Vienna is the capital of Austria and the country’s largest city, with about 1.8 million inhabitants, almost a third of the entire population. Located in the north-east of Austria, at the foot of the Alps, Vienna has developed on both sides of the Danube. The city has a long history, starting from the time of the Romans, when a military camp was founded here, which then grew into the settlement known as Vindobona. The real development of Vienna began with the Habsburg dynasty, which dominated the city since the 13th century. After the Ottoman sieges, Vienna became one of the most modern and beautiful cities in Europe, starting with the transformation of the 19th century. Even today, Vienna remains one of the most elegant cities in the world.
Vienna’s beauty and sumptuous elegance seem timeless, a city as modern and clean as it is determined to preserve its extraordinary cultural heritage. Almost the definition of a pure cultural destination, Vienna is studded with museums and palaces, with every street in the famous old center seeming to be in architectural competition with the rest of the city. Starting from the so-called “inner city”, bordered by the splendid Ringstrasse boulevard, where an impressive number of tourist attractions are concentrated, Vienna unfolds on both sides of the Danube with increasingly modern districts. Although most monuments can be visited on foot starting in front of the impressive St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Vienna also offers treasures worth discovering a little further from the center!
Transportation in Vienna!
BY METRO, BUS, TRAM – Although the historic center of Vienna, i.e. the Inner City, is easy to explore on foot, to reach further destinations or save time, the metro is the perfect solution. Vienna’s subway is known as the U-Bahn and has 5 lines (U1, U2, U3, U4 and U6) with a total of 109 modern stations (open 5-24 on weekdays and non-stop on weekends). With a length of over 170 km, the tram transport network is the fifth in the world, representing an alternative to the metro. There are also 145 bus lines through the cities, with stops marked N. Vienna transport tickets are valid for all public transport. A ticket costs €3.20 (*2026), there are also discounts for certain categories and tickets valid for 24h (€10.20), 48h (€14.10) or 72h (€17.10). For 3 days in Vienna, it is worth buying the Vienna Card (€35), which offers free public transport in the city, but also numerous discounts for entry to tourist attractions and other discounts.
BY TAXI OR CAR – There are many taxis in Vienna, and most destinations in the city have fixed rates, but you can always negotiate, especially to the airport. If you want to drive around Vienna, avoid the area inside the Ring, where the streets are narrow and usually one-way and parking is limited. For car rental in Vienna, you can search on the Booking.com website!
BY BICYCLE OR ON FOOT – The easiest and most efficient way to see sights in Vienna is on foot or by renting a bicycle, and although the city has many cycle paths, they have their drawbacks.
Search for Plane Tickets to Vienna on Booking.com or eSKY.com!
3 Days in Vienna
Although Vienna offers a multitude of diverse attractions and experiences that would normally take a week to fully explore and discover, a three-day Vienna city break is enough to visit the city’s top sights!
DAY 1
Morning – Any visit to Vienna must begin in the historic center, more precisely in the square in front of the imposing St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the symbol of the city. The center of Vienna is very easy to explore on foot, so you don’t need public transport, although there is a metro station right next to the cathedral.
Although the first religious building on this site was around 800, the spectacular St. Stephen’s Cathedral (Stephansdom) in Vienna is built in the late Gothic style, having been largely restored after the Second World War. One of the most beautiful buildings in the world, the cathedral dominates the entire historic center with its massiveness and beauty, being the soul of Vienna. To be admired are the Giant’s Gate and the Singer Gate, the Pulpit, the Altar, as well as the impressive towers. Do not miss the opportunity to climb the southern tower, the platform located at over 70 meters offering a unique and splendid panorama of the city.
A few minutes from the cathedral, you can admire another historical and architectural gem of Vienna, St. Peter’s Church (Peterskirche). According to the legend, there was a religious building on this place since the 8th century, continued by a Romanesque basilica in the century. 12, for the present baroque church to be built in the 18th century by a renowned architect. Truly impressive are the representative cupola in patinated brass in shades of turquoise, the interior frescoes and the exterior ornaments.
Afternoon – After lunch, continue exploring the center of Vienna with the impressive complex known as the Hofburg Palace. The fascinating historical complex requires a day or more to explore and discover in all its splendor and richness, but you can get a general impression by visiting the Sissi Museum and the Royal Apartments.
The former residence of the imperial family during the Habsburg Empire is today a huge museum complex that sheds light on the luxury and elegance of one of Europe’s most famous courts. Inside, visitors can choose to visit some or all of the fascinating attractions, including the Old Palace (Alte Burg), the Royal Apartments, the Sissi Museum, the Amalienburg, the Spanish Riding School, the National Library, the Royal Chapel and more.
