Vienna has something for everyone. Grand Baroque architecture, dazzling imperial palaces and lively coffee houses. Centuries old history, some of the world’s most famous artists and composers, and lots of green space. There is far more to see than you could pack into a few days or even a week, but here are a few of the best things to do in Vienna.
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Why Visit Vienna?
The Austrian capital is home to not one but two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Historic Centre of Vienna and the Schönbrunn Palace, a recognition of the city’s rich history and cultural significance. But in reality the whole of Vienna feels like an open-air museum, with its old town full of architectural masterpieces and ringed by a grand boulevard, and the varied architecture and modern buildings elsewhere.
Then there is the art and the music. Vienna is known as the City of Music, having inspired many renowned composers. The Vienna State Opera – hosting both opera and ballet – is one of the most important opera houses in the world, and elsewhere in the city you will find a choice of classical music performances every day of your visit. Vienna is equally famous for its artists, with museums and galleries full of their works, both classical and modern.
But there is more. There is a long history to explore – not just the well known imperial history, but also the city’s Roman and medieval past. There are parks, riverside walks and boat trips. And – last but very much not least – you can enjoy the food and the famous Viennese coffeehouse culture.
What To See And Do In Vienna
Some of the main attractions are shown below. But if you are a first time visitor, make sure you spend some time just walking the streets and soaking up the atmosphere. And take some time out to sip a coffee and indulge in a bit of people watching.
The Historic Centre Of Vienna
The first of the city’s UNESCO sites is the Historic Centre Of Vienna. Here you will find many of the most famous sites, including St Stephen’s Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece that dominates the city skyline, and the Hofburg Palace, the former royal residence, which houses the Sisi Museum, the Imperial Apartments, and the Spanish Riding School.
The World Heritage Site also includes the grand boulevard of the Ringstrasse with its green space and museums, and the gardens and galleries of the Belvedere Palace. Walking through the old city is like stepping back in time, a return to the days of imperial Vienna.
Read more: The Historic Centre of Vienna, A World Heritage Site.
Discover The Architecture
Vienna may be best known for its Baroque architecture, but even in the historic city you’ll find medieval buildings and eye-catching modern structures among the imperial palaces and churches. Look out for the late 20th century Haus Haus right next to St Stephen’s Cathedral or the dramatic UNO City, an official base of the United Nations.
The Art Nouveau movement is particularly well-represented. Landmarks include the once-controversial Secession Building and the Urania Observatory, built beside the Danube Canal in 1910 and housing a cinema, a planetarium and a café bar. Then there are the whimsical designs of Friedensreich Hundertwasser (read more about Hundertwasser In Vienna).
Museums And Galleries
Vienna’s many museums cater to a wide range of interests. The Museum Quarter (MuseumsQuartier) is a cultural hub with world class galleries like the Leopold Museum or Mumok (the Museum of Modern Art), and contemporary exhibition spaces such as Kunsthalle Wien. The Museum Quarter is also a lively area with cafés and open spaces, making it a great place to relax and enjoy the city’s cultural vibe.
Other museums are housed around the Ringstrasse. Here you will find the Kunsthistorisches Museum and the Museum of Natural History. And across the city are a whole variety of museums, covering subjects from music to history to niche topics like the Rauchfangkehrer Museum (Chimney Sweep Museum).
Schönbrunn Palace
Once the summer residence of the Habsburgs, Schönbrunn Palace is the city’s second World Heritage Site. According to UNESCO it is “a remarkable Baroque ensemble and a perfect example of Gesamtkunstwerk”. Gesamtkunstwerk is a German concept relating to the fusion of different art forms: in this case it refers to the way in which the gardens form an “organic extension” to the palace itself.
The magnificent palace offers a glimpse into the life of imperial Vienna. Visitors can explore the opulent state apartments and learn about the lives of the Habsburgs. But if you are short of time, or don’t want to pay to go inside the palace, the extensive grounds are free to explore.
