2 DAYS IN VIENNA
The perfect itinerary for first-time visitors
With two days you have just the right amount of time to get to know Vienna. You’ll see the places everyone should experience at least once — while still having the freedom to explore the city in a way that feels right for you.
This itinerary takes you through the historic Old Town, along the Ringstrasse, and out to Schönbrunn Palace. It’s well-structured, realistic, and flexible enough for you to focus on the things you’re most interested in.
All at your own pace — without unnecessary stress.
Day 1 – St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Old Town & Ringstrasse
Day one takes you right into Vienna’s historic center – with short walking distances, plenty of highlights, and the perfect start to the city’s distinctive Viennese atmosphere.
St. Stephen’s Cathedral
There’s hardly a better starting point for your Vienna trip than the very heart of the city. You step out of the metro and get that first wow moment — St. Stephen’s Cathedral right in front of you. This Gothic landmark shapes the historic center like no other building and is essential for any first-time visit.
If you’d like to see more than just the exterior, you can explore the interior or, if you’re interested, climb one of the two towers. A practical option is the combined ticket for the towers, catacombs and the cathedral museum, which lets you cover all areas in a single visit and avoid potential waiting times on site.
Old Town Walk
Once you’ve explored St. Stephen’s Cathedral, one of the nicest parts of the day begins: a short walk through the Old Town. Your route takes you first to the Graben with its Plague Column, then along the elegant Kohlmarkt, and finally to Michaelerplatz, the direct entrance to the Hofburg complex.
The Kärntner Strasse also starts right next to the cathedral. You can explore it at the beginning or save it for later — the main streets of the Old Town are all just a few steps apart.
Hofburg Complex
Michaelerplatz leads you straight into the Hofburg, a spacious complex of courtyards and historic buildings. You can simply walk through the area or take your time to explore specific sections in more detail.
Some of the most popular parts of the complex include the Sisi Museum, the Imperial Apartments, and the Treasury in the Swiss Courtyard. A guided tour* covering several of these areas takes around 2.5 hours and is a great option if you want to truly understand the Hofburg. It’s an in-depth experience but absolutely worthwhile — and easy to fit into Day 1.
If you prefer a shorter visit, the State Hall of the Austrian National Library is only a few steps away and takes about 20 – 30 minutes to explore. Alternatively, you can stay outside and continue through the courtyards until you reach Heldenplatz.
Since everything here is very compact, you can decide spontaneously how much time you want to spend inside the Hofburg.
Burggarten & Volksgarten
Directly behind the Hofburg, you’ll reach the Burggarten, and just a few steps further you’ll find the Volksgarten. Both parks are ideal for a short break before continuing your route along the Ringstrasse.
The Burggarten is perfect for a quick stop, while the Volksgarten offers more space with its well-kept paths and rose gardens. Choose whichever park fits your pace — from both, you can easily continue towards the Ringstrasse.
Ringstrasse
From the Burggarten or Volksgarten, you’ll reach the Ringstrasse within a few minutes. For a quick overview, take Tram Line 1 to Schwedenplatz. There, transfer to Line 2, which takes you along the remaining part of the Ring back to the State Opera.
Along the route, you’ll pass some of Vienna’s most notable buildings: the Parliament, City Hall, the Burgtheater, the University of Vienna, and the Votive Church. After changing trams, you’ll also see the area around the Stadtpark, additional representative Ring buildings, and several classic luxury hotels, before the loop ends at the State Opera.
You can do the ride without any extra stops, or hop off if you want to explore certain sections in more detail. In total, the loop takes about 25–30 minutes and can be easily adapted to the time you have available.
Evening Finale: Wiener Riesenrad
After completing the Ringstrasse loop, you’ll often still have some time before it gets dark. This is a good moment to stay a bit longer in the city center — for example, take a quick look inside the Albertina* or stroll along Kärntner Strasse. Once dusk sets in, make your way to the Prater.
A ride on the Wiener Riesenrad is an ideal evening activity, especially during the blue hour, when the view over the city feels calm, clear, and pleasantly understated. The ride itself only takes a few minutes and fits easily into any schedule. To avoid waiting times, you can book your ticket* in advance.
The rest of the Prater is optional — some people enjoy a short walk through the amusement park after the ride, while others head straight back to the city center.
Day 2 – Schönbrunn, Karlskirche & Belvedere
Day two begins at Schönbrunn Palace and later brings you back toward the city center. Since several major attractions are planned, the day can become quite intense depending on the type of visits you choose. At the same time, you’ll have enough flexibility to set your own pace and adjust the program to your personal interests.
Schönbrunn Palace
Schönbrunn Palace is one of Vienna’s most impressive landmarks and a great place to begin your second day. The expansive palace gardens are free to access and perfect for a relaxed stroll — including the walk up to the Gloriette if you’re in the mood for a viewpoint.