A ticket to the Hofburg offers entry to the Sissi Museum, the Royal Apartments and the Imperial Silver Collection. Following this memorable experience, you will discover the unique atmosphere of an imperial palace with all its stories and secrets, admiring the luxury and opulence, impressive art collections and authentic palace furniture.
In the evening – Near the center is also the New City Hall of Vienna (Rathaus), a superb building, all the more beautiful in the evening lights. It is one of the most charming buildings in Vienna, displaying an elegant but at the same time full of impetuosity architectural style. Built between 1872-1883, it dominates the surrounding buildings and is the venue for a multitude of events. Every year, a few weeks before Christmas, the park in front of the Town Hall becomes the venue for one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in the world, everything is flooded with holiday lights, and wooden houses offer visitors the most appetizing traditional Austrian products.
After dinner, continue the walk along the Ringstrasse to the south. Vienna’s most famous and beautiful street surrounds the historic center of the city, along which some of the most important and impressive buildings are located. The Ringstrasse was built at the end of the 19th century by order of Emperor Franz Josef. Today, along a route of approximately 5 km, a series of historical monuments follow each other, starting with the New Town Hall and the park in front of it, the Parliament, the State Opera, the National Theatre, the University, the Museums of Art and Natural History, as well as many others, each offering a unique architectural spectacle.
DAY 2
Morning – Day 2 is dedicated almost entirely to one goal in Vienna, so after breakfast take the subway to Schonbrunn station on line U4, which is quite a distance from the historic center. Here, you will discover one of the most beautiful palaces in Europe.
Among the most impressive and important architectural monuments in Austria and central Europe, Schonbrunn Palace is actually a fascinating complex spread over a huge area in the southern part of Vienna, centered around the palace with more than 1400 rooms. Imperial summer residence, the Schonbrunn Palace in Vienna impresses with its Baroque architecture and Rococo decorations that have been added to the palace during its more than 300 years of existence. Listed as a UNESCO cultural heritage site, the palace is currently open to visitors and used as a luxurious venue for receptions and official events.
There are several tours through which visitors can admire the interior, covering a smaller or larger number of rooms and attractions. A true foray into the history of the Habsburg dynasty and the entire country, Schonbrunn Palace and the surrounding complex deserve an extended visit, in which visitors discover and explore all the treasures of this unique destination. For a complete experience, the Grand Tour ticket offers a route through which you can explore around 40 of the palace’s thousands of rooms, including the apartments of Emperor Franz Josef and Empress Elisabeth, the state rooms, audience rooms and more, offering a unique foray into the life of the imperial family.
Afternoon – Not to be overlooked are the gardens behind the palace, including the Neptune Fountain, Gloriette Pavilion, Schonbrunn Zoo and more. After a walk through the charming gardens, it is worth taking a tour of the Zoo garden, located right in the palace complex. Schonbrunn Zoo is the oldest and one of the most beautiful zoos in the world, with an extremely large variety of rare species from all over the world. Among the garden’s stars and public favorites are panda bears, polar bears, Siberian tigers, primates and others.
Opened as early as 1752 as a menagerie attached to the palace, the Schonbrunn Zoo has constantly grown and received new species of animals, organized in a fascinating space. The ticket will give you the opportunity to admire rare or exotic animals in their natural environment. Within the park there are also several buildings in which the climatic conditions of other geographical areas or natural environments are reproduced exactly: the Tropical Forest, the Aquarium, the Desert House and others.
Evening – Vienna is not only the historic center, gorgeous palaces and old monuments. Vienna is also a modern capital, and if you want to discover the new charm of the city, the most beautiful way is from the waters of the Danube, on board an evening cruise that gives you the opportunity to admire the most impressive modern attractions: the Danube Tower, the Millenium Tower and others. The cruise is available every evening during the summer (only Fridays and Saturdays in May, June and September), departing from Schwedenplatz.
Evening – Vienna is not only the historic center, gorgeous palaces and old monuments. Vienna is also a modern capital, and if you want to discover the new charm of the city, the most beautiful way is from the waters of the Danube, on board an evening cruise that gives you the opportunity to admire the most impressive modern attractions: the Danube Tower, the Millenium Tower and others. The cruise is available every evening during the summer (only Fridays and Saturdays in May, June and September), departing from Schwedenplatz.
DAY 3
Morning – After breakfast, set off to discover Vienna’s cultural treasure, visiting two of the most interesting museums in the Austrian capital. Located in the city center, in the continuation of the Hofburg palace towards the Ringstrasse, the Art History Museum (Kunsthistorisches Museum) and the Natural History Museum (Naturhistorisches Museum) are housed in two buildings with superb 19th-century architecture, separated by the Maria Theresa square. Opened at the same time by Emperor Franz Josef, the two palaces with luxurious interiors contain Austria’s most important art and natural history collections, true initiatory journeys into the world of art and natural sciences.
