Itineraries for Your Trip to Vienna
2 Days in Vienna for First Timers
I never grow tired of visiting Vienna and have long lost count of my visits and time spent in the city. Walking the inner city streets and looking up at their wonderful assortment of designs still delights me, as does sitting in a typical coffeehouse with a slice of cake and coffee. Vienna’s grand nature springs up no matter what you’re doing, it seems.
There are seemingly limitless things to do in Vienna, so the challenge isn’t to fill your time in the city but to decide which attractions and activities make the cut. This itinerary will show you how to get the most from your two days in the city.
If you only have time for one thing, make it a long walk around Vienna’s historic center.
Vienna may be cold outside in winter, but the heating in public transport and venues can be stifling—dress in layers so you can adjust quickly.
Waste no time by beginning with a thorough tour of Vienna’s historic center, either with a walking tour or on a self-guided one. In the very heart of the district lies St. Stephen’s Cathedral with its rooftop views, but also the upscale shops and plague column along the Graben pedestrian street. Round out your sightseeing with the Hofburg Imperial Palace, Heroes’ Square, and Rathaus.
There’s just as much to see outside the historic center as in it, so take a tram around to Wieden, where you can browse the stalls and food at the Naschmarkt and see the baroque beauty of St. Charles’s Church. Board another tram to reach the Belvedere Palace for a walk through its gardens and see famous Klimt pieces inside, including The Kiss.
An early dinner at a typical bistro or beisl not only lets you indulge in some Viennese favorites such as schnitzel and goulash, but it also frees up your evening for a concert. Settle in for a classical music performance at one of the city’s many venues, be it the church hall of St. Peter’s or the lavish Musikverein.
You’ve seen a couple of Vienna’s beautiful palaces, but now it’s time for the big one—Schönbrunn Palace. Travel by metro to the palace well outside the city center and take a tour through the overly ornate private apartments that were one of the many residences of Empress Sisi and Franz Joseph. Afterwards, roam around the sprawling Schönbrunn Palace Garden or visit the centuries-old Schönbrunn Zoo.
People know Vienna for its high culture and grandeur, but the city has a quirky and fun-loving side too. Take a tram or hop on a bike to see the bizarre designs of the Hundertwasserhaus and Kunst Haus Wien, two Friedensreich Hundertwasser creations around the city. Nearby you’ll find the Prater, former hunting grounds that house an amusment park, Madame Tussauds Vienna, and the historic Vienna Riesenrad.
Vienna is one of the few capital cities in the world with vineyards within its city limits, so spend the early evening wine tasting some local wines from the comfort of a cellar in the city center. After another dinner of hearty Viennese cuisine, take a leisurely horse-drawn carriage ride to see the historic center illuminated at night.