Vienna rewards a first visit with grand buildings, world-class art and a café culture that encourages you to slow down. Three days is enough to see the imperial highlights without rushing, with time for coffee, cake and a night at the opera. This plan groups sights by area to keep travel short.
Before you go
Book timed tickets for Schönbrunn, the Belvedere and the Kunsthistorisches Museum in advance, especially in December and at weekends. Public transport fares changed in 2026: a single costs €3.20 (€3 in the WienMobil app), a 24-hour ticket €10.20 and a 7-day ticket €28.90. The 48 and 72-hour tickets no longer exist, so a 7-day ticket is often the best value for a three-day stay. From the airport, Railjet and REX 7 trains reach Hauptbahnhof in 15 to 20 minutes for €5.50; until October 2027 the City Airport Train runs as a bus to Wien Mitte for €14.90.
Day 1: the old town and the Hofburg
Start at St Stephen’s Cathedral. The back of the nave is free, and €8 buys entry to the main interior or a climb of the 343 steps of the South Tower. Walk along the Graben and Kohlmarkt to the Hofburg, the Habsburgs’ winter palace. The Sisi Museum and Imperial Apartments reopen on 19 November 2026 with a redesigned museum; next door, the Imperial Treasury holds the crown of the Holy Roman Empire. Pause for lunch or coffee at Café Central on Herrengasse.
In the afternoon, see the Baroque State Hall of the Austrian National Library on Josefsplatz, or watch the Lipizzaners at the Spanish Riding School if your dates match its programme. End the day at the State Opera: take a 40-minute tour, or join the queue for standing places sold on the day, from about €7.
Day 2: Schönbrunn and the Belvedere
Take the U4 to Schönbrunn Palace for an early slot. The State Apartments ticket (€30) covers the main rooms, and the Palace Ticket (€42) the full route. Afterwards climb through the free gardens to the Gloriette for the view, or spend a few hours at the zoo, the oldest in the world.
In the afternoon head to the Upper Belvedere to see Klimt’s The Kiss (€23, free for under 19s), then walk down through the free Baroque garden. Finish on Karlsplatz, where Karlskirche’s dome and, in Advent, the Art Advent market are lit at night.
Day 3: museums, markets and the Prater
Spend the morning at the Kunsthistorisches Museum, with its Bruegel room, Vermeer and Raphael (€22 online). Across the road, the MuseumsQuartier holds the Leopold Museum, home of the largest Egon Schiele collection. Families may prefer the Natural History Museum, closed on Tuesdays.
Walk south to the Naschmarkt for lunch among the food stalls, then take the U1 to Praterstern for the Giant Ferris Wheel (€14.50), ideally at dusk. If you have energy left, cross the Danube Canal to see the Hundertwasserhaus and the Kunst Haus Wien.
If you have more time
Add the Albertina, open until 9pm on Wednesdays and Fridays, a Sunday Mass with the Vienna Boys Choir at the Hofburg Chapel, or a half-day trip to the Wachau valley, about 50 minutes by train to Melk.
Practical tips
Most federal museums are free for under 19s. Many museums close one day a week: the Natural History Museum, the Treasury and the Leopold Museum close on Tuesdays outside holiday periods. Coffee houses serve a glass of water with every coffee, and it is normal to linger. Round up or add about 5 to 10% when you pay in cafés and restaurants.