Best of Beautiful Vienna 2 Day Itinerary
Vienna, Austria was one of our main city stops during our honeymoon tour of central Europe. We allocated just 2 days to explore this beautiful city, and immediately knew we’d want more!
We stayed just outside the old city at Hotel Roomz. It’s an amazing budget hotel conveniently located on the U-Bahn subway line. You’ll be in the middle of the action in no time!
Our Vienna 2 Day Itinerary was loosely based on a tram tour we found in Rick Steve’s Austria. As always, Rick knows how to get the most out of your time here. By design, we arrived late in the evening for our first night in Vienna to maximize all we had planned over the next 2 days.
Strap on your walking shoes, and see why Vienna was another magical city we can’t wait to return to…
Vienna Map
Day 1
Stadtpark
We began our first morning in Vienna by visiting the 28 acre Stadtpark. First opened in 1862, it’s a beautifully manicured park perfect for a lazy afternoon picnic. As we wondered through the park we performed a bit of a scavenger-hunt to find the statues of famous Viennese artists, writers and composers including Johann Strauss and Ludwig van Beethoven.
Before leaving, we found a group of people dressed in period clothing selling tickets for that evening’s Strauss concert. We jumped at the chance (more on that later)!
Vienna State Opera
The Vienna State Opera opened in 1869 with Mozart’s DON JUAN in the presence of Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth. It was devastated during a WWII bombing in 1945 and reconstructed over the following 10 years. It’s re-opening in 1955 was an event with national significance as it signified a new beginning for a country that had just regained it’s independence.
Today, this opera house is considered one of the most important in the world.
Mozart Monument
One of the most famous names connected with Vienna is Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and you’ll see reference to him everywhere! Unveiled in 1896 and restored in 1953, this beautiful monument is located next to the Imperial Palace Hofburg in the Burrgarten (Imperial Palace Gardens).
Hofburg Palace
This former imperial palace was built in the 13th century, and continually expanded in the centuries that followed. It has housed some of the most powerful people in European history, including Habsburg Dynasty monarchs and Austro-Hungarian Empire rulers.
This complex now includes various residences, the Imperial Chapel, the Naturhistorisches Museum and Kunsthistorisches Museum, the Austrian National Library, the Imperial Treasury, the Burgtheater, the Spanish Riding School, the Imperial Horse Stables, and the Hofburg Congress Center.
Hofburg Palace is now the official residence and workplace of the President of Austria.
Imperial Treasury
The Imperial Treasury is a stunning collection of treasures spanning over 1000 years of European history. Compiled by the Imperial House of Habsburg, this 21 room collection includes such amazing pieces as the Imperial Crown, Orb, and Sceptre of Austria, and the Imperial Regalia of the Emperors and Kings of the Holy Roman Empire, including the Imperial Crown of the Holy Roman Empire.
Roman Ruins at Michaelerplatz
Uncovered during an excavation project in 1990-91, Michaelerplatz now contains exposed remains of a Roman house dating back to the 2nd-4th century, as well as some medieval foundations and remains of the former Burgtheater.
Volksgarten
Volksgarten (People’s Garden), designed in 1821, is part of the Hofburg Palace. The park was built over the city fortifications that were destroyed by Napoleon in 1809.
Volksgarten was opened to the public in 1823, and today is best known for it’s amazing rose garden.
Parlament and Rathaus
2 important government buildings line Ringstraße boulevard: Parlament (Parliament) and Rathaus (City Hall).
Parlament is where the two houses of the Austrian Parliament conduct their sessions. The foundation stone was laid in 1874 and the building was completed in 1883.
Rathaus houses the office of the Mayor of Vienna as well as the chambers of the city council. It was constructed from 1872 to 1883 in a Neo-Gothic style. You’ll definitely want to visit during the Christmas season when the entire building is transformed into a larger-than-life advent calendar!
Beethoven’s Apartment
Ludwig van Beethoven worked in Vienna for thirty-five years, 8 of which (1804-1815) were spent on the 4th floor of this apartment. It was here that he worked on his 4th, 5th, 7th and 8th symphonies, as well as his opera FIDELIO.
Today this building houses a museum containing numerous documents and personal items illustrating the life and work of Beethoven.
Johann Strauss Concert in Stadtpark
Our first day in Vienna ended where it began … in Stadtpark!
We returned for the Johann Strauss concert we had purchased tickets to that morning. The concert took place at the beautiful Kursalon, built in 1867. This was the very place where Johann Strauss directed his orchestra from the position of first violin.
Day 2
Schönbrunn Palace
If there’s 1 thing I can deem as “can’t miss” during your next visit, it’s got to be Schönbrunn Palace!
This incredible place was where we spent the bulk of the second day of our Vienna 2 Day Itinerary, and we’d gladly do it again. Originally commissioned as a hunting lodge by Emperor Leopold I in 1642, it quickly became a stately residence and annual summer home for the imperial family starting in 1645.
We bought out tour tickets and realized we has 2 hours to kill before our designated time. What are we going to do for 2 hours, we wondered … Then we found the incredible Palace Gardens! The park at Schönbrunn Palace extends 1.2 km from east to west and approximately 1 km from north to south. It was opened to the public around 1779.
Schönbrunn Irrgarten Maze
One of the great features of the Schönbrunn Gardens is the Irrgarten Maze. Originally laid out in 1720, it became neglected and finally cleared in 1892. The new maze opened in 1999, reconstructed according to the historical model on 1,715 m².
