A Weekend in Vienna: The Best 3-Day Itinerary + Exclusive Tips

Discover Austria’s capital Vienna with its beautiful architecture, cultural vibrancy, delicious (vegan) food, and unparalleled Baroque vibes. The countless sights & activities make Vienna one of the best European cities for a weekend trip. As a first-time visitor, finding the absolute best things to do can be tough though. But look no further – with this Vienna travel guide, you’ll learn about where to stay, how to get around, and tips on spending an unforgettable weekend in Vienna all in one place. Additionally, if you’re interested in plant-based food, you’ll get a sneak peek into where to eat vegan in Vienna.

Wondering about other things Vienna has to offer?
Check out Pictures to inspire you to travel to Vienna!

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Why to Travel to Vienna

If you’re still in need of some convincing on why Vienna is the right place for you, hear me out. As the capital of Austria, Vienna has a lot to offer: intricate architecture with palaces & cathedrals, a unique ball culture, charming coffee houses, and delicious traditional cuisine (yes, even vegan!). Whether you love exploring the city streets or hanging out in the romantic gardens, Vienna has got you covered.
The population of roughly 2 million people makes Vienna a vibrant city with a lot of history and culture. The architecture here ranges from Baroque, Gothic, and Renaissance to Art Nouveau. Ultimately, the lovely atmosphere overall invites for a memorable weekend in Vienna.

In this Vienna travel guide, you’ll get the question of “How to spend a weekend in Vienna” answered and will discover some of the best tips on where to stay, how to get around, things to do, and a 3-day itinerary for the best weekend in Vienna to save for later.

Where to Stay

First things first, let’s talk about where to stay in Vienna. Because of Vienna’s beautiful architecture and city vibes, there are many fantastic neighborhoods to stay in, with different vibes and nearby attractions. Since every area has its unique charm, it ultimately depends on what you hope to get out of your trip to Vienna. Do you want to try many restaurants, mainly go sightseeing, or live an authentic Viennese day? Picking the right place to stay is crucial to saving time and getting the most out of your weekend in Vienna. Down here you’ll find the best neighborhood with tips on who they suit best…

Innere Stadt

Usually considered one of the best places to stay in Vienna when it comes to convenience and having everything nearby. Innere Stadt literally translates to inner city aka city center. The historic district impresses with cultural attractions like St. Stephen’s Cathedral and Hofburg Palace within cobbled streets. Additionally, you can easily travel to other parts of the city from here. Therefore, this is the perfect place to stay in Vienna for first-timers.

Leopoldstadt

Leopoldstadt, located on the north side of the Danube Canal bordering the city center, is a big district with a multicultural atmosphere. It’s home to the famous amusement park “Prater”, Augarten Park, museums, and the popular Karmelitermarkt. Overall, this makes it a great place to experience outdoorsy and fun activities.

Josefstadt

Known for its village-like atmosphere and tranquility, Josefstadt is especially popular amongst wealthy locals and expats. The boho vibes, cafés, and parks are unmatched in this area of Vienna. Some of the best things here are the Piaristenkirche, Breitenfelder Kirche, and the theatre.

Wieden

Last but not least, we have the neighborhood of Wieden. This place is for you if you want to experience the local life. Since it’s not as popular with tourists, you can really indulge in seeing Austrian culture. Many hole-in-the-wall cafés/restaurants match the little-world vibe of Wieden. Must-visit locations here are the Botanical Garden, St. Charles’ Church, Naschmarkt, and Wien Museum.

How to Get Around

Luckily, getting around Vienna is simple due to everything being nearby. Many places and attractions can easily be reached by foot thanks to the short walking distances; especially if you’re staying in the right neighborhood and have a little extra time. All in all, Vienna is built for walking in this aspect and is perfect for (summer) strolls around the city streets.

When it comes to the most efficient way though, the best option to get around Vienna is taking public transport. Particularly when you’re staying in a neighborhood outside the city center. Vienna’s public transport system offers great day passes for a set amount of hours: e.g. for three days / a long weekend in Vienna, the best option is the 72-hour pass for just under 20 € per person. This pass allows unlimited travel with all public transport networks within the inner zone, i.e., the underground train, tram, or bus. That also includes the way from and to the airport.
We booked the tickets at the train station at the airport and found it super convenient. Taking the tram for shorter distances in the city was amazing to get from point A to point B quickly.

