A Perfect 3 Days in Vienna Itinerary for First Timers 2023 (2024)

Planning a trip to Vienna and feeling overwhelmed? Then this 3 days in Vienna itinerary is the perfect one for you! From where to stay, to what to see and where to eat, it’s all here!

From the moment I stepped onto the tram in Vienna, I was hooked.

The city is an intoxicating mix of imperial grandeur and vibrant modern life, with echoing melodies of Mozart and Beethoven mingling with multi-lingual chatter on every street corner.

Vienna is a literal feast for the senses. I listened to incredible music, gorged on divine cake, and sampled some of the most delicious wines the country has to offer. And don’t even get me started on the coffee!

From the morning bustle of the coffee houses (Kaffeehäuser) to the soothing hum of evening Viennese wine taverns (Heurigen), the city pulsates with contagious energy.

In this 3 day Vienna itinerary, you’ll wander through ornate palaces and museums chock-full of masterpieces. Admire Klimt’s genius, marvel at the architectural wonders of the Baroque era and spend an evening at Vienna’s famous opera house, a nod to the city’s rich cultural heritage.

Through it all, you’ll be following in the footsteps of the Hapsburgs, the historic rulers of the Austro-Hungarian Empire whose legacy is etched into the fabric of Vienna.

Ready to unwrap the layers of this fascinating city? Then let’s get cracking with this 3 day itinerary guiding you through the heart of Vienna.

The features in this post were hand-selected by a picky diva (that’s me) and some of them are affiliate links. If you buy via these, I may earn a commission on some of these awesome recommendations at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your wonderful support – Cat.

3 Days in Vienna Itinerary

Who this 3 Day Vienna Itinerary is For

I mean, obviously, I’d love to say that this Vienna itinerary is perfect for everyone, but you actually can’t please all of the people all of the time. The last thing I want is for you to use my itineraries and feel disappointed. So I want to make sure that this Vienna itinerary will suit you!

IS THIS 3 DAY VIENNA ITINERARY FOR YOU? | I think this itinerary is for first-time Vienna visitors who love food, wine and art. It’s perfect for singles, couples and small groups. Families with younger children may not find it suitable for them.

This itinerary for Vienna in 3 days was something I created for myself while I was on my Budapest, Vienna and Prague trip. The entire visit was focused on trying to understand the fascinating history and culture of this part of the world.

I wanted to get a better idea of what the Austro-Hungarian Empire was all about – to see how it influenced the art and architecture of the region and what impact the aftermath of WW2 and the division of Europe into East and West had here.

With that in mind, this Vienna itinerary focuses on visiting sights that were important in the dying days of the Empire, tasting the food and wine of the region, meeting local people and learning about life in Vienna today.

If you’re a solo female traveller who loves food and wine, history, culture and art, then this Vienna itinerary was made for you because it was made for me!

3 Days in Vienna Itinerary

Where to stay for 3 Days in Vienna

Where To Stay | I stayed at and highly recommend 25hours Museum Quarter. This cool hotel with an awesome rooftop bar is close to public transport links, all the museums and just a short walk to Vienna’s city centre. I know it’s a great place to stay to do this Vienna itinerary because it’s where I made it! Check availability and book here.

For other options, read my guide to the best hotels to stay in Vienna for a short trip (coming soon).

3 Days in Vienna Itinerary

Vienna Itinerary for 3 Days at a Glance

Vienna Itinerary Day 1: Walking tour, Schönnbrunn Palace, Vienna Opera

Orient yourself to the main attractions in Vienna by starting your Vienna itinerary with a great walking tour on your first day. Head to Schönbrunn Palace to learn more about the Imperial Hapsburg dynasty in the afternoon. In the evening, enjoy the most quintessential of Viennese experiences – a night at the opera!

Vienna Itinerary Day 2: Food tour, St Stephen’s Cathedral & Tower, Vienna by Night

This is a literal taste of Vienna, with an incredible food tour that lasts most of the day. Work off your day of indulgence by heading up the tower of Stephansdom in the late afternoon before enjoying the sights of Vienna at night.

