innsbruck is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

You must stop by the Golden Roof as well as the Ambras Castle in Innsbruck. The Old Town and the Hofkirche are also super popular.

Stay overnight. On the next day, start driving toward Schladming.

You will pass by the famous town of Kitzbühel on your way back, where the legendary Ski race “ Hahnenkammrennen ” is being held.

The perfect road trip through Austria itinerary definitely has to include Innsbruck!

Day 5 : Innsbruck – Hallstatt – Schladming

Vitalhotel der Parktherme

• Comfy Rooms
• Free Spa Entry

Check out the South Styrian Wine Street. This is a great place to visit in Austria in the fall.

This area of South Styria is famous for its beautiful thermal spas and many vineyards. My favorite thermal spa is Parktherme Bad Radkersburg. Relax there for a day, and enjoy the regional delicacies.

Make sure to visit the Herzerlstrasse as well as a typical Buschenschank. Stay overnight.

You can find great accommodation anywhere in Austria online. Either refer to my suggestions above or find great deals via Booking.com

Make sure to check if they have on-site parking ( Parkplätze ) available. In bigger cities, you might find that most hotels collaborate with the parking garages nearby. The rates will be reduced for hotel guests.

Booking.com is my preferred website for booking hotels in Austria.

The duration of a road trip in Austria can vary depending on your interests and the places you want to visit. Refer to my Austria self-drive itineraries above to get a rough idea of what you want to see.

The ideal amount of time to spend on an Austrian road trip is around 7 to 10 days. This gives you enough time to explore some of the must-see spots.

If you are short on time, you can see a few things in abou t 4-5 days in Austria . I think a 3-day road trip in Austria is not ideal, but you can see the basics: Vienna, Salzburg, and Hallstatt.

The longer you stay, the more time you will have for smaller villages and hikes or winter sports. 2 weeks or more is a great amount of time to spend in Austria.

The best time for a road trip in Austria is typically during the spring, summer, and early autumn months. The weather is pleasant, and most tourist attractions are open.

There is no such time as a bad time to visit Austria by car. But driving in Austria in winter does have its challenges. Only opt for an Austrian winter road trip if you are up for it.

Spring (April to June): This is a beautiful time to visit as the weather starts getting warmer, and the landscapes are lush with blooming flowers. You can enjoy outdoor activities and explore the cities without extreme heat or cold. On an Austrian spring road trip you will see many flowers for sure.

Summer (June to August): Summer is the high tourist season in Austria. The weather is warm, and it’s a great time for outdoor adventures like hiking, biking, and swimming in the lakes . However, be prepared for larger crowds at popular tourist spots. An Austrian summer road trip definitely has its charms.

Early Autumn (September to October): This is a fantastic time for a road trip if you prefer milder weather and fewer tourists. The fall foliage in the Austrian Alps is stunning, making it an ideal time for scenic drives and hiking. Plus, you can enjoy wine festivals in the wine regions (Especially in South Styria).

The cost of a trip to Austria depends on your travel style, duration of stay, choice of accommodations, dining preferences, and activities.

Here is a rough estimate of daily expenses for a mid-range traveler:

• Accommodation: Expect to spend around EUR 80 to EUR 150 per night for a mid-range hotel or guesthouse. Luxury hotels are around EUR 350 per night
• Food: Dining in Austria can range from affordable to upscale. On average, plan to spend around EUR 25 to EUR 40 per person for meals at restaurants. More expensive restaurants charge about EUR 80 per person.
• Transportation: If you’re road-tripping, consider fuel costs, tolls, and parking fees. Gasoline is about EUR 1,50 per liter. Parking is usually included in the hotels. It is free in the countryside and about EUR 50 per day in cities like Vienna. Austrian Toll (Streckenmaut) is about EUR 30 including tunnel passes.
• Sightseeing: Entrance fees to museums and attractions can vary, but the budget is around EUR 10 to EUR 20 per visit. Many cities offer sightseeing cards that provide discounts on multiple attractions.
• Activities: The cost of activities like hiking, skiing, or guided tours will vary. Skiing is the most expensive activity in Austria. It costs you about EUR 80,00 per day (including passes and meals).

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There are many possible ideas for your perfect road trip in Austria. Seeing Austria by car is amazing – and in my opinion, the best way to explore the country.

Whether you are looking for the best scenic drives in Austria or a great winter road trip itinerary, this blog post got you covered.

Some classics, like Vienna, Hallstatt, and Salzburg need to be on every Austria itinerary. They are beautiful in winter and in summer and are some of the best places to visit in Austria.

Whether you are going to Austria for four days, seven days, or even ten days – you will have a great time exploring in the car. I hope you enjoyed my Austria Travel Itineraries as much as I did – or maybe just checked in here for some Austrian vacation ideas.

Austria is a country with nice streets and even nicer destinations – perfect for a road trip. If you have not gotten enough of driving yet, why not do a Northern Italy Road Trip next?

No, 2 days is not enough for Austria. In two days you can cover the capital city of Vienna or perhaps the iconic village of Hallstatt. If you want to see more of the country, I suggest staying at least for a week in Austria.

The most famous road in Austria is the Grossglockner High Alpine Road.

Yes, you can drive in Austria without a vignette. However, as soon as you enter a motorway or an expressway, you need to buy a vignette. If you stay on smaller roads, you do not need the vignette.

The best way to explore Austria is by car. Many of the greatest spots in Austria are not reachable by public transport, so you definitely need a car. The car infrastructure in Austria is great, and you can find affordable parking everywhere.

The distance from Vienna to Salzburg is approximately 295 kilometers (183 miles) when traveling by road. Keep in mind that this distance can vary slightly depending on your specific starting and ending points within each city and the route you take. The road trip between Vienna and Salzburg typically takes around 3.5 to 4.5 hours by car.

Tyrol, which is a region in Austria, is approximately 400 kilometers (about 248 miles) west of Vienna when traveling by road. The specific distance can vary slightly depending on your starting point in Vienna and your destination within Tyrol. Driving from Vienna to Tyrol typically takes around 4.5 to 5.5 hours.

Driving across Austria, from its eastern border with Hungary or Slovakia to its western border with Germany or Switzerland, can take approximately 4 to 6 hours. I recommend taking your time and stopping in between Vienna, Salzburg, and Hallstatt.

You can either pay for it online in the Asfinag Mautshop (carefully, needs to be done 14 days in advance) or at any gas station. If you have a business, you can immediately validate it online. Austrian tunnel tolls can also be bought online or directly at the stops after the tunnel.

To put an Austrian Vignette on the car, you have to take the adhesive part and press it against the windshield. It needs to sit in the top part of the windshield, below any tinted areas. You may not have more than 3 vignettes there. You can also buy the digital vignette instead.

Yes, driving in Austria is quite easy. Roads are in great condition and parking spaces are freely available. Driving in Austria in winter can be a bit challenging, due to snow and ice. Be sure to have appropriate tires in that case.

To drive in Austria you need a valid driver’s license, vehicle papers, and registration, vignette (toll stickers), Reflective Vest, and Warning Triangle. First-Aid Kit, Winter Equipment, and Identification. Travel insurance is also a great idea.

