The Austrian capital is one of the largest contemporary art and cultural hub of Europe. The capital of Palaces, home to art collections and admirable architecture, Vienna has it all! I also included a weekend trip to Prague and a day trip to Budapest in my Vienna itinerary, & it was memorable! So, you’re planning to spend 2 days in Vienna? I have jotted down this 2-day Vienna itinerary with the best places to visit in Vienna in 2 days or more.
The Viennese capital has German as a primary language, but if you speak English, then you’re good to go. Vienna continuously manages to rank in the top European cities in the quality of living index survey done by Mercer, and indubitably, it is the classiest city on the European continent.
From the moment I landed in Vienna, Austria, I never looked down. I cherished its architectural beauty, residing not only in the palaces but precisely everywhere. It’s easy to love the city, despite that, I present the prime places to visit in Vienna in 2 days. If you’re heading to Austria in winter, do check out these amazing things to do in Vienna in winter.
Before you start your 2 days in Vienna, if you are interested in hitting more than 2 attractions, I would recommend getting the Vienna Pass, which will give you entry to 85+ attractions.
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Suggested Read: Budapest for free
Places to visit in Vienna in 2 days – Day 1
A Perfect Vienna 2-Day Itinerary
Admire Artwork at Belvedere Palace
A historic site from the Austrian capital, built during the period of the Habsburg Empire, characterised by the iconic Baroque style stemming from Rome in the 16th century.
The Belvedere Palace complex consists of two main palaces – Upper Belvedere and Lower Belvedere, and a garden separating them. I suggest seeing Belvedere Palace first, as it tops my list of places to visit in Vienna in 2 days.
Upper Belvedere was actually the first place I visited in the capital, and it easily got to my heart with its glittering white building and green dome. It was my photographic gem with a pond at the entrance and views of the capital at the rear. Upper Belvedere houses the famous painting by Gustav Klimt, ’ The Kiss’. Although all the paintings in the palace were jaw-dropping gorgeous, it was ‘The Kiss’ which caught the attention of tourists.
Buy your Belvedere Palace tickets here
There are two ticket options – one for either of the Boroques and the second one for both the Palaces. Still, a beginner in art discovery, I opted only for the Upper Belvedere, which sparked my ever-growing interest in art. Grab the ticket for Upper Belvedere here.
Upon exiting the Upper Belvedere, St. Stephen’s Cathedral can be seen from the gardens of the complex. However, I didn’t see the lower Belvedere Palace Museum, which had distinctive looks with red rooftops on the white facade. Photography is allowed in The Belvedere Museum, but no touching of paintings & sculptures.
A day in Vienna is enough to love Vienna, but I recommend spending at least 2 days in Vienna for a lifetime memory!
Discern Royalty at the Schönbrunn Palace
The 18th-century imperial Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists annually, making it one of the top places to visit in Vienna in 2 days. Grab the ticket here; the tickets will likely sell out soon.
Even occupied by Napoleon in the early 18th century, the architecture of the Palace had undergone major restorations since then. The Schönbrunn Palace is a former summer residence of various monarchs of the Habsburg dynasty. The palace is a historical, cultural and architectural marvel.
The Schönbrunn palace holds 1400+ rooms holding different styles, indicating the different styles of the rulers of Austria. The Schönbrunn Palace holds a variety of tours – Imperial Tour, Grand Tour, Sisi Ticket, and Classic Pass, among a few others.
The Imperial tour is the most basic one out of the lot and will give you an insight into the grandeur of the Palace, including the staterooms and private apartments of Frank Joseph and Sisi. Grand Tour includes the parts from the Imperial Tour along with centuries-old interiors & furniture. Sisi Ticket gives you access to the Sisi Museum, holding the detailed life story of the most beautiful Empress of Europe, ‘Sisi ‘, along with the ones clubbed in the grand tour.
Photography is not allowed inside the Palace. They don’t deposit your mobiles/cameras, but they keep a routine check at every step. Yet, when I went through a huge sculpture of Sisi looking into the mirror, I couldn’t stop myself from clicking. Considering it was a memory worth capturing in my camera roll, I’m not posting it here. Wouldn’t it be unfair to all those who want to go and see it themselves?
