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Vienna is one of those cities that gets everything right. We first visited as part of a two-week European guided tour and had just two days in Vienna, which felt both insufficient and somehow exactly right for a first visit.
The city is so well preserved, so immaculately maintained, that even rushing through it on a tour itinerary left a strong impression. Everything in Vienna looks like it was cleaned and restored last week. It is truly a beautiful
Here’s how we’d recommend spending a 2-day Vienna itinerary.
Vienna Quick Guide
- How many days do you need: 2 days to cover the highlights
- Best time to visit: April to June and September to October for mild weather and smaller crowds or December for Christmas markets, which are among the best in Europe
- Getting around: The U-Bahn metro is excellent and covers everything — a 48-hour travel pass is the best value for a two-day visit
- Don’t miss: Schönbrunn Palace
2 Days in Vienna: A Full Itinerary
This guide includes things to do, accommodation, travel tips and everything you need to know before visiting Vienna. Use our 2 day Vienna itinerary as a starting point to build your own perfect short stay in this beautiful city.
Day 1 in Vienna
Admire St. Stephen’s Cathedral
St Stephen’s Cathedral is the obvious starting point — it sits at the heart of the city and towers over everything around it.
The Gothic facade is extraordinary up close, especially the coloured tile roof, which you will have seen in every Vienna photo but which is even more impressive in person.
Entry to the main cathedral is free, but paying for the tower gives you panoramic views over the rooftops that are worth the extra few euros. Get here early because it gets busy quickly and the morning light on the exterior is the best of the day.
This has been a religious site for almost 1,000 years, however, this cathedral was built throughout the 1500s.
If you aren’t looking for as much of a detailed adventure, you can also pay to climb up the south tower and see the stunning panoramic views of Vienna from above. The south tower offers the best views but is only accessible by walking up 343 steps, the North tower is accessible by lift.
The Graben and Kohlmarkt
From St Stephen’s, the natural path takes you along the Graben. This is Vienna’s most elegant pedestrian street, lined with baroque architecture, street performers and some of the best people-watching in Europe.
If you are looking to do some shopping in Vienna, this is the place for it. You will find all the classic stores like Zara and H&M plus some interesting others.
Stop somewhere along here for coffee and cake.
Simon had coffee, and I had cake. Sachertorte, the famous Viennese chocolate cake with apricot jam, is on every menu in the city and at its best in Vienna.
It would be wrong to leave without trying it.
Eat At Cafe Central
The best place to get a bite to eat in Vienna is Cafe Central. This is a traditional Viennese cafe that serves all the best and most famous foods from the city throughout history.
It was opened in 1876 and has been known to be frequented by leading figures in art, science, and literature like Sigmund Freud.
This is a popular place for both locals and tourists all eager to try fresh pastries, coffee specialties, and delicious Viennese cuisine. Just be sure to make a reservation or arrive prepared to wait in line.
This is one thing we never travel without
Travel insurance is one of those things you hope you never need — but it’s absolutely worth having, especially when travelling with kids. For flexible coverage, we’ve used SafetyWing, and World2Cover through Klook is another solid and affordable option.
See The Stunning Hofburg Palace
The Hofburg is enormous — the former imperial palace at the centre of the city that housed the Habsburg dynasty for centuries. You could spend an entire day here if you went through every museum and wing.
On a two-day visit, a walk through the main courtyards and a visit to one or two of the key sections is the right approach. The Imperial Apartments and the Sisi Museum are the most popular choices.
The Spanish Riding School is here, too if you can get tickets. The Lipizzaner stallions are beautiful and it’s another of those stand out memories from out trip, seeing a few in a practice yard.
Fall In Love With Literature At The National Library
One of the most beautiful and stunning buildings to enter in Vienna is the State Hall of the National Library which just so happens to also be a part of Hofburg.
For only 9 euros (or free for kids and teens under 19) you are permitted to enter the stunning state hall and view the 20-metre-high columns of books and other decor elements like globes. More so, the library’s ceiling is dome-shaped and intricately decorated in stunning frescos.