Sabrina is a passionate travel blogger and content creator, originally from Austria. She spends most parts of the year abroad at various destinations with her husband.

She provides slow-paced itineraries that focus on quality over quantity. Sabrina wants to help her readers to get more out of their travel experiences – while doing less. Read more.

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A 3-Day Itinerary In Vienna, Austria and my Luxury Stay Experience at Hotel Das Triest

Guten Tag from Vienna, Austria (yes they speak German here)! From Crete, Greece , I took a 3-hour flight to get here. I landed around 11 AM and for just 12 Euros, I took the City Airport Train to the City Center. From there, I took Uber to my *very posh* hotel which I am so excited to tell you more about later.

Austria is a landlocked country located in Central Europe. It lies within the Alps, therefore leaving only 32% of it below 500 meters. Beach lovers, worry not, Austria is home to very scenic lakes and waterfalls so you can enjoy water just the same. It’s just that it’s not salty :p Vienna is its capital and personally, I think this city is beyond magical. It’s not hard to see that as the First Snow Globe was made here (I love snow globes!!), the Sound of Music was filmed somewhere close here, and of course, they’ve been consistently part of the World’s Most Liveable City.

SOME MAGICAL THINGS YOU CAN DO IN VIENNA IN 3 DAYS (OR MORE)

I only spent 2 nights in Vienna and next time, I swear I’d stay longer! Some of you might be thinking that I haven’t ‘really’ been to Vienna for staying 2 nights here but hey, not all of us have the luxury and time and money (plus I have a husband and two cats to come home too). Anyway, here are some things you can do in Vienna if you’re just here for a short time (although I suggest you stay longer).

1) Plan your trip ahead and check out the cool concerts, events, and festivals – I was lucky enough to catch the Circus Roncalli, a German Circus which was founded in 1976. They have a one month show in Vienna and I couldn’t resist, I have to see their World Class Performance right before my very eyes! I was there the last minute so the only seat available was the premium one where I had to pay 104 Euros. No regrets, it was such a magical show which lasted for 3 hours and it was all worth every penny! Check out a list of Concerts, Events, and Festivals on Austria’s Official Tourism Page .

2) Go sightseeing around the city – Vienna is a beautiful city and I can’t stress this enough. Just walk around and take in its beauty alley after alley, cafe after cafe. While you’re at it, go to the Schonbrunn Palace, St. Stephen Cathedral, the Opera, Naschmarkt, and a whole lot more. By the way, The city is especially fascinating at night. You may also join some tours which specialize in Vienna’s different faces– culture, cuisine, history, etc. (I was lucky enough to be toured around by LJ, a Filipina reader. She took me around the tourist attractions and took me to a restaurant which serves Filipino food. Yum!)

3) Wander around and admire the beautiful art collection at the Belvedere Palace Museum – For art lovers, this is the place to be! For those who isn’t much of a fan of arts, this is still the place to be. This is home to some of the noble artworks of Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh, and Max Beckmann. Here, you can also find the world’s largest collection of Gustav Klimt’s paintings and works by Egon Schiele and Oskar Kokoschka.

4) Take a Day Trip to either the Alpine Panoramic Hallstatt, Melk Abbey and Danube Valley, Wachau Valley – As I told you earlier in this post, Austria is home to magnificent lakes, river, and valleys. Choose any of these tours which will take you outside of the city and let you experience Austria’s nature at its finest. If you have more time, then why not try to see everything? 🙂 P.S. Do not forget your camera and 100 GB of memory card!

WHERE I STAYED IN VIENNA, AUSTRIA

When I thought things couldn’t any get better because I stayed in a wonderful hotel in Crete, Greece, here I am now staying in Hotel Das Triest’s Room 001 which is called the TRIEST SUITE, a massive business suite and apparently is the biggest room in this 72-room boutique property. Here’s what I love about them:

1) The hotel itself is historical – Imagine yourself 300 years ago standing in the staging post on the horse-drawn mail coach route between Vienna and Trieste (thus the name), that’s where Hotel Das Triest is located. The original stables with their vaulted ceilings from back then were converted to lounges, suites, and conference rooms.

2) The architecture is beyond magnificent – Thanks to Austrian architect Peter Lorenz, they have successfully transformed an old building into a unique boutique hotel, characterized by posh contemporary design and luxury. I still can’t believe how a traditional building could be transformed into something this modern and luxurious. You can really tell that they exerted tons of effort in every corner of this building. This is a perfect example of where the past and the present blend in harmoniously.

3) The interior decors and upholstered pieces – Just as much as the architecture, the interior is as magical, thanks to the famous interior architect Sir Terence Conran. The upholstered pieces are from the Austrian Firm Wittman and the Bang & Olufsen television and sound system cannot be missed. (These are brands that I just read from the magazine. I never thought I’ll get the chance to actually use them haha)

4) The location – As it is located in the middle of the City Centre, almost all the attractions are easily accessible. The Karlsplatz Underground Station is a 2-minute walk away, St. Stephen’s Cathedral can be reached in a 15-minute walk. Also, the Naschmarkt is within a few minutes walk away. This is where a lot of restaurants are and it is also famous for souvenir shopping.

5) The staff – Some of their staff are Filipinos and I am proud to say that we are indeed very hospitable (all of them, not just the Filipinos haha). They were able to attend to my questions and needs and they were all very kind and warm.

6) The room – Who am I not to like a Business Suite?! Come on, this room is like a dream! I totally felt like I’m a real vip the moment I stepped in this room. I had a sleeping and living area, a Bang & Olufsen plasma flat-screen TV, and designer furniture by B&B Italia, Wittmann, Philippe Starck and Minotti. These names are very famous in this field so excuse me as I lay on these pieces of furniture. Haha. Take a look at my Facebook page to see a tour of this room!

7) Value for money – For the price of 417 Euros for a Superior Double Room as posted in Booking.com , I must say that you’d really get the value for your money. Hello, 417 Euros for a beautiful historical hotel in Vienna, Austria?? That’s not bad at all!

Overall, I think Vienna is one of the countries that I would love to come back to. I just left but I’m already planning about my flight back. Haha.   ♡

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2 thoughts on “ A 3-Day Itinerary In Vienna, Austria and my Luxury Stay Experience at Hotel Das Triest ”

Just googling Vienna after hearing the song Vienna by Billy Joel and chanced upon your blog. I’m targeting to visit all the European cities and experience it the local way. A grown woman can still dream despite the bills. Thanks Kach for the informative write up!

Vienna is my dream city. I love that city a lot. I have spent some valuable times there. I will never forget that city.

By the way, thanks for your amazing travel guide.

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DISCLOSURE: Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links. So when you make a purchase we sometimes make a small commission, at no extra cost to you. The cost to you remains the same, sometimes even cheaper if we have negotiated a special deal for our readers.We use all of the companies we have listed here and that’s why they are in this list, but of course we need to keep Two Monkeys Travel Group running as well as it can, which is exactly what you’re helping with if you do decide to buy or book something through an affiliate link! If you have any more questions about the companies we use or any other companies you’re looking at, just email us and we’ll be happy to help. Please see our full disclaimer page for more information.

