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• Tours & Walks

City tours by bus

On a city tour by bus, you'll learn about Vienna and the most beautiful sights in comfort and relaxation – from the "classics" along the Ringstrasse – like the State Opera, Imperial Palace, City Hall, and MuseumsQuartier – through to Schönbrunn Palace or Danube Island, all the highlights are included.

Whether you opt for a guided city tour or prefer a journey of discovery at your own tempo by Hop-On Hop-Off is left entirely up to you. With the Vienna City Card + Hop-On Hop-Off , you'll also enjoy the benefits of the Vienna City Card combined with sightseeing on a Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour.

On the Hop-On Hop-Off bus tours  of Big Bus or Vienna Sightseeing Tours , you can get on and off at the stops along the various routes to your heart's content. You decide when it's time for a break in the coffee house , a museum visit, or a quick shopping stop.

Big Bus Vienna

On the red Hop-On Hop-Off double-decker buses of BIG BUS Tours, discover the city along two routes, which take in the main sights in the city center – from the State Opera on the Ringstrasse to the MuseumsQuartier and Danube Island or Schönbrunn Palace.  Information on the sights is available to you in 14 languages via headsets during the ride. All buses feature free WiFi.

Hop-On Hop-Off tickets for city tours are available for one or more days, from Discover to Explore category, which, for example, also includes a guided city walk and a boat tour. The program also includes live guided evening tours with an English-speaking guide.

One wheelchair can be accommodated on each bus.

Tickets and information

• Online at www.bigbustours.com
• By phone on +43 1 905 910 00

Vienna Sightseeing Tours

The yellow Hop-On Hop-Off double-decker buses of Vienna Sightseeing Tours make their way through Vienna on three different routes . They run round the Ringstrasse with its magnificent buildings to Schönbrunn and Belvedere Palaces or on the Danube route to the Kunst Haus Wien, the Prater or to the Danube Tower. Tickets can be booked for 24, 48 or 72 hours. All tickets include the free download for a self-guided, music-walk light.

Explanations are available in 16 languages via audio guides. For little city explorers, there's a dedicated children's channel in German and English. Free WiFi is available on all buses.

All sightseeing buses for Hop-On Hop-Off rides are wheelchair accessible. A space incl. audio guide is available for wheelchair users (also electric wheelchairs).

• Online at www.viennasightseeing.at
• By phone on +43 1 712 46 83
• By email to [email protected]

Vienna City Card + Hop-On Hop-Off

With the additional Hop-On Hop-Off offer to the Vienna City Card , you can combine the benefits of the Vienna City Card, the official guest card for Vienna, with comfortable sightseeing. The Vienna City Card offers not only free travel in Vienna for 24, 48 or 72 hours on public transport, but also around 200 attractive benefits when visiting museums or sightseeing, leisure offers for the whole family, dining out at restaurants, etc.  The Vienna City Card + Hop-On Hop-Off includes a 24-hour Hop-On Hop-Off bus ticket for a city tour, optionally with Big Bus or Vienna Sightseeing Tours . One child under the age of 15 travels for free with each Vienna City Card + Hop-On Hop-Off. Tickets are available from €46 (includes a ticket for public transport for 24 hours) / €54 (48 hours) / €58 (72 hours)

The Vienna City Card + Hop-On Hop-Off is available

• at Tourist Info Vienna (Albertinaplatz) and at Tourist Info (Vienna International Airport)
• at the sales outlets of Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB), tickets.oebb.at , ÖBB app
• at the City Airport Train ticket counter
• in the online shop at www.viennacitycard.at
• or in the free app ivie – the digital city guide for Vienna

Learn more about the many sightseeing options in Vienna in the overview Tours & Walks . 

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Viennas No. 1 Sightseeing

Most popular tours in vienna.

Hallstatt Day Trip from Vienna

Wachau - Danube Valley Day trip from Vienna

Vienna to Salzburg Day Trip

Hop On Hop Off

Get a quick overview of the most important sights in Vienna with our HOP ON HOP OFF bus tour!

