20 best things to do in Vienna, Austria

Vienna, one of the best-preserved historical capitals in Europe, is a destination that every traveler should try to see at least once. Situated on the outskirts of Western Europe, just miles from Slovakia and the Czech Republic, the opulent old-world metropolis manages to feel both timeless and boldly contemporary.

It’s the kind of city where, in a single stroll, you can pass horse-drawn carriages and stumble upon the coolest contemporary art museum you’ve ever visited. And while the pace in Vienna is certainly more relaxed than Berlin, Paris, or London, there is plenty to see and do. Admire opera houses and imperial palaces; party at nightclubs or unwind for an afternoon in an ornate museum or gourmet café.

Visit the Hofburg palace complex

Direction

Get directions

Telephone

+43 1 5337570

Web

Visit the website

Located in the historic center of Vienna, the Hofburg Palace is an impressive testament to the ancient imperial power that once brought much of Europe from the Austrian capital.

The vast complex, which spans over 2.5 million square feet to comprise 18 wings, 19 courtyards, and 2,600 rooms, offers insight into Vienna’s history and present. It has evolved from a medieval fortified castle to an imperial palace and is now one of the seats of democratic government, making it one of the oldest and most enduring places of power in Europe.

Until 1918 and the end of the First World War, the Palace was the headquarters and main winter residence of the Imperial Monarchy; The powerful Habsburgs reigned here for about six centuries starting in the 13th century. Today, the Hofburg remains central to the Austrian government, housing the offices of the president, as well as ministers of state and secretaries of state.

Most of the complex is worth exploring on a first visit, but there are three main things to focus on:

Imperial Apartments – If you’ve visited Versailles in Paris, you can already imagine the kind of opulence that awaits you in the historic Imperial Apartments of the Austrian emperors and empress of yesteryear. Today’s furnishings, dating primarily to the mid-19th and 18th centuries, are spread across several incredibly luxurious rooms. Visitors can get a good idea of how the imperial rulers spent their days, exploring rooms such as the study, the bathroom and bath, the dining room, the halls, the courtrooms, and the bedrooms.

Sisi Museum – Named for the beloved Austrian Empress Elisabeth whose nickname was ‘Sisi’, this collection of some 300 artifacts pays tribute to a powerful ruler whose legend has only grown over the decades. Trace the life of the Empress from her childhood at the imperial court to her death at the hands of an assassin in Switzerland in 1898. Elegant dresses and jewelry, umbrellas, fans and gloves, and even her personal medical chest and death certificate. The intriguing permanent collection.

Silver Collection – Some 7,000 fine silver items and historic tableware are on display in this collection, inviting visitors to close their eyes and imagine the lavish and elaborate banquets that took place over many centuries in the same venues.

If you also plan to visit the Schönbrunn Palace, the opulent historical abode of the Habsburg imperial clan, you may consider purchasing a ‘Sisi Ticket’. The ticket gives you combined entry to the Hofburg Palace and Schönbrunn Palace, which houses the Imperial Furniture Collection. Overall, this lowers entry prices by about 25 percent, for what it’s worth.

How to get: the Hofburg is accessible from the U3 (orange) subway line; get off at Herrengasse and follow the signs to the entrance. You can also take tram lines 1, 2, D and 71 (get off at Burgring).

Explore the Museumsquartier

Direction

Get directions

Telephone

+43 1 5235881

Web

Visit the website

Although Vienna is deeply associated with classical traditions in art, music, and architecture, it is also a hotbed of contemporary artistic creation, home to an unusual number of modern art museums, theaters, and art schools. The Museumsquartier is definitely the place to go if you want to experience the city’s vibrant contemporary art scene, as well as enjoy modern masterpieces by Austrian artists like Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele.

Around 70 different museums, galleries, theaters, dance halls, cultural associations, cafes and restaurants make up this vast complex in the city center, ensuring a morning or afternoon of full exploration. Don’t let the baroque-era façade fool you – inside, the style is much more eclectic and contemporary, with light and airy gallery spaces, modern and colorful sculptures, and spaces to sit back, relax, and soak up artistic inspiration. Frequented by students and young people, the Museumsquartier is usually packed, especially in the summer months when long days attract locals to hang out in the outdoor areas.

The must-see museums in the complex include the Leopold Museum, which features a collection of Austrian Expressionist and Symbolist art and works from the famous Secession movement, led by Gustav Klimt. The museum is also home to the world’s largest and most precious collection of works by Egon Schiele, one of Austria’s most beloved modern painters.

Meanwhile, to immerse yourself in Vienna’s vibrant art scene today, the Kunsthalle Wien holds regular exhibitions highlighting some of the most innovative and talented contemporary artists, both from Austria and around the world.

