Best things to do in Vienna in 2 days | part 2
Last updated on July 17th, 2026.
This is part 2 of the luxury Vienna weekend series. Read part one first.
Things to do in Vienna in 2 days
1. Trot by the Spanish Riding School
The Spanish Riding School is a traditional riding school where the horses perform in the Winter Riding School in the Hofburg.
The center for classical dressage also offers public performances as well as public viewings of selected training sessions. Just 9 minutes' walk from our base in Vienna at Hotel Sacher, it was one sight that we didn't want to miss.
The Spanish Riding School's the only institution in the world which has practiced the tradition for more than 450 years.
Spanish Riding School, Michaelerplatz 1, 1010
2. Have breakfast at Demel
Start your day with a sweet breakfast treat at Demel. The confectioners on Kolmarkt was a firm favorite of Empress Sisi, who was a big fan of the candied violets.
It’s no surprising that Demel gets very busy during the day, with queues forming around the shop. Therefore, get there early and beat the afternoon crowds. Check the website for details on opening times.
Demel, Kohlmarkt 14, A-1010
3. Lunch at Plachuttas Gasthaus zur Oper
Want to try the best wienerschnitzel in Vienna?
Then head over to Plachuttas Gasthaus zur Oper. Its name may not be the easiest to pronounce, but their authentic wiener schnitzels are something you'll always remember.
If you don’t already know, Wiener schnitzels are cuts of veal, dipped in flour and egg and fried until crispy golden brown. To sum it up, it's absolutely delicious.
Plachuttas Gasthaus zur Oper, Walfischgasse 5-7
4. Explore Belvedere
Set in a Baroque park landscape, Belvedere is a building complex consisting of 2 Baroque palaces, an orangery and the palace stables.
One of the best things to do in Vienna in 2 days, you won't regret getting tickets to visit Belvedere.
The complex was originally built as a summer residence for Prince Eugene of Savoy. It was also the Imperial capital and home of the Habsburg dynasty.
The palaces are home to an excellent art collection from the Middle Ages to the present day. By far the most notable collection is the works of Gustav Klimt, and his famous piece, ‘The Kiss’.
Upper Belvedere, Prinz Eugen-Straße 27, 1030
Map: best things to do in Vienna in 2 days
5. Have dinner at DO&CO
The DO&CO restaurant is part of the DO&CO 5-star hotel which is located in Stephansplatz. Situated at the top of the building, the restaurant offers Austrian and international fine dining as well as a sushi menu.
An ideal place to experience a little elegance and luxury in Vienna, you can do no wrong at DO&CO.
I can personally recommend the Dover Sole Meuniere and the Uruguay beef as a main course. It was well cooked, flavorsome and a good-sized portion.
Visit the hotel's website for further details on opening times and the latest menus.
DO&CO, Stephansplatz 12, 1010
6. Tour St. Stephen's Cathedral
St Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna is one of the city's most recognizable and famous landmarks.
The impressive limestone structure built in Romanesque and Gothic styles is totally worth going shoulder to shoulder with the masses of people trying to get inside.
Alternatively, you can book a tour and learn more about the majestic St. Stephen's Cathedral from a knowledgeable guide.
The cathedral is 107m long, 40m wide and 136m tall at its highest point. Inside, is a scene so spectacular it left everyone in our group speechless.
The cathedral has 18 altars in total in the main part of the church, 5 chapels and a Gothic sculpture stone pulpit. This isn’t forgetting the striking ceiling. In other words, you have to see it for yourself — you won’t be disappointed.
St Stephen's Cathedral, Stephansplatz 3, 1010
7. Eat traditional Austrian at Zum Schwarzen Kameel
We came upon this restaurant after visiting nearby St. Peter’s Catholic Church. A restaurant in a historic art nouveau setting, Zum Schwarzen Kameel serves Viennese dishes as well as international cuisine.
Do as the locals do and stand and eat at the bar. Try the delicious hand-cut ham or roast beef sandwiches along with an ice-cold beer.
Zum Schwarzen Kameel, Bognergasse 5, A-1010
8. Visit Schönbrunn Palace
While Hofburg was the principal winter residence of Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth, Schönbrunn Palace was their summer home. The palace is a short distance from the center, but you can take the metro, tram, bus or taxi to get there.
It'll come as little surprise to hear that Schönbrunn Palace is always busy. Saying that, the earlier you arrive the better.
Buying tickets
It's not obligatory to go inside Schönbrunn Palace. From our experience, we freely explored a lot of the grounds prior to deciding to buy a ticket.
But should you decide you want to tour Schönbrunn Palace, I highly recommend getting your tickets in advance. The lines for the ticket booths were boringly long and we wasted precious time hanging around.
There are scheduled times for the tours, which leaves plenty of time to walk around the magnificent gardens.
