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12 city trips that are easy-to-reach from Vienna by train that you absolutely must do

Can’t get enough of the city life now that traveling is possible again, why not enjoy a quick trip to some other exotic urban setting we’ve put together a list of easy-to-reach cities you can visit just by hopping on the next train. these all make for a perfect (long) weekend getaway..

Here are 12 city trips that are easy to reach from Vienna by train in less than 6 hours:

Images via Unsplash

Budapest – City trips from Vienna by train

Where: Budapest, Hungary

How to get there: from Wien HBF to Budapest-Keleti (around 2h 39min)

Obvious reasons why you should travel there: the giant and beautiful gothic style parliament building, take a dip at the Instagram-famous thermal Széchenyi Baths, to sit at the Danube somewhere other than Vienna, take in the views of the city from the Fisherman’s Bastion, to try the tasty Hungarian cuisine, to enjoy the rough but grand vibe of the city

Less obvious reasons: munch on a delicious langós with various toppings at the central market hall, to take a ship as public transport instead of the metro, partake in endless games of pinball at the Flipper Muzeum, spend rainy days at a former aristocrat’s mansion that was turned into Szabo Ervin Library, to spend a night at one of the very cool hidden open air ‘ruin bars’ located in the courtyard of buildings (like  Racskert ,  Szimpla Kert) , enjoy the view from the 360 Bar

Images © Graz Tourismus - Tom Lamm © Graz Tourismus - Harry Schiffer

Graz – City trips from Vienna by train

Where: Graz, Austria

How to get there: from Wien HBF to Graz HBF (around 2h 35min)

Obvious reasons you should travel there:  catch some  scenic views from the Schlossberg and the clock tower, visit an artificial island on the river Mur that looks like a giant shell, admire the beautiful buildings in the old town, take hundreds of pics in front of the outlandish art-museum Kunsthaus Graz that looks like a human heart

Less obvious reasons: build-your-own lunch at one of many Bausatz Lokale in the city, walk through Schlossbergtunnel, take in some modern art in a religious building at church St. Andrä, slide down the largest underground slide in the world at ‘The Slide,’ eat your way through the daily market,  Kaiser-Josef-Platz Market

Munich – City trips from Vienna by train

Where: Munich, Germany

How to get there: from Wien HBF to Munich HBF (around 4h)

Obvious reasons you should travel there: to drink  beer in the beer gardens (obvious, right?), visit the Hofbräuhaus , to eat Weißwurst for breakfast with a Wheat beer in a place where both is socially acceptable, to check out the town hall at Marienplatz aka. the city’s most favourite postcard-building, to explore the multiple periods of art in the Neue Pinakothek, to experience a car-lover’s dream in the BMW Museum, Munich’s former Olympics Venue at Olympiapark, spend time shopping and walking around the so-called ‘bohemian neighbourhood’ of the city, Schwabing

Less obvious reasons:  see  the devil’s footprint at Munich’s Frauenkirche, walk a hidden stairway that leads to nowhere called ‘Umschreibung’, the pavement memorial of the nazi-opposing student group White Rose, to explore the nearby alps on nature day trips out of the city, to indulge in some heavy and hearty Bavarian cuisine, to watch (or join in yourself) the people surfing on the one wave in a stream known as the Eisbachwelle, go for a walk in West Park or the English Gardens, spends some thinking time in the NS-Dokumentationzentrum , go for a swim in the Müller´sches Volksbad

Images via Pixabay

Nürnberg – City trips from Vienna by train

Where: NÜRNBERG in GERMANY

How to get there: from Wien HBF to Nuremberg HBF (around 4h 14min)

Obvious reasons why you should travel there: to explore the castle of Nuremberg, beautifully arranged fresh fruits and vegetables in the Hauptmarkt, see where renaissance-painter Albrecht Dürer lived and did his work

Less obvious reasons: Bratwurst at the last real “Bratwurstküche”, to let your inner kid loose in the Toy Museum, a medieval Holy-Spirit-Hospital turned restaurant, a rather grim interpretation of married life in the form of the fountain-sculpture Ehekarussel, the home of the city’s former executioner and some surprisingly beautiful views out his windows

Prague – City trips from Vienna by train

Where: Prague, Czech Republic

How to get there: from Wien HBF to Praha hl.n. (around 4h)

Obvious reasons why you should travel there: to marvel at the   astronomical clock in the main square , for strolls across the Charles Bridge, to take a scenic route to the Prague Castle, for some very affordable Bohemian cuisine and local beer, for the buzzing nightlife (including the likes of Chapeau Rouge  , Roxy , Hemingway Bar ), to enjoy the romance of its medieval streets

Less obvious reasons: ice-cream filled chimney cake, a huge graffiti wall in honor of John Lennon, to dance the night away in the five-story club, Karlovy Lazne , for pickled cheese, relaxing at the Beer Spa (just please don’t drink the bath water)

Blick über die Salzburger Altstadt vom Mönchsberg Images: © Tourismus Salzburg, Fotos: Breitegger Günter

Sehenswürdigkeiten Salzburg, Blick vom Kapuzinerberg auf die Salzburger Altstadt und auf die Festung Hohensalzburg, Untersberg im Hintergrund

Sehenswürdigkeiten Salzburg, Blick über den Mirabellgarten auf die Salzburger Altstadt

Salzburg – City trips from Vienna by train

Where: Salzburg, Austria

How to get there: from Wien HBF to Salzburg HBF (around 2h 30min)

Obvious reasons why you should travel there: to binge on the  original Mozartkugel chocolates to satisfy your sweet tooth, to check if the hills are actually alive with the sound of music, frolicking in a flower field between scenic mountain views, baroque architecture, to visit classical music’s most famous Wunderkind W.A. Mozart house, to catch impeccable views of the old town from the Kapuzinerberg, to explore the blissful nature surrounding the city, to climb up to the fortress and see the city from above, wandering through the narrow streets of the old town, do a kitschy skip in the idyllic setting of the Mirabell gardens

Less obvious reasons: beer with the locals at Augustiner Bräu , visit the stone dwarfs at the Zwerglgarten, five human-sized gherkins (unfortunately not edible), visit the Eagle’s Nest

Images: © Vienna Würstelstand

Bratislava – City trips from Vienna by train

Where: Bratislava, Slovakia

How to get there: from Wien HBF to Bratislava (around 1h 7min)

Obvious reasons you should travel there:  it’s just a stone throw away from Vienna, cheap booze resulting in fun nights out, to check out the UFO bridge and enjoy the view up high in the Flying Saucer , the charming streets and squares to wander through

Less obvious reasons: enjoy Middle Europe’s renowned and very affordable cuisine, find out how closely connected the city is to Vienna, to go on a hunt throughout the city to find ALL the hidden human-sized bronze statues, listen to some music in an upside down pyramid or in a granary, lounge on the ‘Magio Beach’ on the Danube riverside, to get messy with the amazing racks of ribs in Meštiansky pivovar 

Images: via Pixabay & Vienna Würstelstand

Brno – City trips from Vienna by train

Where: Brno, Czech Republic

How to get there: from Wien HBF to Brno main train station (around 2h 11min)

Obvious reasons you should travel there:  it’s very easy to reach from Wien, the cheap beer, the heartwarming bohemian comfort food, the mix of gorgeous Modernist and Medieval architecture

Less obvious reasons:  it’s undiscovered by tourists, there’s plenty of Instagram-worthy buildings and spots to take pictures at, to climb the highest church tower and have a grand view over the city, to enjoy a vibrant city during summer, to experience the hip cafe scene

Dresden – City trips from Vienna by train

Where: Dresden, Germany

How to get there: from Wien HBF to Dresden (6h 40min)

Obvious reasons you should travel there: to visit one of the trendiest city’s to visit at the moment in Germany, to taste some quality German beer, to check out a historically important city that’s been rebuilt from scratch, to check out the halls of magnificent masterpieces by the old masters in the  Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister , visit the architecturally unique, Semperoper , to marvel at the plentiful architectural gems

Less obvious reasons: to really check out why it’s known as a living and breathing book of German history, to taste a glass of fine wine from the surrounding wine-growing region, to take a long stroll and check out the alternative scene of the city that tries its best to match Berlin’s vibe (and it’s doing a damn good job), for some serious bar-hopping

Images © Pixabay © Vienna Würstelstand

Innsbruck – City trips from Vienna by train

Where: Innsbruck, Austria

How to get there: from Wien HBF to Innsbruck (4h 14min)

Obvious reasons you should travel there: to visit the Goldene Dachl and the Bergisel Ski Jump stadium , to get that priceless Alpine feeling, to experience some epic hikes around the city

Less obvious reasons: to take the Hungerburgbahn funicular railway and the Hafelekar cable car all the way up the 2,556 metres mountain for the breathtaking views over the region, to rent a bike and explore the city and its surroundings, to check out the hip café and foodie scene in the old town, to see Innsbruck’s version of their own unique Ampelpärchen aka. Ampelskier

Images via Pixabay & Unsplash

Košice – City trips from Vienna by train

Where: Košice, Slovakia

How to get there: from Wien HBF to Košice (around 6h)

Obvious reasons you should travel there: to check out a former European Capital of Culture and enjoy some Central European charm

Less obvious reasons: to eat your way through town and try some Lokše (thin pancakes), or Bryndzové halušky (dumplings with sheep cheese – the national dish), to admire the historic buildings of the old town, to check out the nearby Spiš Castle which is the largest castle site in Central Europe

Linz – City trips from Vienna by train

Where: Linz, Upper Austria

How to get there: from Wien HBF, or Wien WBF to Linz HBF (1h 14min)

Obvious reasons why you should travel there: to check out the rich cultural scene, take the steep Pöstlingberg tram up the Pöstlingberg for the great view over the city, the stunning old town

Less obvious reasons: to eat the famous Linzertorte, to check out the Hip Hop capital of Austria, to check out the local club and somewhat underground party locations such as KAPU , Stadtwerkstatt , Exxtrablatt or Solaris , to enjoy the summer breeze next to the Danube in summer, to eat and dance at the cafés/bar/art and cultural space mix on the ship that is the Salonschiff Fräulein Florentine , check out the Ars Electronica Center

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LIFESTYLE & TRAVEL BLOG IN VIENNA

11 best day trip destinations around vienna city.

