Trips to Vienna have become incredibly popular for weekend getaways or short breaks. Vienna is the capital and largest city in Austria, so there’s definitely plenty to see. To make the most of your short visit, it’s a good idea to plan your itinerary (or at least know what’s worth seeing).
Vienna is brimming with history, music, art, nature, architecture, traditional cuisine, and more. For a short visit, it’s impossible to see everything, so it’s important to be focused. Our recommended itinerary focuses on the city’s main attractions and also includes recommendations for places to eat and sleep.
In this article, you’ll find information on the following topics:
- How many days should you spend in Vienna?
- A Recommended Itinerary for Vienna (3-Days or more)
- Map of the attractions included in the recommended itinerary
- How to save money on various attractions in the city
- The best time to visit Vienna
- Excellent day trips from Vienna (for those who’ve had enough of the city)
How Many Days Are Enough for a Trip to Vienna?
Many cheap flights to Vienna, have made visiting the city extremely accessible and simple. You can fly to Vienna and return any day of the week. The question is, how many days will truly suffice for a visit? This is a question that is hard to answer generally, especially since art and music lovers can spend two weeks in the city without seeing everything it has to offer.
For a first taste of the city itself, three days should suffice. The old center (1st district) is not particularly large, and you can thoroughly explore it in one day. For visiting major attractions like St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the Spanish Riding School, Hofburg Palace, and Belvedere Palace, you’ll need to dedicate another day. In two days, you can see almost all of the main attractions of the city.
You can, and should, dedicate most of the third day to the impressive Schönbrunn Palace complex. The palace is located outside the city center (about a 25-minute subway ride from the center) and therefore requires at least half a day to visit the palace itself, its magnificent gardens, and attractions located within its complex such as the zoo, the strudel show, or interesting museums. It seems, then, that 3 full days will definitely be enough to get a proper feel for what Vienna has to offer. Of course, you can and should spend a few more days in Vienna and enrich your trip with museums, shows, and tours outside the city to the increadible Austrian countryside.
This article includes also many recommendations for additional attractions that can be seen on days 4, 5, 6, and beyond.
A Recommended Itinerary for Vienna
The recommended itinerary below is especially suitable for a first visit to the city – regardless if you are visiting over the weekend or during the week. If you only have two days in the city, simply omit the last day, which includes the visit to Schönbrunn Palace, and focus on the historic city center. If you have more days, you can split the itinerary or enrich your trip with a day trip outside Vienna.
You can certainly explore Vienna independently, but you can upgrade your city tour with a guided tour of Secret Vienna. In fact, their classic tour will give you a comprehensive and insightful overview of the city and its fascinating history. The tour lasts about two hours and can be an excellent introduction to exploring the city.
What’s included in our recommended Vienna itinerary:
- Day 1 – St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Plague Column, St. Peter’s Church, Hofburg Palace, Austrian Parliament, City Hall, Prater Park (the Giant Ferris Wheel).
- Day 2 – Maria-Theresien-Platz and the Museums, Palace Gardens, State Opera House, Karlskirche (St. Charles Church), Heroes’ Monument, Belvedere Palace.
- Day 3 – Schönbrunn Palace, Danube Tower, Concert.
- Day 4 and beyond – A list of recommendations for additional attractions for days 4 and beyond like the Vienna Spa, Mount Kahlenberg, shopping locations, Vienna’s Alpine Coaster, and more.
Tip and Recommendations for Planning Your Trip
If you haven’t yet booked a central and good place to stay, it’s worth checking out the list we’ve prepared that includes hotels and apartments that travelers recommend in Vienna. The list is updated according to recommendations from our Vienna travelers’ community, which already has over 60,000 members. You are invited to join the Facebook group also.
For those arriving from Vienna Airport to the city center, there is a list of 7 ways to get to the city center by public transport here. Read more about ways to get from the airport to the city and back.
For those planning to get around within the city, it’s worth reading the information about the excellent public transport within the city. If you want to go outside the city independently, you can check prices for local car rental here.
Another activity that will enrich your trip to Vienna is a classical concert in one of the city’s magnificent and renowned concert halls. We have compiled a list of recommended concerts in Vienna. In addition, you can book tickets in advance for a variety of enjoyable experiences in the city. We have compiled the attractions and activities worth booking in advance.
And now let’s continue with the detailed itinerary for a trip to Vienna for 3 days or more:
Please note: The attractions are arranged according to the order in which it is recommended to visit them. There are no fixed times for visiting each attraction so you can be flexible according to the places that interest you more.
