A visit to Vienna, Austria, is perfect for those who love history, music, and coffee! Here are our top things to see and do during your visit to the vibrant city.
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Historical Landmarks & the Habsburg Empire
Vienna was the heart of the Habsburg Empire and has many regal and elegant historical landmarks to explore.
Schönbrunn Palace
Possibly the most impressive site in Vienna to visit during your trip is Schönbrunn Palace. This site was the summer residence of the Hapsburg dynasty since the 16th century. During your visit, you can view the lavish Imperial Apartments and view historical artifacts of Empress Maria Theresa, Emperor Franz Joseph, and many more Hapsburgs.
Perhaps just as impressive as the palace are the gardens. These are proclaimed a World Heritage Site. Make sure to see the Neptune Fountain and to visit the Palm House greenhouse filled with exotic plants. Definitely make time to walk up to the Gloriette on top of the hill for panoramic views of Vienna.
If you are touring Vienna with kids, don’t miss Schönbrunn Palace Children’s Museum, Maze, Labryinth, Labyrinthikon Playground, and Schönbrunn Zoo. The Children’s Museum offers kids opportunities to learn what’s it is like to be a royal, complete with dress-up opportunities! Get a little lost in the Maze & Labryinth which includes a series of three hedge mazes. The Labryinthikon Playground is a great place to let the kids run around after touring the palace. The Schönbrunn Zoo is also a hit with kids and kids-at-heart. Opened in 1752, it’s known as the world’s oldest zoo and features 600 species of animals.
Hofburg Palace
Located in the heart of Vienna is the Hofburg Palace. This was the winter palace of the Habsburg empire for more than 600 years. Today it serves as the office for Austria’s President. But you can still visit much of the palace. Tour the lavishly decorated Imperial Apartments where Emporer Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth (Sisi) lived.
The Sisi Museum provides a glimpse into the life of the enigmatic Empress Elisabeth (Sisi). Sisi became empress of Austria in 1854, but she struggled fitting in and pleasing her strict mother-in-law Archduchess Sophie. Renowned for her beauty and ankle-length hair, Sisi followed a strict diet and exercise regime. In her later years, she traveled extensively throughout Europe and was assassinated at the age of 60 by an Italian anarchist.
You can also enjoy a show or view the training routines of the Lipizzaner horses at the Spanish Riding School. Guided tours of the stables and arena are also available. And don’t miss the Imperial Treasury to see the Austrian Crown Jewels. For more opulence, also check out the Silver Collection.
St. Stephen’s Cathedral (Stephansdom)
St. Stephen’s Cathedral’s towering spires soar over the heart of Vienna. Dating from the 12th century, the Gothic cathedral features an ornate facade with intricate carvings. Take a tour of the cathedral to learn all about its history and works of art.
For great views of the city, climb up 343 steps to the South Tower. You can also climb up the unfinished North Tower to see the Pummerin, the largest bell in Austria. Then descend into the Catacombs on a guided tour to learn about the people buried there and Hapsburg burial rituals.
Best of all, opt for the All-Inclusive Pass that includes all of this plus the cathedral’s museum and Treasury of the Teutonic Order.
Art & Culture
Vienna is famous for its classical music heritage. Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss all lived and created their most influential music in the city. As home to the Habsburg Empire, Vienna is also the location of some tremendous works of art collected by the royal family. And coffee has been a part of the culture since the 17th century invasion by the Ottoman empire. No trip to Vienna is complete without paying homage to the music, art, and Viennese coffee shops.
Vienna State Opera
The Vienna State Opera is housed in a building completed in 1869. The design features both Gothic and Renaissance architecture with Emperor Franz Joseph personally dictating some of the details. Take a 40 minute guided tour of the gorgeous building to see the details and other interesting facts.
Better yet, purchase tickets for a concert, opera, ballet, or anything else that might be happening during your visit! There are also 435 Standing Room Tickets available for purchase online or in person at the Bundestheater box office from 10 a.m. on the day of the event. Starting 80 minutes before the performance, standing tickets can also be purchased at the Standing Room box office.
MuseumsQuartier
MuseumsQuartier is Vienna’s creative and cultural hub. Originally the imperial stables for the Habsburgs, the space has been transformed into a unique urban space filled with art, music, festivals, and places to lounge. Take one of the guided tours available to learn more about the history and architecture of the space.
MuseumsQuartier is home to several terrific museums. The Leopold Museum features an extensive collection of Austrian art, including works by Egon Schiele and Gustav Klimt. The MUMOK (Museum of Modern Art) features modern and contemporary art. The Kunstalle Wien features international contemporary art meant to spur discussion on social relations. There’s also the ZOOM Kindermuseum focusing on interactive exhibits to introduce children to science, art, culture and architecture.