• Buy one ticket and hop on and off as many times as you like at the stops
• Discover Vienna with our 4 different routes
• Ticket for 24h, 48h or 72h

Panoramabahn

Discover the beauty of the Schönbrunn Palace Park in a comfortable way on the round trip with our Panoramabahn Schönbrunn!

• Discover the most important highlights of the Schönbrunn park area
• Visit the Gloriette on the Gloriette Hill comfortably and easily
• Get on and off the train as often as you like at nine stations

Choose from a variety of guided tours in & around Vienna.

• Hallstatt, Budapest, Prague, Krumlov, Bratislava, Wachau & many more
• Entrance fees included
• Free hotel pickup for selected tours and hotels

Vienna PASS & Vienna FLEXI Pass

Discover Vienna relaxed and flexible with the Vienna PASS or Vienna FLEXI Pass!

• With the Vienna PASS free access to up to 90 attractions
• Use Vienna PASS for 1, 2, 3 or 6 consecutive days
• Choose from up to 60 sights with the Vienna FLEXI Pass
• 2-5 sights as Vienna FLEXI Pass option

HOP ON HOP OFF in Vienna

And download timetable.

HOP ON HOP OFF 24H

Adults 37,00€ | Children 27,00€ | Family-Ticket 89,00€

HOP ON HOP OFF 48H

Adults 39,00€ | Children 25,00€ | Family ticket 109,00€

HOP ON HOP OFF 72H

Adults 55,00€ | Children 30,00€ | Family ticket 139,00€

CAT INCL. HOP ON HOP OFF 24H

Adult 58.00€

Frequently asked questions

Most TOURS are mostly not barrier-free and not suitable for people with mobility impairments due to the age of the historical sites visited. At least one person who is able to provide energetic assistance should accompany. This also applies to boat tours.

Payment via our website www.viennasightseeing.at is accepted in the form of credit cards. Your data will be encrypted and will not be accessible to third parties. The following credit cards are accepted: Visa and MasterCard. The prices are in Euro including 10% VAT.

The children's price is valid from 3-12 years. Infants from 0-2 years ride for free on the lap of the parents.

THE 5 BEST Hop-On Hop-Off Tours in Vienna, Austria

Hop-on hop-off tours in vienna.

• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Cultural Tours
• Walking Tours
• Hop-On Hop-Off Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Big Bus Vienna Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour by Open-Top Bus

2. 48-hour Hop-On Hop-Off with Guided Walking Tour and River Cruise

3. Vienna Hop On Hop Off City Tour

4. Panoramabahn Schoenbrunn

5. Big Day Out in Vienna: Big Bus, Giant Ferris Wheel & River Cruise

6. Vienna: 1-Day Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour & City Airport Train

7. Vienna Fast-track Giant Ferris Wheel ticket with Big Bus Tour

Keep the fun going with other experiences in the area.

Sankt Polten: Historic Walking Tour

Sankt Polten: Old Town Private walking tour

Taste and Tour Small Organic Wineries with a Winemaker

Krems Private Walking Tour with Professional Guide

What travellers are saying.

• Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off - optional Guided Walking Tour, River Cruise & Night Tour
• 48-hour Hop-On Hop-Off with Guided Walking Tour and River Cruise
• Vienna Hop On Hop Off City Tour
• Big Day Out in Vienna: Big Bus, Giant Ferris Wheel & River Cruise
• Panoramabahn Schoenbrunn
• Wien mal anders
• Transfer Guru
• UNPLUGGED MOMENTS
• Wanderung Guides Vienna
• Vienna Sightseeing

• Attractions
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• Central Station
• SIM Card for Tourists
• 1 Day in Vienna
• Park and Ride
• Shopping Guide
• Restaurant Guide
• Nightlife Guide
• Lifestyle Guide
• Viennese Cuisine
• Imperial Palace
• Christmas Markets
• St. Stephens Cathedral
• Hotels Near Vienna Airport
• Exclusive Luxury Hotels
• Conference Rooms
• Interpreters

Hop On Hop Off Bus Tours in Vienna | Compare Tickets, Routes & Stops

Among city travelers, one of the most popular ways to explore a foreign city is through sightseeing on the Hop On Hop Off principle. This allows you to disembark at any stop during the tour and rejoin later at the same or a different stop.

