Vienna: 15 Must-Visit Places!

Vienna, a city rich in music, stunning architecture, natural beauty, and history, offers countless places to explore! Here is a map featuring the top 15 must-visit attractions in Vienna. With each location plotted on the map, you can easily plan your route for the day, walking from one spot to another while soaking in the charm of the city's streets. The notes I’ve included reflect my personal experiences at each location, but I’ve also aimed to provide objective insights and practical tips to help you decide whether or not each place is worth a visit. For a complete guide to Vienna—covering budget tips, food, transportation, day trips, accommodation, and more—be sure to check out my comprehensive guide: “Vienna: Everything You Really Need to Know,” linked at the end of this list! Enjoy Vienna!

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15 Must- Visit Places

The order in which I’ve listed the places starts from the center, Stephansplatz, and extends outward toward Schönbrunn Palace. The only exception is Prater, which is located on the other side of the Donaukanal.

1. Saint Stephen’s Cathedral

Saint Stephen's Cathedral

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Saint Stephen's Cathedral is a unique building located in the center of Vienna at Stephansplatz. The cathedral has a rich history, with sources suggesting that construction began as early as 1137! I won’t delve into the historical details here, but I thought that date was incredibly old. Visitors can enter the cathedral for free, but tickets are available for guided access, which includes a digital audio guide for your smartphone, entry to the south and north towers, the catacombs, and the cathedral museum. Each of these experiences costs €7 per adult separately, but there is also an all-inclusive ticket priced at €25 per adult. Unfortunately, during my visit to the cathedral, I wasn’t able to explore any of these options to provide recommendations. Like Karlskirche, Saint Stephen's Cathedral frequently hosts classical music concerts!

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2. Mozart Haus

Mozart Haus

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Mozart Haus is the apartment where Mozart lived for 3 years, composing many of his greatest works. It is the only one of his residences that still exists today. My honest take: if you enjoy listening to audio guides with a lot of historical information, or if you're a musician who understands sheet music, this place is perfect for you. Photography inside was not allowed, so I couldn’t upload any examples, but the apartment is quite basic. It showcases the various rooms where the great musician spent those 3 years of his life, explaining each room in detail. It also displays a large collection of sheet music and documents. The audio guide even shares some interesting gossip about Mozart and his wife, along with visuals at the end! Overall, it's an okay museum for the average visitor, but if you’re interested in any of the things I mentioned above, it will be a much better experience for you! A visit to the museum can take 1–2 hours, depending on whether you choose to listen to all the audio guide tracks. We entered the Mozart Haus for "free" using our Vienna Pass!

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3. Rathausplatz

Rathausplatz

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During our visit, we happened to come across a film festival at Rathausplatz so we didn’t visit the building. The Film Festival at Vienna’s Rathausplatz is a popular summer event that combines culture, great food, and fun. With free entry, it has attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors for over 30 years. A mix of top music films and international cuisine creates a unique experience in one of Vienna’s most beautiful settings. This square often hosts many of the city’s events, such as the Wiener Eistraum, Steirerwoche, Bike Festival, Film Festival, Christmas market and more. You might easily "accidentally" visit Vienna during one of these, as they’re held throughout the year with only a few days off!

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4. Volksgarten

Volksgarten

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This is a beautiful garden that you can add to your itinerary before or after your visit to the Hofburg, the Natural History Museum, or the Art History Museum. It’s a charming and relatively calm place, with not many people around.

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5. Sisi Museum

Sisi Museum

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The Sisi Museum is incredibly beautiful, and no wonder that it’s so busy and filled with visitors. It houses a collection of Empress Elizabeth's belongings, featuring stunning jewelry and exquisite dresses that showcase her impeccable taste. The Stephan Apartments are also absolutely gorgeous. Unfortunately, we weren’t allowed to take any photos or videos inside, so I don’t have any original pictures to share. The Sisi Museum is also included in the Vienna Pass.

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6. Imperial Treasury

Imperial Treasury Vienna

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A gold digger's dream! Just kidding. The Imperial Treasury, located inside the famous Hofburg Palace, houses a truly remarkable collection. As the name suggests, this museum showcases a vast array of imperial treasures that once belonged to the House of Habsburg, one of the most influential dynasties in history. The collection is breathtaking, featuring stunning jewels, relics, and mementos, making it the most important treasury in the world. This museum is also included in the Vienna Pass.

