A 3-day weekend in Vienna: The only itinerary you need

Consistently ranked among the world’s best places to live, Vienna has it all. The Austrian capital combines stunning baroque architecture, a world-class music scene, an impressive food and wine culture, and natural escapes along the Danube River.

Want to spend a long weekend in Vienna? It’s all about getting a feel for the city’s best features. You can explore the Schönbrunn Palace in the morning, visit the Mozarthaus in the afternoon, and sip a glass of Grüner Veltliner in the historic center in the evening.

Here’s a handpicked Vienna weekend itinerary to help you fall in love with the city.

Know before you go

Why you should go: It’s the “City of Music,” the birthplace of the Sacher torte, home to multiple UNESCO World Heritage sites, and consistently voted one of the world’s most livable cities.

Don’t miss: Vienna’s stunning palaces, including Belvedere Palace, Schönbrunn Palace, Hofburg Palace, the Spanish Riding School, and the Mozarthaus.

Best time to go: Spring and summer are the best times to visit Vienna for outdoor activities. In winter, visit Vienna’s famous Christmas markets.

Best neighborhoods: The Innere Stadt (historic center) is the most expensive and historic area to stay in, while Neubau and Wieden provide a more authentic glimpse of life in the city.

Insider tip: Book a table in advance to try the original Sacher torte at one of Vienna’s most popular coffeehouses, including Café Sacher, Café Demel, or Café Central — especially on weekends.

Day 1: Discover the magic of Vienna’s Historic Center

Morning

Visit a Viennese coffeehouse along Kärtner Street

Coffeehouses have been a staple of Viennese social and cultural life for centuries. Start your day at Café Sacher, a timeless coffee house in the heart of the Historic Center of Vienna (Innere Stadt). It’s one of the best places to try the original Sacher torte, but they also serve a fantastic breakfast. Head towards Stephansplatz next, and pass the Palais Equitable, a 19th-century construction adorned with American eagles.

Explore St. Stephen’s Cathedral

The grand St. Stephen’s Cathedral comes into view as you approach the northeast end of Kärtner Street. Appreciate its quintessentially baroque architecture and historical artifacts from the inside. The High Altar and the red marble Tomb of Emperor Frederick II, covered with over 240 sculptures, are a sight to behold.

Afternoon

Visit Hofburg Palace and the Spanish Riding School

After exiting onto Stephansplatz, walk towards Kohlmarkt Street and grab a sausage at a würstelstand (sausage stand) for a light lunch. Find Hofburg Palace at the end of this street, the historical residence of Austrian leaders. One of the largest palaces in the world, it features several museums and the famous Spanish Riding School. Watch the Ballet of the Stallions, visit the stables, or learn about the history of the oldest riding school in the world.

Meet the Habsburgs at the Imperial Apartments

On the grounds of Hofburg Palace are two renowned sites of the Habsburgs, the ruling family of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. At the Sisi Museum, you can learn about the life of Empress Elisabeth, the beloved rebellious ruler. The Imperial Apartments give you insight into the personal lives of the Habsburgs.

Evening

Grab a local wine and an early dinner

The Viennese love good wine, so kick off the first night of your weekend in Vienna with a glass or two. Go to a heuriger — the Viennese word for a typical wine tavern — for a local wine like Grüner Veltliner. Gigerl is one of Vienna’s oldest and most traditional wine taverns and the perfect place for an early dinner of tafelspitz (a boiled beef dish) or a classic Wiener schnitzel in the center.

Head to the State Opera House for a classical music concert

The Vienna State Opera, located near Kärtner Street, is an essential stop on a weekend itinerary in Vienna. On most evenings during the opera season between September and June, you can experience the musical history that has come to define the city. Try to score a ticket to a Mozart concert for a unique experience.

