3 Days in Vienna: Palaces & Coffee Houses
Vienna feels grand. It's a city that takes itself seriously, in a good way. Three days gives you time to see the palaces, stare at Klimt paintings, and spend hours in a coffee house eating cake while judging people.
Day-by-Day Snapshot
Imperial Center
Hofburg Palace, St. Stephen's Cathedral, and the Albertina.
Art & Schönbrunn
Schönbrunn Palace in the morning, Belvedere Palace in the afternoon.
MuseumQuartier
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Naschmarkt, and a slow coffee house afternoon.
- •Ordering just 'coffee' (you must specify Melange, Einspänner, etc.).
- •Waiting in line for Cafe Central instead of trying smaller local cafes.
- •Walking in the bike lanes.
- •Shopping on a Sunday (almost everything is closed).
September for mild weather, or December for the Christmas markets.
Hundertwasserhaus for quirky, colorful architecture.
- Innere Stadt: Inside the Ringstrasse, walking distance to everything.
- Neubau: Hip, full of independent shops and younger crowds.
Getting Around
Buy a 72-hour network pass. The U-Bahn (subway) and trams are flawless. From the airport, the ÖBB railjet is cheaper than the CAT train.
Where to Eat
Figlmüller for huge schnitzels. Cafe Sperl for a classic coffee house vibe. Get a sausage from a Wurstelstand late at night.
Common Questions
Is Vienna boring?
Only if you hate art, history, and cake. It's quiet, but deeply cultured.
Do I need to tip?
Round up the bill or add 5-10%.
Should I dress up?
Viennese people dress smartly. You don't need a suit, but maybe skip the sweatpants.
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