Written by Kach Umandap

Founder of Two Monkeys Travel Group. Since 2013, Kach has visited all the 7 continents (including Antarctica) and 151 countries using her Philippines Passport. In 2016, she bought a sailboat and went on sailing adventures with her two cats - Captain Ahab & Little Zissou in the Caribbean for 2 years. She now lives in Herceg Novi, Montenegro where she's enjoying her expat life and living on a gorgeous Stonehouse. She writes about her experiences traveling as a Filipina traveler with a PHL Passport. Also tips on backpacking trips, luxury hotel experiences, product reviews, sailing & adventure travel.

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Turn your dream vacation into reality

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

Sticky Notes

Transportation, vienna historic center, museumsquartier tickets, safety info, how to stay safe in vienna, emergency phones numbers.

36 Hours in Salzburg, Austria

By A.J. Goldmann Updated July 31, 2024

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By A.J. Goldmann Photographs by Roderick Aichinger

A.J. Goldmann has written about European arts and culture for nearly two decades and has reported on the Salzburg Festival every year since 2014.

Summer is when Salzburg, the compact Austrian city of medieval alleys, majestic Alpine views and just 150,000 residents, bursts to life. The century-old Salzburg Festival , a six-week celebration of classical music, opera and theater, is in full swing until the end of August, giving music lovers yet another reason to make a pilgrimage to Mozart’s birthplace. The neo-Baroque Salzburg State Theater , one of the festival’s main stages, is fresher after a renovation, and more historic sites are undergoing renewal. What may well be Europe’s oldest restaurant is rejuvenated every year with stylish, contemporary décor. And a 17th-century palace, with a new restaurant offering contemporary Austrian dishes under the stars, shows how comfortably tradition and innovation coexist in Salzburg.

Recommendations

• The Altstadt , or Old Town, forms Salzburg’s nucleus, with excellent restaurants, cafes and traditional clothing shops lining its cobblestone, medieval alleys.
• The Mönchsberg , the rock that looms 1,700 feet above the Altstadt, offers wooded paths and majestic city and Alpine views.
• The stately and impeccably manicured Mirabell Gardens , which contain the Pegasus fountain, dwarf garden and hedge tunnel, is where Maria and the von Trapp children dance while singing “Do-Re-Mi” in “The Sound of Music.”
• The Kapuzinerberg is a mountain that rises on the right bank of the River Salzach, offering spectacular views of the city’s mighty fortress.
• The Walk of Modern Art is a free, outdoor public art trail that includes installations by major artists, including Marina Abramovic and Anselm Kiefer.
• Mozart’s Birthplace has an engaging exhibition about the composer’s life and legacy in an apartment on the Getreidegasse, a long alley in the Altstadt.
• The Museum of the Art of the Lost Generation showcases the works of early 20th-century artists whose careers were cut short because of Nazi persecution and the regime’s cultural policies.
• The DomQuartier is a single attraction that offers combined admission to the imposing state rooms of the prince archbishop’s palace, or Residenz, and the stunning collections of religious art housed at the Cathedral Museum and the Museum of St. Peter’s Abbey .
• The Nonnberg Abbey , a beautiful hillside cloister, is a pilgrimage site for faithful fans of “The Sound of Music”: The real-life Maria was a novice here before joining the von Trapp household.
• The Pferdeschwemme is an imposing 17th-century horse pond that the von Trapp children marvel at during a carriage ride in “The Sound of Music.”
• The Salzburg State Theater , a 19th-century playhouse with a grand painted ceiling, recently reopened after a major renovation.
• The Salzburg Cathedral , Franciscan Church and Stiftskirche St. Peter are three historic churches in the Altstadt that offer free, all-are-welcome musical masses on Sunday mornings.
• The Stadtalm is a rustic hostel and restaurant, built next to a remnant of a medieval wall on top of the Mönchsberg, that offers a sweeping view of the entire city.
• Café Habakuk , a traditional family-owned coffeehouse on the Linzergasse, a bustling street, makes a mean Salzburger nockerl, a massive-yet-light soufflé that is sweet and custardy.
• Merkel und Merkel is a new restaurant within a 17th-century palace, with a husband-and-wife chef team serving impeccably prepared traditional dishes.
• St. Peter Stiftskulinarium , which claims to be Europe’s oldest restaurant, offers sophisticated dishes in elegant, historic rooms and a courtyard with colorful and frequently changing decór.
• Tomaselli’s , an 18th-century coffeehouse with dark wood paneling and oil paintings, is the grandest place to enjoy a “kaffee und kuchen,” or coffee and cake, in the Altstadt.
• 220Grad , also in the Alstadt and close to the Salzburg Festival complex, is a sleek, modern cafe serving specialty coffee and a range of health-conscious dishes.
• Meissl & Schadn is an upscale Wiener schnitzel joint where you can customize your cutlet, right down to the fat you want it fried in.
• Moritz Eis , in the Altstadt, makes exceptional gelato and sorbet using all-natural ingredients.
• Antiquariat Weinek , on the Steingasse, a 16th-century street, is arguably Salzburg’s finest rare and antique book shop.
• Salzburger Heimatwerk , a tailoring and dressmaking workshop for nearly 80 years, is your best bet for high-quality lederhosen, dirndls and other tracht, or traditional clothing.
• Hotel Auersperg , a short walk from the Linzergasse, offers understated luxury in its tastefully decorated rooms spread across two buildings. Highlights include a tranquil backyard garden and a spa with a generous outdoor terrace where you can watch the sun go down over the Kapuzinerberg, and an outstanding breakfast buffet. Rooms start at €245, or about $265.
• Hotel Elefant , in the heart of the Altstadt, is an elegant family-run hotel that offers traditional Salzburg hospitality in charming and somewhat antique surroundings. Its restaurant is a solid choice for classic local cuisine. Rooms start at €190.
• The Keep Eco Rooms Salzburg , halfway between the main train station and the Altstadt, has stylish and sustainable accommodations with self-check-in and shared bathrooms. Some rooms have private showers. Its restaurant offers vegan and gluten-free options. Twin rooms start at €82.
• You can find short-term rentals in virtually every corner of Salzburg. If the pricier apartments in the Altstadt are out of your budget, consider staying in the Elisabeth Vorstadt, the district close to the central train station.
• Salzburg’s Altstadt is eminently walkable with an efficient public bus network to help you reach outlying locations (single rides, €2.30 in advance or €3 from the driver; 24-hour-pass €4.70 in advance or €6.40 from the driver). Taxis can be found at stands throughout the city. The ride from the main train station to the Altstadt costs roughly €15.
• It’s well worth investing in a Salzburg Card , which includes free use of public transportation, as well as admission to most of the city’s museums, over a 24-, 48- or 72-hour period. Adult prices start at €31 in summer.

Café Habakuk

Start your weekend exploring the historic area on the right bank of the River Salzach. Sample Salzburger nockerl (13 euro, or $14), a light, custardy soufflé filled with tart raspberry sauce, at Café Habakuk on the Linzergasse, a bustling street. It’s worth the 20-minute preparation time. Afterward, walk it off on the Kapuzinerberg, a tree-shrouded mountain that rises 2,100 feet above the Salzach. It’s a steep yet quick hike up a path named after Stefan Zweig, the famous writer who once lived here, to the Hettwer-Bastion, a lookout with a majestic view of the Festung Hohensalzburg fortress. From there, follow the stairs down to the Steingasse, a narrow 16th-century street. Poke your head into Antiquariat Weinek , a rare book shop and gallery, even if you can’t afford any of their treasures.