Last Updated on January 24, 2024 by gregor

Whatever your reason for wanting a day trip just outside of Vienna, we can assure you that there are numerous hidden gems and villages clustered along with the capital that can be explored or enjoyed during a one-day trip.

Whether you plan to travel alone, with friends, or with family, these destinations will have something for everyone to enjoy.

(If you need Travel Tips for Vienna please scroll to the bottom of this Blog Post there are Links to get the Best Expert Tips about Vienna.)

Without further ado, here are the Best Day trip destinations around Vienna.

Wachau valley, where is it most beautiful in wachau.

One of the most beautiful villages in Wachau is Maria Taferl, the second-largest place of pilgrimage in Austria. Maria Taferl is slightly elevated above the Danube Valley, and you have a wonderful view of the Danube and the entire Wachau. The pilgrimage basilica and the associated treasury are worth seeing.

Our top 10 sights in the Wachau

• Hiking on the Welterbesteig
• Donauradweg
• Burgruine Dürnstein
• Donau und Donauschifffart
• Burgruine Aggstein
• Stift Göttweig
• Die Wine Taverns in the Wachau

How do I get to the Wachau Valley?

As there is no direct train connection a car would be best if you want to have complete flexibility with your schedule. Yet, this can be a more expensive option, and you’d need to check if parking is easy.

Kreuzenstein Castle

  Located near Leobendorf, just north of Vienna along the Danube, it is a popular destination for day trips outside of Vienna. The castle itself dates back to the 12 th century, like most fortifications around Vienna and in Lower Austria, but subsequent partial destruction and disrepair led to a revamping in the 19 th century in the romantic neo-medieval style it can be seen in today.

Guided Tours

Presently, it can be visited through guided tours, and visitors can enjoy a nice meal at the Castle Tavern or partake in the falconry show organized at the Adlerwarte on the estate.

The tour will take visitors through castle grounds, including the armory, which contains the largest private collection of armors and weapons in Austria, through the chapel with its beautifully detailed Gothic winged altar and ivory Christ, through the princely chambers, the knights’ quarters, the kitchen and the hunting chamber. Each space tells stories of the past through the collections and unique pieces present and it is a wonderful and informative experience. And naturally, the panoramic views from the castle are simply amazing.

How to get to Kreuzenstein Castle?

The castle is easily accessible by car and there are parking spaces available, while public transit is accessible by rail, with the S3 from the Main Train Station to Leobendorf-Burg Kreuzenstein Station, about half an hour’s walk from the castle – with an uphill leg of the road.

  A small market town just 15 kilometers south of Vienna, Laxenburg is primarily known for its castles, which have been an important summer residence of the Habsburg monarchs. The Laxenburg Castle Park with its parklands, the Old Castle, the Blue Court, and the romantic Franzensburg make up the most one of the most popular attractions on the outskirts of Vienna.

The gardens are delightfully decorated, and in addition to the castles, there is a high number of fun houses, grottos, temples, water elements, and a medieval tournament site. All this sprawling across 280 hectares, of which 25 hectares are taken up by the castle lake alone.

History of Laxenburg Castle

With a history going back to the 13 th century, the grounds have been in use as a Habsburg summer hunting residence from 1306 to 1918, having witnessed the honeymoon of Emperor Franz Josef and Empress Sisi, and the birth of their son, the Crown Prince Rudolf, and later his daughter, Archduchess Elisabeth Marie. Naturally, the dreamy Franzensburg castle can be visited by those eager to see the romantic medieval-style castle in the middle of the grounds and get to learn more about the history of the place. It is accessible either by a stone bridge or by ferry during the main season running from 1 April to 1 November.

Main entrances

There are three main entrances, each of them with ample (and free!) parking space. For anyone fond of the promenade, hiking, Nordic walking, or jogging, there are 10 kilometers of pathways to choose from. Along these paths, you can always find a bench to sit on and enjoy nature or just catch your breath. Children will undoubtedly find themselves entertained in the 6,000 m 2 playground with equipment and areas designated for all ages. There are also a few gastronomic establishments if you will require refreshments after all the walking! If you have enough land, you can even rent boats and tour the castle lake – they have all: classic row and paddleboats, and sporty electric boats.

Cultural Walks in Laxenburg

A cultural walk is organized (Laxenburger Kultur-Parcours), which takes you to around 50 stops, some outside the castle grounds, and offers excellent information about the town’s history and its landmarks, including the baroque Parish church, the Grüne Haus, and the Kaiserbahnhof, a Biedermeier train station converted to a restaurant.

How do I get to Laxenburg Castle?

Buses departing every half hour or so from Vienna’s Central Station will take you in about 30 minutes to Laxenburg. Or you can take the train that departs the same station hourly, with the train ride taking about 20 minutes.

Rosenburg Castle

One of the most beautiful and visited Renaissance castles in Austria, Rosenburg is located on a cliff overlooking the Kamp River valley, in the middle of the Naturpark Kamptal. Even though the castle dates back to the 12 th century, the current structure dates back to the 16 th century, when it was constructed with 13 towers. Subsequent expansions led to the addition of tournament grounds and arcades.

Rosenburg Museum

Presently, the castle is converted into a museum, where through carefully curated exhibitions and selected pieces, you can learn about its history. Additionally, you can stroll through the beautifully landscaped grounds or enjoy the falconry experience, an ancient tradition of training and hunting with birds of prey, which is still continued to this day at Rosenburg.

Climbingpark Rosenburg

If you are not so interested in the castle, you can make it a whole day’s family adventure in the nearby Rosenburg Kletterpark. Climbing rope and bridge constructions, making your way through hanging tunnels, an amazing panorama – one hectare of hanging fun at your disposal, with a wonderful view of the Kamp River Valley.

How do I get to the Rosenburg?

You can reach Rosenburg by car in about an hour and you can find free parking close to the castle. If you prefer public transit, bear in mind there are no direct trains or buses available, but you can take the train from Franz-Josefs-Bahnhof to Hadersdorf and a regional train or bus to Rosenburg, accounting for about two hours of travel time.

Carnuntum Archeological Park

Carnuntum was an ancient Roman legionary fortress and former capital of the Roman Pannonia Superior province. On the present site, many of the original buildings have been preserved and the ancient streets recreated to provide an experience of ancient Roman life in a conquered province.

Visitors Highlights + Museum

During your visit, you can explore the rebuilt Roman City Quarter, the Military City’s Amphitheater, and the Museum Carnuntium, where the most important treasures and vestiges are carefully preserved. The good part if you can take the whole family, as there are engaging and interactive programs organized for children, while adults can enjoy guided tours or savor the local wines and gastronomy.

How do I get to the Carnuntum Archeological Park?

As Carnuntum is 45 km away from Vienna, it is easy to reach by car and you can also enjoy the free parking, while those fond of rail travel, can take the S7 from Wien Landstrasse to Petronell-Carnuntum, with the journey taking about 50 minutes.

Myrafälle (Myra Waterfalls)

A wonderful summer destination, the Myra Waterfalls in Muggendorf are a series of water cascades with a total drop of above 70 meters. Carved in the rock by the Myra stream, the falls are spectacular and serene – no wonder they were a perfect ambiance for the royal couple of Emperor Franz II and Maria Teresa of Sicily and Naples during a visit here over two centuries ago.

Which route to take? Panoramic Viewpoints

A delightful water carousel at the entrance informs the beautiful experience ahead, as past the turnstiles of the entrance, connected bridges and stairways will lead you higher along the mossy walls and under the refreshing shade of the forest, all the way to the reservoir up. Depending on the route, you choose to take, you can enjoy the views from atop the Hausstein, a rock wall that offers panoramic views of the mountains, or you can stroll about a clearing in the woods nearby, before making your way back down to the crystalline lake by the parking area.

How long does the walk up and down the Myra Waterfalls last?

The walk up the Myra Waterfalls and back down would take a maximum of two hours and require a decent level of physical fitness, as the climb uphill is quite taxing.

How do I get to the Myra Waterfalls?

In terms of accessibility, the most comfortable option is the car. If you wish to travel by public transportation, keep in mind there will be some changes, as there is no rail station near the waterfalls, the nearest being in Pernitz, within 40 minutes walking distance. In this case, you can shorten the trip by taking the local bus.

Bonus tip: When purchasing a ticket at the Myra Waterfall turnstiles, you will be asked if it should include the nearby Steinwandklamm, which would add a few kilometers of walking uphill from the reservoir Stauweiher, with the path starting across the road. We highly recommend also visiting this area but are prepared for a long hike and very sore legs. It is worth it though, the Steinwandklamm is a karst gorge some 500 meters above sea level, offering visitors a spectacular and steep climb through the network of staircases and paths.

Baden bei Wien

A spa town only 26 kilometers south of Vienna and on the edge of the Vienna Woods, it has been famed since ancient times for its hot springs, which contain lime sulfate. As the town was reconstructed in the early 19 th century, it is known for its well-preserved Biedermeier architecture.

What are the main attractions in Baden?

Some of the main attractions include the Plague Column in the Main Square, the city hall, the theater building, and the Grand Casino. Forget Legoland – in Baden, you can visit the Dolls and Toys Museum, or for history fans, the memorial Beethoven House or the Emperor Franz Josef Museum, or the ruins of the Rauhenstein Castle. If none of these is of concern, visitors are welcome to take a stroll in the Kurpark Baden, where you can walk all the way up to the Karolinen Höhe, from where you can take amazing panoramic pictures. Hikers would also be delighted by the available trails through the Vienna Woods.

