Vienna. The beautiful capital of Austria is said to be the “city of dreams”, for being the birthplace of Sigmund Freud. To us, Vienna was the start of our epic train trip through Europe, and it couldn’t have been a better place to kick things off. Although we know 2 days are not enough, here are the 12 top things to do in Vienna to have the best time in the city in November!
Without surprise, Vienna has often been voted the most livable city in the world, due to its high quality of life ratings, as well as culture, infrastructure, and many markets. The city is often cited as a leading example of urban planning and we can totally see why. It was such a lovely city to walk around!
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Table of Contents
How many days to spend in Vienna
Although we managed to see everything in 2 days in Vienna, we would suggest a full 4-day trip to really take in the sights and enjoy everything the city has to offer. Vienna is highly walkable, but even with that, there is so much to see and do that even a week is not enough.
For our 2 days in Vienna, you’ll need to make some choice on where you want to focus your energy, but know that you will still have a great time.
Here are our recommendations for the top 12 things to do in Vienna. We’ve made it easy for you by listing what to see, where to go, how to get around, and where to stay.
When to visit Vienna
Well, anytime is a great time to visit the city, but it really depends on what you’re looking for. The summer is probably the nicest weather, and it’s when the locals leave, but the tourists come in. Expect higher costs overall when it comes to accommodations and activities. Also, expect things to take a little longer as crowds will slow you down. Just make sure you book your must-see activities in advance.
During the winter, you are in a Christmas fairytale, with all the markets, lights and snow that make the city look dreamy. Just make sure you’re there starting in mid-November, if not they’ll be setting everything up and you won’t see a thing. This is exactly what happened to us! The weather will cool down quite a bit, so make sure you bundle up and wear layers.
The fall and spring are fine times to visit Vienna, there won’t be much going on, and the weather is a little-hit-or-miss. The main advantage is that there are far fewer tourists, so you ca explore more freely and costs will be lower. If you are going for 2 days in Vienna during these seasons, try and coordinate your visit with some nice weather.
Top 12 things to do in Vienna in 2 days
There are a thousand things to do during your 2 days in Vienna, from the very cheap options for budget travelers to the super chic for luxury travelers. From museums to parks, palaces and so much more, there is a ton of things to do in 2 days in Vienna. Don’t be shy to explore all your options, and focus your energy on what really makes you happy!
1. Visit the Schönbrunn Palace
This was probably our favorite site in the capital and a must-see during your 2 days in Vienna. If you like walking through nature and gardens, viewing spectacular statues and monuments, you will love the Schönbrunn Palace.
The Palace started as a mansion for the Roman Emperor Maximilian II, who used the grounds to hunt, back in the 17th century. Today, the 1,400-room castle is our dream home and garden!
Although you need to pay to enter the summer palace, walking the grounds is free, and they are immense! Although we skipped the interior tour this time, we strongly urge you to do it if you want to get a glimpse into the life of royalty and discover the history of this place. After all, this is where a six-year-old Mozart gave his first public concert! Just make sure you book your ticket ahead of time as spots fill up quite quickly. If you have time to kill before the tour, we recommend walking the gardens of the Schönbrunn Palace as you wait.
We spend a good two hours walking the grounds. We would suggest taking a good hour and a half here to really enjoy the gardens. If you want to go into the palace, you will need an extra hour and a half time. It’s a good idea to bring a snack and some water if you plan on staying as long.
This is one of Vienna’s most popular tourist destinations, so be prepared to see large crowds, depending on when you go. It isn’t so bad in the gardens though, as they are huge.
If you are spending 2 days in Vienna, expect this activity to take up half a day. There is seriously so much to see and do!
Getting here: to the Palace is quite easy. You can take a bus, tram or subway there. Just get off at Schloss Schönbrunn. Make sure you check on the official site to get the full details.
2. Get the best view of Vienna from Gloriette
The Gloriette is a structure located on a 60-meter hill overlooking the Schönbrunn Palace. It offers the best view of the palace, and of the entire city of Vienna.
Not too many people head up this way, so you’ll have tons of photo opportunities here. It’s also a great place to lie back on the grass, and maybe have a picnic on a nice day. There is a little cafe in the Gloriette, so you can grab some food there. If you want to do it in an eco-friendly way, bring your own containers.