Also located in this section of the garden is the Labyrinth. Extending over an area of 2,700 m², it’s a playful place for visitors of all ages to relax and enjoy an afternoon. Hop your way across bouncing boards, see yourself through a kaleidoscope, climb a ‘chiming climbing pole’, or even solve mathematical riddles.
St. Stephan’s Cathedral
St. Stephan’s Cathedral is one of Vienna’s most recognizable symbols, and its most important religious building.
Initially built between 1339-1365, it’s the mother church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vienna and seat of the Archbishop of Vienna. St. Stephan’s largely managed to escape WWII unscathed until a neighbouring fire caused the roof to collapse. It was replaced by the multi-coloured tile version you see today.
It’s my hope that joining me on my Vienna 2 Day Itinerary has inspired you to visit this beautiful city. I know I can’t wait to return for a longer stay!
Have you been to Vienna and visited any sights you’d consider to be “can’t miss”? I’d love to hear about them in the comments below.
Be sure to comment below and let me know what’s on your Vienna 2-Day Itinerary that I missed!
P.S. If you’d LOVE to start Your Own Blog with “Just 3 Clicks”, check THIS out!
Was this valuable for you? If so I’d really appreciate your comments below and shares on social media.
Resources
Here is a list of the resources mentioned in this post:
Rick Steve’s Austria – Rick Steve’s in the defacto expert on all things Europe. He’s got an amazing ability to take you into the real-life experiences often overlooked by other tour guides.
Traveller’s Handbook – All of my best tips, checklists, and travel rules conveniently located in 1 easy download.
Vienna is indeed a paradise. Wish my family could go and visit also the place. Love all the above photos and videos.
Yes, we loved Vienna! You’re family definitely has to find their way there
Looks amazing. You need to be my tour guide
LOL, let’s do it Mark! Always willing to help a fellow traveller
Very comprehensive and great post about Vienna. The pictures were incredible. I felt like I was there.
Thanks so much Wendy, that’s definitely what I was hoping for 🙂
Oh WOW!
This is on my bucket list…
Need to go with you and Julia next time 🙂
Dr. Lisa
A great addition Dr. Lisa.
Yes, let’s definitely make a trip of it together!
Great post Kenneth! Another Live List added! Those are beautiful pictures and great info to follow! Appreciate it!
Thanks so much Zach, you’ll love it there!
Sorry Bruce, had just got off the phone with Kenneth. My appolgies
No problem .. happens to all of us 🙂
I am yet to get to Austria, but I would love to see those palaces. I love wandering around in places like this.
They really were amazing, you’ll love it when you go!
It’s ages I want to visit Wien and when seeing your photos, I really wonder why I haven’t made it there yet! Great Post 🙂
Glad you got some inspiration from this post … definitely make sure you visit soon!
I love palaces, and gardens. I am sure I will have a great time if I ever make it to Vienna. Just a question though can you enter the Hofburg Palace?
Yes, there are multiple tours that run through various parts of Hofburg Palace. We opted for just the Treasury.
A really interesting piece – I have only briefly stopped off in Vienna and found it a little dull but this has made me want to go back and have another look.
That’s very interesting Scott, thanks for sharing. Personally, I love history and take advantage of exploring something that fascinates me whenever I can.
I haven’t been to Vienna yet but I will be soon. This is a great guide and I’m sure I will find it helpful. The concert yu went to must have been amazing, what a great setting to enjoy it.
It was well worth attending, and we were so glad we decided to attend. It was a bit spur of the moment, but isn’t that when the best things happen??
I have heard so much good about Vienna. I even had bus tickets to Vienna from Poland for December last year, but I didn’t use them. Now I regret when I am looking at your pictures and reading the post. Such a beautiful city!
I’m glad I could add this experience for you, Milena. Hopefully one day soon you’ll make the trip!
I have heard so much good about Vienna. I even had bus tickets to Vienna from Poland for December last year, but I didn’t use them. Now I regret when I am looking at your pictures and reading the post. Such a beautiful cityccc
A wonderful looking city! I haven never been but I think I’d follow you itinerary pretty closely. I love the look of the gardens and of the Hofburg Palace especially. My daughter would like the jewels in the treasury! Hopefully we will manage to go next year.
Amazing Emily! You’ll love the trip when you go. I’d also add some activities in the northern part of the city … we missed much of that area, but it sounds excellent
The Schönbrunn Palace looks amazing!! And it’s been a secret dream of mine to go through a garden maze live I’ve seen on movies. When we planned our first big Europe trip last fall I had really wanted to see more of Austria, but we only had time for a night in Innsbruck. It reaffirmed my desire to return to Austria and see more though! The food was amazing, the people kind and the history deep.
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Yes, we absolutely loved our visit to Austria, and Schonbrunn Palace is really an incredible place. I also love mazes, and there were 3 within the garden grounds!
You certainly made the most of your time in Vienna. Great itinerary!
We were there over summer and wanted to relax, so spent most of our time in the old town and relaxing in the parks. It’s such a beautiful city and spending only 2 days, like we did too, is certainly not enough!
You’re so right that 2 days is not nearly enough for this great city. The parks and cafes make for such beautiful and relaxing settings!
We lived in Brartislava for a year and a half, so have visited Vienna a few times then. It really is a nice city to just walk around in, but sometimes it just gets too much. Hard to distinguish one nice building from another after a few hours. If you ever have 3 days in Vienna, I would really recommend spending the extra day across the border in Bratislava. The city is just an hour away. 🙂
Thanks for that recommendation! I’ve heard nothing but good things about Bratislava and definitely plan to visit in the very near future.