What to See in Vienna in Two Days
If you're short on time and want to see all the city's must-see sights, check out our weekend itinerary for visiting the best of Vienna in just two days.
Planning to travel to Vienna but only have a couple of days? We've got you covered. We've prepared an itinerary that includes the main attractions in the Austrian capital so you can make the most of your short time in the city.
This plan has been designed with a weekend trip in mind, arriving in Vienna on a Friday evening and staying until Sunday. If you want to follow this itinerary for any other day of the week, don't forget to check the opening times of the museums and other attractions to avoid any unpleasant surprises!
Arrival Day
If you arrive in Vienna on a Friday evening, it'll probably be too late to visit museums and monuments; however, after dropping off your bags at your accommodation, you'll still have time to get a feel of the city at night, seeing some of the most important landmarks and enjoying a typical Viennese dinner.
If you'd like to arrive at your accommodation quickly and hassle-free, we recommend booking a transfer service from the Vienna Airport straight to your hotel.
The best place to start exploring Vienna is in the heart of the historical city center. Head to the Stephansplatz metro stop and you'll be left in awe of the capital's most important religious symbol, the magnificent Stephansdom Cathedral.
From Stephansdom, stroll down Kartner Strasse, a pedestrian street lined with shops that head south from Stephansplatz. Follow it down to the iconic Vienna State Opera House and snap a few photos for the mems.
If you're interested in visiting the opera house with a guide, check out our guided tour of the Vienna State Opera House.
By this time, you're probably hungry. Thankfully, this central district is full of typical Austrian restaurants. Head back along Kartner Strasse or visit one of the streets leading off it to finish your evening tasting delicious Viennese cuisine.
Another great way to immerse yourself in the city's evening charm is by booking the Vienna Night Sightseeing Tour before heading to your hotel to rest.
Day One
To make the most of a full day exploring Vienna, make your way to the Herrengasse metro stop at around 9 am. From here, it's a short walk to the Hofburg Palace, the famous residence of the Habsburg family for over 600 years.
Visiting the Hofburg is a fun way to discover the fascinating history of the Austrian capital. Learn all about the extraordinary life of the beloved Empress Elisabeth at the Sisi Museum, and imagine how she lived. You'll stroll through the imperial apartments she shared with her husband, Emperor Franz Joseph.
If you want to take full advantage of the palace while you also uncover the secrets of the Emperess, check out our Sisi Tour of the Hofburg Palace.
To save money when buying the Sisi Ticket, we recommend the combined entrance to the Hofburg Palace and the Schonbrunn Palace.
To explore the best parts of the palace, we suggest this guided tour of Schoenbrunn Palace.
After exploring the Hofburg to your heart's content, head to the nearby Austrian National Library, one of the world's most beautiful historic libraries.
Leaving the library, cross Burggarten Park and follow the Ringstrasse to the Vienna State Opera House, no more than a ten-minute walk away. Make sure to double-check visiting times on the Opera House website, as they usually accept visits between 1 pm and 3 pm, but these hours can vary.
Hop on to trams 1 or 2 to see the iconic buildings that line the Ringstrasse, a circular boulevard built on top of the former walls that surrounded the Innere Stadt (Old Town). Admire the eclectic mix of Classical, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architectural styles represented in the Rathaus, the Stock Exchange, the Parliament building, the Burgtheatre, the Votivkirche, and the University.
Ready for a striking contrast to these magnificent 19th-century buildings? Your next stop will be the contemporary Hundertwasserhaus, a fairy-tale apartment block that embraces bright colors and natural forms and eschews straight lines.
For a fun finishing touch on your full day of adventure, head to the Prater (weather permitting) to enjoy the relaxing park environment. This is the oldest theme park in the world; we recommend taking a ride on the giant Ferris wheel, which was first opened in 1897. The views over Vienna from the top are spectacular, and once you're back on the ground, there are plenty of places to eat dinner nearby.
If you want to take advantage of your evening in Vienna or treat yourself in the Austrian city, take a look at this option: Dinner and a show in Vienna.
Day Two
Start your day at around 9 am at the Schönbrunn metro stop, ready to explore the Schönbrunn Palace, the former summer residence of the Habsburgs.
Having explored the delights of the palace and its beautiful gardens, take the metro to Kettenbrückengasse, where the iconic Naschmarkt is located. Among the stalls selling fruit and vegetables, you're sure to find a good place for lunch or a well-deserved break.
Back in the city center, we recommend heading over to the Imperial Crypt, the final resting place of the Austrian royals, in Vienna's Capuchin Church.
For the perfect end to your trip to Vienna, treat yourself to a cup of coffee and a slice of the world-renowned Sachertorte in one of the city's traditional cafes.
More than two days in Vienna?
After finishing this itinerary, if you're lucky enough to have more time to spend in the city, never fear! There are still plenty of interesting places to discover in the Austrian capital: the Belvedere Palace, the Spanish Riding School, the Art History Museum, the Clock Museum, and the Imperial Carriage Museum.
If you find yourself with more time in the Austrian capital, check out some of these popular day trip destinations:
