Welcome to my latest blog post, in which I’ll share a thorough 3-day itinerary for exploring Vienna, the capital of Austria and one of Europe’s most charming cities. With its famous attractions, top-notch museums and rich cultural heritage, Vienna has something to offer to everyone.
This itinerary will allow you to quickly plan your next trip to Vienna even if it is only for 3 days. From admiring the magnificent baroque architecture to sipping coffee in classic Viennese cafes, you will love this city as much as I do. This itinerary is perfect for anyone interested in exploring to the maximum this huge city and everything it has to offer in just three days.. So relax, grab a coffee, and get ready to begin making plans for your unforgettable trip to Vienna!
IN THIS BLOG POST YOU WILL FIND:
Day 1: Prater Park
When i finally made it to Vienna after a smooth flight I was eager to start exploring. Because I arrived in the afternoon I decided that my first stop will be exploring the Prater Park, the largest park in the city and a must-see for visitors to Vienna.
I was surrounded by luxuriant green trees and meticulously tended gardens as I walked through the park. The famous Giant Ferris Wheel, which offers breathtaking city views from its top, is without a doubt the highlight of Prater Park. I couldn’t pass up the chance to ride it, and the panoramic views of Vienna had me spellbound.
If you like more adrenaline rides this park has it all for you. I tried the Free Fall Tower that is nearly 80m high and it was an experience of a life time. The view from the top were incredible and I couldn’t resist but to ride it twice.In addition to these rides, Prater Park provided a range of a lot of different rides and attractions for people of all ages. It was lovely to see families and friends getting along and making lifelong memories.
I returned to the hotel after a day spent discovering Prater Park, feeling appreciative for such a wonderful first day in Vienna. I was eager to find out what lay ahead for me the rest of my trip.
Through a variety of transportation options, Prater Park is conveniently accessible from various locations within Vienna. To get to the park you choose from different transport methods.
By taking the U-Bahn (metro) line U2 from the city center you can reach The Praterstern station. Also you can reach the praterstern station and the Krieau stop by taking the tram more specifically lines 5 and 33. If you want you can use the bus line 80A from the city center which makes stops at the Praterstern station and the Krieau atop. Also, the option to take taxi ride is widely available in Vienna and can be a practical way to get to Prater Park.
A great option for those who want to experience the city’s sights and sounds while going to the park is walking. For those staying in the city center, Prater Park can be reached on foot in about 30 minutes.
Day 2: Explore the palaces and museums of Vienna
My second day in Vienna began with a trip to the magnificent Belvedere Palace. The palace is close to the city’s transportation hub and is reachable on foot or by public transportation. If you want to see the museum in the palace make sure you buy your tickets in advance so you can skip the waiting lines and have that time for more exploring.
As a vacation home for Prince Eugene of Savoy, the Belvedere Palace was constructed in the early 18th century. Now, there are located the Upper Belvedere and the Lower Belvedere museums. Numerous pieces of Austrian art, including creations by Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele, are kept in the museums.
I was awed by the palace’s splendor and beauty as I walked through it. Every element of the Belvedere Palace was breathtaking, from the magnificent baroque architecture to the immaculately kept gardens. I was particularly moved by the Upper Belvedere’s exhibit of Gustav Klimt’s well-known painting “The Kiss.”.
I walked to the city center after finishing my exploring in the Belvedere museum to get a coffee and take in the sights and sounds of the area. I boarded the metro to Schoenbrunn Palace after feeling revitalized and renewed.
Located in Vienna’s Hietzing neighborhood, Schoenbrunn Palace is conveniently easily reachable via public transportation from the city center. You can take the metro, specifically line U4 to the Schönbrunn stop, for the quickest route to the palace.
The two other options are Lines 10 or 60 of the tram, which run directly to the palace. This is a fantastic way to take a glimpse of the city while taking a beautiful ride to the palace.
You can reach the palace by foot in about 40 minutes from the city center. A lot of sights and attractions can be found along the way of this pleasant walk.
Any visitor to Vienna must visit Schoenbrunn Palace, regardless of how they choose to get there. It truly is a palace not to be missed with its exquisite architecture, lovely gardens, and rich history.
