Two day Vienna itinery

This is a little folder, targeted at short-time visitors, giving you a good overview of the main sights in the very center of Vienna, proposing two city walks. (Ignore the last page, which is not up to date, as this folder has not been renewed since and is out of print.)

https://bit.ly/Vienna_in_3_days

The Kunsthistorisches Museum is very large. I think it will be difficult to see it (even rather quickly) after the Schonbrunn Palace and finish up before lunch on Tuesday. They're more than 2.5 miles apart. Public transit in Vienna is excellent, but Google estimates the trip will take 30-40 minutes, with some walking required.

The library is only about 1/2 mile from the Kunsthistorisches Museum. It's about 1.5 miles from the Hundertwasser House (in a completely different direction).

My opinion:

Schönbrunn Palace will take up most of Tuesday morning. KHM will take up most of the afternoon.

Its not always about quantity, it can be about quality and interest. If the Kunsthistorisches Museum takes 4 hours to tour, but you spend 2 rewarding hours, then you chose wisely. Likewise if 2 destinations 45 min apart live with you for years to come, it beats 5 sort of "good" places all together. Its why its so hard to plan.

wmt1-thank you! The two city walks will be helpful!

acraven-yes, I will move lunch to after Schronbunn Palace, and give us more time to arrive to the KHM. I thought we would keep moving east to the Hunderwasser House, which would be closer to where we dock.

Dave- I appreciate this. We will move the Austria National library to Monday.

Mr. E-exactly! It's so hard planning! We like to see alot but also don't want to be rushed the whole time. Our days will be busy at port then several afternoons and most evenings with relaxing sailings.

I’ve been pondering this post and how to respond. Basically, this itinerary is just not feasible, even if you rush from place to place and spend 30-60 minutes in each attraction. Choices have to be made. There will be Christmas Markets, but there is currently no time.

I would skip the treasury as it is one crown and a bunch of religious garments. I’ve been twice and really don’t consider it in my top 20. I would also cut the Hundertwasserhaus. You will really go out of your way to stare at the outside of a building that is growing tackier by the day. Pick either the Belvedere or the Kunsthistorisches, unless you are a major art aficionado.

Here’s what I would do:

Monday Afternoon:
Schönbrunn, including the Christmas Markets and Carriage Museum.
Take the U4 Subway line to Karlsplatz and visit the Art Advent Market.
Have dinner at Plachutta.

Tuesday Morning:
Stephansdom and North Tower
National Library
Lunch at Palmenhaus

Tuesday Afternoon:
Kunsthistorisches Museum
Spittelberg Christmas Market (the best one)

Notable other suggestion - Christmas Markets and Carriage at Freyung.

I am also assuming that your cruise tour on Monday morning will include a ride around the Ring. If not, you should see the Christmas Markets and at the Rathaus (it is not my favorite but spectacular from a distance).

We spent a week in Vienna last year in mid-December enjoying the markets and sites.

My top tips:
Monday afternoon: Schoenbrunn and then market there. We loved it. Plenty of food to make a dinner. Head back into town to see the market at the City Hall. The lights are unreal. So are the crowds, so just plan to look.
Tuesday: KHM. Go to a cafe for coffee and lunch. Then, the Albertine Museum. It was incredible seeing the Schoenbrunn like rooms with almost no one else there! And great art, too. Then, wander through town past St Stephen’s (go inside if you want) to the Am Hoff market. It was our second favorite. With extra time, enjoy the window displays, find another cafe, and just enjoy the vibrancy of the city.

Thank you, Emily and Jolie! We like your ideas of seeing less, enjoying the Christmas markets and enjoying the food and coffee too! Thank you for your opinions on what to cut out-that is so helpful and what markets to see and the restaurant suggestions as well. We are looking forward to this trip!

I just got home from a Danube river cruise but only had one day in Vienna. I did a tour in the morning that included a short city tour (ring road) and The Kunsthistorisches Museum, Schonbrunn Palace in the afternoon and an evening concert after dinner. Only three of us had signed up for the morning museum tour so it was fantastic having our own guide. It was a busy day but not overwhelming so especially with the meal breaks (lunch, dinner) back on the ship. It was a great trip and a nice way to travel. I’m thinking of doing it again in the other direction as I’d like to spend more time in Vienna and Budapest. I would prioritize what is important to you and consider it a first look.

My only additional suggestion is to ensure that your art museum choices match the art you enjoy or want to see.

sboh-That sounds like a wonderful day in Vienna! We only have the included morning tour scheduled with the Viking group, then I thought it would save some time to stay in the area for lunch since we will have the rest of the day on our own. We will be embarking in Budapest and I'm so excited to stay there two nights before our cruise.

jkh-thank you! There are several artists that I'm excited about seeing their works in person.