A First Timers Essential Travel Guide to Explore Vienna

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.

This complete Vienna travel guide shows you how to get around in Vienna, Things to do (including best Cafés), all you need to know before visiting Vienna.

Vienna is calling—are you ready to answer? Let’s go!

How to get around in Vienna:

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.

Please Remember to validate your ticket!

Tickets 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 stations
• In most tobacco shops
• Via the WienMobil app
• Vienna / Flexi Card

THE VIENNA CARD

There’s two forms of Travel Cards to choose from:

The Vienna City Card:

This 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:

This card 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.

Prices of the travel package:

• Single ticket: € 2.40 (Children € 1.20)
• 24 hours €8
• 48 hours €14
• 72 hours €17

How to Get the Vienna Passes:

Buy your pass online and instantly download it via the Vienna Guide App. It has a unique barcode to show at the attractions.

Or buy your pass online and pick it up at the Vienna Sightseeing & Vienna PASS Service Center at Opernring 3-5, Top 17-24, 1010 Vienna opposite the State Opera.

Best things to do in Vienna

From grand imperial palaces to charming coffeehouses, there’s no shortage of incredible experiences awaiting. Here’s a list of the absolute must-do activities that will make your time in Vienna truly unforgettable.

MYTHOS MOZART: THE IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE

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.

IMPERIAL TREASURY VIENNA

No trip to Vienna is complete without visiting the Hofburg Palace. It was formerly the political center of the Austrian Empire and now provides unique cultural and historical insights. The Imperial Treasury, located in a 13th-century section of the Hofburg Palace, is one of Vienna’s most famous attractions.  

Fun fact: That one of the objects in the Imperial Treasury Vienna is a giant narwhal tooth, which was thought to be the horn of a unicorn

💸Entrance fee: €14

⏰Opening hours:

Closed on tuesdays

Open 9am to 5.30pm

Last admission: 30 minutes before closing

KUNST HAUS WIEN – HUNDERTWASSER MUSEUM

“Founded by Friedensreich Hundertwasser, one of the most important Austrian artists of the twentieth century, this unique museum is situated near the Hundertwasserhaus.” Read more here

Built in 1985 the Hundertwasserhaus is one of the coolest places to see in Vienna, but you can’t go inside, because real people live there. You can wander around the outside though or access the terrace café as well as the Hundertwasser Village (a former factory with Cafés and shops in the spirit of Hundertwasser). If you crave a closer look at the architectural concepts, then pop into the Hundertwasser Village opposite.

💸Entrance: €12

⏰Open from 10am to 6pm

STAND IN AWE OF THE KUNSTHISTORISCHES MUSEUM VIENNA

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. 

A bit of history behind the site

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. 

Kunsthistorisches Museums Café

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

MADAME TUSSAUDS MUSEUM VIENNA

Located inside the Prater Amusement park, the famous wax figure cabinet has been in Vienna since 2011.

Apart from the normal celebrities you see at Madame Tussauds, there’s even a special Sisi exhibition where you can meet Sisi and become part of Austria during her reign.

💸Entrance fee: €26

⏰Opening hours: 10am to 6pm

EXPLORE THE BELVEDERE PALACE

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. 

The history of the Belvedere

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.

STEPHEN’S CATHEDRAL VIENNA

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.

*I was gobsmacked when seeing this church for the first time – it’s THAT stunning*

💸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

TASTE YOUR WAY THROUGH THE NASCHMARKT

Vienna’s largest outdoor market, the Naschmarkt, offers a wide variety of fresh produce, spices, cheeses, and international cuisine. It’s a great place to sample local delicacies and soak up the vibrant atmosphere.

THE AUSTRIAN NATIONAL LIBRARY – A TRUE BEAUTY AND THE BEAST LIBRARY

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)

SPEND A DAY AT SCHÖNBRUNN PALACE 

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 (so NOT at the ticket office) half an hour before everyone else. 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. 

Gloriette at Schönbrunn (Panoramic terrace)

The Gloriette was constructed in 1775 as a focal point and architectural highlight of the palace gardens but was primarily decorative. today it houses a café with panoramic views of the Schönbrunn Palace and the city of Vienna.

💸Entrance fee: €5

⏰Opening hours: daily 10am to 5pm

HAVE FUN AT SCHÖNBRUNN ZOO

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

TRAVEL THROUGH TIME AT THE IMPERIAL CARRIAGE MUSEUM

On the Schönbrunn Complex you can find the Carriage museum, where beautiful carriages of the Viennese court are on display as well as some of Sisi’s clothes and the designed Formula racing car of Ferdinand Habsburg.

