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Vienna is one of the most beautiful and cultured cities in the world, renowned for its unbeatable classical music scene, stunning Baroque architecture, and luxurious coffee shops.
The Austrian capital has a huge variety of attractions to explore, so get ready for a jampacked sightseeing schedule. Let’s take a look at 17 of the best things to do in the wonderful ‘Wien.’
1. Explore Vienna’s Beautiful Churches
Vienna boasts two of the most impressive churches in Austria. Stephansdom, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, is more than 700 years old. It’s an enormous Gothic and Romanesque building with Europe’s third-largest free-swinging bell in its bell tower. It has seen many important events take place throughout its lifetime, and it even hosted Mozart’s wedding in 1782.
Karlskirche, St. Charles’ Church, is a quintessentially Baroque building from the 18th century. It has an impressive green, domed roof and a viewing platform that offers stunning panoramic views of the city.
2. Visit Vienna City Hall (Rathaus)
Rathaus is the City Hall where Vienna’s government and administration are based. It was built in the 1800s and is a prime example of the city’s neo-Gothic architectural style. Lavish archways mark the bottom part of the building, while the top is crowned with a series of five towers.
The tallest of those towers is adorned with Rathausmann, a 5.4-meter statue of an armored Medieval knight who serves to protect the building. Guided tours of Rathaus take place on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and they’re a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the history of the building.
3. Take in the Splendour of Vienna’s Baroque Palaces
Vienna is renowned for its enormous, lavish imperial palaces. Schönbrunn Palace is arguably the most famous, having served as the summer residence of the Habsburg monarchy for centuries.
It lies on the outskirts of the city, but it’s easy to reach via public transport. You can happily spend a full day here wandering the landscaped grounds, exploring the 1441-room palace, and visiting the on-site museum.
Hofburg Palace lies right in the city center and encompasses a range of important buildings. The Austrian National Library, the Spanish Riding School, and the Sisi Museum are all part of the Hofburg complex. Be sure to take a tour of the Imperial Apartments, which offer fascinating insights into Emperor Franz Joseph’s and Empress Elisabeth’s lives (Sisi).
4. Watch the Lipizzans Perform Dressage
The Lipizzans are an elegant breed of horses renowned for their dressage ability, and you can see them in action at the Spanish Riding School. The Ballet of the White Stallions is an enchanting performance accompanied by beautiful classical music. You can also take a tour of the stables to learn more about the royal history of the Lipizzans.
5. Wander Around World-Leading Museums
There’s a huge variety of museums in Vienna to explore. Begin in the MuseumsQuartier, a pedestrianized area of the city center where a cluster of museums and cultural venues lie within easy walking distance of one another.
Here, you’ll find the Leopold Museum, home to a large collection of paintings by Gustav Klimt’s protégé Egon Schiele, and the MUMOK (Museum of Modern Art), where some of Austria’s most famous pieces of contemporary art can be found. The Naturhistorisches Museum (Natural History Museum) lies just across the street, where there are more than 30 million artifacts on display, including the 30,000-year-old Venus of Willendorf figurine.
The Kunsthistorisches Museum (Art History Museum) boasts an exceptional collection of classic masterpieces, including works by Rembrandt, Titian, and Vermeer. The Sigmund Freud Museum celebrates the life and work of the renowned psychoanalyst and is set within the house he called home for several decades.
The Wien Museum, which lies in Karlsplatz, is dedicated to the history of Vienna, while the Römermuseum focuses on the city’s ancient Roman origins.
Other popular museums include:
6. Hear Exceptional Classical Music Performances
Vienna is considered to be the international capital of classical music, having served as the birthplace or home of many highly influential composers, including Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn, Strauss, Schubert, and Schoenberg. Try to catch a classical concert at one of the following famed venues, which are known for their exquisite design and impressive acoustics:
- Vienna State Opera House is one of the best venues in the world to see opera or ballet.
- The Musikverein is a traditional concert house that regularly hosts the Vienna Philharmonic.
- House of Strauss is a recently refurbished 19th-century casino that includes a museum, a restaurant, and a concert hall.
- Mozarthaus (Mozart’s House) is a museum that was once Mozart’s residence and now has an intimate performance space for unique concert experiences.
7. Ride the Giant Ferris Wheel in Prater Amusement Park
Prater Park is one of the city’s most beloved green spaces and is home to a variety of fun rides and amusements. The most popular is the Riesenrad, a giant Ferris wheel that was originally constructed in the 19th century and has become one of the city’s key landmarks.
It towers 60 meters tall and offers fabulous views across the city from its highest point. Think of it like the London Eye in the British capital, only significantly more charming thanks to its historic nature.
8. See Klimt’s ‘The Kiss’ at the Belvedere Palace
‘The Kiss’ by Gustav Klimt is one of Austria’s most famous artworks, and you can see it at Belvedere Palace, a beautiful palatial complex with two distinct buildings. The Upper Belvedere galleries are dedicated to prestigious artworks and it’s here that ‘The Kiss’ is on display.
