How to Spend 72 Hours in Vienna: Best Things to Do and See

Last updated on May 17, 2025

I’ve now been to Vienna twice – first on a quick trip with friends, where I didn’t see half as much as I wanted but got a real taste for the city, and then again for the Vienna Christmas markets. And even after both visits, I still feel like I’ve only just scratched the surface.

Vienna is one of those picture-perfect cities where you’ll want to have your camera out at all times – as there’s something worth snapping around every corner. It’s as cosmopolitan as my beloved London, but with a little less hustle and bustle (unless you’re visiting at Christmas time, in which case… good luck).

It’s perfect for anyone who loves history, architecture, or music, with fairytale-like buildings and grand palaces that make you feel like you’ve wandered into a different era.

So, while this travel guide doesn’t cover all the best things to do in Vienna, it’s a great place to start – especially if it’s your first time visiting the city. I’ll be updating it as I go, because let’s be honest… I’m already planning visit number three.

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How to get around Vienna

Getting around Vienna is super simple. The city has a great public transport system with the U-Bahn (subway), trams, and buses. 

If you’re spending a few days in the city, it’s worth getting a 24, 48, or 72-hour travel pass, which gives you unlimited rides within Vienna’s core zones. 

You can buy tickets at the machines in U-Bahn stations, at most Trafik shops (look for the blue “T” signs), or sort it all on your phone through the official WienMobil website or app.

Just a heads-up: if you’re using a paper ticket, make sure to validate it before your first journey using the little blue machines at the station or on board trams and buses. 

And if you’re thinking of buying your ticket directly on the tram, keep in mind it’ll cost you 20 cents more than buying it at a station – so it’s worth planning ahead.

There’s also the Vienna City Card, which includes unlimited public transport plus discounts at loads of museums, cafés, and attractions – it’s worth looking into if you’re planning to squeeze in a lot of sightseeing.

Where to stay in Vienna

When it comes to choosing where to stay in Vienna, the good news is you don’t need to be right in the historic centre to have a great time. As long as you’re near a U-Bahn station, you’ll be able to get pretty much anywhere in no time – and you’ll likely save yourself quite a bit of money, too.

Accommodation in Vienna is getting more expensive, especially around November and December when the Vienna Christmas markets are in full swing. 

We stayed at the Moxy Vienna City East hotel* near Erdberg station during our winter visit, and it was a great base. It cost us €356 for two nights with breakfast included – which felt like a solid deal given how busy the city gets at that time of year.

The U-Bahn was just around the corner, and we could get to Stephansplatz (right in the heart of Vienna) in under 10 minutes, so it still felt central without the hefty price tag. 

Even better, the international bus terminal was literally right next door, with a direct 15-minute connection to the airport and buses to other cities (like Bratislava) if you’re travelling around.

Whether you’re after a boutique hotel or something more budget-friendly, there are plenty of options – as long as you’re not leaving it to the last minute (especially around Christmas!).

You can check the availability and prices for your dates below:

Best things to do in Vienna

Prater

Wurstelprater – or just Prater, as most people call it – is the world’s second oldest amusement park. 

The park itself is free to enter. You only pay for the rides you want to go on, which usually cost somewhere between €3 and €6.

The star of the show here (and one of Vienna’s top attractions) is the Wiener Riesenrad – an iconic 19th-century Ferris wheel that held the title of the world’s tallest for 65 years.

Tickets are €14.50 these days, which is definitely on the pricier side for a single ride, but the views from the top are pretty special. 

If you’re feeling fancy (and your wallet’s feeling generous), there are even private cabins where you can book a candlelit dinner or drinks with a view.

Aside from the Riesenrad, we also gave the Super 8 Bahn roller coaster a go, which cost €4.50 (it closed down in October 2022). It was fun, but let’s just say the lap bars felt a bit more wobbly than expected. 

It was my boyfriend’s first ever roller coaster, and as the more seasoned rider, I found myself saying, “It’s not usually like this, I swear!” Not the most reassuring intro to theme park life – but hey, we went to Tivoli Gardens later on and redeemed the whole experience.

If you’re visiting in the colder months, keep in mind that while you can ride the Riesenrad all year round, most other attractions only run from mid-March to the end of October.

Schönbrunn Palace

Schönbrunn Palace is easily one of the most beautiful baroque palace complexes in Europe. It was the former summer residence of the Habsburgs, including Maria Theresa, Emperor Franz Joseph, and Empress Elisabeth – who you might know better as Sissi. 

I still remember watching the Sissi films with my mum when I was little, so I was genuinely excited to finally see the place in person.

The palace gardens are free to enter and absolutely stunning – full of fountains, statues, tree-lined paths, and colourful flower beds. 

If you’d like to go inside the palace (which we didn’t do), full-price tickets are now €34. Just note that photography and filming aren’t allowed inside, so you’ll have to soak it all in the old-fashioned way.