💸Entrance fee: €12 (Free admission for children and young people under 19)

⏰Opening hours: 

15 march – 30 november: 9am to 5pm

1 december – 14 march: 10am to 4pm

VISIT SISI AT THE VIENNA IMPERIAL CRYPT

Since 1633, 149 members of the House of Habsburg including 12 emperors and 19 empresses and queens, have been buried in the Imperial Crypt beneath the Capuchin Church on Neuer. Here you can visit the graves of Empreor Franz Joseph, Sisi and their son Rudolf. 

Burials take place in the Imperial Crypt to this day with the latest being Otto Habsburg in 2011. 

💸Entrance fee: €8,5

⏰Opening hours: 10am to 7pm

SISI MUSEUM IN HOFBURG PALACE 

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. 

THE STORY OF SISI

16-year-old Elisabeth, known by her childhood nickname Sisi, from Bavaria was married to her cousin, the 23-year-old Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria, the absolute monarch of the largest empire in Europe outside of Russia, in 1854. Sisi was no ordinary girl and the move to Austria started a long line of reluctant royal consorts for her. 

Sisi fascinated the people with her dazzling beauty and ankle-length hair. She was just as interested in her beauty as the general population was. She spent three hours every day on hairdressing and an hour to pull a corset to her legendary 19.5-inch waist. Sisi was obsessed with her physique and followed a rigid diet and exercise routine that would most likely be classified as anorexia today. She had an exercise area in each royal residence where she lifted dumbbells and worked out on rings in her dresses! Besides exercise, she also took up smoking and even had a tattoo at the age of 51, all very uncommon for women at the time, which made her the further subject of gossip. To summarize, Sisi was stalked by the press, adored by the common man and plagued by depression and a severe eating disorder. 

THE END OF HER LIFE

Sisi did not get along with Franz Joseph’s mother, Archduchess Sophie who attempted to groom her. After Sisi  gave birth to her first child, just 10 months after her wedding, her Mother-in-Law not only named the child after herself without consulting Sisi, but she took complete charge of the baby, refusing to allow Elisabeth to breastfeed or care for her own child. Sisi had a second daughter in 1856 but the fact that she had not produced a male heir made Elisabeth increasingly unwanted in the palace. Sophie did not survive infancy and about a year after her death, Sisi gave birth to a son. 

Franz Joseph, who was a political conservative was very in love with Sisi, but she was a progressive democratic and a restless soul who fled her duties at the Vienna court. Elisabeth went on a life of constant travel to escape her life and sorrow. She was stabbed in 1898 while visiting Geneva by an Italian anarchist which led to her death.

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

COUNT BUTTERFLIES IN THE SCHMETTERLING HAUS 

Inside a beautiful nouveau structure are hundreds of exotic butterflies that can flutter freely in a miniature tropical rainforest with a humidity of 80%.

💸Entrance fee: €9

⏰Opening hours:

November to March: 10am to 3.45pm

April to October: monday – friday: 10am to 4.45pm and weekends 10am to 6.15pm

TOUR THE VIENNA STATE OPERA HOUSE

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).

Book the 40-minute guided tour here  

💸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.

GET THE BEST VIEW OF THE CITY FROM WIENER RIESENRAD

This famous ferris 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 

💸Entrance fee: €13,5

⏰Opening hours:

APRIL 1ST -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

DO YOU DARE TO TRY PLATFORM 9?

“On the brand new platform 9, Ferris wheel visitors who are looking for a special adrenaline kick can enjoy a detached and exciting feeling of height during an airy ride on a steel construction with a glass floor, as only the designers in 1897 had experienced when building the Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel.”

Learn more here

💸Entrance fee: €89

⏰Opening hours: ONLY weekends from 2pm to 8pm

GET AN EXLUSIVE TOUR OF VIENNA BURGTHEATER

Built in 1741, the Burgtheater in Vienna is the most prestigious theater in Austria and the largest theater in Europe. It had to be reconstructed between 1948 and 1955 after being severely damaged in the war. Among the most beautiful attractions are the Burgtheater’s grand staircase with the famous ceiling paintings by Gustav Klimt. 

You can visit the theater on a 50 minute guided tour behind the scenes to learn more about the theater’s architecture, art and history. They only offer tours in German (with an English summary), except during the summer, in July and August, when tours are also in english. Tickets can only be purchased at the Burgtheater box office (unless you’re a big group then you have to write them in advance). 