“Spirit of Mozart,” by Marina Abramovic

“Sit on a chair,” and “lose track of time”: These are the Serbian artist Marina Abramovic’s instructions to viewers of “Spirit of Mozart,” a nearly 50-foot-tall metal chair, plus eight regular-size ones, beside the Staatsbrücke bridge. The installation is one of a dozen, by various artists, in Salzburg’s Walk of Modern Art, a free public art trail . Crossing the river, look for Brigitte Kowanz’s “Beyond Recall,” composed of illuminated, mirrored cubes, that commemorates the laborers the Nazis forced to build the bridge. On Max Reinhardt Platz, a square named for one of the Salzburg Festival’s founders, enter the white structure that houses the German artist Anselm Kiefer’s “A.E.I.O.U,” a haunting work about the nature of time. Erwin Wurm’s bronze sculptures of cucumbers , nearby, are in a decidedly lighter vein.

Dine in a 17th-century palace with the Alps as your backdrop at Merkel und Merkel , a restaurant opened by a husband-and-wife chef team last year on a bucolic estate, about a mile south of the city center. Choose between three to six courses (€64 to €94) of Austrian and European dishes, including many classics. The changing menu might feature a hearty yet refreshing tomato-vanilla soup; local char served on a bed of fregola sarda, a bead-like Sardinian pasta; and a tender saddle of veal served with chanterelles and cauliflower purée. Getting through all the courses can take a while, but you’ll be glad to linger as dusk descends on the elegant grounds and the sky fills up with stars. Reservations recommended.

Street musicians on the Mozartplatz, a square in the Altstadt dedicated to Salzburg’s most famous son.

Before getting lost in the Altstadt (Old Town), visit Mozart’s Birthplace , the apartment on the long Getreidegasse alley, where the composer was born in 1756. See the miniature violin Mozart received at 6, intricate set designs from productions of his operas and an immersive installation exploring his “Jupiter” Symphony, his 41st and last. Admission €15, or free with a Salzburg Card. Then, if you’re inspired by the locals in ​​traditional Austrian wear, head to Salzburger Heimatwerk , a tailoring and dressmaking workshop for nearly 80 years. Its wares aren’t cheap (the dirndls are in the €1,000 range) but last a lifetime. If you need a pick-me-up, enjoy a “kaffee und kuchen,” or coffee and cake (about €5 each), at Tomaselli , an elegant coffee house since 1703, adorned with dark wood and oil paintings. Or visit 220Grad Rupertinum , one of Salzburg’s modern specialty cafes.

Usually, visitors are lured to museums by their favorite artists. At the Museum of the Art of the Lost Generation , the walls are filled with works by painters you’ve never heard of. The small museum, opened in 2017, highlights early 20th-century German and Austrian-born artists whose careers were cut short when the Nazis came to power, and rescues their works from obscurity. Many were Jewish artists, or those whose modern styles were labeled as “degenerate” by the Third Reich. Discover Eugen Spiro’s radiant “Portrait of Mela Kempinski,” completed in 1933, before the Jewish artist fled Germany, and the vivid still lifes and outdoor scenes painted by Luise Deicher, one of the first women to study at the Royal Academy of Art in Stuttgart, Germany. The English-language catalog is beautifully illustrated with works you can’t find elsewhere. Admission €14.

Meissl & Schadn

There are many places in Salzburg to enjoy a Wiener schnitzel, Austria’s national dish, but at Meissl & Schadn you can choose how you like the thin, breaded veal cutlet to be fried to golden perfection: in clarified butter, pork lard or vegetable oil. Schnitzels, including a baked celery version for non-meat eaters, from €22 to €26.90. Sides are taken as seriously as the escalopes, too. In addition to classics like wild-cranberry jam, potato salad, cucumber salad and parsley potatoes, you can also order your schnitzel to come with Wiener Garnitur, a condiment made from mashed-up hard-boiled egg, parsley, capers and anchovies (sides, €3.30 to €6.50). If you have room for dessert, check out the exceptionally refreshing gelato at Moritz Eis (€3.50 a scoop) directly across the street.

For well over a millennium, Salzburg’s prince archbishops wielded both spiritual and worldly power. At the DomQuartier (€13, or free with a Salzburg Card), a museum complex near Altstadt’s winding alleys, you can bask in the grandeur of the once-powerful rulers, whose reign ended with secularization in 1803. In the Residenz, the archbishop’s palace, stroll through the imposing state rooms , admiring the ceiling frescoes depicting the life of Alexander the Great. Enjoy the royal view from the outdoor balcony that connects the Residenz and the Salzburg Cathedral, whose cavernous nave you gaze down on from its organ loft. The Cathedral Museum , one of two ecclesiastical collections housed in the DomQuartier, includes a version of Hieronymus Bosch’s trippy and terrifying “ The Temptation of Saint Anthony .”

Mirabell Gardens

For better or worse, “The Sound of Music,” the 1965 musical film set in Salzburg, rivals Mozart as the city’s best-known cultural export. Skip the themed tours and save your money by visiting many of the filming locations and real-life historical sites on your own for free. From the DomQuartier, it’s an easy walk to the eighth-century Nonnberg Abbey , where the real-life Maria Kutschera spent two years as a novice before she left to become the von Trapps’ governess. Back in the Altstadt, see the Pferdeschwemme , the distinctive 17th-century horse pond that the von Trapp children marvel at during a carriage ride in the film. Cross the river and continue to the impeccably manicured Mirabell Gardens , whose Pegasus fountain; dwarf garden, featuring stone gnomes; and hedge tunnel were all immortalized in a montage in the Oscar-winning film.

Understandably, St. Peter Stiftskulinarium , a restaurant that may be more than 1,200 years old, was starting to show its age about a decade ago. Under its current owners, the restaurant, which claims to have first been mentioned in documents in 803, gets a makeover yearly to keep things from getting stale. On warm evenings, sit in the outdoor arcade under domed vaults carved from a mountainside, amid a riot of plants, neon lighting and contemporary art. Its historic dining rooms are beautiful, too, with features like elegant moldings, hardwood ceilings and floors, and walls painted deep green or blue. Try local dishes like tafelspitz, boiled beef served with horseradish and thick bread sauce, among others with Mediterranean and Asian influences, such as blackened tuna with sesame and wasabi. Mains, €25 to €40.

Salzburg State Theater

Every summer, the Salzburg Festival turns the city into the world’s stage. One of the festival’s main venues is the Salzburg State Theater , a 700-seat playhouse whose jewel-box 19th-century, neo-Baroque auditorium, adorned with gold leaf and red velvet, recently reopened after extensive renovations . Gaze up at the large crystal chandelier and a grand ceiling painting. Outside of the festival, the State Theater puts on roughly 400 performances each season, which runs September through June. Fall highlights include Gioachino Rossini’s opera “Il Viaggio a Reims,” a ballet about the Mexican painter Frida Kahlo and the 1960s musical “ Hair .” (Tickets range from €8 to €88.) There’s plenty to see in Salzburg year-round, too: Mozart Week in winter, along with the Salzburg Easter Festival and the Salzburg Whitsun Festival in spring, means you’re likely to find a great performance whenever you visit.