The Lower Belvedere specializes in temporary art exhibitions, and its Palace Stables is home to a medieval art collection. There are also extensive gardens featuring lush flowerbeds, carefully clipped hedges, and romantic feature fountains. The Belvedere is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so be sure to take the time to explore it and appreciate all it has to offer.
9. Take a Break at a Viennese Coffee House
Coffee house culture is integral to Vienna, so be sure to swing by as many cafes as possible to enjoy a delicious drink and a sweet treat. There are coffee shops all over the city, but some are more famous and traditional than others. Demel is one such establishment.
It has produced some of the finest sweets and confections in the city since its beginnings in 1786. Be sure to linger outside to take in the cafe’s elaborate window display, which never fails to entice new customers inside.
10. Sample Sacher-Torte and Strudel
The perfect accompaniment to a Vienesse coffee is a slice of something sweet. Sacher-torte is one of the city’s most famous food items. It’s a dense chocolate cake filled with apricot jam and smothered in dark chocolate icing. Franz Sacher created it in 1832 for Prince Metternich, and although it’s available from cafes all over the city, you can enjoy the original recipe at Cafe Sacher.
Vienna is also known to offer some of the best strudel in Europe. Strudel is a crispy, layered pastry with a filling that is usually sweet and fruit-based, although savory options are available. You’ll find a vast range of flavors to choose from in Vienna’s cafes, including apple, cheese, vegetable, plum, and sour cherry.
11. Meet Exotic Animals at Schonbrunn Zoo
Schonbrunn Zoo is the oldest European zoo. It lies within the grounds of Schonbrunn Palace and was originally created in 1752 to serve as a menagerie for the Emperor’s exotic animal collection.
Today, you can expect to see pandas, elephants, wolves, penguins, and sea lions. The zoo specializes in animal conservation, so you can rest assured that your visit will contribute to protecting some of the world’s most endangered species.
12. Eat Wiener Schnitzel at Naschmarkt
Naschmarkt is where Viennese residents have been buying fresh produce for more than 100 years. Today, it’s a vast array of open stalls selling baked goods, takeaway dishes, and even full sit-down meals. It’s a great place to sample some of the city’s signature dishes for the first time. Don’t miss out on Wiener schnitzel — tender cutlets of veal that are breadcrumbed and fried in butter.
13. Ride the Ring Tram and Admire the Ringstrasse
The Ringstrasse is an important city center ring road that surrounds the heart of the city and connects it with the busiest suburbs. It was created in the Habsburg era, which means you can expect to see some lavish architecture. Some of the city’s most famous buildings lie on the Ringstrasse, including the Hofburg, the Staatsoper (State Opera House), Vienna’s Parliament Building, and the Burgtheater. You can lead your own walking tour of the Ringstrasse, but for a more relaxing experience, take the 25-minute Ring Tram sightseeing service, which includes an audio tour.
14. Soak in the Beauty of the Danube Canal
The Danube Canal cuts through the center of the city, so be sure to spend some time admiring its beauty. Rent a bike and set off along the Danube Canal cycle path to see some of the city’s best sights.
Alternatively, you could head out onto the water to enjoy a romantic dinner cruise. For those who want to be a little more active, head to Danube Island, where you can rent paddleboats and explore the waterways at a pace that suits you.
15. Get Festive at Ratausplatz Christmas Market
If you’ll be headed to Vienna in late November or December you won’t want to miss the impressive Christkindlemarkt at Rathausplatz. More than three million people visit this Christmas market every year to buy unique gifts and enjoy tasty festive treats. The likes of mulled wine, gingerbread cookies, and rich hot chocolate are sure to warm you up in the chilly winter weather.
16. Take a Day Trip by Train to Slovakia or Hungary
Vienna is perfectly situated to allow tourists to visit two of Austria’s neighboring countries — Slovakia and Hungary — by rail. You can reach Solvakia’s capital, Bratislava, within an hour to explore its charming cobbled old town and admire the impressive Bratislava Castle.
It takes a few hours to reach Hungary’s capital, Budapest, but the journey is wholly worthwhile to see the likes of Buda Castle and Matthias Church and to relax in the famed thermal baths.
17. Admire the Colorful Hundertwasserhaus
Friedensreich Hundertwasser is one of Austria’s best-known contemporary artists, renowned for his colorful, funky style. His Hundertwasserhaus is a unique apartment complex that features colorful tile mosaics and charmingly crooked lines.
You can only admire it from the outside, but be sure to head to the Hundertwasser Museum, also designed by the visionary artist, where you can learn more about these iconic buildings and see some of his other contemporary artworks.
Plan Your Vienna City Break
Vienna is one of Europe’s best city break destinations because it has so many wonderful must-see attractions and things to do. What will you get up to on your visit?
