I honestly believe that 3days Vienna itinerary is the perfect amount of time to get to know the city without ever getting bored. Three days will allow you to see most of the main attractions of this beautiful city, and even some of the lesser-known sights, without being in too much of a hurry.
In addition to listing all the main attractions I think you will enjoy visiting, I will also share some practical tips for your visit, including advice on where to stay, where to eat, tips for getting around Vienna, and how to save money on sightseeing.
TRANSPORT
If you find good price accommodation in the center you won’t need to take much transportation, besides the city is much easier to visit on foot apart from some monuments or punctual touristic points.
Tram: it is the easiest and most beautiful way to visit the city, so I recommend it over the subway. There are no controls and you will see that there are many people who do not pay the ticket (especially tourists) but it is better to do responsible tourism and if you use public transport pay.
Uber/Taxi: in this city, it is very expensive, so I recommend you not to use it.
Airport: it is about 20km from the city and I recommend the train as it costs 6€ round trip and takes you to all the central stations of the city (including the central train station). Cabs can be very expensive.
1 DAY
Among the tips on what to see in Vienna in 3 days, I cannot fail to include the house where the famous composer Mozart lived and which was the first stop on my trip. For music lovers, the Mozarthaus is a must-see. The Mozarthaus is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and there is an admission fee.
A short walk from the Mozarthaus is the magnificent St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the seat of the Catholic Church in Vienna. Vienna Cathedral is a true masterpiece of Gothic art and one of the city’s most majestic buildings. To access the towers you will have to pay a ticket as well as if you want to participate in a guided tour.
The imperial palace inside is home to several institutions such as the Imperial Chapel, Naturhistorisches Museum, Kunsthistorisches Museum, Austrian National Library, Imperial Treasury Chamber, Burgtheater, Spanish Cavalry School, imperial stables, and Hofburg Congress Center.
The Opera, in Vienna you can buy a ticket even for less than 10 euros. Sure, they won’t be the best seats, but you’ll be able to say you saw a show in a setting as unique as the Vienna State Opera.
2 DAY
For those interested in learning more about the history of Vienna, you definitely cannot miss the Vienna Museum. Spread over three floors, the museum houses an excellent variety of art and history exhibits that will give you an excellent overview of Vienna’s history as well as some of its most important artists and other residents over the centuries. Don’t miss the amazing Cafe!
Another beautiful church in Vienna is the Karlskirke, a majestic example of Baroque. You will be fascinated already just by approaching its monumental entrance with its two columns reminiscent of the Trajan column in Rome.
In the center of Vienna is another of the city’s must-sees: the Rathaus, the City Hall. This building is one of the best examples of neo-Gothic in Europe. Admission to the building’s courtyard is free, while to visit the interior you will have to join a guided tour. Check out the other free palaces to visit, like Justice Palace and Palais Kinsky
3 DAY
A true symbol of the city, the Prater is the place to relax and spend a few hours in the green. The Prater is an old amusement park, just a couple of subway stops from the historic center, which is home to Vienna’s iconic Giant Ferris Wheel.
Asymmetrical and brightly colored houses: Hundertwasserhaus is a truly bizarre housing complex. These mansions were built by architect and artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser in 1986.
In the Landstraße district is Belvedere Castle, a true masterpiece of Austrian Baroque. Inside the castle today you can admire Klimt’s famous painting “The Kiss.” In winter it is recommended for its Christmas markets.
If you are visiting Vienna in winter I strongly do not recommend visiting the Schönbrunn Palace, this is the fog season and the palace loses a lot of its beauty.
