Vienna is genuinely one-of-a-kind, with world-famous landmarks like Schönbrunn Palace and St. Stephen's Cathedral, a blend of tradition and modernism, and a famous coffeehouse culture.
In this Vienna travel guide you get:
- How to get around in Vienna
- Things to do (including FREE activities)
- Best Cafés and places to eat
- Things you need to know before visiting
If you want more of Vienna - check out the Complete Vienna Guide with more than 60 things to do, see and taste in Vienna!
*** Disclosure:
For attractions, I provide GetYourGuide and Booking.com links where possible. I myself love the vendors as you can keep all your tickets/stays in one place (even better with the Vienna card), you also get instant confirmation and can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before your planned activity/stay.
Using the links provided also help me as a small business, as I make a commission with no additional charge to you!
You’re in luck when it comes to getting around in Vienna as the public transportation system is efficient and well-connected!
🚇Metro (U-Bahn): Vienna’s metro system is the fastest and most convenient way to travel around the city. It covers most major attractions all centred around St. Stephan Cathedral and is super easy to navigate.The Vienna subway system consists of five colour-coded lines:
❤️Red: U1
💜Purple: U2
🧡Orange: U3
💚Green: U4
🤎Brown: U6
🚎Trams: as a part of Viennas public transportation there’s an extensive tram network that is great for exploring smaller neighbourhoods. Trams are a scenic way to get around Vienna, and they cover most areas where the metro doesn’t go.
🚌Buses: of course public transportation in Vienna also includes buses, providing additional connectivity.
⚠️Remember to validate your ticketTickets to Viennas public transportation must be validated by stamping the ticket at the blue machines located at the entrance of underground stations as well as on buses and trams.
🎟️Where to buy tickets:ticket machines at subway stationsin most tobacco shopsvia the WienMobil appVienna / Flexi Card
💸Rates:
Single ticket: € 2.40 (Children € 1.20)
24-hour Vienna ticket: €8
48-hour Vienna ticket: €14
72-hour Vienna ticket: €17
The VIENNA CARD
There’s two forms of Travel Cards to choose from:
A Vienna City Card offers unlimited travel and discounts on attractions. Which is perfect for those wanting to save time and money on their trip to Vienna. More than 90 tourist attractions, priority access to popular sights and travel on the Hop-on Hop-off Bus is included.
The Vienna Flexi Pass is a sightseeing ticket that gives you entry to 2, 3, 4 or 5 sights and museums! The pass is valid for 60 days from the first use! (the Vienna Pass is valid for 1, 2, 3 or 6 consecutive calendar days).
To both Travel Cards you can select unlimited travel as an add on:
If you select the travel package, your travel card will become activated when you validate it in the blue ticket-punch machine in tube stations, trams or on buses and will then be valid for consecutive 24, 48 or 72 hours according to which one you have bought.
The Belvedere is one of the world's greatest and important museums, as well as one of Vienna's most popular attractions.
Today, a tour of the palace displays two stunning palaces: the Upper and Lower Belvedere, as well as a unique Baroque park. This Baroque palace has 800 years of art history and hosts masterpieces by Klimt, Schiele, Funke, Messerschmidt and van Gogh.
Construction of the Lower Belvedere started in 1712 and the Upper Belvedere build began as early as 1717 and finished in 1723.
This is for the history nerds:
In 1776, Emperor Joseph II decided to transfer the Imperial Picture Gallery from the Hofburg Imperial Palace to the Upper Belvedere. The gallery opened five years later, making it one of the first public museums in the world. While the Upper Belvedere was transformed into a picture gallery at the end of the eighteenth century, the Lower Belvedere served mainly to royal family members fleeing from the French Revolution. Most memorable was Princess Marie Therese Charlotte, the only surviving child of Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI. The museum in the Upper Belvedere was shut down in 1896 when Emperor Franz Joseph decided the Palace should be the residence of his nephew and soon-to-be heir, Franz Ferdinand. After the assassination of Ferdinand and his wife, the following World War One, the collapse of the Habsburg Monarchy in 1918 and damage due to bombing of the Belvedere during World War two, a post war restoration began from 1945-1953 and has made the palace to the museum it is today.
