VIENNA

Vienna is the kind of city that makes you want to slow down, drink coffee in a chandelier-lit café, and pretend you live in a Wes Anderson movie. Regal yet welcoming, it's a place where imperial palaces meet cozy wine taverns, and classical music floats through the air as naturally as the scent of fresh strudel.

I spent four days in Vienna and honestly, it was the perfect amount of time to fall completely in love with this beautifully preserved European capital. Whether you’re a history buff, an art lover, or just looking for the best slice of sachertorte, Vienna has something for you.

4 NIGHTS

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BEST TIME TO VISIT – April–June or September–October for mild weather and fewer crowds

GETTING AROUND – U-Bahn (super clean & easy), trams, or walking

CURRENCY – Euros – credit cards widely accepted, but keep a little cash for smaller shops and cafés

Where to Stay in Vienna

Luxury

• Hotel Sacher Wien – Iconic, elegant, and home of the original sachertorte. Old-world charm and unmatched service.

• Rosewood Vienna – A newer luxury option blending historic architecture with contemporary design. Central location.

Modern & Stylish

• Hotel Motto – Eclectic Parisian-meets-Viennese glam with bold interiors and a rooftop bar.

• The Guesthouse Vienna – Understated elegance with cozy rooms, a fantastic café, and views of the Albertina.

Budget-Friendly

• MOOONS Vienna – A boutique-style hotel with sleek rooms and surprisingly great rates. Steps from the main train station.

• 25hours Hotel Vienna at MuseumsQuartier – Colorful, quirky, and super fun. Great for creatives or solo travelers.

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Where to Eat in Vienna

Traditional Viennese

• Plachutta Wollzeile – Famous for their tafelspitz (boiled beef), this is a must for a true taste of Austrian cuisine.

• Figlmüller – Known for the best schnitzel in Vienna. Portions are huge—come hungry.

Modern & Trendy

• Motto am Fluss – Chic dining on the Danube Canal with a beautiful brunch and great evening vibes.

• Labstelle – Farm-to-table dishes in a cozy, stylish space. Great wine list too.

Cafés & Sweets

• Café Central – Historic and photogenic. Expect a line, but the cakes and ambiance are worth the wait.

• Demel – Classic pastries and imperial flair. Grab an apple strudel and a window seat.

• Joseph Brot – Great bakery for fresh breads, sandwiches, and healthy brunch options.

What to Do and See in Vienna

Schönbrunn Palace
Tour the former imperial summer residence and walk the perfectly manicured gardens. Don’t skip the Gloriette view!

Belvedere Palace
A gorgeous baroque complex housing some of Austria’s most famous art—including Klimt’s The Kiss.

St. Stephen’s Cathedral
Climb the tower for panoramic city views, or simply admire the stunning Gothic architecture from below.

MuseumQuartier
A cultural hub packed with museums, galleries, and cafés. Ideal for art lovers and architecture enthusiasts.

Vienna State Opera
Even if you don’t catch a performance, take a tour. The interiors are jaw-dropping.

Naschmarkt
A vibrant market with everything from fresh produce to global street food. Great for a midday snack and people-watching.

Ride the Ring Tram
A fun, affordable way to see Vienna’s key historic buildings without doing all the walking.

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Final Thoughts

Vienna is elegant without being pretentious, classic without being stuffy. It’s the kind of city you’ll want to return to again and again. Between the palaces, pastries, and peaceful energy, four days here feels like a real treat.

If you’re planning a European itinerary that includes Vienna + Prague + Budapest, I’d love to help you build the perfect route.

📩 Let’s start planning

HOW TO PLAN YOUR OWN EASTERN EUROPE VACATION

Written by Lauren Bailey

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www.thatblondetravels.com

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OUR EASTERN EUROPE ITINERARY

C/O Sorasak @boontohhgraphy

Here’s what our 9 day Eastern Europe itinerary looked like:

Prague (2 nights)

Salzburg (2 nights)

Vienna (2 nights)

Budapest (2 nights)

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Total days: 9

Prague (2 nights)

Prague, with it’s romantic cobblestone streets and baroque architecture, is home to multiple well-known cultural destinations. All centrally located, main attractions include Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, Old Town Square with the astronomical clock, the Jewish Quarter, and Petřín hill. Since 1992, the extensive historic centre of Prague has been included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.

Where we stayed: Boho Prague - Luxury hotel in the historic centre of Prague, steps away from Old Town Square. Seriously, the BEST hotel!

Salzburg (2 nights)

Salzburg is the forth largest city in Austria and was the birthplace of Mozart. Most notably, in the mid‑20th century, the city was the setting for the musical film The Sound of Music. Salzburg is a great location to stay in for day excursions to the beautiful city of Hallstatt as well!

Where we stayed: Hotel Auersperg - Boutique hotel located in the city centre of Salzburg. Breakfast was yummy!

Vienna (2 nights)

Vienna, the capital of Austria (previously the capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire), is one of the most romantic and clean cities that I have visited. Often regarded to as the “City of Music” because of its musical history, Vienna was also home to the world's first psychoanalyst – Sigmund Freud. When you visit, have a coffee at Café Central, where Sigmund Freud would sit and observe passersby.

Where we stayed: Hotel Kaiserhoff - Close to Vienna Opera House and walk-able location to all the famous sights in Vienna.

Budapest (2 nights)

Budapest is seriously one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Split into two by the Danube River, Budapest is made up of two cities, “Buda” and “Pest”. This UNESCO World Heritage Site has many notable cultural monuments as well as over 80 geothermal springs, for example, the famous Széchenyi Bath.

Where we stayed: Moments Budapest - This hotel is also located in the city centre close to St. Stephen’s Basilica and shopping on Andrássy Street!

RECOMMENDED EASTERN EUROPE ITINERARy

Based on my experience above, I would recommend this 13 Day Eastern Europe itinerary if you’re visiting these cities for the first time:

C/O Jacek Dylag @dylu

Prague (3 nights)

Salzburg (2 nights)

Vienna (3 nights)

Budapest (4 nights)

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Total days: 13

FAQs

Is Eastern Europe safe to visit as a woman?
In general, we felt very safe the entire time that we were visiting Eastern Europe. I would not recommend going to a bar or pub alone though. If you are thinking of going alone, maybe consider a guided group tour if you would like to feel more secure.

What time of year is best to visit Eastern Europe?
We visited in March and had cold but wonderful weather. With that being said, shoulder season (May and June and from September until mid-October) will be less crowded. The weather is more temperate and prices are lower than in the summer months, but some excursions, restaurants, and hotels may operate on reduced schedules. [Frommers]

What was your favorite city in Eastern Europe?
Although we did not have enough time in each city, I would have to say that Budapest was definitely at the top of my list! The food was amazing and the city is gorgeous!

How long do I need for a trip to Eastern Europe?
It depends on what you are wanting to do and if you want to spread out the sights more. With so many options of countries and cities to visit, I would recommend taking a look at this guide by Rick Steves to get a good idea of where to start and where to go depending on how many days that you have to enjoy your visit.

What’s the best way to get around in Eastern Europe?
I found that the best way to get from city to city was via train. Once in the city, we used Uber a lot (It was so cheap!!) along with walking.

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More from our Eastern Europe trip coming soon! If you have a question or have a specific topic that you’d like me to cover in future Eastern Europe city blog posts, leave me a recommendation below…

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See also: TWO DAYS IN BUDAPEST: A CITY GUIDE

C/O Fredy Martinez @fredymartinez

C/O Maroš Verba @frago

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ABOUT ME:

I'm a full-time pharmacist that loves to travel whenever I get the chance.

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Follow me: @thatblondetravels

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