3 Day Austria Itinerary: How To Spend A Weekend In Austria

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Austria is one of my favorite countries in Europe, and I’ve been lucky enough to travel through several parts of the country. Three days is not enough time to see everything, but it is enough for a first trip. Since Vienna is the easiest place to base yourself, this 3 day itinerary focuses on two days in Vienna plus a day trip to see more of Austria.

You’ll find a mix of famous landmarks, local food, and some of my own experiences from visiting Austria. If you have more time, I’d also recommend adding Salzburg or extending your trip into the Alps.

Keep reading for my full 3 day Austria itinerary.

Last updated: May 26, 2026

Published: March 27, 2025

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3 Day Austria Itinerary Overview

Here’s a quick look at how you’ll spend your three days in Austria:

• Day 1: Explore Vienna’s imperial history at Schönbrunn Palace, Hofburg Palace, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, and Naschmarkt.
• Day 2: Visit Vienna’s museums and landmarks, including Belvedere Palace, Prater, and the famous Ferris wheel.
• Day 3: Take a day trip from Vienna to places like Salzburg, Hallstatt, Wachau Valley, Innsbruck, or Bratislava.

This itinerary works best for first-time visitors who want to use Vienna as a base while seeing more of Austria in a short amount of time.

The Best 3 Day Austria Itinerary

Ready to spend the weekend in Austria? Here is the ultimate 3 day Austria itinerary. If you have another day or two, add another day trip from Vienna, or spend more time in Salzburg, and be sure to check out my 5 day Austria itinerary.

Day 1: Exploring Vienna, Austria

Vienna has some of the most interesting and grand imperial history, which you will be experiencing today.

Start your first day in Austria at Schönbrunn Palace – a stunning UNESCO World Heritage site that was the summer residence of the Habsburgs. Plan to spend around 2–3 hours at Schönbrunn Palace and the gardens.

I visited in winter, and even in the cold it was still worth walking around outside. If you’re visiting in summer, try to arrive early since Schönbrunn gets crowded later in the morning.

For lunch, head to Naschmarkt, Vienna’s most famous food market. Grab lunch at Naschmarkt, where you’ll find everything from traditional Austrian dishes to international food. If you want to try a local classic, order Wiener Schnitzel with potato salad.

After lunch, head toward Vienna’s historic center. Hofburg Palace and St. Stephen’s Cathedral are within walking distance, making this part of the day easy to explore on foot.

First, visit the Hofburg Palace, the former imperial palace and current home of the Austrian President. You can explore the Imperial Apartments and the Sisi Museum. The Sisi Museum ended up being one of my favorite parts of Hofburg because it gives you a closer look at Empress Elisabeth beyond the royal image. Spend around 1 to 2 hours here depending on whether you visit the museums.

Afterward, take a short walk to St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Vienna’s iconic Gothic masterpiece. If you’re up for it, climb the Steffl Tower for impressive views of the city. It’s a lot of steps, but well worth it for the views, especially of the Cathedral’s unique roof!

For dinner, find a traditional Austrian restaurant and end the day with classics like goulash, schnitzel, or Tafelspitz. No matter where you eat, save room for a slice of Sachertorte.

Day 2: Art, Prater, And The Ferris Wheel In Vienna

Ready for your second day in Austria? Today mixes Vienna’s famous museums with some of its best outdoor spaces and city views.

Start your day in Vienna by enjoying art at the Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Art History), one of the world’s most important art museums. It houses an extensive collection of works by artists including Vermeer, Rembrandt, and Raphael. Plan to spend 1 to 2 hours here depending on how much time you like spending in museums.

Afterward, visit Belvedere Palace to see works by Gustav Klimt, including his iconic painting The Kiss, and enjoy the beautiful gardens. Even if you are not a huge art person, Belvedere is worth visiting, and the palace grounds are beautiful to walk around.

After spending most of the day indoors, head over to Prater for a change of pace. The Riesenrad ride takes about 10 to 20 minutes and gives you some of the best views across Vienna.

In the evening, enjoy dinner at Gasthaus Pöschl, a cozy spot offering classic Austrian fare. End the night with a walk along the Donaukanal. The area feels much different from Vienna’s imperial center and has street art, bars, and a more local atmosphere.

Day 3: Take A Day Trip from Vienna

For your third day in Austria, head out of the city and explore more of the country.

Since you’re short on time, I recommend choosing one day trip rather than trying to squeeze multiple places into one day. Salzburg would be my top choice for first-time visitors, but there are several great options depending on what kind of trip you want.

Salzburg: Best for first-time visitors

Travel time from Vienna: ~2.5 hours by train each way

Salzburg is my favorite city in Austria and would be my personal recommendation if this is your first trip. Known as Mozart’s birthplace, Salzburg has beautiful Baroque architecture, mountain views, and a smaller feel than Vienna.

