Vienna 2-Day Itinerary: the Perfect 2 Days in Vienna, Austria
Looking for the perfect 2-day itinerary for Vienna? This comprehensive travel guide details how to spend the perfect two days in Vienna, Austria, with an optional 3-day itinerary and 23 of the very best things to do while you are there.
Vienna, the capital of Austria, is exactly what you’d expect from a classic European city. Vienna is steeped in history, art, music, and culture. With all the historical landmarks, Baroque architecture, and lavish coffee houses, it can be overwhelming to decide what to see and do first. That's why I’ve curated this two-day itinerary for Vienna filled with the 23 best things to do, as well as the best places to eat and hotels to stay in. Whether you're interested in exploring its imperial past or immersing yourself in its contemporary culture, Vienna has plenty of activities, museums, and restaurants to fill two days.
From the grandeur of Schönbrunn Palace to the charm of the Naschmarkt, Vienna is a city that will captivate your senses. You can indulge in the famous Sachertorte at one of the city's traditional coffee houses or discover the local wine scene at a Heuriger. With its beautiful architecture, world-renowned museums, and stunning parks, Vienna is a city that will leave a lasting impression on you. Read on for a complete travel guide to Vienna and the best things to do in the city.
quick Vienna travel tips ↴
LANGUAGE | German CURRENCY | € Euro POPULATION | 1.86 million
charging + adaptors
Plugs are standard European (round, two-prong).
conveniences
If you happen to be arriving on a Sunday in Vienna, you can bet most everywhere will be closed, including most supermarkets. We arrived in Vienna from Morrocco not realizing what day it was. Once we noticed it was Sunday, we thought we’d outsmart the system and grab groceries to cook at our Airbnb, since almost every restaurant and shop is closed. Unfortunately, supermarkets are also closed on Sundays. Avoid our mistakes and plan accordingly. It’s also worth noting that tap water is potable, so there’s no need in buying plastic bottles that are harmful to the environment.
SIM cards + WiFi
Your accommodation in Vienna will almost definitely have fast free WiFi for you, but if you want to get a SIM card it can make navigating the city a bit easier. Don’t buy a SIM card from the Vienna airport— it’s a massive rip-off! Instead, go into the city and purchase a SIM card. I recommend purchasing a 3-day prepaid SIM card from a BIPA convenience store. For €10 you get 4 GB of data.
best time to visit Vienna ↴
According to VisitVienna, Vienna is best to visit during the winter thanks to its Christmas markets or in the summer when the weather is most consistently warm. However, I believe the best time to visit Vienna is in the shoulder seasons (spring or autumn) when the weather is mild and there aren’t such large crowds to contend with. I visited the city most recently in early July when the weather was hot and there were serious crowds throughout the city.
Spring | Expect temperatures anywhere from 9°C- 21°C (in late May). This is a great time to visit Vienna, as the flowers in the city’s gardens bloom and there are fewer tourists to contend with.
Summer | Temperatures throughout the summer months (June, July, and August) don’t typically reach higher than 26°C. This is one of the main tourist seasons in Vienna, so expect crowds at the most popular museums and attractions, as well as an increase in accommodation costs.
Autumn | Autumn is another fabulous time to visit Vienna. The foliage in the nearby woods will be changing colors and there aren’t nearly as many travelers in Vienna during this time of year. Accommodation is more affordable at this time of year as well.
Winter | Without a doubt, the most magical time of year to visit Vienna is wintertime, especially December when the Christmas markets are in full tilt and the city is lit with twinkly lights. This can also be the busiest time of year and the most expensive. Temperatures are frigid, so pack accordingly!
how to get to Vienna ↴
When it comes to navigating your way to Austria’s captivating capital, there are several convenient options. If you're planning to arrive by air, Vienna International Airport serves as the primary gateway, welcoming flights from major cities worldwide. There are budget flights into Vienna serviced by airlines like RyanAir and Eurowings. From the airport, you can get into the city center by taking the (highly efficient and reliable) Vienna Airport Lines bus or by hopping on the City Airport Train (CAT) for a swift journey.
If you are traveling from within Europe and aren’t a fan of air travel, consider arriving in Vienna by train. Vienna has excellent rail connections, with several international and domestic routes converging at the city's central train station, Wien Hauptbahnhof.