In Vienna, two competing providers vie for the favor of tourists: Vienna Sightseeing with their yellow buses and Big Bus Vienna with their wine-red buses. These two companies offer similar tours.

To enjoy your Hop On Hop Off bus tour in Vienna with peace of mind and without stress, we recommend purchasing ticket s online in advance  of your planned visit.

In this article, you will find comprehensive information about the Hop On Hop Off bus tours in Vienna. We compare tickets, prices, route maps, stops, departure times, attractions , and more.

Let's embark on this adventure!

Ticket Options for Hop On Hop Off Bus Tours in Vienna

When it comes to purchasing tickets for Hop On Hop Off bus tours in Vienna, there are numerous internet portals available. With such a wide array of options, it can be challenging to determine the right choice for you .

That's where we step in! We have done the legwork to compare all the available tickets, making the decision-making process easier for you. Below, we have compiled a list of the best and most affordable ticket options for your convenience. Simply click on your preferred choice to purchase your tickets.

Hop On Hop Off Bus Tickets for Vienna Sightseeing:

• 24, 48 or 72-Hour Ticket

Hop On Hop Off Combo Tickets for Vienna Sightseeing:

• 24, 48 or 72-Hour Ticket + City Airport Train
• 24, 48 or 72-Hour Ticket + Mozart Concert at Kursalon
• 24, 48 or 72-Hour Ticket + World War II & Holocaust Tour
• 24, 48 or 72-Hour Ticket + Wine Tasting

Hop On Hop Off Bus Tickets for Big Bus Vienna:

• 24 or 48-Hour Ticket

Hop On Hop Off Combo Tickets for Big Bus Vienna:

• 24-Hour Ticket + Vienna City Pass
• 24 Hour Ticket + City Airport Train

Our Recommendation: Vienna Tourist Cards

Vienna offers several appealing city passes for travelers that can  help you save money and time.  We highly recommend purchasing one of these cards.

1. Vienna City Card

The  Vienna City Card is available for 24, 48, or 72 hours, providing discounts at 200 attractions, museums, restaurants, theaters, and stores. Additionally, it offers unlimited and free use of public transportation.

• Buy your Vienna City Card here!

2.  Vienna Pass

The  Vienna Pass  is available for 1, 2, 3, or 6 days and grants you free admission to over 60 attractions in Vienna. It often allows you to skip the queues.

• Buy your Vienna Pass here!

3.  Vienna Flexi Pass

The  Vienna Flexi Pass allows you to choose your favorite 2 to 5 attractions from a selection of over 40 options. You can visit them for free and, if available, enjoy fast-track admission.

• Buy your Vienna Flexi Pass here!

4.  Go City Explorer Pass

The  Go City Explorer Pass enables you to choose your favorite 2 to 7 attractions from over 40 options in Vienna. You can visit them for free and, if available, enjoy fast-track admission.

• Buy your Go City Explorer Pass here!
• To learn more about the popular tourist cards, including prices and included activities, check out our article " Best City Pass for Vienna: Compare Prices & Included Activities" . 

Comparison Table for Hop On Hop Off Bus Tours in Vienna

See below a handy comparison table providing a quick overview of the key features of the two hop on hop off tour providers: Vienna Sightseeing and Big Tours Vienna.

Detailed Overview of the Hop On Hop Off Bus Tours in Vienna

1. Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour with Vienna Sightseeing

Vienna Sightseeing's iconic yellow double-decker buses covers three routes and offering 41 convenient stops. On board, you'll find an audio guide available in 16 languages, including a special audio guide for children in German and English.

Disposable headphones are provided, and you can enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi during your journey. Additionally, you have the option to download an app for a self-guided tour of the city.

