Welcome, Travellers! After my journey to Warsaw, Poland, to apply for an American visa (you can read about that story here), I decided to visit Vienna, Austria, for a very short period: just 2 days. During those 48 hours, my goal was to visit as many places as possible.
During my whirlwind 2-day trip, I managed to visit:
- St. Stephen’s Cathedral and its Catacombs
- A social language exchange event
- Karlskirche (St. Charles Church)
- Schönbrunn Palace
Before diving into my experiences, let me first say this: Vienna is a city bursting with art around every corner, with some of the cleanest streets and most stunning architecture I’ve ever seen. It feels like a living museum. I definitely plan to return to explore more of this incredible city!
Day 1: St. Stephen’s Cathedral & Catacombs
My first stop was St. Stephen’s Cathedral, located in the Old Town area of Vienna. This magnificent structure is an absolute masterpiece, though, during my visit, it was undergoing some construction work and even had an advertisement banner draped over part of it (as you can see in the photo below!).
Outside the cathedral, I saw horse-drawn carriages transporting visitors around the area. It was a picturesque scene, with one couple happily seated in a carriage. Riding in one of those carriages is definitely on my list for next time!
Inside the cathedral, the atmosphere was magical and serene. People were quietly praying, admiring the intricate architecture, and soaking in the beauty of this historic site.
One thing I was particularly interested in was the catacombs beneath the cathedral, so I found the entrance and waited for the tour to begin. Important tip: the catacomb tour requires cash payment at the end, so make sure you have enough cash on hand. Luckily, there’s an ATM just outside the cathedral if you need to withdraw some.
The tour itself was fantastic. The guide was incredibly funny and bilingual, switching between German and English to accommodate everyone. It was fascinating to learn about the history and see this lesser-known part of the cathedral.
Day 1 Evening: A Social Language Exchange Event
In the evening, I decided to attend a social event, as I love connecting with locals and fellow travellers whenever I visit a new place. My go-to platform for finding such events is Meetup.com, where you can filter by location and date to find gatherings that interest you.
That evening, I joined a language exchange event, which turned out to be such an enjoyable experience! I met people from different countries and backgrounds, and it was a great opportunity to practice my German skills. If you’re traveling solo or looking to meet new people, I highly recommend checking out events like these.
Day 2 Morning: Karlskirche
The next morning, I visited Karlskirche (St. Charles Church), and honestly, I liked it even more than St. Stephen’s Cathedral. The interior is stunning, and it boasts a massive organ that fills the space with heavenly sound during regular concerts held here. I can only imagine how magical it would be to attend a performance in this incredible setting.
Day 2 Afternoon: Schönbrunn Palace
My next destination was the famous Schönbrunn Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Vienna’s most iconic attractions. The palace grounds are immense, and there are several ticket options available depending on how much of the palace and gardens you want to explore.
I opted for the smallest ticket option, which still allowed me to see some of the palace’s beautiful interiors. Here are the available tours:
Imperial Tour: This tour includes the apartments of Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth, as well as the south-facing reception rooms overlooking the palace gardens. The ticket price is €19.00 for adults.
Grand Tour: This comprehensive tour covers forty rooms, including state rooms and private apartments of the imperial couple, as well as precious eighteenth-century interiors from the time of Maria Theresa. The ticket price is €23.00 for adults.
Sisi Ticket: This ticket provides access to Schönbrunn Palace, the Sisi Museum, and the Vienna Furniture Museum, offering a broader imperial experience. The price is €33.00 for adults.
Final Thoughts on Vienna
After Schönbrunn Palace, I grabbed some food from Lidl and headed back to my accommodation to rest for my early morning flight.
Although my visit to Vienna was short, it left a lasting impression on me. The city is so rich in art and culture that 48 hours weren’t nearly enough to experience everything it has to offer. I’d love to spend a whole month in Vienna to truly immerse myself in its artistic and cultural treasures.
Thank you for reading, dear travellers! Please let me know in the comments if you’ve been to Vienna or are planning to visit. I’d love to hear about your experiences and tips for my next trip!