Where to Eat vegan

Aside from beautiful architecture, Vienna is known for its delicious and traditional Austrian cuisine. Vienna’s food scene is amazing when it comes to renowned restaurants or trendy food spots. Additionally, the city has a huge café culture, with unique coffee houses around every corner. On top of this, the capital is very vegan-friendly with fully plant-based restaurants almost everywhere.

Here are some of my favorite food spots…

Cafe Harvest:
If cozy vintage vibes are what you’re looking for, don’t hesitate to go to this fully vegan spot. The food and cake selection is absolutely tasty making it a must-go place for vegans.

Swing Kitchen:
With multiple locations around Vienna, this is your go-to for comfort food like burgers, sandwiches, and more. Another fully vegan establishment with an unmissable retro flair.

Velani:
Do you want to experience traditional Austrian cuisine as a vegan? Head to the plant-based restaurant Velani and try some delicious hearty meals.

Curious about more? Check this out:
Vegan Food Guide to Vienna

Best Things to Do in Vienna

The vibrant city offers many unforgettable attractions to fill the perfect weekend in Vienna. So without further ado, let’s get right into the best things to do in Vienna.

Visit Churches & Cathedrals

First things first, let’s start with something you’ll keep encountering while in Vienna: churches & cathedrals. Even if you’re not religious, visiting these architecturally stunning places can be truly magical. Depending on where you go, you’ll be able to find different vibes too – from Gothic interiors making you feel like you’re in a Harry Potter movie to rich Baroque details. And whether you just want to take a picture from the outside, take a peek inside, or head to the rooftop, you should totally add this to your weekend in Vienna itinerary.

Vienna’s Best Cathedrals:

• St. Charles’ Church (Karlskirche) – hangout spot in the summer with a grand fountain/pond in front of it
• St. Stephen’s Cathedral (Stefansdom) – Gothic architecture, even offers tours to the catacombs & top floors
• St. Peter’s Church (Peterskirche) – Roman/Baroque architecture
• Augustinian Church (Augustinerkirche) – inconspicuous exterior but fascinating inside
• St. Michael’s Church (Michaelerkirche) – intricate interior with colorful frescoes

Austrian National Library and State Hall

Have you ever seen over 12 million books in one place? Well, you will at the Austrian National Library (Nationalbibliothek). The moment you enter the State Hall inside, the detailed frescoes, wooden shelves, and marble will blow you away. Not only is it the largest Baroque library house in Europe, but you can also learn about some interesting history on the exhibition walls. It’s the perfect activity on a rainy day or if you’re just looking for one of the best things to do in Vienna.

Attend a Ball

If there is one thing Vienna is famous for, it’s the prestigious balls. Sparkly dresses, black ties, dances like Walz/Rumba/Polka/Swirl, and fantastic music. Particularly the Opera Ball is one of the most known events in Austria. Ball season runs from November to February with the city hosting hundreds of balls. While most of them are open to the public, getting a ticket beforehand can get tricky depending on where you want to go. Regardless, it’s a great choice for anyone loving social events during a weekend in Vienna.

Wiener Prater – amusement park

For those who enjoy strolling through theme parks, trying new food from shacks, and going on fun rides, the Wiener Prater is THE place to go. With about 250 attractions and the symbolic 1897-built Giant Ferris Wheel, the Prater is one of the world’s oldest amusement parks. The historic charm of this place is still resembled to this day and thus makes it a very popular location for tourists. Some of the best things to do here include the Prater Tower and the wax museum of Madame Tussaud’s. The Prater itself is free & accessible around the clock (you only pay for the rides you go on) which makes it perfect for an afternoon stroll. The vibes here are so unique & make it the spot to explore during a weekend in Vienna.

Explore Cafés

Spending your afternoon in cafés and not feeling rushed to leave is a big part of Vienna’s culture – and that shows with coffee houses all over the city. Whether it’s trendy Instagram spots like the Palmenhaus or some of the oldest & iconic cafés – there is something for everyone. If you want to dive into the Austrian flair, try getting a Melange (similar to a cappuccino) with a slice of traditional Sachertorte (more on that later!). By taking your time sipping on hot drinks, you can really enjoy your weekend in Vienna to the fullest.

Vienna’s Best Cafés:

• Cafe Frauenhuber – Vienna’s oldest café
• Palmenhaus – a literal greenhouse turned into a café
• Cafe Central – grand interior with wow-ing architecture
• Cafe Sacher – for traditional Sachertorte
• Cafe Harvest – a must-go for all the vegans out there!

