Vienna is an incredible city with timeless elegance meeting modern charm. There is plenty to do in Vienna from experiencing the famous music scene to admiring the stunning Schönbrunn Palace to uncovering the Vienesse coffeehouse culture. Check out these incredible things to do in Vienna for a perfect trip to Austria’s Capital!
Free Walking Tour
Free walking tours are one of the best things you can do in a new city! You get a great history lesson while seeing the city’s highlights in an engaging atmosphere as the tour guides are passionate, knowledgeable, and charismatic. It is also a great opportunity to meet other travelers (especially when solo traveling). Try scheduling this right when you get to Vienna as it is a great introduction to the city and you can learn about tips and other things to do from your guide. Check out GuruWalk for your free walking tour in Vienna! You will get immersed in Vienna’s history while strolling through charming streets with beautiful architecture. This was a highlight of my time in Vienna!
Although “free,” make sure to tip your tour guide as appropriate based on your experience!
Schönbrunn Palace
Schönbrunn Palace is one of the most popular attractions in Vienna. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the summer palace of the Habsburgs. As you arrive, its yellow color immediately draws you in and you will realize just how enormous and immaculate the palace is. You can walk the grounds admiring the stunning gardens and architecture, or venture inside to see the palace in more depth, learn its history, and explore the on-site museums. I truly enjoyed walking the grounds and making the hike up the hill behind the palace to explore the area from all angles. In the winter, they have a beautiful Christmas and New Year’s Market that is also worth spending time at!
Mozart Concert
Vienna is deeply intertwined with Mozart’s life and legacy, so it is the perfect setting for attending a Mozart concert! You will experience one of Vienna’s elegant concert halls creating a beautiful setting for the music masterpieces. I recommend this experience while in Vienna as it brings you back in time.!Get tickets here.
Vienna State Opera
The Vienna State Opera (“Wiener Staatsoper”), encompasses Vienna’s rich cultural heritage and its love for classical music and opera. It’s luxurious inside and out! You should consider attending a performance here for the ultimate Vienna experience!
Café’s
Cafés are a large part of Vienna’s culture! Coffee is known to be top-notch and many cafés have an elegant feel. Most of the cafés have extensive food menus and alcoholic, and non-alcoholic beverages, so don’t think that you are only limited to mornings or early afternoons to visit, as many are open until midnight.
Allocate time to sit in a café and soak up the Vienesse Café culture! A few options include Café Central, Café Demel, Café Hawelka, or Café Schwarzenberg, which was my favorite café in Vienna. I would recommend going to Café Schwarzenberg in the evening for a coffee delicacy, delicious ice cream, hot chocolate, or a glass of wine. The elegant marble throughout the café, the waiters in suits, and the live pianist created a spectacular atmosphere!
Eat Sachertorte
The famous Sachetorte is a rich chocolate cake with layers of apricot jam and a chocolate ganache topping. It is delicious! You can find this in many cafés around Vienna, but the most popular places for Sachetorte are Café Demel and Café Sacher. However, there are often long lines to get this dessert at those locations, and I do not recommend waiting in line… every Café in Vienna serves Sachetorte so go find another place with one that is just as tasty!
Eat Wiener Schnitzel
You have to have Wiener Schnitzel while you are in Vienna! Wiener Schnitzel is a thinly pounded and breaded cutlet of veal or pork that is pan-fried until golden brown. It will be served all over Vienna; almost all restaurants with Austrian cuisine will have it as an option. Similarly to Sachertorte, there are restaurants around Vienna that claim to have the best Schnitzel, and you can wait in line for hours for your chance to try it during peak tourist seasons. I would not recommend spending your precious time in Vienna waiting in line. Nearly every restaurant serves Schnitzel, and for my time and money, I can’t tell the difference. They are all good!
Würstelstand
You will find a Würstelstand all over Vienna and you must give one a try! It is a traditional Austrian street food spot that serves sausage and hot dogs so it is easy to stop by when you are walking around the city and need a snack. They serve a hot dog in a large baguette or the meat cut up on a plate. I loved the baguette option as I thought it was unique! The Käsekrainer is a good choice as it is a sausage filled with cheese. I tried a few different stands and they were all good! You can grab a beer and enjoy this wonderful street food experience all around the city.