It is possible and recommended to do the itinerary using Vienna’s public transport. Traveling by subway, tram, or bus is an experience in itself. In Vienna, you can see what a perfectly functioning public transport system looks like. Buy a weekly ticket and you can travel all over the city without limits on any mean of public transport.
Day 1 – The Old City Center and Prater Park
Your first day in Vienna will be mainly in the old town (1st district) and around some of the main attractions of the city. The plan for the day includes also recommendations for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Breakfast
If you haven’t booked breakfast at your hotel, you can have a good meal at Le Bol or start the day with coffee and cake at L.Heiner Cafe.
- Le Bol Cafe is French in style, but they have delicious and nutritious breakfasts. It is located at Neuer Markt 14.
- L.Heiner Cafe is a Viennese cafe suitable for morning coffee with a tasty piece of cake. It is located on Kärntner Strasse 21-23, at the heart of the city.
St. Stephen’s Cathedral – The Heart of the Old City
Vienna’s central cathedral stands in the heart of the old city and is certainly an impressive building. From the outside, it is worth photographing the uniquely designed tiled roof and the ornate building. Entrance to the prayer area of the cathedral is free, so you can admire the interior of the building without charge. Other parts of the cathedral require payment – ascent to the observation tower, entrance to the burial chambers, the treasury, and the Virgil Chapel Museum. You can see the free part of the church within half an hour but if you add the paid areas, you should allow at least two hours for this attraction. Read more about the attractions in the cathedral area.
Check out the online combo ticket for ascending the cathedral towers, the catacombs, and the treasury.
Possible Alternative to a visit to the St. Stephen’s Cathedral:
The cathedral is located right in the center of the old city. If you are not interested in entering the cathedral, you can turn towards the Danube Canal and go to the area of Vienna’s Great Synagogue and Judenplatz (Jewish Square). There is an option to take a guided tour of the synagogue and visit the museum in Judenplatz. In the heart of the square, there is a monument to the Holocaust victims. More information about Jewish sites in the city.
The Plague Memorial
Back to the main streets of the Old City. Walk along on of the main streets of the old town – Graben Street. This is an impressive street with luxury shops and cafes on both sides. The ancient cobblestone paving and the ornate buildings definitely give a feeling of stepping back in time to the 18th century. This is one of the city’s most photogenic streets, and especially during christmas time, it is beautifully decorated and lit.
In the center of the street stands the impressive Plague Column (Pestsäule). This statue was erected in the heart of the city to give thanks and celebrate the end of the plague that struck the city at the end of the 17th century.
St. Peter’s Church
St. Peter’s Church (Peterskirche) is a bit hidden, and many miss it. The interior of the church is very impressive and it is worth going inside for some beautiful photos. In addition, you can watch classical music concerts in this church. More information on recommended concerts in St. Peter’s Church and beyond.
If you are not interested in the church, skip it and simply continue enjoying the scenery along Graben Street.
Lunch Stop for Day 1:
You can enjoy a light lunch at Trześniewski. This place offers a variety of small sandwiches. It is a very popular spot among locals and visitors alike.
For a more substantial meal, you can choose between Esterházykeller, Zum Schwarzen Kameel, or Hopferl. These are very central places, and prices are accordingly. A local’s hint: Don’t be bothered by cold or unfriendly waiters; it’s very common in Vienna.
Afternoon (Day 1) – Hofburg Palace, City Hall, and Prater Park
Hofburg Palace
The palace complex is right in the old city and you reach it by passing through Michael’s Square (Michaelerplatz), where you’ll often see horse-drawn carriages. This is a great spot for a classic Viennese photo.
After passing through the palace’s gates, you arrive at a beautiful collection of buildings. The palace houses several recommended museums. You can visit the imperial apartments, the Sisi Museum, and the Imperial Silver Collection.
Here is a detailed list of the museums in hofburg palace. You can buy a ticket that includes entry to all these museums.
Another attraction within the palace is the Imperial Treasury, where a variety of jewels belonging to the Habsburg family are displayed. If you want to get a glimpse into the wealth of the Habsburg family, you should enter the Treasury. You can see some of the largest gemstones in the world! Here you can purchase online admission tickets to the Imperial Treasury.
Entry to the Imperial Treasury is not included in the combined palace ticket and a separate entry ticket must be purchased.