Walk along Ringstraße

Like all big cities, Vienna is wonderful for sightseeing; but what makes Vienna so special is the Ringstraße. This road will make you circle the city’s historic center and is an easy way to see many architecturally enticing buildings and attractions in just one walk. Some of the best things you’ll be able to see here are the State Opera House, Burggarten, National Library, Hofburg Palace, Burgtheater, Parliament, Volksgarten, Town Hall Square, and museums.
If you don’t feel like exploring all those places by yourself, you can also book a guided tour. Those mostly take you along Ringstraße as well.

Visit the Palaces

An obvious answer to the question of “how to spend a weekend in Vienna” is to visit the grand palaces. Austria has a lot of majestic buildings – particularly in Vienna since it had many royal families over the centuries. Each palace is unique with Baroque, Rococo, Gothic, and Renaissance architecture. The mostly white facades combined with the turquoise rooftops are a real eye-catcher and photograph beautifully. Additionally, places like Schönbrunn even have green parks and romantic gardens surrounding the palace. They’re imposing and amazing to visit in the summer when all the flowers bloom.

Vienna’s Best Palaces:

• Schönbrunn Palace (Schloss Schönbrunn) – for a Baroque complex with the famous Palm House pavillions
• Belvedere Palace (Schloss Belvedere) – for fulfilling your romantic garden fantasy
• Hofburg Imperial Palace (Wiener Hofburg) – a grand complex with many buildings
• Hetzendorf Palace (Schloss Hetzendorf)
• Palais Schwarzenberg

Try Sachertorte aka traditional cake

Now, if you haven’t heard of Sachertorte, it’s a traditional Viennese chocolate cake with a hint of apricot served with whipped cream. The recipe has been around since 1832 and makes it one of Austria’s most-known desserts. Typically, you’ll be able to find Sachertorte in many cafés in Vienna, but if you’re looking for the most authentic slice, consider heading to Café Sacher. Keep in mind though, that due to its popularity, the café has long wait times and is quite expensive.

Imperial Butterfly House aka Schmetterlinghaus

You can find this gem in the heart of the Hofburg complex. The Schmetterlinghaus is a must-visit spot if you love experiencing serene nature while in a city. Hundreds of butterflies live in this glass greenhouse surrounded by mini caves and a waterfall. Walking through the little paths and seeing butterflies up close is a lovely way to spend your morning or afternoon. Also, you can head to the Palmenhaus Café right after since it’s directly next door. Therefore, it should fit perfectly into your 3-day Vienna itinerary.

Ice Skate at Rathausplatz

Next, if you find yourself traveling to Vienna in winter, one of the best things to do is ice skating at the Town Hall Square aka Rathausplatz. Also known as Vienna Ice World (= Wiener Eistraum), it’s one of the largest ice rinks in the world due to its 4 large skating areas connected by winding & romantic paths. The two-story layout, light show, and music make it so fun! There are also some food shacks where you can buy traditional Palatschinken (even vegan!), fries, and more. This is easily a must-do during a weekend in Vienna.

Vienna State Opera

Last but certainly not least, the State Opera (Wiener Staatsoper) is the perfect place to include in a weekend in Vienna. This historical opera house offers 1,709 seats in a Renaissance revival-style venue. If you love history, the fact that Mozart has performed in this very building might not surprise you. Other than actually seeing an opera though, you can take amazing Instagram pictures right from the balcony of the Albertina Museum. All in all, it’s an impressive place in every aspect.

Itinerary for a Weekend in Vienna

With all these great things to do, you might wonder how to fit everything into just three days in Austria’s capital. To be honest, you probably won’t! But if you want to see most of the city, here you’ll find a 3-day itinerary for the best (long) weekend in Vienna with highlighted activities from above. It covers churches, palaces, fun attractions, and a selected café. Feel free to mix & match other things you like too. Nevertheless, make sure to keep this Vienna travel guide handy for your next weekend trip to Vienna!

This completes the guide on How to Spend a Weekend in Vienna with plenty of inspiration on what to do in about 3 days.
Whether it’s the classical city activities or out-of-the-box things to do, this Vienna bucket list should have something for everyone. Ultimately, your question about what to do on a weekend in Vienna should be answered.

Leave your suggestions and must-dos in the comments. 🙂

Wondering what’s next in Vienna? Check out these:
Vegan Food Guide to Vienna || Best Instagram Spots in Vienna

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