Wine and restaurants in Baden

Similar to the neighboring areas in Lower Austria and Burgenland, viticulture is thriving in the sunny slopes near Baden, with sorts like Rotgipfler and Zierfandler being at home here. The wines are characterized as having a fruity, full-body, and strong aroma, and range from light wines to heavy and sweet ones. Numerous taverns and restaurants will serve local wines, but if you want to taste wines, the best place to go is the Badener Hauervinothek.

How to I get to Baden bei Wien?

It is very easy to reach Baden by car, as well as by public transportation. You can either take a regional train from Wien Westbahnhof or the long ride of the Wiener Lokal Bahnen, the white-blue tram leaving in front of the State Opera.

Klosterneuburg

A neighboring town located on the other side of the Kahlenberg and Leopoldsberg, north of Vienna and on the Danube, it is a beautiful easy-to-reach destination, known for its Monastery. The town is also known for wine-growing and holds the distinction of being the place where the Zweigelt and Blauburger wine varieties were first bred.

Klosterneuburg Monastery

While a walk through the town could easily while away a few pleasant hours, we recommend a visit to the Klosterneuburg Monastery and even taking one of the available tours.

According to a legend, the Margrave of Austria, Leopold III founded the monastery on the spot where he found the veil of his bride, Agnes of Wailingen, which had been blown off by a gust of wind on their wedding day. The Margrave’s residence was located in the early 12 th century close to the location of the present Monastery, the foundation of which was laid in 1114 and as of 1133, has been continuously settled by the Augustinian Canons. The foundations, including the castle tower, the original Gothic chapel, and the tomb of St. Leopold can still be seen today, while other structures were added or rebuilt primarily in a Baroque style from the 17 th century onwards. The Monastery hosts the famous Verdun Altar, made in 1181, with its three parts composed of 45 gilded copper plates in a style similar to Byzantine paragons. Should you see it as part of your tour, you will also learn how the beautiful colors were obtained and what an extraordinary technique had been used to create the beautiful altar. While for the time being the monastery might not be available due to pandemic-related restrictions, once reopened, you can take part in any of the tours, including the tour of the wine cellars, the treasure chamber, and the museum.

Aupark Klosterneuburg

If you would prefer to enjoy a more outdoorsy experience of Klosterneuburg, you can take a walk around the nearby Aupark or in the Augebiet, a natural park along the Danube, and finish the day with a cooling visit to the pools of the Happyland recreation center.

How do I get to Klosterneuburg?

Naturally, you can easily drive or bike to Klosterneuburg. It is also accessible with the S40 or virtually any regional train departing from the Franz Josef Train Station. The sporty or those feeling more adventurous can hike through the Vienna Woods and descend to Klosterneuburg from one of the pathways on the Kahlenberg.

Hainburg an der Donau

A small quaint town, south of Vienna and along the Danube, close to the border with Slovakia and a stone’s throw away from Devin Castle on the other side.

Steeped in medieval history, the town is known for its castle hill, where the ruins of the Heimenburg fortress tower above the land, affording views of the Donau Auen on one side and of Bratislava on the other side. The road up to the ruins is quite steep and the pathways narrow, so caution is advised and a good physical condition is ideal – but the views are well worth it. The castle was built in the 11 th century but was destroyed during the Turkish siege of 1683, then as of the 18 th century started to fall into disrepair.

Hainburg still boasts well-preserved buildings from the medieval period, including the Wiener Tor (Vienna Gate), which was built in the 13 th century and is now the largest medieval gate still in operation in Europe, containing the city museum and thus accessible to visitors. Ruins of the other gates, such as the Ungarn Tor (Hungarian Gate) can also be visited and photographed. Nature lovers might wish to step outside the town and start climbing up the Braunsberg, a limestone massif with an altitude of 346 meters, which used to host in antiquity a Celtic settlement, remnants of which are still visible to this day.

How to I get to Hainburg an der Donau?

The town is easily accessible by car and rail, with regional trains and the S7 coming to and from Vienna.

Bonus tip Bad Altenburg

stop in the nearby Bad Altenburg, where you can visit the beautiful castle and enjoy a walk on the grounds of the Kurpark.

National Park Donau-Auen

One of the largest remaining floodplains on the Danube, the national park covers an area of 93 square kilometers, spanning a distance from the Vienna Lobau all the way to Hainburg an der Donau. A natural reserve with 700 species of higher plants and various species of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians, the park is of interest to nature lovers, natural scientists, and families alike.

Two Main Administrative Points!

Two main administrative points, Schloss Orth Nationalpark- Zentrum and the Nationalparkhaus Wien-Lobau, organize a host of activities, including children’s camps, family camping, guided day, and nocturnal hikes, exploratory workshops on the flora and fauna.

Trails to the National Park Donau-Auen

If you just prefer to head off on your own or with friends, there are numerous marked trails. In Vienna alone, you can try to make it to the scenic spot called Gänsenhaufentraverse, while from nearby Schonau, you can hike all the way to the Orth an der Donau, from where you can take a ferry to cross the Danube into the Haslau section of the Donau Auen.

As the nature reserve can be entered by any private visitor without a tour, we remind our readers to respect the rules governing the park and to respect the natural habitat of all the species it hosts. Remember that this is flood land, which means high humidity, so wearing insect repellent is a must. For those interested in learning more about the reserve and its species, we recommend taking one of the available guided tours, which can be booked through the national park’s website .

If you’re living in Vienna, chances are you have heard a few friends or co-workers mentioning this name. It is of course a famous designer outlet, which provides visitors with an amazing and premium shopping experience consisting of famous designer brands at unbelievable sale prices.

How do I get to Parndorf?

You can take the shuttle bus from Vienna and see for yourself. We suggest you set yourself a spending ceiling before arriving.

Bonus tip: if you plan to explore the beautiful Lower Austria, experience its local culture, and soak up the well-preserved heritage and history in this region surrounding Vienna, we can only strongly recommend our readers to consider the Niederösterreich Card , a tourist pass, which for the reasonable one-time fee of 63 Euro for adults or 32 Euro for youth includes about 300 tourist attractions, destinations, and experiences, which can be visited within a year (the year starts on 1 April 2022 and ends on 31 March 2023, so you can still take advantage). For those looking forward to weekend getaways this summer, the destinations listed here might inspire your itinerary and sense of wonder alike.

We hope our article has sparked your interest in the area around Vienna and that you will tick at least one of these destinations off your travel list for the summer. Let us know in the comments which one of these places you’ve been to and would recommend others to visit.

Travel Tips in Vienna,… check these BlogPosts! Expert Tips from Viennese Experts

Vienna – top things to see and do in 4 hours in vienna, austria (update 2022), the best 12 museums you need to visit in vienna, austria travel guide (update 2022), vienna budget travel guide, free things to do in vienna, austria in 2022, spring in vienna top 10 things to do in vienna, austria, a quick travel guide to vienna’s schönbrunn palace, vienna austria.

Photos Credits: Unsplash

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The best breakfast brunch spots in vienna, wien austria.

Cities close to Vienna

Vienna, the capital of Austria, is a thriving center in the heart of Europe located in the neighborhood of many exciting cities near Vienna . Its geographical position makes it the most convenient foundation for discovering the region’s heritage and diversity of cultures. Some towns near Vienna are within Austria, so you can see the varying landscapes and architectural styles since Austria has them all. These destinations combine urban charm and rural peace with many green spaces, historical sites, and cultural treasures for discovery. Getting close to other countries also makes a significant amount of travel possible. Only a few hours’ travel will relocate you to different countries, each with its specialties and charms. Regardless of the cultural icons for which they are known, whether architectural feats, art culture, or gastronomy, these cities deliver a worthy travel experience. Further, in connection with the outstanding links of Vienna, these trips are simple. The trains, buses, and boats connect Vienna with its neighboring cities, so one can easily travel on a day trip or a short break. Besides the cities themselves, there is much more to discover around Vienna. They possess mesmerizing natural charm, from soft valleys and green forests to majestic rivers and beautiful mountains. Within proximity of each city, there are different characters, thus creating a different experience from Vienna’s imperial splendor and modern vibe.

• Bratislava, Slovakia

Located just an hour away from Vienna by train or bus , Bratislava boasts a charming old town characterized by narrow cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, and lively squares. Dominating the city skyline is Bratislava Castle, offering panoramic views of the Danube River and the surrounding area. Visitors can explore historical sites such as St. Martin’s Cathedral and Michael’s Gate, shop for traditional crafts at the local markets, or simply relax in one of the many cozy cafes. Bratislava also hosts numerous cultural events and festivals throughout the year, showcasing Slovakian music, art, and cuisine.

Graz, Austria

Sopron, hungary, baden, austria, wiener neustadt, austria, krems, austria, melk, austria.

Approximately two hours by train from Vienna , Graz is Austria’s second-largest city, renowned for its well-preserved old town and vibrant cultural scene. The city’s historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, featuring architectural treasures like the Graz Cathedral, the Clock Tower, and the Landhaus. Graz is also home to several museums, including the Kunsthaus Graz contemporary art museum and the Schloss Eggenberg palace. Visitors can wander through picturesque courtyards, dine at cozy restaurants serving local delicacies, or hike up to the Schlossberg hill for panoramic views of the city.

Situated about an hour and a half by train from Vienna, Sopron is a charming Hungarian town near the Austrian border. Its well-preserved medieval old town is dotted with historic landmarks such as the Firewatch Tower, the Goat Church, and the Main Square. Sopron is also famous for its wine production, with numerous vineyards and wine cellars in the surrounding countryside. Visitors can sample local varietals at wine tastings, explore the scenic Lővérek Hills nature reserve, or enjoy a leisurely stroll along the shores of Lake Neusiedl.