Vienna Itinerary Day 3: Hofburg Palace & Sisi Museum, Vienna Heuriger/Winery, Kunsthistorisches Museum

Break up a day of museums with a trip out to a Vienna you didn’t know existed. In summer, venture up onto the hillsides overlooking Vienna to taste the new season wines. During the rest of the year, experience the traditional wine tavern culture in Vienna’s countryside.

3 Days in Vienna Itinerary

Vienna Itinerary for 3 Days: Day 1 Imperial Vienna

Trying to see the best of Vienna in 3 days isn’t easy, so today you’re going to have a crash course on Vienna and the Hapsburg Dynasty that shaped much of modern Europe. I recommend booking all of today’s activities in advance so that you can be sure of what time you need to be where!

1. Breakfast at Joseph Brot

Let’s kick this Vienna itinerary off the right way with a tasty breakfast! Trust me when I say you’re going to need it for the day ahead! My top pick for brunch is Joseph Brot at Albertinaplatz since it’s perfectly placed for the next item on our itinerary, right by the Albertina Museum.

I had the Eggs Florentine, which were absolutely delicious, but the classic Joseph Breakfast was also incredibly tempting! The staff are lovely, and the coffee is some of the best I had during my stay in Vienna!

Aim to get to the cafe in time to have a leisurely meal and finish no later than 9:45 am so that you’ve got time to get to the meeting point for the walking tour. I also recommend picking up a sandwich or snack for lunch while you’re here since there’s a great selection.

TIP | If you’re having breakfast at your hotel, I’d still advise that you pop into Joseph Brot for a coffee and to pick up some lunch for later in the day.

2. Vienna Walking Tour

When I get to a city for the first time, I find that the best thing to do for both orientation and to learn a bit about the place, is a walking tour. So that’s what’s up next on your 3 day Vienna itinerary! The morning is centred around the UNESCO world heritage site of Vienna’s historic centre, dating from mediaeval times.

I opted for a free walking tour because I’ve always had great experiences them in Europe. Vienna, in particular, is a great place to do one because all guides in the city must have completed formal guide training. Essentially, you’re getting a fully qualified guide for the price of a tip!

FREE WALKING TOUR | I took my walking tour with Good Vienna Tours and loved every second. My tour guide was Wolfgang (no escaping Mozart in Vienna!), and he was fabulous.

For those of you travelling on a budget, this is a fantastic chance to get an excellent tour for free, but please give generously if you can. There will be a hard sell from your guide about donating, and I know that (and the group size) can be a bit of a turn-off for people. A small group walking tour is a fantastic alternative.

The walking tour will take up a good chunk of your morning since they all last 2-2.5 hours, and you’ll finish up near St Stephen’s Cathedral. From here, it’s a 30-minute metro ride to our next stop, the grand Schönbrunn Palace.

Head to the Stephansplatz U station, take the U1 red line south (Alaudagasse) for one stop to Karlsplatz where you’ll swap to the U4 green line west (Hütteldorf) and get off at Schönbrunn. A single ticket will cost €2.40.

TRAVEL TIP | For discounted entry to multiple sites and free use of public transport for 1-3 days, get a Vienna City Card in advance so you don’t need to buy tickets at the station.

3. Schönbrunn Palace

The stunning Schönbrunn Imperial Palace is a fixture on all Vienna itineraries for a reason. It was the Hapsburg family’s summer residence and has a gorgeous park and beautiful gardens attached. When you arrive, take the time to wander the grounds and find a quiet spot to eat your picnic if you picked something up in the morning.

If you didn’t bring lunch, then there are several good restaurants on the grounds. Be sure not to miss your guided tour of the interior though! You can purchase tickets on-site, which is what I did, but I was there while half the world was still in lockdown, and I wouldn’t recommend it now. Get your tickets in advance!

My notes from this experience actually say, “guided tour with Michael absolutely bloody excellent”. So there you go, that’s my seal of approval!

If guided tours aren’t your thing, or you’d rather spend less time on the interiors, then you can purchase a ticket for the Grand Tour, which is a self-guided audio option. I don’t recommend it as I think you’ll get a lot more out of the guided tour, and the reviews make it seem that people were disappointed.