The Pegasus fountain in the Mirabell Gardens, with Salzburg’s medieval fortress looming in the distance.

Salzburg Cathedral

On Sunday mornings, liturgical music rings out from the Altstadt’s historic churches, many of which are within spitting distance of one another. These musical masses are free and open to all, just take your pick. The vast Salzburg Cathedral was consecrated in the eighth century and achieved its current Baroque form in 1628, while the Franciscan Church is defined by its slender steeple and Romanesque Basilica. The 12th-century Stiftskirche St. Peter combines the architectural styles of various epochs, including Romanesque, Renaissance and Rococo. These are inspiring surroundings in which to hear a mass by Mozart, Haydn or one of their contemporaries, performed by the churches’ musicians. Remember to dress modestly. Consult the churches’ websites for full program information and precise mass times.

A view from the Mönchsberg

If you don’t want to brave the steep staircases and sloping paths to ascend the Mönchsberg , the mountain that rises nearly 1,700 feet above the Altstadt, there are other options. A funicular and an elevator (€12 round-trip ticket and €3 respectively; both free with a Salzburg Card) will get you to the top, where you can wander wooded trails or gaze over the Alps from a shaded bench. Get a great view of the fortress from the Richterhöhe, a southwest lookout at the mountain’s peak. On the Salzach side, find the Stadtalm , a rustic hostel and restaurant next to a remnant of a medieval wall. Taking in a sweeping panorama of the city, with a beer or coffee at an outdoor table, is the perfect way to say farewell to Salzburg.

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Salzburg, Austria:  The compact Austrian city of medieval alleys, majestic Alpine views and just 150,000 residents bursts to life in the summer .

Southern Sardinia:  This overlooked island region of Italy, with its idyllic beaches and buzzing capital , is ready to share its essence.

Adirondacks :  New York’s Adirondack Park draws more than 12 million visitors each year. Here’s where to go to avoid the crowds .

Los Angeles:  The California city has one of the most diverse urban forests in the world and each neighborhood has its own characteristic plantings .

Nighttime Activities :  Travel adventures, from goat hikes to snorkeling , get even better when they’re done under the stars.

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Taylor Swift's 3 Eras Tour Shows in Vienna, Austria Canceled After Being Targeted in Alleged Terror Plot

Authorities in Austria confirmed that two men were arrested in connection with an alleged terror plot involving Swift's Vienna concerts

Kevin Winter/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management

Taylor Swift 's Eras Tour shows in Austria this week have been canceled following an alleged terror plot .

On Wednesday, Aug. 7, authorities confirmed that two men were arrested in connection to a planned attack on the concerts that were set to take place at the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna from Aug. 8 to 10. The shows have now been canceled, according to a promoter post re-shared on the official Taylor Nation account 's Instagram Stories.

"With confirmation from government officials of a planned terrorist attack at Ernst Happel Stadium, we have no choice but to cancel the three scheduled shows for everyone’s safety," a message originally shared on the Barracuda Music page reads, noting that all tickets purchased by fans "will be automatically refunded within the next 10 business days."

In a press conference earlier Wednesday, Vienna's head of police Gerhard Pürstl said immediate danger had been "minimized" but that an "abstract danger" remained in the city, per the BBC . Hence, the decision was made to cancel Swift's Vienna shows.

Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty

According to unnamed security officials reported by Kronen Zeitung (known commonly as Krone), authorities carried out an investigation in a neighborhood in Ternitz, Austria, on Wednesday related to threats at Swift's Vienna concerts.

Per a press briefing held on Wednesday by Franz Ruf — Austria’s interior ministry’s security director — a 19-year-old man who allegedly pledged allegiance to ISIS was detained in connection to the alleged plot, multiple outlets reported. 

Authorities say another man who pledged allegiance to the terror group was also arrested in Vienna following an investigation into an hours-long operation in Ternitz.

“According to the current status of the investigation, the two suspects became radicalized via the internet," Ruf said, per the BBC . According to NBC News , local police said they found detailed plans of the alleged terror attacks.

Austrian police told PEOPLE in a statement that authorities had ramped up security for Swift's concerts this week, including increasing surveillance and adding more security personnel. They did not comment on whether the decision was linked to the arrests made in Ternitz.

Swift's next set of Eras Tour concerts are still scheduled in London from Aug. 15-20.

Related Articles

Taylor Swift cancels Vienna Eras tour concerts after two arrested in alleged terror plot

Taylor Swift 's three Eras Tour concerts in Vienna were canceled after government officials confirmed a planned terrorist attack at Ernst Happel Stadium, the local concert promoter announced Wednesday.

The security situation was very serious and a tragedy was averted, Austria's Chancellor Karl Nehammer wrote in a social media post .

"We have no choice but to cancel the three scheduled shows for everyone’s safety," said Barracuda Music, the promoter for the Austrian shows. "All tickets will be automatically refunded within the next 10 business days."

Swift had been set to perform in Vienna on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Earlier Wednesday, Vienna Federal Ministry of the Interior officials confirmed the arrest of two individuals who are "suspected of having planned attacks at major events," including Swift's concerts.

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"During our investigations, we identified preparatory actions and noted that the 19-year-old suspect had a particular focus on the Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna," said Franz Ruf, director general for public security. He alleged that the suspect, an Austrian citizen, had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State.

Another suspect was later arrested in Vienna. Police searched the residence of one of the suspects in Ternitz, Lower Austria, and were analyzing items from the home. Local media, citing police sources, said three suspects were still on the run.

Taylor Swift terrorist threat suspect confessed he intended to kill fans: Officials

"The cancellation of the Taylor Swift concerts by the organizers is a bitter disappointment for all fans in Austria," Nehammer wrote in an X post translated by the social media site.

He thanked emergency services that are investigating at "full speed."

'Making sure that her fans are kept safe'

Officials initially said police would increase security measures at the shows, but the performances were ultimately called off. Swift has performed 126 Eras Tour concerts so far, and these are her first cancellations. Other dates have been postponed due to weather.

This isn't the first time a concert has become a target. In 2017, a suicide bomber killed 22 people at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England. The brothers responsible for the attack wanted to "advance the ideology of Islam," according to the judge who sentenced the surviving sibling.

“It’s a choice you never want to make, but she would have a really good rapport with the local police and government agencies,” says Andrea Davis, the president and CEO of the  Resiliency Initiative , a global consulting company focused on crisis management and risk mitigation planning. “These were credible threats, and it was the right thing to do. She has a pattern of making sure that her fans are kept safe.”

In fact, Swift confessed in Elle magazine in 2019 ahead of her Reputation Stadium Tour that her biggest fear concerns her fans' safety.

"After the Manchester Arena bombing and the Vegas concert shooting , I was completely terrified to go on tour this time because I didn’t know how we were going to keep 3 million fans safe over seven months," she wrote. "There was a tremendous amount of planning, expense, and effort put into keeping my fans safe."

Swift's only remaining European tour dates are five nights at Wembley Stadium in London from Aug. 15-20. She then returns to North America in October before wrapping up the Eras Tour in December.