There are also various event venues on site, many located inside the former riding halls of the stables. See a dance performance at Tanzquartier Wien, a theater production at Dschungel Wien, or a concert or play at Halle E+G.
Even if you don’t want to visit a museum or attend a performance, you should still spend some time at the MuseumsQuartier. Wander through passages that connect the historical buildings to the more contemporary structures on-site. These passages serve as exhibition spaces for art installations, light projections, and digital exhibits. There are also lot of places to relax and get a meal or drink.
Albertina Museum
If you haven’t had your fill of art at the MuseumsQuartier, the Albertina Museum offers a world-class collection of masterpieces housed in a former imperial palace. It is home to the one of the largest collections of graphic art in the world, including sketches by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael. If you are an art-lover, you will enjoy seeing the museums collection of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist and Modernist works by Monet, Van Gogh, Matisse, and Picasso. The museum also features a collection of Austrian and international art from the 20th and 21st centuries. These are located in the Albertina Modern building just a few steps away from the main building.
Even if art really isn’t your thing, a visit to the museum provides a glimpse of royal life. You can tour the palace rooms which are lavishly decorated with chandeliers, period furniture, and gilded everything!
Belvedere Palace
If you love palaces and art, Belvedere Palace should top your list of sites to see in Vienna. The palace was built in the 18th century as a summer home to Prince Eugene of Savoy. There are two beautiful Baroque buildings on-site. Upper Belvedere houses the main art collection while Lower Belvedere has historical exhibits and temporary art shows. You can also tour the Orangery and Palace Stables featuring rotating contemporary and medieval art exhibits. The most famous work housed in Belvedere Palace is Gustav Klimt’s “The Kiss.” There are works by famous Austrian artists as well as Medieval, Baroque, and Impressionist masterpieces.
There are a variety of private guided tours available. You can also stroll through the palace’s French-style gardens featuring fountains, sculptures, and symmetrical flowerbeds. Enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of Vienna from the gardens.
Kunsthistorisches Museum
The final museum we will highlight in Vienna is the Kunsthistorisches Museum. This is one of the world’s greatest art museums filled with works by the great masters, Europe’s best Egyptian collection, and Habsburg treasures. The building was commissioned by Emperor Franz Joseph I in the late 19th century and features Renaissance Revival architecture. You will marvel at its soaring dome, imperial-style halls, and murals painted by Gustav Klint.
The Habsburg emperors amassed a great deal of art over the centuries, including works by Raphael, Rembrandt, Caravaggio, Bruegel, and Rubens. They also acquired the many artifacts in the Egyptian collection, including mummies, sarcophagi, hieroglyphic tablets, and pharaoh statues. There are also collections from Mesopotamia, Babylon, and Assyria. Plus, there is an impressive collection of Greek and Roman Antiquities.
Other notable objects in the collection are the Kunstkammer, the Habsburg dynasty’s cabinet of curiosities of rare and unusual objects. The museum also has one of the world’s largest coin collections with over 600,000 pieces. There’s a collection of historical musical instruments as well as objects from the Imperial Armoury.
Viennese Coffeehouse Culture
Another way to soak up Viennese culture is by visiting a coffeehouse. In 1683, the Ottoman empire attacked the city of Vienna. After the Habsburg army defeated the Ottomans, they found bags of coffee beans left behind by the invaders. The Viennese paired the coffee beans with milk and sugar, and cafes dedicated to the beverage began popping up through the city. This tradition is now recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Visit an elegant coffeehouse and sip on a single cup of coffee without ever being rushed. These coffeehouses are great places to read, write, and people-watch. Must-try drinks include the signature Melange (similar to cappuccino), Einspänner (black coffee with whipped cream), Kapuziner (strong coffee with a dash of cream), Faiker (strong coffee with a shot of rum), and the Maria Theresia (coffee with orange liqueur).
Pair your beverage with an iconic Vienne pastry like sachertorte (chocolate cake with apricot jam), apfelstrudel (apple strudel with vanilla sauce), kaiserschmarrn (caramelized shredded pancakes), topfenstrudel (curd cheese strudel), or Gugelhupf (classic Austrian Bundt cake). Some must-visit coffee houses include Cafe Central, Cafe Sacher, Cafe Landtmann, Cafe Sperl, and Cafe Hawelka.