3. Explore the Hofburg Palace
Welcome to the home of the Austrian president, Alexander Van der Bellen. This palace was built in the 13th century and has been expanded many times since. Today, you can walk the grounds freely and visit one of the many expositions at its museums.
You can also walk the gardens, known as the Volksgarten, or the Heldenplatz, another beautiful public space in front of the Hofburg Palace. Just note that going through the whole place will take about 2-4 hours in total, at a decent pace.
Getting here: is super easy by the public transportation system. Hofburg Palace is at the center of Vienna and a great place to start your city exploration. For more details on how to get to the Palace, check out their official site.
4. Admire the Hundertwasser house
This architectural gem is located in the Landstraße district of Vienna. Unlike any other house in Vienna, it’s a colorful masterpiece brought to life by Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser and architect Joseph Krawina.
There is also the museum called the KunstHausWien which is the only permanent exhibition of Hundertwasser’s works. It’s a few steps away from the apartment complex but boasts an equally cool design.
You cannot enter the Hundertwasser house as people actually live there. You’ll need only a few minutes to admire its beauty and check out the gift shop.
Getting there: is also easy, you can take the Tram line 1 and get off the Hetzgasse station. Then you only need to walk about 100 m. If not, you can grab the metro U4 line and get off at Landstraße Wien Mitte station. From there, you need to walk about 900 m, but the architecture in the area is so stunning that it’s worth it!
5. Take a ride in Prater
Located in Vienna’s 2nd district, the Prater is officially known as the Wurstelprater amusement park but is best known as being home to the world’s oldest Ferris wheel, that was built in 1897.
We didn’t go on the Ferris wheel, because to be honest, it looks old as hell! Anthony Bourdain went on it when he visited Vienna for his “No Reservations” show, and he was slightly freaked out… and nothing freaks Anthony out, so that was a good warning for us!
The park was closed when we got there as it usually takes a break during winter months, so if the plan is to ride the coasters here, make sure it’s open. However, as you can see, they do set up Christmas markets there in the winter, so try and catch them when they’re open.
Honestly, you can spend a whole day here, so it really depends on what you’re looking to do during your 2 days in Vienna. If it’s only to ride the Ferris wheel, you need about 30 minutes.
Getting there: It’s quite easy as its main entrance is located directly at a huge roundabout, the Praterstern. This is the junction of the U1 and U2 lines of the metro, some rapid S-Bahn transit lines. You’ll also find the terminus of the tram lines O and 5, and the bus stops of lines 5b, 80A, and 82A right there!
6. Check out a museum or two
We rarely visit museums, especially on this trip considering how little time we had in each city. But if you have the time and like museums, these are the places to go. Just know that each museum will probably take about half a day to explore, or at least two hours. Knowing this, you can figure out how to split your time to make the best out of your 2 days in Vienna.
Explore the MuseumsQuartier
This whole area is home to Vienna’s most prominent museums showcasing everything from modern and contemporary art and architecture, to hosted events in technology and fashion.
Take in the work of the masters at the Albertina
The Albertina is one of the biggest exhibitions showcasing drawings and old master prints, with permanent and temporary exhibits. From Monet to Picasso and Warhol, you will get your fix of the fine arts here.
7. Explore Belvedere palace
Unfortunately, we did not have time to visit this 17th-century palace. Did we mention that you need four days to take in all the sites in Vienna! But if you have the time, it is a must. It resembles the Schönbrunn Palace in the sense that it is set on vast lands with huge gardens and fountains.
8. Visit some of the fabulous churches
There are a ton of churches in Vienna. Seriously, there’s probably one on every city block! These are the ones that stood out to us. Of course, there are other ones, but if you are looking to see the highlights during your 2 days in Vienna, these are the top churches to see!
St Stephen’s Cathedral, the top church to see during your 2 days in Vienna
This Roman Catholic cathedral, also known by its German name Stephansdom, is home to the Archbishop of Vienna, Christoph Cardinal Schönborn. Located in the Stephansplatz, or the central plaza, it is the most important religious building in Vienna and one of its most recognizable sites in town.