The Vienna Museum of Art History mainly houses the art collection of the Habsburgs, with priceless exhibits of painting, sculpture and decorative arts. The museum exhibits include masterpieces by van Eyck, Durer, Tintoretto, Rembrandt, Rubens, Bruegel the Elder and others. The ticket can also be purchased in a package with other museums in the city. The Natural History Museum houses interesting and valuable collections of minerals, precious stones, dinosaur fossils, animal species and more.
Afternoon – After exploring the two fascinating museums and strolling through the nearby Volksgarten park, take the tram or take a longer walk to the Belvedere Palace, another exceptional Vienna destination. The Belvedere Palace is located in the southern part of the center of Vienna, near the Ringstrasse, representing a delightful complex, consisting of two palaces connected by a superb garden arranged on three thematic levels and organized in French style. The Belvedere Palace is the summer residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy and was built at the beginning of the 18th century.
The two palaces are known as the Upper Belvedere and the Lower Belvedere, and they currently house permanent and temporary art collections, as well as other artistic and historical treasures. During a visit to the Belvedere Palace, the Austrian Art Gallery from the 19th century should not be missed. 19-20, Gustav Klimt Collection, Hall of Mirrors, Chapel, but also the beautiful gardens.
From Belvedere, take the subway to Kaisermuhlen VIC or Alte Donau, to visit the Danube Park and Tower. For a unique experience, you can climb the tower to admire the view or have dinner (although the prices are quite high). The top platform, which includes the restaurant, rotates 360 degrees, offering a unique and unforgettable panorama of Vienna.
Evening – After dinner, you can return to the center by metro to the Museumsquartier station, from where you can continue on foot along Mariahilfer Street, famous for its great shopping opportunities. Flanked by famous brand stores and luxury restaurants, Mariahilferstrasse is the perfect place for a little shopping or for a last foray into Vienna’s elegant atmosphere.
Accommodation recommendations in Vienna
rating 8.7 from 7.489 reviews!
Luxury hotel located near Stephanplatz, right in the city center. Opened over a century ago, it has hosted famous guests over the years. It offers spacious rooms and excellent service.
rating 8.8 from 2.487 reviews!
Located just 200 meters from the Stephansdom Cathedral, the hotel is housed in a building from 1850 and offers superior facilities and excellent service. It has quick access to metro stations.
rating 9.1 from 4.657 reviews!
Located on a quiet street near the center, just 10 minutes from Stephansdom. Run by a family, it is an elegant location, in one of the historic rooms where Mozart lived when visiting Vienna.
rating 9.1 from 2.055 reviews!
Located very close to the Westbanhof train station, this impressive hotel has excellent reviews and offers gorgeous rooms with a modern design.
rating 8.2 from 980 reviews!
It was right next to the Neubaugasse metro station on the famous Mariahilfer shopping street. It has excellent reviews for the services it offers.
rating 8.3 from 2.652 reviews!
It has a quiet location, close to the Mariahilfer and the Museumsquartier. It offers breakfast included and the rooms have a private bathroom.
Restaurant recommendations in Vienna
Vienna offers some of the best restaurants in Europe, with an extreme diversity of specialties. Austrian gastronomy, although not very well known, offers delicious and refined dishes, being influenced by Italian, Hungarian, Polish, German, etc. cuisines. If you want to try traditional Viennese and historical dishes, don’t miss the famous Viennese schnitzels and apple strudel. Other delicacies include goulash, tafelspitz, fish grostl, as well as an extremely appetizing variety of desserts. Below is a list of restaurants in Vienna that offer unique dining experiences (most are closed on Sundays).
- Art of Life (Stubenring 14) – Fixed price menus with no limit on quantity, great for a budget.
- Glacis Beisl (Museumsquartier) – Popular with tourists and students, offers a diverse menu at moderate prices.
- Die Wascherei (Albertgasse 49) – A combination bar and cultural center, it sponsors music events, offers a lively atmosphere and simple dishes.
- Ribs of Vienna (Weihburggasse 22) – Located a few steps from St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the restaurant is famous for steaks and ribs at very attractive prices.
- Weibel 3 (Riemergasse 1-3) – Among the most popular restaurants in Vienna, offering excellent food at decent prices.
- Salz & Pfeffer (Joanelligasse 8) – 24-hour restaurant with Austrian and international specialties, cheap wine and great atmosphere. It also has Romanian specialties.
- Al Borgo (An der Hulben 1) – Italian restaurant located right in the center of Vienna, offers an elegant yet comfortable ambience and extremely tasty and varied dishes.
- Ofenloch (Kurentgasse 8) – Viennese-style restaurant in a historic location, offering delicious dishes made from organic ingredients. It has an indoor tavern and an outdoor terrace.