The extensive network of highways also makes driving to Vienna a viable option from neighboring countries within the European Union. Always check the Terms & Conditions before you rent a car. It’s also worth checking your rental company’s policy regarding border crossings. Most companies are used to intercontinental travel and won’t have extra fees, but some do have a “cross-border” fee.
how to get around Vienna ↴
Vienna, like most European cities, has a fantastic public transportation system which makes getting around the city a total breeze. The Vienna U-Bahn, a comprehensive subway system, is an excellent choice for getting around quickly and conveniently. With its extensive coverage and frequent service, you can effortlessly reach key attractions and neighborhoods. The subway is clean and punctual, making it a great option for travelers making their way around Vienna. You can also make use of Vienna’s tram system, the option I most highly recommend as it allows you to soak in the architectural splendor and classic European street scenes on your way from point A to point B. Please note that Vienna’s public transportation system runs on an honor system. This can be a bit confusing for first-time visitors to the city because there are no ticket barriers. There are officials who check tickets on public transport intermittently, and if you are caught without a ticket, you’ll be required to pay a hefty fine.
For those staying in Vienna for any longer than two days, I recommend grabbing a week's transport pass. For €17 you get unlimited rides on all forms of transportation throughout the city. This makes it super affordable to get to attractions and sights that are farther away from the city center like Schönbrunn Palace. On Fridays and Saturdays, the U-Bahn is open the whole night (24 full hours). There are also bikes for rent around the city through Citybike Wien, that are great for those who prefer to see the city by pedal. You can register yourself at a terminal, all you need is a credit or debit card.
For those who prefer a leisurely pace, renting a bike is a popular and eco-friendly option, as Vienna boasts a network of well-maintained cycling paths. ListnRide hires bikes out for €10 per day. Buses and taxis offer convenient alternatives for reaching specific destinations or exploring areas beyond the reach of the subway and trams.
where to stay in Vienna ↴
Vienna offers everything from lively hostels for the super social to luxury hotels in historic areas of the city. Here are my top picks for accommodation in Vienna:
Wombat’s City Hostel | Affordable accommodation in Vienna with breakfast, 24-hour reception, luggage storage, and a full-service kitchen at your disposal.
Hotel Indigo Vienna Naschmarkt | A stunning IHG Hotel located in the Margareten District of Vienna, near its city center. The rooms are curated to reflect the gardens that surround the hotel and the hotel’s remarkably accessible for wheelchairs and deaf guests. Seriously, this might be one of the prettiest modern hotels in the city.
Max Brown 7th District | This mid-century boutique hotel located in Vienna’s creative quarter is for those design obsessed. Enjoy luxury amenities and a homemade breakfast buffet every morning. Incredibly good value for money!
JO&JOE | Modern dorms and private rooms for the bougie-meets-budget traveler looking to meet people at accommodation-run events. Beautiful rooftop garden with panoramic views of Vienna.
We love using Booking.com to book the best places to stay around the world.
where to eat in Vienna ↴
Admittedly, I drank a lot of coffee in Vienna but didn’t eat much of the traditional food. Schnitzl isn’t exactly veggie-friendly, ya know? Here are, however, the options I found for me that mixed bits of tradition with modern cuisine creativity.
Vollpension (brunch) | Without a doubt, my favorite place to grab brunch in Vienna is Vollpension. This café, which hires without discrimination of age, aims to connect people across generations with food and a sense of community.
Naschmarkt (lunch) | The Naschmarkt is a local icon of Vienna that dates back to the 16th century. It’s here that you’ll find everything from modern souvenirs to vintage clothing. However, it’s best as a place to grab a bite to eat. Falafel, sausage, candy, wine, pizza, and fresh produce. You can find the best budget eats at the Naschmarkt, and it’s a great place to try many different dishes all at once.
Augustinerkeller (lunch/dinner) | Located underneath the Albertina, Augustinerkeller serves traditional Austrian cuisine in a monastery cellar. It’s been family-owned and operated since the 1950s, and the homestyle cooking is a great taste of the country’s food.
Hungry Guy (dinner) |Hungry Guy boasts plenty of vegetarian and vegan options for dinner, making it stand out in Vienna amongst the carnivore-friendly eateries in the city. The modern feel of the restaurant is just as trendy as the menu. If you’re looking for falafel, pitas, or tasting plates, Hungry Guy is affordable and filling.