Day 2: Explore Vienna’s history through its palaces

Morning

Visit Naschmarkt for breakfast

Head to Naschmarkt, Vienna’s largest and most famous market, located a little outside the city center. Start your day here with a traditional Austrian breakfast of semmeln (bread rolls), marmalade or cold cuts, and a melange (similar to a cappuccino). Early Saturday mornings are the best time to visit, as the market (along with other shops in Austria) is closed on Sundays.

Head to Schönbrunn Palace

The city’s extensive metro system, or U-Bahn, is one of the easiest ways to get around Vienna. Take the metro to the station of the same name, Schönbrunn Palace, to spend the morning exploring its extensive network of rooms. Try to end your tour at the Palace Gardens, which feature a large fountain and Roman ruins.

Afternoon

Have lunch and a stroll in Land Street

Heading towards the Inner City, stop in Land Street, one of Vienna’s most charming neighborhoods. If you’re in the mood for another palace, this area is home to the famous Belvedere Palace, one of the most striking in the city. If not, grab a käsekrainer (a cheese-filled sausage in a roll) from a stand and relax in the French Gardens right in front of the palace.

Go museum-hopping in the MuseumsQuartier

Head back into the city to a neighborhood known as Neubau. Here you’ll find a district with some of the best museums in Vienna, known as MuseumsQuartier or MQ. Visit the Leopold Museum for its collection of Austrian art or the mumok for modern and contemporary art.

Evening

Relax in the Prater

A short U-Bahn ride from Neubau is Prater, Vienna’s largest and most famous city park. This is the ideal place to unwind after a long day of walking. Sit among the chestnut trees and take in the famed Viennese atmosphere. Locals gather here on sunny days, making it one of the best places to spend a weekend in Vienna. Grab a beer in Schweizerhaus, a beer garden located in the park.

Join a bar crawl or a beer tasting

Vienna’s nightlife is defined by its bars. Start your exploration of Viennese nightlife in the “Bermuda Triangle” district of the Inner City. Join a pub crawl to get a sense of the more traditional taverns and up-and-coming rooftop bars scattered throughout the historic center of Vienna. Or sample a variety of Austrian beers during a beer tasting.

Day 3: Take a day trip to Wachau Valley

Morning

Take a train to Melk in the Wachau Valley

Only an hour by train from Vienna lies the Wachau Valley in the foothills of the Eastern Alps, which runs along the Danube River. It’s an incredible place for local wine tastings, hikes, or just a relaxing escape from the bustle of the city. Take an early morning train to Melk, one of the major cities in the region, and go to Melk Abbey to start your day.

Take a ferry trip down the Danube to Dürnstein

After a quick breakfast in Melk, begin your tour of Vienna’s wine region. Several local ferry services stop off at most major cities, although many cease operations during the winter months. Get off at the first stop, the charming town of Dürnstein.

Afternoon

Have lunch in Dürnstein

The most famous vineyard in Dürnstein is Domäne Wachau, which is known for its exceptional Grüner Veltliner and Riesling wines. If you have time before the next ferry arrives, take a quick hike around the ruins of the Dürnstein Castle and enjoy a quick lunch in the town center.

Head to Krems

The last stop on the ferry is Krems an der Donau, a somewhat larger city in the region known as the “eastern gateway” to the Wachau Valley. Walk the historic downtown, and if you arrive before 5:00 PM, check out the Kunsthalle Krems, a modern art museum featuring some excellent post-1945 Austrian artists. This is also the best place to catch a bus or train back to Vienna.

Evening

Return to Vienna

Enjoy the train or bus ride back to Vienna, taking in the Austrian countryside as it whips past. Once back in the city, head to Schweizergarten Park, adjacent to the central station (Wien Hauptbahnhof). The park is illuminated at night, making it a great option to unwind after a long day spent outside.

Enjoy a culinary show at the Wiener Rathauskeller

End your long weekend in Vienna on a high note. The Wiener Rathauskeller takes you on a musical journey through Austria’s regions, led by talented musicians, singers, and dancers. Meanwhile, you’ll feast on a three-course menu of Austrian specialties like kaiserschmarrn.