Covering an area of almost 415 square kilometers, Vienna hides places worth seeing on almost every corner. This can make it difficult to plan a trip, especially for a short stay. But don't worry: in this article, we have summarized the most important stops for you and also included a few insider tips from the locals. First and foremost, we recommend the Vienna Welcome Card, with which you can save a lot of money at numerous sights and on public transport. With these discounts and our tips, nothing stands in the way of three eventful days in Vienna.

St. Stephen's Cathedral: the classic Viennese landmark

When you travel on the Vienna subway, one station in particular stands out on the map: In the middle, a church is the only image to adorn the Stephansplatz station. Anyone visiting Vienna should definitely make a stop there. Not only are you then in the 1st district and therefore in Vienna's old town, but you also end up right in front of what is probably the most famous sight. The foundation stone for St. Stephen's Cathedral - St. Stephen's Cathedral for short - was laid back in the 12th century and the cathedral has seen a lot of history since then. The church is accessible free of charge.

Red Bull Mobile eSIM: Stay connected worldwide 

Whether for buying tickets online, for quick translations or for posting on social media: You need a good connection to the Internet, especially when you're on vacation. With so many SIM cards and phone providers on offer, it's easy to fall into the trap of overpriced offers - especially in a new country. Our tip is the eSIM from Red Bull Mobile. Here you can easily choose the right deal for your trip from numerous offers in the most popular travel destinations in the app. You don't even have to change your SIM card, as the eSIM works very easily via the app alongside your normal contract.

Tip: This means you no longer have to worry about roaming costs and get 1GB for free and even enjoy discounts and double savings with the Vienna Welcome Card.

Madame Tussauds: shoulder to shoulder with the stars 

At Madame Tussauds Vienna, you can get very close to your favorite world stars as well as Austrian celebrities. In addition to the well-known figures, the wax museum also offers a lot more: with virtual reality tours, historical exhibitions and 5D experiences, you can immerse yourself in the world of the most famous people from film, television, music and politics. If you've always wanted to take a selfie with Harry Styles or Empress Sisi, you've come to the right place.

Tip: In addition to the inexpensive ticket bundles from Madame Tussauds, it's also worth taking advantage of the Vienna Welcome Card and saving on admission.

Vienna's markets: stroll from stall to stall

If you spend three days in Vienna, a visit to the market is a must on your program. In Vienna, you will find large, bustling markets with highlights from all over the world as well as small, hidden farmers' markets with regional produce. In addition to the famous Naschmarkt on Wienzeile, there are many other markets that are well worth a visit. In the 18th district, the small Kutschkermarkt awaits you with selected specialties and requires a well-filled wallet. The Rochusmarkt in the 3rd district breaks up the hustle and bustle of the streets with a few stalls - it used to be purely a flower market, but now also offers fruit, vegetables, bread, etc. We particularly love the Karmelitermarkt in the 2nd district, which invites you to stroll and linger between Augarten and Prater with its colorful stalls and eateries.

At the weekend, the offerings range from homemade poppy seed tents and naturally cloudy apple juice to organic fennel salami and radishes from regional farms. Even when things get busier, the traders are always happy to give advice and hand out various samples.

Schönbrunn Palace: visit the most popular palace in the city 

Schönbrunn Palace is not only an evergreen among the city's sights, but also offers several ways to spend the day. In addition to the impressive building with its original state rooms and living quarters from imperial times, the palace gardens are also well worth a visit. Here you can take a long walk up to the Gloriette for a wonderful view over the city, pass the time in the maze or take a break on one of the sunbathing lawns. For families, Schönbrunn is also home to the zoo, which is the oldest zoo in the world. No matter what you decide to do, Schönbrunn is always worth a visit and with the Vienna Welcome Card there are many discounts here too. 

Tip: Buy your tickets directly online through the app and avoid standing in line.

Kaiser's: A classic of Viennese cuisine

Austria without Kaiserschmarrn? Unimaginable. That's exactly why at least one Kaiserschmarrn should be part of your 3-day program in Vienna. At Kaiser's restaurants, you can try the classic with plum roaster as well as numerous new creations, such as Nutella-raspberry-vanilla or apple-cinnamon. Sounds tasty, doesn't it? Kaiser's is available at eleven locations in Vienna, so you always have the opportunity for a tasty snack during your sightseeing program. 

Tip: Enjoy 20 % discount on your Kaiserschmarrn with the Vienna Welcome Card.

Heidi Horten Collection: Modern art in the center of Vienna

When it comes to museums, Vienna has a lot to offer. From modern art at the MUMOK to dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum and interactive exhibitions at the Technical Museum, pretty much all areas of interest are represented. For your program in Vienna, we have a somewhat newer recommendation: the Heidi Horten Collection gives an insight into the art of Vienna around 1900, but also includes German and international Expressionism, Arte Povera and Pop Art. The extensive collection has been on display in an architecturally impressive building since 2022 and allows art lovers to discover new approaches to art in a very personal environment. 

Tip: It definitely pays to have the Vienna Welcome Card, which also offers discounts at this excursion destination.

We wish you a wonderful three days in Vienna! The Vienna Welcome Card is particularly good value for money, as it gives you discounts on numerous Viennese highlights and public transport. Do you have a few more days and want to explore the area around Vienna? Here are our favorite excursion destinations for the Vienna area. And this article gives you an overview of Vienna's wine taverns.