Taylor Swift fans react: 'It's really devastating'

It's not uncommon for Swift's fans to cross oceans to see her perform , and many ticketholders are heartbroken over the cancellations.

Emily Reyes drove with her boyfriend John Bechtel and his sister Hannah Bechtel from Greenville, South Carolina, to Charlotte, North Carolina. "We paid for parking and we had just gotten around to our gate when I saw that all the Vienna shows had been canceled," Reyes, 23, says.

In April, she got three tickets to a Vienna show because it was cheaper than Swift's fall shows in Miami, and she wanted to surprise her sister-in-law. She made a custom "Reputation" catsuit to wear Saturday night.

"A lot of people are traveling for these shows, and it's really devastating," she says. "I wish that they could have rescheduled and just had a really high security to check everything and all belongings — even if that means clear bags and getting patted down and going through metal detectors."

Around 65,000 people were expected to attend each night as well as up to 15,000 people outside the stadium without tickets, which fed security concerns.

Other Swifties took to social media to share their disappointment over the jarring development.

• “Sitting in a Vienna hotel room processing the fact that the Taylor Swift concert I've been looking forward to for a year, that I flew halfway around the world for, has just been cancelled,” @wordnerd212 wrote on X.
• “Good job I’m not currently sat on a plane to Vienna for Taylor Swift… oh wait,” X user @carleypagett wrote.
• “We were meant to go and see Taylor Swift in Vienna tomorrow night,” @jessiblah wrote on X. “We were just saying we would start to make our friendship bracelets, I had packed the beads in my case. I’m heartbroken.”
• “I am devastated. For over a year I looked forward to this,” X user @Natascha_Strobl wrote. “I made all the bracelets. Taylor Swift in my home city. And now it’s not happening. I have no words. She will never come to Vienna again. That‘s just it. This meant so much. I so wanted to go this concert.”
• “I will need 3-5 business years to recover emotionally from Taylor Swift‘s shows being cancelled in Vienna,” @DJChenks wrote on X.

First cancellations of the Eras Tour

Of Swift’s 126 Eras Tour concerts, she has postponed two shows, delayed a show and canceled two opening acts due to weather.

In Nashville on May 7, a torrential downpour delayed the concert by four hours. Swift didn’t wrap until 1:30 a.m. On July 1, Gracie Abram’s opening set in Cincinnati was canceled after heavy rain delays. Swift brought Abrams out for a duet during her surprise set. In Buenos Aires, Swift pushed back her Oct. 10 show to Oct. 12 after heavy rain fell on the Argentinian capital.

"I love a rain show but I’m never going to endanger my fans or my fellow performers and crew,"  she wrote on X , formerly Twitter.

A week later in Rio de Janeiro, she moved her Nov. 18 concert to Nov. 20 because of sweltering temperatures, one day after a fan died at her show.

On Feb. 23, Sabrina Carpenter’s opening set was canceled in Sydney due to lightning.

Tickets to be refunded for Taylor Swift's Vienna shows

For fans with resale tickets through StubHub, the company says it will provide buyers with a 120% voucher toward another purchase. “Buyers who prefer a 100% cash refund can make the request directly in their StubHub wallet,” the site said Wednesday in a statement.

Barracuda Music, the Austrian tour promoter, posted that fans can expect full refunds within 10 business days and can get updates at https://www.oeticket.com/help/updates/ .

Second violent incident involving Taylor Swift fans

This is the second Swift-related violent incident in just over a week.

On July 29,  three children — ages 9, 7 and 6 — died after a mass stabbing  that injured 10 others in Southport, U.K., during a Taylor Swift-themed class meant for children.

Swif t spoke out on the incident  the day after the attack, saying she was "at a complete loss."

"The horror of yesterday's attack is washing over me continuously and I’m just completely in shock," she wrote on her  Instagram story .

An 18-year-old has been charged, and a wave of false messaging online that wrongly identified the suspect as an Islamist migrant triggered days of rioting. More than 140 people have been charged in relation to that violence.

Contributing: Reuters

Don't miss any Taylor Swift news; sign up for the  free, weekly newsletter This Swift Beat.  

Follow Taylor Swift reporter Bryan West on  Instagram ,  TikTok  and  X as @BryanWestTV .

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Taylor Swift Austria concert plot: Third person in custody

Taylor Swift FILE PHOTO: Taylor Swift performs onstage during "Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour" at Johan Cruijff Arena on July 05, 2024 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Aldara Zarraoa/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management) (Aldara Zarraoa/Getty Images for TAS Rights Mana)

Days after Taylor Swift’s concerts in Vienna, Austria were canceled, more details were released about the planned terrorist attack on the venue.

Update 7 a.m. ET, Aug. 8: A third teen has been arrested in the planned attack, officials said.

Interior Minister Gerhard Karner announced an 18-year-old was arrested after being in contact with the main suspect, The Associated Press reported.

Officials said the latest teen arrested is Iraqi and has recently pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group, CNN reported.

They said that he was “not currently linked directly to the planned attack” but was arrested under the “broad scope” of the investigation.

Investigators are now looking at how the three people connected with each other and are digging into physical and electronic evidence looking for information into the alleged ISIS-inspired terror plot.

In addition to the 18-year-old being arrested, a 19-year-old and a 17-year-old were also arrested. A 15-year-old was questioned but not arrested.

None of the suspects’ names have been released because of the country’s privacy laws.

“A planned attack on a concert event was successfully thwarted thanks to the timely intervention of the authorities. This success was made possible through extensive investigations that targeted not only the main suspects but also their surrounding network,” the interior ministry said, according to CNN .

Original report: Austrian officials said that bomb-making materials were found and one of the two people arrested confessed that they wanted to “kill as many people as possible outside the concert venue,” The Associated Press reported.

Swift had planned to perform in the Austrian capitol Thursday, Friday and Saturday as part of the Eras Tour. The concerts were sold out at Ernst Happel Stadium. The attack had been planned for either Thursday or Friday’s performance by two people who were inspired by the Islamic State group and al-Qaida.

The 19-year-old potential attacker started planning in July and recently uploaded an oath of allegiance to the current Islamic State militia leader. He was going to use knives or homemade explosives at the stadium.

He made a full confession, Reuters reported.

Officials said the suspects were radicalized online, The Washington Post reported. Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner said they were aided in the investigation by foreign intelligence agencies since Austrian law does not permit monitoring of messenger apps, according to Reuters . ABC News said that U.S. intelligence agencies gave Austria and Europol the information about the planned attack.

Omar Haijawi-Pirchner, the head of the Austrian Directorate of State Security and Intelligence, said the man was “clearly radicalized in the direction of the Islamic State and thinks it is right to kill infidels,” the AP reported.

Officials found chemical substances and devices during their investigation.

They also found Islamic State group and al-Qaida material at the second suspect’s home, a 17-year-old Austrian. He had been employed by a company that provided services at the concert venue. He was arrested near the stadium.

ABC News reported that despite the planned attack being inspired by ISIS, it does not appear to have been directed by the terrorist group.

Neither of the suspects’ names was released due to Austrian privacy laws.

