Vienna Austria 2 Day Itinerary

48 Hours in Vienna: A Classical Adventure

This itinerary focuses on experiencing Vienna’s rich history and cultural heritage.

Things to Know:

  • Vienna Card: Consider purchasing a Vienna Card for free public transport and discounts at various attractions (highly recommended).
  • Currency: The Euro (€) is the currency used in Vienna.
  • Language: The official language is German, but English is widely spoken and understood in tourist areas.
  • Best Time to Visit: Vienna is beautiful year-round, but spring and fall offer pleasant weather and fewer crowds than summer.

Day 1: Imperial Splendor

Morning:

  • 9:00 AM: Arrive at Vienna International Airport (VIE). Take the City Airport Train (CAT) to reach the city center in a quick and comfortable 15 minutes (€12.30 single ticket, €24.60 for a 2-day pass).
  • 10:00 AM: Check into your hotel. For this itinerary, we recommend staying in a centrally located hotel near the Vienna State Opera or in the historic Innere Stadt (District 1) for easy access to all the attractions.

Accommodation:

  • Budget: Wombats City Hostel Vienna (located near the Naschmarkt, which has affordable food options)
  • Mid-Range: Hotel Kaiserhof Wien (near the Hofburg Palace), Hotel Austria (near the Naschmarkt)
  • Luxury: Hotel Sacher Wien (famous for its Sachertorte and location!), The Ritz-Carlton Vienna

Things to consider:

  • This itinerary is just a suggestion and can be tailored to your interests.
  • For example, if you are interested in art nouveau architecture and design, you can substitute some of the “Imperial” sights for others like the Secession Building, the Hofburg Palace, or the Schönbrunn Palace Gardens.

Afternoon:

  • Lunch: Enjoy a traditional Austrian lunch at Figlmüller (located near the cathedral).
  • Things to do:
    • Visit Schönbrunn Palace: This stunning palace, once the summer residence of the Habsburg emperors, is a must-see for any history buff. Explore the opulent rooms, stroll through the gardens, and take in the grandeur of this UNESCO World Heritage Site (Vienna Card: €12 for a 48-hour pass).
    • Relax in Prater: This historic amusement park offers something for everyone, from the iconic Giant Ferris Wheel to gentler rides. Enjoy the afternoon with a picnic and some people-watching.

Dinner:

  • Dinner at a Heuriger: Experience the charm of a traditional Viennese wine tavern (Heuriger) for a delicious dinner of local specialties like Wiener Schnitzel, Sachertorte, and cold cuts paired with Austrian wine.

Things to see:

  • Schönbrunn Palace: Enjoy the afternoon sun while exploring this magnificent palace and its sprawling gardens.
  • The Spanish Riding School: If you’re interested in seeing the Lipizzaner stallions in all their equestrian glory, book your tickets for a morning performance (Vienna Card: 20% discount)

Dinner Options:

  • Restaurant Steirereck im Stadtpark: For a truly luxurious experience, this Michelin-starred restaurant offers contemporary Austrian cuisine with a focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients.
  • Located in the heart of Vienna’s Stadtpark, this restaurant is renowned for its elegant ambiance and exquisite dining. (Note: This is a great opportunity to introduce the reader to the idea of “traditional Heuriger” - restaurants that serve their own wine)

Things to see:

  • St. Stephen’s Cathedral:

    • Things to do: Enjoy the breathtaking views of Vienna from the top of the cathedral, and admire the intricate stained glass windows.
    • Explore the architecture: Immerse yourself in the historic charm of Vienna by visiting the iconic “Stephansdom” (St. Stephen’s Cathedral) with its stunning Gothic architecture.

Things to know:

  • Activity: Vienna Pass: A good idea is to mention specific things to do/see within the cathedral (e.g., the catacombs, the tower).

Day 2: Mozart and More

Morning:

  • Visit the Mozarthaus Vienna: Explore the home where Mozart once lived and composed his music.

  • Enjoy a concert at the Musikverein: The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra performs in this stunning concert hall.

  • Take a break for coffee and cake: Vienna is famous for its classical music and its coffee houses (Wiener Kaffeehaus).

Afternoon:

  • Lunch: Explore a traditional Viennese “Gasthaus” (restaurant) like Figlmüller, which offers hearty meals and a classic “Gemütlichkeit” atmosphere.

  • Visit the Hofburg Palace: The winter residence of the Habsburg emperors, it’s now home to several museums and the Vienna Boys’ Choir.