Let's explore the details of the three routes:

• Timetable and Route Plan

The Red Route buses will take you to the most important sights in the city center along the Ringstrasse. Discover the State Opera, the Hofburg Palace, the Austrian Parliament, the Burgtheater and much more. Get off at any station to admire the attractions up close, and get on the next bus at any station.

• Stops: State Opera House - Kunsthistorisches Museum/Heldenplatz - Mariahilfer Strasse/ Shopping Street - Burgtheater/City Hall - University - Liebenberg Monument/University - Liechtensteinstrasse/Sigmund Freud Museum - Votivkirche - Vienna Airport Lines - DDSG City Cruises - MAK/Museum of Applied Arts - Stadtpark - Strauß Monument - State Opera House.
• Duration : A   complete tour without getting off takes about 60 minutes.
• Departure times: Buses depart daily from 9:20 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., including holidays.
• Frequency: Buses depart every 10 to 20 minutes.

Yellow Route:

This route takes you to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites Schönbrunn Palace and Belvedere Palace .

• Stops:  State Opera - Westbahnhof/Station - Schönbrunn Palace - Central Station - Museum of Contemporary Art - Belvedere Palace - Lower Belvedere - State Opera.
• Duration: A complete tour without getting off takes about 75 minutes.
• Departure times: Buses depart daily from 9:05 am to 5:00 pm, including holidays.
• Frequency: Buses depart every 15 to 30 minutes.

Blue Route:

This route takes you, among other things, to the Prater with the world-famous Ferris wheel, to various museums and to the city park.

• Stops: MAK/Museum of Applied Arts - City Park - Strauss Monument - State Opera - Kunsthistorisches Museum /Heldenplatz - Mariahilfer Strasse/Shopping Street - Burgtheater/City Hall - University - Liebenberg Monument/University - Liechtensteinstrasse/Sigmund Freud Museum -Votivkirche - Vienna Airport Lines - DDSG City Cruises - Kunst Haus/Museum Hundertwasser - Riesenrad/Giant Ferris Wheel - DDSG (Pier6 Imperial Bridge) - Danube Tower - Old Danube - Uno City - Danube Island - Praterstern/Bahnhof - Taborstraße/Museum of Crime - DDSG City Cruises - MAK
• Duration : A full tour without getting off takes about 120 minutes.
• Departure times: Buses depart daily from 9:10 a.m. to 4:40 p.m. , including holidays.
• Frequency : The buses depart every 15 to 20 minutes.

2. Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour with Big Bus Vienna 

Vienna Sightseeing's wine-red double-decker buses offer an exceptional sightseeing experience with two routes and 27 convenient stops . On board, you will find an audio guide available in 13 languages, disposable headphones , and complimentary Wi-Fi.

Additionally, you have the option to download an app for a self-guided walking tour of the city. Also, the Essential ticket includes a live guided city tour and the Explore ticket includes a boat ride on the Danube or a ride on the Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel . 

Let's delve into the details of the two routes:

• Timetable, Route and Stops Red Route
• Timetable, Route and Stops Blue Route
• Stops: Walfischgasse - Haus der Musik - Lower Belvedere - Mariahilferstraße - Hofburg - City Hall - Votivkirche - Schwedenplatz - Prater - Handelskai 265 - Danube Tower - Old Danube - DC Tower - Danube Island - City Park
• Duration : A complete tour without getting off takes about 110 minutes.
• Departure times: Buses depart daily from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm , including holidays.
• Frequency : The buses operate every 20 to 30 minutes.

• Stops: Albertina - Mariahilferstrasse - Hofburg - Haus des Meeres /Aqua Terra Zoo - Ibis Hotel - Schönbrunn Palace & Zoo - Central Station - Upper Belvedere - Lower Belvedere - Hundertwasser House - City Park
• Departure times: Buses depart daily from 9:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m., including holidays.
• Frequency: The buses leave every 20 to 30 minutes.

How to Get to the two Hop On Hop Off Tour Providers?

