Here's How Many Days In Vienna is Enough for a FAB Trip! (2024)

Planning an Austria trip and looking to explore Vienna but unsure how many days in Vienna is enough? My Vienna travel experience and itinerary will help you decide if you will need only 3 days in Vienna or if you can manage a 5-day Vienna itinerary. This should help you decide how many days to spend in Vienna with a day by day breakdown so you have the BEST time!

A city that is connected to Mozart, Beethoven and Sigmund Freud. A city where the musical, artistic, and intellectual journeys of many have been shaped over the centuries. There are no points for the correct answer as we all know I am talking about Vienna.

So, How many days for Vienna are exactly enough?

Because from the royal Schönbrunn Palace to the medieval St. Stephen’s Cathedral, from Vienna Opera house to the Wien Museum Mozart apartment, and from Prater to Naschmarkt, it is a melting pot of different attractions.

With so much to see and do, how long should I stay in Vienna, you may wonder. Will 3 days be enough? Is a week too long?

Remember that no matter how many days in Vienna you spend, you will leave a piece of your heart behind in the winding lanes here. Just like I did! So, let’s get started!

Quick deals for your Vienna trip especially for a last minute getaway!

Popular tours in Vienna for immersive Austrian experience –

• Skip-the-Line Schonbrunn Palace Private Tourwith a professional guide

• Naschmarkt Food Tasting Tourto pamper your taste buds

• Hallstatt & Alpine Peaks Day Trip with Skywalk Lift from Vienna

   

Best hotels in Vienna for every budget –

• Hilton Vienna Park

• Hotel Josefshof am Rathaus

• Meininger Hotel Wien Downtown Franz

How many days in Vienna is Enough?

How many days for Vienna
Day 1 in Vienna

Is 1 day in Vienna enough?

Here’s what to do if you have just 1 day in Vienna – St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Mozarthaus Vienna, Stadpark, Albertina, Vienna State Opera House, Karlskirche, Naschmarkt

Start your 1 day in Vienna with Saint Stephen’s Cathedral, or Stephanskirche, one of Vienna’s significant religious and historic sights.

The mix of Romanesque and Gothic structures you see today dates back to the 1350s and is standing on the site of ruins of earlier churches.

Its 446 feet high south tower dominates the city’s skyline while the multi-coloured tile roof and St. Stephen’s catacombs make for fascinating sights. You can check the visiting hours and book the guided tours of St. Stephen Cathedral here directly from the official website.

Then, head over to Mozarthaus which is located near the cathedral. This Mozart’s apartment turned museum is a must for every Vienna itinerary.

This is where the world-renowned composer of symphonies, concertos, and operas stayed here from 1784 to 1787.

Remember that this museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm and plan your visit accordingly. You can stop by Stadpark as this 19th-century English-style park is dotted with several monuments and statues.

The Vienna River flows through the park dividing it into two sections. Walk around this peaceful green landscape for some time before heading to the next attraction.

Albertina is one of the most interesting museums Vienna has to offer.

The extraordinary collection of paintings, sculptures, and drawings along with around 1 million old master prints is enough to keep you engaged for a minimum of 2 hours.

For guided tours, visiting hours, and ticket prices of Albertina, refer to their official site. Vienna State Opera House is a venue that took around a decade from 1861 to 1869 to complete.

The tickets for the performances are usually staggeringly high and are not easily available. But you can tour the opera house for an hour to understand its rich past. It is an interesting experience to know about the traditions that defined one of the leading opera houses in the world.

The beautiful baroque building of Karlskirche is known for its unique iconography. This 18th-century church is the place to get introduced to artistic delights.

The great dome and tall columns will tell you where Karlskirche stands and as you step inside, the combination of carvings, statues, marble stonework, reliefs, and wall paintings will welcome you.

You can check if the famous Vivaldi’s Four Seasons Concert in Karlskirche is available during your visit. After soaking in the captivating beauty of Vienna, all you need is good food and good vibes.

So what can be a better place than Naschmarkt for this combination? This bustling market dating back to the 16th century is known for offering numerous culinary delights with more than a hundred stalls.

The best way to get the most out of Naschmarkt is to book this guided 2.5-hour Naschmarkt Food Tasting Tour. It will help you navigate through the maze of stalls and will also help you decide how to take your taste buds on a ride.

How many days you need in Vienna depends entirely upon your interests. But keeping the first day packed will help you cover more places.