Fun fact: the Belvedere was painted by Adolf Hitler.
A must-see is the museum on the Upper Belvedere, which holds the world's biggest collection of Gustav Klimt paintings. Klimt's "The Kiss" in particular is world-famous. Created in 1908/09 and shows Klimt and his muse Emilie Flöge as a couple in love. The museum also hosts the Character Heads series of busts by Franz Xaver Messerschmidt, a remarkable collection of contorted faces, sculpted in the 1700s and really fun to look at.
Beyond that you can visit the state rooms of Prince Eugene, such as the Marble Hall, the Marble Gallery, the Gold Cabinet, adjoining orangery and ornate stables in the Lower Belvedere.
Fun fact: the name Belvedere, means “beautiful view”.
Avoid waiting at the ticket office and purchase your ticket online. Just show the ticket directly at the entrance to the showrooms and off you go.
Please note the Upper Belvedere Palace is one of Vienna’s most popular attractions and can be crowded, especially during the main season and on holidays.
💸Entrance fee:
Upper Belvedere: €17,7
Lower Belvedere: €15,6
⏰Opening hours:
Upper Belvedere: 9am to 6pm.
Lower Belvedere: 10am to 6pm.
The Hofburg Palace is a must-see when visiting Vienna. It’s not for fun that this complex is called the ‘city within a city’ as it encompasses 240,000m², consisting of 18 wings, 19 courtyards and over 2600 rooms. Built in 1278 and until the end of Habsburg rule in 1918, the Hofburg Palace was home to the Habsburgs for over 600 years and especially famous for the years between 1854 and 1898 when Emperor Franz Joseph I and his wife Elisabeth lived here. At the museum today you can learn about the legendary Empress Elisabeth (nickname Sisi) through a museum dedicated to her life, examining her true character and habits.
Good to know before visiting the Sisi Museum:
If you buy the Vienna Card, just scan your pass directly at the turnstile of entrance B at the inner courtyard.
A ticket includes a visit to the Imperial Apartments, Sisi Museum and Imperial Silver Collection
There’s no cloakroom so don’t bring large luggage.
💸Entrance fee: €17,50
⏰Opening hours: 10am to 5pm
Last Admission: 1 hour before closing
Schönbrunn Palace is a beautiful example of Baroque architecture in Vienna and was the former summer residence of the Habsburgs since 1569. The complex was extensively redesigned under Maria Theresa in 1743 and went on to be the center of royal affairs in the 18th century. Now Schönbrunn Palace is an UNESCO World Heritage Site. The palace has 1441 rooms, 45 of which are open to the public as museums.
The Imperial tour:
“The private apartments of the last imperial couple to reside at Schönbrunn allow you an insight into their lives, particularly into that of the famous Empress Elisabeth, while also giving you an opportunity to admire the 18th and 19th century interiors.”
The tour is NOT with a guide but Audio guides for the palace are available free of charge!
Please keep in mind that Schönbrunn Palace is one of Vienna's most popular attractions, and it can get very busy during the peak tourist season and on public holidays. To that the Schönbrunn has so much to discover. Make sure you have enough time to explore the entire estate (and the zoo).
Learn more about the fascinating history of the palace and the Habsburgs, you can book yourself a guided tour. (You have to book a time slot when buying a ticket. Note that the selected times of admission are binding and you will be refused entry if you’re late.)
💸Entrance fee: €24
⏰Opening hours*:
Palace: (last admission 45 mins before closing)
November to april: 8.30am to 5pm
May to October: 8.30am to 5.30pm
GARDENS: 6.30am to 5.30pm
*note that the ticket office on site opens at 9am - if you buy a ticket online you can pick up your ticket at the GROUP CENTER aka. Not the ticket office. The group center is located outside of the palace grounds next to the train station.