While you can start your Hop On Hop Off at any stop, both providers have a central starting stop where you can also bring up any concerns you may have. See here several public transport options:

Vienna Sightseeing: Stop "State Opera House"

• By subway:  Lines U1 ,  U4 , station Karlsplatz and 2 minutes on foot
• By bus: Line 2A , station Oper/Karlsplatz and 1 minute on foot Line 4A , station Karlsplatz and 4 minutes on foot
• By tram:  Lines 1 ,  2 ,  62 ,  71 ,  D , station Oper/Karlsplatz and 1 minute on foot

Big Bus Vienna: Stop "Opera/Albertina, Albertinaplatz 2"

• By subway: Lines U1, U4, station Karlsplatz and 5 minutes on foot
• By bus: Line 2A, station Oper/Karlsplatz and 4 minutes walk Line 4A, station Karlsplatz and 7 minutes on foot
• By tram:  lines 1, 2, 62, 71, D, station Oper/Karlsplatz and 4 minutes on foot

Travelers' Tip: Protect Yourself Against Pickpockets!

When traveling, it's crucial to stay vigilant and guard against pickpockets, especially in crowded trains, trams, and buses. Avoid leaving your camera hanging loosely from your shoulder, as the cord can be swiftly cut without your knowledge. Instead, keep your backpack or bag securely positioned in front of your body. Additionally, be cautious about lingering near doorways, as thieves often target purses and handbags right before the doors close. Stay alert and keep your belongings safe!

FAQ - Hop On Hop Off Bus Tours in Vienna

HOW MUCH DO HOP ON HOP OFF BUS TOURS IN VIENNA COST?

The current prices for Hop On Hop Off Bus Tours in Vienna can be found in this section.

ARE HOP ON HOP OFF BUS TOURS IN VIENNA WORTH IT?

If you're visiting Vienna for the first time and looking for a convenient and efficient way to explore the city's top attractions, Hop On Hop Off Bus Tours in Vienna are highly recommended. Among travelers, sightseeing based on the Hop On Hop Off principle has become increasingly popular. The significant advantage of Hop On Hop Off tours over regular sightseeing tours is clear. While regular tours often only allow you to pass by the sights while accompanied by live or audio commentary, Hop On Hop Off tours give you the freedom to hop on and off at any stop along the route.

HOW LONG ARE HOP ON HOP OFF BUS TOURS IN VIENNA VALID?

When buying a ticket for a Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour in Vienna, you can choose between 24, 48 or 72 hours. And 24 hours really means 24 hours. That means, for example, if you activate your ticket at 2pm, it will be valid until 2pm the next day.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN A HOP ON HOP OFF BUS TOUR IN VIENNA?

The tickets of the two providers for Hop On Hop Off Bus tours in Vienna include, along with the routes themselves, a multilingual on-board audio guide with commentary on the sights along the routes, plus a disposable headset and free on-board Wi-Fi. Depending on the provider and the ticket purchased, a city tour, a boat ride or a ride on the Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel are also included.

Recommendation: Audio Guides by YourMobileGuide

Audio guides are a great way to explore a city's highlights at your own pace!

YourMobileGuide , the travel app for audio guides, transforms your smartphone into a personal travel companion.

Simply head to the  App Store  or  Google Play  to download the app, which features self-guided tours crafted by local experts, complimentary travel guides, and exclusive discounts.

For your visit to Vienna, YourMobileGuide offers three captivating self-guided audio tours:  Best of Vienna, Vienna Hofburg,  and  Schönbrunn Palace.

At each tour stop, you can listen to informative audio commentary, providing valuable insights. Additionally, you'll receive a complimentary travel guide that covers all the essential sights in the Austrian capital.

Take the opportunity to explore Vienna in an innovative and flexible way with an audio guide!

Download the YourMobileGuide app now and choose your preferred self-guided tour!

Address & Map

Vienna sightseeing tours.

• Address : Vienna Sightseeing, Opernring 3-5/Top 17-24, 1010 Vienna 

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Big Bus Vienna

• Address: Big Bus Vienna, Walfischgasse 5/4, A, 1010 Vienna

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THE 10 BEST Vienna Bus Tours

Bus tours in vienna.

• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Cultural Tours
• Walking Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers

• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Budapest Small-Group Day Trip from Vienna

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4. Prague Small-Group Day Trip from Vienna

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6. Big Bus Vienna Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour by Open-Top Bus

7. Tastes of Vienna Food Tour inc. lunch, street food, 3 drinks

8. Full Day Tour from Vienna: Wachau, Melk, Hallstatt & Salzburg

9. Skip-the-line Leopold Museum Vienna, Gustav Klimt Tour

10. Private Day Tour of Salzburg, Hallstatt and Melk from Vienna

11. Bratislava Small Group Half-Day Trip from Vienna

12. Wachau Valley Small-Group Tour and Wine Tasting from Vienna

13. Hallstatt Day Trip from Vienna

14. Budapest private day trip from Vienna

15. Private Day Tour of Hallstatt and Salzburg from Vienna

16. Salzburg Small-Group Day Trip from Vienna

17. Mauthausen Concentration Camp Day Trip from Vienna

18. Budapest Day Trip from Vienna

19. Bratislava From Vienna By Bus With Lunch

20. Full-Day Vienna Private Tour from Prague

21. Exploring contemporary art: Private tour of museums with Tickets

22. 48-hour Hop-On Hop-Off with Guided Walking Tour and River Cruise

23. Full day private guided tour of Vienna from Budapest with Lunch

24. City Sightseeing Tour in an Electro Vintage Car (up to 5 people)

25. From Vienna: Grand Austria Tour day trip with transfer & guide

26. private full day tour to prague from vienna.

27. Exciting history tour and discovery of Vienna's secrets

28. Sound of Movies: Musical Tour to Salzburg from Vienna

29. Skip-the-Line Schonbrunn Palace Guided Tour and Vienna Historical City Tour

30. Vienna Woods and Seegrotte Hinterbrühl Half Day Trip

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Vienna Unwrapped Inspiration and Planning For Independent Travellers who are visiting Vienna

Vienna City Centre – The 4 Smartest Old Town Routes

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Just imagine a UNESCO World Heritage stretching across three square kilometres (1.16 square miles) – that is the Vienna City Centre. In fact, old town Vienna brims with history, palaces, classical music venues, coffeehouses and restaurants, and high-end shopping. When it comes to architecture, you will find a mix of Medieval, Baroque, Historistic, Art Nouveau, Modernist and sleek contemporary sites.

Before you visit Vienna , let me show you four smart routes to cover the best sites. To give you another head start, you will find a city center tour map below.

In German, we call the center of Vienna ‘Innenstadt’. Conveniently for visitors, the pedestrian area covers an entire 82,000 square metres (883,000 square feet). To get an idea of its shape, the city center is round and girded by Ringstrasse. 

The Boulevard: Ringstrasse

Being back on Ringstrasse makes me proud and exhilarated every time I revisit my home city. It’s just so unique. You can find a detailed list of key buildings and sights, a map and how best to tour the boulevard in Ringstrasse Vienna .

Duration : 30 min (by tramway or bike)

Central Vienna: Kärntner Strasse

Kärntner Strasse high street is the main entrance of old town Vienna. It’s a lovely pedestrian area and full of street artists in the summer. Start with the Vienna State Opera . At Palais Todesco opposite Wiener Staatsoper drop into gorgeous Gerstner cake shop. If you like luxury enter the lobby of legendary Hotel Sacher  or feast on Sacher Torte in its café behind the opera.

It actually took me years to look up from the shop fronts, like probably many other locals. The street boasts the most amazing historic façades, such as no. 16, a former hotel. If you are a fan of glitz, stop at Swarovski’s flagship store at no. 24, and traditional chandelier maker Lobmeyr at no. 26.  At no. 19, the glass elevator of Steffl department store provides great views of Kärntner Strasse.

It takes you to Sky  rooftop bar and terrace. That is where I shot some of my best pictures of the center of Vienna and Stephansdom.

