What to do in Vienna in 3 days
The Austrian capital is a fascinating and elegant city that enchants thousands of visitors every year. Its glorious past combines well with the modern and dynamic atmosphere of a metropolis counted among the best cities in the world to live in for the quality of life it can offer. A city to be discovered and enjoyed 100% starting from its historical and cultural roots, all accompanied by an excellent culinary tradition.
Practical informations
Vienna is easily accessible by plane and train from all over Europe. Its central location makes Vienna an essential stop on a trip to Europe, perhaps combining it with visits to other European capitals such as Bratislava, Budapest, Prague etc. Vienna International Airport is connected to the city center by numerous public transports such as the City Airport Train (CAT), various buses, regional trains as well as private transfers and taxis. In about 15-25 minutes you reach the city center.
Where to stay in Vienna? If you have a few days available, my advice is to choose the central district or the first Innere Stadt district. The Leopoldstadt or Landstraße neighborhood is also a great alternative. The city of Vienna has an effective public transport network with metro, trams and buses. The city center can be easily visited on foot, while to reach, for example, the Royal Palace of Schönbrunn you can easily use the subway.
What is the best season to visit Vienna? Vienna is always a pleasant city in any season of the year and each period offers something different. If you love the Christmas atmosphere and Christmas markets, the month of December will be right for you (despite the colder temperatures). For those who love the sun, the best season is spring or early summer when the city’s numerous parks are filled with flowers and make the city even more fascinating.
What to see
Vienna offers a wide array of museums and historic buildings that will fascinate art and history lovers. One of the most important institutions is the Vienna State Opera (Wiener Staatsoper) as a testimony to Austria’s rich history and musical tradition. Lovers of the genre will also be able to enjoy a concert or an opera where much of the world’s musical heritage was born (see Mozart) or visit the splendid building on guided tours. One of the symbols of Vienna is St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Gothic in style, with its tower and high spiers it dominates the skyline of the entire city.
A few minutes’ walk away you will come across the majestic Hofburg, the Imperial Palace. Here in over 35 rooms, you will find various museums, including the Sissi Museum, the Spanish Riding School, a Church and the Library.
Another symbol of the city, the Church of San Carlo Borromeo, occupies a place of honor in religious architecture. In Baroque style, this charming church stands out for its majestic dome (which you can climb into) and the sumptuous columns at the entrance.
Museum lovers cannot help but visit the Albertina as well as the Belvedere Castle. The latter is one of the unmissable places in the city. Its gardens, the body of water in front of the building, make the atmosphere unique. Inside you will find one of the richest art collections in the world where you can admire Klimt’s works (including the famous Kiss).
Vienna has numerous parks and green spaces which are filled with colors and flowers in spring. Here you will find thousands of Viennese who flock to the parks at weekends to sunbathe, have picnics and spend their free time. The most beautiful parks are Burggarten Park and Town Hall Park (between the Town Hall and the Parliament Building). On this tour of the center of Vienna you can’t help but stroll along the Ringstrasse, the city’s most famous road which ideally unites the main attractions of the Austrian capital.
Outside the city center, two further attractions take pride of place. Schönbrunn Palace, the summer residence of the Habsburgs, is one of the most famous and beautiful European royal palaces. Its luxurious rooms and vast park make a visit to Schönbrunn a must-do on a trip to Vienna. The same goes for the Prater, the city’s fairy-tale amusement park, dominated by the Ferris wheel and hundreds of attractions for all tastes and ages. A unique experience not to be missed!
What to do and other tips
Vienna is also one of the capitals of world gastronomy. This is where Sacher is born, the chocolate cake that you can enjoy in one of the many historic cafés in the city as well as in the place where it was born, the Hotel Sacher. In addition to the famous Hotel Sacher, Café Central and Demel are two other unmissable addresses.
Other famous dishes of Viennese cuisine are the Wiener Schnitzel cutlet, goulash and the famous strudel. One of the addresses that I recommend to enjoy an excellent dinner is Lugeck.
Another address that I recommend both for staying and for an aperitif at sunset on its rooftop is the Hotel SO/Vienna of the Accor group. Overlooking the Donaukanal, this modern building offers luxurious and design rooms, a delightful SPA as well as a rooftop with an unmissable 360-degree view of the city, the Das Loft.
Last tip… if you have time, take advantage of the vicinity and the excellent train connections to spend a day in the delightful Slovakian capital Bratislava which you can reach in 1 hour by train!