Gloriette
Apart from the Schönbrunn Palace, the complex also holds an enormous garden area on the rear side of the Palace, going up to the Gloriette – a facade on one end of the gardens. In the spring season, the Schönbrunn Palace gardens are blooming with flowers all over, making it a pleasing sight and also the garden worth capturing. No matter how many days you have, Schönbrunn Palace is one of the best places to visit in Vienna in 2 days.
Tiergarten Schönbrunn – Zoo
Raise your hands if you love Pandas 🙂 A part of the Schönbrunn Palace Complex, the Tiergarten Zoo is the world’s oldest zoo and is not to be missed if visiting Vienna for 2 days.
Schönbrunn is the Palace no tourist would miss. I recommend visiting the zoo highly, as it’s part of the Schönbrunn complex.
Even I was sceptical about visiting the zoo as an adult and a solo traveller, but isn’t that the plus point of travelling solo that you can go where your heart takes you?
Pandas and more…
I must admit, I went in there primarily for my love for pandas, but let me tell you honestly, after my personal experience, the zoo is much more than just Pandas.
Yes, undeniably, Pandas are a hit with every generation, and a huge number of tourists line up to get a glance at Pandas.
Admittedly, the Tiergarten Schönbrunn Zoo was not something I initially intended to include in my Vienna itinerary, but I went for it knowing that it provides a natural habitat for a variety of species.
I hopped onto the opportunity and took a chance, which, by the way, turned out to be great. So, surely a place to visit in Vienna in 2 days or more.
The Tiergarten Schönbrunn Zoo is gigantic in the area, and you will need 2-3 hours to cover it all if you want to photograph the wonderful creatures, too, then add an hour to that.
You will come across Sea Lions, Zebras, Leopards, Kangaroos, Penguins, Polar Bears and Pandas (of course) amongst a lot of others. Visiting the zoo brought the child out of me, and there were times when I laughed like a child and added this to my good decision-making skills 😉
Tip for Families – Children below the age of 12 can not visit alone and may need adult supervision as per the Zoo rules. If you’re heading to the world’s capital of Music with the family and especially kids, don’t miss the zoo!
Quick Tip – Phone cameras are good, but you might need a DSLR with a good zoom lens to capture the animals in your camera roll. I didn’t have one, hence the picture quality isn’t as good as I wanted it to be.
Places to visit in Vienna in 2 days – Day 2
Visit historic St. Stephen’s Cathedral
St. Stephen’s Cathedral, bearing the brunt of over 7 centuries, is one of the most distinctive buildings in the capital of Austria. The St. Stephan Church’s spire is visible from Belvedere Gardens.
Located in the city centre, the St. Stephan Cathedral is not only an architectural landmark but also the *only* Roman Catholic church in the city. The Cathedral attracts as many as a million tourists throughout the year.
The St. Stephan church embraces peculiar Gothic architecture with a highly gracious rooftop and a distinctive 137-meter-high spire.
The city can be viewed from the top of the cathedral, including 343 steps. For those fit ones out there, this should be a must-do, as I don’t fall under those, so I gave it a pass.
The St. Stephan church is also a historical landmark, as it was almost completely destroyed during WWII but was reconstructed during the 1960s. St. Stephan Cathedral is easily accessible by U-Bahn or the underground rail network, and the nearest station is Stephansplatz. As the church is located in the city centre, you can not drive/board cabs until you get there. Either a walk or the subway is the best way to head to St. Stephen’s Church. The first time, I walked to the Church from the Belvedere Gardens, but that wasn’t an optimal way. Also, I tried to ask locals for the right way, which didn’t help because of language constraints. So on the second visit, I chose U-Bahn, which took me directly to the church, so a win-win 🙂
Walk in the Historic City Centre
The centre of the capital will give you an amazing vibe of Viennese culture. Vienna’s historic city centre is buzzing with all sorts of activities, artists & local shopping. The tourists enjoy the culture of the city, and the typical Viennese food and wine culture is evident on the street.
