Vienna was the capital of the Habsburg Empire for 640 years (1278-1918), the cultural center of Central Europe.
Why 3 Days Works
The Innere Stadt fits inside the Ringstrasse, the 5.3 km boulevard built 1857-1865 on the line of demolished city walls. Three days covers Schonbrunn, Hofburg, major museums.
Day 1: Inner City and Hofburg
Start at Stephansdom, Gothic cathedral founded 1137. South Tower 6 euros. Walk to Hofburg Palace: Spanish Riding School, Sissi Museum (16 euros), Imperial Treasury (12 euros) with the Holy Roman Empire crown.
Lunch Figlmuller for famous schnitzel 19 euros. Afternoon: Kunsthistorisches Museum 21 euros with the largest Bruegel collection plus Vermeer, Caravaggio.
Evening: Vienna State Opera. Standing room from 3 euros at the door 80 minutes before curtain.
Day 2: Schonbrunn and Belvedere
Schonbrunn Palace (metro U4) Habsburg summer residence. 1,441 rooms (1696-1780). Grand Tour 26 euros, half a day with gardens. World oldest zoo (1752).
Afternoon Belvedere Palace (Baroque, 1717), Klimts The Kiss (1908). 16 euros, 2 hours.
Evening dinner at a Heuriger wine tavern in Grinzing — Tram 38.
Day 3: Coffeehouses and MuseumsQuartier
Traditional Viennese coffeehouse (UNESCO Intangible Heritage). Cafe Central, Cafe Sacher (Original Sacher Torte 7.50 euros), Cafe Demel (since 1786).
MuseumsQuartier, 90,000 sq m former imperial stables, 7 museums. Leopold Museum with worlds largest Egon Schiele collection. The Albertina has the worlds largest graphic art collection.
Day 2: Schonbrunn and Belvedere
Schonbrunn Palace (U4) Habsburg summer residence. 1,441 rooms. Grand Tour 26 euros. Worlds oldest zoo (1752). Afternoon Belvedere Palace (Baroque 1717) with Klimts The Kiss. 16 euros.
Day 3: Coffeehouses
Traditional Viennese coffeehouse (UNESCO). Cafe Central, Cafe Sacher (Original Sacher Torte 7.50 euros), Cafe Demel since 1786. MuseumsQuartier: Leopold Museum with worlds largest Egon Schiele collection. The Albertina has worlds largest graphic art collection.
Where to Stay
Hotel Sacher 580 EUR, Hotel Imperial 620 EUR, Hotel Topazz 260 EUR.
Cost
3 nights 2 people: 700-1000 budget, 1300-2000 mid, 3000-5500 luxury.
FAQ
Is 3 days enough?
Yes for major imperial sights.
When?
April-June, September-October. December for Christkindlmarkt.
Stand at Stephansplatz at 7 AM before the souvenir shops open. The Gothic Stephansdom rises 136 meters above you. Construction began 1137, current building completed 1340, the 137-meter south tower finished 1433. The diamond-pattern multicolored tile roof (230,000 tiles forming the double-headed eagle of the Habsburgs) survived WWII bombing intact. Climb the south tower (343 narrow stone steps, 6 euros). At the top, the city spreads in all directions, the Vienna Woods visible on the western horizon, Hungary visible on a clear day.
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