Just a 30-minute train ride from Vienna , Baden is renowned for its thermal springs and tranquil atmosphere. The town’s thermal baths, such as the historic Roman baths and the modern Römertherme, offer relaxation and rejuvenation in soothing mineral waters. Baden is also known for its scenic parks and gardens, including the Kurpark and the Doblhoffpark, perfect for leisurely walks or picnics. Visitors can explore the town’s rich history at landmarks like the Beethovenhaus and the Kaiserhaus, or indulge in gourmet cuisine at local restaurants specializing in Austrian and international dishes.

Less than an hour’s drive from Vienna , Wiener Neustadt is a historic city with a rich cultural heritage. Highlights include the imposing Wiener Neustadt Cathedral, one of the most important Gothic churches in Austria, and the impressive Kasematten, underground tunnels dating back to the 16th century. The city also boasts charming squares, such as the Hauptplatz with its colorful facades and lively atmosphere, as well as numerous museums and galleries showcasing local art and history. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore the nearby Wienerwald (Vienna Woods) or enjoy recreational activities at the nearby Neufelder See, a popular lake for swimming, sailing, and picnicking.

Approximately an hour by train from Vienna , Krems is a picturesque town nestled in the Danube Valley, within the renowned Wachau wine region. Its well-preserved old town features charming cobblestone streets, medieval buildings, and historic landmarks such as the Gozzoburg castle and the Steiner Tor gate. Krems is a paradise for wine enthusiasts, with numerous vineyards and wine taverns offering tastings of local Grüner Veltliner and Riesling wines. Visitors can also explore cultural attractions like the Kunsthalle Krems art gallery, embark on scenic boat tours along the Danube River, or hike and cycle through the beautiful Wachau countryside.

Just over an hour away from Vienna by train , Melk is famous for its stunning Melk Abbey, a masterpiece of Baroque architecture situated atop a rocky outcrop overlooking the Danube River. Visitors can explore the abbey’s opulent interior, including its ornate library and impressive frescoes, and stroll through the beautifully manicured abbey gardens. Melk also offers picturesque views of the Danube Valley and is an excellent starting point for scenic boat cruises along the river.

Home » Travel Guides » Austria » 15 Best Day Trips from Vienna

15 Best Day Trips from Vienna

Vienna truly is a fairytale European capital city that is bursting at the seams with intriguing history whilst remaining impossibly beautiful and well preserved at the same time.

The historical depth of the area means there are a variety of enviable day trips you can embark on from town, from exploring the breathtaking nature of Austria’s alpine foothills, to exploring ancient sites and magnificent castles.

The always reliable European rail lines grant easy access to a number of daytime destinations and the beautiful countryside adds to the overall experience.

Here are the 15 best and most sought-after day trips to take from the city of Vienna.

Just under 300 km away from Vienna is the fairytale city of Prague, full of evocative architecture, towers and spires reaching up to the sky and a fascinating amount to see and do if you’re willing to undertake the journey.

One of the unmissable highlights is the famous old town, known for the level of its preservation and a great place to embark on a walking tour from.

Amongst the many magnificent castles and basilicas to visit, make sure you get to see the Old Royal Palace and the St Vitus Basilica.

Both are traveller favourites and incredibly worth the time.

To squeeze in the most you can with your few hours in Prague on a day trip from Vienna, it’s a good idea to think about booking a city tour that’ll give you the chance to see the highlights in the space of a day.

2. Bratislava

Another border that is well worth crossing is the Austrian-Slovakian one.

When you do, you’ll have the chance to experience the intriguing and perfectly picturesque city of Bratislava, a conveniently close 60 minutes away from Vienna.

Make sure you don’t pass up the opportunity to visit Bratislava’s Old Town where the neo-Renaissance style houses, mansions and palaces paint an attractive picture of the Slovakian capital.

If you want a taste of some authentic Slovakian cuisine and drink, St. Michael’s Street is full of restaurants and cafes that will satisfy your hunger.

A Vienna to Bratislava day trip is an ideal way to spend the day away from the city and introduce you to another and the possibility of a whole other trip one day in the future.

3. Budapest

For those who aren’t fazed by the idea of spending a few hours each way journeying, the opportunity to visit the incredibly beautiful city of Budapest should not be passed up if you find yourself with time on your hands in Vienna.

You can arrive by train or car, both stunningly scenic ways to get there and allowing you enough to time to explore.

Known as the “Paris of the East”, Budapest is a veritable wealth of UNESCO World Heritage sites like Matthias Church and Vajdahunyad Castle to name but a few.

Other highlights include the City Woodland Park and the various Parliament buildings; though if you want a concise introduction to the city’s many attractions then join a day trip tour that’ll show you the best bits in a few hours.

4. Lainzer Wildlife Park

Nestled into a small area of the Vienna Woods, Lainzer Wildlife Park is famed for its abundance of deer and boar and its reputation for being an enchanting haven of incredibly old beech and oak trees.

Not only an important area of conservation, it’s also a beautiful place to lose yourself for a day and stroll along one of the numerous footpaths where Emperors and Empresses once walked and hunted.

For unrestricted views, head up to the Hubertuswarte observation tower on the Kaltbründlberg which stands at 14 metres high and offers breathtaking panoramas of the natural reserve.

5. Melk Abbey

Owning the enviable accolade of the “Best Historical Destination in the World”, Melk Abbey is one of those attractions that you really do have to visit if you happen to be in Vienna.

Built atop a rocky mountainside with views across the whole of the breathtaking Danube Valley, the abbey is a majestic Baroque style building that is overflowing with priceless art and contains impeccable gardens and is filled to the brim with enough history to excite history buffs to no end.

6. Klosterneuburg Abbey

Upon arriving, you’ll find a huge network of magnificent buildings, each more majestic than the last and all full to the brim of Austrian history that is sure to fascinate each and every traveller.

Just north of Vienna and dating back to the 12th Century, Klosterneuburg Abbey contains attractions like the Verduner Altar, the Leopold Chapel and courtyard and The Marble Hall to name a few.

Full of domes, copper, frescoes and staircases, the complex of buildings is truly a sight to behold and worth a visit to the Vienna Woods where its located.

7. Danube Valley

Considering its only an hour away from Vienna, the Danube Valley is a world away from city life and is considered to be so attractive that it’s been officially named as a World Heritage Site on account of its aesthetic beauty.

The best part is between the towns of Krems and Melk that has unfettered views of the Alpine valley in all its natural glory.

8. The Roman Town of Carnuntum

Its most recent discovery being made in 2011, the Roman Town of Carnuntum is still uncovering intriguing artefacts that continue to grow its fame as a fascinating day trip from Vienna.

Surrounded by the vast expanses of the fields of the March-Donauland region, Carnuntum was fought over numerous times by Roman.

Today its known as the Archaeological Park Carnuntum, featuring some incredibly impressive reconstructed Roman buildings and containing museums, re-enactments and original ruins.

9. Laxenburg Castle

Originally built as a market town, Laxenburg Castle is alluring and breathtaking at the same time.

Only 40 minutes from Vienna, it’s the ideal location for a brief but fascinating day trip.

Wander through postcard perfect gardens and wild forests or find tranquillity in floating along in the boats available at the lake.

When you get hungry, make the most of the various restaurants peppered around the grounds or pack your own lunch and eat in one of the many peaceful, sunlit spots.

10. Salzburg

Home to some of the largest castles in Europe, surrounded by the Alps and its forests, Salzburg is undoubtedly one of the prettiest destinations in Europe and easily one of the most sought after day trips in Vienna.

With a journey that takes less than 3 hours, there are endless attractions for the historically inclined traveller.

Wander the banks of the River Salzach, lose yourself in the streets of the World Heritage-listed Old Town and visit the positively huge Hohensalzburg Castle.

It’s also worth noting that Salzburg is the birth home of the world renowned composer Mozart and anyone with an interest should visit the aptly named, Mozart’s Birthplace museum, one of the most famous in the world.

11. The Vienna Woods

Loved by the Viennese people just as much as visiting travellers, the Vienna Woods offer a perfect getaway a mere stone’s throw from the center of the capital.

Here you’ll find a number of historic sites, one of the most famous of which is a beautiful monastery – the Cistercian Abbey of Heiligenkreuz.

If its stunning scenery you’re after, then make the journey up Vienna’s very own miniature mountain, the Kahleberg, which can also be found in the Vienna Woods.

Finally, take some time to visit the largest underground lake in Europe and learn about the fascinating way the former mine turned into the attraction it is today.

12. Baden Bei Wien

Formerly an ancient Roman town named Aquae, the settlement known as Baden Bei Wien is now a spa-town that is the perfect way to relax on a day trip from Vienna that is incredibly easy to get to.

The town is famous for its curative and therapeutic waters and has been for a staggering 2000 years, meaning its a popular spot for visitors and locals looking to soak up their benefits.

13. Grinzing

The charming little village of Grinzing lies less than 20km to the northeast of Vienna and the allure of its location surrounded by forests draws in many travellers to explore its winding streets.

Peppered with gardens and no small amount of history of its survival of the war, Grinzing is an interesting place to explore whilst feeling suitably removed from big city life.

Containing an impressive number of Austrian restaurants, the village is also ideal for sampling truly authentic, not to mention delicious Austrian cuisine.

If you want to walk off all that food, then head up one of the hiking trails in the nearby Kahlenberg and Leopoldsberg hills.

14. Laa an der Thaya

A perfect and fascinating insight into the medieval era experienced in the area, Laa an der Thaya is a settlement just over 60km away from Vienna on the Czech frontier.

Filled with wonderfully preserved snippets of history, not to mention beautiful Gothic architecture, the town is an excellent day trip for history enthusiasts.

Highlights include the huge Laa Castle, full of towers and still-standing original battlements.

For more medieval attractions, head to the outer walls of the town and walk the ramparts that once protected its people.

Finally, as with many Viennese towns and villages, you can’t pass up a trip to the beautiful Old Town.

15. Kreuzenstein Castle

Looking impossibly reminiscent to Hogwarts, Kreuzenstein Castle was built in medieval times and with all its turrets, towers and spires is about as fairytale in its appearance as it’s possible for a castle to be.