The Austrian Parliament
After leaving the Hofburg Palace complex, you arrive at the famous ring street (Ringstrasse). This street encircles the old city like a ring and hence its name. Along the street there are many impressive buildings. One of the most impressive buildings is the Austrian Parliament Building. This is a Greek-style building that since the 19th century has served as the seat of the Austrian Parliament. You can walk inside the building as part of a free tour and admire its grandeur. Especially after the recent renovation the building underwent, it is even more impressive than before. Read more about the Parliament Building.
City Hall (Rathaus)
A short walk along the Ringstrasse will bring you to the City Hall square. This is a truly impressive building with magnificent Neo-Gothic design. After dark, the building is exceptionally illuminated with many many lights!
Usually there are wonderful events in the City Hall square. Before Christmas there is a large and magnificent market where you can drink mulled wine (Glühwein) and eat traditional Austrian food. In the months of January – March the square turns into one of the most beautiful ice skating rinks in the world. In the spring months there are various festivals and in the summer the wonderful film festival takes place. Basically, there is always something to do there and even if not, it is definitely worth stopping and taking a great picture of one of the most iconic buildings in the city. Read more about City Hall.
Prater Park and the Giant Ferris Wheel (Wurstelprater)
Vienna’s amusement and nature park is a fun place at all hours of the day. In the evening it turns into a celebration of lights and music that definitely adds to the experience. In the heart of the amusement park is the city’s Giant Ferris Wheel, which is one of the city’s most popular attractions. The Giant Ferris Wheel rises to a height of about 65 meters and the ride takes about 20 minutes (it rotates very slowly so you can really enjoy the view or even enjoy a romantic candlelight dinner). Inside the park there are also various interesting museums, the most famous of which is the Viennese Madame Tussauds Museum. You can read comprehensive information about Prater Park and its many fun facilities in the extended article we have prepared. Click here for more information about Prater Park.
Click to purchase online tickets for fast, skip-the-line access to Vienna’s Giant Ferris Wheel.
Dinner Stop for Day 1
After spending time at the Prater (and if you haven’t had dinner on the Giant Ferris Wheel) you can experience a Viennese culinary adventure inside the park and go eat at one of the famous Viennese establishments in the park. This place is called Schweizerhaus.
Another option is to go to an Israeli-style restaurant overlooking Prater Park from above. The restaurant is called NENI am Prater and is located on the top floor of the Superbude hotel.
If you don’t want to eat in the park area, you can take the U1 subway line back to the city center. There are two recommended places near St. Stephen’s Cathedral. One is Ribs of Vienna and it offers 20 different rib dishes. Another place for an Austrian-style dinner can be found at Gasthaus Pöschl.
If you keep kosher and want a local restaurant for dinner, you can go to Alef Alef Restaurant near the Great Synagogue or travel to the second district and eat at Bachur Tov Restaurant or Mea Shearim Restaurant. More information about kosher restaurants in Vienna.
Nightlife
If you still have energy after the day, you can go out and experience the Viennese nightlife. In the heart of the city there are bar areas that operate until the early hours of the morning. Alternatively, you can try the upscale bars of Vienna scattered in the different districts of the city. If you are visiting Vienna during the weekend, you can go to a party at one of the city’s popular night clubs.
More ideas for your first day in Vienna:
If you were quick and have time left to visit more attractions, you can add some of the following attractions, which are already close to the places you will be visiting throughout the day.
Mozart House
This house, at the heart of the 1st ditrict of Vienna is where the famous composer Mozart lived. He resided in this house from 1784 to 1787. The place has a museum describing his life and work. Definitely an interesting place for anyone interested in the Viennese music world.
- More information about Mozart House.
- Online admission tickets for Mozart House.
- You can also go to classical concerts in the concert halls scattered throughout the city.
Anker Clock (Ankeruhr)
The large and impressive clock is a short walk from the heart of the old city. Every hour, there is a short show with various figures popping out of the clock.
At 12:00 noon there is the main show which is definitely unique. It is advisable to arrive 15 minutes before the show because there is usually a large crowd gathering right before the show begins.
The Main Campus of the University of Vienna
The main University of Vienna (Universität Wien) is the largest academic institution in Austria with about 100,000 students studying in about 190 different programs. The university is active for about 650 years and is considered the oldest university among German-speaking countries (the oldest European university is the University of Bologna in Italy). It’s amazing to think that 15 Nobel laureates graduated from this academic institution. The central university building is a short walk from the City Hall square and you can enter it freely during university operating hours. Read more information about the university.
