Vienna in 72 Hours: Discover the Itinerary That Will Make You Fall in Love With Austria’s Capital and Its Baroque Wonders
A 72-hour itinerary in Vienna filled with imperial palaces, baroque marvels, iconic museums and delicious food discoveries. Find out what to see, what to do, and how to save money with the most convenient passes to enjoy Austria’s capital at its best.
VIAGGI - TRAVELS
12/7/20258 min read
72 Hours in Vienna: A Complete Itinerary for a Long Weekend of Imperial Palaces, Art and Hidden Gems
Vienna is a city you experience with all your senses: your eyes wander through golden stuccoes; your nose follows the scent of Viennese coffee and Europe’s most iconic cakes; your ears are charmed by music echoing everywhere—from palaces to parks.
If you have 72 hours, get ready for a weekend that blends imperial history, creative modernity and those little gems only someone who truly knows the city can point out.
In this guide, you'll find a day-by-day itinerary, practical tips, foodie recommendations, info on the most convenient passes—like the Vienna City Card—and a selection of must-see spots for your exploration of Austria’s capital.
Plus, you’ll find links to bookable GetYourGuide tours to make your trip easy and well-organized.
DAY 1 — VIENNA’S IMPERIAL HEART
1. Hofburg Palace
Your first stop can only be Hofburg, the Habsburgs’ winter residence. This immense complex is a full immersion into imperial court life: rococo rooms, precious collections and the iconic Sisi Museum.
Tip: set aside at least two hours for the visit. With the Vienna City Card you’ll get useful discounts on tickets and transport.
To skip the lines and enter stress-free, consider the Skip-the-Line tour for Hofburg + Sisi Museum + gardens.
2. State Hall of the Austrian National Library
Just steps from Hofburg lies one of the most beautiful libraries in the world: the Prunksaal, the stunning State Hall of the Austrian National Library. Frescoed ceilings, dark wooden shelves and an atmosphere straight out of a historical novel.
Perfect for lovers of classical beauty—and for unforgettable photos.
3. Vienna State Opera
A true icon of the city, the Wiener Staatsoper is an unmissable stop.
If you’re a music lover, you absolutely cannot miss the chance to enjoy a lavish Mozart concert featuring world-class musicians and soloists in traditional baroque costumes.
Tickets sell out quickly!
If you can’t secure one, consider booking a guided backstage tour of one of the world’s most prestigious theaters.
4. St. Stephen’s Cathedral
A landmark of the historic center, St. Stephen’s Cathedral (Stephansdom) is a gothic masterpiece with its famous zigzag-patterned roof. Climbing to the top of the south tower is worth every step: the view over Vienna’s rooftops is priceless.
Its unique architectural structure is a marvel of acoustic engineering—here too, with advance booking, you can attend wonderful classical concerts.
Suggestion: if you're visiting in winter, sunset from the south tower is pure magic.
6. Karlsplatz & St. Charles Borromeo Church
A 10-minute walk brings you to Karlsplatz, one of the city’s most atmospheric squares, dominated by the spectacular Karlskirche with its aquamarine dome.
The entrance ticket includes access to the panoramic terrace via an internal lift all the way up to the frescoes.
For an emotionally intense experience, don’t miss Vivaldi’s Four Seasons concert—unforgettable.
5. Votivkirche
Just a few minutes from Stephansdom, you’ll find the Votivkirche, one of the most impressive neo-gothic churches in Europe. Its twin spires, bright interiors and colorful stained-glass windows make it one of Vienna’s lesser-known yet most spectacular churches. Great for photography and discovering another side of Viennese architecture.
A completely different—and absolutely unmissable—experience is Light of Creation, a 30-minute immersive light show inspired by Genesis. Surrounding projections transform the vaults and columns while music guides the visual evolution, often described as “magical,” “hypnotic,” and “transcendental.”
DAY 2 — PALACES, ART & ICONIC ARCHITECTURE
1. Schönbrunn Palace
Schönbrunn is one of Austria’s most iconic landmarks. The imperial family’s summer residence impresses with its 1,441 rooms and impeccably manicured geometric gardens.
Practical tip: book online to skip the line. Some versions of the Vienna City Card offer dedicated discounts.
For a relaxed, crowd-free experience, the skip-the-line guided tour of Schönbrunn + gardens provides priority access, a local guide and a full immersion into the palace’s history and rooms.
If you're dreaming of something truly magical, consider the exclusive after-hours visit—exploring the palace once the doors close to the public.
2. Belvedere Palace
After Schönbrunn, head to Belvedere Palace, another baroque jewel divided into Upper and Lower Belvedere. It houses The Kiss by Gustav Klimt, one of the world’s most famous paintings.
The exteriors, with their water features and terraced design, are already a show on their own.
The official guided tour with priority entrance gives you access to its world-renowned art collection, magnificent architecture and landscaped gardens—one of Vienna’s UNESCO treasures.