Café Central (dessert) | Café Central is most notable for its beautiful interior and the many famous patrons that have dined there— Adolf Hitler, Sigmund Freud, and {my fave} Alfred Adler {the father of individual psychology}. However, they are also known for their selection of high-quality cakes, including the Viennese famous Sacher torte. This chocolate cake is layered with thick apricot jam and cocoa icing. I went for coffee and skipped cake, but trust me when I say they come highly recommended and looked outrageously good.
suggested 2-day itinerary for Vienna ↴
Day 1: St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Albertina, Museum of Art History, evening at prater Ferris wheel
Your first day in Vienna is full of fun activities! Start off with a stroll by the ornate St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Then, wander through the Albertina, a hidden gem in Vienna. Have lunch at Augustinerkeller, located beneath the Albertina, and indulge in traditional Austrian cuisine in an old monastery cellar. Spend the rest of your afternoon at the Museum of Art History, the largest of its kind in Europe. The finale of your first day in Vienna is the Prater Ferris wheel, where for €12 you can enjoy panoramic views of Vienna.
Day 2: Schönbrunn Palace, Freud Museum, Belvedere Palace, + opera (or concert)
Day 2 in Vienna starts with Schönbrunn Palace at opening to help beat the palace crowds. Take your time exploring the grounds at length before making your way to the Freud Museum where you will be dazzled by Sigmund Freud’s personal belongings housed inside his last remaining Vienna apartment. Next, wander around Belvedere Palace. Cap off your final day in Vienna by attending. musical concert. I highly recommend the Vienna Opera, especially for budget travelers, however, there is no shortage of musical performances happening throughout Vienna.
Day 3 (optional): day trip to Bratislava
If you have an extra day in Vienna, I highly recommend taking the train to Bratislava, Slovakia’s capital city! Bratislava is completely walkable and is filled with medieval castles, modern eateries, traditional bee halls, and scenic views of the River Danube.
23 best things to see + do in Vienna ↴
Culture and history are abundant in Vienna, leaving no shortage of things to do and places to see. Attraction admission fees are a bit pricey throughout Vienna, especially when compared to more affordable capitals like Berlin and Budapest, but there are plenty of budget-friendly activities and free sights to be enjoyed for those with pockets less deep.
Belvedere Palace
Belvedere Palace is not just a stunning palace set in perfectly manicured gardens— it’s also home to the world’s largest collection of Gustav Klimt paintings. The palace also houses works of art by Renoir, Monet, and Van Gogh. If you’re visiting on a budget, you can wander the free grounds featuring beautiful fountains, gravel walkways, marble statues, and an array of plants and flowers.
ADMISSION | €16
Schönbrunn Palace
Schönbrunn Palace is known as the Versailles of Austria. The palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site comprised of over 1,400 rooms. What started as a hunting lodge became the summer residence of the Habsburgs, one of the most affluent and predominant dynasties of Europe in the 1700s. Today it is one of Vienna’s top attractions. You could easily fill an entire day perusing the ornate decor of the palace’s rooms, from its stunning chandeliers to its giant oil paintings. Schönbrunn is the epitome of Viennese sophistication.
ADMISSION | starting at €26.50
Hofburg Imperial Palace
The beautiful white building you see often in the background of pictures on Instagram from Vienna is Hofburg Palace. The Hofburg was the imperial home of the Habsburg family for more than scene centuries. Today, it is the official residence of the President of Austria. The palace grounds make it one of the largest palace complexes in the world. includes the Sisi Museum, Spanish Riding School, the Royal Treasury, and the Royal Apartments.
ADMISSION | €15
Mozart Museum
Mozart lived in Vienna from 1784 until 1787, and the Mozart Museum is housed in the last of his remaining Vienna addresses. The museum is spread across three floors and features exhibits that showcase paintings, memorabilia, handwritten letters, and personal artifacts.
ADMISSION | €12
St. Stephen’s Cathedral
Walk around Vienna and it’s nearly impossible to not make a stop at St. Stephen’s Cathedral. This awe-inspiring 12th-century Gothic cathedral is something to marvel at, most notably for its colorful roof. The original cathedral was destroyed and had to be rebuilt after World War II. You’ll want to visit the cathedral, catacombs, and towers, all of which have their own admission fees. The towers are especially great if you are looking for an aerial view of Vienna.