The best thing about the library is that it is also quite educational and showcases different exhibits of famous Austrians to learn about.
During our visit, it was a Beethoven exhibit and his old music books and writings were displayed in glass cases. This is a baroque gem that should not be missed.
Go To A Museum In Museumsquartier
The museum quarter is a short walk from the Hofburg and worth an hour even if you don’t go into any of the museums.
The whole area feels like you’re walking through a textbook illustration of imperial Vienna.
The Natural History Museum is one of the world’s largest museums, and if you have an interest in natural science, this is a great museum to check out.
However, you do not have that much time with only 2 days in Vienna, and spending too much of your day at a museum might not be how you want to spend your time in Vienna. If you do go, it is best to stay for only one or two hours.
Go To The Butterfly Dome
Within Museumsquartier you will also find the Schmetterlinghaus or the Butterfly House. This is an indoor tropical rainforest that is home to hundreds of butterflies.
This enchanted garden is more popular in the winter months because it offers a nice escape from the cold. If time permits, heading in here for some time to take some photos and enjoy the atmosphere is a great idea.
Walk Around Maria Theresian Platz
Maria Theresian Platz is a large square in Vienna located right beside Museumsquartier and is home to the Contemporary Art Museum and the Museum of Natural History.
There is also an impressive monument in the middle of the square with heroes from the past displayed. In this square, you are surrounded by stunning architecture, bold gardens, and stunning sights.
Enjoy An Evening At A Rooftop bar
Going to rooftop bars in new cities is one of our favourite ways to get a new perspective on a city in a relaxed atmosphere, not quite as formal as a viewing platform but still with a great view of the city coming alive at night. Vienna did not disappoint.
In fact, Das Loft has to be one of the most beautiful and breathtaking bars I’ve been to. Das Loft offers panoramic 360-degree views of Vienna that are stunning both during the day and at night.
Not only are the views amazing, but the atmosphere is cool and relaxed, and they have an extensive cocktail menu. The drinks were super unique and great to enjoy with the view. Das Loft does get quite busy, so making a reservation is suggested, especially if you want to be there for sunset!
When we went we didn’t make a reservation but arrived at around 4:00 pm and waited for 20 minutes to get brought up and stayed until sunset. This is the perfect way to end day one during your perfect 2 days in Vienna.
Day 2 in Vienna
Eat a Fresh Pasty for Breakfast
Vienna is home to some great bakeries that are full of delicious fresh treats. The second day of this 2-day itinerary is quite packed because the attractions and things to do are more spaced out and exploring them can take longer than the previous day.
As a result, a quick breakfast from one of the bakeries is a must for starting the day off right with a nice, quick, treat.
Visit Schönbrunn Palace
Schönbrunn Palace is one of the most stunning Baroque complexes in the world and the most popular tourist attraction in Vienna. This 18th-century summer palace was the summer home of the Habsburg rulers.
In the palace, you will find 1,441 rooms, historic monuments, stunning gardens, and beautiful buildings. The rooms are still in their original decor and setting to show how imperial living was truly like.
A tour inside the palace is well worth your time and your money. You will probably spend around 4 hours in total from arriving at the palace and exploring. Book your tours beforehand so you can reduce waiting times and make the most of your 2 days in Vienna.
We loved Schonbrunn. It’s so beautiful, and the gardens are lovely. You could easily spend a full day exploring here, doing the tour of the palace, wandering the gardens and visiting the zoo, especially if you are visiting Vienna with kids.
Explore The Belvedere
Since palaces are the main attraction of Vienna, if you’re up for a second one, this is a great choice. After exploring Schönbrunn Palace you can head to The Belvedere to see the two Baroque palaces and baroque park landscape. The palaces and grounds are also a UNESCO World Heritage Site!
The Belvedere is home to the largest Austrian art collection that dates back to the Middle Ages. It is home to artists such as Vincent van Gogh and Claude Monet.
Luckily, these palaces are closer to the city centre and once you explore them you are already in the city again! If you are short on time, heading to these palaces may be more time-manageable than Schönbrunn Palace.
