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

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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 Museums

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?

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. 

Watch this video on YouTube.

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

Plan your Trip to Vienna?