The construction of this church was completed in 1160, but it was reconstructed and expanded until 1511. Today, it is getting a slight facelift, but you can still get a great view of it, and visit inside as well. If you want an amazing view of the city, and of the church’s intricate roof, you can climb up the stairs on the South tower or take the lift up to the North Tower, for 8 euros.
To check out the view and tour the church, you’ll need about one hour. Luckily, the church is in the middle of the city, so easy to get to. Even better is the fact that it’s located in an area with tons of shops and restaurants around.
St Peter’s Church, too beautiful to skip during your 2 days in Vienna
Also know as Peterskirche, this is a baroque styled Roman Catholic church. Dating back to the year 1733, it boasts one of the most spectacular turreted dome ceilings we have ever seen.
Not only is it gorgeous to look at from outside, it’s also quite beautiful inside as well. Make sure you take a moment to go in and check it out for yourself, everything from the ornate details to the beautiful architecture.
Vortishkirche, a top thing to do in Vienna
The Vortishkirche is a Neo-Gothic church that was built in 1879. It was built to thank God for saving the Emperor, Franz Joseph, after an assassination attempt on his life in 1853.
Like the St Stephen’s Cathedral, it is also undergoing restoration but you can still go inside, as you should. What caught our eye about this church was its guided altar, which was constructed with inspiration from Italian gothic churches.
Karlskirche, a must during your 2 days in Vienna
Built in 1737, it was constructed after the great plague and dedicated by the Roman Emperor Charles IV to Saint Charles Borromeo, known as a healer for plague sufferers.
Unlike the three previous churches, you must pay to enter the Karlskirche, which we decided not to do. We are kind of kicking ourselves about it though because we were able to get a glimpse inside, and it did look quite spectacular!
9. Check out the Parliament building
The Austrian Parliament Building has been the seat of the Austrian government since 1883 and underwent a massive reconstruction after World War II after being heavily damaged. The building’s architectural design is clearly Greek, with white marble columns adorning the front of the entrance.
Tours inside the parliament are possible, you can even sit in on a National Council sitting. We didn’t have a chance to do this because it was closed, but if you are a history buff, this is the place for you!
10. Discover the Rathaus
Vienna’s City Hall, the home of the Viennese local government, was also constructed in 1883. The mayor of Vienna, Michael Ludwig, lives in this Neo-gothic building. We would have loved to join him for some coffee and cake, but he was slightly busy.
Like the Parliament building, you can get a guided tour of the City Hall on most Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, at 1 pm. While we were there, they were setting up the Christmas markets, so we did not have a chance to see it in all its glory.
However, if you are there during the Christmas holidays, we highly recommend checking this site out because the set-up looked awesome, including a skating rink that went around the property!
11. Catch a show at the Wiener Staatsoper
The State Opera House, or Wiener Staatsoper, has shows almost every day of the year. You can see anything from classical music to the Opera or a ballet. When in Vienna, seeing a show here is a must!
Apart from that, the building itself is just stunning, from the inside and out. It really looks like a place that only the aristocracy used to grace, but nowadays, we can all visit!
12. Be amazed by the butterflies at Schmetterling Haus
Inside this tropical oasis, you will find over 400 butterflies floating through the exotic setting, full of plants and waterfalls. It was created to be as close to their natural environment as possible. Constructed at the beginning of the 20th century, it was a recluse for Emperor Franz Josef and his wife, the Empress Sisi.
But nowadays we can all wander through this encapsulated wonder and watch the loveliest of insects. We would have gone in, but one of us is scared of anything that flies… can you guess who?!
Taking in the sights here will take you about 45 minutes, especially if you take your time to really enjoy the peaceful serenity of this lovely place!
13. Read up in the Austrian national library
The largest library in Austria, boasting over 12 million items, the Austrian national library is a beautiful site to see. You can visit it and check out its various museums. Just make sure you get your tickets online so you skip the line and jump into exploring right away!
Where to eat in Vienna
Schachtelwirt, for traditional Viennese meals
Derek’s top pick was a dish of roasted pork with sauerkraut at Schachtelwirt. This little hole in the wall restaurant has a limited menu of freshly made delicious meals. Make sure you get there early enough because when they’re out of something, they’re out! Also good to know is that they have one vegetarian meal available, which was also delicious.
Hemmers, upscale and delicious in Vienna
This restaurant was recommended by our hotel, and they were right. If you want typical Austrian meals prepared right, this is the place. Carine’s favorite meal here was the dumpling trio (beet, spinach, and mushrooms). Each one was delicious in its own way. Derek also loved the schnitzel here, served with a sweet jam. His new favorite combo!
Café Sacher, a classic thing to do in Vienna
You just cannot come to Vienna and not try some of the local pastries. When it comes to the best of the best, you must try the famous sachertorte at Café Sacher.
As the name indicates, this is the home to the original sachertorte. We had it and it was just so rich and chocolaty. We also tried the apple strudel and it may have been even more delicious than the torte, but it depends on who you ask!
Just be warned, there is a wait to get into the cafe. Although the line moves quite quickly, make sure you don’t get there when you’re hangry!
Side note, apparently having a gelato in Vienna is a must as well. We didn’t try any, because it was cold, but we believe the hype! So if the weather permits and the mood is right, treat yo’self to some yummy gelato.
Where to stay in Vienna for 2 days
Our favorite place to stay in Vienna is the Ruby Sofie Hotel Vienna. Conveniently located near the Landstraße subway, right as you get off the CAT, it’s so close to everything you want to visit, whether its Vienna’s famous landmarks or the business district if you’re here for work.
We thoroughly enjoyed their brand of lean luxury. They focus on making the important things count while doing away with anything superficial. The rooms are a perfect size and have the coolest shower we have ever seen.
They also come with a complimentary smartphone, with data, so you can roam the city freely, without worrying about getting lost. The best feature is the super comfy and big bed (which is a must when you travel with a gentle giant like Derek). It was so comfy that we barely wanted to get up in the morning.
Luckily, they serve a delicious breakfast in the main lounge. With locally-sourced and organic ingredients, this amazing buffet was the perfect way to start our days of exploration. The main lounge is also where you can grab a drink for happy hour (hosted daily) and catch some live music on certain dates.
All in all, we loved our stay at Ruby Sofie Hotel Vienna. This design hotel has everything you need to have an amazing time in Vienna. And if this guide wasn’t helpful enough, just ask the staff there to help you. They are super friendly and awesome with local tips and recommendations!
How to get to Vienna
Getting from the Vienna airport to the city
When you land at the Vienna International Airport (VIE), the fastest way into the city center is to take the city airport train or CAT. It takes 15 minutes to get you there and will cost you 12€ (which is a little pricey but can be convenient). It will take you straight to Wien Mitte where you can grab another subway connection. The tickets for the CAT are sold at ticket machine by the luggage claim, or at the entrance of the CAT platform. Make sure you get yours because they do check them on board.
Get to Vienna by train
Alternatively, you can get to the Vienna city center by taking a local OBB train. This option is still convenient and is less expensive than the CAT.
There are a few train stations in Vienna, such as Wien Franz-Josefs-Bahnhof and Wien Meidling. If you are headed anywhere else in Europe after your stay in Vienna, we highly suggest taking the train. There are plenty of routes, and your choice of destinations are limitless.
Not only is it convenient, and cheaper than flying, the environmental impact is much lower too.
Extra travel tips for your 2 days in Vienna
Depending on what you are looking to do, you may want to get the Vienna City Card. If you want to go to museums, take the Hop On/Hop off bus, or check out some of the city’s paying attractions, this is the card for you. It will offer you discounts or free entry to what you want to do. It also includes free use of the public transportation system.
If you plan on moving around a lot, but without visiting the many sights in the city, you can opt for a 24, 48 or 72-hour pass for public transport. You can either buy your tickets at a stand (make sure you validate them before you take the subway, or directly on buses and trams. You can also buy your passes online.
How to be eco-friendly in Vienna
As always, we want to be sure everyone travels in the most eco-friendly way possible! That’s why we want to share these few little tips with you to make your stay in Vienna as eco-friendly and sustainable as possible.
- Bring reusable water bottles and coffee mug: Tap water in Austria is safe to drink, and it’s one of the best in Europe. So make sure you bring a reusable water bottle that you can fill up (we always have our Lifestraw Go with us!) And if you love to drink coffee, make sure you bring you reusable coffee mug too!
- Eat as local and vegan as you can: This is the easiest way to reduce your environmental footprint. Eat as much local produce and food as possible, and especially, eat all the vegan options you can! It’s a delicious and easy way to reduce your carbon footprint.
- Bring your own bags and refuse plastic bags: Like most places, they still offer plastic bags in grocery stores, at the local markets, and at various shops. So bring your own bag and do your little step to save our beautiful planet!
- Walk or bike around: When we walked all around Vienna and had a great time getting lost in its streets. It helped that our hotel was so centrally located to all the main attractions in Vienna. If walking is not your thing, we saw a ton of bikes and scooters that were part of a ride-sharing program. You can easily get around the city using one of those services
- Use public transportation to get around Vienna: The subways and trams in Vienna are some of the most efficient and cleanest we’ve seen in the world. It’s very easy to get around the city using public transportation. It’s cheap (especially if you get one of the 24-48h passes. No need to rent a car or take taxis around!
Here are the top 13 things to do in Vienna in 2 days
- Visit the Schönbrunn Palace
- Get the best view of Vienna from Gloriette
- Explore the Hofburg Palace
- Admire the Hundertwasser house
- Take a ride in Prater
- Check out a museum or two
- Explore Belvedere palace
- Visit some of the fabulous churches
- Check out the Parliament building
- Discover the Rathaus
- Catch a show at the Wiener Staatsoper
- Be amazed by the butterflies at Schmetterling Haus
- Read up in the Austrian national library
We thoroughly enjoyed our 2 days in Vienna. With such a rich history, and beautiful areas to visit in and around town, we must have walked 15 miles a day. Like we mentioned, if you have the time, take at least four or five days here. It will give you enough time to visit museums, take in some shows and explore the city at a leisurely pace.
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Great post 😁
Thanks!
Nice post! I loved the photos! 😀
Thanks! We love taking pictures
Yes, indeed! 🙂
Check my blog too. I hope you enjoy! 🙂
Really cool
Thanks buddy!
The color-wild house is like opaque stained glass!
I love your post, BUT:
I would never recommend the CAT. Although it is advertised like crazy, you can actually take a train for less than €5 (OBB) from the airport to Wien Hbf.
I live in Linz and travel to the Vienna Airport / Vienna Hbf all the time — and would never take the CAT because its such a rip off.
Hey, thank you so much for the constructive comment about the CAT vs taking an OBB train. For us it was convenient because we were going straight to Wien Mitte (where our hotel was located), though we did find it to be quite expensive. We will add your suggestion to the blog!
Reblogged this on The Legal Alien and commented:
I could post my own blog post about Vienna, but this one is just so good. However, please do not follow the advice about the CAT. I would strongly recommend to take the OBB train instead for under €5.
Hi Guys! I actually updated the comment on my own blog as follows, and I hope that its ok that I reblog your post. I really like your posts! 🙂
These guys are one of my favorite travel bloggers. I was thinking about posting my own blog post about Vienna, but once I saw theirs I knew that I would never be able to write one that was as good. My only suggestion which would differ from the blog post would be to take the OBB train instead of the CAT train. The OBB train ticket would be for under €5, while the CAT is €15.
Awesome, we updated our blog to include the OBB option! Thanks again.
Thanks for the repost! Glad you liked the blog.
We loved our visit to Vienna this summer! We were able to attend a Viennese concert one night in addition to the other fabulous stops. Quite memorable.
Awesome, Vienna was so great!
What a helpful article. I’m thinking of taking my girlfriend in the spring and you have given me some great ideas. Best wishes Sebby
Nice, if you do I’m sure you will both love it!
Thank you so much. Best wishes Sebby
Hi, Thank you for sharing your tips for a 2 day visit to Vienna. I found it very interesting and useful for my forthcoming trip there
Hey Dave, glad we could help! Enjoy your trip!