Only a few kilometres north of Vienna, the castle is well elevated and overlooks the village of Leobendorf.

Its location snugly nestled between the Vienna Woods and the Danube River makes for some truly beautiful panoramic views when looking out from one of the many vantage points.

As far as castles go, Kreuzenstein is probably one of the most impressive in Vienna.

15 Best Day Trips from Vienna:

• Lainzer Wildlife Park
• Klosterneuburg Abbey
• Danube Valley
• The Roman Town of Carnuntum
• Laxenburg Castle
• The Vienna Woods
• Baden Bei Wien
• Laa an der Thaya
• Kreuzenstein Castle

Top Things to Do

Top Museums

Naschmarkt Guide

Austrian Foods to Try

Best Restaurants

Nightlife in Vienna

Best Places to Taste Wine

Best Time to Visit

Weather & Climate

Public Transportation

Airport Guide

48-Hour Itinerary

The 10 Best Day Trips From Vienna, Austria

Vienna is surrounded by beauty, culture, and history. Close to Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Hungary, it affords travelers plenty of great getaways with minimum hassle and expense. It's also in close reach of idyllic countryside villages, vineyards with wine-tasting opportunities , and breathtaking mountain landscapes. These are the best day trips from Vienna, Austria that can also be extended to an overnight or weekend stay, so you can make the most of each destination. 

The Wachau Valley

TripSavvy / Lauren Breedlove

The Wachau Valley is a remarkable network of green forests, storybook castles, medieval abbeys, pristine riverbanks, idyllic vineyards, and cute little towns. The area is also a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most popular getaways from Vienna.  

Located about an hour from the city center by car or bus, the Valley offers plenty of things to see and do. It's coveted by history buffs, wine lovers, foodies, and anyone in search of a bucolic and quaint Austria. 

Spanning some 25 miles between the pretty towns of of Krems and Melk, the Wachau Valley (also referred to as the Danube Valley for the river that runs through it) is rich with both history and natural beauty. 

What to Do There: Make sure to visit the stunning  Melk Abbey, situated at the top of a hill and offering gorgeous views over the river below and the entire Valley. The Benedictine Abbey, which dates to 1089, is perched on a site that has been used by various royal and religious figures for over 1,000 years. Its fine marble elements, arresting domed entrance, and picturesque gardens make it a real draw card in the Valley. There's also a museum dating to the Austrian Imperial period, offering visitors a good overview of the site and displaying numerous opulent artifacts. 

Wine tasting in the Wachau valley is also a great options, as is a long walk along the Danube between Melk and Krems, and exploring the area's many interesting historic sites. Take a look at this page on the UNESCO World Heritage Trail in the Valley.  

Bratislava, Slovakia

TripSavvy / Alisha McDarris

Take the train for an hour due east, and you'll find yourself in Bratislava , the capital of Slovakia and one of the prettiest and most well-preserved cities in Europe. 

Bratislava's cobbled pedestrian streets lined with cafes and restaurants, grand old national theatre, and whimsical statues make for an ideal day trip. Even many travelers on tight budgets will find the fare reasonable, and when it's nice out, walking around and visiting the city's main monuments is an inexpensive way to spend the day. 

What to Do There: With its distinctive, brightly colored facades and warm red rooftops, the city is cheerful and full of interesting sites , even on a foggy or rainy day. Make sure to visit the 16th-century Bratislava castle, a storybook-worthy monument that dominates a high hill overlooking the old city. 

If you have a bit more time and wouldn't mind spending a lot of time on the water, a day-long cruise by boat from Vienna to Bratislava is entirely possible, too. However, these cruises generally only operate between April to September. 

The Local Vineyards of Vienna

One of the most idyllic and easy ways to get out of the city for a spell is to head for the local vineyards of Vienna. These winemaking areas are remarkably close to the urban hustle and bustle but make you feel like you've gotten far, far away from it all. 

Vienna counts an astounding 700 hectares of actively cultivated vines within its greater city limits, and 80% of these produce distinctive Austrian white wines, including the world-famous Gruner Vetliner and Wiener Gemischter Satz, a local speciality. 

In the spring and fall, locals flock to the vineyards to catch a bit of bucolic country charm, taste and judge the seasonal bounty, and nibble on typical Austrian specialties at local heurige (country wine estates where food is also generally served).

What to Do There: This is probably one of the most Austrian things you can do on a trip to Wien: spend a lazy afternoon at a heurige or two. Taste the latest whites and tuck into a plate of cheese, charcuterie, special salads and homemade cakes. 

For more information on the best wine-tastings and heurige in close reach of the city, including information on how to get there by train and/or bus, visit this page . 

Klosterneuburg Monastery

More than 900 years old, the Klosterneuburg Monastery is one of the Vienna area's loveliest and most historically important centers of religious activity. It houses numerous prized works of religious art, including the "Verdun Altar," crowns, and other ceremonial items. 

Blending high Gothic and Baroque architecture, the Monastery features distinctive green domes and towers that can be spotted from afar as you approach the hilly area on which it stands. It's also surrounded by centuries-old vineyards: a typical feature of the Austrian countryside. 

Founded in 1114 by Margrave Leopold III, the site has served as a residence of many Imperial dynasties, including the Habsburgs. Since it's served as an unusual combination of monastery and royal residence, it lends much insight into the religious and Imperial history of Austria. 

What to Do There: Make sure to see the Verdun Altar, a remarkably well-preserved piece of medieval art. Also see the onsite wine cellars and the former private rooms of Emperor Charles VI, which serve as the starting point for most guided tours. For more information on getting there, what to do and see at the monastery, see this page. 

Kreuzenstein Castle and Fortress

Crowning a grand hill that was prized by settlers as far back as the prehistoric period, this castle and fortress is one of the most arresting sites around Vienna. Although the original 12th-century medieval structure was destroyed during the 17th century, the reconstructed 19th-century site and its adjoining museum make for a fun and informative visit. 

Kreuzenstein served as a center of strategic defense against enemies for many centuries, and was acquired by the powerful Habsburg family (later to rule much of Europe with their Empire) during the Middle Ages. Today, it serves as a museum of medieval history, art and culture.

What to Do There: There's an armory, chapel, Knight's Hall, kitchen and keep to explore. For more information on visiting the site, including details on guided tours and admission fees, see this page. 

True, Prague is a bit of a stretch for a day trip in the strict sense—at least if you want to really take advantage of the city. But if you leave Vienna early in the morning and opt for an overnight stay in the Czech capital, a 24-hour hop between the two remarkable cities is feasible. 

It takes around four hours to get to Prague from the Austrian capital, by train, car, or tourist bus. For this reason, make sure to set out early so you have enough time to explore all the highlights of the former center of Bohemia. 

What to Do There: Old Prague is a marvel and another UNESCO World Heritage site. With its breathtaking and remarkably preserved Old Town Square, Royal Palace, Jewish Quarter and distinctive synagogue, Prague Castle, Kafka Museum, and numerous other attractions, this is one of Eastern Europe's most fascinating cities. 

In addition to taking some time to taste specialities such as local Czech beers, goulash, dumplings and pastries, we recommend hitting off-the-beaten-path attractions such as the Cubist Museum, one of the city's most interesting gems. Also make sure to stroll across the centuries-old Charles Bridge. 

Beethoven Museum

A must for classical music fans, the quiet village of Heiligenstadt lies just outside of Viennese city limits. Its claim to fame is that Ludwig von Beethoven visited the town many times, composing part of his Second Symphony in a small apartment here in 1802. Arriving for the first time at the tender age of 17 as a student of Mozart's, the young Ludwig would return to Vienna to study under Haydn and stayed until his death in 1827.

What to Do There: Make sure to visit the composer's former residence at 6 Proubusgasse. It's been transformed into a 14-room museum that's only been open since November 2017. Toward the end of his life when Beethoven was losing his hearing, he wrote the Heiligenstadt Testament here, an unsent missive to his brothers that reveals much about the composer's suffering.

The permanent collection tells the story of that famous letter and displays numerous personal artefacts of Beethoven's, musical equipment and other objects of interest. 

Also, Beethoven, who eventually moved to Vienna, is buried in the city's biggest cemetery at Zentralfriedhof. There are many other sites around the Austrian capital that can be visited as part of an informal "Beethoven tour"—the new museum being one of them. For information on visiting the Beethoven Museum,  visit this page.

TripSavvy / Christopher Larson

This iconic city served as the setting for the beloved movie " The Sound of Music ."  Salzburg is roughly two and a half hours away from Vienna by train. If you're looking for a slice of the idyllic Austrian atmosphere you've so often heard about, a trip to this city near the German border is well worth a try. Offering views of the Eastern Alps, Salzburg is surrounded by picturesque mountains.

What to Do There: Famous denizens include Mozart, and classical music fans can visit his birthplace at the popular museum that stands here.

Make sure to spend a few hours roaming around the Baroque Altstadt (Old Town), which has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Noteworthy sights and attractions there include the Mirabell Palace and its sumptuous formal gardens (reportedly a favorite playground of the Von Trapp kids),  Salzburg Cathedral , and the Residentzplatz , an immense square in the city centre that's dominated by the Residenzbrunnen , a stunning fountain crafted in marble. 

Otherwise, a stop at Hohensalzburg Castle is another good option, as is a walk along the gorgeous banks of the Salzach river .  You can even take a sightseeing cruise on the river to rest your feet for a stretch. 

Carnuntum, an Old Roman Archaeological Site

Austria was a vibrant and important part of ancient Rome's nexus of power and influence within Europe. Located just east of Vienna via a short (and inexpensive) local train, the Archaeological Park at Carnantum features some impressive Roman ruins, reconstructed buildings and an engaging permanent exhibition that brings the 1st Century BC town back to life. 

For anyone interested in history and archaeology, this makes an ideal and easy day trip. There are plenty of activities designed for kids, too, so a family outing is certainly possible here. 