The cafes on the road add to the hustle and bustle of the Vienna city centre. The city centre can get crowded as a prime spot for tourists and locals alike. It might even feel annihilating to some, but it is still the best way to get a hint of the city’s culture.
Check out my must-have European delicacies
Fancy a ride on the fiaker, a medieval-style horse-drawn carriage? They’re easily spotted in the city centre and primarily around St. Stephen’s Cathedral. I was on a budget, so I didn’t ride them. You can try them at 40-70 Euros and cover Stephansplatz and some other historic sites of Vienna.
Be a child at the Prater amusement park
Think amusement parks are only for kids? What if I say you can ride a giant wheel to get an amazing 360-degree view of Vienna’s skyline – Do you still want to skip it?
Dating back to the 19th century & destroyed heavily during World War II, the Ferris wheel still attracts millions of tourists. And if you’re visiting Vienna with kids, they will enjoy this amusement park too. This certainly tops my list of top places to visit in Vienna in 2 days. If you have 3 days or more, I’d recommend enjoying the entire amusement park.
Linger in the Hofburg Palace
Hofburg Palace is for those who love lavish palaces, although it usually doesn’t come among the top places to visit in Vienna.
Another 12th-century icon from Vienna is the Hofburg Imperial Palace, which bore the brunt of every ruler Austria had. A unique palace, currently the Seat of the Austrian Federal President, flaunts different architectural styles ranging from Gothic to Baroque. Having said that, Hofburg Palace is one of the best places to visit in Vienna in 2 days.
If you have 3 days in Vienna, I advise visiting Hofburg Palace. If you have 2 days or less in Vienna, then covering this 50-acre palace might leave you with crunching moments.
Don’t miss these places in Vienna for a lifetime of memories and a city to cherish forever.
Where to Stay in Vienna
Budget – If you are on a budget, do try this highly recommended hostel – Rioca Vienna Posto 2. The name is a hostel, but it also has proper rooms and is centrally located.
Mid Range: I stayed in Aparthotel Adagio – ‘A home away from Home’ – a stay I can proudly convey. The hotel was not exactly in the city centre of Vienna, but near some residential and office complexes. It was another feel of Vienna. A superior room on the 5th floor at the Aparthotel gave me views like this in the mornings –
The room was wonderfully spacious, with a mini kitchen and literally all the required utensils. The cupboards were unimaginably huge with not only iron but also iron board. I mean, it was truly a home away from home for me. I would recommend Aparthotel Adagio to anyone visiting Vienna, as this is truly the best place to stay in Vienna.
Interested? You can check the prices here – Aparthotel Adagio!
Splurge – If you would like to stay in one of the most luxurious hotels in Vienna, then do try The Amauris Vienna – Relais & Châteaux. Located right in the city centre, with a Micellen star in-house restaurant, this is the place to stay in Vienna when luxury is the topic.
Where to eat in Vienna
Wondering where to eat in Vienna? I strongly recommend trying the Nirvana restaurant in Vienna. An authentic Indian/ Asian restaurant serving both vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals both. Although the restaurant is priced slightly on the higher side, if on a budget, you can skip this one. Otherwise, you should give it a try.
Try Pasha Kebad & more for delicious Chinese culinary delights, located right in the city centre.
Fancy authentic Indian food?
Most Asked Questions
Are 2 days enough to see Vienna?
Two days are absolutely enough to cover Vienna’s major attractions comfortably — Belvedere Palace, Schönbrunn Palace, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the Hofburg, and a walk through the city centre. Although if you don’t like rushed travel, and slow travel in a place is your thing, then no. You won’t have time to go deep into every museum or add a day trip to Salzburg or Hallstatt, but you’ll leave with a real feel for the city.
What is the ideal 2-day itinerary for Vienna?
Day 1: Belvedere Palace in the morning, then Schönbrunn Palace and gardens in the afternoon.
Day 2: St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the city centre in the morning, followed by the Hofburg Palace and Prater in the afternoon/evening.
