Quick Summary
- Climb the South Tower of St. Stephen's Cathedral for panoramic views
- Explore the Hofburg Imperial Palace and Sisi Museum
- Ride the iconic Ring Tram around the Ringstraße
- Feast on diverse cuisine at the Naschmarkt
- See Klimt's "The Kiss" at the Belvedere Palace
- Ride the Giant Ferris Wheel at the Prater
- Experience a performance at the Vienna State Opera
- Tour the magnificent Schönbrunn Palace and gardens
- Discover world-class art at the Kunsthistorisches Museum
- Enjoy Viennese coffeehouse culture at the legendary Café Central
- Stroll the Danube Canal at sunset
Two days in Vienna is the perfect amount of time to experience both the imperial grandeur of the city center and the broader cultural treasures that make this one of Europe's most rewarding capitals. While Day 1 immerses you in the Gothic splendor of Stephansdom, the Habsburg heritage of the Hofburg, the vibrant Naschmarkt food scene, and a world-class evening at the State Opera, Day 2 takes you to the magnificent Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna's incredible museum quarter, the legendary coffeehouses, and the trendy Danube Canal.
This two-day itinerary is designed for travelers who want to go deeper than the city center highlights. Day 2 is where Vienna truly reveals its soul — the opulent state rooms of Schönbrunn where Maria Theresa raised her 16 children, the mind-blowing art collection at the Kunsthistorisches Museum, the ritual of Kaffee und Kuchen (coffee and cake) at a 150-year-old coffeehouse, and the vibrant street art and sunset scene along the Danube Canal. These are the experiences that elevate Vienna from a pleasant European capital to an unforgettable destination.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
A perfectly paced day from the Gothic towers of Stephansdom and the imperial splendor of the Hofburg in the morning, through the bustling Naschmarkt at midday, to the artistic treasures of the Belvedere, sunset views from the Prater's Giant Ferris Wheel, and a world-class evening at the Vienna State Opera.
St. Stephen's Cathedral (Stephansdom)
Start at St. Stephen's Cathedral. Arrive at 8:00 AM to climb the 343-step South Tower for panoramic views before the crowds. Admire the stunning tiled roof from Stephansplatz and explore the ornate interior.
Details
- Hours: Monday - Saturday, 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM; South Tower: 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
- Entry: Cathedral free; South Tower €6; Catacombs €6.50
- Best Time: Early morning (8-9 AM) for fewest crowds
Nearby Food
- Figlmüller
- Café Diglas
- Zum Schwarzen Kameel
Pro Tips
- Arrive before 9 AM — the tower queue grows quickly
- The South Tower climb (€6) offers the best central Vienna views
St. Stephen's Cathedral (Stephansdom)
Stephansplatz 3, 1010 Wien, Austria
Hofburg Imperial Palace
Walk along the Graben and Kohlmarkt to the Hofburg Imperial Palace. Tour the Imperial Apartments, Sisi Museum, and Silver Collection with the Sisi Ticket (€17.50). Allow 1.5-2 hours for a thorough visit.
Details
- Hours: Daily, 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
- Entry: €17.50 (Sisi Ticket)
- Best Time: Morning (9-11 AM) before tour buses
Nearby Food
- Café Central
- Palmenhaus
- Augustinerkeller
Pro Tips
- Enter through the Michaelertor for the most impressive approach
- The Sisi Museum is the highlight — allow 45 minutes for Elisabeth's story
Hofburg Imperial Palace
Michaelerkuppel, 1010 Wien, Austria
Ringstraße Tram Ride
Board a tram for a scenic Ringstraße ride. In 25 minutes, pass the Opera, Parliament, Rathaus, Burgtheater, and twin museum palaces. Take tram 1 or 2 for €2.40.