How many days for Vienna
Day 2 in Vienna

Is 2 days in Vienna enough?

Here’s what to do if you have just 2 day in Vienna – Schönbrunn Palace, Schönbrunn Zoo, Prater Park and Ferris Wheel

If you want to know how many days do you need in Vienna, then know that you will need at least 3 days in this beautiful city. Do you know why? It is because you can reserve one day in Vienna entirely for Schönbrunn Palace.

Even if you try to explore the palace in a hurry, you will need at least half a day. This UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site holds an important place in the history of Vienna and has become one of the popular tourist attractions today.

With 1,441 rooms and expansive gardens surrounding it, Schönbrunn Palace represents the 300 years of the past. It is highly recommended to book this Skip-the-Line Schonbrunn Palace Private Tour as the professional guide will help you explore the palace and the gardens in the best possible way.

Even though this tour takes less than 4 hours, you can spend a few more hours around here soaking in the imperial heritage experience.

For those who want to know what to do in Vienna 2 days, consider spending the evening at Prater Park as this place will take you back in time with its old-time amusements.

You will find many attractions including a planetarium, the Prater Museum, the Kingdom of Railroads, and the Kolarik Bouncy Castle on the premises. But what steals the show is Wiener Riesenrad – the 212 feet tall Ferris wheel that dates back to 1897.

Remember to book your Skip-the-cashier-desk-line Giant Ferris Wheel Ride ticket in advance and enjoy the panoramic views of glittering Vienna in the evening. So, that’s your answer to ‘how to spend 2 days in Vienna’.

How many days for Vienna
Day 3 in Vienna

Is 3 days in Vienna enough?

Here’s what to do if you have just 3 day in Vienna – Spanish Riding School, Natural History Museum, Kunsthistoriche Museum, River cruise, Danube Tower

When you ask ‘How many days do I need in Vienna?’ everyone will advise a minimum of 3 days as the city has so much to offer. Your 3rd day in Vienna will be packed with interesting attractions and activities.

Start your day with a place that attracts travellers from around the world. Spanish Riding School is dedicated to the training of powerful Lipizzaner horses and preserving the tradition of classical dressage.

With more than 450 years of history, it is a treat to watch the shows performed by horses and their trainers here. Keep in mind that even if shows are limited, you can visit Spanish Riding School in the morning to watch the training exercises.

Taking a guided tour will give you a chance to learn about the horses, their training, and the history of this unique attraction. If you are interested in the actual show, then here is the entry ticket for the Performance Of The Lipizzans At Spanish Riding School.

If you start your day early, you will be able to cover two of the interesting museums in Vienna.

You can first go to the Natural History Museum as it takes more than 2 hours to tour the exhibits here. Be it the gigantic dinosaur skeletons or the largest meteorite collections in the world, everything here is awe-inspiring.

Do not forget to go on the virtual trip to the edge of the Milky Way galaxy. Then, depending on the time, you can consider Kunsthistoriche Museum as this is located right next to the Natural History Museum.

Though smaller, Kunsthistoriche Museum is a wonderful place for art enthusiasts. When you wonder, ‘how many days to visit Vienna?’ remember that you can dedicate a day only to the museums and still it will not be enough.

The opulent interiors are a treat as well as the art collections that date back to the 15th century.

There are two ways to spend the evening. You can opt for this relaxing Evening Cruise Along The Danube. It will give you a chance to watch how the city starts illuminating after sunset. You can also enjoy dinner at the onboard restaurant.

Or, you can go to the open-air terrace of the Danube Tower and enjoy panoramic views of Vienna. This iconic landmark also has a cafe and a restaurant where you can grab something to eat while soaking in the vistas.

How many days for Vienna
Day 4 in Vienna

Is 4 days in Vienna enough?

Here’s what to do if you have just 4 days in Vienna – Belvedere Museum, the Orangery, and the Palace Stables.

Start your 4th day in Vienna with Belvedere Palace. The premises consists of two Baroque palaces along with the Belvedere Museum, the Orangery, and the Palace Stables.

You can buy Upper Belvedere & Permanent Collection Entry Ticket as it will give you easy access to the world’s largest collection of Gustav Klimt paintings.

Take a walk around the gardens and you will come across several baroque statues and decorative tiered fountains.

You can spend an afternoon at Hofburg Palace.

Dating back to the 13th century, the structure we see today has been expanded several times over the centuries. It is a place of complicated history where you will get to learn about Vienna’s past, art, architecture, and culture. After spending a couple of hours at Hofburg Palace, you can call it a day.