How much does a 2-day trip to Vienna cost?
Approximately 100 EUR a day, including accommodations (mid-range), food and Vienna Pass. It completely depends on your preferences for the attractions that you’d like to see. For example, entry to Schönbrunn Palace alone ranges from the Imperial Tour to the more comprehensive Sisi Ticket, so ticket choice affects your total more than most other costs.
Do I need to pre-book tickets for Schönbrunn and Belvedere?
Yes — both get busy, especially in peak season. Booking Schönbrunn’s timed-entry ticket and Belvedere’s skip-the-line entry in advance saves you real queue time on a tight 2-day schedule.
Is Vienna walkable, or do I need public transport?
The city centre (Innere Stadt) is actually walkable, and most sights like St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the Hofburg are close together on foot. Schönbrunn Palace and Belvedere are outside the core centre, so you’ll want the U-Bahn (metro) or tram to reach them efficiently.
Is a horse-drawn carriage (fiaker) ride worth it in Vienna?
It’s a classic Vienna experience but honestly a premium experience — expect to pay 40-70 EUR depending on the route and duration. Worth it if you want the postcard experience; skippable if you’re tight on budget or time.
Where should I stay for 2 days in Vienna?
Staying centrally near Innere Stadt keeps everything within walking distance, but hotel rates are much higher. I would suggest anything accessible via U-Bahn, like my hotel, Aparthotel Adagio was well connected via public transport.
If interested in other parts of Austria, know more about this travel guide to Hallstatt, another beautiful place in Austria.
Have only one day in Vienna? Check out this itinerary for spending a perfect day in Vienna.
Have you been to Vienna yet? Would you like to see these places to visit in Vienna in 2 days? Do share your experience with me.
HAVE YOU TRAVELED TO VIENNA? DID YOU SPEND 2 DAYS IN VIENNA OR MORE? WHAT DID YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT IT? TELL ME IN THE COMMENTS BELOW!
If you’d like more options on where to stay in Vienna, you may check out these amazing places to stay in Vienna, catering for every budget.
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Such astonishing itinerary, I would like to try it, thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much for your wonderful inspiration!
Happy Friday and lots of love from Germany
Anna
Glad you liked the post 🙂 Happy Friday to you too.
Have saved this for our trip to Europe next year. It will be our first time in Austria so lots to research . Thanks for the guide Shivani.
Lorelle 🙂
https://amindfultraveler.com/
Hello! The photo under the Hofburg Palace title is actually the Karlskirche…it’s a wonderful thing to know you enjoyed your stay here. 🙂
Thanks for letting me know Marie, I’ll make the correction 🙂
I visited Austria a few years ago, but I didn’t have the time for Vienna, so I have to go back! Love your Post.
You explored Vienna as a professional traveler, you highlight most beautiful tourist zones. I have not any idea about Vienna. Thought your post I can know how beautiful it is. It will be a great adventure to visit here especially the Upper Belvedere Palace and the St. Stephan’s cathedral. Thanks for inspiring us 🙂
So glad you liked it 🙂 Really appreciate your lovely comment 💞
Historic city center looks like my part of town <3 Soooo beautiful!
Vienna is so beautiful. The scenery and architecture is so stunning. And oh, that zoo is definitely the icing on the cake. Thank you for sharing this 2-day itinerary.
Vienna has such an incredible architecture! It gives such an elegant vibe making you want to know more about the city, definitely a city I’d love to visit 🙂
I have yet to visit Vienna, but always comment how stunning it looks, its certainly on the list. I especially love the look of Belvedere Palace, beautiful place.
Great article about Vienna and the rich history and amazing architecture! Fabulous pictures. Love your visits to the museum and Schönbrunn Palace. . Seeing “the Kiss” would be first on my list followed by the amazing palace tour. Can’t wait to visit Vienna at some point soon.
That’s a lot for 2 days i thought a week should be enough to explore Vienna. I love to soak in the vibes and spend minimum 5days or so.