The guided tour of the interior of the palace will take 2 hours, so you should be finished by 5 pm, leaving you plenty of time to get back to the city for an early dinner.

I had a fabulous meal of smoked trout with cranberry cream and creamed chanterelles with dumplings at Glacis Beisl. I was lucky to get a walk-in table at about 5:30 but would recommend booking in advance. The wiener schnitzel seemed to be the meal of choice for the meat eaters!

Glacis Beisl is about 15 minutes walk from the Opera House, but you might like to eat somewhere closer to the opera, like Restaurant Bier & Bierli.

4. A Night at the Opera

So, to level with you, I’m one of those people who’s mad about opera, thanks to my mum. We used to regularly head up to London to the opera when I was little, so this was high on my list of things to do in Vienna.

I saw Carmen, which is one of my absolute favourites, and if you’re a newbie to opera, the atmosphere here is incredible. I don’t think there’s any better place to give opera a chance than this (just don’t pick a 5 hour Wagner epic)! Most performances start at 7 pm.

INSIDER TIP | Book your opera ticket as soon as you know when you’ll be travelling to Vienna, as they do sell out. You can also get standing tickets for €13-18, which can be purchased (in cash only) 80 mins before theperformance.

If you know opera isn’t your cup of tea, no worries! Enjoy a relaxed dinner, hit a swanky rooftop bar or have an early night in preparation for another full day of exploring tomorrow!

3 Days in Vienna Itinerary

Vienna Itinerary for 3 Days: Day 2 – Taste Vienna

Whatever you do, do not have breakfast today or you’ll seriously regret it at by 2 pm! Instead, put on your stretchiest pants, grab a coffee and head to the meeting point of your food tour. In the afternoon you’ll be checking out one of the best views in Vienna before seeing the sights at night.

1. Vienna’s Best Food Tour

Ok, you got me, I haven’t been on all of the food tours in Vienna, but I did a sh*tload of research before I went, and this is the best-rated food tour of Vienna on the internet, so I took it. And, frankly, it blew my mind.

First thing in the morning, we went to a famous local coffee house owned by an actress and got to meet the manager. I had a Cafe Melange, which is a local Viennese version of a cappuccino (and much better, I think!). We also had a selection of breakfast sandwiches with pickles and grated horseradish, topped off with apple strudel.

Next up, we took the metro to the market for fruit and then to Tischy icecreamery where we sampled their famous frozen apricot dumplings. Genuinely phenomenal. Be sure to save space for lunch, which is a different venue depending on what the guide’s loving at the time.

On my visit, we sampled some Austrian classics – knödel (dumplings) and kaiserschmarrn (shredded pancakes), both of which will be familiar for those of you who’ve also been to the Dolomites. I made the mistake of not leaving enough space for the final tasting of goulash, but did manage to fit in a coffee!

All in all, it was one of the best value and most entertaining food tours I’ve ever done, and I made the important discovery that pickles and grated horseradish on everything is LIFE.

2. Saint Stephen’s Cathedral & Tower

Your food tour will finish at around 3:30 pm, so you’ve got time to work off some of those calories by squeezing in a visit famous Stephansdom onto your Vienna 3 day itinerary. I think going up the South Tower is a must-do on your itinerary for Vienna, but it does involve walking up a tight spiral staircase of 343 steps!

The tower is the highest point of mediaeval Vienna and gives you the most incredible views out across the city. I swear you’ll forget all about your tired legs!

TRAVEL TIP | Buy your tickets for St Stephen’s Cathedral in advance so that you don’t have to queue.

There’s no alternative access to the South Tower than those stairs, but if you can’t manage them, you can go up the North Tower instead. The views aren’t quite as good, but you can take a lift (elevator) all the way to the top.

Opening Hours: St Stephen’s Cathedral is open from 9 am to 5:30 pm, with the last entrance to the south tower at 5:15 pm.

3. Explore the 7th District

You’ve probably seen a lot of Imperial Vienna by now, so I recommend heading to the 7th district for a bit of exploring. This is one of my favourite parts of Vienna and has a much more local feel to it than a lot of the parts of the city that you’ll have seen already.