One of Vienna’s most well-known sights, Schoenbrunn Palace was initially constructed as the Habsburgs’ summer home. With formal gardens and fountains all around it, the palace is situated in a lovely park. The grand ballroom and the Emperor’s apartments are among the stunning interiors of the palace that guests can tour.
If you are planning to visit the museum, make sure you buy your tickets in advance and skip the waiting lines. With its elaborate decorations, grand halls, and lovely gardens, the palace was every bit as magnificent as I had imagined. The Palm House, which was brimming with rare plants and flowers, was one of my favorite places to go.
After a long day exploring the magnificent Schönbrunn and Belvedere palaces, I chose to end my evening with a drink at SFRJ. This is a unique and stylish bar in the heart of the city that pays tribute to the former Yugoslavia.
When I walked in I was immediately taken to another time and place. The former Yugoslav state served as inspiration for the eclectic yet charming decor. Antique furniture, posters and other period artefacts filled the bar, giving it a cozy and intimate atmosphere.
I ordered my drink and found a comfortable booth in the intriguingly designed bar area. The selection of beers, wines and cocktails on the extensive drink menu was impressive. I enjoyed my drink and the lively atmosphere of the bar as I took in the sights and sounds of the area around me.
After SFRJ Bar I returned to the hotel feeling appreciative of the experiences and memories I had gained during this unforgettable day in Vienna. This day I walked more than 20000 steps which is 20km so be prepared for walking.
Day 3: Historic City Center
On the third day of my trip to Vienna I started my route with a visit to some of the city’s most famous and historic locations. My first stop of the day was a magnificent baroque church in the center of the city called Karlskirche. This is one of Vienna’s most well-known landmarks and it is renowned for its magnificent columns and intricate frescoes. The church’s columns were designed after the Roman Trajan’s Column, and its interior frescoes show scenes from the life of St. Chuck Borromeo.
After Karlskirche, with a 15 minute walk, I headed towards the Vienna State Opera. Built in the mid-19th century, the Opera House is known for its striking Neo-Renaissance design. Taking a tour of the Opera House lets you learn about the building’s fascinating past, including how it served as a center for musical performances during the Habsburg Empire.
After leaving the opera, I went to the Hofburg – the former imperial residence of the Habsburg dynasty. There are many museums you can visit there and the Sisi Museum, which honors the life and contributions of Empress Elisabeth of Austria, is one of them. As one of the largest and oldest libraries in the world with a collection of over 7 million books, the Austrian National Library is also housed in the Hofburg and is a must-see.
After finishing the exploring of the first part of the city center I visited the famous Sacher Cafe for lunch and indulgingly sampled a slice of the famous Sachertorte, a decadent chocolate cake that is a staple of Viennan cuisine. If you are planning to visit this caffee be prepared to wait. We waited for more than 20 minutes to be seated as it is a very famous place and everyone wants to go there. This cake was invented in 1832 and has since become a favorite among both locals and visitors.
Later on in the day, I went to Vienna City Hall, the city’s administrative headquarters and a stunning 19th-century structure. The city hall is a well-liked destination for tourists and is known for its impressive Gothic architecture. Visitors can view the magnificent staircases and intricate details that characterize Gothic architecture inside.
I finished the day with visiting one of Vienna’s busiest and liveliest areas called St. Stephen’s squere. A great place to unwind and place surrounded by historical buildings. Here is located one of the most famous landmarks of Vienna which is the gothic St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
Make sure to purchase some souvenires before departing Vienna, including Mozart chocolates, which bear the composer’s name and are a must-try for any chocolate enthusiast. As a result of its long history of producing renowned composers like Mozart, Beethoven, and Schubert, Vienna is frequently referred to as the “City of Music.” Vienna is a truly unique and unforgettable travel destination.
This was the last day for me as I’m departing the next day. Navigating in the Vienna Airport is pretty easy. There are two terminals numbered 1 and 3. In contrast to Terminal 3, which primarily serves international airlines, Terminal 1 primarily serves budget and domestic airlines. For travelers, both terminals have all the amenities they require, including dining options, retail stores, and duty-free shops.
3 days is not a lot for visiting Vienna but if you are willing to make it work you can. You can see all of the amazing places I listed before in just 3 days. I hope this blog post will help you and I can’t wait for my next visit to this amazing and magnificent city. Make sure to check my Blog post that will help you navigate this city.