Good to know before you go:
There’s a cloakroom but only for bags and NOT coats.
It is NOT allowed to take pictures or videos inside the museum.
Audio Guides are included in the admission ticket.
Personally, I loved Schönbrunn Palace and wish I had spent more time here!
How to get to Schönbrunn Palace:
It’s easiest to get here by train or bus. Take the U4 train or 10A bus and get off at Schloss Schönbrunn.
The St. Stephen’s Cathedral is Vienna’s landmark and one of the city’s must-sees. At 136 meters, it is the tallest church in Austria, and its extraordinary architecture amazes visitors from all over the world.
There are 13 bells, with the Pummerin being one of the largest free-swinging bells in the world. At new years eve the Pummerin rings in the new year and st. Stephens cathedral is the place to be.
Another attraction is the breathtaking viewpoints. The most beautiful panorama can be seen from the Pummerin lookout on the north tower.
💸Entrance fee: FREE
⏰Opening hours:
Monday to Saturday: 9am to 11am and again from 1pm to 4.30pm
Sundays and public holidays: 1pm to 4.30pm
At this unmissable museum you get collections covering biology, earth sciences, anthropology and archaeology spanning five millennia - from ancient Egypt and Greece to the late 18th century - in a building designed as a total work of art.
Prepare to spend hours upon hours here.
Emperor Franz Joseph founded the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna (also just called KHM) to house the imperial collections, and is now one of the most significant museums in the world.
During their long reign, which began in the Middle Ages, the Habsburg dynasty accumulated an enormous collection of art, including rich and exquisite pieces, as well as rarities and wonders that may still be seen today.
In the magnificent domed hall is the famous Kunsthistorisches Museums Café with its red velvet circle couch (psst visit the third floor for great views of the whole café) that serve traditional Viennese coffee specialties, pastries and traditional snacks for short breaks.
You can find many stunning pieces of art and get lost in the 20 rooms with 2162 objects on display, including Pieter Bruegels biblical Tower of Babel from the Renaissance.
💸Entrance fee: €21
⏰Opening hours (Last admission: 30 mins before closing):
JANUARY - MAY
Monday: Closed
Open: 10am to 6pm
JUNE - AUGUST
Open: 10am to 6pm
SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER
MondayClosed
Open: 10am to 6pm
Europe’s largest Baroque library with a Grand hall of 80 meters in length, houses over 200,000 historic books.
The State Hall of the Austrian National Library is one of the world's most beautiful historic libraries.
The frescoes in the entrance wing show worldly and military themes.
The famous fresco in the cupola, which is 30 metres high, presents the apotheosis, or deification, of Charles VI, with an allegory on the construction of the Library.
The State Hall is home to 200,000 valuable books published between 1501 and 1850?
💸Entrance fee: €10
⏰Opening hours: Friday-Wednesday: 10am-6pm (Thursday until 9pm)
The Vienna State Opera is the world’s biggest repertory theater, built in 1869, and hosts first-class productions. The opera is known for its Grand Staircase
The only way to visit the Opera House is by booking a guided tour, where you’ll learn a lot of interesting facts about the history of the house, its architecture and the opera business. A maximum of 30 people can participate per tour and can only be purchased online or 30 minutes before the tour starts at the tour check out (entrance corner Opernring/Operngasse).
💸Entrance fee: €13
⏰Opening hours: 9am to 3.15pm
Good to know before you go:
You can’t refund the ticket after purchase.
If you’re late to the tour start, you’ll be denied entry.
Be at the meeting point at least 15 minutes before the tour starts.
Walk in the footsteps of the musical genius Mozart and step into 18th-century Vienna through interactive displays.
💸Entrance fee: €19
⏰Opening hours:
monday to friday: 10am to 8pm
Weekend: 10am to 6pm
Last admission: 1 hour & 15 minutes before closing.