Votive Church (Votivkirche)
Slightly after the main building of the University of Vienna there is a very impressive church that many visitors don’t even get to see due to its “remote” location. This is an impressive and definitely photogenic building – slightly resembling the beauty of St.Stephans Cathedral. For history lovers, you can read comprehensive information about the church here.
Day 2 – More of the Ring Street and Belvedere Palace
Breakfast
You can start your second day of touring with a hearty breakfast at Ulrich restaurant.
Maria Theresia Square (Maria-Theresien-Platz)
This square is located not far from the Austrian Parlament building, right along the ring street. It is a beautiful and well-maintained open space with skillfully trimmed trees and bushes and a mighty statue in the middle. On either side of the square there are two identical buildings that host two of Vienna’s most important museums – the Natural History Museum and the Museum of Art History. The museums are packed with exhibits so you can easily spend a full day wandering around both.
In order to be efficient in terms of time, choose one of the museums, according to what interests you more – art or nature. Read detailed information about these museums in the expanded articles we have prepared about the museums:
- Natural History Museum
- Museum of Art History.
- Online purchase of entrance tickets for the Museum of Art History.
Palace Garden (Burggarten) and the Famous Mozart Statue
At the back of Hofburg Palace, there is the well-kept garden with the famous statue of Mozart. This statue was placed in the garden as early as 1896.
Vienna State Opera House (Wiener Staatsoper)
After crossing the Palace Garden you will arrive at the area of the Vienna State Opera (Wiener Staatsoper). This is a wonderful and impressive building where world-renowned performances are held. On weekends there are guided tours in English and of course you can also book tickets for an opera performance (it is important to book well in advance). More information about the Opera House.
Lunch for Day 2
You can choose between Cafe Museum and Phil. Cafe Museum is a Viennese coffee house where you can order a nutritious lunch and of course coffee and cake. At Phil there is a relaxed atmosphere. It is a cafe that also combines a nice bookstore.
Afternoon (Day 2) – St. Charles Church and Belvedere Palace
St. Charles Church (Karlskirche)
This church is one of Vienna’s most impressive and important churches. This is a Baroque-style church built as early as the 18th century. Entrance to the church is subject to a fee and the ticket also includes an elevator ride to the top of the church. Inside the church you can enjoy the unique ceiling design and other unique decorative elements.
Throughout most of the year, there are also concerts of Vivaldi’s works held within the church itself. You can find more information about the church here and also more information about recommended concerts including the option to purchase tickets for the Vivaldi concert in Karlskirche.
Heroes’ Monument of the Red Army (Schwarzenbergplatz)
This impressive monument was built in memory of the Soviet soldiers who fell in battle during World War II. This is a beautiful and respectable place on the way to Belvedere Palace.
Belvedere Palace (Schloss Belvedere)
The palace complex and its gardens are beautiful all year round. In this palace (in its upper section) there are exhibitions of artworks by famous artists such as Gustav Klimt (who painted the world-famous painting “The Kiss”).
- Read more information about the palace complex and its museums.
- Online admission tickets for the Klimt painting exhibition (“The Kiss”) at Belvedere Palace.
- Entrance tickets for the Belvedere 21 Museum of Modern Art.
Dinner Stop for Day 2
For an Austrian dinner, it is worth going to the Wiener Wiazhaus restaurant or the famous pub Salm Bräu, which is also a brewery.
Nightlife
If you want to experience Vienna’s beer world more deeply or perhaps experience the local pub scene, you can go to several important establishments scattered throughout the city. You can read more about the list of the best pubs and breweries in Vienna.
More ideas for Day 2 of your trip to Vienna:
Spanish Riding School (Spanische Hofreitschule)
The Spanish Riding School (Spanische Hofreitschule) is located in Hofburg Palace and is the oldest of its kind in the world. This is a world-renowned institution that presents horse shows that are pretty much impossible to see anywhere else in the world. This is the only place in the world where the art of classical horsemanship (haute école) has been perfectly preserved and is still in use today. The 81 white Lipizzaner horses are exceptionally trained, displaying impeccable precision in their movements to the sound of music and in perfect coordination with their riders. The origin of these horses is in the Spanish region of Andalusia and therefore the riding institution is called the Spanish Riding School. You can watch the morning exercise of the horses or a full performance. It is important to book tickets for performances in advance.