What to Do There: During its heyday, Carnantum was home to some 50,000 people. Come see the reconstructed buildings at the park. These include elaborate Roman baths, or Thermae , stately houses of wealthy citizens, and even part of an arena that once served as a gladiator school. The latter was only discovered in 2011. 

For more Information on the park, tickets and getting there from Vienna, see this page at the official website.

The Woods of Vienna

The Vienna Woods—part of the lower foothills of the Alps—are immense, full of easy walking trails, heurige for wine tasting and casual meals, and the  Kahlenberg,  a small mountain popular for its panoramic views. 

What to Do There: On a clear day, the Kahlenberg viewpoint affords visitors incredible vantages over the entire city and its surroundings. Home to a centuries-old monastery and the Baroque St Joseph's Church, the mountain also features a large tower, the Stefaniewarte , that was built in the late 19th century in honor of the Crown Princess Stefanie of Belgium. From here, you can enjoy the panoramic terrace before accessing the many walking paths that wind through the Vienna Woods. If you start early enough, you can even walk the whole way back to the city (about 4.5 hours in total). For lovers of the outdoors, spending some time on these trails is highly recommended—UNESCO even named the Woods a Biosphere Reserve, owing to their outstanding natural beauty and diversity. Some 2,000 plant species and 150 bird species, including endangered ones, inhabit the sprawling forest. 

For information in English on the Woods, walking trails and getting there from the city center by tram or bus,  see this page.

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• What to see

Day Trips from Vienna

If you're lucky enough to have many days to spend in Vienna and fancy seeing what else the area has to offer, why not visit one of the fascinating cities nearby ?

Main day trips near Vienna

Other cities near vienna.

While they are relatively far from Vienna, two iconic destinations which are a must-visit for anyone interested in getting to know Central Europe are:  Prague , 187 miles to the northeast, and  Budapest , 150 miles to the southeast.

Discover our travel guides to these two popular destinations:

Enchanting capital of the Czech Republic and  one of the best-preserved Medieval cities in the world . Travel back in time as you explore its picturesque streets.

Known as the Pearl of the Danube, Budapest is a beautiful city offering incredible   culture, stunning architecture, lively nightlife and relaxing hot springs .

How to get there?

If you want to visit Salzburg, Budapest, Prague or one of the other fascinating cities near Vienna, we've got a g reat range of English language tours to choose from.

• Guided tours and excursions of Vienna  

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Austria ‎ > Vienna   > Top Day & Side Trips From Vienna  

Top 10 Vienna Tips | Suggested Itineraries For Vienna

• Top 10 Things To Do
• Old Town Walking Tour
• Ring Tram Tour
• Schönbrunn Palace
• More Sights
• Best Day Trips
• Helfpful Visitor Tips
• Suggested Itineraries

Top Day Trips From Vienna:

If you find yourself looking for something to do outside on Vienna it can be a little daunting, but we’re here to help.  We have come up with a great list of the best day trips to take from Vienna and more importantly how you actually get to each place.  You can easily see any of these and still get back to Vienna the same day or choose to fit these in as a side trip on the way to your next destination.  Enjoy our list of the top day trips from Vienna Austria!

Train Tickets & Transportation Info:

These top day trips from Vienna are very easy to do by yourself with the convenient Austrian train system.  To help with planning your transportation, the  National Austrian Railway Website  ( website ) has all of the regional Train/Bus routed, timetable information, and online tickets.  For short day trips the full fare will only be around 5€ round-trip a person, for medium length trips like Melk it is around 34€ round-trip per adult, and for longer trips the price goes up to around 80€ round-trip per adult to Budapest or 110€ for Salzburg.

If you are able to book any medium to longer day trips in advance they-they have special  Sparschiene fares  that can be discounted up to 80% off the full fare.  The special Sparschiene fares can be booked starting 6 months in advance on the National Train website, but because there is a limited number sold per train, you will typically need to buy them at least 30-45 days or sooner ahead your journey before they are sold out.  If you need more advanced schedule options or want to force the route to only looking for buses or certain types of trains you need to use the rail company’s advanced booking engine ( website ).

Day Trips From Vienna:

1. liechtenstein castle ( mödling, austria – 20 mins away ):.

About Liechtenstein Castle : Liechtenstein ( light-in-stone ) Castle was built in 1130 and stands tall in Medieval glory just a short day trip from Vienna in the Austrian countryside.  If you’ve seen the hit 1993 movie The Three Musketeers , then you’ve seen the historic Burg Liechtenstein which was predominately featured in the film.

The castle was owned early on by the famous Liechtenstein family before changing hands and expanding several times over hundreds of years.  It’s actually amazing that the castle is standing at all as it was sacked by the Ottomans ( Turks ) in both 1529 and 1683 before partially sitting in ruin.  The current ticket desk actually sits inside a tower ruined by the Ottomans.  When the Liechtenstein family regained control of the property in 1807, it was restored and expanded as part of the Historicism ( Romanticism ) movement to serve as a museum showing off idealized Medieval architecture .  Surviving further plunder in WW2, today the castle is available for tours and is one of the only privately owned castles in Austria.

We especially love the approach leading up to Burg Liechtenstein as the mighty castle slowly rises above the trees the closer you get to it.  The backdrop is stunning, but there is also a lot to see inside the castle tour during your day trip from Vienna.  The chapel ( still active ) is maybe the most fascinating space in the castle as it is original to 1130 and still has elements of red wall paintings from the 1200s including one of the crucifixion of Jesus.  It also houses a relic claimed to be a thorn of Jesus’s crown of thorns from Sainte-Chapelle in Paris.

You’ll find many other elements from the original Romanesque castle structure including a toilet, fireplace, and cistern during your tour of Burg Liechtenstein.  Some of the rooms also have interesting statues from the 1300s, the Squire Hall ( Knappensaal ) has interesting architectural details, the bedrooms have princess balconies overlooking the valley, and the small treasury is nice with a hand-made replica of the Liechtenstein royal crown.  Our favorite room though is the Knights’ Hall ( Rittersaal ) which was created during the more modern Historicism era and looks like it is straight out of a movie set.  A hidden gem in the Knights’ Hall is a stone sleeping alcove in the wall that dates back to the 1100s and is one of the oldest beds in Austria.

Getting Here : From Vienna take the Underground Metro to Vienna’s Meidling Train Station on the Southside of town and take a local train to Mödling.  Trains leave the station about 10 times an hour and the ride is only 15 minutes south of Vienna.  At the Mödling Train Station, you take Bus 262 right to the entrance ( Siedlungsstraße stop ) which is a 6-minute walk to the Castle.  We have also had success using Uber between Mödling Station and the castle.

Visiting Hours :  You can see the outside of the castle and take photos any time of day, but you can only go inside as part of a group tour which has been run since the 1800-s.   Guided Tour Hours :  50 Minute guided tours at the top of every hour.  January & February Saturday at 11am; March-October Daily 10am-4pm ( extended to 5pm July & August ); November Daily 11am-2pm; December Weekends Noon-2pm.  They also take advanced bookings year-round for additional tour times/days.  The Treasury tour is every Saturday at 12:30pm.  Tour Cost :  9€ for Adults; 6€ for kids; Families 25€.   Advanced Booking :  To book in advance email them here [email protected].   Special Tours : The Castle has a ton of private tour options ranging from 12-20€ and they are really cool.  They typically require that you pay for 5+ people but have tours that take you to the top of the tower for wine tastings, cool night tours, and much more.   Facebook Page :  ( HERE ).   Castle Website :  ( HERE ).

2. Seegrotte Hinterbrühl ( Mödling, Austria – 20 Mins Away ):

About Seegrotte Hinterbrühl :  While in the area you might as well take a boat ride on Europe’s largest underground lake, Seegrotte Hinterbrühl.  Starting in the late 1800’s Seegrotte was actually a large thriving  gypsum mine  which had grown into several levels with dozens of rooms.  One of our favorite rooms is the large Festival Ballroom in the upper chamber where all of the miners would gather every December 4th to celebrate the mine’s anniversary and their good luck.  That luck ran on during an unfortunate blasting operation in 1912 which let over  5 million gallons of water  in, flooding most of the mine.

The water had come from 7 underground springs with no natural drain and basically ended all future mining at Hinterbrühl.  It wasn’t until WW2 that anyone starting pumping water out of the mine and it was totally drained by the Nazi’s.  With the secrecy of the newly created cave, the  manufacturing of the airplanes  ( Jetfighter “Heinkel HE 162” ) was done by 2000 concentration camp prisoners under control of Nazi engineers.  Shortly after the Nazis lost WW2 the mine was opened as a tourist attraction with tours.

Because the underground springs had no drainage, the mine became to fill up again re-creating the lake on the mine’s lower level.  The caretakers were prepared and have been pumping out excess water daily to keep the water level even.  In some places, in the lower chamber the water gets up to over 30 feet deep, but most of the upper level is kept completely dry.  Today over 250,000 people a year visit Seegrotte Hinterbrühl getting not only tours of the old mining and plane manufacturing operations but also boat rides on the crystal clear underground lake itself.  A visit really is a unique experience and it is no wonder that the lake old mine has been featured in numerous films including the hit movie  The Three Musketeers  in 1993.

Getting Here From  Lichtenstein Castle :  Hinterbrühl is only a 1km ( 10 minutes ) walk from the entrance to Lichtenstein Castle making the two places easy to visit together.  There are a couple authentic restaurants between the two places if you want to grab a bite to eat.   Getting Here From  Vienna :  From Vienna take the Underground Metro to Vienna’s Meidling Train Station on the Southside of town and take a local train right to Mödling.  Trains leave about 10 times an hour and the ride is only 15 minutes south of Vienna.  At the Mödling Train Station, you take either Bus 364 or 365 right to the entrance.