Palais Eszterházy at no. 41 dates from the early 15th century. If you visit the  Vienna Casino  you can see the interiors but that is not a must.

Stephansdom and Graben Boulevard

In Roman times, you would have walked on top of the city wall there. For me, the best way to enjoy Graben is relaxing in one of the outdoor cafés. That monument in the photo is the Pestilence Column in the middle of Graben. If you like baroque churches, drop into Church St. Peter, known for its Mozart Piano Sonatas .

You will also find a few traditional shops there. Many of them are former suppliers to the Imperial Court, for example Albin Denk (porcelain), Nägele und Strubell (beauty shop) and Altmann und Kühne (chocolate shop). Don’t miss fabulous deli store Meinl am Graben at the end.

Duration : 30 to 40 min; 1.5 hours inc. visit to Stephansdom; To extend your old town Vienna walk find inspiration and a map in Old Vienna Walk .

Imperial Palace

The Imperial Stables have turned into Museumsquartier which houses amazing Egon Schiele Museum , also known as Leopold Museum.

Even after hundreds of years, the traditional  Lipizzaner stallions  are still performing at the Spanish Riding School Vienna . Read more what to see and do and find a map of Hofburg in Imperial Palace Vienna .

Duration : 30 min (outside); 2 to 3 hours (inc. indoor visits)

Medieval Vienna: University Quarter

Right of Rotenturmstrasse, head into Lugeck and Bäckerstrasse. Drop into the courtyards at no.2 and no. 16, typical of the historic center of Vienna. Visit brilliant baroque University Church, also known as Jesuit Church, then turn into Sonnenfelsgasse. At Schönlaterngasse drop into the courtyard of Heiligenkreuz Abbey, then head for Fleischmarkt and Griechengasse. This part of the center of Vienna is dense with beautiful hidden corners, history and legends. I toured it with Regina, who runs the Secret Vienna tour . 

In my student days, ‘left of Rotenturmstrasse’ was the utter place to go out in the Vienna city centre. It still is. I loved the bar almost opposite of the old Jewish Synagogue in cobblestoned Seitenstettengasse. Church St. Ruprecht – the oldest in Vienna – made a great backdrop to romantic endeavours. Historic Judengasse lead to the best sausage stand for midnight feasts. 

Duration : 1.5 hours

Vienna City Centre: Best Guided Tours

If you don’t mind larger tours and are on a budget, this popular two hour guided walking tour fits the bill perfectly.

Old Town Vienna Map

Here are the four routes I have described above. Click on the left arrow in the header field to find the legends. Use the + and – a the bottom left to zoom in and out.

find more Vienna Attractions  – Which Places To Visit In Vienna

explore my favourite Vienna Tours  – 5 Ways To See Tourist Places In Vienna find out whether you could benefit from Vienna Unwrapped’s bespoke Vienna travel planning service back to Vienna Unwrapped homepage

Resources You Need To Plan Your Vienna Vacation

To fast track your planning for a Vienna vacation I have packed a ton of …

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Visiting Vienna

Walking tours & themed walks

Enjoy a selection of ways to tour Vienna on foot, including self-guided and guided alternatives, along with suggestions for some themed options.

• Book a guided tour * from a central hub
• Tours overview for Vienna
• Hop on hop off buses
• Self-guided walk around the centre

Guided tours

• Eras & historical locations
• Composers, artists & architects
• All-Inclusive Pass

Self-guided walk

(You start at the State Opera House…)

Many of the historical sights in Vienna live in the compact, largely flat, and eminently walkable city centre.

I’ve put together a set of suggestions for seeing the important locations on your own with photos, instructions, visitor tips, and links to more information on what you pass.