Explore the historic Old Town, visit Hohensalzburg Fortress for views of the city, and walk through Mirabell Gardens. Don’t miss Mozart Geburtshaus, where you can learn more about Mozart’s life.

Hallstatt: Best for scenery

Travel time from Vienna: ~3.5 hours each way

Hallstatt is often called one of the most beautiful villages in the world, and after visiting myself, I can say it actually lived up to the photos. The lakeside setting and mountain views feel very different from Vienna.

Take a boat ride on Lake Hallstatt, walk through the village streets, and head up to the Hallstatt Skywalk for panoramic views.

Wachau Valley: Best for wine and small towns

Travel time from Vienna: ~1–1.5 hours

If you want a slower day closer to Vienna, head to Wachau Valley. This UNESCO region is known for vineyards, castles, and small towns along the Danube.

Start in Dürnstein, visit Krems, and consider taking a boat ride for some of the best views of the valley.

Innsbruck: Best for mountain views

Travel time from Vienna: ~4–4.5 hours

Surrounded by the Alps, Innsbruck is a great option if mountain scenery is your priority. Visit the Golden Roof, explore Old Town, or take a cable car into the mountains.

Bratislava: Best if you want to visit another country

Travel time from Vienna: ~1 hour

Just across the border in Slovakia, Bratislava makes an easy international day trip. Walk through Old Town, visit Bratislava Castle, and try local dishes while exploring the city.

If you want my recommendation, choose Salzburg for a first trip, Hallstatt for scenery, or Wachau Valley if you want something closer to Vienna.

No matter which day trip you choose, you will enjoy the day outside of Vienna, seeing more of Austria, or even Slovakia!

Tours to Book in Austria

Booking a tour in Austria is a great way to maximize your time there and see the top sites. Plus, booking a day trip on day 3 of your itinerary will save you a lot of hassle, so you can enjoy your time in Austria!

Here are the top tours in Austria:

Tips for Your Austria Trip

Ready for your trip to Austria? Here are some tips to help you make the most of your three days in the country, with a focus on Vienna.

• Use Vienna’s Public Transport: Vienna’s metro (U-Bahn), trams, and buses are reliable and easy to use. Since you’ll be moving between Schönbrunn, central Vienna, and day trip stations, public transportation is usually easier than relying on taxis. If you plan to visit several attractions and use public transportation often, a Vienna City Card may help you save money.
• Carry Some Cash: While cards are widely accepted, I still recommend carrying some cash for smaller cafés, market stalls, and day trips outside Vienna. Euros (€) are the local currency.
• Book Tickets in Advance: For popular attractions like Schönbrunn Palace, the Belvedere, or the Vienna State Opera, booking online can help you skip the lines and secure your spot.
• Plan Your Day Trip Wisely: If you’re taking a day trip from Vienna, be sure to plan the day and your transportation in advance. Longer day trips like Hallstatt and Innsbruck require more planning, so check train schedules ahead of time or consider booking a tour to make things easier.
• Try Local Specialties: Don’t miss out on traditional Austrian dishes like Wiener Schnitzel, Sachertorte, or Apfelstrudel. Many classic Viennese coffeehouses offer these in an authentic setting.

Where to Stay in Austria

Since this itinerary is based around Vienna, I recommend staying there for all three nights. Vienna has excellent public transportation and makes it easy to explore the city and take day trips around Austria.

Budget: Vienna Hostel Ruthensteiner – One of the best budget-friendly places to stay in Vienna. It has a social atmosphere, clean rooms, and both private and dorm options. The location near Westbahnhof station also makes it easy to get around the city.

Mid-range: Austria Trend Hotel Savoyen Vienna – A good middle-ground option with spacious rooms and a location close to Belvedere Palace and public transportation. It works well if you want comfort without luxury prices.

Luxury: Hotel Sacher Wien – One of Vienna’s most famous hotels and a great choice if you want a classic stay in the heart of the city. It sits near the Vienna State Opera and many of the places on this itinerary.

For even more places to stay in Vienna, check out these great hotels and home rentals at the best prices:

Conclusion: 3 Day Austria Itinerary

Three days is not enough time to see all of Austria, but it is enough to get a great introduction to the country. By using Vienna as your base, you can experience the city’s history, food, and famous landmarks while still making time to see more of Austria on a day trip.

Austria quickly became one of my favorite countries in Europe, and whether you choose Salzburg, Hallstatt, or somewhere else for day three, you really cannot go wrong. If you have extra time, consider extending your trip to explore even more of the country.

Before your trip, be sure to check out my other Austria guides below for more itinerary ideas, travel tips, and things to do.

• Four day Vienna itinerary
• How many days to spend in Vienna
• Tours from Vienna to Hallstatt
• Vienna IG captions
• Vienna Travel Tips