- Drei Husaren (Weihburggasse 4) – One of the oldest fine dining restaurants in Vienna, dress code and advance reservations are recommended. Unique atmosphere and top quality dishes.
- Palais Coburg (Coburgbastei 4) – Award-winning gourmet restaurant worldwide, benefiting from high-level cuisine with special dishes, a spectacular pavilion garden and a bistro-bar.
Other activities in Vienna
Entertainment – There are many entertainment opportunities in Vienna, including everything from theater and opera to clubs and casinos. For a simple and cheap choice, go to the Prater Park, a diverse and sometimes extravagant destination, where you can try the huge Ferris wheel that offers great views from above or one of the hundreds of attractions, you can visit the Madame Tussauds wax museum, you can have fun in the biggest club in Vienna, the Prater Dome, or you can simply walk along the park’s paths. Vienna is famous as the city of music, so you can witness many concerts and performances, from classical music and jazz to pop and rock. The nightlife is extremely active, with a multitude of clubs that have become famous throughout Europe, the most vibrant areas of the city being along the Gurtel Ring Road, near the Danube Canal or on the Ringstrasse. The most famous clubs are Flex, Chelsea, B72, Griz, Werk and others.
Shopping – Vienna is among the most famous shopping destinations in Europe, offering a fascinating variety of opportunities. There are both famous streets and areas for luxury shopping, as well as antique shops, markets with traditional products and much more. Among the best shopping locations in Vienna can be listed the Mariahilfer Street, the Golden Quarter in the Old Town, the area around the Kohlmarkt, the Naschmarkt antique market and others. Among the most sought-after and representative objects and products to buy in Vienna are: clothes and accessories, jewelry, culinary delicacies, snow globes, antiques, musical and handicraft items, etc.
Useful tourist information in Vienna
Perhaps the most useful thing for a 3-day trip to Vienna is to buy the Vienna Card as soon as you arrive in the city. Considered one of the best Tourist Pass cards in European cities, the Vienna Card offers you free transport for all means of transport in the city, as well as a multitude of discounts and special offers for other services (entrance to tourist attractions, restaurants, entertainment, shopping, etc.).
Thus, for only €29 (72 hours) or €27 (48 hours), you get a multitude of bonuses, among which stand out: free transport, discount for the train or buses to the airport, discount on entry to the Hofburg, Schonbrunn or Belvedere, discount on a large number of museums, discount on tourist buses and other tours, discounts on theatre, opera and other shows, discounts on shops, restaurants, cafes, etc.
Day trips from Vienna
If you want to extend your trip to Vienna by one or more days, there are many options to visit other tourist attractions near the Austrian capital. If you want to continue exploring the city, you can also visit other interesting attractions of Vienna: Museum Quarter, Spanish Riding School, Hundertwasserhaus, Prince Eugen’s Winter Palace, Secession Building, Graben Street, Mozart’s House, Hoher Markt, Haydn Museum, Museum of Technology, City Park, as well as the multitude of churches and historical monument buildings. For a day spent outside Vienna, the 3 most interesting options are:
St. Polten – The city of Sankt Polten is the capital and largest city of the federal state of Lower Austria. Located approximately 65 km from Vienna and having a population of just over 50 thousand inhabitants, St. Polten is the perfect destination for a day out of Vienna. With a long history and being declared a city since the 12th century, there were a large number of tourist attractions in St. Polten worth admiring and visiting. Among the most interesting and important attractions are the Town Hall with an architecture that combines several special styles, the Cathedral with superb frescoes, a Romanesque chapel and a 77-meter high tower, the Diocese building, the Franciscan Church with a Rococo facade, the baroque Riemerplatz square, the Herrenplatz square and many others.
Melk Abbey – Located approximately 60 km from Vienna, the imposing Melk Abbey is more like a fortress that dominates the Danube valley. A Benedictine monastery built in the Baroque style, it has undergone numerous changes and renovations over the centuries, beginning in the 11th century. The first residence of the House of Babenberg, Melk is today a fascinating Austrian tourist attraction, offering a unique historical, artistic and religious experience. There are many attractions of Melk Abbey that can be visited in a day, including the museum which contains many rooms with impressive exhibits and collections, the Marble Room, the Abbey Church, the Library, the Outer Garden and others.
Viennese Forest – A favorite weekend destination for Viennese, the Viennese Forest (Wienerwald) is located in the western part of the city, being a huge green space, offering some interesting sights, among which can be included the small town of Klosterneuburg, the former residence of the Babenberg family, Burg Liechtenstein Castle, the superb spa resort of Baden, the small town of Modling, the village of Bad Voslau, the city of Tulln and others.
Cover Photo by Roman Bodnarchuk on Unsplash