💸Entrance fee: €8

⏰Opening hours:

Thursday and Friday: 3pm

Saturday, Sunday and public holidays: 11am

RIDE A SLIDE 165 METRES ABOVE GROUND AT DANUBE TOWER

This is one of Vienna’s most iconic landmarks. Rising 252 meters (827 feet) above the banks of the Danube River, this huge structure offers the best panoramic views of the city. To add to the fun, you can eat dinner at their 360˚ rotating restaurant or try the Danube Tower Slide where you glide from a height of 165 metres over a 40 meter long track. 

Fun fact: you can reach the view platform in 35 seconds with the express elevator.

And even more fun – you can take a slide down from 165 metres to the viewing platform! Get tickets here

The Danube Tower is located in the Donaustadt district of Vienna, easily accessible by public transportation.

💸Entrance fee: 

Danube Tower: €18

Danube Slide: €5

⏰Opening hours:

Danube Tower: 10am to 10.30pm

Danube Slide: 11am to 9pm

Do you have more questions? Visit their official site here  

SEE THE VIENNA RATHAUS

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

ATTEND A CLASSICAL CONCERT AT CHARLES’S CHURCH (KARLSKIRCHE)

Built in 1739, the majestic St. Charles’s Church is known for its 47-meter-high columns by the entrance and the magnificent turquoise-blue dome, which towers over Vienna’s Karlsplatz.

You can also visit the viewing terrace, from where you can enjoy a great panorama of the Karlsplatz.

For those with a love of classical music, the Karlskirche acoustics are perfect for classical concerts. Book a Vivaldi’s Four Seasons Concert.

💸Entrance fee: €9.50

⏰Opening hours:

Monday to saturday: 9am to 6pm

Sunday and holidays: 12pm to 7pm

SEE AWARD WINNING HORSES TRAIN AT VIENNA SPANISH RIDING SCHOOL

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. 

You can also take a guided tour of the Spanish Riding School and the Lipizzaner horses to learn more about its history and admire its impressive architecture.

💸Entrance fee: €17

⏰Morning practice: 10am to 11am

MARVEL AT THE GOTHIC CHURCH – VOTIVKIRCHE

This stunning Gothic-style cathedral is located in the heart of Vienna and still overlooked by many. The church was designed by architect Heinrich von Ferstel and took over two decades to complete, finished in 1879.

Pro tip: go behind the church to Ferstelgasse and get a unique picture of the church without too many people. 

💸Entrance fee: FREE

⏰Opening hours: 

Tuesday to friday: 11am to 5pm

Saturday: 11am to 7pm

Sunday: 9am to 1pm

Hidden gems in Vienna

Here are a few lesser-known attractions and hidden gems in Vienna that you might want to explore.

Jubiläumswarte

The Jubiläumswarte is a weather station turned into a lookout point.

Climbing up the many flights of stairs is definitely worth it, and not just because you’ll get in an extra workout, but also because the panoramic views awaiting you at the top are absolutely marvelous.

💸Entrance fee: FREE

⏰Opening hours: 24 hours in summer!

Setagaya Park

A small Japanese-style garden that feels like a place far away from Vienna. Here’s there is a Japanese tea house, a “Yukimi style” stone lantern, several stone sculptures, a fountain and of course ornamental cherry trees. 

Please note that dogs are not permitted in the park.

💸Entrance fee: FREE

⏰Opening hours:

1 March to 31 October: 7am to 7pm

Closed from November to March

Shakespeare & Company Vienna

This English bookshop hidden away in the cobblestone streets of the city centre was inspired by the famous Shakespeare and Company bookshop in Paris. It doesn’t quite compare but it has charm and serves as a safe space for book lovers.

💸Entrance fee: FREE

⏰Opening hours:

Monday to Saturday 9am to 9pm

The Central Cemetery (Zentralfriedhof)

While cemeteries might not be the typical tourist destination, the Central Cemetery is worth a visit for its impressive architecture, beautiful mausoleums, and the final resting places of famous figures such as Beethoven, Schubert, and Strauss.

Want to know more about the cemetery? Read more here

⏰Opening hours: 8am to 5pm

Justizpalast 

This 19th-century courthouse has a grand atrium, perfect for getting those insta-worthy photos on a staircase from heaven.

Because this is an official government building, do bear in mind that you will need to go through security at the entrance.

There is also a café on the fifth floor (through the lift on the left) which has stunning skyline views of the city. The café is quite expensive and only accepts cash, but it is worth a visit just to peep outside.

💸Entrance fee: FREE

⏰Opening hours: 7.30am to 3.30pm

PALAIS DAUN-KINSKY

This baroque palace was built in 1713 and is now an event location and auction house. This place has become famous for its frescoed ceiling above the grand staircase.

During the opening hours the doors are open to the public and you can just go in.