Outdoor Adventures
After spending days marveling at amazing art and lavish interiors of the many Habsburg palaces, you will want to get a little fresh air. No worries – Vienna has you covered!
Prater Park
Vienna’s legendary Prater Park offers something for everyone. The space contains not only a traditional city park but also an amusement park, beer gardens, a stadium, and many other attractions.
Take a ride on the 213 foot tall Wiener Riesenrad (Giant Ferris Wheel). Dating from 1897, it’s one of the oldest Ferris wheels in the world. If you prefer to stay on the ground, you can ride the Liliputbahn (Miniature Steam Train) for a tour of the park. And if you want even more adventure, don’t miss Wurstelprater, Prater’s amusement park area. Fill your thrill quota with roller coaster, ghost trains, fun houses, and classic fairground rides. Admission to the park is free – you only pay for the rides you want to try.
Of course, you can visit Prater Park to just enjoy nature and outdoor activities. The park offers walking paths, cycling trails, and plenty of places to picnic. Speaking of food, there are plenty of food stalls, restaurants, and beer gardens to try. Sample stelze (crispy pork knuckle), schnitzel (thin breaded meat), langos (flatbread with garlic and cheese), and other Austrian favorites.
If you are lucky, you might be able to attend a football match or concert at Ernst Happel Stadium. But no matter when you go, you can see famous Austrians at Madame Tussauds Vienna, try indoor skydiving at Windobona, or see a show at the Zeiss Planetarium. You truly could spend all of your time in Vienna in Prater Park!
Naschmarkt
Nashmarkt is Vienna’s most famous open-air market dating back to the 16th century. Home to over 100 food stalls, it’s a great place to find local fruits, veggies, cheeses, meats, spices, wines, and schnapps. Morning is the best time to visit for the most variety and freshness. There are also stalls offering prepared foods featuring both Austrian and international delicacies. Many stalls offer tastings, so definitely ask if this is available.
On Saturdays, the Naschmarkt parking lot offers a flea market. No matter what you are searching for, you will likely find it! It’s a great place to find that perfect souvenir from your Vienna vacation.
Vienna Woods (Wienerwald)
On the outskirts of Vienna lies the Vienna Woods (Wienerwald). A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, this beautiful forested region is a great place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. There are many great scenic hiking/biking trails offering views of the city and the Danube River. For the best views, visit Kahlenberg or Leopoldsberg.
The woods are also home to historic castles and ruins. Tour the medieval Burg Liechtenstein castle and the Heiligenkreuz Abbey. You can also admire the haunting ruins of Mödling Castle and Baden Aqueduct & Castle. Another historic site to visit is Mayerling where you can learn about the mysterious death of Crown Prince Rudolf in 1889.
There are plenty of charming grape-growing villages in the woods. You can stop and enjoy a glass of wine at a traditional Heuriger (wine tavern) in Gumpoldskirchen or Perchtoldsdorf. Ask for a glass of Grüner Veltliner or Gemischter Satz, two famous Viennese white wines.
For animal encounters, visit the Lainzer Teirgarten (Wildlife Park). On this former imperial hunting ground you can see deer, wild boar, and many species of birds. Here you can also tour Hermesvilla, Empress Sisi’s “Castle of Dreams.” This was built by her husband in the hopes of keeping the travel-loving Sisi closer to Vienna.
Danube River & Donauinsel (Danube Island)
The Danube River flows through the northeast part of Vienna. While away from the historic city center, it’s still a great place to spend time during your visit to Vienna. Enjoy a sightseeing cruise to view Vienna’s skyline and modern architecture. Or opt for a dinner cruise complete with Austrian cuisine and music. Other ways to enjoy the waters of the Danube are by kayak, stand-up paddleboarding, wakeboarding, windsurfing, sailing, and speedboat. There’s great fishing there, too.
Take the U-Bahn (Metro) U1 (red line) to Donauinsel Station to explore the Danube Island. Or you can rent a bike or scooter and ride along Reichsbrücke (bridge) from Praterstern to the island. Once there, swimming and sunbathing opportunities abound. The most popular area is Copa Beach, which is also has bars and restaurants. There are also over 26 miles of traffic-free paths suitable for cycling, skating, running, or simply walking and enjoying the waterfront views.
For panoramic views of both the city and the Danube, ascend 827 feet in the Danube Tower (Donautrum). Enjoy a leisurely meal at the rotating restaurant or drink at the pop-up bar at the top of the tower. Then make your way down via the Turm Slide, Europe’s highest slide. Within just a few seconds, you could find yourself moving at the speed of more than 11 miles per hour!
What’s topping your list of things to do in Vienna?
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