Inside Schönbrunn Palace
There are 1,441 rooms in total inside the Baroque palace. The imperial apartment tour includes the decadent state rooms and the residential suite of rooms where the Emperor and his wife stayed during the summer months.
Plenty to see
The Grand tour also includes the imperial apartments of Maria Theresa and Franz I Stephan, and the Franz Karl Apartment. It’s where the Emperor’s parents, Archduchess Sophie and Archduke Franz Karl, used to reside.
Despite the oohing and aaahing when walking around the palace, my favorite part was the gardens and grounds. Grand, green and sprawling, they measure 1.2km east to west, and 1km north to south. In short, you get a real feel and appreciation for the place by just walking around.
For the most up-to-date information on opening times and prices, check the website.
Schloß Schönbrunn, 1130 Vienna
What do you think of part 2 of the best things to do in Vienna in 2 days? Would you like to spend a weekend here? Which of these activities would you most like to do? Let me know in the comments below.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that I’ve recommended. Thank you for your support.
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Vienna is on my bucket list and this looks fabulous! The food, the architecture, the culture!
It's a wonderful city, you'll love it
I will never forget the girls trip to Vienna a few years ago. And our visit to St Stephen’s Cathedral was a highlight-- the roof is stunning.
Yes, it's a sight I won't forget either
Omg looks like you hadn’t one fabulous trip! I have always wanted to visit Vienna
It's a wonderful city, and with so much to see, and eat too!
I would love to visit Vienna. I'm hugely into food and would love to visit the riding school.
It's so wonderful! And try to catch a performance if you can too 🙂
Vienna is on my travel wishlist! Especially since living in Switzerland I'm so close to Austria. I love all your suggestions and ever since I turned 35 and understood life is shorter than we think, I always indulge in some kind of luxury on my trips! (My favourite thing is staying in great luxury hotels but not always possible 😉
Ah I completely understand! It was an incredible experience, but definitely a one-off 😉
Vienna sounds amazing! this is a really informative post, glad I was able to read up on the area
It is! Hope you get to visit one day
I've never been to Vienna, but I do have a bucket list, so I'm definitely adding this place!
Great to read, you'll love it!
i always wanted to visit Vienna there is so much to see
There is!
I have always dreamed of visiting Vienna one day. What an amazing and historical place.
I hope you get to visit one day, it's worth it!
Vienna looks dreamy! I absolutely love this city and I really want to come back there again to experience it fuller
You must, it's a great place to visit
I love Vienna and we when we visited we went to a performance at the Spanish riding school, it was amazing.
Yes, I did too! It was such a memorable experience
Really wish I had gone to Vienna when I had the chance. I would love a luxury experience like this but even doing all of the free adventures seems like it would be luxurious enough with how beautiful this city is
You really should go if you get the chance. It's not big on adventure, but it is big on culture 😉
Vienna is so pretty. I wish I could go there. The informations are wonderful.
Thank you, I hope you visit one day!
Vienna is such a cultural place. 8 love every bit of it. And those deserts you mentioned. Those are to die for ?
They're very good there. Don't go on a diet if you visit!
I am yet to travel to Austria. This article certainly entices me to do so. Thank you so much for sharing - and beautiful photos!
Alex xx
I hope you visit one day, it's a great place 🙂
I can't get over how beautiful Vienna is! Gorgeous! Thank you so much for sharing these amazing pictures.
It's an incredible city, and very photogenic
Wow! The food looks amazing. And your photos are gorgeous!
Thank you! It's a lovely city
Lisa, reading your post has brought back amazing memories from my Winter 2017 trip to Vienna, but I see pictures taken in much warmer weather than when I was there 😉 I visited St Stephan's Cathedral, Schonbrunn Palace and Belvedere Palace as well but they looked so different, with the Christmas markets right in front of them. The gardens of Schonbrunn look pretty awesome, something I didn't get to see while I was there because of the market. I wish I knew about Zum Schwarzen Kameel and Do&Co a bit earlier though, would've loved to try them out. I don't fine dine usually but in a city like Vienna, I think it's a must to try out one, at least once!
Yes you must! Zum Schwarzen Kameel is really Austrian dining and locally sourced too. I loved Vienna too; it's a pretty city!
Oh I love Vienna, it's close to my homeland, only few hours from the capital Zagreb of Croatia. I love to spend my time getting lost around on the streets. I have been there last time 3 years ago. I would definitely would like to go again. And the food on the places that you mentioned looks amazing, I will wrote down the places and try it by myself next time for sure!
Wonderful! I loved Vienna too, and really would like to return to explore even more 🙂
Hi again, loved how you categorized the places to see, cafes to eat at, and the specialties as well you had mentioned in the blog. I would love to spend ample amount of time exploring the Schönbrunn Palace and St. Stephen's Cathedral. Food pictures are great too.
Thank you! I had a wonderful time here, and would love to return for a longer period.