There’s also plenty more to explore within the grounds – like the Imperial Carriage Museum, Orangery Garden, Crown Prince Garden, Maze and Labyrinth, Vienna Zoo, Palm House, and the Desert Experience House. Each has its own entry fee, or you can combine them into a ticket bundle depending on what you’re most interested in.

If you fancy a scenic break, you can grab coffee and pastries at Café Gloriette, located at the top of the hill with a gorgeous view over the palace grounds. Some of the passes also include access to the viewing terrace.

I’d love to come back in spring or summer, when everything’s in full bloom and the Palm House is showing off a bit more. When we visited, the woman at the ticket booth actually advised us not to bother – she said there wasn’t much to see inside at the time. Slightly disappointing, but honestly, we really appreciated the heads-up (and the saved euros!).

Belvedere

The Belvedere Palace complex is made up of two baroque palaces – Upper and Lower Belvedere – set on a gentle slope and connected by beautiful gardens filled with fountains and sculptures.

The Upper Belvedere is where you’ll find Gustav Klimt’s The Kiss, along with works by Monet, Van Gogh, Schiele, and a bunch of Austrian favourites. Tickets cost €17.50, so if you’re keen to see Klimt’s most famous work in person, this is where to go.

The Lower Belvedere (€14.60) focuses more on temporary exhibitions and gives you a peek at the more residential, lived-in side of Habsburg life. If you’re planning to see both, you can grab a combo ticket for €25.90.

We didn’t go inside either palace this time around and just wandered through the gardens instead – which are free and honestly worth a visit even on their own. 

But if you’ve got time (and you’re not already drowning in museums), I’d say go for it – especially if Klimt’s work is your thing.

Stephansdom

Stephansdom – or St. Stephen’s Cathedral – is one of Vienna’s most iconic landmarks. With its colourful tiled roof and massive Gothic spire, it’s hard to miss and has become a true symbol of the city.

It’s free to enter the main part of the cathedral where you’ll find Emperor Friedrich III’s red marble tomb and the beautifully carved Wiener Neustädter Altar.

If you’re up for something a bit different, you can pay to head down into the catacombs beneath the cathedral. Over 11,000 people are buried there – including Habsburg royals, priests, and plague victims. 

You’ll also see stacks of bones that were moved here from nearby cemeteries. It’s not for everyone, but if you’re into a bit of dark history, it’s really fascinating.

There are also two towers you can visit for an extra fee. The south tower has around 343 steps to the top (no lift, sorry!), but the panoramic views over Vienna are worth the climb. 

The north tower, on the other hand, has a lift and houses the Pummerin – Austria’s largest bell – which only rings on special occasions like New Year’s Eve.

Even if you don’t go in for a full tour, it’s worth stopping by just to admire the facade. It’s especially lovely at Christmas, when the whole square is lit up and there’s a small market right outside the cathedral.

Schmetterlinghaus

You might’ve seen that graphic floating around the internet – the one that lists the word for “butterfly” in different languages. 

Most are soft and flowy… and then there’s the German Schmetterling, which sounds like you’re launching into battle rather than admiring a delicate insect. Naturally, it became the subject of many memes.

I’ll admit, the only reason this place landed on our list was because of those jokes – but it turned out to be one of the loveliest surprises of our trip. 

Schmetterlinghaus, or the Butterfly House, is a tropical oasis inside a beautiful Art Nouveau palm house between the Albertina and the Hofburg Palace.

You can walk among dozens of exotic butterflies flying freely around the space, and if you’re lucky, one might even land on you for that perfect photo moment.

Tickets now cost €10 for adults, and if you fancy sticking around a bit longer, there’s also a brasserie and a bar inside.

Ringstraße

If you fancy a walk, the Ringstraße is a great way to see loads of Vienna’s most famous sights in one go. 

This 5.3 km boulevard loops around the Old Town and is lined with some of the most important buildings – like the University of Vienna, the State Opera, the Imperial Palace, the Kunsthistorisches Museum, and the Parliament, just to name a few.

Even if you’re short on time, it’s an easy way to tick off a lot of major landmarks in one afternoon. Just pop on some comfy shoes and stroll – or hop on a tram if you’re not feeling the full loop on foot.

Eat your way around Vienna

You really can’t leave Vienna without trying some of the most classic Austrian dishes – and no, I’m not just talking about schnitzel (though that’s obviously on the list). 

From well-known favourites to dishes you might not have heard of, there’s so much more to Austrian food than you might expect.

And then there’s the coffee culture – an entire experience of its own that’s just as much about atmosphere as it is about the coffee itself.

If you’re wondering what to eat in Vienna (and where to find the good stuff), I’ve put together a guide to the must-try dishes in Vienna and my favourite spots to try them. Trust me, you’ll want to come hungry.

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I hope you found this little travel guide helpful and that it gave you some ideas of things to do in Vienna if you’re ever thinking of ticking the city off your list. If you have already been to Vienna, feel free to tell me your favourite places and recommendations! Is there anything I absolutely cannot miss next time I’m in the city?