Itinerary for Three Days in Vienna, Austria
- Dates visited: July 2024
- Time Needed: 3–4 days, 3–4 nights
General Information
Austria, landlocked in Central Europe, is the size of South Carolina or Guatemala. It was once part of the Austro-Hungarian empire and the Hapsburg dynasty, the latter being the continent’s longest ruling kingdom which was present for 640 years. After the empire’s collapse in World War I, the country fell under the power of several different forms of government, eventually becoming a small republic in 1955. Today, the nation of nine million people is considered the third safest country in the world, with virtually 0% unemployment and crime, high quality healthcare services, and an excellent educational system.
Vienna, a capital of two million people, is a city-state similar to DC and the nation’s largest city. It is ranked one of the best cities in the world to live in due to its safety, greenery, public transportation, and jobs, among many things. Known as the City of Music, it is also famous for its classical music history as it was once the home to celebrated composers like Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, and Franz Schubert.
Overall, the city has numerous things to do and see over the course of three days. Keep in mind that this guide is for groups that love to walk everywhere and remain always on the go. Feel free to alter based on your interests and abilities.
- Day One: Old Town, the Imperial Crypt, & Mozart Symphony
- Day Two: Schönbrunn Palace, Naschmarkt Market, and “Hitler’s Vienna” Tour
- Day Three: Day Trip #1
- [Optional] Day Four: Day Trip #2
Communication
The nation’s official language is German but spoken with an Austrian dialect. Most locals in the touristic areas of the city speak English so it’s easy to get around.
Wifi
WiFi is available and strong at most hotels and establishments.
Weather
Vienna is extremely hot in the summer (averaging 75°F but higher during frequent heat waves) and chilly in the winter (around 30°F with frequent snow). The best time to visit is when temperatures are relatively mild from September through November and April through May.
Safety
As stated earlier, Austria is ranked as the third safest country in the world. Vienna is no exception. The primary thing to watch out for are pickpockets — especially in crowded, touristy areas like the Naschmarkt Market.
Transportation
Vienna has excellent public transportation. It operates numerous bus systems and five underground metro lines — U1-U4 and hilariously U6. The U5 line is under construction and will launch around 2027. For locals, an annual pass runs around €365 and provides access to all public modes of transport. Essentially it’s €1/day! Because commuter services are so affordable and ubiquitous (and parking is severely limited) most locals do not have a car — contributing to the capital’s eco-friendly reputation.
Several key sites are far from the city center, like Schönbrunn Palace and Vienna International Airport. Consider Ubering or taking public transportation to travel to these places. To navigate on foot to closer destinations, consider a couple of factors:
- Vienna is made up of 23 districts. Old Town (or “Innere Stadt”) is considered the First District. The lower the number, the closer you are to Old Town.
- To determine which district you are in, simply glance at the street signs. The number before the street name indicates the district!
Dining
Restaurant recommendations are listed below -
- Café Bel Étage — sells the famous sacher-torte
- Café Central — coffeehouse
- Demel — dessert
- Ella’s Mediterranean — dinner
- Mel’s Diner — lunch/dinner
Drinking Water
Tap water is completely safe to drink. Fountains are located all over the city to allow for easy bottle refills and restaurants offer complimentary tap water whenever asked.
Payment
The country’s main currency is the Euro. Most establishments accept credit card; though I typically carry cash around as well just in case.
Note: Most of this outline highlights costs in USD. This is a conversion to make it easier for some readers. Costs vary and everything is charged in the local currency when in person.
Tipping
Tipping is not mandatory but with the influx of western tourism, many service industry employees now expect at least a little something. Round up to the nearest dollar to tip 10% with exceptional service.
Accommodations
The best location to stay is in the Old Town or the First District. Vienna has over 800,000 apartments, so AirBnbs are plentiful and one of the reasons why I opted to stay in an apartment. As for hotels, peep the options on Bookings.com.
Electrical Outlets
Austria uses the same outlet type as those in continental Europe; the type F plug.
HOW TO BEST SPEND YOUR TIME:
DAY ONE: Old Town, the Imperial Crypt, & Mozart Symphony
Begin the day as the Viennese do — with coffee. A wise person once said “The coffee house is a place for people who want to be alone but need people to do it with.” And in Vienna, a city that has a true coffee obsession, it seems like everyone wants to be in a coffee house. Be the first in line at the famous Café Central, founded in 1876, and one of 2,700 cafes in the city. Figureheads such as Joseph Stalin, Leon Trotsky, and Sigmund Freud have all sipped the beverage here. Arrive as soon as it opens to ensure entrance (or make a reservation in advance) to enjoy this beloved locality.
Continue on with a free walking tour of Old Town. Learn that the district is surrounded by the “Ring Road” which was once the site of the medieval fortress wall, demolished in the 19th century after the city experienced massive population growth. Walk past Heldenplatz, the largest square on the Ring Road and the site where Hitler addressed thousands after his march into the city in 1938. Wave hi to the Hapsburg dynasty’s Hofburg Palace, also known as the Winter Palace. This immense complex was home to the royals during the cooler months and has over eighteen wings, nineteen courtyards, and 2,600 rooms! Stroll through the gorgeous Burggarten Park to see the Mozart statue, commemorating his impact on the City of Music. Lastly, discover Vienna’s architecture. During World War II, fifty-two Allied bomb raids destroyed over 30% of buildings (which isn’t a lot in comparison to other cities!). As a result, much of the architecture has been rebuilt. If you see a new building in between two old ones, it is likely that the new building is a reconstruction of one hit by a bomb.
Enjoy a fancy lunch (for a splurge) at the Café Bel Étage, one of the several restaurants in the five-star Hotel Sacher. This opulent venue is celebrated for its internationally-recognized sacher-torte, an Austrian chocolate cake and culinary delight dating back to 1832. It requires thirty-four steps in its baking process and is served best with whipped cream and apricot jam. Although many locals claim it’s dry or too sweet, tourists flock to the hotel to taste it for themselves — so much so that the establishment sells over four hundred thousand cakes a year. Why not try it! Reservations recommended.
After, head to the Imperial (or Capuchin) Crypt, the burial site of the Hapsburg Dynasty for over four hundred years. The Hapsburgs practiced “heart burials”, a tradition where the body, heart, and other organs are buried separately from each other. This was to memorialize a person in numerous locations for spiritual and political reasons. As they say in Vienna, “may they rest in peace and in pieces.” That being said, the bodies are buried here.
The best way to explore this area is through a $15 USD one hour guided English tour, which can only be booked by emailing the museum directly (info@kapuzinergruft.com) and occurs at 3pm every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. I contacted them the day before and was able to reserve three spots. Most of the crypt signs are in German so a tour allows one to better understand who is buried underneath, hear stories of the deceased, and learn more about the crypt in general.
Grab dinner at Mel’s Diner, a restaurant with a deceiving name as it is not actually a diner, though it serves homemade favorites like hamburgers, sandwiches, and wienerschnitzel. Then experience the City of Music’s symphony roots by attending a Mozart concert. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, one of the greatest composers of all time, gave his first concert in front of the royal court in 1762 at just age six. He spent his life touring around the world, playing shows for eager listeners. Other famous classical composers lived in Vienna as well, eventually finding the city as their eternal resting place. As some would say, they “composed in Vienna and now are decomposing in Vienna.” Their work is celebrated today, especially in this city, with nightly classical performances. If looking to focus on Mozart and his music, purchase tickets for the Mozart Orchestra at the Musikverein (Vienna Concert Hall) where the musicians and opera singers don historical costumes. I’m not a huge classical music fan, so if you’re like me — purchase the cheapest ticket and go for the first act to still get the experience.
DAY TWO: Schönbrunn Palace, Naschmarkt Market, and “Hitler’s Vienna” Tour
While the Hofburg Palace is referred to as the winter palace, the Schönbrunn Palace is known as the dynasty’s summer home. Throughout the Hapsburg’s reign, the family had two main rulers — Maria Theresa and later her great great grandson, Franz Joseph. Beloved Empress Maria Theresa ruled for forty years and birthed sixteen children. Emperor Franz Joseph reigned for almost seventy years and married Empress Elisabeth (lovingly called as Sisi), one of the most adored and romanticized women in European history. The palace was one of these rulers’ favorite respites.
Note: To learn more about Sisi, watch Netflix’s The Empress — you’ll see why people were so devoted to their very own “Princess Diana.”
Before the city grew, the palace was considered to be in the countryside. Consequently, it took 2–3 hours to venture by carriage on the former dirt roads. Today it is registered in the Twelfth District and takes roughly twenty minutes on public transportation from Old Town. The complex, referred to as the Austrian Versailles, has over 1,400 rooms, 450 acres of extensive gardens (the same size as the country of Monaco), a zoo, and a children’s museum. It attracts four million annual visitors, averaging around twelve thousand each day in the summer.