- More information about the Spanish Riding School.
- Online admission tickets for morning exercise at the Spanish Riding School.
- Online tickets for riding performances.
The Albertina
In the Albertina, at the heart of Vienna there is a wonderful combination of history and art. This is a magnificent gallery/museum located in a residential palace that belonged to the Habsburgs. The museum rooms are ancient and beautifully decorated, and its large and important art collection make the Albertina a unique historical and artistic experience. The Albertina is a world-renowned museum – a must visit place for art lovers.
- Read more information about the Albertina.
- Here you can purchase an online ticket for fast entry to the Albertina Gallery.
Austrian National Library (Österreichische Nationalbibliothek)
The Austrian National Library (Österreichische Nationalbibliothek) was formerly the library of the Habsburg family. The central library building is located in the new castle wing of Hofburg Palace, in Joseph’s Square (Josefsplatz), right in the heart of the old city. The Library Hall (Prunksaal), built in the Baroque style in the mid-18th century, is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in the world and the largest of its kind in Europe.
Read more information about the National Library in Vienna.
City of Vienna Museum (Wien Museum)
The Vienna Museum of History reopened after years of renovations, and admission is currently free. The museum is located a few meters from St. Charles’s Church (Karlskirche). The place has several floors with exhibits from Vienna’s history – from ancient times to the present day. In addition, there are art displays and temporary exhibitions (for a fee). On the 3rd floor of the museum there is a small cafe with a large terrace where you can sit and overlook Karlsplatz and the charming buildings in this area. Definitely recommended!
Read more information about the Vienna Museum.
The Imperial Burial Chamber of the Habsburg Family (Imperial Crypt)
This important burial chamber is located beneath the seemingly unassuming Capuchin Church. This is the resting place of the glorious Habsburg family, who ruled the empire for centuries. About 150 members of the Habsburg dynasty are buried here, including 12 emperors and 18 empresses.
Day 3 – Schönbrunn Palace and the Danube Tower
The 3rd day of your trip will be outside of the city center. To reach the areas included in the plan for this day, you will need to travel by Vienna’s excellent public transport. The green subway line (U4) will take you directly to Schönbrunn Palace station. The name of the station is the same as the palace – Schönbrunn.
Breakfast
You can start the day with a light breakfast right next to the Schönbrunn Palace complex. The recommended place is Waldemar-Tagesbar.
Schönbrunn Palace (Schloss Schönbrunn)
The palace complex is very large and includes many attractions. It is worth dedicating at least a few hours to visiting this place.
The magnificent palace is actually the most popular attraction in Vienna with over a million visitors a year. The palace was the summer residence of the Habsburg family. The palace has over 1400 rooms, but only 40 of them can be visited. You can take a guided tour inside the palace and see the magnificent rooms.
The palace gardens are incredibly impressive and are kept impeccably manicured throughout the year. The garden area is quite large, so walking through them will take some time. At the far end of the gardens, on top of the hill, stands the beautiful Gloriette structure, offering a wonderful view of the entire city. It is worth going up and enjoying the view.
Additional attractions in the complex include the palm house, the maze, the zoo, etc.
- You can read a very comprehensive overview of the attractions in the Schönbrunn Palace complex here.
- Online tickets for fast, skip-the-line entry (including a guided tour of the palace).
Another fun activity is the famous Strudel Show at the Royal Bakery in the palace complex. In the show you will see how traditional Viennese strudel is prepared and taste high-quality strudel with Viennese coffee (author’s note: this strudel is one of the tastiest in Vienna!).
More information and tickets for the Strudel Show at Schönbrunn Palace.
Lunch Stop for Day 3
In the palace complex there is a place where you can eat – Gerstner or Café Pavillon.
Another place not far away is Plachutta Hietzing. The dishes in these places are traditional Austrian style.
Afternoon Day 3 – Vienna Zoo or Danube Tower
After enjoying a delicious lunch, you can choose between two excellent options. You can stay within the Schönbrunn Palace area or continue across the Danube River and visit the famous Danube Tower. On the way from Schönbrunn Palace to the Danube Tower or the city center, you can stop for a short walk through the famous Naschmarkt.
Vienna Zoo (Tiergarten Schönbrunn)
The zoo of the city is right next to the palace and it is the oldest zoo in the world. It is a large zoo with a lot to see. You can easily spend several hours at the zoo alone. Entrance to the zoo requires a separate ticket if you have not purchased a combined ticket for all the attractions in the palace complex. Click here to purchase online admission tickets for the zoo.