Details
- Hours: Daily, Trams run 5:00 AM - midnight
- Entry: €2.40 (regular tram)
- Best Time: Late morning for good light on the buildings
Nearby Food
- Café Landtmann
- Bitzinger Würstelstand
Pro Tips
- Regular trams follow the same route as the €12 Ring Tram for a fraction of the price
- Sit on the right for the best building views
Ringstraße Tram Ride
Ringstraße, 1010 Wien, Austria
Naschmarkt
Head to the Naschmarkt for lunch. Browse 120+ stalls, grab a Käsekrainer (€4-5), and enjoy fresh oysters or mezze at one of the sit-down restaurants. Walk the full 1.5 km and admire the Otto Wagner buildings.
Details
- Hours: Monday - Saturday, 6:00 AM - 7:30 PM; Closed Sunday
- Entry: Free
- Best Time: Lunchtime; Saturday morning for the flea market
Nearby Food
- Umar Fisch
- Neni am Naschmarkt
- Naschmarkt Deli
Pro Tips
- Come hungry — this is Vienna's best diverse lunch spot
- Bring cash for the smaller stalls
Naschmarkt
Wienzeile, 1060 Wien, Austria
Belvedere Palace
Visit the Belvedere Palace. Head to the Upper Belvedere for Klimt's "The Kiss" and works by Schiele and Kokoschka. Stroll the formal gardens for stunning Vienna skyline views.
Details
- Hours: Daily, 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Entry: €17.50 (Upper Belvedere)
- Best Time: Early afternoon for best light on the palace
Nearby Food
- Salm Bräu
- Steirereck
- Café Belvedere
Pro Tips
- See "The Kiss" first — the Klimt rooms get crowded by mid-afternoon
- The gardens are free and offer the best photo spot in Vienna
Belvedere Palace
Prinz-Eugen-Straße 27, 1030 Wien, Austria
Prater & Giant Ferris Wheel (Riesenrad)
Take the U-Bahn to the Prater for a golden-hour ride on the Giant Ferris Wheel (€13.50). Enjoy panoramic views over Vienna's rooftops and the Danube during the slow 15-minute revolution.
Details
- Hours: Daily, 10:00 AM - 9:45 PM
- Entry: €13.50
- Best Time: Late afternoon for golden hour views
Nearby Food
- Schweizerhaus
- Luftburg
- Prater food stalls
Pro Tips
- Arrive 1 hour before sunset for the best golden-hour light
- The Wurstelprater amusement park is free to enter
Prater & Giant Ferris Wheel (Riesenrad)
Riesenradplatz 1, 1020 Wien, Austria
Vienna State Opera (Wiener Staatsoper)
End Day 1 at the Vienna State Opera. Queue for standing room tickets (€4-15) or enjoy a pre-booked performance. Afterward, cross to Hotel Sacher for Sachertorte (€8) or Bitzinger Würstelstand for a late-night Käsekrainer.
Details
- Hours: Performance schedule varies, Standing tickets sold 80 min before curtain
- Entry: Standing room €4-15; Seated €15-250+
- Best Time: Evening performances at 7:00 or 7:30 PM
Nearby Food
- Hotel Sacher
- Café Mozart
- Bitzinger Würstelstand
Pro Tips
- Standing tickets are Vienna's best cultural bargain at €4-15
- Queue 2-3 hours before curtain for the best standing spots
Vienna State Opera (Wiener Staatsoper)
Opernring 2, 1010 Wien, Austria
Where to Eat
Café near Stephansplatz
Viennese breakfast
€6-14
Try: Viennese breakfast platter, Melange coffee, Kipferl
Naschmarkt stalls
International street food
€5-18
Try: Käsekrainer, Fresh oysters, Middle Eastern mezze
Hotel Sacher or nearby Beisl
Viennese classics
€5-30
Try: Sachertorte, Wiener Schnitzel, Käsekrainer at Bitzinger
A day beyond the Innere Stadt — the magnificent Schönbrunn Palace and its sprawling gardens in the morning, the MuseumsQuartier and Kunsthistorisches Museum in the afternoon, the legendary Café Central for Viennese coffeehouse culture, and a sunset stroll along the vibrant Danube Canal.