ADMISSION | €20 for the cathedral, €6 for the catacombs, €11.50 for both the North and South cathedral towers
shop at the Naschmarkt
The Naschmarkt is Vienna’s largest open-air food market, which has been operating for hundreds of years with over 100 vendor stalls. At the Naschmarkt, there’s free WiFi at the market, as well as fresh produce and global delicacies just waiting for tourists in Vienna to enjoy. The food offers a variety of international food and wine. On Saturdays, the Naschmarkt expands to include a flea market with antiques, souvenirs, and bric-a-brac. Admittedly, it’s become a bit touristy over the years, but locals in Vienna still enjoy delicious food here, albeit for an upcharge.
ADMISSION | free
Museumsquartier
The Museumquartier is a collective of art museums and cultural exhibitions in central Vienna. This is a part of Vienna where high culture meets subculture and where everything from fine art to street art is on display. You can purchase an entry pass for three of the main art museums, the Leopold Museum for Art Noveau and Expressionism, the Museum of Modern Art, and Kunsthalle Wien.
ADMISSION | €27.50
House of Music
Vienna is often referred to as the “City of Music”, so it is fitting that it has its own music museum. House of Music is an interactive museum that’s spread across four floors of musical exhibits. House of Music is located in the historical palace of Archduke Karl. Here you can learn about the great classical composers of the past and observe modern digital musical composition The museum is open until late, making it a great evening activity.
ADMISSION | €16
Museum of Art History
Vienna’s Museum of Art History is the largest art museum in Austria. The museum’s primary collection once belonged to the Habsburgs opened in 1891Brimming with over 700,000 works of art, the Museum of Art could take you a considerable amount of time to visit in-depth.
ADMISSION | €18
The Freud Museum
Sigmund Freud, the famous founder of psychoanalysis, lived in this Vienna apartment from 1891 until 1938. In 1971, it was opened as a museum with support from Frued’s youngest daughter. The flat-turned-museum is filled with original furniture and Freud’s personal collection of antiques. It also houses the first editions of his original work. The museum can be visited in roughly an hour, as it’s relatively small, but it’s an amazing peek inside the private life and mind of a psychology founding father.
ADMISSION | €14
The Albertina
One of the best museums in Vienna is also one of its smallest and lesser-known by tourists. Housed inside one of the Imperial Palace’s private residences, the Albertina is famous for its collection comprised of over 1 million drawings and prints. This is a must-see for art lovers visiting Vienna, and its affordable admission cost makes it a great museum for budget travellers to visit.
ADMISSION | €2.90
National History Museum
The National History Museum in Vienna is great for history fanatics. Filled with over 100,000 ancient items and artifacts, including meteorites and dinosaur fossils, the National History Museum is a treasure trove of oddities and historical wonder. There is a planetarium extension of the museum that offers star shows in both German and English. The National History Museum is also home to the Venus of Willendorf statue, which is estimated to be 25,000 years old.
ADMISSION | €14
day trip to Bratislava
One of the perks of traveling around Europe is how close in proximity many countries are to one another. Bratislava, the capital city of Slovakia, is only a 1-hour drive from Vienna, making it a spectacular day trip option if you have a little extra time in your itinerary. You could spend a day in Bratislava exploring its medieval castles, drinking pints in its many traditional beer halls, or taking an afternoon river cruise along the Danube. If you don’t have a rental car, I recommend taking the train from Vienna to Bratislava, which leaves multiple times daily. Alternatively, you can book a bus to Bratislava from Vienna via FlixBus.
hike in Vienna Woods
Vienna isn’t all museums and art galleries. The city is surrounded by woodland landscape that’s spattered with hiking trails. Take an afternoon, pull up your boots, and head out into the calming Viennese woods for some time enveloped in nature. You can take public transportation (tram or bus) to the Vienna Woods if you don’t have a rental car.