Hours : April-October daily 9am-5pm; November-May Weekdays 9am-3pm plus Weekends 9am-330pm.   Guided  Tours : Cost 10€; leaves every 20 minutes; lasts 45 minutes; Tour includes: the cavernous lake, rooms that the miners used as a chapel, wine cellar, and common room.   Lake Website :  ( HERE ).

3. Kreuzenstein Castle ( 27 to 60 Mins Away ):

About Kreuzenstein Castle :  With powerful towers, a huge drawbridge, and an impressive collection of Medieval armor, Kreuzenstein Castle is an amazing day trip from Vienna.  There has been a hilltop fort at the site of today’s fortress since long before modern Vienna was founded.  By the 1100s the fort had grown into the large Castle Grizanstein with views of the Danube River.  On a clear day, views across the Danube let you see the towers of Castle Greifenstein, Klosterneuburg Monastery from 1136, as well as Leopoldsberg which was the site of a Celtic fort dating back to 400 BC.

The famous Habsburg Royal Family owned Kreuzenstein Castle for 250 years prior to it being overrun in 1645 by the Swiss Army during the 30 Years War.  The Polish Noble family Wilczek took control of the castle ruins in 1702 but it took 172 years for the family to start rebuilding it.  The family was extremely wealthy thanks to its Silesian coal mines in Prussia. With an endless budget, Count Johann Wilczek rebuilt the fortress to serve as the family vault and renamed it Kreuzenstein Castle.

In addition to his family fortune, Johann had a lot of influence as an explorer and as the Chamberlain at the court of Emperor Franz Joseph I which gave him even more resources.  The Count had huge portions of Medieval buildings from other properties they family owned moved to the Castle which kept the new complex very authentic to Medieval times.  The huge castle complex grew to hold a priceless library, amazing works of art, and with more than 100,000 objects.  It also gained Austria’s largest private collection of weapons .

A fire in 1915 and shelling during WW2 has damaged some of the artifacts over time, but much of it is still well preserved.  In 2012 the castle was featured in the TV series World Without End which was the sequel to hit series Pillars of the Earth .  With an amazing wall, courtyards, moat, secret tunnels, and a powerful central castle with a drawbridge, Kreuzenstein Castle sure is a treat to visit.

Getting To The Castle From Vienna :  From the Wien Floridsdorf Train Station it is a quick 20-28 minutes to Leobendorf-Burg Kreuzenstein Station (5€ round-trip), but then requires a 35-minute walk over to the castle which is well marked.  It is only 27 minutes from Vienna by car to the castle parking lot.

Visiting Hours :  Daily April-October 10am-4pm; Sundays until 5pm; Closed November-March.  45 Minute guided tours at the top of every hour.   Cost : Adults 10€; Kids 5€.   Castle Website :  ( HERE ).

Rating as a Day Trip From Vienna :  10 out of 10.  If it was open year round it would easily be our top side trip from Vienna.

4. Salzburg, Austria ( 2 Hours & 20 Minutes Away ):

About Salzburg :  Salzburg is the home of Mozart, the beautiful Mirabell Gardens & Palace, and the location for The Sound of Music.  Located in the heart of the Alps, Salzburg is a great spot for a day trip just a few miles from Berchtesgaden.  While it does make a great day trip, we recommend 2-3 full days in Salzburg to be able to see the old town sites, Sound of Music Sites, and surrounding towns of Hallstatt & Werfen.  The top things to do in Salzburg are the  Old Town Walking Tour ,  Schonbrunn Palace , and the   Sound of Music Movie Locations Tour  which cover dozens of must-see attractions around this timeless city.

Getting To Salzburg From Vienna :  It is a very easy and direct 2 hour and 22 minute train ride to Salzburg making it a doable day trip from Vienna.  Trains leave every 25-30 minutes starting at 5:30am meaning you can leave early, nap on the train, and get to Salzburg by 8am.  There is a lot of flexibility at the last train back to Vienna leaves at 10pm.  Tickets are only 24€ each way if you buy more than a week in advance ( 2-4 weeks is better ) or it’s 54€ each way on short notice.

Rating as a Side Trip From Vienna :  9 out of 10.  If you are able to spend 2-3 days in Salzburg you will love it even more.

View Our Salzburg Section : ( HERE ).

5. Danube River Cruise To Wachau Valley :

About The Wachau Valley :  The Wachau Valley is one of the most scenic areas to travel as a day trip from Vienna.  The banks of the mighty Danube River are littered with castles, small charming villages, and some of the best vineyards in Austria.  While many visitors ( especially retired ones ) visit the area for the famous fortified Melk Abbey, we feel that it is a little overrated by itself unless you do a Danube River cruise to see the rest of the Wachau Valley with it.

6. Melk Abbey ( Melk, Austria – 50 Mins Away ):

About Melk Abbey : Perched on a bluff above the Danube River , the fortified Melk Abbey is one of the true gems of Austria.  Not only is the Abbey one of the best Baroque buildings in Austria, but knowing the history gives you better insight into the founding of Vienna, making it an excellent side trip.  The village along with the Melk Abbey can be seen as a standalone day trip from Vienna but is even more enjoyable as part of a Danube River cruise, especially along the Wachau Valley.

The history of the abbey started when Bavaria pushed their territory East against the Hungarians ( Magyar ) and this bluff became the home to the first Margrave of Austria, Leopold I ( House Babenberg ), who built his castle here in 976.  Leopold I’s noble family line expanded the Babenberger Castle in Melk and filled it with valuable treasures and relics.  After 100 years, the  Babenberger started moving their family further East ( eventually to Vienna in 1146 ) and gave their castle to the Benedictine monks who have continually been living and working in Melk Abbey ( former castle ) since 1089.

Because the Babenbergers became the first Dukes of Austria ( 1146-1246 ), Melk Abbey was allowed to thrive.  Although it did suffer from a fire in 1297, the Abbey became an important place under Papal decree during the Council of Constance of 1414 .  Building onto the former castle over the centuries, much of the amazing Baroque-style monastery you see today was completed from 1702-1736.  The towering red-roofed yellow monastery is quite intimidating as you approach it from the village of Melk.  The yellow paint like Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna is iconic of the Hapsburg family who ruled Austria from 1278-1918.

The inside of the Abbey is just as impressive as the outside with its marble floors, golden accents, and  lavishly painted ceilings .  The marble spiral staircase, gothic church, mummified displays, and grand halls are very impressive.  The Hapsburg Emperors loved to visit the Abbey and today a lavish museum is located inside their former private rooms on the property.  From the balconies at the Abbey, you will get a great view of the gardens plus the Danube River and surrounding countryside.

Our favorite room is the frescoed library packed with over 100,000 and looks like it is from Beauty and the Beast.  In 1997 fragments of the medieval hero epic from the 13th Century called the Nibelungen Saga (“ kneeble-lew-gen zaga “) were discovered in the library.  Other texts and manuscripts kept here date back to the 9th Century. The famous library was also the impression for Umberto Eco’s best-selling book Name of the Rose ( 1980 ) being set in the Melk Abbey during the 1300s.  This book inspired the 1986 movie starring Sean Connery and a 2019 mini-series of the same name.

The village of Melk’s cobblestone streets and Town Hall ( Rathaus ) from the 1500s are quite enjoyable. Melk’s oldest home is the vine-covered House at the Rock ( House at the Rock ) from the 1400s.  Just down the river from Melk Abbey is the waterfront  Schonbuhel Castle which was built in the 1100s on the site of a former Roman fortress.  The castle was controlled by the Starhemberg family starting in 1396 for over 400 years before falling into disrepair.

Getting To Melk Abbey From Vienna : While Melk Abbey is included in most Danube River Cruises, it can also be reached as a standalone day trip from Vienna by local train.  Trains leave every 20-30 miles and though the distance is only 55 miles straight half the trains take 60 minutes and the other takes 90 so check the train schedule .  The walk up the hill from the Train Station takes 10-15 minutes.   Travel Note :  If you are heading other cities further West ( like Salzburg ) after visiting Melk, you have to backtrack to either Amstetten or St.Pölten ( 20 minutes away ) to switch the national rail line.  Although it seems weird, since the National rail line goes right through town Melk doesn’t directly connect to the West.

Entrance Cost : Adults 10€; Students 5.50€; Family 20€.  Add 2€ for guided tours.  Gardens only are 4€.   Visiting Hours : May-October 9am-6pm; Rest of the year you may only enter as part of a tour.   Guided Tours : April-October 10am & 2:55pm in English; November-March 11am & 2pm in English; you can reserve ahead of time by emailing [email protected].  Tours last 1 hour and the average visit is 2 hours.   Abbey Website : ( HERE ).

Rating as a Day Trip From Vienna :  7 out of 10 by itself, but a 9 out of 10 as part of a Danube River cruise from Vienna.

7. Castle Franzensburg ( 30-60 Minutes ):

About Franzensburg Castle : The area around Franzenburg Castle ( known as Laxenburg ) almost feels like a little village.  It started being built out in 1333 when the Hapsburgs created a hunting lodge on the wooded grounds ( today called Altes Schloss ).  They the 1700s the grounds had expanded into a large English garden-style park and pleasure grounds nicknamed Laxenburg Castle Park.  Emperor Franz Joseph

Our favorite building in the castle park is the dreamy Franzenburg Castle.  Built on a small artificial island in 1801, the castle was named after Francis II who was the last Holy Roman Emperor ( until 1806, died in 1835 ).  Austria Emperor Franz Joseph I ( reign 1848-1916 ) spent many of his youthful Summers at the grounds and even spent his honeymoon with wife Sisi here in 1854.  This marriage was a big deal as it joined the Austria Hapsburgs to the Bavarian Wittelsbachs.  Sisi was beloved for her beauty but was also a great diplomat who helped her husband to secure the joining of the Austria-Hungary Empire in 1867.

The views of the castle reflecting in the lake are stunning but you can also cross the plank bridge across the water to a picture-perfect gate tower to see the inside.  We also love renting one of the electric boats in the Summer to glide around the water in relaxing silence.  In the Winter there is ice staking available on the frozen lake.