The Schönbrunn Palace complex is so big that it houses Vienna's zoo, which is also the world's oldest zoo. Built in 1752 by Emperor Franz I Stephan, Maria Theresa's husband, it began as a modest collection of wild animals but today it attracts over 2 million visitors a year and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site!
Schönbrunn Zoo received its first giraffe as a gift from the Viceroy of Egypt in 1828; and today it has over 500 animal species.Further information on Schönbrunn Zoo can be found here.
💸Entrance fee: €26
⏰Opening hours: (last admission is 30 min. Before closing time)
APRIL - SEPTEMBER: 9am to 6.30pm
MARCH & OKTOBER: Open 9am to 5.30pm
NOVEMBER - JANUARY: Open 9am to 6.30pm
FEBRUARY: Open 9am to 5pm
This famous wheel marks the entrance to the Prater amusement park and gives spectacular views over Vienna. The Ferris wheel (called Wiener Riesenrad) was built in 1897 and originally had 30 cabins before it was damaged during WWII – then only 15 cabins were rebuilt.
For more than 125 years now, the Ferris Wheel has been putting smiles on visitors, both young and old, with fascinating views of Vienna.
Be aware that a ride on the Ferris Wheel is a really popular activity and the line will be long.
Fun fact: What many don’t know is that Vienna’s Giant Ferris Wheel is an excellent party destination! Whether brunch, lunch, birthday or children’s party, marriage proposal or bachelor party. See more here https://www.zumriesenrad.at/de/gourmet-waggons/
💸Entrance fee: €13,5
⏰Opening hours:
1. APRIL-APRIL 25TH: 10am to 10pm
APRIL 25TH-SEPTEMBER 4TH: 9am to midnight
SEPTEMBER 5TH-OCTOBER 2ND: 9am to 11pm
OCTOBER 3-DECEMBER 30:10am to 10pm
Last ride: 15 minutes before closing time
A very special experience in Vienna is a visit to the Spanish Riding School, which is famous for its Lipizzaner horses. In the Riding Hall next to the Sisi Museum in the Hofburg Palace where demonstrations are held every day at morning practice.
You can book tickets for the morning training, Lipizzaner show or guided tours of the Spanish Riding School.
Take a guided tour of the Spanish Riding School and the Lipizzaner stallions to learn more about its history and admire its impressive architecture.
💸Entrance fee: €17
⏰Morning practice: 10am to 11am
Built between 1872 and 1883 this neo-Gothic style is one of the most impressive sights in Vienna.
Beginning in November, the Rathausplatz square in front of the City Hall is transformed into a Christmas market, and from January to March, the large park in front of City Hall becomes a skating rink.
💸Entrance fee: FREE
⏰Opening hours:
Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 5pm
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Do you want more of Vienna?
Check out the Complete Vienna Guide with more than 60 things to do, see and taste in Vienna!
An UNESCO World Heritage Site in the heart of Vienna - open from 6.30am to 5.30pm.
🌳Hike in the vineyards
When thinking of Vienna, Vineyards might not be the first thing that comes to mind but the views are amazing, and you'll be surrounded by colorful leaves in the vineyards.
🎡A day at Vienna Prater
The Giant Ferris Wheel & other activities at the Prater are not free but the whole park area around the Vienna Amusement Park is completely free.👕“Window shop” at Flea Markets
Vienna has plenty of flea markets & you can visit them for free. The one at Naschmarkt is very popular but there are many more.
⛪Vienna’s Cathedral Stephansdom
Entrance to this iconic church which is the central part of Vienna is completely free.
🖼️Visit a museum in Vienna
On the first Sunday of each month everyone has free entry to museums in Vienna.(psst if you are under 19 yo you have free entry anytime to museums in general)
🕍Justizpalast
A 19th-century courthouse in Vienna is open for the public and perfect for getting those insta-worthy photos on a grand staircase.