With these intense crowds comes lines — and this palace is worth seeing even with the influx of people. To avoid lines, purchase tickets online ahead of time for a specific time slot (and with a tour guide if you so choose). Those that don’t plan ahead and therefore purchase on site must first wait to buy a time slot then wait for the time slot to occur — which can be three to four hours after the purchase is made. Don’t make that mistake. In addition, I love tour guides, so I booked a licensed historian upon booking entry tickets. Another option is to purchase the audio guide instead. Signage is limited so one of these is recommended. Choose your adventure.
After, take public transportation or Uber to the Fourth District to enjoy the Naschmarkt Market. Dating back to the 16th century, this mile long indoor/outdoor market features 120 restaurants from all over the world and is the perfect place for lunch. Visit on a Saturday to experience the weekly flea market as well.
Note: Many shop keepers might tempt you with free samples — which are delicious but the strategy affords them the opportunity to strike up a conversation. If given the time, they’ll try to convince you relentlessly to purchase something. It can get obnoxious — so if you want to avoid getting caught in a trap, avoid taking the bite.
Return to Old Town in time for a walking tour of “Hitler’s Vienna.” Vienna played a huge part in World War II. Over 140,000 jews lived in the city before the war. Eighty-thousand survived — with most emigrating to the US and Israel. Today, only nine thousand remain. Take this tour to learn more about the harrowing impact of the Nazi party on the country, stopping by places like the Monument Against War and Fascism and the Academy of Fine Arts where Hitler tried and failed to attend. If time permits at the end of the tour, stop by the Jewish Museum to dive even further into the sad history. It closes daily at 6pm and is closed all day every Saturday.
Grab dinner at the nearby Mediterranean restaurant, Ella’s, with exceptional food and cocktails and an outdoor patio.
OPTIONAL DAY TRIPS:
Vienna offers several fantastic day trips that are not far from the city center. They are listed below. If you have time, I’d highly recommend extending for two days to pick several options as they’re all spectacular and hard to choose from.
Option 1: Bratislava, Slovakia
Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, is a quick seventy-five minute catamaran ride (and just 43 miles) from Vienna. Book a specific seat in advance on the Twin City Liner morning transfer to ensure early arrival in the new country. Splurge on a seat at the front of the boat to have the best window views of the Danube. And bring your passport as they are required. If boats aren’t your thing, travel via bus or train instead.
Note: Notice the graffiti that lines twelve miles of walls outside Vienna. The government designated this area as a legal place for graffiti in hopes that people wouldn’t graffiti within city walls. So far — it’s working!
Upon arrival, join a free walking tour to learn more about one of the smallest European capitals and best preserved Medieval towns in the world. Then spend the rest of the day exploring.
Option 2: Wachau Valley
Interested in seeing the Austrian countryside? Then head to the Wachau Valley, a picturesque, twenty-five mile long UNESCO World Heritage site an hour outside the city. The valley is known for its wine production as well as gorgeous landscapes and quaint villages. Traveling here is an exceptional way to spend a day. Many companies offer tours to this valley. I went with this small group for a full day trip and although on the pricier side, I couldn’t recommend the splurge experience more.
Stop by several wineries for tastings of the local drink. Spend several hours in the medieval town of Dürnstein for a quintessential stroll through narrow European streets. And from May through September, end the day with a cruise down the Danube River. It’s a hell of a day — send it!
Option 3: Mauthausen
This option is the farthest from Vienna as it is a 2.5 hour drive each way. It’s also a sobering option; but an impactful one. Mauthausen was a concentration camp during the Holocaust where 95,000 to 120,000 innocent people are believed to have perished. Explore the historic memorial and museum to learn more about life in chains in World War II.
Regardless of what you choose, if you make it back to Vienna in time, top off the night with a famous kaiserschmarrn at Demel. This freshly baked pancake with plum jam has been served at this shop since 1786. Because it is a local treasure, lines can be long for a table. Try to get inside for the atmosphere; but if it’s too much of a wait, then opt for the shorter takeaway line to at least try the delight. Reservations are not accepted and the cafe closes nightly at 7pm.
Spending more time in Europe? Check out my guides on the continent HERE!