Spend an afternoon in a cafe

Direction

Get directions

Telephone

+43 1 5126115

Web

Visit the website

Coffee and traditional coffee shops are very serious business in Vienna. In 2011, UNESCO even named the city’s centennial coffee culture a World Heritage Site.

There is something charming in the old world about enjoying strong coffee, be it black or a mix (a local drink that looks like a cappuccino), while reading a newspaper and enjoying the noise of the talk and the plates filling the rooms. Old classic Vienna cafes. Enjoying a piece of cake is also a strong tradition in these institutions (when in Vienna, counting calories is not a good idea if you are looking for an authentic experience).

Traditional marble tables or cozy booths, heavy curtains to keep out the cold, highly civilized coat racks, warm woodwork, old photos on the walls and vintage lamps are typical accessories in most traditional Viennese cafes. Some of the more popular and iconic coffee shops to go straight to include Café Prückel, Cafe Central (whose famous customers have included Sigmund Freud), and Cafe Ritter.

Try two Viennese pastries that rival each other

Direction

Get directions

Telephone

+43 1 51456661

Web

Visit the website

Do you remember that eating cake is an essential part of any first trip to Vienna? A delightful task is to compare rival chocolate cakes at the Hotel / Cafe Sacher and Cafe Demel. This is a decades-long rivalry that the Viennese love to cultivate as it fuels tourism, not to mention it forces us to compare ultra-rich tortes.

Here’s the story in a nutshell: Hotel Sacher claims to have invented the signature “Sachertorte” named after it, a dense brownie with thin layers of apricot jam, topped with a firm, cold chocolate glaze. This seems legitimate; Chef Sacher is believed to have first prepared the cake in 1832.

Later, Café Demel, known for its own luxury baked goods and excellent tea room, created its version of the quintessential Viennese cake, naming it Demels Sachertorte. Legal disputes ensued, but after a while Demel had gained a dedicated following convinced that this version of the cake, with one instead of two layers of apricot jam, was superior to the Sacher original. Long before reality television, this was perhaps the first “cake war” and continues to this day.

Visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral

Direction

Get directions

Telephone

+43 1 515523530

Web

Visit the website

This impressive Gothic cathedral is one of the most beautiful in Europe. It features an eclectic mix of architectural and decorative styles reflecting many renovations over hundreds of years. More recently, the interiors were modified during the Baroque period.

Construction began during the 12th century, and the flamboyant High Gothic style is evident in the Cathedral’s four towers, one of which houses 13 impressive bells. The huge Pummerin Bell is the second largest church bell in Europe and is located in the North Tower. From the towers you can see remarkable views of the entire city, especially the south.

The Cathedral’s distinctively colored tiles that decorate its roof form the pattern of the Vienna coat of arms and the double-headed imperial eagle.

In addition to visiting the Cathedral and its beautiful towers, the crypt and catacombs of the place are fascinating for their remarkable tombs. Emperor Friedrich III and other imperial leaders are buried here, along with numerous cardinals and bishops.

How to get there: From the city center, take the U-Bahn line U3 to Stephansplatz.

Watch a performance at the Vienna State Opera

Direction

Get directions

Telephone

+43 1 514442250

Web

Visit the website

For anyone with a passion for opera, Vienna is an essential destination. Today’s symbol of the Austrian capital’s distinguished musical heritage and elegance, the State Opera proudly stands on one of the city’s busiest and most central streets. As the home of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, it hosts some of the best classical music, opera and ballet performances in the world.

Whether you choose to simply admire the neoclassical façade (built in 1869 under the reign of Emperor Franz Joseph I) or enjoy one of the 350 performances that enliven the stage each year, the Opera House remains an essential sight in a city with a passion for music. classical music.

How to get there: The Opera is served by tram lines 1,2, 62, 71 and D; the stop is Kartner Ring-Oper. You can also take the U-Bahn line U2 to Karlsplatz, then walk for about five minutes.

Sample of local sweets at Naschmarkt

Direction

Get directions

Telephone

+43 1 400005430

Web

Visit the website

This permanent open-air market is one of the coolest (and tastiest) places to hang out in town, loved by all age groups and frequented in the morning, noon, and evening. If you’re looking for fresh produce, high-quality cheese, meat, bread or spices, the market stalls here offer some of the best in Vienna. Dozens of vendors selling everything from fresh fruit to olives, kraut and sausages, and other local specialties have been joined in recent years by stalls selling international specialties (Japanese, Turkish, Moroccan, Eastern European and many others) .