💸Entrance fee: FREE

⏰Opening hours: 

Monday to Thursday: 10am to  6pm 

Friday: 10am to 3pm

Free things to do in Vienna

🚶Walk in the park of Schönbrunn Palace

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. 

🌸Vienna Volksgarten

The Volksgarten was the first public park in Vienna which opened in 1823.

BEST CAFES IN VIENNA

• Vollpension Café

You must try the traditional “Buchteln” (psst here grandmas and grandpas bake delicious cakes).

• Demel Bakery

Try the Kaiserschmaren (airy kind of torn pancake) at the iconic Demel. 

Demel is more than just a bakery; it’s also a cultural institution that has played a significant role in Vienna’s culinary history. Over the years, it has served as the  imperial court and even has been visited by Empress Sissi and composer Mozart.

Please note that you’ll most likely have to wait in line for a little while.

• Cafe-konditorei L. heiner

Get their Apfelstrudel, a traditional Viennese cake made of phyllo dough, filled with fried breadcrumbs, nuts, and sugar, then layered with apples and raisins. 

• Café Berg:

A perfect new brunch spot.

• Café Central

A must-visit traditional Viennese cafe. 

They only accept walk-ins so make sure to plan enough time, because you’ll have to wait a little for a free table.

• Kunsthistorisches Museums Café

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. 

• Sacher hotel cafe

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.

• Gerstner Café

Another iconic establishment in Vienna, known for its elegant interior. They’ve also been Royal Court Confectioner since 1847.

• Fenster Café 

A special Café as it is operated from a window (Fenster means window in german) and you can even get coffee in a cone!

Best places to eat in Vienna

📍pizzeria Mergellina

Neapolitan Pizza, Burrata and delicious Focaccia  

📍Figlmüller

Get the best traditional Wiener Schnitzel  

📍Naschmarkt

From traditional Viennese to international cuisines such as Indian, Vietnamese and Italian, with around 120 market stalls and restaurants. a popular meeting place for locals and tourists typically with live music.

📍Klyo

A new and hip place where breakfast isn’t limited to morning hours.

📍Brasserie Palmenhaus

In the same building as the butterfly house is the Palmenhaus restaurant. Here you can eat brunch, lunch and dinner surrounded by palm trees and many other plants.

📍gleis garten 

Viennas first Food Hall  

📍Atmosphere Rooftop

The most unique experience is simply Dinner in the ski gondolas. 

DAYTRIPS

Hermesvilla

If you decide to have a stroll in the huge nature reserve known as the Lainzer Tiergarten, you should really plan in half a day for it, as there’s a lot of green space and woods to cover. You’re sure to stumble across the Hermesvilla, which is set right in the middle of the former imperial hunting grounds – which was actually a present from Franz Joseph to his wife, Sissi, who called it ‘castle of dreams.’

PRO TIP: Free admission on the first Sunday of every month.

💸Entrance fee: €8 

⏰Opening hours:  

March 15 2024 to November 1st 2024: tuesday-sunday: 10am to 5pm

Closed in winter

Laxenburg Castle Gardens

Illumina, the magical lights show – experience spectacular water, laser and light shows and unique light installations at Laxenburg Castle in southern Vienna. The show is seasonal so keep up with their website HERE to find current opening hours.

You can also visit the Laxenburg Castles and Park. Read more here.

💸Entrance fee: €3,5 

⏰Opening hours:  daily from 7am to 6pm.

Grafenegg castle

A farmhouse that transformed into a fairy-tale castle. Listen to classical music in the courtyard of the castle, or explore the castle either individually or on a guided tour from June to september. Find their program here.

The origins of the Grafenegg Castle date all the way back to 1294!

💸Entrance fee: €7

⏰Opening hours: Saturday and Sunday 11am to 5pm (guided tours at 3pm both days) 

5 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. 🎭

🚆VIENNA HAS AN EXCELLENT PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM

Vienna’s public transportation system is making it a breeze to explore the city. The city has an excellent network of metro (U-Bahn), trams and buses and you can easily go to all the must-see spots. 🚌

🖼️ 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. 👛

Where to stay in Vienna

When is the best time to visit Vienna?

April to May or September to October. The mild weather in spring and fall makes it perfect to walk around and by staying off-season also brings less crowds.

December is a wonderful time to visit Vienna as the city is known for their Christmas Markets, decorations and atmosphere. Be Aware of the crowds as December in Vienna is on many’s bucket list and it will get busy.

How long to stay in Vienna?

Vienna has a lot to offer – if you just want to see the highlights of the City or visit the Christmas Markets, I’d recommend staying for 3 days. If you want enough time to visit everything in detail, or just to relax in this wonderful capital, 5 days is perfect. 

Posted By: Sofia · In: Austria