Schönbrunn Palace
Start Day 2 at Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna's most visited attraction and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take the U4 to Schönbrunn station and tour the magnificent 1,441-room Baroque summer residence. The Grand Tour (€29, 40 rooms) takes you through the opulent Great Gallery, the Mirror Room where the 6-year-old Mozart performed, and the private apartments of Franz Joseph and Sisi. Afterward, explore the sprawling gardens, walk up to the Gloriette hilltop pavilion for panoramic views, and optionally catch the Apfelstrudel Show at Café Residenz.
Details
- Hours: Daily, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (extended to 6:30 PM in summer); Gardens from 6:30 AM
- Entry: €22 (Imperial Tour, 22 rooms) or €29 (Grand Tour, 40 rooms)
- Best Time: First entry at 9:00 AM to beat the crowds; spring and summer for the gardens
Nearby Food
- Café Residenz (Apfelstrudel Show)
- Café Gloriette (panoramic views)
- Waldemar Tagesbar (nearby)
Pro Tips
- Book timed-entry tickets online — the walk-up queue can exceed 1 hour
- The Grand Tour (40 rooms, €29) is worth the upgrade for the Millions Room and Maria Theresa's apartments
Schönbrunn Palace
Schönbrunner Schloßstraße 47, 1130 Wien, Austria
MuseumsQuartier (MQ)
Head to the MuseumsQuartier (MQ), one of the world's largest cultural complexes. Grab a coffee at the courtyard and lounge on the iconic colorful ENZI furniture. If you visit one museum, make it the Leopold Museum (€15) for the world's greatest Egon Schiele collection and important Klimt works. Art lovers can add MUMOK (€15) for modern and contemporary art.
Details
- Hours: Daily, Courtyard open 24/7; Museums typically 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM (varies by institution)
- Entry: Courtyard free; Leopold Museum €15; MUMOK €15
- Best Time: Afternoon for museum visits and courtyard lounging
Nearby Food
- Café Leopold (in the MQ)
- Glacis Beisl (Viennese)
- Halle (modern café-restaurant)
Pro Tips
- The Leopold Museum's Schiele collection is world-class — don't miss it
- The courtyard is a great free hangout with cafés, wine bars, and people-watching
MuseumsQuartier (MQ)
Museumsplatz 1, 1070 Wien, Austria
Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Fine Arts)
Cross the street to the Kunsthistorisches Museum (KHM), one of the world's finest art museums. Head to the first floor Picture Gallery for the extraordinary Bruegel room ("Hunters in the Snow," "Tower of Babel"), Vermeer's "The Art of Painting," and Raphael's "Madonna of the Meadow." Take a coffee break at the stunning cupola café beneath the ornate dome. The Kunstkammer (cabinet of wonders) on the ground floor is also remarkable.
Details
- Hours: Tuesday - Sunday, 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (Thursday until 9:00 PM); Closed Monday
- Entry: €21
- Best Time: Afternoon (2-5 PM) or Thursday evening for late-night opening
Nearby Food
- KHM Cupola Café (inside)
- Café Museum (nearby)
- Plachutta (Tafelspitz)
Pro Tips
- The Bruegel room is the highlight — it holds the world's largest collection of his paintings
- The cupola café beneath the dome is one of Vienna's most elegant coffee spots
Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Fine Arts)
Maria-Theresien-Platz, 1010 Wien, Austria
Café Central
Experience the legendary Café Central, Vienna's most famous coffeehouse since 1876. Order a Melange (€5.50) and Apfelstrudel (€7.50) beneath the soaring vaulted ceilings where Freud, Trotsky, and Altenberg once held court. Read a newspaper on its traditional wooden holder, enjoy the live piano music, and soak up the UNESCO-recognized Viennese coffeehouse culture. Look for the papier-mâché Trotsky figure by the entrance.
