St. Charles Vienna Austria
St. Charles Vienna Austria
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48 Hours in Vienna Austria, Two Day Itinerary

Sherianne Higgins·
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Vienna Austria Two Day Itinerary for First-Timers

Vienna Austria is known for its classical music, opera, balls, architecture, and chocolate cake. It is difficult to determine how to best use your 48 hours in Vienna Austria, there are so many great things to see and do. This 2-day itinerary is jam-packed with must-see sites and top attractions, including, Hofburg Palace, Austrian National Library, Schönbrunn Palace, St. Charles Church, Vienna Opera House, Belvedere Palace, Hundertwasserhaus, and more. Looking for more options? Check these additional things to do in Vienna to supplement this itinerary. Have more time? Add a day trip from Vienna. It is possible to travel the world with limited PTO, here’s how to visit Vienna in two days. Enjoy your time out of the office!

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St. Peters Vienna Austria two day itinerary things to do 48 hours
St. Peters

How to Spend 48 Hours in Vienna Austria

Day One: Palace, Gothic Church, and Classical Music

9 am Take the metro to Schönbrunn Palace. Purchase your timed ticket and wander the gardens. Use the garden train to Palmenhaus and the Gloriette. Tour the palace, no photos are allowed. Have lunch at the café and watch the Strudel show.

3 pm Take the tram to the Gothic St. Francis of Assisi Church for photos. Move on to photograph the Hundertwasserhaus and browse the artists’ museum.

5 pm Have an early dinner at the famous Café Central, expect a long line.

7 pm Attend a classical music concert.

St. Francis of Assisi Church Vienna Austria two day itinerary things to do 48 hours
St. Francis of Assisi

Day Two: Museums, Crown Jewels, and Palaces

8 am Take the tram to Belvedere Palace and browse the famous art. Don’t miss Klimt’s The Kiss.

10 am Explore the city. Photograph the St. Charles Church from the reflecting pond, the Vienna Opera House, and the Mozart Monument.

11 am Photograph the beautiful Austrian National Library, visit Hofburg Palace, and see the Austrian Crown Jewels.

1 pm Have lunch at a café in the Ferstel Passage.

2 pm Visit St. Peters and St. Stephen’s Cathedral.

3 pm Spend the afternoon wandering the old town, photographing the architecture, and shopping for souvenirs. Be sure to stop in a café for Vienna’s signature Sachertorte.

8 pm Attend the Austrian Dinner Show

Check the Vienna Austria Tourism Board website for upcoming festivals, special events, and what’s happening during your stay.

Belvedere Palace Vienna Austria two day itinerary things to do 48 hours
Belvedere Palace

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16 Responses

  1. Vienna is one of my favourite cities in the world. It’s a city for every season and that’s why I have been there over 6-7 times. Just love it so much – there’s so much to explore. I love Schönbrunn Palace, Belvedere Palace and Klimt’s The Kiss. A trip to vienna is incomplete without trying the famous strudel 🙂

  2. The itinerary you shared is indeed the perfect way to spend your 48 hours in Vienna giving you the ultimate opportunity to experience their food, culture and music. Thank you for this. Very helpful for first time visitors like me.

  3. We almost got to see Vienna when we had a 14-hr layover there on an international trip. I was getting really excited to see many of the famous landmarks you’ve mentioned. And then the airline completely changed our itinerary and the planned layover disappeared. Oh well… Sounds like 14 hours really wouldn’t have been enough time anyway.

  4. This itinerary is so helpful with this hour by hour guide. I might be going to Venice and Austria next year. I have a friend who lives in Tirrol and plan on making day trips to Salzburg and Vienna. That beautiful gothic church is definitely one I would love to see.

  5. I was plenty of times in Vienna. For two reasons – one I live like 6 hours drive, second – I was once working for the company located in this city. And I love your itinerary for two days in Vienna. Of course, Schonbrunn Palace is my number 1, and I visit it on each occasion. Belvedere Palace is charming, as well. I love St. Charles church – a great place to take beautiful pictures at sunset. I would add Prater to the list, especially in the summer – it has a unique atmosphere and is for sure worth visiting late afternoon to feel it.

  6. Such a perfect compact itinerary. So many great recommendations. I can definitely see myself taking lots of pictures at the Gothic St. Francis of Assisi Church. And would definitely need to go to a musical. I also like the idea of spending time walking around the old town. I love photography and know I can get some great architecture shots there. And of course do some shopping as you suggested.

  7. You have created a great 48 hour agenda. Starting in Schobrunn Palace sounds like a great idea. Especially since it mean strudel. And finishing the day with a classical concert is such an iconic thing to do. Your second day plan is quite ambitious. But would provide a good introduction to the museums and churches. I might need that sacher torte to give me energy to finish up at the dinner show. A great whirlwind 48 hours.

  8. I visited Vienna a year ago and loved the city. Schönbrunn Palace was one of my favorite places in Vienna. I will have to go back, because I didn’t make it to the Belvedere Palace.

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