This is also a local favorite for a coffee or casual dinner; Several relaxed restaurants and cafes operate on the premises, many with outdoor seating in the warmer seasons. In the spring or summer, enjoying a beer or a casual dinner at the Naschmarkt is one of the most authentic things you can do. Just try to arrive early to secure a table; It is not unusual to see tables full of people even from Monday to Friday.

The market is open Monday through Saturday, and most of the stalls open at 7 am and close at 7 pm (5 pm on Saturday). The on-site cafes and restaurants have separate opening hours, but many are also closed on Sundays.

How to get there: Take the U-Bahn (underground) line U4 to Karlsplatz and follow the signs to the market.

Visit to Schönbrunn Palace

Direction

Get directions

Telephone

+43 1 81113239

Web

Visit the website

Often compared to Versailles, Schönbrunn Palace served as the summer residence of the powerful Habsburgs and exemplifies the wealth and power of the royal imperial family.

First established as an imperial hunting lodge in the late 17th century, it was significantly expanded during the 18th century to become a permanent summer residence under the powerful Empress Maria Theresa, mother of Marie Antoinette.

The Grand Tour of the palace takes you through some 40 opulent rooms and offers an in-depth look at the life and reign of the Hapsburgs, from their most private daily affairs to the political intrigues that filled the palace walls. The Imperial Apartments are especially striking.

The lovely, expansive formal gardens at the palace are also essential, particularly in the spring, when thousands of flowers and trees blossom and bring to life the eye-catching landscapes. The gardens were named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1996. There’s even an onsite vineyard, reflecting Vienna’s history as a maker of distinctive local white wines. 

Tickets & Getting There: ​Visit the official website for practical information on the Palace and to purchase tickets online. Three forms of public transportation take you right up to the palace and have Schönbrunn-marked stops.

• Underground: U4
• Trams: 10 and 60
• Bus: 10A

Relax in the Prater, Vienna’s Biggest Park

Address

Get directions

Phone

+43 1 7280516

Web

Visit website

This vast, leafy park is the biggest within Vienna’s city limits and is a favorite place for locals to head in the summer for picnics, Ferris wheel rides, and other amusement park attractions. The enormous complex also boasts an onsite cinema, Madame Tussauds wax museum, cafes and restaurants, a nightclub, and a bowling alley. 

Dominating the park and the skyline of the adjoining Leopoldstadt neighborhood, the enormous Ferris wheel dates to 1897, and is one of Europe’s largest. Entry to the Prater is free; individual rides and attractions will set you back a few Euros but are reasonably priced. 

Head here in the warmer spring and summer months to get some outdoor activities in and enjoy a lazy picnic on the grass, or rent bikes for a morning or afternoon, taking advantage of the bike paths that wend through the park. The park is open year-round, and in the autumn and winter months can still offer a pleasant walk or a day of fun and distraction for the whole family. 

Getting There: The main entrance to the Prater is located on an enormous traffic circle known as the Praterstern; get off at this station from Metro lines U1 or U2. You may also take tram line O and 5 to the end of the line to reach the park. 

Cruise the Danube River

Address

Get directions

A boat cruise of the Danube river allows you to see the city from a different vantage, appreciating its lovely architecture and intriguing blend of Western and Eastern European cultural influences. You can either take a short sightseeing cruise that keeps you more or less within the Viennese city limits or opt for a full day on the water. Many tourists opt to stop in the lush Wachau Valley 30 minutes outside the city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From there, wine tasting and bike tours, a visit to a medieval Abbey, or tours on foot of the breathtaking valley make for an ideal day trip. 

Take the opportunity to see the nearby Slovakian capital of Bratislava, traveling from Vienna to its sister capital only 34 miles away by boat. Particularly if you don’t have time for another day trip, this can be an excellent way to make a short foray into Eastern Europe. 

Several companies offer boat cruises and high-speed catamaran trips from and around Vienna, but DDSG Blue Danube is the most popular and trusted.

See the Lipizzaner Stallions Perform

The world-famous Lipizzaner Stallions put on a show of equestrian excellence set to classical Viennese music at the Winter Spanish Riding School (Spanische Hofreitschule) located in the Hofburg Palace.

These performances are the culmination of years of training for both the rider and their horses. Visitors can see a performance and take a guided tour of the Winter Spanish Riding School. You’ll find the visitor center at Michaelerplatz in the Hofburg (under the Michaelerkuppel).

Tickets: Tickets for performances and tours are available online.
Getting There: The Hofburg can be accessed from the U3 (Orange) underground line; get off at Herrengasse. You can also take Tram line 1, 2, D and 71 (get off at Burgring). The entrance to the Spanish Riding School is at Josefsplatz.

Visit the Neo-Gothic City Hall

Vienna’s town hall (Wiener Rathaus) was built in the 1800s in a Neo-Gothic style similar to the Brussels town hall. The Rathaus has five towers, with the iconic Rathausman statue topping the tallest.