Barracuda Music, the concert promoters, announced the three-night cancellation on Wednesday on Instagram , citing “confirmation of planned terrorist attack” they had “no choice but to cancel the three scheduled shows for everyone’s safety.” The group said tickets will be automatically refunded within the next 10 business days.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Barracuda Music (@barracuda.music)

Initially, before the announcement that the concerts were not going to happen, organizers had said security would be increased at the concert using police dog units and anti-terror teams, The Washington Post reported.

Austria’s Vice-Chancellor Werner Kogler wrote, “For many, a dream has been shattered today. On three evenings in Vienna, tens of thousands of #Swifties should have celebrated life together.”

Chancellor Karl Nehammer called it “a bitter disappointment for all fans in Austria” on X .

One fan flew from Arizona, spending $5,000 for the flight to see Swift in Vienna. Tiffany Kidd, 41, had never traveled outside of the U.S., CNN reported. She spent a year planning the trip. It was a 13-hour trip. She called the cancelation “heartbreaking for sure,” but also said she was “a little shook” when she heard about the attack.

Another fan, Kardelen Kocakcigil, 30, had a 24-hour trip from Toronto to Istanbul to Vienna. She paid $2,100 for her trip.

“My travel was planned around the concert, dressing up, meeting with my Swiftie friends around the world and going to Taylor Swift-themed attractions around the city,” Kocakcigil told CNN . “Now I don’t have any itinerary and my friends are not coming due to safety concerns. This trip turned from something I was looking forward to for over a year to aimless, expensive travel.”

The Washington Post said the plot was similar to threats against other events in Europe this summer. However, officials said, “There is currently no information that other concerts are subject to an explicit threat,” Reuters reported.

Coldplay is scheduled to play at the same stadium on Aug. 21. Live Nation, the promoter of the concert, said it is working with law enforcement. They have not said if the concert would still go on.

The next stop on the tour is London’s Wembley Stadium, a five-night event to end the European portion of the Eras Tour . It starts on Aug. 15. She takes a few-month break, resuming the tour in Toronto on Nov. 14.

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Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna canceled after Austrian police say foiled terrorist plot targeted shows

Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour shows in Vienna have been canceled because of what Austrian police say was a planned terrorist attack targeting the concerts.

“With confirmation from government officials of a planned terrorist attack at Ernst Happel Stadium, we have no choice but to cancel the three scheduled shows for everyone’s safety,” Barracuda Music, an event organizer in the city, posted Wednesday evening on Instagram.

Taylor Nation, an Instagram account run by Swift’s team, reposted the message to its story.

According to the post, all tickets will be refunded and ticketholders can visit a website to request refunds.

Swift's website also appears to reflect the cancellation. The Vienna shows under the "tour" tab now have a note accompanying the date and location information.

"*All tickets will be automatically refunded within the next 10 business days," it says.

Swift has yet to say anything on social media, nor has she confirmed the cancellations.

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer shared his disappointment over the cancellations on X and said the situation was serious. He thanked officials for identifying the threat early and preventing what could have been a tragedy.

Swift was scheduled to perform at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion in Vienna on Thursday, Friday and Saturday for the international leg of the Eras Tour.

Earlier, officials said two people were arrested Wednesday in connection with allegations of plans to attack major events in Vienna, including Swift's coming concerts .

Two U.S. officials familiar with the investigation said Austrian law enforcement is looking for an additional person or people who may have some knowledge of the plans.

One of the individuals who were arrested by Austrian federal and state police was a 19-year-old who is alleged to have pledged his allegiance to ISIS, Vienna State Police Director Franz Ruf and Police Chief Gerhard Pürstl said at a news conference Wednesday.

Ruf said Thursday in an interview with Austria’s public broadcaster ORF that the suspect had uploaded an oath of allegiance to the current leader of ISIS to an internet account just a few weeks ago.

The pair had aspirational plans for attacking Vienna’s major events sites and specifically had homed in on this coming weekend’s Swift concerts, according to two U.S. officials briefed on the matter. They both became radicalized through the internet and are alleged to have had specific and detailed plans for how to carry out an attack, the officials said.

They had been under surveillance for some time and were well-known to the Austrians, the officials said.

A bomb squad found chemical substances when the 19-year-old was arrested, authorities said. Investigators were working to determine whether the substances could have been used to build a bomb, authorities said.

Officials said that the 19-year-old bought chemicals but not all the components needed to assemble a bomb and that most likely he would not have been able to do before this weekend’s events.

However, the officials say Austrian law enforcement believed that they should be taken into custody to make sure the pair did not try to conduct an attack using other means.

Ultimately, the two were arrested as officials announced a robust security plan had been put in place for the Swift concerts and Vienna at large. Swift’s team then announced that the concerts would be canceled.

Austria’s Cobra unit, which is similar to the FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team, assisted with the arrests.

Two U.S. officials familiar with the investigation said Austrian law enforcement are looking for an additional individual or individuals who may have some knowledge of this attempted attack.

Officials in Europe and in the U.S. told NBC News that there was no specific plot to injure Swift herself but that the attack was focused on the event.

A police official had said earlier that there were no plans to cancel the concerts and told reporters that “the concrete danger has been minimized.” It is not clear why those plans changed.

Swift has spoken about her concerns of a terrorist attack at one of her stadium shows. In 2019, she told Elle magazine it was her biggest fear.

“After the Manchester Arena bombing and the Vegas concert shooting , I was completely terrified to go on tour this time because I didn’t know how we were going to keep 3 million fans safe over seven months,” Swift said ahead of the Lover Tour, which was then canceled because of Covid.

She added, “There was a tremendous amount of planning, expense, and effort put into keeping my fans safe.”

“My fear of violence has continued into my personal life,” she said. “I carry QuikClot army grade bandage dressing, which is for gunshot or stab wounds.”

Swift rarely cancels shows. Most recently, she postponed the second of three Eras shows in Rio de Janeiro because of extreme temperatures after a fan died at the first of the shows owing to the heat.

Tom Winter is a New York-based correspondent covering crime, courts, terrorism and financial fraud on the East Coast for the NBC News Investigative Unit.

Andy Eckardt is the Deputy Director, Europe, for NBC News. He is based in Mainz, Germany. 

Minyvonne Burke is a senior breaking news reporter for NBC News.

Rebecca Cohen is a breaking news reporter for NBC News.

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Taylor Swift fans are devastated by canceled Eras Tour shows in Austria over apparent attack plot

Fans of Taylor Swift are devastated by the cancellations of three sold-out “Eras Tour” shows in Austria after authorities foiled an apparent plot for an attack in Vienna. (Aug. 8)

Organizers of three Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna this week called them off on Wednesday after officials announced arrests over an apparent plot to launch an attack on an event in the Vienna area such as the concerts as part of her Eras Tour.

