48 hours in Vienna | practical itinerary

Vienna, the capital of Austria, is known for its imperial palaces and for being home to intellectuals and artists such as Mozart, Beethoven, and Sigmund Freud. It is not as large as other capitals, so a 48-hour itinerary in Vienna is perfect for your first visit! Shall we check out the itinerary?

First of all, know that the city takes great pride in Mozart (especially), and you’ll find many souvenirs related to him, everything from chocolates to pens, keychains, and more! Ahh, another thing you need to know is that Vienna is not exactly a cheap destination (it’s not as expensive as London, but also not as affordable as Prague).

How to get to Vienna

There are several options for getting to the city, with trains and buses being the main ones. In fact, it is quite common for travelers to arrive from other countries such as the Czech Republic, Hungary, or Germany. If you have several days available, you might want to plan a 48-hour itinerary in Vienna along with some extra days in Prague and Budapest.

If you are coming from Brazil or Ireland, you can fly there, as Vienna has an international airport. Flights from Dublin take approximately 4 hours, so it's worth checking low-cost airlines. From Brazil, flights take an average of 13 hours, but this depends on your departure city, as direct flights are less common.

48 hours in Vienna

As I mentioned earlier, Vienna is not a massive capital, making it totally feasible to explore its main attractions in just 48 hours.

Schönbrunn Palace

This is one of Austria’s most visited attractions and is a must-see in your 48-hour Vienna itinerary! Schönbrunn Palace is grand, often referred to as Austria’s Versailles. It is a true complex, so get ready to see many stunning sights. Seriously, there is a lot to see! Set aside at least five hours for this visit.

Opening hours: Open daily. The palace operates from 9 AM to 5 PM, while the gardens are open from 6:30 AM to 9 PM. Check the official website for more details.

Tickets: There are multiple options. The Imperial Tour is the most basic, offering a glimpse of the palace for €22. The Grand Tour is more comprehensive and costs €26 (I recommend combining this with a visit to the zoo).

Strolling Through the historic center

After absorbing so much history at the palace, how about a walk? Wander without a fixed route, admire the architecture, stop at a café, and try some local delicacies.

Graben Street is famous and is a pedestrian-only area. And, Kohlmarkt Street is known as Vienna’s most expensive street, featuring luxury brands such as Gucci and Prada.

Belvedere Palace

Another must-visit palace is Belvedere. Like Schönbrunn, it has multiple areas to explore, including permanent and temporary exhibitions. Check their official website before visiting to plan accordingly.

Opening hours: Upper Belvedere is open daily from 10 AM to 6 PM.

Tickets: €15.90 online, €18 at the ticket office. Children under 19 enter for free.

Museum Quarter

Did I mention that Vienna is a paradise for art and museum lovers? The Museum Quarter will amaze you with its various art galleries and museums. In a 48-hour itinerary, you won’t be able to see everything, but it will definitely give you a reason to return!

One suggestion is Albertina, which showcases paintings, photographs, sculptures, and more. It is open daily from 10 AM.

Prater

If you enjoy amusement parks, you must visit Prater, the oldest amusement park in the world. It’s a great option for both adults and children, just like the zoo.

Vienna Opera House

To wrap up your 48-hour Vienna itinerary, visit the Vienna Opera House. If you like classical music, you might even consider watching a performance, it must be an incredible experience! Tickets are surprisingly affordable, starting at €15. Check their schedule beforehand to see if something interests you.

Ah, from Vienna, it's possible to take some day trips. One of the most popular is to Salzburg, which is just a 2-hour train ride from the Austrian capital (note: it's not worth going by car, as the journey takes longer). Another interesting day trip is to Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, which is only 1 hour by bus or 90 minutes by train from Vienna.

What did you think of this 48-hour itinerary in Vienna? If it feels a bit rushed, consider adding one more day to explore at a slower pace. If you want to include a day trip, add another extra day for each trip.

If you have any questions, drop them in the comments below, and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible!

See you on the next trip!