Vienna’s sights are spread between the compact centre and a few outer highlights, but the U-Bahn links them quickly. Here’s a relaxed plan.
Day 1: The old town and the Hofburg
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| Morning | St Stephen’s Cathedral and the Graben, then the Hofburg: the Imperial Apartments and the Sisi Museum. |
| Lunch | A classic coffee house: Café Central or Demel. |
| Afternoon | The National Library State Hall, the Albertina, and the Kaisergruft. |
| Evening | The State Opera (standing room) or a concert at the Musikverein. |
Day 2: Schönbrunn and the museums
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| Morning | An early time slot at Schönbrunn, then walk up to the Gloriette (tickets). |
| Lunch | The Naschmarkt. |
| Afternoon | The Kunsthistorisches Museum, or the Leopold Museum in the MuseumsQuartier. |
| Evening | Dinner in Spittelberg, with its Christmas market in season. |
Day 3: The Belvedere and green Vienna
Start at the Upper Belvedere for Klimt’s The Kiss, then see the Hundertwasserhaus. In the afternoon, ride the Giant Ferris Wheel at the Prater. In the evening, take tram D or bus 38A to a Heuriger in Grinzing or Nussdorf for wine among the vineyards.
Day 4 (optional): The Wachau or Bratislava
The Wachau Valley (Melk Abbey, Dürnstein and a Danube cruise in season) makes a beautiful day trip. Bratislava is about an hour away by train for an easy second capital.
Itinerary tips
- A 24-hour (€10.20) or 7-day (€28.90) Wiener Linien ticket covers all your transport.
- Book Schönbrunn and concert tickets ahead. Compare Vienna tickets and tours.
- Choose your base from where to stay in Vienna.
More Vienna guides
- Vienna travel guide
- 20 best things to do in Vienna
- Where to stay in Vienna
- Schönbrunn Palace tickets
- Vienna Christmas markets 2026
- Vienna Airport to the city
- Best time to visit Vienna
FAQ: Vienna itinerary
Is 2 days enough in Vienna?
Yes, for the essentials. Days 1 and 2 above cover the Hofburg, St Stephen’s, Schönbrunn and a museum.
Can I combine Vienna with Prague or Budapest?
Easily. Prague and Budapest are each roughly 2.5–4 hours away by direct train. See our Prague guide.
Where should I go in the evening in Vienna?
The opera or a concert, a Heuriger wine tavern, the bars along the Danube Canal, or a Christmas market in season.
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