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7. Weltmuseum

Weltmuseum Wien

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The Weltmuseum is an ethnographic museum that houses 3,127 objects and curiosities from around the world, showcasing many different cultures and civilizations. It’s a fascinating museum with a unique layout that gently guides you through different parts of the world in a calm, relaxing way. It offers a peaceful experience where you can appreciate the creativity of our ancestors. The museum also features an imperial armory collection, which is incredibly impressive and was my favorite part of the visit. Additionally, it holds a collection of musical instruments from around the globe. This museum is also included in the Vienna Pass.

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8. Schmetterlinghaus

Schmetterlinghaus

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Schmetterlinghaus translates to "Butterfly House," and that’s exactly what it is—a large greenhouse that’s home to extraordinary, giant butterflies! It was quite crowded when we visited, both in August and October, so be prepared for that. I really enjoyed my time there; despite the crowds, it was a calming and joyful environment. I was lucky enough to have three butterflies land on me—two blue ones and a yellow one on my clothes! I fell in love with them; they were so pretty! I’ve read many reviews complaining that it’s overpriced for the number of species it has, but if you haven’t seen such large butterflies in your life, the experience is worth it. In my opinion, don’t miss this place! Unfortunately, this attraction is not included in the Vienna Pass, and it cost us €9.50.

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9. Natural History Museum

Museum of Natural History Vienna

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This is the largest Natural History Museum I’ve ever visited. It boasts an extensive collection that takes you on a journey through the centuries, from dinosaurs to human evolution, showcasing all kinds of animals, as well as the largest meteorite collection. It’s truly fascinating to see and discover up close the wide variety of once-living creatures. You’ll need at least two hours to explore the entire museum, and even then, it’s hard to focus on every single exhibit. I recommend visiting it either first thing in the morning, when your mind is fresh and you can fully enjoy it, or leave it for the end of your day, giving your brain time to process everything afterward. I remember feeling quite tired after visiting—not because it wasn’t a great museum (it really was!), but because the collection is so vast that I felt overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information, lol. This museum is also included in the Vienna Pass!

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10. Naschmarkt

Naschmarkt

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Naschmarkt is the most famous market in Vienna, offering local delicacies, unique items, and a wide variety of restaurants featuring cuisines from around the world. Here, we bought some nuts—almonds covered in blueberry sauce and cashews with cinnamon and sugar. They were SO delicious! We also got to try some stuffed olives and dried fruit, as the vendors offer samples to entice people passing by to buy their goods. You can definitely enjoy a satisfying snack just by strolling through the market!

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11. Karlskirche

Karlskirche

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The Karlskirche (Church of St. Charles) is one of Vienna's most recognizable monuments, showcasing Baroque splendor and significant historical and religious importance. Its prominent green dome rises above Karlsplatz, serving as a symbol of the city and standing as a masterpiece of sacred architecture in Central Europe. Designed by the renowned Baroque architect Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach, it was his last major project and greatly influenced the architectural style of Vienna. The interior is absolutely stunning—one of the best church interiors I’ve seen in Vienna! The marble sculptures in neutral tones, adorned with golden details, are truly breathtaking. The church charges an admission fee of €9 per adult, with discounts available for students, children, and seniors. The ticket includes access to the museums inside the church, the climb up the towers to the balcony, and a close-up view of the organ, which also serves as a high vantage point for admiring the church's interior. I truly believe it’s well worth a visit! In addition, the church is surrounded by a lovely large park- square, Karlsplatz, which is a wonderful place to walk and relax.

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12. Belvendere Palace

Belvedere Palace

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Belvedere Palace is one of the most important art museums in the world, as its collection features significant masterpieces, including the famous painting "The Kiss" by the Austrian artist Gustav Klimt. The palace is divided into the Upper Belvedere, situated at the top of the hill, and the Lower Belvedere, located at the lower end of the beautiful gardens that separate the two. The Lower Belvedere includes the Marble Hall, the Marble Gallery, the Gold Cabinet, an adjoining orangery, and ornate stables, while the state rooms of the Upper Belvedere house an extensive art collection spanning from the Middle Ages to the present day. Both palaces require considerable time to explore, so I suggest planning them for a lighter museum day or making them your sole museum visit for the day. Both palaces are included in the Vienna Pass.

