Vienna in 2 Days

The condensed plan for travellers where Vienna is one stop on a European circuit: a day inside the Ring for the imperial city, and a day for the two great palaces, Schönbrunn and the Belvedere. The long museums are deliberately dropped — Vienna holds enough of them to fill a week, and two days can carry only one. Book a timed Schönbrunn slot before you travel, and buy a 48-hour transport ticket on arrival.

1Day 1

1St. Stephen's CathedralStart at opening: U1 or U3 to Stephansplatz. The patterned tile roof is what you will remember of Vienna.

2Hofburg PalaceTen minutes west on foot. One ticket covers the Imperial Apartments and the Sisi Museum — two hours is enough.

3Sisi MuseumCovered by the Hofburg ticket and costs no extra time — it sits on the same visitor route.

4Austrian National LibraryIn the adjoining wing on a small ticket: the Baroque State Hall. Twenty minutes for the most beautiful room in Vienna.

5Kunsthistorisches MuseumThe one museum this plan allows — make it this one. Two hours covers the Bruegel, Vermeer and Egyptian rooms.

6Vienna State Opera houseEnd the day here. Standing tickets go on sale an hour before curtain for a token price — the cheapest way into the world's most famous opera house.

2Day 2

1Schönbrunn PalaceU4 to Schönbrunn at opening, on your booked slot. The gardens behind are free — walk up to the Gloriette for the view.

2BelvedereAfternoon: Klimt's The Kiss in the Upper Belvedere. Ninety minutes is enough if you concentrate on the upper floor.

3KarlskircheTen minutes on foot from the Belvedere. Take the lift up to dome level — do not skip it; it is the strangest thing you will do in Vienna.

4Wiener RiesenradFinish the two days with a turn on the giant wheel at sunset — U1 to Praterstern, and the park itself is free.