No other suspects are being sought after two were arrested in a foiled plot to attack now-cancelled Taylor Swift shows in Austria, Interior Minister Gerhard Karner said Thursday in Vienna. (Aug. 8)

Swifties, a term for Taylor Swift fans, trade bracelets in the city centre in Vienna on Thursday, Aug.8, 2024. Organizers of three Swift concerts in the stadium in Vienna this week called them off on Wednesday after officials announced arrests over an apparent plot to launch an attack on an event in the Vienna area such as the concerts. (AP Photo/Heinz-Peter Bader)

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Swifties trade bracelets in the city centre in Vienna on Thursday, Aug.8, 2024. Organizers of three Taylor Swift concerts in the stadium in Vienna this week called them off on Wednesday after officials announced arrests over an apparent plot to launch an attack on an event in the Vienna area such as the concerts. (AP Photo/Heinz-Peter Bader)

A dog is decorated with bracelets in the city centre in Vienna on Thursday, Aug.8, 2024. Organizers of three Taylor Swift concerts in the stadium in Vienna this week called them off on Wednesday after officials announced arrests over an apparent plot to launch an attack on an event in the Vienna area such as the concerts. (AP Photo/Heinz-Peter Bader)

Swifties fix bracelets on a tree in the city centre in Vienna on Thursday, Aug.8, 2024. Organizers of three Taylor Swift concerts in the stadium in Vienna this week called them off on Wednesday after officials announced arrests over an apparent plot to launch an attack on an event in the Vienna area such as the concerts. (AP Photo/Heinz-Peter Bader)

Jenny from Vienna trades bracelets in the city centre in Vienna on Thursday, Aug.8, 2024. Organizers of three Taylor Swift concerts in the stadium in Vienna this week called them off on Wednesday after officials announced arrests over an apparent plot to launch an attack on an event in the Vienna area such as the concerts. (AP Photo/Heinz-Peter Bader)

Outside view of the Ernst Happel stadium in Vienna on Thursday, Aug.8, 2024. Organizers of three Taylor Swift concerts in the stadium in Vienna this week called them off on Wednesday after officials announced arrests over an apparent plot to launch an attack on an event in the Vienna area such as the concerts. (AP Photo/Heinz-Peter Bader)

Austrian police officers watch swifts gathering in the city centre in Vienna on Thursday, Aug.8, 2024. Organizers of three Taylor Swift concerts in the stadium in Vienna this week called them off on Wednesday after officials announced arrests over an apparent plot to launch an attack on an event in the Vienna area such as the concerts. (AP Photo/Heinz-Peter Bader)

An Austrian police officer is decorated with bracelets in the city centre in Vienna on Thursday, Aug.8, 2024. Organizers of three Taylor Swift concerts in the stadium in Vienna this week called them off on Wednesday after officials announced arrests over an apparent plot to launch an attack on an event in the Vienna area such as the concerts. (AP Photo/Heinz-Peter Bader)

Swifties gather and sing in the city centre in Vienna on Thursday, Aug.8, 2024. Organizers of three Taylor Swift concerts in the stadium in Vienna this week called them off on Wednesday after officials announced arrests over an apparent plot to launch an attack on an event in the Vienna area such as the concerts. (AP Photo/Heinz-Peter Bader)

A person wears a purple head as Swifties gather in the city centre in Vienna on Thursday, Aug.8, 2024. Organizers of three Taylor Swift concerts in the stadium in Vienna this week called them off on Wednesday after officials announced arrests over an apparent plot to launch an attack on an event in the Vienna area such as the concerts. (AP Photo/Heinz-Peter Bader)

VIENNA (AP) — Pricey tickets for sold-out Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna. Hundreds of euros, if not more, dropped on flights and hotels. Tens of thousands of Swifties, bedecked in homemade friendship bracelets, devastated by the cancellations of three Eras Tour shows in Austria after authorities foiled an apparent attack plot.

Austrian security officials said two young men wanted to commit an attack outside the stadium, killing as many people as possible using knives or self-made explosives.

Concert organizers said they they expected up to 65,000 fans inside Ernst Happel Stadium at each concert and as many as 30,000 onlookers outside, where authorities said the suspects planned to strike.

The venue sat empty Thursday morning aside from media filming outside. But later in the day on Corneliusgasse — a small street just 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the stadium — fans flocked to trade friendship bracelets and commiserate about the cancellations. The beaded bracelets, typically bearing Swift’s song titles or popular phrases, are usually swapped at concerts with strangers.

The fans gathered on Corneliusgasse specifically because the street name echoes “Cornelia Street,” the name of a contemplative synth-pop track from Swift’s 2019 album, “Lover.”

The title refers to a street in New York City’s Greenwich Village, where Swift rented a luxury apartment in 2016 and fans now visit to take selfies. “And I hope I never lose you, hope it never ends,” she sings in the song’s chorus. “I’d never walk Cornelia Street again.”

Swift has not spoken publicly about the plot or canceled shows. “Taylor Nation,” a verified Instagram page widely believed to be run by her team, re-posted the announcement from concert organizer Barracuda Music in a “story,” which is only visible for 24 hours. Her main account has not posted anything.

Both suspects appeared to be inspired by the Islamic State group and al-Qaida, authorities said. The main suspect, aged 19, had also posted an oath of allegiance online to the current leader of the Islamic State group, authorities said. The suspects’ names were not released in line with Austrian privacy rules.

The news rattled the superstar’s fans, many of whom took to social media to express their devastation at missing out.

Others, however, begged online for tickets to Swift’s next shows. She is expected to perform at London’s Wembley stadium in five concerts between Aug. 15 and 20 to close the European leg of her record-setting Eras Tour.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said officials have learned lessons from a 2017 attack during an Ariana Grande concert at northwest England’s Manchester Arena in which a suicide bomber killed 22 people. Khan said Thursday that this month’s Swift shows will go on.

Karoline Pedersen of Norway planned to go to a London concert — she already saw Swift in May at a Sweden show — but now has second thoughts even though police there say the Austrian plot has no link to the U.K.

“It is not pleasant to have to look over one’s shoulder. It angers me that a concert like this, where millions of girls have said they actually feel safe, should be turned into a place of fear,” Pedersen told NRK.

Some North American fans have traveled abroad in “tour tourism ,” a pattern that emerged during Beyoncé’s Renaissance world tour . The phenomenon occurred when fans noticed that tighter restrictions on ticket fees and resales in Europe made it no more costly — and potentially cheaper — to see Swift perform abroad rather than closer to home .

Andrew Strauss and his mother, Alison Strauss, heard about the plot Wednesday while sipping wine at a New Jersey airport bar. Suddenly, the 34-year-old’s cellphone “started blowing up.’’

“I was like, ‘wait, why are all these people texting me broken heart emojis?’’’ he told The Associated Press from Vienna on Thursday. “And then I went on Twitter and I looked at my mom and I was like, ‘I think the concert is canceled.’ ”

The pair were on a direct flight to Austria and “you could see it, like, ripple through people finding out,” he said.

While he has already seen Swift in concert, his mother has not. The show was the start of a European vacation with other family members so they decided to stay in Vienna anyway.

“I actually want to write to her and tell her: ‘This was a great mother-son event. Can you get me tickets in the U.S. for one of the concerts?’” Alison Strauss, 62, said.

The pair said they still support Swift and believe the concert organizers made the correct decision.

“It’s not in her nature to put anybody in danger,″ Alison Strauss said. “And to play three sold-out concerts is probably way too much to risk.”

Dazio reported from Berlin and Kirka reported from London. Associated Press writers Geir Moulson and Kirsten Grieshaber in Berlin; Jan M. Olsen in Copenhagen, Denmark; and Maria Sherman in New York contributed to this report.