Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Vienna?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Vienna?
Most people spend two to five days in Vienna during their visit. The artistic city offers amazing highlights such as the historic old town, the gorgeous scenery, plenty of live music, and the shops and boutiques.
Vienna is the capital of Austria and its beautifully situated on the Danube River. It's an artistic city that has a long history of classical music including being home to such renowned musicians as Mozart and Beethoven. The city has many palaces and beautiful architecture.
Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit Vienna? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is 3 days enough time in Vienna?
Vienna holds a significant allure for tourists because of its many sights and attractions. Given only three days, you will likely find yourself hurrying to experience the key highlights such as the historic old town, the gorgeous scenery, and plenty of live music. To truly savor all that the city boasts, a more generous amount of time is advisable. Many travelers opt for two to five days to thoroughly relish the wonders of the city. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations for making the most of your visit.
How to spend 3 days in Vienna
The charming atmosphere and history of the old town area is worth exploring, so spend the day learning about the history and culture of the area. Innere Stadt, as it is known, is encircled by Ringstrasse and filled with many shops and cafes. Head to Kärntner Strasse and Graben for popular pedestrian streets.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Small-Group History Walking Tour in Vienna: The City of Many Pasts ($125)
- Highlights of Vienna City Center Walking Tour ($80)
- Vienna Secrets Walking Tour to Backyards and Mysterious Locations ($32)
Vienna is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. The city has beautiful Baroque architecture and a livable atmosphere.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Small-Group History Walking Tour in Vienna: The City of Many Pasts ($125)
- Highlights of Vienna City Center Walking Tour ($80)
- Vienna: Schönbrunn Skip the Line Palace Tour and Gardens ($148)
Vienna is a walkable city and easy to explore on foot. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble seeing the local sights. The city center is particularly walkable with pedestrian areas and low traffic zones.
Shopping in Vienna is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. The city is filled with pedestrian streets that are lined with designer shops, jewelry stores, and art galleries.
Live music is very popular in Vienna, so make sure you spend the evening exploring some of the more popular venues. On the surface, the city seems locked in the past, with ballet dancing and classical concerts filling the evenings. But the city also has a famous jazz scene, as well as techno, hip-hop, and rock all having a strong presence.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Vienna Classical Concert at St. Peter’s Church ($40)
- Christmas and New Year Concert at St. Peter’s Church in Vienna ($51)
- Mozarthaus Concert in Vienna - Piano Trio ($46)
The public transit in Vienna is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the city quite easily and affordably. The system includes buses, trains, trams and underground lines.
Don't miss the Imperial Schönbrunn Palace during your trip to Vienna, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.
The restaurant and food scene here is top notch, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine. The city's cuisine has been influenced by many different flavors. Pastries are ubiquitous so make sure you try the apfelstrudel and kaiserschmarrn. Other common dishes include wiener schnitzel and goulash.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Tastes of Vienna Food Tour inc. lunch, street food, 3 drinks ($152)
- Sweet Secrets of Vienna Dessert Tour inc. lunch, 5-6 tastings ($130)
- Countryside Half Day Wine Tour near Vienna ($136)
Is 4 days enough time in Vienna?
Many visitors spend four days in Vienna, as this is a good amount of time to see the artistic city's major attractions such as the historic old town, the gorgeous scenery, and plenty of live music. If you have four days to spend here, we have a few suggestions of things to do below.
How to spend 4 days in Vienna
Having 4 days in Vienna will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the city.
A number of fantastic museums and famous landmarks are found in Vienna, so spend at least one full day exploring those that look the most appealing to you. Filled with palaces, museums, and parks, there are many things to see around town. Make sure you check out the Schönbrunn Palace, Hofburg, and Kunsthistorisches Museum.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Vienna: Schönbrunn Skip the Line Palace Tour and Gardens ($148)
- Belvedere Palace 2.5-Hour Small-Group History Tour in Vienna ($125)
- Vienna: Skip-the-Line Schonbrunn Palace & Gardens with Guide ($56)
The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. The music and dance scene is diverse and fun. There are clubs that cater to different crowds and personalities.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Vienna Nights Pub Crawl ($16)
- Local Pub Crawl Vienna ($27)
Is 5 days enough time in Vienna?
With five days at your disposal, you'll have more than enough time to take in all that Vienna has to offer, giving you the flexibility to unwind in your hotel or use Vienna as a base for day trips to nearby destinations. You can relax while enjoying the historic old town, the gorgeous scenery, and plenty of live music at your own pace. We have some suggestions of things to do below, too.
How to spend 5 days in Vienna
With 5 days in Vienna, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the city has to offer.
After you've explored most of Vienna, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Budapest Small-Group Day Trip from Vienna ($229)
- Hallstatt Small-Group Day Trip from Vienna ($229)
- Salzburg Small-Group Day Trip from Vienna ($218)
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Vienna.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Vienna, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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