🗽Palais Daun-Kinsky
This old Vienna Palace has become famous for its frescoed ceiling above the grand staircase. During opening hours of the auction house you can just walk in.
discovering Austria’s largest garden of lights 25 km outside of Vienna city centre. Explore 3 km of illuminated paths through a castle park, featuring spectacular water, laser, and light shows, unique light installations by international artists, and impressive projections. Strolling through this illuminated mystical park during snowfall was a very special experience & it is a good date location! 🫶🏻✨
📍Illumina Garden of Lights, Laxenburg Castle Park
I would recommend to book a time slot ticket as it is cheaper and there are no queues! You‘ll have to enter the park within 20 min (+30 min delay) but your time inside the park is unlimited.
Inside the Kunsthistorisches Museum's magnificent domed hall is this famous Café, famous for its red velvet circle couch, that serves traditional Viennese coffee specialties, pastries and traditional snacks for short breaks.
The Sachertorte is a proud symbol of the Austrian capital. It's a dense, chocolate sponge cake made with thin layers of apricot jam that's topped with a semi-firm chocolate icing.
A must-visit traditional Viennese cafe is of course Café Central.
They only accept walk-ins so make sure to plan enough time, because sometimes you’ll have to wait a little for a free table.
4 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING VIENNA 🇦🇹
🛍️ SHOPS ARE CLOSED ON SUNDAYS
On Sundays, in Vienna, most shops, including supermarkets, stay closed and on Saturdays they are only open until 6 pm. However, you’ll find a few exceptions like souvenir shops and supermarkets at train stations with extended hours. 🛒
🏛️ SOME BUILDINGS CAN ONLY BE VISITED WITH A GUIDED TOUR
Some of Vienna’s most amazing buildings can only be visited with a guided tour, which I can absolutely recommend. The rooms in the Austrian Parliament, the State Opera, the City Hall or the Burgtheater are too stunning to miss them. 🎭
🖼️ MOST MUSEUMS ARE FREE OF CHARGE UNDER 19 AND SOME ON SPECIAL DATES
Many of the most interesting and stunning museums are free for visitors under the age of 19, including the Art History Museum, the Natural History Museum, the Albertina Museum or the Belvedere.Some museums are free on the first Sunday of the month like the Hermesvilla, the Museum of Military History or the Clock Museum. The Leopold Museum is free every first Thursday of the month between 6 pm and 9 pm. 🎨
💶 REMEMBER TO TAKE SOME CASH WITH YOU
Although credit cards are widely accepted, you should always have some cash with you. At some sights like the St. Stephen’s Cathedral or the St. Charles’s Church you can only pay cash and some cafés don’t accept cards as well. When visiting the Christmas Markets you should also take cash with you. 👛
20m from centrum (aka. In the middle)
€93 / night
8,4 rating
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FAQ
How long to stay in Vienna?
Two days in Vienna is enough time to tour some of the city's biggest attractions. If you want to properly experience Vienna, plan to spend at least 3-4 days there.
When to visit Vienna?
The most popular months to visit are May through October, but many visitors also travel to Vienna during the winter to witness the city's famous Christmas markets.
How to get from the Airport to Vienna City Center?
The easiest way is to take the City Airport Train CAT. One way is a 16 minute ride to Wien Mitte and €15.
Want more good tips?
Check out the Complete Vienna Guide with more than 60 things to do, see and taste in Vienna!
Let's go on a journey of budget-friendly and bucket-list worthy adventures!
I'm Sofia, your go-to gal for all things affordable and awesome✨
🎒 About Me:
My name is Sofia, and I'm a 22 year old girl from Copenhagen, Denmark.
Technically I’m part of generation Z, but I can’t relate to them, nor to the Millennials or Alpha kids… I don’t dance on tik tok and I don’t like coffee, but I enjoy writing and have a huge passion for travel.
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