Allow plenty of time to walk the woodland paths, where you can discover elaborate fountains and even some mock Roman ruins. And climb the hill to the Gloriette, a pavilion with stunning views of the city and a very nice restaurant. The gardens also include several extra attractions for which a ticket is required, including a Zoo (the oldest in Europe) and the Privy Garden.
Schönbrunn is around half an hour by underground train from the centre of Vienna. It is possible to take a guided tour around the house and gardens. The palace also hosts concerts and seasonal events, such as Christmas and Easter markets.
Roman Remains
It could be argued that Vienna has a third UNESCO World Heritage Site, as the city sits on the line of the “Danube Limes”, a transnational boundary of walls, ditches and fortifications that marked the northern frontier of the Roman Empire. Although there isn’t a vast amount to see today, Vienna was once a Roman military camp known as Vindobona.
The Roman influence is still evident in the layout of the old city, and you can find remains of Vienna’s Roman history if you look hard enough. And, a short distance from Vienna you can visit the Roman camp of Carnuntum.
Read more about Discovering Roman Vienna.
River Trips
Vienna is situated on the Danube Canal, a waterway connected to the River Danube. Boat trips along the canal offer a way to gain a different perspective on the city and its landmarks, and to enjoy peaceful riverside scenery a short distance from the centre.
A variety of tours are available, from city sightseeing to sunset cruises or evening cruises with dinner. You can also go further afield, joining the Danube River to travel as far as Melk or Bratislava.
Boat trips depart from the piers near Schwedenplatz in the old town.
Day Trips From Vienna
Vienna’s location makes it an ideal base for day trips. Visit the nearby town of Melk to see its stunning abbey, or explore the wine villages of the Wachau Valley. And Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, is just an hour away by train.
Read more about Day Trips from Vienna by Train.
Eating And Drinking In Vienna
Food is one of the pleasures of a trip to Vienna, with numerous restaurants and cafés serving local and international cuisine. Meat eaters will want to try the classic Wiener Schnitzel, or Tafelspitz, a dish of boiled beef or veal served with horseradish and apple sauce. Most places will also offer vegetarian options – look out for Käsespätzle (a dish of fresh noodles with cheese and caramelised onions) or rich mushroom goulashes.
In the historic centre I particularly enjoyed meals at the Griechenbeisl (the city’s oldest restaurant) and the Zwölf Apostelkeller, a historic underground cellar. Another popular spot for food is the Vienna Naschmarkt, a short distance from the centre. Here you will find rows of restaurants and fast food stalls, offering everything from local cuisine to exotic flavours (and you can also buy cheese, meats and spices to take home with you).
Vienna is also known for its café culture, a tradition since the late 17th century when the first coffee houses were established. Over time, these cafés evolved into cultural hubs, attracting writers, artists, and intellectuals. They continue to flourish today, as places to take time out from the busy city, and to enjoy sweet delicacies such as Apfelstrudel or Sacher Torte (you can even sample the latter at its original home, the Café Sacher).
Note that some restaurants and cafés are closed on a Sunday.
How To Visit Vienna
- Vienna is well connected to other major European cities by road, train or air.
- The City Airport Train (CAT) runs from the airport to Wien Mitte station. The journey takes 16 minutes.
- The city is easy to navigate and much of it can be explored on foot, but watch out for fast cyclists on shared footpaths.
- Public transport is widespread and efficient. Single tickets can be purchased online or at underground stations. They are valid for one journey with unlimited changes up to 80 minutes from first use (don’t forget to validate the ticket prior to use). You can also buy passes for 24 or 72 hours.
- You can visit many of the main sites on the Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus.
- You may want to consider buying a Vienna Pass for access to the Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus and several of the city’s main attractions.
- I stayed at the Hotel Rathauspark, which was basic but friendly and well situated for access to the major sights. For a wide choice of places to stay have a look at the options on booking.com.