3. Hundertwasserhaus
Next, discover Vienna’s creative side at the Hundertwasserhaus, a totally unique building with undulating lines, bright colors and no two windows alike. A living artwork that breaks every rule—ideal for creative-architecture lovers and quirky photo spots.
With the entrance ticket you’ll learn about Hundertwasser’s philosophy and artistic principles, plus explore models, early works and the museum dedicated to his vision.
5. Volksgarten
One of Vienna’s most elegant parks, the Volksgarten is famous for its rose garden hosting around 3,000 roses from over 400 different varieties. In bloom (spring/summer), it becomes an explosion of colors and scents.
Inside the park, the white neoclassical Theseus Temple adds a romantic, historical touch.
On a sunny day, it’s the perfect spot for a break or an immersive photo session.
DAY 3 — HISTORY, CASTLES & A SPECIAL OUTING
1. Freud Museum
Start the day in Alsergrund, at Berggasse 19—the most famous address in Vienna—with a visit to Sigmund Freud’s home.
Here the psychoanalyst lived and worked for decades: photos, tools, letters and a layout that tells the story of a brilliant, complex mind.
Admire the preserved spatial structures and exhibitions detailing Freud’s professional journey and family life.
Book in advance to skip the line—this is one of Vienna’s most captivating museums.
2. Palace of Justice
A spot often overlooked by tourists but incredibly scenic: the Palace of Justice, with its monumental staircase and glass dome.
Few people know there's a panoramic café on the top floor—perfect for a break and a great Instagram moment.
Entrance is free but organized in 30-minute slots to manage visitor numbers.
3. Forchtenstein Castle
Located in Burgenland, about 45–50 minutes from Vienna, Forchtenstein Castle is one of Austria’s most dramatic fortresses, perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Pannonian plain.
It’s famous for three main reasons:
The Esterházy Secret Treasury:
For centuries, this castle housed the private treasure chamber of one of Central Europe’s most influential families.The largest baroque armory in Central Europe:
Long halls filled with muskets, arquebuses, halberds and cannons—immaculately preserved.Perfect military architecture:
Unlike Vienna’s palaces, Forchtenstein is a true fortress, not an aristocratic residence.
4. Carnuntum
About 30–35 minutes from Vienna, you can visit Carnuntum, an ancient Roman city transformed into a vast archaeological park.
Unlike most Roman sites, where imagination is required, Carnuntum is a “living museum”:
the hypocaust heating system really works, kitchens operate during reenactments, water flows in the baths, and you can enter rooms, touch objects and truly see how the Romans lived.
A real journey back in time, with houses, baths and public spaces reconstructed directly on their original foundations.
The entrance ticket includes both the Roman quarter of Petronell-Carnuntum and the Carnuntinum Museum in Bad Deutsch-Altenburg.
Foodie Gems
• Try authentic Tafelspitz in a historic restaurant (Plachutta is our top pick), or enjoy a sweet break at Café Sacher, home of the original Sachertorte.
• For lunch or dinner, avoid overly touristy areas: look for a traditional Beisl to taste local dishes like Schnitzel, ideally paired with a regional wine.
• To end your trip, seek out a Heuriger (a wine tavern in the suburbs) for rustic, authentic dishes like goulash—perfect for experiencing Vienna like a local.
• Don’t miss Vienna’s iconic street food at the historic Bitzinger Würstelstand near the Opera. The Käsekrainer (cheese-filled sausage) is a must.
Passes & How to Save
The Vienna City Card is the most convenient pass for 72 hours if you want unlimited public transport and discounts on many attractions.
There are also Transfer and Tourism versions including airport transfers or guided tours.
If you plan to visit many museums, consider the Vienna Pass, which offers free entry to over 70 attractions (including Schönbrunn, Belvedere, Hofburg and the Opera).
Our Tips
• To enjoy Vienna’s top palaces without the crowds, use the “shift effect”: arrive 30–40 minutes before tour groups. At Schönbrunn, Belvedere and Hofburg, organized arrivals follow predictable patterns—check opening times and get there a bit earlier. It will feel like having the palaces to yourself.
• To get around like a local, use the metro outside peak hours (8:00–9:00 and 17:00–18:00). On weekdays the metro closes shortly after midnight; after that, consider a taxi or NightLine bus. On weekends and holidays, the metro runs all night—ideal after evening photography or a concert.
• To avoid tourist prices and eat like a true Viennese, choose Beisl outside the hyper-central zones. Many don’t take online reservations, but if you arrive between 11:45–12:00 or 17:45–18:00, you’ll almost always find a spot—these are the time slots locals use, and they guarantee a more authentic (and often cheaper) experience.
4. Butterfly House
A short walk from the center takes you to one of Vienna’s most magical places: the Schmetterlinghaus, a tropical greenhouse filled with colorful butterflies.
A warm, humid environment (around 26°C and 80% humidity) where hundreds of exotic butterflies live freely among tropical plants, waterfalls, ponds and small bridges.
A relaxing sensory experience—perfect for photos or a quiet break, especially if you’re traveling with friends, a partner or family.