Visiting Vienna, Austria soon? In this Vienna 3-day travel itinerary I’m sharing everything you should do so you can have the best trip! Vienna is the capital of Austria and is a wonderful city to visit. Around every corner, you’ll find beautiful architecture that will make you feel like you’re walking around in a fairytale. There is also plenty to do and things to see around the city.
Vienna was one of my favorite cities I’ve been to! It simply felt magical, the city was incredibly clean, the locals were friendly, and the buildings were magnificent inside and outside. So, let’s dive in!
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About Vienna
Back in the day, during the Habsburg Dynasty Vienna stood as a center for power. The Habsburg Dynasty ruled for six centuries from 1278 until 1918. You can even go visit the Hofburg Palace where the family once lived! Due to it previously being the capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the city became a hot spot for politics, culture, and the arts.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, Vienna became a center of classical music, so much so that it attracted the musical geniuses Mozart and Beethoven to move to the city. You can even go to a show and listen to Mozart and Beethoven when visiting Vienna today!
In Vienna the official language is German, however, like most touristy cities a majority of the locals speak English and you can get by without having to know German. Also, the currency used in Vienna like the majority of Europe is the Euro. However, the majority of shops and restaurants will take cards.
Where To Stay
Vienna Hilton Plaza
When we visited Vienna we stayed at the Hilton Plaza and it was really nice. I was quite impressed with this hotel and I felt like it captured the elegance and detailed decor that you see around the city of Vienna within the hotel. This hotel is located in a very safe and quiet area that isn’t very far from a lot of attractions. It’s also near the train station and trams which is convenient if you plan to take public transportation. Overall I recommend this hotel!
Vienna Hilton Park
My sister stayed at the Hilton Park when we visited Vienna and she really liked this hotel as well. She said it was quite nice inside and her room was lovely. It’s not too far from a lot of the attractions around the city and you can easily walk to them.
Day 1
Explore the Votivkirche
The Votiv Church is one of the many iconic buildings you’ll see in Vienna. This church has incredible detail inside and outside and is quite grand.
The Votivkirche was built by Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian following an assassination attempt on his brother Emperor Franz Joseph in the 1850s. The cathedral is free to go in and is very ornate inside and outside which is a common theme you will see with the architecture in Vienna.
Get Lunch at Gerstner K. u. K. Hofzuckerbäcker
This is the perfect spot to grab lunch and immerse yourself in the grandeur of Vienna. Make sure you make a reservation for this restaurant on the top floor.
Gestner was founded as a confectionary in 1847. The bottom floor of this cafe is a bakery and the upper floors are restaurant seating. When we went we made a reservation for the top floor (floor 2) and the decor was jaw-dropping. You’ll be sat in a very beautiful and decedent room to enjoy your lunch in. We treated ourselves to a drink and a slice of cake that was baked in-house which was absolutely delicious!
Walk Through Stadtpark
Stadtpark is a popular public park in Vienna where you will find a beautiful lawn and benches to sit and enjoy the weather. As well as statues of famous artists and musicians from Vienna.
Within the park, you can also see the Kursalon which is a building that is used for balls, concerts, and other events.
This is a lovely spot to have a peaceful walk or to sit and hang out with a drink or a snack when you need a break from the city.
Drinks at Bar Campari
Bar Campari is a cute cocktail bar located near the city center. They specialize in, you guessed it, Campari-based drinks. The cocktails are surprisingly reasonable given the upscale look of the restaurant and location. There are a number of different types of drinks to choose from and all were delicious that we tried.
Check Out the Opera
The Vienna State Opera is one of the many iconic spots you should visit when you’re in Vienna. The outside itself is very grand and beautiful, and you can even pop into the lobby for a quick glance around the inside.
If you wish to see more of the inside of the Opera you’ll need to buy tickets to a performance or book a guided tour. I would recommend booking in advance, especially if you are traveling during the peak season.
Dinner at Cucina Sebastiano
To finish your first day in Vienna, you’ll go to Cucina Sebastiano for dinner. This Mediterranean restaurant is top-rated and has really delicious food. Whether you’re looking for fresh seafood, pasta, or something similar, this Italian restaurant is the perfect spot to have dinner.
Day 2
Visit the Kunsthistorisches Museum
Vienna has multiple museums that are all really lovely. However, the Kunsthistorisches was a highlight of our trip. This art museum is not only absolutely gorgeous inside but it has some really lovely art and other interesting exhibits. When we went we also toured an ancient coin exhibit and an Egyptian exhibit. If you prefer natural history there is a natural history museum directly across from the Kunsthistorisches.
