This article contains affiliate links: if you book through them, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I worked with Altstadt Vienna and Hotel Rathaus Wein & Design during this trip. The opinions and the photographs are my own.
Vienna was one of the last stops of my Interrail journey, before Bratislava and Prague. I arrived by train from Graz, over the Semmering, and stayed four nights.
What struck me first is the grandeur and the space.
Vienna overview
How we got there: by train from Graz, with our Interrail pass.
How long we stayed: four nights.
How we got around: on foot, non stop.
How long I would stay: a minimum of one week. We had to choose between seeing the city and visiting the museums. With more days, you can do both.
Where to stay in Vienna
We split our four nights between two hotels, two nights each, in the 7th and the 8th districts.
Altstadt Vienna, 7th district
Kirchengasse 41, in Spittelberg. A boutique hotel in a historic building, a five minute walk from the MuseumsQuartier. Every room is decorated differently, and the hotel shows the owner's collection of contemporary art. In the afternoon, tea and homemade cake are served by the fireplace.
Hotel Rathaus Wein & Design, 8th district
Lange Gasse 13, in Josefstadt. A hotel dedicated to Austrian wine, with a list of more than 450 wines. Each room is dedicated to an Austrian winemaker, with their wines in the minibar.
Check prices and availability at Hotel Rathaus Wein & Design
Getting around Vienna
We walked everywhere, non stop.
Planning a lot of museums? The Vienna Pass covers more than 85 sights
Good to know: public transport
If your legs need a break, Vienna has underground, trams and buses. A single ticket costs €3.20 and is valid for 80 minutes, with changes allowed. A 7-day ticket costs €28.90. Tickets bought in the WienMobil app or online are a little cheaper than paper ones. Since January 2026, the 48-hour and 72-hour tickets no longer exist: for a short stay, buy 24-hour tickets or the 7-day ticket.
Best things to do in Vienna
Walk the city and photograph it
This is what we did the most: walk through the city and take photos.
My photo spots: the hot dog kiosks
My favourite spots for street photography were near the Würstelstände, the hot dog kiosks you find in the streets of Vienna.
A Viennese coffee at Café Mozart
I had my Viennese coffee at Café Mozart.
Good to know: Café Mozart is at Albertinaplatz 2, opposite the State Opera and the Albertina museum. There has been a coffee house here since 1794, and it has been called Café Mozart since 1929. Graham Greene worked on the screenplay of The Third Man here, and a scene of the film takes place on its terrace. It is open every day, from 8am to 11:30pm.
Where to eat in Vienna
We ate schnitzels.
Beisl in der Sigmundsgasse
Sigmundsgasse 12, Spittelberg, 7th district
A tiny, no-frills place near Altstadt, open since 1982, with the same host all along. It is really small, so book a table. Their Wiener schnitzel is made from pork and fried in a pan. The street is part of Spittelberg, an ensemble of Biedermeier houses protected as a group.
Amerlingbeisl
Stiftgasse 8, Spittelberg, 7th district
The reason to go is the inner courtyard, with a vine growing over it. The house dates from 1700, and the painter Friedrich Amerling was born there in 1803. The beisl has been open since 1980. Their speciality is an organic veal schnitzel, pan-fried.
Gasthaus Zu den 3 Hacken
Singerstraße 28, 1st district
One of the oldest inns in Vienna, with low vaulted rooms and wooden benches. It was a favourite of Franz Schubert and his friends, and it reopened in 2021 after a restoration.
Café Eiles
Josefstädter Straße 2, 8th district
A good option that is not expensive. This is where I had a goulash with a fried egg on top. There has been a café here since 1838, under the Eiles name since 1901, and it is open every day until midnight. One honest note: the service really depends on who you get.
If you have more time
With four nights, we had to choose between the city and the museums, and we chose the city. Ideas for next time:
- The Kunsthistorisches Museum, the art history museum on the Ring.
- The Albertina, right next to Café Mozart.
- The MuseumsQuartier, a five minute walk from Altstadt Vienna.
- Schönbrunn Palace, the imperial summer residence.
How many days in Vienna?
A minimum of one week. Plan a lot of days: with less time, you will have to choose between seeing the city and visiting the museums.
Vienna FAQ
Is Vienna walkable?
Yes. We walked everywhere, non stop.
Where to stay in Vienna?
We stayed in the 7th district, at Altstadt Vienna, and in the 8th, at Hotel Rathaus Wein & Design.
How many days do you need in Vienna?
At least a week, if you want to see both the city and the museums.
How much is public transport in Vienna?
€3.20 for a single ticket valid 80 minutes, and €28.90 for 7 days.
Where to have a Viennese coffee?
I had mine at Café Mozart, opposite the State Opera.
Where to eat schnitzel in Vienna?
Beisl in der Sigmundsgasse, Amerlingbeisl and Zu den 3 Hacken.
Read next
More from Austria:
- Graz travel guide: a peaceful city, red rooftops and the Schlossberg
- Villach and Lake Faak travel guide: a charming town and a turquoise lake to disconnect
Affiliate disclosure: some links in this article are affiliate links. If you buy or book through them, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. More