Dinner option in case you decide to stay at the zoo:
You can go to the traditional Austrian pub called Brandauers Schlossbräu.
Naschmarkt
Naschmarkt is the largest and most touristy market in Vienna. Over one kilometer there are about 158 restaurants and stalls selling fruits, vegetables, food, drinks and clothes. It is a nice place for a short visit with a few tastings at the various stalls. It is important to remember that this is an Austrian market, so it is definitely modest and not too spectacular. On Saturdays, a charming flea market takes place next to the regular market where you can find antiques and bargains. Read more information about the market.
Danube Tower
This attraction is on the other side of the danube river and therefore you will have to travel by public transport and walk towards the tower. Reaching the tower from Schönbrunn Palace takes time (at least 45 minutes), but this is a super cool attraction on a day with good visibility.
To reach the tower, you first need to take the green line (U4) to Sweden Square (Schwedenplatz) station and from there, change to the red line (U1) and travel to Kaisermühlen station. After getting off at this station, you will have to walk about 1.5 kilometers until you reach the Danube Tower. The tower is surrounded by a wonderful park and rises to a height of 252 meters. From the top of the tower you can enjoy amazing views of the city and its surroundings. Ascent to the tower is for a fee. More information about the Danube Tower.
You can purchase ascent tickets for the tower in advance and save time waiting in line. Click to purchase online tickets for ascending the Danube Tower.
Dinner Option – You can return to the city center and try Gasthaus Pfudl or Restaurant Pürstner. If you are very hungry and want large portions, you should go to the excellent and not too pricey Centimeter restaurant.
Classical Concert – Mozart Orchestra
You can end your third day in Vienna with a classical music concert. The famous concert in Vienna is the Mozart Choir concert, which is performed while the musicians are dressed in period costumes from past centuries. The concert held in the Golden Hall of the Musikverein building is the most popular and considered the best concert hall in the world! It is advisable to book tickets well in advance. More information and an explanation on discounted ticket purchases for the Mozart concert in the Golden Hall. Check out more information about other recommended concerts in Vienna.
Additional ideas for Day 3 of your trip to Vienna:
Hundertwasser House
The famous architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser is a household name in the world of modern architecture. The buildings he designed in Vienna, and his artworks attract masses of curious travelers from all over the world. The famous residential building he designed is named after him – Hundertwasser House (Hundertwasserhaus) and is located in Vienna’s third district. Opposite it is the visitor center called Hundertwasser Village. The place is impressive and exceptionally designed. Definitely worth a visit and a photo.
- Read more about Hundertwasser attractions in Vienna.
- Online admission tickets for the Hundertwasser Museum
Museum of Illusions
This interactive museum is suitable for both children and adults and includes a variety of interactive and educational activities. You can walk through the museum’s exhibits and be amazed repeatedly by the various optical illusions and tricks. This is a wonderful place to take funny and strange photos that will serve as great souvenirs from your trip to Vienna – don’t forget to bring a camera! This museum is fun and educational and you can learn about vision, perception, and the human brain.
Museum of Technology (Technisches Museum)
A very impressive and large museum that offers an exceptional glimpse into the world of technology – past, present, and future. This museum is a wonderful place to experience and learn about the world of technology. Technology enthusiasts can easily spend several hours at the museum, and it’s also great for children (it has many interactive exhibits). The museum is not far from the Schönbrunn Palace complex.
- Read more information about the museum.
- Online admission tickets (skip-the-line) for the Museum of Technology.
Ideas for Additional Days in Vienna – For Those Planning to Stay 4 Days or More
We highly recommend staying beyond 3 days in Vienna. Not only will you be able to soak up even more of the city’s tranquility and relaxed vibe, but you’ll also be able to reach areas outside the center or even the excellent nature outside the city. If you have followed our itinerary, in the first three days you have seen most of the old city and central Vienna.
Now you can enrich your trip with several attractions located in more remote parts of the city, spend a few hours (or days) shopping, or just chill along the river. Of course, if you haven’t managed to see some of the attractions mentioned in the itinerary above, it’s worth including them in the following days of your stay in Vienna. In this section, we have compiled some recommendations for days 4, 5 and beyond.
Choose what suits you best from the following recommendations:
The Vienna Spa (Therme Wien)
After all that walking around the city, you can stop for a bit and relax. The viennese spa offers a perfect relaxation experience for the whole family. It is a large complex with indoor and outdoor pools, a sauna world, a gym, a beauty treatment and massage area, children’s pools, slides, and more.