ADMISSION | free
try Sacher torte
Sacher torte is rumored to have been invented in 1832 when Prince Wenzel von Metternich said he was bored of traditional cake and wanted a new dessert. It is one of the most famous Viennese desserts and you can try a slice at a variety of cafés in Vienna (like Café Central, listed above). The chocolate cake is known for having a thick layer of homemade apricot jam in the center and rich chocolate icing on top. I tried my slice at a hidden-away hole-in-the-wall café away from the city center, Kleine’s Café. If you feel spendy, some slices of Sacher torte will set you back as much as €10 a slice. I recommend Kleine’s, where my massive portion was only €4.10!
the Palmenhaus
This Palmenhaus, which is not the same as the well-known brunch spot, is a conservatory that was built in 1882 and consists of three different pavilions filled with plants and greenery from across the world. I was happy to pay the admission fee to get away from the palace crowds for pictures and, more importantly, the peace. Ferns from New Zealand and exotic plants from the African continent kept me a happy girl surrounded by green.
ADMISSION | €6
have a picnic in one of Vienna’s many parks
Vienna is a city filled with green spaces, manicured gardens, and public parks. My favorite thing to do in the summer is to eat outside. Eating in the many parks of Vienna was such a treat, especially thanks to the stunning weather I got to experience this time around. My recommendations for parks are Sigmund Freud Park and Stadtpark— both of which are free and open to the public.
ADMISSION | free
Hundertwasser Haus + Kunst Haus Wien
The Hundertwasser House is actually an apartment complex whose artistic architecture stands in stark contrast to the more classic buildings the city boasts. Friedensreich Hundertwasser, who was originally a painter, designed the building, but there was a massive controversy that surrounded the rights of the design of the house. Ultimately, it was ruled that Hundertwasser was the “spiritual creator” of the design and that Krawina must be fully recognized as the co-creator. There are stores at the base of the complex and a museum at its counterpart, Kunst Haus Wien.
ADMISSION | free
Judenplatz Holocaust Memorial
The Holocaust Memorial in Judenplatz stands to commemorate the 65,000 Jews who were murdered from 1941-1945. The memorial, known as the Nameless Library, was designed by a British architect and sits in the heart of Vienna’s 1st district. The entire memorial, from design to construction and archaeological work, cost the city 160 million Austrian Schillings, the currency at the time. The memorial stands as a representation of empty space. It looks like a library, but the books are unreadable and shown on the outside.
ADMISSION | free
experience classical music
Austria is known the world over for its contributions to musical composition, making Vienna a great place to experience classical music. Whether you’re interested in the opera or attending a symphony performance, Vienna showcases some of the world’s best classical music. Vienna’s concert halls are in and of themselves worth visiting, as every performance house is decorated in exquisite detail. In my opinion, Vienna is the perfect place to see an opera for the first time! The city’s opera house was originally called the Vienna Court Opera but was renamed the Vienna State Opera in 1920. There are two kinds of tickets for the opera— standing room or sitting room. For budget travelers, I recommend buying last-minute standing tickets on the day of the show. This is the most affordable way to see the opera. These tickets go on 80 minutes before that evening’s show. If you’re not into operas for entertainment, you might consider taking a tour of the building itself to see the architecture and learn about the history of opera in Vienna.
ADMISSION | tickets vary depending on seat and show, but start at €40
visit the University of Vienna
The University of Vienna is the oldest university in the German-speaking world. The library at the university here is out-of-this-world pretty. If you’re looking for a nice place to read, grab a coffee, or feast your eyes on gorgeous halls where that many famous academics graced, the University of Vienna is a good place to head. It’s also free to visit and makes for a fab photo!
ADMISSION | free
party under the Viennese Subway at Stadtbahnbögen
If you are looking for nightlife, which is obviously not my forte, you’ll find the most interesting experience at Stadtbahnbögen. Here, under the U6 subway line is a string of clubs, bars, and eateries that form an endless party of sorts. In the summer months, there is almost always a local band playing live music into the late hours of the night.
ADMISSION | free
ride rollercoasters at Prater
Prater is basically an amusement park-meets-carnival located in the 2nd District of Vienna. There are food vendors and a roller coaster restaurant you’ll see advertised on nearly every subway line, but I’d suggest bringing your own snacks— you’ll find better food for a better price. Music plays all over the place and people were singing throughout the park. There is also an old-school Ferris wheel, the Weiner Riesenrad, that has been featured in various films and is the oldest still-operating Ferris wheel in the world.
ADMISSION | free to visit, costs vary per ride (€12 for the famous Ferris wheel)
map ↴
Find everything you need for the perfect 2 day itinerary in Vienna, Austria on the map below.