Not only is it where you’ll find coffee shops, photography stores, vintage boutiques and great vegan eats, but it’s also where you’ll find the MuseumsQuartier, home to some of Vienna’s best museums (and my favourite hotel!).

Opening Hours: Most museums are open until 8 or 9 pm one night of the week, so see if you can fit in your favourite this evening!

If you’re anything like me, you’ll still be completely stuffed from the morning’s food tour, but you could have dessert for dinner at one of Vienna’s famous cafes, Demel or Café Sacher for the famous Sacher Torte.

4. Vienna by Night

Depending on how tired (and full) you are by this stage, you have a couple of options. The riverside is a great spot in the evening for some bar hopping and people-watching, but if that’s not your thing then you can get an almost free tour of Vienna by night.

Get on the number 2 tram on the Ringstrasse (ring road) and watch the Vienna State Opera House, Hofburg Palace, Rathaus (City Hall) and other famous buildings glide by from the comfort of your seat. If you’d prefer to have something a bit more structured, then the Big Bus non-stop panoramic evening tour at 6:30 pm might be for you!

At this point, I’d say you’ve earned your rest, so head back to your hotel for the night.

3 Days in Vienna Itinerary

Vienna Itinerary for 3 Days: Day 3 – Museums and Wine

This was one of my favourite days on my Vienna itinerary. What better way to break up a couple of museum visits than with a trip to some beautiful hillside vineyards?! If you’re not a wine drinker then you can very easily stay in the city for lunch, adding in another museum or activity.

1. Breakfast at Ulrich

This was one of my favourite finds in Vienna. You all know that I’m always in search of the perfect breakfast, and Ulrich is a great option. I had a fantastic shakshuka here (because I cannot go past it on a menu), but many of the clientele were enjoying their signature Ruby croissant – a chocolate croissant with pomegranate and pistachio since you’re asking!

I absolutely recommend that you make a booking at Ulrich if you’d like to come here since the place was absolutely heaving at opening time on Sunday!

2. Hofburg Palace & Sisi Museum

You can’t miss the Hofburg when you’re visiting Vienna – it’s ever-present as you walk the city streets, and you somehow always seem to end up passing it. It was once the city palace of the Hapsburgs, and now it’s home to the president of Austria!

Since it’s so large, the Hofburg is actually home to several museums, including the Imperial Treasury, National Library, Austrian History Museum and more. I think that the best part of the palace is the Sisi Museum.

TIP | I would highly recommend taking a private guided tour with skip-the-line entrance if you’re interested in really getting to know Sisi! You can also buy tickets via the official website, with options for bundled tickets with other museums.

If you’ve been following my Vienna itinerary, then you’ll have heard plenty about Empress Elizabeth, aka Sisi, already. This is an opportunity to learn more about her life and see the Imperial Apartments where she lived.

Opening Hours: The Sisi museum is open from 9:30 am to 5 pm.

INSIDER TIP | From September to June, you can hear the famous Vienna Boys Choir perform at Sunday morning mass (9:15 am) at the Hofburg Chapel. Check availability and buy tickets here.

3. Vienna Woods Winery or Heuriger

Now, we’re going a little bit out of the way here, but I think it’s such a unique Vienna experience that I really, really recommend that you make the time. Genuinely, this was one of my favourite of all my Vienna experiences, and I felt like I was hanging out with the locals!

You’re going to take either the D tram or the U4 subway line out to Heiligenstadt, which will take about 30 minutes from the Sisi museum. Depending on the time of year, venture up the hill to one of the Buschenschank, basically pop-up wineries among the vines (with amazing views) or head to a traditional tavern for lunch.

TRAVEL TIP | From April 1st to October 31st, you can take the Heurigen Express for all, or part of the return journey up the hill on Friday, Saturday and Sunday to save you a walk! This coincides with when the Buschenschank are open.

In the summer months, head up the hill to visit the Monte Nucum Buschenschank for a glass (or two) of their delightful Gemischter Satz and then wind your way back down through the vineyards, stopping at some of the other Buschenschank along the way.

