Your route, day by day
Vienna in 3 days
Vienna in 3 days: palaces, Klimt and coffee houses
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Day one for the old town and the Hofburg, day two for Schönbrunn and the Naschmarkt, and day three for the Belvedere, the Hundertwasserhaus and the Prater.
Day 1
Old town & the Hofburg
Morning
St. Stephen’s Cathedral and a tower climb, then the Graben and Kohlmarkt.
Afternoon
Hofburg: Michaelerplatz, the Swiss Gate, Heldenplatz and an Imperial Apartments visit (or the Imperial Crypt).
Evening
An Opera performance (standing places are cheap) or coffee and cake.
Tip: Play the Vienna City Quest on this day: it follows the same streets.
Day 2
Schönbrunn & the Naschmarkt
Morning
U4 to Schönbrunn for your palace time slot, then up to the Gloriette.
Afternoon
Back on the U4 to Kettenbrückengasse for the Naschmarkt (not on Sundays).
Evening
Karlskirche lit up at Karlsplatz, then dinner in Mariahilf.
Tip: Book Schönbrunn’s first time slot to beat the tour groups.
Day 3
Klimt, Hundertwasser & the Prater
Morning
The Upper Belvedere at 9:00 for The Kiss, then down through the gardens.
Afternoon
Tram to the Hundertwasserhaus, then on to the Prater.
Evening
Sunset on the Giant Ferris Wheel.
Tip: Rather see Old Masters? Swap the Belvedere for the Kunsthistorisches Museum (closed most Mondays).
Where to stay for this route
This plan works best from a central base. Here is each area in one line, with a link to live hotel prices there.
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Innere Stadt· our pick
Best for first-timers · $$$$
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Neubau & Mariahilf
Best for couples and foodies · $$$
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Landstraße
Best for value and the airport train · $$$
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Leopoldstadt
Best for families · $$
Budget for this itinerary
Pick 2–3 paid sights; entry tickets add up quickly. The cathedral’s entrance area, the Hofburg courtyards, the Schönbrunn park, the Belvedere gardens, the Naschmarkt and the Prater are free. A 24-hour ticket costs €9.70 digital (€10.20 paper).
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Frequently asked questions
Is 3 days enough for Vienna?
3 days covers the big highlights at a comfortable pace if you group sights by area, as in this plan. Add a day if you want a day trip or more museum time.
What should I book in advance?
Anything with timed entry: St. Stephen’s Cathedral (Stephansdom), Hofburg Imperial Palace, Vienna State Opera, Schönbrunn Palace & Gardens. Check the official sites for current prices and release dates.
Can I change the order of the days?
Yes. Each day is built around one area, so you can swap whole days around, for example to put an indoor museum day on a rainy day.