3 Days in Vienna Itinerary

Schonbrunn Palace

Begin at Vienna's most visited attraction, the stunning baroque summer palace of the Habsburgs. Book the Grand Tour to see all 40 rooms, including the Great Gallery where Mozart once performed. The palace gardens are free and equally impressive, featuring the Gloriette viewpoint and a hedge maze.

Lunch at Naschmarkt

Take the U4 metro to Vienna's most famous market. This vibrant food market stretches for over a kilometre with stalls selling everything from fresh produce to prepared foods. Grab lunch from one of the many stands or sit-down restaurants.

Traditional Coffee House Experience

No Vienna trip is complete without experiencing a traditional coffee house. Head to Cafe Central, where Trotsky once played chess, or Cafe Sperl for a more local atmosphere. Order a Melange (Vienna's answer to cappuccino) and a slice of Sachertorte.

Stephansplatz and St Stephen's Cathedral

Walk to Vienna's Gothic masterpiece. The cathedral's distinctive tiled roof is iconic. You can climb the south tower for panoramic views or visit the catacombs below. The surrounding square is perfect for people-watching.

Dinner in the Old Town

Vienna's first district offers excellent dining options. Try Figlmuller for Vienna's most famous Wiener Schnitzel (it hangs over the plate), or Zum Schwarzen Kameel for refined Austrian cuisine in an art nouveau setting.

Belvedere Palace

This baroque palace complex houses Austria's most important art collection. The Upper Belvedere is home to Klimt's 'The Kiss' - possibly Vienna's most famous artwork. The palace gardens offer stunning views of the city skyline.

Hofburg Palace Complex

The Habsburgs' winter residence is a city within a city. The Sisi Museum tells the tragic story of Empress Elisabeth, the Imperial Apartments show how royalty lived, and the Silver Collection displays incredible table settings.

Spanish Riding School or Albertina

If performances are scheduled, watch the famous Lipizzan horses at the Spanish Riding School (book ahead). Otherwise, visit the Albertina museum, home to works by Monet, Picasso, and one of the world's finest collections of graphic art.

Stroll Along the Ringstrasse

Walk along Vienna's grand boulevard, passing the Opera House, Parliament, City Hall, and Burgtheater. The buildings are spectacular, especially as the late afternoon light catches their facades.

Evening Concert

Vienna offers classical concerts every night. For an accessible introduction, try the Musikverein or Konzerthaus. Mozart concerts in period costume are popular (if touristy), or check the State Opera for standing room tickets (from £4).

Kunsthistorisches Museum

One of the world's great art museums, housing the Habsburgs' extraordinary collection. Highlights include works by Bruegel, Vermeer, and Raphael, plus an outstanding Egyptian collection. The building itself is a masterpiece.

MuseumsQuartier

One of the world's largest cultural complexes. Even if you don't enter the museums, the courtyard is perfect for relaxing on the famous Enzis (coloured loungers). MUMOK offers modern art, while the Leopold has more Klimt and Schiele.

Freud Museum and Ninth District

For something different, visit Freud's apartment and consulting room where psychoanalysis was born. The surrounding ninth district (Alsergrund) is residential and authentic, full of local cafes and shops.

Prater and Giant Ferris Wheel

End your Vienna trip at the famous Prater park. The Riesenrad (Giant Ferris Wheel), built in 1897, offers stunning views over the city. The surrounding funfair adds old-school charm.

Farewell Dinner: Heurige Experience

If time allows, take a tram to the edge of Vienna for a Heurige experience - traditional wine taverns in the vineyard villages. Grinzing is the most famous, though Nussdorf and Stammersdorf are more authentic. Drink new wine and eat from buffets.