Any traveler who enjoys visiting Europe should definitely put Vienna on their list. It is truly a beautiful and historic city which offers plenty to see and do. And spending 3 days in Vienna will give you a plenty of time to see the most important sites and get a feel for this wonderful city.
Vienna, the capital of Austria, is also its largest and most populous city. It is also the largest city on the Danube River. Vienna is often ranked as the most livable city in the world by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).
The lands around Vienna have been settled since 500 B.C., but the city really became a powerful center after the Habsburg dynasty took residence in 1440. Following, Vienna emerged as the capital of the Holy Roman Empire and a very important center for science, music and arts. Later, as the capital of the Austrian Empire the city played a major role in world politics. Vienna’s history is evident just about everywhere in this beautiful city. The center of Vienna is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Read more about the history of Vienna here.
Where to stay in Vienna
Vienna, as with any major European city, has plenty of accommodations to choose from. If you have never visited, we suggest staying near the historic center as this will enable you to walk and see a number of sites of interest and enjoy lively bars and restaurants.
Some suggestions from us:
- Park Hyatt Vienna – located in the Goldenes Quartier at the Am Hof square, this beautiful hotel occupies the former headquarters of the Austrian Hungarian Monarchy Bank. The building is over 100 years old, and the accommodations blend history and comforts just perfectly. Additionally, the hotel is near the celebrated fashion houses and boutiques of Kohlmarkt, as well as many other European fashion stores.
- Rosewood Vienna – another centrally located hotel in a beautifully restored 19th century building and within steps from the historic sites, shopping and dining.
- Andaz Vienna Am Belvedere – within walking distance of the Belvedere Palace, the Andaz hotel is a must if you love art as it seemingly blends contemporary local art and design. Viennese culture and life have been used as the inspiration for the design of this beautiful hotel.
- Boutique Hotel am Stephansplatz – a unique property located right across the iconic St. Stephen’s Cathedral. This hotel has been owned and managed by a family from Vorarlberg since 1956. In addition to its central location, the attention to detail for everything in this hotel is fantastic.
Day 1 in Veinna
Visit the Hofburg Imperial Palace
As always, we recommend using history as a guide to visit Vienna. With that in mind, start your first day at the Hofburg Imperial Palace. For more than seven centuries, the Habsburg empire was ruled out of this palace.
You will be able to see the royal apartments, Sisi museum, chapel of the imperial palace and so much more.
Be sure to take time and visit the Austrian National Library, which is just breathtaking and considered one of the most beautiful libraries in the world! It is also the largest Baroque library in Europe. A must see!
Stop by St. Peter’s Catholic Church
Built in the early 18th century, the St. Peter’s Catholic Church is one of the most beautiful examples of Baroque architecture in the city of Vienna. This working church is free to visit; however, be sure to check the event schedule prior to visiting so you can enjoy your time exploring this landmark.
Explore St. Stephen’s Cathedral
Just down the street from the St. Peters Catholic Church is the St. Stephen’s Cathedral. It dates back to the 12th century and has a rich history. Many different tour options are available based on your preference. Additionally, the cathedral has amazing acoustics; be sure to check the concerts page to see if you can see one of the many performances conducted at St. Stephen’s.
You will need tickets to visit that you can purchase onsite. Be aware that for now, you can only pay for the tickets in cash. Find more information about how to plan your visit here and here. You will also have to buy tickets for the performances; however, it is well worth it to hear music inside this historic venue.
Day 2 in Vienna
Touch the Nail Tree for good luck
Start your day by visiting Stock im Eisen, or the Nail Tree, on the corner of Palais Equitable (695C+5M Vienna, Austria). This unusual site dates back to the Middle Ages. It houses the middle section of a tree into which many, many nails have been hammered over the centuries for good luck. The tree is behind glass, but you can still touch the outside and take a picture; then, see how lucky you are 😀. You can read more about the tree here.
Visit the Belvedere Palace
Located in the third district of Vienna, the Belvedere Palace complex is a beautiful example of Baroque architecture. It consists of the Upper and Lower Palaces, stables and orangery. The history, architecture and gardens are enough of a draw to see Belvedere; however, for art lovers, it houses some of the best examples of Viennese Modernism by Gustav Klimt, Helene Funke, Egon Schiele, and Oskar Kokoschka.
You can purchase tickets for a timed entry online here.
Take time to just walk and enjoy Vienna
Vienna is a very accessible city and much of it can be appreciated by taking long walks and enjoying the beauty all around. Here are some areas of interest that you can choose from:
- Take a walk to the river Danube to see one of the major water arteries of Europe as it travels straight through the heart of the city.
- Admire the beauty and architecture of the Burgtheater (Austrian National Theater). If you enter the building, you will discover works by Klimt and Frantz Matsch who were commissioned to adorn the ceilings of two of the main staircases.
- Visit Rathausplatz square right in front of Vienna’s City Hall (Rathaus). There is always something happening in the square, so be sure to walk by. If you are in Vienna during December, a must see is the Christmas market set up right in front of City Hall and known as Christkindlmarkt 🎄.
- Stop and admire the architecture and beauty of the University of Vienna.
- Make a stop by the Burggarten – an example of an art nouveau conservatory which houses a beautiful butterfly garden and is surrounded by impressive gardens.
- Take a guided tour of the Austrian Parliament Building. See the chambers of this magnificent neoclassical building.