In addition to Monte Nucum, I also recommend stopping at Buschenschank Windischbauer and Wagnerei. Most of the wineries have cheese plates and snacks available, but if you want a proper meal head all the way down into Heiligenstadt.

INSIDER TIP | If you’d like to visit the Beethoven Museum, be sure to go before lunch, as you often get a voucher for a complimentary wine at the Mayer am Pfarrplatz Heuriger!

In Heiligenstadt, you’ll find the Heurigen, which are traditional countryside wine taverns. I rather felt as though I was at Oktoberfest, as the staff are usually dressed in traditional costumes, and there’s often traditional live music.

A couple of great options are the Mayer am Pfarrplatz Heuriger, with its nods to Beethoven and seasonal menu, and Heuriger Zimmerman.

Opening Hours: The Buschenschank are only open in summer, usually at weekends in the afternoon, but check individual websites before you go!

4. Kunsthistorisches Museum

Assuming that you haven’t overindulged at the wineries, it’s time for the famous art history museum of Vienna! Honestly, even if you have overdone the wine, head to the Kunsthistorisches Museum because I reckon it’ll make the art somehow better.

I’m firmly of the opinion that great art is best appreciated when you’re feeling somewhat disinhibited. So, now you possibly know more about me than you need to, but you’ll also enjoy art more!

The museum is housed in an exquisite building, matching the incredible works of art you’ll find here. The famous “Tower of Babel” by Peter Brueghel is amazing, and there’s also work from artists such as Vermeer, Rembrandt, Caravaggio and more. It’s definitely one of my favourite art museums in Europe, and that’s saying something!

TRAVEL TIP | Whether you’re new to art, or just want to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the works you’re looking at, I highly recommend taking a private tour of the museum with an art historian. It turns a visit from interesting into fascinating.

Opening Hours: The Kunsthistorisches Museum is open from 10 am to 6 pm, except on Thursdays, when it’s late night opening to 9 pm, and Mondays, when it’s closed.

5. Belvedere Austrian Gallery

The Belvedere Palace Art Gallery is just 10 minutes away from the Kunsthistorisches Museum on Tram D. It’s famous for having the largest collection of works by Gustav Klimt, including “The Kiss”. The building itself is a beautiful Baroque palace, and the gardens are beautiful.

Honestly, after having already seen the Schönbrunn, the Hofburg and the Kunsthistorisches Museum, I didn’t feel that this was a worthwhile stop for me, but if you love Klimt, then try to fit it in.

You’ll want tickets to the Upper Belvedere to see “The Kiss”.

Opening Hours: The Upper Belvedere is open from 9 am to 6 pm daily.

Assuming that you don’t just want to go to bed after your busy day, I recommend rounding out your stay with a meal at Tian Bistro. Their all-vegetarian menu is wonderful, and the tasting menu is sublime and very reasonably priced!

3 Days in Vienna Itinerary

Top Tips to make your Vienna Itinerary run smoothly

1. Book your tickets online in advance

Use Get Your Guide, Viator or Tiquets so that you have your tickets available on your phone without having to worry about paper! This will also mean that you don’t get tempted to buy tickets from the many hawkers around the city dressed up as Mozart!

2. Pick the right hotel location

While it can be tempting to stay on the outskirts of the city to save money, I wouldn’t recommend this in Vienna. You’ll waste time getting into the city that could be better spent exploring the museums and sights.

I recommend staying in the MuseumsQuartier at 25 Hours Museum Quarter, which has a sublime rooftop bar, amongst other things. It’s quiet in the evenings and an easy walk to public transport and the Old Town.

Your other option would be to stay in the Old Town itself, although prices tend to be considerably higher and it’s very busy until late in the evening.

3. Consider getting a City Pass

Unlike many European cities, museums in Vienna aren’t free. You’ll save money on your Vienna itinerary if you purchase a Vienna Pass, Flexi Pass or City Card in advance of your trip.

4. Book restaurants in advance

Many of the best restaurants in Vienna are extremely popular, and you’re unlikely to get a table without a reservation, especially in summer.

If you’ve got your heart set on a particular venue, book ahead so you’re not disappointed.