You can take a free guided tour of the inside of the lavish Town Hall on designated days, usually Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 1 p.m. The Information Center in the town hall is open Monday to Friday from 07:30 a.m.– 6:00 p.m.

Getting There: Take the Metro U2 and get off at station Rathaus.

Spend Time at the Zoo

On the grounds of the Schönbrunn Palace, you’ll find Vienna’s Zoo (Tiergarten Schönbrunn), the oldest continuously operating zoo in the world originally founded as an imperial menagerie in 1752. You can stroll the lovely grounds and see some of the original buildings as well as modern animal habitats and displays.

Approximately 8,500 animals live in the zoo representing more than 700 animal species including a giant panda, giraffes, and sea lions as well as smaller beings such as ants and exotic spiders.

The zoo has scheduled educational sessions, a simulated Amazon rainforest environment to walk through, and snack bars and cafes where you can rest.

Getting There: Schönbrunn Zoo has several entrances. The main entrance— Hietzing—is close to the U4 underground station Hietzing. The Schönbrunn Palace Gardens are reached via the Hietzinger Tor and then you just follow the pathway between the Palm House and the Desert House.

Stroll the Gardens at Belvedere Palace

Visit the beautiful French gardens and ornate buildings of Belvedere Palace where such notable Austrians as Prince Eugene of Savoy and Archduke Franz Ferdinand once lived. The impressive Baroque buildings house a collection of Austrian art including works by Gustav Klimt.

Belvedere Palace and grounds are open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Guided tours are available. Tickets can be purchased online.

Getting There: Belvedere Palace is located southeast of the Innere Stadt, between the Wieden and Landstrasse districts. The nearest public transportation is the tram where you’ll get off at Quartier Belvedere.

Dine With a View

Das Loft on the Sofitel Hotel’s 18th floor is a glass-walled restaurant and lounge with an amazing bird’s eye view of Vienna. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows make it easy to see Vienna’s iconic St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the Danube river, and the city skyline. At night the amazing 21,500-square-foot illuminated ceiling swirls like a piece of impressionist art.

Get Sweet at the Honey Boutique

Those who adore local honey won’t want to miss the Wald & Wiese specialty boutique where honey and honey-related products are sold. But what’s really interesting is where the honey comes from. Over 5,000 bee colonies and 600 bee-keepers harvest honey from Vienna’s rooftop hives including from the Rathaus, Staatsoper, Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna, and some of the famous hotels. You can shop for honey and products made with honey (as well as seasonal truffle-related products) and taste honey-based beverages including mead and honey-and-whiskey liqueur.

Getting There: Wald & Wiese has four locations in Vienna.

Enjoy Wiener Schnitzel

Wiener schnitzel, the national dish of Austria, is known far and wide as a staple in German-American restaurants. But you can have the real thing in Vienna. You’ll find veal or pork schnitzel with sides of lettuce salad, potato salad, boiled potatoes or fries and usually accompanied by a slice of lemon. Restaurants with traditional Austrian food will have Wiener schnitzel on the menu. Schnitzelwurt at Neubaugasse 52, 1070, serves some 15 varieties of schnitzel including pork, chicken, and turkey and is a favorite of both locals and tourists.

Go Wine Tasting

Vienna’s winemaking history dates back to the twelfth century and today, Vienna’s wine country produces mostly crisp whites such as Riesling. To go wine tasting, you don’t need to leave the city as there are an estimated 180 wine taverns and wine bars around the city and in the suburbs.

The Vienna Heurigen Express, which looks like a little train, offers a Hop-on, Hop-off tour through the vineyards and wineries close to Vienna.

Bike Around Vienna

Rent from City Bike Vienna and your first hour of exploring the city on two wheels is free with the second costing only €1 (there’s a one-time registration fee of €1). Pick up a bike at a street rack and then carefully return the bike to another rack. You can use your credit card at over 120 bike stations. Vienna has bike lanes, making it fairly easy to get around.

Get Romantic on the Ferris Wheel

Wiener Riesenrad, Vienna’s giant Ferris wheel, will give you some great views but it can also be the setting for a romantic evening. The wheel, located at the fairgrounds, has a special cabin that couples can rent for an hour or so, sip some Champagne, and even have a romantic candlelight dinner served.

For something really special, book a romantic crystal dinner for two at the Crystal Wagon decorated with Swarovski crystals and, before you leave, open your little Swarovski crystal gift.

How to get there: Take the metro: U1, U2 – (Praterstern station), the urban railway: S1-S3, S7, S15 Wien Nord (Vienna North) or the tram: 0, 5.