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Vienna is an incredible Capital city of Austria! With a dense music scene, stunning architecture, and cozy café ambiances, there is a lot to do in Vienna! This two-day Vienna itinerary will allow you to fall in love with this magical city by seeing the best it has to offer in a short amount of time! I know I fell in love!

If you have 3 days in Vienna, check out this Vienna itinerary!

How To Get To Vienna

If coming to Vienna internationally, it is easy to fly to Vienna International Airport (VIE), and you can take the City Airport Train (CAT) to the city center. Additionally, if you are coming from somewhere else in Austria you can take a train to Vienna. For all trains throughout Austria, check route availability and prices, and book your tickets online with OBB.

Getting Around Vienna

Vienna is a walkable city and I love walking wherever I can in new cities as I am more likely to stumble upon something I might not have seen otherwise. Take advantage of this and walk where you can! However, Vienna also has a good transportation system with trams and subways that are easy to navigate throughout the city. 

Consider purchasing a 2-day unlimited-use ticket for subways and trams at one of the machines in the station. (Note this does not include the City Airport Train, as that is a separate cost).

Or, consider the 2-Day Vienna Pass, which is a fee up-front that gives you access to most museums and attractions as well as the yellow hop-on-hop-off busses which is another transportation method that brings you to the major tourist destinations around Vienna.

Where To Stay In Vienna

I stayed at K+K Maria Theresia and would highly recommend it! It is located in the center of Vienna so I was able to easily walk to most attractions I wanted to go to, yet it was in a quieter neighborhood.

When To Visit Vienna

This 2-day Vienna itinerary is doable year-round! Summer is the most popular time to visit Vienna, but November-December is the Christmas Market Season which is also an extremely popular time in Vienna. I was in Vienna over New Year’s which was a magical time to visit, so this itinerary is winter-friendly! 

If you are lucky enough to be in Vienna during the Christmas Market Season (or maybe you planned your trip around it!) then you must check out some of the world’s best Christmas Markets. The markets are usually from the middle of November to Christmas, with some staying open or turning into New Year’s Markets, through the first week of January. It is easy to navigate to these markets, just check out the locations and times for Christmas Markets here and still follow the itinerary in this blog, just make sure to allocate some time to visit them (replace a Christmas Market with a museum or café for example). At the Christmas Market, get a warm punch in festive mugs, eat Kürtőskalács, a dough with sweet toppings such as cinnamon, or purchase Christmas ornaments and you will be sure to feel the incredible holiday spirit in Vienna. You can also go ice skating in the City Hall Square!

2-Day Vienna Itinerary

Day 1

MORNING

Breakfast At Ulrich

Start your first day in Vienna with breakfast! I would recommend Ulrich, as it is a stylish restaurant with good breakfast and coffee options. They have a pink croissant you must order! I would also recommend the shakshuka, smashed avocado toast, ham and eggs, and the smoothies. They have a great patio for the summer as well.

For all restaurants in Vienna, make a reservation ahead of time.

Free Walking Tour

Free walking tours are one of the best things you can do in a new city! You get a great history lesson while seeing the city’s highlights in an engaging atmosphere as the tour guides are passionate, knowledgeable, and charismatic. It is also a great opportunity to meet other travelers (especially when solo traveling). It is best to schedule this right when you get to Vienna as it is a great introduction to the city and you can learn about tips and other things to do from your guide. Check out GuruWalk for your free walking tour in Vienna and choose the 10:30 AM tour. You will get immersed in Vienna’s history while strolling through charming streets with beautiful architecture. This was a highlight of my time in Vienna! 

Although “free,” make sure to tip your tour guide as appropriate based on your experience!

AFTERNOON

Lunch At A Würstelstand

You will find a Würstelstand all over Vienna and you must give one a try! It is a traditional Austrian street food spot that serves sausage and hot dogs and will be the perfect place to stop after you’re walking around from the tour. I love the hot dogs served in a large baguette but you can also get the meat cut up on a plate. The Käsekrainer is a good choice as it’s a sausage filled with cheese. I tried a few different stands and they were all good, but you can ask your guide from the walking tour if they have a favorite!

Museum

You should check out at least one museum as there are countless throughout Vienna! Choose one that interests you most to visit. Below is a list of popular museums, or find out information about all museums in Vienna here.

• Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Art History): Extensive collection of European art.
• Belvedere Palace and Museum: A beautiful palace with an impressive collection of Austrian art.
• Albertina: Known for its graphic art collection and temporary exhibitions of modern and contemporary art.
• Leopold Museum: Focuses on Austrian art from the 19th and 20th centuries.
• Natural History Museum (Naturhistorisches Museum): Exhibitions on minerals, fossils, and taxidermied animals.
• Technisches Museum Wien (Vienna Technical Museum): Focuses on the history of technology, industry, and transportation in an interactive format.
• Sisi Museum: Located within the Hofburg Palace, this provides insight into the life of Empress Elisabeth (Sisi).
• Jewish Museum Vienna: Offers a comprehensive view of Jewish history, culture, and art in Austria.
• Haus der Musik (House of Music): A modern and interactive museum dedicated to sound and music.
• Vienna Museum of Modern Art (Mumok): This is the largest museum in Central Europe for modern and contemporary art.

