Vienna in 2 days: a full itinerary including Schönbrunn
Quick answer
For 2 days in Vienna, spend the first on the old town and Hofburg (St Stephen's, Graben, Hofburg and the Ringstraße) and the second on Schönbrunn and the museums (Belvedere or KHM). Book Schönbrunn and the Belvedere ahead to avoid lines.
Hours and prices checked on
Point your camera at any artwork
Try it free in Vienna
AnyArt recognizes paintings, sculptures and monuments and tells you their story in seconds, like a personal audio guide. Free for iPhone, iPad and Android.
Day 1: old town, Hofburg and the Ringstraße
A day on foot through imperial Vienna, with a long break for lunch.
- 1
09:00 · Stephansplatz
St Stephen's Cathedral
Visit the Gothic nave and, if you like, climb the south tower. Allow an hour.
- 2
10:15 · Graben
Graben and Kohlmarkt
Walk the shopping street to the Hofburg.
- 3
10:45 · Michaelerplatz
Hofburg and the Sisi Museum
Imperial Apartments and Sisi Museum in about 2 hours. With AnyArt you can point at portraits and sculptures to learn their context.
- 4
13:00 · Innere Stadt
Lunch in the centre
A break in a classic café or an Austrian restaurant.
- 5
14:30 · Maria-Theresien-Platz
Kunsthistorisches Museum
Allow two hours for Bruegel, Vermeer and Titian. Look at the staircase and the dome of the building.
- 6
17:00 · Ringstraße
The Ringstraße by tram
Ride tram D or 1 around the ring, past the Opera, Parliament and City Hall.
- 7
19:30 · Innere Stadt
Dinner
An Austrian dinner and, if there is a performance, check the official site for standing tickets to the State Opera.
Day 2: Schönbrunn and the Belvedere
Start at Schönbrunn first thing to beat the groups, and end with Klimt at the Belvedere.
- 1
08:30 · Metro U4 Schönbrunn
Schönbrunn Palace
Enter at opening with your ticket already bought. The audio-guide visit takes about 75 minutes.
- 2
10:30 · Schönbrunn Gardens
Gardens and the Gloriette
Stroll the free gardens and climb to the Gloriette for the view of the palace and the city.
- 3
12:30 · Naschmarkt
Lunch at the Naschmarkt
Metro to Kettenbrückengasse and lunch among the stalls and terraces.
- 4
14:00 · Karlsplatz
Karlskirche
The great Baroque church, ten minutes from the market.
- 5
15:30 · Prinz-Eugen-Straße 27
Upper Belvedere
With your slot booked, head to Klimt's The Kiss. Allow 90 minutes.
- 6
18:00 · Landstraße
Belvedere gardens
Walk the gardens down to the Lower Belvedere, with views of the centre.
- 7
19:30 · Innere Stadt
Farewell café and dinner
One last coffee with Sachertorte and a relaxed dinner.
Tips for planning the 2 days
- Book Schönbrunn and the Belvedere on their official sites; they are the two critical tickets.
- If you only want one big museum, choose between the KHM (Bruegel) and the Belvedere (Klimt).
- The KHM is open until 21:00 on Thursdays, handy for a calmer visit.
- If early starts aren't for you, swap the days and begin in the centre.
Frequently asked questions
Is 2 days enough for Vienna?
For the essentials, yes: one day for the old town and Hofburg, another for Schönbrunn and the Belvedere. With three days you could add the Albertina and the Prater.
Is Schönbrunn worth it?
Yes, if you are interested in Habsburg history. The adult ticket is about €42 with an audio guide, and the gardens are free.
KHM or Belvedere: which museum should I pick?
The KHM for Old Masters (Bruegel, Vermeer) and the Belvedere for Klimt and Schiele. With little time, the Belvedere is shorter.
Where is the best area to stay?
Innere Stadt or around the Ring, for its metro and tram links.