2 Days in Vienna: Ultimate Solo Traveler Itinerary with Day & Night Highlights

2 Days in Vienna: The Ultimate Itinerary for Solo Travellers

From Imperial Grandeur to Hidden Nightlife Gems

🗓️ Day 1: The Regal & Cultural Core of Vienna

☀️ Morning: Step into Royal History at Schönbrunn Palace

Start early with the majestic Schönbrunn Palace, the former summer residence of the Habsburg dynasty.

Take the Grand Tour of the palace interiors (approx. 40 rooms) with an audio guide - perfect for solo travellers who like to move at their own pace.

After the tour, wander the immaculately landscaped gardens, climb up to the Gloriette viewpoint, and don’t miss the Neptune Fountain for a photo stop.

Optional: Visit the Vienna Zoo nearby (the world’s oldest!) if you’re into nature and have an extra hour.

🕒 Recommended Time: 3 hours

📍 Take U4 metro line to Schönbrunn

☕ Late Morning: Viennese Café Experience

Head back toward the city centre and stop at the iconic Café Central. With chandeliers, marble columns, and a rich history of literary greats, it’s the ideal solo break.

Order a Melange (Vienna’s signature coffee) and a slice of Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel.

🕒 Recommended Time: 1 hour

💡 Arrive by 11:30 AM to avoid lunch rush

🏛️ Afternoon: Explore the Historic City Centre

Walk to the Hofburg Palace, once the seat of the powerful Habsburg empire. Visit:

Imperial Apartments

Sisi Museum

Imperial Silver Collection

From there, stroll through Heldenplatz to Michaelerplatz, full of history and live performances.

Next, walk over to St. Stephen’s Cathedral - Vienna’s Gothic masterpiece.

Climb the 343 steps of the South Tower for incredible views.

Solo tip: the catacombs tour is guided and a great way to join a small group.

🕒 Recommended Time: 2.5 - 3 hours

📍 All within walking distance in the city centre

🍽️ Evening: Taste & Tunes at Naschmarkt

Head to Naschmarkt, Vienna’s bustling market street filled with multicultural food stalls and bistros.

Try Käsespätzle (Austrian cheesy pasta), Wiener Schnitzel, or Middle Eastern tapas at Neni.

🕒 Recommended Time: 1.5 hours

📍 Take U4 to Kettenbrückengasse

🎻 Night: Classical Vienna

Book a concert at Kursalon or the Musikverein, two of Vienna’s most stunning venues.

Solo traveller tip: Concerts often have single balcony seats available last-minute.

Enjoy works by Mozart, Strauss, or Beethoven performed in an opulent setting.

🕒 Recommended Time: 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM

🎟️ Book online or through Vienna’s tourist info centre earlier in the day

🗓️ Day 2: Artistic Soul & Nightlife Pulse

☀️ Morning: Art & Beauty at Belvedere Palace

Begin at the Upper Belvedere, home to Gustav Klimt’s “The Kiss”, along with masterpieces by Schiele and Monet.

Wander the lush Baroque gardens connecting Upper and Lower Belvedere - great for solo photography and journaling.

🕒 Recommended Time: 2 hours

📍 Tram D or U1 to Südtiroler Platz

☕ Midday: Chill & Recharge

Head to Café Museum near Karlsplatz -quieter than Central, with great modernist vibes and affordable lunch options.

Try Goulash or a fresh sandwich with a cold soda.

🕒 Recommended Time: 1 hour

🎨 Afternoon: Vienna’s Bohemian Side

Take a relaxed walk to Hundertwasserhaus, Vienna’s most unique residential building. The vibrant colours and irregular forms are a dream for any solo traveller with a camera.

Then, visit Kunst Haus Wien, a small but fascinating museum dedicated to Hundertwasser’s art and sustainable philosophies.

Next, stroll along the Donaukanal (Danube Canal) - a hub for Vienna’s street art and indie cafés. Grab a drink or sketch the river scenes solo.

🕒 Recommended Time: 2.5–3 hours

📍 Tram 1 or U3 to Landstraße

🍽️ Evening: Local Dinner in Spittelberg

Head to the charming district of Spittelberg, with cobbled alleys full of bars and taverns.

Eat at Amerlingbeisl (traditional Austrian) or Gasthaus Pöschl for a cozy, solo-friendly meal.

🕒 Recommended Time: 7:00–8:30 PM

💡 Make a reservation if you're visiting on a weekend

🌃 Nightlife Options for Solo Travellers

Choose your vibe:

Porgy & Bess (Jazz Club) - Smooth live jazz in a relaxed, seated space. Ideal for solo listeners.

Travel Shack Vienna - Social backpacker bar with games and an international crowd. Great for meeting fellow travellers.

Grelle Forelle - Electronic music venue on weekends. Edgy, underground, and solo-dancer-friendly.

🕒 Recommended Time: 9:00 PM till late

📍 All easily reachable by tram or metro

💡 Final Tips for Solo Travellers in Vienna

Get a 48-hour Vienna Travel Pass - Saves you money on unlimited U-Bahn, tram, and bus rides.

Use Google Maps for tram timings - Vienna public transport is punctual.

Solo-friendly places - Vienna cafés and concert venues are extremely welcoming to individuals.

Safety - Vienna is very safe for solo travellers, even at night. Stick to well-lit areas and you're good.