Get Lunch in the Kunsthistorisches Cafe
Grabbing lunch in the Kunsthistorisches Cafe is another awesome spot to have a meal. They serve brunch-type food, lunch, and pastries. If you are just wanting a coffee this is also a lovely spot to visit.
Make sure you book a reservation for the cafe ahead of time as it tends to be a popular spot. You also need to have tickets to the museum to be able to go to the cafe.
When we went I had a cake and coffee for lunch and could have easily spent hours just admiring the detail of the decor within the cafe. It was very grand and very lovely, I highly recommend it!
Walk Through the Schottenkirche
One thing Vienna does not have a shortage of is beautiful cathedrals. The Schottenkirche was founded in the 12th century by Irish Monks and today you can enter for free during open hours. You’ll be able to step inside and take in all of the elaborate details and paintings that adorn the walls and ceilings. When we went the organ player was practicing and it was really lovely to hear the beautiful music that filled the church while looking at the gorgeous decor.
Explore the City Center
The city center is called the Innere Stadt and it is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Walking through here you’ll be able to see a lot of gorgeous architecture and landmarks, as well as be able to check out the shops.
Dinner at Joyce Cafe Restaurant
Joyce Cafe Restaurant is an Austrian fusion restaurant that has a lovely ambiance and cozy feel. The food is delicious and tastes very fresh!
Go to a Quartet String Performance at St. Peters
Vienna takes pride in being the home for Beethoven and Mozart at one point in time. So what better way to immerse yourself in the culture than to enjoy a string quartet performance in one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the city.
My family went to this specific performance at St. Peters and can speak from firsthand experience that this was a highlight of the trip. You not only get to enjoy incredibly talented musicians and be fully immersed in the classical music they’re playing, but you also get to enjoy one of the most beautiful venues. I highly recommend doing this experience when you’re in Vienna!
Day 3
Check Out the Rathaus (Town Hall)
The Rathaus is Vienna’s town hall. It was built in the 1870s and serves as a government building where around 2,000 people work today. It also frequently hosts concerts, press conferences, and balls and is one of the many landmarks you need to visit when in Vienna.
You can tour the inside for free by signing up for a guided tour. Tickets for these tours are limited and released at 8 AM on the days the tours are available. If you don’t get in for a guided tour it is still worth checking out the outside of the building as it’s built with the style of architecture Vienna is known for. It’s incredibly ornate and very beautiful to see.
Go to Café Eiles for Lunch
Café Eiles is not too far from the Rathaus and is the perfect spot for lunch. Their lunch menu has a lot of choices that are all delicious and made fresh. Additionally, they have different types of juices and juice fusion drinks.
I had the club sandwich and a mint and ginger juice and it was really delicious. It’s one of the oldest cafés in Vienna and has been operating since 1901. The café is modern but also has a traditional charm to it.
Walk Through the Volksgarten
After lunch, you’ll walk through the Volksgarten. If the weather is nice this public park is the perfect spot for an after-lunch stroll. Or if you want to spend some time relaxing on a bench with a beautiful view this is the perfect spot.
It’s located near the Hofburg Palace and was first created in the early 1820s as a private garden for the Archduke who lived at the Hofburg Palace. Nowadays it’s open to the public for free and is the perfect escape within the city.
Hofburg Palace
When you’re done relaxing in the Volksgarten you’ll head over to the Hofburg Palace which is located right next to the park.
It once was the home of the Habsburg royal family and was first built in the 13th century. Today, the president of Austira lives and works within the palace.
You can walk around the grounds of the palace and admire the extravagant details of the building for free or if you want to go inside you can also pay to take a guided tour or pay to enter the museums within the building.
Go to Lugeck for Dinner
Lugeck is the perfect spot to have your final dinner in Vienna. This restaurant is located in a beautiful building and serves traditional Viennese food. I recommend booking a reservation ahead of time for here as well.
When we went I got the goulash which came with speatzel and it was really delicious. I highly recommend this restaurant and really enjoyed the food!
Wrapping Up
Vienna is a city that makes you feel like you’re walking through a fairytale. Whether you’re exploring the city, eating cake in a gorgeous cafe, or walking through a beautiful park, Vienna has something for everyone. Visiting Vienna is a must-visit destination and one I was very impressed with. I hope you use this 3-day itinerary to help plan the perfect trip when you’re in Vienna! Happy travels!
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