48 Hours in Vienna, Austria: Travel Guide

Since studying music, I’ve always wanted to visit the city of Vienna in Austria due to the famous operas and orchestra performances that have taken place there.

Musicians like Schubert, Haydn and Schoenberg all hail from Austria, so I’ve always had an intrigue to visit.

We spent a quick 48 hours exploring the city which seemed to be the perfect amount of time to see and do just about everything this European city had to offer. Below you’ll find a quick guide along with my YouTube vlog of our time there.

How we got to Vienna

We flew from London Gatwick Airport into Vienna International Airport with WizzAir. We were due to take off around 8pm, landing in Vienna at 9pm.

However, that wasn’t to be and we were super delayed due to bad weather in Vienna, and we actually arrived in Vienna at 2am, so had to take an Uber from the airport to our hotel.

Where we stayed

For our 48 hours in Vienna, we stayed at Pension Baronesse Hotel. You can see what our room looked like in my YouTube vlog linked above, and it was definitely giving Victorian-era decor which I strangely liked.

It also seems to be a European theme that you sleep with separate duvet covers, even if sharing a double bed. It’s quite clever, meaning you’ll never be fighting over the covers and can wrap yourself up like a little burrito if you so wish.

This hotel is a four-star and doesn’t have a 24-hour reception which was a little unfortunate for us as our flight was greatly delayed, but they had a lock-box outside and messaged us via Booking.com with instructions on how to access our key, so we were able to get inside with no issue and locate our room.

Everywhere we ate

When it comes to food, Vienna is very famous for its schnitzel, Sachertorte (chocolate cake) and traditional Viennese coffeehouses.

You probably know that I’m a big foodie so of course had to try all three. Below were our favourite spots to eat in Vienna and the best places to try the famous Viennese dishes.

Neni: we had brunch here on our first morning, and it’s in the midst of X market so definitely a great spot to do some sightseeing and eating at the same time. We both had shakshuka with pita bread and it was delicious! The chorizo sausages were huge and took up the whole dish!

Cafe Sacher: this was the spot to come and try the famous Sachertorte, which is basically a fancy way of saying chocolate cake. The setting was in a grand hotel which definitely added to the experience of having one slice of cake between us, but that’s what everyone was there to try too, so don’t be afraid to just order the cake. There will probably be a queue outside to wait for a table, but it’s definitely worth it.

Schnitzelwirt 52: for dinner, we had to have schnitzel. When in Vienna, right? Another popular spot, you may have to wait outside for a table to become available, or join on a table with other tourists, but it’s worth waiting for. The inside of the restaurant is decked out in traditional Austrian fare and showcases a lot of news articles praising the popularity of the restaurant and quality of the food. We both ordered schnitzels, but probably only needed to order one dish between the both of us as the meal comes with two huge pieces of breaded chicken along with rice and vegetables. A feed, but delicious and one to try when in Vienna!

Heindls Schmarren & Palatschinkenkuchl: This was a second breakfast spot that we visited, serving Austrian “Schmarren”, a delicious take on pancakes. We both had sweet options that came with fruit added on top and the portions were huge. A big recommendation from me!

10 things to see and do

1. Schönbrunn Palace: This magnificent palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was the summer residence of the Habsburg monarchs. Explore the opulent rooms, the beautiful gardens, and the Gloriette for stunning views of the city.
2. St. Stephen’s Cathedral (Stephansdom): A masterpiece of Gothic architecture, St. Stephen’s Cathedral is one of Vienna’s most iconic landmarks. Climb the tower for panoramic views of the city.
3. Belvedere Palace: Visit this stunning Baroque palace complex housing an impressive art collection, including works by Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele, and other prominent Austrian artists.
4. Vienna State Opera: Attend a performance at one of the world’s leading opera houses. Even if you don’t catch a show, consider taking a guided tour to admire the lavish interior.
5. Hofburg Palace: Once the imperial palace of the Habsburgs, the Hofburg now houses several museums, including the Imperial Apartments, the Sisi Museum, and the Imperial Silver Collection.
6. Vienna Ring Road (Ringstraße): Take a stroll or a tram ride along this grand boulevard encircling the city center, lined with impressive buildings, such as the Vienna State Opera, the Austrian Parliament, and the Museum of Natural History.
7. Naschmarkt: Explore Vienna’s largest and most popular market, offering a vibrant mix of fresh produce, international delicacies, antiques, and souvenirs.
8. Prater Park and Giant Ferris Wheel (Riesenrad): Enjoy a fun-filled day at this historic amusement park, home to the iconic Giant Ferris Wheel offering panoramic views of Vienna.
9. Albertina Museum: Discover one of the most important art collections in the world, featuring works from the Middle Ages to contemporary art, including pieces by Picasso, Monet, and Dürer.
10. Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Art History): Marvel at the vast array of artworks and artifacts in this magnificent museum, including masterpieces by Titian, Raphael, and Vermeer.

3 things to know about Vienna

• The local currency of Vienna is EUR (euro), but we found it was easy to pay with card/contactless in most places.
• Weather-wise, we visited during the month of May and we arrived to thunder and lightening our first night, but very sunny and hot weather the following two days. So be prepared for all weather conditions!
• Vienna is a very walkable city. We didn’t use any form of public transport or taxis while we were there (except to get to and from the airport).