Wander the old town at your leisure (or take a total of around 90 minutes if you don’t hang around):

• Part 1 : you begin at the Staatsoper and walk to the edge of the Habsburg’s Hofburg palace complex
• Part 2 : historical Michaelerplatz square and through the Hofburg to Heldenplatz square
• Part 3 : along a stretch of the old town city limits flanked by many of Vienna’s most famous buildings
• Part 4 : back through the pedestrianised centre to end at Stephansdom cathedral

(…and end at the cathedral)

If you prefer a more rural wander around the city, Vienna has numerous formal and clearly-marked hiking routes . Most take you into the surrounding woods and hills, with a couple of notable exceptions (like the social housing walk).

Since Vienna has dozens of certified tour guides willing to take you on all sorts of trips, I would simply send you to three other websites:

• City tours *: various scheduled tours in Vienna for direct online booking. Many on foot, but also bus & bike tours
• Findaguide.at : the Chamber of Commerce directory of guides you can hire
• Guides-in-vienna.at : directory of the Association of Licensed Guides in Vienna

With few exceptions, working as a tour guide in Vienna needs a state license (awarded after completing a lengthy training & education programme and then passing an exam).

A strong alternative to a general guided walking tour is, of course, one of the hop on hop off bus services .

Themed tours

Aside from any specialist tours provided by the above, I have a few articles and links for those looking to explore particular themes. We begin with…

History & architecture

Many locations offer their own specialist in-house tours , notably the two Habsburg palace complexes, the cathedral, the Spanish Riding school, and traditional music venues like the State Opera House or Musikverein.

Architectural epochs

(The refurbished parliament building, constructed in the Hellenic style)

Within the following introductions to architectural and design eras relevant to Vienna, you’ll find tips on where to see examples.

• Baroque : an ostentatious style from the 1600s and early 1700s. Several of Vienna’s more popular palaces and churches date back to this period.
• Biedermeier : a more conservative, homely approach that developed in the first half of the 19th century as a consequence of what we’d probably call a police state today.
• Historicism : where architects and designers drew inspiration from the past. Particularly popular in the second half of the 1800s, which explains all the neogothic, neorenaissance and similar buildings from that time.
• Jugendstil : Vienna’s Art Nouveau movement whose heyday was the late 1800s and early 1900s. The pedestrianised centre has notable architectural examples , as does the rest of the old town .

Other themed historical location tips

(The Sisi memorial in the Volksgarten park)

• Empress Elisabeth : explore those sights closely associated with the famous Sisi , including her apartments and a dedicated museum
• Vienna Modernism : Vienna’s creative flame probably burned brightest around 1900 (though my current calender and to-do list are a remarkable experiment in modernist creativity).
• Jewish Vienna : the article covers significant locations.
• Social housing : experts consider Vienna a role model for urban development, thanks in large part to the availability of high-quality city-owned housing. This harks back to the remarkably farsighted social housing projects of post-WWI, whose legacy remains in the cityscape.

Music and art

As mentioned above, major concert venues have in-house tours. I can particularly recommend the tour of the Staatsoper . Quite apart from the gorgeous interiors, the guide has enough anecdotes to fill a 5-hour Wagner opera.

(The golden Strauss monument)

A musician-themed walking tour is very easy. Just stand anywhere in the older parts of Vienna and look around. Chances are you’re next to where some baton-wielding giant of classical music lived / died / composed / played (not necessarily in that order).

But for detailed tips on places to see, I have a famous footsteps page that lists locations for Mozart, Beethoven, Strauss (II), Haydn, Schubert, Brahms, Mahler, Liszt, Lehár and Bruckner.

Most of the composer guides split into three sections: life locations (residences and similar), music locations (venues for premieres and similar), and memorials & more (monuments, museums and similar).

Artists & architects

(Gustav Klimt’s final studio)

That same On the trail of… page also has location guides for the artists Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele, the artist/architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser, and the architect Otto Wagner.

All the guides cover places to see their works (or buildings in the case of Wagner and Hundertwasser) and those places associated with their life and legacy.

Vienna All-Inclusive Pass

As a final tip, the Vienna All-Inclusive Pass from Go City is the tourist pass with the greatest focus on tours and activities. At the time of writing, for example, it included one-time free access to 10+ walking, bike and bus tours.