You could spend ages wandering the beautiful streets of the Austrian capital. However, you may only have a couple days for your visit. Worry not, you can experience a little bit of everything with just two days in Vienna!
Vienna is located along the Danube River in eastern Austria. It’s not far from the city of Bratislava, Slovakia and just a few hours on the train from Prague, Czech Republic.
Walking through the pristine streets of Vienna gives you the feeling of being part of a centuries-old high society. Its impressive white stone buildings line each street and square, with historic houses and cafes around every corner.
It’s easy to immerse yourself to this art-lover’s wonderland. The city is brimming with museums and music. Plus, it’s full of beautiful green spaces and delicious food.
So, if you’ve only got a couple days in Vienna, visit the museums, check out the musical landmarks, enjoy its parks, and try the cuisine. It’s a great city to visit for a weekend break or as part of a longer trip through Europe.
Here’s your travel guide for what to do during two days in Vienna, Austria.
See the Museums
When you’ve only got two days in Vienna, make sure to get a taste of its museums.
Vienna is home to many extraordinary museums, with focuses ranging from natural history to modern art. No matter which sort of art you’re interested in, there’s a museum for you.
Belvedere Museum
One museum you must visit is the Belvedere. The Belvedere is a property consisting of baroque palaces and grounds.
The palaces were built in the early 18th century and originally served as a royal summer residence. Today, the complex features a collection of museums and gardens. The museum buildings on the property are the Lower Belvedere (which includes the Orangery, Palace Stables, and Privy Garden), the Upper Belvedere, and Belvedere 21.
The upper Belvedere museum houses all kinds of marvelous art from the Middle Ages to the present day, including historical Austrian art and French Impressionist pieces.
The most enchanting exhibit at the Belvedere may be the one dedicated to Gustav Klimt. The exhibit, the largest collection of Klimt’s work in the world, includes famed paintings “Kiss” and “Judith I.” While you may have seen reproductions of these works before, their in-the-flesh presence is magnificent and overpowering.
The Lower Belvedere is open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily. The Upper Belvedere is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Belvedere 21 is open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. All have extended hours until 9 p.m. on Fridays
Admission to the Belvedere varies depending on which areas you want to visit. Adult ticket prices range from 8 euros to 22 euros. There are discounted prices for children and teenagers, students, seniors, and visitors with a Vienna Card.
Tickets can be purchased online, but you can’t reserve a specific date to visit. Tickets are good for one year after you buy them.
MuseumsQuartier
Another great area for art fans is the MuseumsQuartier. The complex focuses on contemporary art, featuring several modern art museums. There are also a variety of shops, restaurants, bars, and cafes.
One popular museum in the MuseumsQuartier is the Museum of Modern Art – mumok (museum moderner kunst stiftung ludwig wien). The mumok is a contemporary museum with rotating exhibitions of modern art. The museum also hosts events, like film screenings and musical performances.
Vienna’s Museum of Modern Art is open Monday 2:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Tuesday to Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. The regular price of admission is 12 euros, but there are several discounts available for children, students, seniors, visitors with a Vienna Card and more.
Whether or not contemporary art is your cup of tea, there’s plenty to enjoy during an afternoon in the MuseumsQuartier. Stroll through its open square, grab a space on a modern lounge chair, and enjoy the afternoon.
Take in the Music
Vienna is a classical hub known for its music. Its musical history is omnipresent. There are theaters, landmarks, and monuments throughout the city that memorialize its culture. When you only have two days in Vienna, make sure to check out some its musical attractions.
Vienna State Opera House
One of the most famous musical sights in the city is the Vienna State Opera House, or Wiener Staatsoper.
Make sure to pay a visit to this local landmark, even if you don’t plan to see a show. Its grand architecture and history make it worthwhile. (Though visitors should take heed — watch out for the tourist-trap salespeople, complete with costumes, ready to stop you at every turn.)
More than 60 different operas and ballet are performed each season at the Vienna State Opera House. The schedule of performances for the season is released in early April.
You can book tickets after the season preview is released. You can purchase advance tickets for the Vienna State Opera House by mail, fax, or online. Prices vary depending on the date, performance, and seat and can range from around 15 euros to several hundred euros.
Performances do sell out, so make sure to plan ahead if you want to catch a performance (though standby tickets may also be available).
Mozart’s House
Another famed attraction for music enthusiasts is Mozart’s house (Mozarthaus Vienna).
While Mozart’s birthplace is in Salzburg, and he lived in several different homes in Vienna. However, this is the only apartment in Wien that has survived. Mozart lived in this apartment, located at Domgasse number 5, from 1784 until 1787.
Mozarthaus Vienna occupies six levels where visitors can learn all about Mozart and his life’s work.
A regular adult ticket for Mozarthaus Vienna is 11 euros, with discounts for people younger than 19 years old and those with a Vienna card. It’s open daily from 10:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.
Musical Monuments
Additionally, tributes to Vienna’s musicians dot the city.
You’ll come across several as you explore the town, such as the monument to Johann Strauss in Stadtpark or the statue of Mozart in Burggarten.
Wherever you go in Wien, you’ll find music all around.
Stroll Through the Parks
It’s tempting to pack in as much activity as you can during a short trip. However, it’s important to leave some free time to relax. Even if you’ve only got two days in Vienna, make sure to take some leisure time in its beautiful green spaces.
Vienna is home to many impeccable parks. They’re lush and manicured, with art installations around every turn.
The aforementioned Belvedere is home to beautiful gardens,. Make sure to spend some time exploring those on your visit to the museum.
Another charming Viennese park is Stadtpark. Stadtpark is a large park in the center of the city that is divided in two by a river. It’s full of monuments to famous figures from Viennese history. Plus, there are also a couple restaurants and plenty of space to sit and relax.
Also in the center of the cit is Heldenplatz. Heldenplatz an open area with a park, gardens and a public square, all decorated with statues. It’s located in front of the old Hofburg Palace. Plus, Burggarten, another local park, is just a couple steps away.
Enjoy the Food
Vienna is a fairly formal city. Reservations are often required for dinner, and they can be difficult to get. Before arriving in Vienna, choose some restaurants and make a few reservations ahead of time.
There are plenty of great restaurants in the city. However, when you’ve only got two days in Vienna, there’s only so much you can eat. Here are a couple eateries to check out during your stay.
Café Diglas
While in Vienna, make sure to have lunch or coffee at a historic cafe. Many old cafes are nestled throughout the city that served as haunts for famed Viennese artists .
Café Diglas is just around the corner from Mozart’s house, for instance. The cafe has been open since 1875 and serves Viennese dishes, along with traditional cafe fare. Its historic atmosphere and decor truly take you back in time. It’s a lovely place to take an afternoon break from sightseeing.
Café Diglas is located at Wollzeile 10, 1010 Wien, Austria.
Restaurant Pürstner
Make sure to try traditional Austrian cuisine in Vienna as well.
One great place for this is Restaurant Pürstner. The restaurant, which has been owned by the Pürstner family for generations, features many local dishes.
The friendly servers wear traditional outfits and the walls are filled with historical artifacts and stuffed animals. It’s a warm and hospitable restaurant that offers a tourist-friendly traditional Austrian meal.
Restaurant Pürstner is located at Riemergasse 10, 1010 Wien, Austria.
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Between its art, music, outdoor spaces, and eateries, there’s an abundance of places to explore in Vienna. Roam the streets of this time-honored city and discover all the cultural wonders it has to offer. Prost!