Also great shots for a phone click 🙂
I’d love to visit Vienna someday, but I will probably add Salzburg with it and make it a full week’s trip. It’s been something I’ve wanted to do since I watched “The Sound of Music” for the first time :-). Saving your helpful tips for later reference!
Great compilation. You have visited lots of places in two days, good job. I am sure you must have enjoyed these two days.
Good to see within two days possible to explore a lot in Vienna. Loving the architectural design of many landmarks. Have you tried any local food?
Wow Vienna has so many places to visit. So amazing. I would love to visit these some day
Vienna is on my bucket list. I wanted to go there in april but I decided to go to Dubai instead. Maybe next year… The architecture looks amazing.
I am planning to see Dubai, how was your experience?
Oh My Gosh this was SO good!!!!! Definitely the BEST post on Austria I have read thus far! Thank you for all your cultural information, tips and recommendations! This was truly fantastic. I am going to be in Vienna on Dec. 27 to 29th and I want to soak it ALL in!!!! Beautiful pictures and very well written. Thank you for sharing!!!
I do hope you like the wonderful city! Thanks so much for the lovely words 🙂
Astonishing pictures! Vienna is simply picturesque and breathtaking. Is it possible to explore all of these suggestions in a day?
You can cover some, not all! Even if you try you’ll be craving for more time because every place here needs appropriate time to enjoy it completely!
Austria is an amazing place to live. It made my childhood so much brighter. I wasn’t fascinated with the Schönbrunn Palace as much as the little cottage behind it where you can eat all sorts of cheese. It had the warmth that I still haven’t felt elsewhere. Also the fragrant christmas markets and skating in ice rinks during the winters that was the best time of the year. Not to forget halloween and new years eve were no less. Praterstern was fun too. I recommend Austria as the best place to be for a long time.
I agree, if given a chance I might not even hesitate to go back for a long long time🙂
Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to say that I have truly enjoyed surfing around your blog posts. After all I will be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!
Thank you so much, and welcome to the blog 🙂
Can’t wait to visit Vienna!
Glad to know that 🙂
Wow love the way your pics are composed, Brilliant!!!
Thank you so much 🙂
Hi! Happy to have found your blog! I love the layout, the style the content…everything! I’ve read some of your posts and I can’t wait to read more! Looking forward to following you 🙂
Lisa
So glad to hear that and lovely to have you on board❤️ Thanks for the kind words🙂
My pleasure!
Vienna is absolutely stunning! I love it’s architecture… I’m a big fan of Austria all together, including places like Innsbruck and Salzburg. 🙂
I missed those in my last trip to Austria but I’m sure I’m going back for them🙂
I loved Vienna when I visited. It was a whirlwind visit so I cannot wait to go back and walk up those 343 steps in St Stephan’s Church!
Hope you do so soon 🙂
I like how Vienna looks in summer. I was there in December, which means a looot of cold (along with a looot of mulled wine too of course :)). These would be my top picks as well!
Yes it looked so lively but I also plan to see the cold side of Vienna too 🙂
Lovely post. Austria is a classic country. I thoroughly enjoyed the Schonbrunn palace.
Thank you🙂
Both my hands are raised as I love love love pandas. This is a super impressive list, didn’t know much of it.
So glad to hear that🙂
I was just here last week! Didn’t get to do as much as I would have liked, but I like your suggestions 🙂
No worries, you might come back there soon 🙂 Thanks for the kind words 🙂
Whoa this is impressive tour of Austria and I never knew they house Pandas in their zoo; what a treasure your pics are!
Yes, they have and kept in completely natural habitat!!
Your photos are amazing and Austria looks beautiful and historic – just how I like it. This was a lovely read + following your blog now.
So glad you liked the post 🙂
Love your pictures! I really loved Vienna, especially Schonbrunn! Next time I will also check out the Belvedere palace!
Hope you like that too🙂
Loved this post, beautiful photos and detailed infos! Pinned it for when I go to Vienna! Thank you!
Thanks! Glad to know you liked it🙂
Vienna is one of those places that I always hear about but I actually know very little about this city. So, it is super nice to see a list like this. It is the perfect guide for people like me. XD
Glad it was helpful🙂
I love vienna! Great choices!