3 Days in Vienna Itinerary

Vienna Itinerary with less time

If you’ve got to put together a Vienna itinerary for less than 3 days, you’re going to have a hard time of it! Unfortunately, you’re definitely not going to be able to fit it all in, no matter how quickly you dash between sights.

Here are a couple of ideas for a single-day Vienna itinerary that you can mix and match to find what works for you if the above doesn’t suit you!

Single-Day Vienna Itinerary Ideas

• Day #1: Stephansdom, Albertina Museum, Opera House Tour, Kunsthistorisches Museum, Ferris Wheel
• Day #2: Schönbrunn Palace, Belvedere Museum, Naschmarkt, Vivaldi at Karlskirche
• Day #3: Albertina Museum, Schönbrunn Palace, Opera Performance (this would be a good alternative if you don’t want to take the walking tour on Day 1 of my 3-day Vienna itinerary)
• Day #4: Hofburg Palace & Sisi Museum, Spanish Riding School, Naschmarkt, Belvedere Museum, Stephansdom (this is a good alternative to Day 2 of my Vienna itinerary if you don’t want to do the food tour)

3 Days in Vienna Itinerary

Vienna Itinerary with more time

Although a 3 day Vienna itinerary is incredibly popular, it does mean that you have to be fairly vicious in your culling of potential activities! Devoting most of a day to a food tour was definitely worthwhile for me, but might not be everyone’s cup of tea.

Here are some things that didn’t make it onto my Vienna itinerary but that I really wanted to do:

Vienna State Opera House Tour

If you’re a massive opera fan, then do this in addition to a night at the opera. If you don’t want to attend an opera, then this is a great way to see the incredible interiors of this iconic building. The guided tours last about 40 minutes and give you a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to run a world-famous opera house!

Opening Hours: Tours run between 10 am and 3 pm, varying throughout the year.

Tickets: Buy online in advance. Free with the Vienna Pass and Flexi Pass.

Mozarthaus Vienna

On Domgasse, close to Stephansdom in Vienna’s beautiful Old Town, you’ll find Mozarthaus, where Mozart lived from 1784 to 1787. It’s the only one of the many homes Mozart had in Vienna that still exists today! Even if you don’t love Mozart, I’ve read that it’s one of the best places to learn about 18th Century life in Vienna too.

It’s also the perfect place for an evening classical music concert. Listen to Mozart in the place where he wrote some of the music!

Opening Hours: Mozarthause is open from 10 am to 6 pm daily but closed on Mondays.

Tickets: Buy online in advance. Free with the Vienna Pass and Flexi Pass.

Vivaldi at Karlskirche

This is a beautiful 18th-century Baroque-style church with spiral columns on the exterior. There’s a reflection pool in front that makes for some beautiful photography opportunities! You’ll probably walk past it during your time in Vienna. I really wanted to listen to Vivaldi’s Four Seasons here, but chose the opera instead!

Opening Hours: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons at Karlskirche starts at 8:15 pm and is on most nights

Tickets: Buy online in advance.

Naschmarkt

The Naschmarkt is Vienna’s largest and most famous market. It runs for almost a mile along Wienzelle and has existed here since the 16th century! From fruit and vegetables to seafood, sausages and Viennese specialities, the Naschmarkt has it all!

I visited this on my food tour, but would have loved to have more time here to explore. There are also numerous cafes and restaurants surrounding the market if you’d prefer to sit down to eat.

Opening Hours: Stalls start opening at 6 am and close around 7:30 pm, although some stands may be open longer. Closed on Mondays.

Tickets: For the best experience, book a 2.5 hour guided food tour in advance!

Austrian National Library

I wasn’t expecting to find so many gorgeous libraries in this part of the world, but it seems the Hapsburgs liked their literature! This is a two-story pillared and frescoed extravaganza and looks like it should be part of a movie set rather than a real life library!

Opening Hours: The Austrian National Library is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm except Thursdays until 9 pm and Mondays in winter when they’re closed.

Tickets: Buy online in advance. Free with the Vienna Pass and Flexi Pass.