Details
- Hours: Monday - Saturday, 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM; Sunday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Entry: Free entry (food/drinks from €4-18)
- Best Time: Mid-afternoon (3-5 PM) for the traditional Kaffee und Kuchen ritual; weekdays are less crowded than weekends
Nearby Food
- Café Central itself
- Zum Schwarzen Kameel (nearby)
- Café Hawelka (alternative)
Pro Tips
- Weekday afternoons are much less crowded than weekends
- Don't rush — the Viennese coffeehouse tradition is about lingering and savoring the moment
Café Central
Herrengasse 14, 1010 Wien, Austria
Danube Canal Sunset Stroll
End Day 2 with a sunset stroll along the Danube Canal, Vienna's vibrant canal-side social hub. Walk from Schwedenplatz south, admiring the impressive street art murals along the concrete walls. Stop at Strandbar Herrmann or Tel Aviv Beach for a sunset Aperol Spritz (€8-12) with views of the illuminated city. The canal captures a side of Vienna most visitors miss — creative, trendy, and surprisingly edgy beneath the imperial surface.
Details
- Hours: Daily, Open 24 hours (bars and restaurants vary, typically until midnight in summer)
- Entry: Free
- Best Time: Sunset for golden light on the water and the start of the evening bar scene
Nearby Food
- Strandbar Herrmann (canal-side bar)
- Tel Aviv Beach
- Motto am Fluss (upscale)
Pro Tips
- Strandbar Herrmann is the most popular canal-side bar — arrive early for the best sunset spot
- The street art murals change regularly — look for large-scale works by international artists
Danube Canal Sunset Stroll
Donaukanal, between Schwedenplatz and Urania, Wien, Austria
Where to Eat
Café Residenz at Schönbrunn or hotel breakfast
Viennese pastries and coffee
€8-16
Try: Apfelstrudel, Melange coffee, Kaisersemmel (bread roll)
Café Leopold or Glacis Beisl at the MQ
Viennese and café cuisine
€10-22
Try: Wiener Schnitzel, Gulaschsuppe (goulash soup), Tafelspitz
Strandbar Herrmann or Motto am Fluss
Canal-side dining and drinks
€12-35
Try: Aperol Spritz, Grüner Veltliner (Austrian white wine), Canal-side snacks
Pro Tips for Your Trip
Book Schönbrunn Tickets Online
Schönbrunn Palace is Vienna's most visited attraction, and the walk-up queue can exceed 1 hour in summer. Book timed-entry tickets online at schoenbrunn.at to skip the line. The Grand Tour (40 rooms, €29) is worth the upgrade over the Imperial Tour (22 rooms, €22) for the Millions Room and Maria Theresa's apartments.
Get a 48-Hour Transit Pass
The 48-hour Wiener Linien pass (€14.10) covers all U-Bahn, tram, and bus travel for both days — much better value than buying individual tickets. Activate it on your first ride on Day 1 and it's valid through Day 2. Buy it at any U-Bahn station ticket machine.
Thursday Evening at the Kunsthistorisches Museum
The KHM stays open until 9:00 PM on Thursdays — the evening crowds are smaller, the atmosphere is more intimate, and the cupola café serves drinks. If your Day 2 falls on a Thursday, consider shifting the museum visit to the evening.
Don't Miss the Graben and Kohlmarkt Walk
The 10-minute walk from Stephansdom to the Hofburg along the Graben and Kohlmarkt is one of Vienna's most elegant experiences — the Plague Column, Demel bakery, luxury boutiques, and street performers. It's a highlight in itself and connects two major stops.
Carry Cash for Markets and Small Stalls
While most restaurants and museums accept cards, Naschmarkt's smaller stalls, Würstelstände (sausage stands), and some traditional coffeehouses are cash-preferred. Carry €40-60 in small denominations. ATMs (Bankomaten) are everywhere in the city center.
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Vienna Itinerary Team
A team of Vienna travel experts and long-term residents passionate about sharing the best of Austria's imperial capital. With years of experience exploring every palace, coffeehouse, and hidden courtyard, we know Vienna inside out.
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