Two Perfect Days in Vienna: Art, Music, and Unexpected Delights

Nov 3

During my Central Europe trip in August, I spent two days in Vienna between Budapest and Prague. I hadn’t planned a long stay, but I’m so glad I made the stop — Vienna turned out to be one of the most elegant and welcoming cities I’ve visited, full of art, music, and effortless charm.

Day 1: Orientation

I arrived in Vienna by train and had to make a quick pivot when I realized my train was pulling into Wien Hauptbahnhof, but my hotel was near Wien Westbahnhof. Fortunately, Vienna’s public transit system is incredibly efficient, and it was easy to hop on the U-Bahn to reach my hotel.

Once I checked in, I headed across the street for a Viennese lunch at Pulkautaler Weinhaus. The fried perch and boiled vegetables were surprisingly good, and the apple cider was excellent.

plate with fried fish and vegetables sits on a red checked tablecloth, with a bottle of hard apple cider

That afternoon, I took the U-Bahn into Stephansplatz to explore the heart of the city. I toured St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Vienna’s most famous landmark, with its colorful tiled roof and centuries of history dating back to the 12th century. Then I followed Rick Steves’ city walk, which is a great way to get an overview of Vienna’s historic center.

grey stone church with zigzagged tiles of black, white, and green on the roof

Day 2: Art, Markets, and Music

I’d hoped to tour Empress Sisi’s apartments at the Hofburg Palace, but tickets were sold out until the next day. Instead, I wandered a few blocks to the Albertina Museum, which has an impressive collection of art ranging from Impressionism to modern works. It’s one of Vienna’s top art museums and a must for fans of Monet, Picasso, and Klimt.

For lunch, I headed to the Naschmarkt, an open-air market filled with produce vendors, small restaurants, and souvenir stalls. I had baked goat cheese with apricots (a popular local combination) and sweet potatoes, along with a refreshing raspberry soda. I also picked up some Manner chocolates, a classic Viennese treat, to take home to friends.

That evening, I stumbled upon a summer “concert” in front of the Rathaus, Vienna’s City Hall. Each night during the summer, the city plays recorded performances on a giant outdoor screen — opera on Sundays, rock on Tuesdays, pop on Fridays, and more. I happened to catch an Eric Clapton concert from Los Angeles (2023) while enjoying the perfect evening weather and the food booths surrounding the park. It was a wonderful, free community event that really captured Vienna’s love of culture.

Day 3: The Hofburg and Farewell

The next morning, I finally toured the Hofburg Palace, the former imperial residence of the Habsburg dynasty. The complex includes the Imperial Apartments, the Sisi Museum, and the Silver Collection, all offering a glimpse into the opulent lives of Austria’s emperors and empresses. I skipped the Spanish Riding School, but it’s worth visiting if you’re interested in the famous Lipizzaner horses.

When I finished, it was time to head back to the train station for my next destination — Prague!

Although I only spent 48 hours in Vienna, I definitely want to go back. I was charmed by the architecture, beautiful landscaping, and friendly people. Vienna has all the conveniences of a modern city with all the charm of old Europe — and I can’t wait to return.