Kahlenberg Mountain
On the outskirts of Vienna, in the charming rural area of the city, lies the famous “mountain” that overlooks all of Vienna. The mountain is more like a nice hill, but don’t worry, the view from it is absolutely lovely. On days with good visibility, you can even spot the high mountains south of Vienna – the Vienna Alps area.
Getting to the mountain is easy, and there is public transport directly to the observation point. Near the observation point, there are nice cafes, perfect for a coffee and cake stop.
Around the mountain, there are vineyards and a variety of attractions for the whole family. Read more about Kahlenberg Mountain and its attractions.
Shopping
Around Vienna and on the outskirts of the city there are several excellent shopping areas. You can go to the luxury shops in the heart of the Old City, walk along the long shopping street – Mariahilfer or travel to the shopping city south of Vienna. For those who want to take advantage of shopping at Primark, there are two branches north and south of the city. Also, you can travel to the large outlet outside Vienna – it’s a whole village of brand stores at discounted prices called Parndorf.
Walking Trails around Vienna
Vienna is a very green city with lots of wonderful nature surrounding it. Throughout the city there are marked walking trails suitable for all ages. The trails take between 2 to 4 hours, and along them, there are places to stop for a picnic and enjoy the city’s wonderful nature. Read about all popular walking trails in Vienna.
Vienna’s Alpine Coaster
On the edge of the city, on a small and steep slope, there is an alpine coaster track suitable for both children and adults. For those who have never experienced an alpine coaster, this is an excellent opportunity to enjoy the experience without traveling long distances to the heart of the Austrian Alps. More information about the alpine coaster in Vienna.
Danube River Cruise
Within Vienna, the Danube Canal flows, connecting at its end to the large Danube River. There are several options for an enjoyable Danube cruise, including explanations about the city, food, and Viennese music. You can take the cruise during the day or join an evening cruise with dinner. For more information and booking options for a Danube cruise.
Botanical Gardens of Vienna
The charming botanical gardens located near Belvedere Palace, belong to the central University of Vienna. Entrance to the gardens is free. In the garden complex there are over 12,000 types of plants from 6 different continents. Visiting the garden is free for everyone and you can even enter the tropical plant greenhouse. More information for visiting the Botanical Gardens of Vienna.
To view the map of places on the itinerary.
How to Save Money on a Short Trip to Vienna – Vienna Pass
The Vienna discount card is the best way to save money and enter all the main attractions without dealing with purchasing tickets in advance or at the counter. The Vienna discount card is suitable for an active trip as outlined above.
The card provides free entry to over 60 attractions throughout the city. In addition, for popular attractions, the card can be used to bypass long queues (especially useful during busy summer months). In three days in Vienna with entry to the main attractions, you can save approximately 67 Euros.
- You can read more information about the Vienna discount card here.
- Purchase the Vienna discount card online
The Best Time to Visit Vienna
There is no doubt that Vienna is impressive in all seasons!
- In November and December, there are many Christmas markets throughout the city, and the city streets are beautifully decorated. This is a lovely time to visit, although it is cold.
- In the winter months, after the New Year (January to March), the weather is usually cold and dry. The city is not crowded during this period and accommodation prices are low and queues for attractions are short.
- In spring the weather tends to be warm, but rainier. There are various spring festivals and activities especially in the City Hall square.
- The summer months are warm to very warm. The season begins in June until the end of August. The city becomes more crowded, accommodation prices go up and queues for attractions become long (it is worth considering the Vienna card which also grants skip-the-line entry to main attractions).
- The autumn months are an attraction for visiting the city especially due to the beer festival that takes place in Prater Park in the Oktoberfest style. It’s definitely a nice atmosphere and a good opportunity to drink a lot of beer.
Recommended Day Trips from Vienna
If you want to get out of Vienna a bit, it’s worth joining an organized tour that will save you the trouble of renting a car and planning an itinerary outside Vienna. The organized tours include wonderful landscapes, historical sites, and interesting stories. The recommended tours are listed below. Click on the tour name to read more information.
- Day Trip to Hallstatt and the Lake District
- Scenic Tour to the Vienna Alps
- Wachau Valley Tour with Wine Tasting Option
- Day Trip to Bratislava
Recommended Hotels and Apartments in Vienna. Click for the full list.