Admire The Stunning Karlskirche
Karlskirche is a stunning Baroque church located in Vienna. This has to be one of the most beautiful pieces of architecture in the whole city. The detailing is intricate and ornate and the design is beyond aesthetically pleasing. If you are a photography lover this attraction will surely be a hit for you!
And of course, if you’ve got the time, experiencing a concert here is a total bucket list experience!
Visit The Vienna State Opera House
The Vienna State Opera House is a stunning Renaissance Revival venue that was built in the 1800s. It is an internationally renowned venue that hosts over 300 events a year. If you are a fan of shows and performances, buy your tickets beforehand and enjoy an evening of music and opulence.
From here, if you have more time, you can visit anything you missed along the way. Vienna is wonderfully walkable, which is a bonus.
Is 2 Days In Vienna Enough?
Two days covers the highlights — both palaces, the historic city centre, the main squares and streets. It won’t feel like enough. Vienna is one of those cities where the more you see, the more you realise you’ve missed. If you can extend to three or four days, do it. If two is what you have, make Schönbrunn the centrepiece and don’t try to fit in everything else.
Where to stay in Vienna
Vienna is quite a big city and finding the best place to stay can be difficult. Especially with two days in Vienna, you want to ensure you are close enough to the city and the main attractions that you won’t lose valuable time on transportation.
However, the closer you are to the city centre the more expensive the accommodation.
Some great recommendations within a good distance from the main attractions are:
When to visit Vienna
Vienna is a great destination year-round with different offerings at every time of the year. Here is the down-low on each season in Vienna.
- Spring – (March-May) – During the spring season the city of Vienna starts coming alive. The lush gardens turn vibrant green, the flowers bloom and the leaves come back on the trees. There are no major events in Spring, apart from Easter, and the season has much fewer tourists than the summer.
- Summer – (June – August) – In the summer months the street life and culture of the city come to life. There are various outdoor patios, rooftop bars that have their own gardens and terraces for this reason. More so, there are various festivals in the summer and a street food market takes up the whole square in front of the Rathaus. The one downside is that there are a lot of tourists all eager to see the city and it can get quite hot.
- Fall – (September – November) – The fall is much like the spring with fewer tourists, however, instead of the city coming alive the flowers and trees are getting ready for winter. This isn’t a bad thing as it makes the city quite cozy and romantic.
- Winter – (December – February) – In the winter Vienna is very much like a fairytale city. Near Christmas, you will find a ton of Christmas street markets and mulled wine. Plus during this season there are lights all around the city making everything sparkle.
How to get around Vienna
Getting around Vienna is straightforward — the U-Bahn metro is excellent, cheap and covers all the main attractions. A 24-hour or 48-hour travel pass is the most cost-effective option for a two-day visit.
- Book a guided Vienna city tour here
- Book a Vienna hop-on hop-off bus here
- Book a Vienna 3-Hour Guided Bike Tour
Additional Tips for Visiting Vienna
- The currency used here is Euro (€)
- The official language is German but almost everyone speaks English
- It is quite an expensive city so be prepared to spend some money.
As you can see there is quite a bit to do and see in 2 days in Vienna. It is quite a packed itinerary with excitement and beauty around every corner.
If you’re visiting with kids, you will likely need to slim down your itinerary to suit their age, so make sure you prioritise based on what you want to see most.
After these 2 days in Vienna, you will surely be enchanted by the city’s charm.
Where to go after visiting Vienna:
- Prague, Czech Republic – head here to see more stunning buildings, interesting Gothic architecture, and tasty beer.
- Budapest, Hungary – head here for culture, history, and beauty beyond compare.
- Switzerland – For mountains, old charm, and luxury.
Plan Your Trip
Here are a few things we always organise before travelling:
- Stay connected: We use Airalo eSIM
- Car hire: Compare options with DiscoverCars
- Travel insurance: Check SafetyWing or World2Cover via Klook
- Airport transfers: Book with Welcome Pickups
- Accommodation: Find the best deals here
- Tours: We always use GetYourGuide
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