Natural History Museum

Directly opposite the Kunsthistorische Museum, and almost a mirror image of it, you’ll find the Natural History Museum. Since I’ve been to the London version many times, I didn’t feel the need to go here, but I’ve heard that it’s really wonderful.

Opening Hours: The Natural History Museum is open from 9 am to 6 pm except on Wednesday when it’s late opening to 8 pm and Tuesday when it’s closed.

Tickets: Buy online in advance. Free with the Vienna Pass and Flexi Pass.

Prater Park & Ferris Wheel

Prater Park is a traditional amusem*nt park, complete with giant ferris wheel. The ferris wheel was originally built in 1897, rebuilt after damage during WWII, and was the world’s largest all the way up until 1985! You could spend hours having fun at the park, so this is a good one for groups and families.

Opening Hours: Prater Park is accessible 24/7, but the rides tend to be open from 10 am until 1 am depending on the season. Check on the official website.

Tickets: Buy online in advance. Free with the Vienna Pass and Flexi Pass.

Spanish Riding School

This is one. of the most popular things to do in Vienna, although I don’t like watching animals perform, so it’s included as something you might want to do rather than something I recommend! You can, however, book a tour of the riding school, which is about architecture and history instead.

I’ve read that the training sessions can be rather dull and many people report being disappointed that they didn’t book a ticket for the actual performance.

Performances: The performances are daily at 11 am and there are occasional special events at other times. There are no performances in July.

Tickets: Book a tour online in advance. Book a performance ticket as soon as you know your visiting dates so that you don’t miss out.

Albertina Museum

This is another of the most famous art museums in Vienna and is part of the Hofburg Palace complex. You’ll see Monet, Picasso and Cezanne, as well as get access to the Hofburg Palace State Rooms as part of your entry fee.

Opening Hours: The Albertina is open daily from 10 am until 6 pm and until 9 pm on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Tickets: Buy online in advance. Discounts are available with the Vienna Pass and Flexi Pass but must be claimed in person on-site.

Hundertwasser Museum

Unfortunately, the museum was closed during my visit and won’t reopen until 2024. It’s the largest collection of works from the surrealist artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser who, bizarrely, is also incredibly popular in Whangeri, New Zealand, where I lived for many years! I absolutely recommend a visit if it has reopened by the time of your visit.

Opening Hours: Hundertwasser Museum is usually open from 9 am to 6 pm, but closed until early 2024.

Tickets: Buy online in advance. Free with the Vienna Pass and Flexi Pass.

Take a Day Trip from Vienna

If you’re lucky enough that your Vienna itinerary is 5 days or more, then I think you should definitely try to squeeze in one of the best day trips from Vienna!

The best part is that most of these are available as tours, so you don’t even need to hire a car to experience more of the beautiful countryside around Vienna.

A Day Trip to Wine Country – Wachau Valley and Melk Abbey

Leopold II founded Melk Abbey in 1089, and it’s now one of the most popular day trips to take from Vienna. The abbey is a stunning example of Baroque architecture but can only be visited with a guided tour in the winter.

This tour to Wachauau Valley includes wine tastings with a local expert, tasting locally-made produce, visiting Melk Abbey and going to a Heuriger! It’s the tour that I want to do when I’m next there.

If you’d rather visit under your own steam, take a regional train from Wien Westbahnhof to Melk Bahnhof (1 hour). From there, it’s about 800m to the abbey.

A Day Trip to Salzburg – Melk Abbey, Hallstatt and Salzburg

If wine tasting isn’t your thing, but you still want to see Melk Abbey, one of the most picturesque villages beside one of the most beautiful lakes in the world and Mozart’s birthplace, then this is the trip for you!

I recommend taking this tour; otherwise, you’ll need to hire a car to be able to fit all this into one day.

3 Days in Vienna Itinerary

Tickets I Recommend Purchasing in Advance For a 3 Day Vienna Trip

1. An Opera Performance

The Vienna State Opera is not only world-famous but incredibly popular with locals, so I recommend booking tickets as soon as you know the dates that you’ll be in town. As far as I’m concerned, it’s a must-do on your Vienna itinerary.