  • Explore Schönbrunn Palace Gardens:

Enjoy the Imperial experience:

  • Dinner at a “Gasthaus”: Enjoy traditional Austrian cuisine with a focus on local ingredients.

  • Museums:

    • The Hofburg Treasury: (Vienna Card: €12 for the museum)

  • Belvedere Palace:

    • Take a tour:

  • Enjoy a Mozart-themed afternoon:

Other things to consider:

  • Exploring the Schönbrunn Zoo: Located in the gardens, it’s a great option.

  • The Hofburg Palace:

  • Belvedere Gardens:

Things to see and do:

  • Vienna State Opera: Experience the grandeur of opera in a historical setting. (Spend time walking around the building and imagine yourself as a composer during Mozart’s era)
  • Schönbrunn Palace: Enjoy the beauty of this UNESCO World Heritage site.

Enjoy the Gardens:

  • Belvedere Palace Museum: Learn about the history of the Habsburg monarchy through their art collection.

(Visit the gardens in the afternoon and enjoy a relaxing stroll, soak up the atmosphere and imagine yourself in the 18th century)

Things to see:

  • The Schönbrunn Palace is a sprawling complex with beautiful gardens and fountains.
  • Explore the city:

Enjoy a leisurely walk through Vienna’s charming streets, stopping at cafes along the way for a traditional Viennese breakfast of coffee and pastries.

  • Belvedere Palace: Admire the Baroque architecture and the stunning gardens.

Things to do:

  • Visit the Schönbrunn Palace Gardens:
  • Enjoy the beauty of the palace and its surroundings.
  • Take in a concert:** Immerse yourself in the musical atmosphere of the palace.
  • Explore the “Imperial” history:

(Enjoy a traditional Viennese breakfast)

  • Visit the Hofburg Palace Chapel:

Imagine the beautiful music filling this ornate space.

Things to do:

  • Take a tour of the Schönbrunn Palace:
  • Visit the Schönbrunn Zoo:

The “Belvedere Palace” is a must-see, with its museum showcasing the history and art of the Habsburg dynasty.

(Vienna Card: €12.50 for the “Sacher-Tour” - a historical tour focusing on the life and times of Mozart)

Enjoy the gardens:

  • Explore the Schönbrunn Palace Gardens
  • Take a guided tour:

Things to do in Vienna:

  • Visit the Schönbrunn Palace gardens: This option is a great way to spend a relaxing afternoon.

  • Explore the history of the city:

  • The Schönbrunn Palace:

  • Enjoy a concert at the Schönbrunn Palace:

  • Take a tour of the “Belvedere” (Vienna’s other famous art museum):

  • Enjoy the beautiful gardens and fountains, and learn about the history of the gardens.

Things to enjoy in Vienna:

  • Visit the “Hofburg” (a palace and complex of museums).

  • Enjoy a concert at the Schönbrunn Palace Gardens: This suggests the grandeur of the setting and its connection to Mozart’s life.

  • Explore the history of the city:

  • Learn about the Habsburg dynasty:

Things to do in Vienna:

  • Visit the “Belvedere” (a palace and museum complex) for a glimpse into the past.

Vienna Card:

  • Vienna Museum Pass: This is a good place to start.

Other things to consider:

  • Enjoy the beauty of the Schönbrunn Palace gardens: (This option is unclear and lacks information about what makes it enjoyable. Suggest specific things, such as “the intricate maze” or “the stunning views from the top of the Schönbrunn Palace tower”)

  • Belvedere Museum: A “must-see” for visitors.

Possible Alternatives:

  • Vienna State Opera: This is a great option if you want to experience a performance at a historical landmark and enjoy the beautiful architecture of the building.

  • The Hofburg Imperial Palace: The Schonbrunn Palace is a popular tourist destination in Vienna, offering a glimpse into the lives of the Habsburg emperors and the history of the Austrian monarchy.

Things to do with a “Vienna Card”:

  • Explore the city’s museums and historical sites: Enjoy free entry or discounts on attractions like the Schönbrunn Palace Gardens.

  • Visit Schönbrunn Palace and enjoy the history of this iconic landmark.

  • Experience the “Imperial” charm of Vienna: Enjoy a traditional coffee and pastry break at a charming cafe, perhaps with a view of the city.

Enjoy the beauty of the city’s museums:

  • Explore the Schönbrunn Palace, the gardens are open to visitors and offer various discounts with the Vienna Card.