EVENING

Dinner At Lugeck

For dinner, I would recommend Lugeck for Austrian cuisine. Here you can have Wiener Schnitzel, which you must eat while you are in Vienna! Wiener Schnitzel is a thinly pounded and breaded cutlet of veal or pork that is pan-fried until golden brown. I would also recommend the Vienesse-style beef in a pot or the veal goulash.

Dessert/Drinks At Café Schwarzenberg

Cafés are a large part of Vienna’s culture! Coffee is known to be top-notch and many cafés have an elegant feel. Most of the cafés have delicious food menus and alcoholic, and non-alcoholic beverages, so don’t think that you are only limited to mornings or early afternoons to visit, as many are open until midnight. For tonight’s café, go to my favorite spot for the evening which is Café Schwarzenberg! Whether you want an evening coffee, delicious ice cream, hot chocolate, or a glass of wine, it is the perfect spot. The elegant marble throughout the café, the waiters in suits, and the live pianist create a spectacular atmosphere!

Day 2

MORNING

Breakfast At Palmenhaus

To start your second day in Vienna, have breakfast at the Palmenhaus. This is an iconic building in Vienna and creates a beautiful setting as you are in a greenhouse with windows and luscious plants such as ferns and palm trees surrounding you. During a sunny day, the light comes through and it’s even more beautiful. It is a unique place so sip on a cup of coffee, have a pastry and breakfast, and enjoy your time here!

I also went to the Palmenhaus for dinner and thought the dinner food was just okay and was overpriced. I’m still happy I went once, but if you do choose dinner here just know it’s more for the atmosphere than the food! I would recommend coming for breakfast, or just for drinks or a snack in the evening.

Schönbrunn Palace

Schönbrunn Palace is one of the most popular attractions in Vienna. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the summer palace of the Habsburgs. As you arrive, its yellow color immediately draws you in and you will realize just how enormous and immaculate the palace is. You can walk the grounds admiring the stunning gardens and architecture, or venture inside to see the palace in more depth, learn its history, and explore the on-site museums. I truly enjoyed walking the grounds and making the hike up the hill behind the palace to explore the area from all angles. In the winter, they have a beautiful Christmas and New Year’s Market that is also worth spending time at!

AFTERNOON

Lunch At Naschmarkt

After the palace, navigate back to the city center and visit Naschmarkt, which is Vienna’s most popular open-air market with market stalls, restaurants, and specialty food shops. It has plenty of fresh produce and international food options. It is fun to wander through the stalls filled with fruits, vegetables, cheeses, and spices as well as the food stalls and restaurants filled with international flare from Middle Eastern to Asian cuisines. On Saturdays, there is a flea market that adds an extra layer of charm offering antiques and unique treasures from glassware to clocks to trinkets. Plan to wander through the market and stop at one of the restaurants to eat lunch.

Café

Relax at a café! Check out Café Central, Café Demel, or Café Hawelka. At any of these, try the famous Sachetorte which is a rich chocolate cake with layers of apricot jam and a chocolate ganache topping. It is delicious!

Walk Ringstraße (Vienna Ring Road)

Walking around and admiring the architecture is one of my favorite things in Vienna! As Vienna is easy to get around whether walking or using the tram system or subways, take advantage of this and explore the sights! Ringstraße is a great street to walk around, with lots of notable places to stop to look at. 

• Vienna State Opera: A symbol of Vienna’s rich musical legacy, hosting operas, ballets, and classical concerts.
• Hofburg: A majestic palace that houses the history of the Habsburg dynasty. With its grand halls, museums, and the Spanish Riding School, the Hofburg is a cultural and architectural gem that reflects centuries of Austrian history.
• Museum of Fine Arts: Has an extensive collection of European art.
• Museum of Natural History: Known for its exhibitions of minerals, fossils, and taxidermied animals.
• The Burgtheater: With a rich history dating back to the 18th century, it remains a cultural hub for theatrics in Vienna.
• The City Hall (“Rathaus”): This is a striking Gothic-style building! Beyond its administrative functions, it serves as a venue for cultural events, festivals, and the famous Vienna Christmas Market.
• The Parliament: Its beautiful structure and historical significance make it a notable landmark in Vienna.

EVENING

Dinner At Pizza Randale

For your second evening in Vienna, have dinner at Pizza Randale. The pizza here is very good and the atmosphere is lovely. You can’t go wrong ordering any of the pizzas, they are all quite good!

Mozart Concert OR an Opera at the Vienna State Opera

I’m giving you two choices of how to end your evening, and sadly your 2 days in Vienna, as I simply cannot choose! Both options give you the ultimate Vienna experience and provide you with the magical music scene the city has to offer. You cannot go wrong with either option, just choose what intrigues you most.

Mozart Concert: Vienna is deeply intertwined with Mozart’s life and legacy, so it is the perfect setting for attending a Mozart concert! You will experience one of Vienna’s elegant concert halls creating a beautiful setting for the music masterpieces.! Get tickets here!

Vienna State Opera: The Vienna State Opera (“Wiener Staatsoper)” encompasses Vienna’s rich cultural heritage and its love for classical music and opera. It’s luxurious inside and out and attending a performance here feels like the ultimate Vienna experience!

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Although 2 days in Vienna seems quite short, you can still experience the city’s incredible highlights! I hope you love this city as much as I do! I was in awe walking the streets and can’t wait until I can go back one day.

And if you have 3 days in Vienna, don’t forget to check out this Vienna itinerary!

Follow for more on social media and email me with any questions! If you use this 2-day Vienna itinerary, I would love to know how your experience was!