Thanks!
Wonderful photos! I have Vienna on my bucket list. This is a good resource for me to reference. Thanks!
So glad you liked it🙂
Ashamed to say I have never been to Austria! I’m not a city person but this actually made me consider Vienna. Well written and beautiful photos.
Glad you liked it. Hope you like Vienna whenever you get to visit there🙂
I just got back from Vienna! So happy to relive my awesome trip. I was reading this like yup…been there. loved that place. been there too. haha
Ha ha…I feel you!! Every-time I come across any blog from a place I’ve been to I become extremely excited to see & hear those stories again 🙂
I always wanted to go to Vienna, but I haven’t had the opportunity so far… 🙁
By the pictures, I think my favorite place would be the Schönbrunn Palace especially when I read that it has a beautiful garden!
Yes it really has an amazingly beautiful garden 🙂
Wow! Your photos are stunning! And how gorgeous are those palaces? I’ve been wanting to go to Vienna for quite some time, and the princess inside is screaming right now, wanting to book a ticket immediately!
I’m sure you’ll love it 🙂
Lovely photos of Vienna! We went to Austria last January and it was soooo beautiful. We only made it to Hallstatt and Salzburg, so I really will have to go to Vienna still. I love the cultural and historical significance. Also, the zoo sounds like a great option!
I missed Hallstatt and Salzburg and I want to go back to Austria for them 🙂
The architecture is so amazing! And the animals look so beautiful too. Thanks for the tip on the DSLR, I have to agree that with the right camera and lens, the photos will do the subject so much more justice 🙂
Glad you liked the post and tips 🙂
Vienna does have a certain elegance and charm to it, doesn’t it? It’s almost as if it’s Europe’s most sophisticated city!
I’ve to agree here… the charm of Vienna is mesmerising🙂
I only made it to Salzburg the last time I was in Austria, so now I definitely need to see Vienna! I’m also reading a book about Sissi, so I would love to see more of where she spent her life. Such beautiful photos!
If you’re reading about Sisi, then you’ll love Schonbrunn Palace! Thank you for the lovely words 🙂
Vienna has been on our list to go as a family for a while and most of your tips are perfect for us! Thanks for sharing!
Hope that turns out to be a nice vacation for you all🙂
I enjoyed reading your article. On the one hand you have a great writing style and I can feel your passion for photography, which I share 🙂 On the other hand, I love Vienna and its sophisticated architecture and return from time to time.
So nice to hear such lovely words. Yes, I love writing and have a passion for photography 🙂 Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Wow! Vienna, Austria is beautiful! The buildings and architectural design are stunning! Looks like an amazing place to visit! I hope to go one day.
Yes it indeed is 🙂 Hope you get there and love the place like I did 🙂
Love this! I absolutely love Vienna and would love to go back. Schönbrunn Palace was my absolute favorite!
Even I can go back and fall in love once again 🙂
Really interesting information. Love the photo of the leopard? What a beauty!
Thank you. I too love that picture of the leopard!!
We absolutely loved our time in Vienna! We did a Polaroid tour which was amazing – my fave from your list so definitely st Stephens cathedral 🙂
Yes that’s a beauty!!
Vienna has been top on my travel bucket list for a few reasons… One is the amazing architecture! Gosh just look at the Belvedere Palace! SO elegant and intense and beautiful! Another is the markets… I hear they have a wonderful street food market there that just sounds out of this world!
Yes, the architecture is really amazing. I couldn’t visit much street markets there, but I have too heard they’re amazing!
I haven’t visited Vienna yet but now knowing that the ORIGINAL of my all time favorite paintings are there (Gustav Klimt’s – ‘The Kiss’) I will have to go and check it out!!
Yes you must, you’ll love it for sure!!
I’m so glad you adore austria like I do!! Couldn’t have chosen any better top 3 things to do in the city for sure!!! Great list!
Glad you liked my top 3 as well 🙂
Planning a trip to Vienna for November. Thanks for the tips!
Hope these are fruitful for your trip 🙂