If you don’t mind standing, you can pick up a ticket on the day for most performances, but it involves sacrificing some time to stand in line that could be better spent doing other things.

I was incredibly lucky to get a last-minute return on the day for a performance of Carmen, but this is very much the exception and not the rule!

2. Spanish Riding School Performance

Be aware that if you have a Vienna pass, it’s only the practice sessions that you can attend for free. If you actually want to see what all the fuss is about, you’ll need to book a performance ticket well in advance because they sell out weeks ahead.

3. Schönbrunn Palace

The Schönbrunn is a massively popular stop on everyone’s Vienna itinerary, so you must book your tickets in advance to make sure that you get to do the tour you want. The audio-guided Grand Tour is included with the Vienna Pass, but I recommend doing the guided tour for a personalised approach and to see more of the Imperial apartments!

4. Food Tour

This is less of an issue if you don’t have your heart set on a particular tour, but I knew that I wanted to do the full day, and it does sell out. If you want to do the same food tour that I did (in my opinion, the best!), then book it once you know your dates!

3 Days in Vienna Itinerary

Save Money on your 3 Day Vienna Trip with this easy hack

Like most cities in Europe, Vienna isn’t exactly cheap. Tickets to most experiences cost from €5-30 per person. It means that visiting everything on your Vienna itinerary quickly adds up.

To save money when you’re visiting Vienna, invest in a Vienna Pass or Flexi Pass. You can buy them to cover the number of days you intend to visit, and if you go to all of the attractions above, you’ll be saving about €250 on entrance fees.

The 3-day Vienna pass costs €153, and you also get free use of the hop-on, hop-off bus to get you to the venues. It’s a significant saving.

If you don’t think you’ll make full use of the Vienna Pass, then consider the Flexi Pass, which is customisable to allow free entry to over 40 sights, including almost all those included above.

3 Days in Vienna Itinerary

How to get to Vienna

Getting to Vienna by Train

This is probably the easiest way to get to Vienna, and is easily done from all major European cities. It’s how I got here when I was doing my Budapest, Vienna and Prague itinerary and I found it a breeze.

You’ll arrive into the Central Station, which is a couple of kilometres from the historic centre, and you then simply get the metro or a tram to your accommodation.

I use the ÖBB official site and app to book all my tickets for my European trips.

Getting to Vienna by Air

Vienna’s International Airport is located about 20km from the city, so you’ll need to work out how to get into the city from there. Whilst it’s easy enough to get public transport, with the S-Bahn and City Airport trains travelling into the city, I recommend a private transfer.

When you’ve just gotten off a long flight, it’s so much nicer to be able to chuck your luggage into the back of the car and get door-to-door service! Definitely book in advance to make your life easier.

Getting to Vienna by Car

If you’re road-tripping through Europe, then I’m sure you already know how to use a map! I’d recommend that you select a hotel with free parking because trying to find street parking in Vienna can be a bit of a nightmare.

You could even stay a little outside the city centre and just make use of the excellent public transport system to get around with ease.

3 Days in Vienna Itinerary

How to get around in Vienna

Vienna is incredibly walkable, and I did this entire Vienna itinerary using my own two feet and public transportation without any issues. You can invest in a travel card, but I spent less doing single journeys than I would have with the card.

If you’ve got the Vienna Pass, a hop-on, hop-off bus is included that takes you to all the major tourist sites without the need for other transportation.

Another great option is the City Card which gives free use of public transport and discounts at lots of the major experiences.

Any Vienna itinerary is easiest if you’re staying near the sights, either the Old Town or just outside. I stayed at the 25 Hours Museum Quarter, which I found really convenient for public transport and walking into the centre without feeling overwhelmed by fellow tourists!

3 Days in Vienna Itinerary

Vienna Frequently Asked Questions

3 Days in Vienna Itinerary

Final Thoughts: 3 Days in Vienna Itinerary

So, there you have it, everything you need to create a perfect Vienna itinerary for your visit – I hope that you found it helpful! I really do think that Vienna is a lovely city and a great place to explore.

Drop a comment below if you’ve got any questions, and I’d love it if you would share on Pinterest and social media for other people to find.

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