This article makes me wish I had spent more time in Vienna. It is such a lovely city! Making notes for my next trip to Austria...
I'd also like to return to Vienna. There's some amazing day trips to take from there too 🙂
I have been to Vienna a few times and love the Wiener Schnitzels, I will have to try Plachuttas Gasthaus zur Oper for one next time. When I lived in Mexico City I used to cook Milanesas from scratch which are the same as Wiener Schnitzels, it will be interesting to see if they are as good as mine at Plachuttas Gasthaus zur Oper! I'm glad you didn't include the Sacher Tortes in this article as they are so over rated. I prefer the Milka muffins or cookies!
Ooh I didn't try the Milka muffins, I will definitely have to return for these and the cookies! The Wiener Schnitzel was very good, and I ate every piece on my plate!
You have managed to articulate all the points about what to see and do in Vienna nicely. Also, I liked reading about the eateries. Good job!
Thank you! It's a fun city, with plenty of history, culture and great cakes!
Vienna looks absolutely stunning. I love their architecture. The food looks so delicious. You have provided a good list to cover up. Thanks for sharing
It's beautiful alright, and the food really is yummy. Go there!
You have really done a great job in summing up the city. Vienna practically seems to be the center of civilization from these images. I would love to stay a few months here... exploring every statue in every monument. They deserve that kind of an attention.
Thank you! I had such a great time exploring and walking here, and would return in a heartbeat 🙂
Oh this is a great and a very informative post. The horse sounds very intriguing. This post is gonna be very helpful for whwnever i plan my travel to vienna! I hope i do that soon 😀
Brilliant, it's a beautiful city with so much history and culture, you won't be disappointed.
I will actually be in Vienna this next month, so this was EXTREMELY helpful. I am not much of a meat eater so it's nice to know where the cuts of meat are coming from & actually mean. I will def be saving this post as I didn't have a few of these things on my radar
Yay Janiel! Have a wonderful time there. The quality of the meat is very good in Vienna, but there's also good veggie options there too.
It is the second most liveable city in the world a few years in a row. I will not miss going there! It is the height of culture.
Thanks for your comment!
A great read. I would defo be going to try the schnitzel. I also love the photos and history of the Palace and St Stephens cathedral. A very nice read that has made me want to go to Vienna
Thank you, I'm happy to read this! Vienna is beautiful and worth visiting at least once!
Cool itinerary! Great restaurants suggestions, the foods looks amazing. The palace def looks like worth checking out too!
It's so beautiful there, and the schnitzel is yummy too!
I absolutely love Vienna and your recommendations are great! I will definitely check out some of the food you mentioned!. Your photo of schonbrunn is stunning!
Thank you! Vienna is a wonderful place to visit, and if you live in Europe, a very accessible city break 🙂
Vienna really looks luxurious and culturally rich. You have captured really nice photos of Schonnbrunn palace. I would love to see the 450 years old, horse performance in Spanish Riding school.
It's a wonderful place to visit, and full of history and colour too. Make sure you visit one day!
Vienna is beautiful beyond any words could describe. You have captured so many of the city's beautiful architectural features, which is one of the things that I would want to see. The pastries look delicious too - I would want to try those out should I visit Vienna someday!
Vienna really is as beautiful as everyone says it is. The history, architecture and the food are all worth the visit!
Great post!
So i've nominated you for Liebster Award!
Hi Nastja, thank you for commenting, I always appreciate it! That's so kind of you, I'm so happy to be nominated!
This is a really inspiring article that makes me want to go to Vienna! You have covered all the necessities that make up a great trip.
Thanks Patti for reading! Glad you enjoyed it.
Vienna looks incredible - I've had family visit there, but unfortunately I've never been myself. Definitely going to use your guide if I ever manage to save up to visit! Definitely so many wonderful things to visit, such a good guide!
Thanks Emma for your comments, I'm glad you enjoyed it!
I love Vienna! It´s my hometown and reading your post about makes me miss it so much! I hope you had a good time there!! xxx Stefanie
I did! Happy you enjoyed my post 🙂
Thank you for sharing. Vienna looks like a great place to take a romantic trip.
Thanks Amanda for reading, I appreciate your comments!
I've been to Vienna this year. Great city. Ate some sacher cake and of course a Wiener schnitzel. Have you been to Haus des Meeres?
Hi Vladimir, I didn't get to visit Haus des Meeres, but I hope to when I return!
I love Vienna! Went there a few years ago, I wish I had your guide with me back then!
Thank you Chelf! I'm glad you enjoyed it 🙂
The best complete information of point of interest of Vienna. Very helpful and oriented.
Thank you Julio for your kind comments, glad you enjoyed it!
Vienna sounds wonderful. I have never been but when I go I will be using this article for tips. I love how you break it down to places to see and eat, very useful thanks!
Thanks Natasha for reading, and glad you enjoyed it!