If you are a wine connoisseur, then Hidden Wine Cellars Tasting Experience is highly recommended for you.

It is a perfect opportunity to explore the Viennese wine scene at a relaxing pace.

How many days for Vienna
Day 5 in Vienna

Is 5 days in Vienna enough?

Here’s what to do if you have 5 days in Vienna – Belvedere Museum, the Orangery, and the Palace Stables.

Even though you can cover Vienna in 3 days, staying here for a minimum of 5 days will give you a chance to explore the lesser-known attractions in the city as well as opt for day trips from Vienna.

The capital city of Austria serves as the perfect base for different types of half-day tours as well. So, here are a few suggestions based on popularity –

Hallstatt & Alpine Peaks Day Trip with Skywalk Lift from Vienna is loved by travellers as it will take you to the magical landscapes of Hallstatt. Even though it takes around 13 hours, as transportation is arranged by air-conditioned vehicle, you will find it a comfortable experience.

If you are looking for something relaxing, then Wachau Valley Day Tour with Wine Tasting from Vienna can be your choice.

Half-day Countryside Wine Tour with Meal is also a good option if you only want to spend a few hours away from the city. If you want to know how many days in Vienna and Salzburg, then consider adding one more day to your itinerary.

This Day Tour of Salzburg from Vienna will give you a chance to explore Salzburg’s famous tourist attractions.

The best time to visit Vienna

Summer is the best time to visit Vienna with the months of June, July, and August being warm and rainy.

But it also means the city is crowded, especially on a weekend, and tourist attractions are packed. You may also experience higher flight tickets and accommodation prices.

If you are looking for shoulder season, then consider autumn in Vienna. Even though the autumn days are not as hot as summer, the weather is still pleasant.

The months of September, October, and November will bring out the quieter Vienna and lesser rain. So, even if you are yet to decide how many days for Vienna, pick the month that suits you the best.

Where to stay in Vienna?

When you wonder how many days should you stay in Vienna, know that you will need at least 3 days to see the city with a fast-paced itinerary.

So, here are some of the best hotels in Vienna no matter how many days to stay in Vienna you decide.

Book your stay at Hilton Vienna Park and you will find yourself in the heart of the city, a stone’s throw away from Stadpark and other major tourist attractions. This 5-star hotel in Vienna offers free wifi, private parking, family rooms, and a rich buffet breakfast.

If you are looking for mid-range hotels in Vienna, then Hotel Josefshof am Rathaus is the best choice. This 4-star property is located near Mariahilferstraße Shopping Street and Vienna City Hall.

Are you still trying to decide how many nights in Vienna? Then, even if you choose only a couple of nights in Vienna, this property will pamper you the best.

When it comes to budget stays in Vienna, Meininger Hotel Wien Downtown Franz tops the list. Be it the stylish rooms or a bar or a games room, you will find everything on the premises. The staff will also help you with bike rentals and luggage storage. If you are wondering how many days should I spend in Vienna, you can stay here even for a week without burning a hole in your pocket.

How to reach Vienna?

Vienna is well-connected to the rest of the world and can be reached without much hassle.

You will find direct or connecting flights from major European cities. You will also find a few US and Canadian cities that have direct flights to Vienna.

The options of a train or a bus are also available. Many travellers choose overnight train or bus journeys to reach Vienna from other European cities as it might be cheaper than a flight and also makes for an interesting travel experience.

If you are in Bratislava or Budapest, you can consider travelling to Vienna by boat. But keep in mind that there are not many boat operators and you will have to book your tickets in advance.

How to get around Vienna?

Vienna is the city where you will find multiple public transport options to take you around without burning a hole in your pocket. Subway and local trains as well as buses and trams connect the city and many touristy areas in Vienna are also easily walkable.

It is highly recommended to buy Vienna PASS for the number of days you are spending in the city. This includes free or discounted entry to many attractions along with unlimited hop-on hop-off bus rides.

If you are planning to use other public transport modes, then Public Transport City Card and Attraction Discounts will give you unlimited free rides on a tram, metro, train, and bus line.

So, how many days for Vienna are you planning?

Are you interested in 3 days in Vienna where everything major is covered or are you finalizing a 5-day Vienna itinerary where you can also explore other Austrian towns and wineries?

Do let me know what you think is the best answer for how many days to spend in Vienna. I am sure the beautiful chaos of Vienna will be a memorable journey for you!