What to See in 48 Hours in Vienna
You booked 48 hours in Vienna. Now you need to plan out the rest of your itinerary. There is so much to cover in a city as rich in history as Vienna that the task can be quite daunting.
Never fear!
I’m here to help. Here’s a list of some of The Wandering Gourmand’s favorite things to do with 48 hours in Vienna. And here’s a list of recommended hotels in Vienna!
Get Yourself Acclimated
I enjoy beginning any visit to a new city with a short city tour to become acclimated with the lay of the land. If you’ve never been on one, a Segway City Tour is a fun way to learn a city without expending all of your energy (pack a hat to hide the helmet hair though). Hop On Hop Off Buses are also a great way to learn a city.
Admire the Architecture
Many visit Vienna just for the various styles of architecture. To see the best from baroque to imperialist, ride the Ringstrasse Tram lines one and then two. You’ll catch palaces, grand hotels, and parliament buildings all from inexpensive public transportation. Or, pick up a Frommer’s Vienna Day by Day Guide and enjoy a self-guided walking tour.
Tour the Habsburg Palaces
You can’t visit Vienna without touring the Hofburg, home of the Habsburg dynasty with 2,600 rooms. (Don’t worry, not all are open to the public.) Included with your ticket is access to the Sissi Museum to see how Vienna’s most famous spoiled brat lived. When you’re done with the Habsburg, stay for a show at the Spanish Riding School.
For more on the Habsburg’s wealth and to be further humbled with your lot in life, visit their Schonbrunn Palace, the family’s summer home. The palace is outside of the city and quite massive. Plan to spend the afternoon roaming the palace rooms and the expansive grounds and gardens.
See a Real Opera
Vienna is one of the few cities in world where the opera is still alive and well. With theatres and opera houses dotted throughout the city, the Viennese truly love to get out for a night of culture. Whether or not you enjoy the opera, it’s a must experience.
Here’s the catch though. Do not purchase tickets from one of the fake Mozarts that litter the streets to a cheesy tourist show. Those shows aren’t real culture. Ask your hotel concierge which ticket broker they recommend with access to all the theatres. Many hotels like our, the Le Meridien, offer this service themselves. If you can, book a show at the State Opera House! If not, drop by for one of their free tours.
Visit the Stephansdom
What’s a trip to a European city without visiting a church? Stephansdom is the darling of them all in Vienna with its gothic architecture. At night the church is even more breathtaking bathed in light.