If you want to visit the interior of the palace, make sure to book your tickets in advance, as it gets busy, especially in the morning. The most informative option is to join one of the guided tours*, which offer valuable insights into the Habsburg history behind the palace.
How much time you spend at Schönbrunn depends on whether you only explore the gardens or also visit the palace itself. Either way, it’s a rewarding start to your second day in Vienna.
Karlskirche
The Karlskirche is one of Vienna’s most impressive churches and fits perfectly into your route back toward the city center. The exterior is striking on its own, but the interior is just as worthwhile — especially thanks to the panorama elevator, which takes you up into the dome. To access both the church interior and the panoramic platform, you’ll need an admission ticket*.
You can easily adapt the visit to your own pace: a quick stop for a first impression, or a longer break if you’d like to take the elevator. Afterwards, continue on toward the Belvedere.
📍 Optional Stop at Naschmarkt:
If you’d like to take a short break on your way from Schönbrunn to the Karlskirche, the Naschmarkt is perfectly located along the route. It’s ideal for a quick snack or a brief stroll through the market stalls.
Belvedere Palace
The Belvedere Palace is one of Vienna’s most impressive Baroque complexes and works perfectly as another stop on your second day. The site consists of the Upper and Lower Belvedere as well as the expansive palace gardens, which are free to access and ideal for a short walk.
If you’d like to explore the indoor exhibitions, you can secure a ticket* for the Upper Belvedere, where Klimt’s famous “The Kiss” is displayed. How much time you spend here depends entirely on your interests.
Whether you prefer a stroll through the gardens or a visit to the collections, the Belvedere fits easily into your afternoon and works well as the next step on your route.
Your Path Through the Afternoon
After the Belvedere, you still have plenty of time to shape the rest of your day at your own pace. Everything is close by, so you won’t need to plan for long distances. Just think about what you’re in the mood for:
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Albertina: If you still have energy for art, the Albertina is a great choice. You get a clear, quick overview – ideal if you want to fit in one more museum.
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Stroll through the city center: You can also walk back toward the Opera or Kärntner Strasse at a relaxed pace. This is where you really feel that classic Vienna atmosphere, without any fixed schedule.
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Stadtpark: If you want a short break, the Stadtpark is perfect. A few steps along the paths, a quick sit-down – sometimes that’s all you need.
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Coffeehouse: And if you’d prefer to pause for a moment, you’ll find several traditional coffeehouses around the Opera where you can sit for a bit of quiet.
This part of the day is all about giving you freedom. Choose whatever feels right – another museum, a short walk, or simply a moment to breathe.
Optional Evening Idea
If you still have a bit of energy left in the evening, you can end your second day with a quick visit to a rooftop bar. The Lamée Rooftop is a lovely option — centrally located and offering a view that feels especially nice in the evening light.
Think of this suggestion simply as a bit of inspiration. You might prefer a quiet night, you might already be heading home — or you decide spontaneously. The idea isn’t to fit in one more thing, but to give you an option in case you’d like to end your day with a small, memorable moment.
Extra Tips for In-Between Moments
If you’re between stops and have a craving for something small, Vienna has a few classics that take almost no time but can genuinely enhance your visit. No detours, no pressure – just little moments that feel unmistakably Vienna.
A sweet Viennese classic:
A slice of Sachertorte, warm apple strudel, or fluffy kaiserschmarrn - you can’t go wrong with any of them. These desserts are part of Vienna’s identity and perfect for a quick, typical treat along the way.
A quick stop at a Würstelstand:
A true Viennese staple – whether you go for a Käsekrainer or Burenwurst. It’s fast, tasty, and for many visitors just as essential as a walk through the historic center. Ideal for a few minutes in between.
These small extras are completely optional, but they’re often the moments that make a trip memorable. Enjoy them whenever they naturally fit into your day.
A Thought on Your Two Days in Vienna
Your time in Vienna will fly by - but you’ll notice that it’s still enough to get a little closer to the city. Maybe it’s the big moments, maybe the small ones that stay with you. Looking up at St. Stephen’s Cathedral, taking a short break in the Stadtpark, enjoying a piece of pastry along the way - it’s exactly this mix that defines Vienna.
Take from these two days whatever felt right for you. It doesn’t need to be perfectly planned, and you don’t have to see everything. No one discovers Vienna fully on their first visit - and that’s part of the city’s charm.
If you ever return (and most people do), countless corners, museums, parks, and little surprises will be waiting for you. This route is only a starting point. The rest unfolds naturally as you go - and that’s exactly how Vienna should feel.
📌 You might also like:
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👉 Vienna’s Most Beautiful Sights – 20 Highlights at a Glance
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👉 Vienna Travel Guide 2025 – your complete overview for planning & highlights
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👉 10 No-Gos in Vienna – what you should avoid
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