Day 3 in Vienna
Visit Schönbrunn Palace
Schönbrunn Palace is a must-see on your visit to Vienna. The summer residence of the Habsburg rulers, this 18th century palace is home to lavishly decorated rococo style rooms, beautiful gardens, fountains, mazes and so much more. You can easily spend a full day visiting this palace. It houses nearly 300 years of history and is very impressive, in addition to being very well preserved and maintained.
Different types of ticket packages are available and can be purchased online here. We highly recommend getting your tickets ahead of time to avoid having to wait in line onsite, as this is a very popular tourist attraction.
Spend time enjoying Naschmarkt
The Vienna Naschmarkt is another one of those must-see places in the city. It is the city’s biggest market, and it has its origins in the 16th century. The market is open Monday through Saturday and houses over 100 stalls. You will find a lot of food items but also, many, many bakeries, delis and restaurants with food from around the world as well as clothes and souvenirs. It is best to visit on an empty stomach as you will want to sample and eat a lot of what is on offer. 😋 Highly recommend!
What to eat and drink in Vienna
Vienna is full of fantastic food and drink options, so much so that it is hard to choose and recommend just a few. In general, try to sample different places, enjoy as many of the Viennese pastry shops as you can, stop by and have a drink in different bars and most importantly just join the locals in enjoying the atmosphere of this great city.
A few of our favorite places include:
- Café Landtmann (Universitätsring 4, 1010 Wien, Austria) – a landmark coffee house built in 1873 which has served Sigmund Freud and other distinguished guests over the years. Try any of the specialty coffees, drinks and some outstanding pastries.
- Café Am Hof (Am Hof 2, 1010 Wien, Austria) – for classic Viennese pastries and coffees
- Zum Schwarzen Kameel (Bognergasse 5, 1010 Wien, Austria) – for late night food and drinks. Excellent open-face sandwiches and crepes.
- Esterházykeller (Haarhof 1, 1010 Wien, Austria) – an ancient tavern set under a palace. Great traditional Viennese food in a casual setting; excellent schnitzels and local beer.
- OBERLAA Konditorei GmbH & Co KG (Mariahilfer Str. 1c, 1060 Wien, Austria) – great cakes, pastries and coffee.
- Demel (Kohlmarkt 14, 1010 Wien, Austria) – an excellent cafe and bakery in a historic building; excellent terrace.
- La Cure Gourmande Vienna (Führichgasse 6, 1010 Wien, Austria) – chocolates, biscuits, and old-style confectionery.
- Joseph Brot (Führichgasse 6, 1010 Wien, Austria) – excellent bakery!
For a special occasion…
There are plenty of options in Vienna for an excellent gourmet experience. However, a little bit of planning is required to guarantee a reservation on the day/night of your choice. The following two are our favorites:
- Silvio Nickol Gourmet Restaurant (Coburgbastei 4, 1010 Wien, Austria) – a great restaurant in a beautiful setting; very creative food by chef Silvio Nickol and team. If you are there towards the close you might even be invited to see the kitchen following your meal!
- Steirereck (Am Heumarkt 2A, 1030 Wien, Austria) – one of the most refined restaurants in Austria; a must visit for anyone who enjoys a modern and creative take on local food. Of note is that Steirereck is not open on the weekends and so you must plan accordingly.
Other things to do in Vienna
- The Vienna State Opera – even if you are not an opera appreciator, a visit to the Vienna State Opera is highly recommended. The building and its history and architecture are simply remarkable, but even more so are the performances. We have traveled and enjoyed almost all major opera houses in the world, and visiting the Vienna State opera has been by far the highlight of our opera experiences! The quality of the performances and the acoustics of the venue are unmatched. Truly unforgettable! You can check the opera schedule and purchase tickets here.
- Do some shopping – one thing you will immediately notice upon visiting Vienna is how stylish local people are. Look to achieve similar style by visiting the following:
- A great area to shop or simply window watch is Kohlmarkt in downtown Vienna. Be sure to check out the Viennese jewelers Wagner and Schullin for a super local take on jewelry.
- For high end shopping check out the Goldenes Quartier, set between the streets of Seitzergasse, Tuchlauben and Bognergasse.
- A truly beautiful area to visit and shop is Graben at the junction of Tuchlauben and Kohlmarkt – great clothing stores and beautiful architecture.
What we loved about Vienna
- A beautiful cosmopolitan city that feels super accessible
- A center of European history which offers so much to explore
- Hospitable and very stylish locals
- Great food and plenty of interesting options to choose from
- A beautiful city during any time of the year; a city which makes you want to return again and again
- Excellent transportation options and so easy to navigate
- Many beautiful parks to visit and enjoy
What to bring
- Comfortable shoes as you will do a lot of walking
- Stylish clothes – long coat, scarves, gloves and anything that makes you feel well put together
- An umbrella as the weather can be quite varied. We like this one for travel – but Amazon has many reasonably priced options.
- Your most favorite sunglasses. Right now, we love this and this pair of sunglasses.
In closing, Vienna is by far one of our most favorite cities to visit and we plan to come back many more times and continue to explore its beauty.
[All pictures taken by the Styled Traveler]
Check out our list of travel essentials on what to take and how to maximize your packing.
Additional resources and inspirations
Here are some links to additional resources you might find useful and inspirational for your trip to Vienna:
- National Geographic Travel Guide to Vienna
- Travel and Leisure Travel Guide to Vienna
- What to Eat in Vienna by the Wandering Wheatleys
- Movies Set In Vienna That Will Inspire You To Visit by Inspired by Maps
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