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13. Schönbrunn Palace

Schönbrunn Palace

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Oh my, where do I even start with this one? The entire Schönbrunn Palace is an absolute masterpiece. Firstly, it is huge, and you will need a full day to explore it completely. We went to the palace, and at the entrance, even though we had the Vienna Pass, they gave us a separate ticket with a specific entry time as it is montatory to book with specific time when buying the ticket directly from the palace's website aswell. This set us back a bit in our plans. We walked through the gardens and visited the zoo until our entry time—if only we had known! The zoo is massive as well. It took us quite a while to reach its entrance because the gardens are extensive. Then we had to rush from a certain point onward because we were running out of time and needed to walk back to the palace. So, my advice: if you have less than 3 hours before your admission to the palace, don’t go to the zoo! It’s beautiful, but it’s best explored without the pressure of time. A leisurely stroll to the maze or a ride on the little train to the Gloriette would be a better choice. The rooms of the palace are stunning and beautifully designed! The Baroque interior stole my heart in every corner. Everything at Schönbrunn is included in the Vienna Pass, and I would highly recommend it if you’re planning to visit Schönbrunn along with other museums mentioned in this guide. The reason is that full access to the attractions at Schönbrunn would cost almost half the price of a 6-day Vienna Pass!

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14. Schönbrunn Zoo

Schönbrunn Zoo

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Schönbrunn Zoo is said to be the oldest zoo in the world. It is home to 700 different animal species and is quite massive! You’ll need around three hours to explore it all, so take your time and ensure your admission to the palace is either before your visit to the zoo or at least 3-4 hours afterward. The gardens of Schönbrunn are extensive, and it took us some time to walk from the palace to the zoo, so keep that in mind. You’ll need around 10-15 minutes of a brisk walk between the two points. At the zoo, you’ll receive a map that’s a bit hard to read but still somewhat useful, along with a leaflet detailing the animals’ feeding times, which is a nice experience to watch. I can’t forget how the seals were behaving—it was incredible! The animals have large habitats, which is a definite plus. And don’t miss the underground habitat for the penguins to watch them swim! The zoo is included in the Vienna Pass, just like the rest of Schönbrunn.

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15. Prater

Prater

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The Prater was originally an imperial hunting ground, accessible only to aristocrats. In 1766, Emperor Josef II opened it to the public as a leisure center, allowing restaurants and entertainment to develop, leading to the creation of the Wurstelprater. It is the world's oldest amusement park, offering incredible rides for every age! In 1895, the "Venice in Vienna" amusement area was established, featuring the iconic Riesenrad (Ferris Wheel), which opened in 1897. I highly recommend riding the world's oldest Ferris Wheel, as it offers splendid views from its large wooden cabins. The Ferris Wheel is included in the Vienna Pass.

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I hope you enjoyed this map list of the 15 Must-Visit Places in Vienna! If you liked my commentary on each location and found it useful, feel free to check out my extensive guide. It includes even more places to explore and plenty of practical information to help you plan your trip.

Vienna: Everything you really need to know!

Shelly Lives

Vienna: Everything you really need to know!

Vienna, a city renowned for its stunning Baroque architecture, rich imperial history, and as the home of Mozart, Strauss, Beethoven, and many other great composers, is often called the "City of Music." Having visited Vienna twice, once in summer and once in autumn, and experiencing two distinct travel styles, I believe I can provide useful information for travelers. During my summer trip, I focused on the "sightseeing and museums" type of travel. In contrast, my autumn trip was more relaxed, with day trips to Salzburg and Hallstatt, while ensuring that the person accompanying me got to experience some must-sees based on their personal preferences. She is a nature lover and not particularly interested in historical museums. The guide includes some do's and don'ts, along with a list of must-visit places. In addition, this guide provides practical tips on transportation, ticketing, and the best times to visit major attractions. I'll also include some of my favorite spots to eat, from cozy cafés to traditional Viennese restaurants, budget friendly tips and days needed to explore this beautiful city! I discuss what you can expect to see and experience at each site, based on my own personal experience, while striving to remain objective. This way, you, as the reader, can choose the places that best suit your preferences and add them to your itinerary. I won’t just write about the history of each place—after all, that's likely the reason you're visiting in the first place, right? Feel free to share your own experiences or ask any questions. I'd love to help make your trip to Vienna as memorable as mine! This guide will continue to be updated every time I visit Vienna and gain new experiences to share with you! Enjoy!

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Thank you for reading, and if you’d like, you can also leave a tip, it would help me out a lot. Happy travels!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Shelly Lives

Hey there! I’m Shelly, a Cypriot girl for whom traveling has always been a dream come true! When booking a trip, I love researching the top places to visit and the best activities that my travel buddies and I can enjoy to create memorable experiences. After countless museum visits during our first city breaks, I now focus on finding unique spots and experiences that stand out from what we've already seen in other countries. This way, every trip offers at least one brand-new adventure—and it's been a success every time! So, I thought, why not help others create awesome experiences too? Besides traveling, I’m passionate about art, nature, animals, and staying active! Hiking and day trips have recently become favorite hobbies of mine, and I love incorporating them into my travel itineraries. Welcome to my profile!

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