Giant Ferris Wheel
The Giant Ferris Wheel (“Riesenrad”), is located in Prater Amusement Park and offers panoramic views of Vienna and its surroundings. It is 212 feet (65 meters) high and each cabin is spacious and enclosed. This is a fun activity to see a different area of Vienna and experience a unique Ferris Wheel experience with spectacular views!
Naschmarkt
Naschmarkt is Vienna’s most popular open-air market with market stalls, restaurants, and specialty food shops. It has plenty of fresh produce and international food options! It is fun to wander through the stalls filled with fruits, vegetables, cheeses, and spices as well as the food stalls and restaurants filled with international flare from Middle Eastern to Asian cuisines. Additionally, on Saturdays, there is a flea market that adds an extra layer of charm offering antiques and unique treasures from glassware to clocks to trinkets. Make sure to carve out time to wander and eat at Naschmarkt!
Museums
If you are a Museum lover, then Vienna is perfect for you! There are countless museums throughout the city which are all beautiful inside and out. Find out information about all museums in Vienna here. Check out these popular museums in Vienna to see which interests you most!
- Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Art History): Extensive collection of European art.
- Belvedere Palace and Museum: A beautiful palace with an impressive collection of Austrian art.
- Albertina: Known for its graphic art collection and temporary exhibitions of modern and contemporary art.
- Leopold Museum: Focuses on Austrian art from the 19th and 20th centuries.
- Natural History Museum (Naturhistorisches Museum): Exhibitions on minerals, fossils, and taxidermied animals.
- Technisches Museum Wien (Vienna Technical Museum): Focuses on the history of technology, industry, and transportation in an interactive format.
- Sisi Museum: Located within the Hofburg Palace, this provides insight into the life of Empress Elisabeth (Sisi).
- Jewish Museum Vienna: Offers a comprehensive view of Jewish history, culture, and art in Austria.
- Haus der Musik (House of Music): A modern and interactive museum dedicated to sound and music.
- Vienna Museum of Modern Art (Mumok): This is the largest museum in Central Europe for modern and contemporary art.
St. Stephan’s Cathedral
The St. Stephan’s Cathedral is a stunning building that cannot be missed in Vienna! It is spectacular from the outside, or you can climb 343 steps in the South Tower for a unique view of Vienna, or take the elevator to the shorter North Tower. Make sure to admire the beautiful colored roof! Additionally, there are 13 bells in the cathedral with the most famous, Pummerin, located in the North Tower. Fun fact: the bell only rings a few times a year, one being to ring in the New Year!
Walk Ringstraße (Vienna Ring Road)
I would highly recommend walking the streets of Vienna, admiring the architecture. It is extremely easy to get around Vienna whether walking or using the trams or subways throughout the city. So take advantage of this and explore the sights! I was completely in awe while walking the streets in Vienna!
Ringstraße is a great street to walk around, with lots of notable places to stop to look at.
- Vienna State Opera: A symbol of Vienna’s rich musical legacy, hosting operas, ballets, and classical concerts.
- Hofburg: A majestic palace that houses the history of the Habsburg dynasty. With its grand halls, museums, and the Spanish Riding School, the Hofburg is a cultural and architectural gem that reflects centuries of Austrian history.
- Museum of Fine Arts: Has an extensive collection of European art.
- Museum of Natural History: Known for its exhibitions of minerals, fossils, and taxidermied animals.
- The Burgtheater: With a rich history dating back to the 18th century, it remains a cultural hub for theatrics in Vienna.
- The City Hall (“Rathaus”): This is a striking Gothic-style building! Beyond its administrative functions, it serves as a venue for cultural events, festivals, and the famous Vienna Christmas Market.
- The Parliament: Its beautiful structure and historical significance make it a notable landmark in Vienna.
Christmas Markets
If you are lucky enough to be in Vienna during the Christmas Market season (or maybe you planned your trip around it!) then you must check out some of the world’s best Christmas Markets. The markets are usually from the middle of November to Christmas, with some staying open or turning into New Year’s Markets, through the first week of January. Check out all locations and times for Christmas Markets here. Get warm punch in festive mugs, eat Kürtőskalács, a dough with sweet toppings such as cinnamon, or purchase Christmas ornaments and you will be sure to feel the incredible holiday spirit in Vienna. You can also go ice skating in the City Hall Square!
There is so much to do, but I hope this short list of the best things to do in Vienna helps to inspire your trip or makes it the perfect trip!
Follow for more on social media and email me with any questions! If you check out any of these things to do in Vienna I would love to know what you think!