Getting Here From Vienna :  From Karlsplatz take the U1 Subway to the Hauptbahnhof Train Station ( 2 stops 3 minutes ) then take Bus 200 to Laxenburg Franz-Joseph-Platz ( 13 stops, 30 minutes ) and walk through the castle park.  Entrance Cost : The park is 1.50€, bridge to the castle is 1€, bost rental 12€.

8. Hermesvilla & Vienna Woods ( 1 Hour Away ):

About Hermesvilla :  Hermesvilla is a stunning rural Royal getaway at the edge of the Vienna Woods.  It was built on a stretch of imperial hunting grounds by Emperor Franz Joseph as a gift to his wife Sisi.  Nicknamed the Castle of Dreams, the countryside villa was elaborately designed to try to encourage Sisi ( who was constantly traveling ) to spend more time near Vienna .

After it was completed the villa was named Hermes after a marble statue of the Greek god ( son of Zeus ) and guardian which still sits in the gardens of the estate.  Such care was taken with the grounds that the Emperor even had all the tiny molehills flattened so his wife would have smoother surfaces to ride her horse.

It was her love of travel that was ultimately Sisi’s downfall as in 1898 she was assassinated while visiting Geneva, Switzerland.  This was a sign of things to come for the royal family as they would often be targets including the murder of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria while visiting Sarajevo in 1914 which led to the start of WW1.

Today the grounds and surrounding area serve as a wonderful nature preserve that will leave you feeling like you are a world away from Vienna.  The Vienna Woods as it’s known is a relaxing and even majestic place to hike.

Gettings Here From Vienna : Take the U4 Subway from Karlsplatz to Ober Saint Viet ( 11 stops, 15 minutes ) then the Bus 54A or 54B to Stock Im Weg ( 8 stops, 9 minutes ) and walk up the hill ( 20 minutes ).

9. Budapest, Hungary ( 2.5 Hours Away ):

About Budapest :  Just a few hours by train, this mighty city on the Danube makes for a great 2 day getaway from Vienna. If needed you can cram the sights of the Pest Monuments and Castle Hill into one long day, but we highly recommend being here for 2-3 days so you can also spend time on the Jewish quarter and City Park. To see more on his city please check out our Budapest section .

Getting To Budapest From Vienna :  Train connects these two capitals’ city centers directly.  Make sure to check the schedule and take the 2 hours and 45 minutes Railjet train instead of the slow 4 hour REX one.   Rating as a Side Trip From Vienna :  6 out of 10.  You can only get a small taste of Budapest in a 1 day, but it becomes a 10 out of 10 if you can stay a bit longer.  You really need 3-4 full days to see it all and fit in the nearby Danube Bend.

View Our Budapest Section : ( HERE ).

10. Hallstatt Village & Salt Mine ( 3.5-4 Hours Away ):

About Hallstatt :  What in the world is a village almost 4 hours away doing on this top day trips from Vienna list?  Normally something 4 hours away wouldn’t count as a side trip but Hallstatt is an excellent stop on your way from Vienna to Salzburg.  We love taking a full day to explore the Village and the nearby Ice Caves.  Hallstatt is our favorite city in all of Austria and really is one you should fit in your schedule.

There was a Hallstatt before there was a Rome and it is just about as cute of an ancient alpine village as you’ll find anywhere.  Hallstatt is compact, full of history, and an absolutely beautiful lakeside village.  Just walking around the village streets can be amazing and we’ve put together a  Free Hallstatt Walking Tour  for you to follow to make sure you see all the top sights.  The main highlights include the colorful  Market Square , the creepy painted skulls of the  Bone Chapel , and a boat ride on the lake.  If you end up with the extra time we also suggest visiting the World’s oldest  Salt Mine  sitting just above the city which over 7,000 years old.

Getting To Hallstatt From Vienna :  Take the OBB train line to Attnang-Puchheim ( 2 hours & 10 minutes, has bag lockers ), switch trains and take the local REX to the Hallstatt Station ( 70 Minutes ), and lastly take a short ferry across the lake ( 15 Minutes ).   Please Note :  The Salt Mine and Ice Cave are closed in the Winter and re-open each April.

Rating as a Side Trip From Vienna :  6 out of 10 if you actually plan on returning to Vienna the same day due to the time involved.  However, if you are using Hallstatt as a stop on your way from Vienna to Salzburg it is easily a 10 out of 10.

View Our Hallstatt Section : ( HERE ).

11. Bratislava, Solvakia ( 1 Hour Away ):

About Bratislava :  We don’t have anything against Bratislava, but there just isn’t much to do here. There is a bland palace in the center of Old Town over the site of the former Bratislava Castle, but it is pretty blah.  There is one building be like in the middle of town called the Kaštieľ v Prievoze which was a mansion built for Count Eugen Čáki in 1902 and is now owned by the city.

Between Vienna and Bratislava are the ruins of Devin Castle and the former site of the large Roman camp Carnuntum which in 100AD was ten times larger then Vindobona ( Vienna ) with 50,000 troops. It is interesting to note that Vienna and Bratislava are the closest major capitals to each other in the World at just 40 miles apart.  If you are going to be nit-picky, they are really the 3rd closest, but we aren’t counting the city-state of the Vatican City being inside Rome or the shanty town capital of Brazzaville in Africa being across the river from Kinshasa as major capitals.

Getting Here From Vienna :  Trains from Vienna to Bratislava depart from Wien Sudbanhof at frequent regular intervals, arriving in  Bratislava Main Station  or Bratislava Petrzalka. Both stations are close to the downtown, easily accessible by  public transport  or  taxi .   Rating as a Side Trip From Vienna :  5 out of 10. There just isn’t much to do here.

12. Mauthausen Concentration Camp Memorial ( 2.5 Hours Away ):

About Mauthausen Concentration Camp :  Memorial site of the Mauthausen Concentration Camp ( Gedenkstätte Mauthausen ) is a great taste of dark Nazi history for anyone traveling between Vienna and Salzburg who may not have the time to visit Dachau near Munich.  This site was selected due to its onsite granite quarry so the imprisoned people could serve as slave labor.

The  Stairs of Death  are known as a spot of torture where prisoners were forced to carry stones heavier than their own body weight all the way up, only to be pushed off the adjacent cliff by SS Guards to their death.  They would also line prisoners up on the top of the quarry cliff and then force them to push each other off.  Even worse than the slave labor, cliffs antics, and even gas chambers was the SS Guard who would cut off prisoners tattoos to use the skin as lamp shades.

During its time of operation, over 100,000 prisoners were killed at this death camp.  Not too far from Mauthausen under the beautiful Augustine Monastery is the creepy Saint Florian Ossuary.  In the center of the room is the free-standing tomb of Anton Bruckner, but around it is a orderly collection of the skulls/bones of 6,000 people.

Getting Here From Vienna :  From Vienna’s Westbahnhof Train Station take a local train toward Mauthausen.  You’ll have transfer trains either at St. Valentin or Linz depending on your departure time, so check the  train schedule .  Either way, you’ll get right to Mauthausen train station, just make sure to take departure that has 2 hours in total travel time as certain departures have a long layover.  From the Mauthausen train station, the Camp is either a long 5km walk or 3km cheap taxi.

Entrance Cost :  Free, not recommended for kids under 14 years old.   Visiting Hours :  May-June Daily from 9am-5:30pm. July-October Tuesday-Sunday 9am-5:30pm, Closed Mondays.  November-April  Tuesday-Sunday 9am-3:30pm, Closed Mondays.   Guided Tours :  Guide tours are available but pricey at 40€ per person. Alternative you can get the 75 minute audio tour for Free after a refundable 40€ per headset deposit.  It is easy enough to share a headset between a couple people.   Mauthausen Website : ( HERE ).

13. Capuchin Monastery Crypt ( Brno, Czech Republic – 2 Hours Away ):

About Brno :  Brno is of the  Capuchin Monastery  with its eerie crypt of Monks.  The Capuchin Monks would put their dead in a coffin during each funeral procession, but afterward would lay the bodies in the crypt to be able to re-use the coffin and save money.  They did this from 1400 into the 1700’s until it was outlawed and the crypt was closed.

Although they didn’t mean for it to happen, the perfect air conditions in the crypt mummified the last 24 monks they buried here which have become quite a tourist attraction.  The Monks are neatly lined up in rows, their heads rest on original brick pillows, and are so well preserved you can still see their robes and the rosaries they are holding.

Fairly close to the Capuchin Monastery is the second largest ossuary in Europe which sits beneath  St. James Church . The bones of over 50,000 people were buried here before it was sealed up in the 1700’s in favor of cemetery burials.  The ossuary lay forgotten under the church until a local historian re-discovered it in 2000.  It took them a number of years to make it safe for visitors as due to bacteria that formed when they opened it, but today it is truly awesome to visit.  The only ossuary bigger are the catacombs in Paris, France.

Some of the other highlights are the  Church Of St Peter & St Paul  ( Petroy ), which looks has large Gothic towers just like the Church of Our Lady in front of Týn in Prague, and the modest  Špilberk Castle  which offers great views of the city.  A very popular side trip if staying in Brno is the  Veveří Castle   which has been owned by royals, nobles and even served as a hunting lodge.  Many tourists take the train half way there, hike the rest and take the steamboat along the river back to Prague.

Getting Here From Vienna :  Brno is the second largest city in the Czech Republic and sits right on the main train route from Prague to both Budapest and Vienna.  The Trains go city center to city center and it takes about 3 hours to get to Brno from Prague.  Costs is roughly CZK 360 round trip.   Visiting The Capuchin Monastery :  February 15th-December 14th Tuesday-Sunday 9am-Noon & 1-4:30pm; Only open on Mondays May-September; Closed all of  December 15th-February 14th.  The Monastery sits on Capuchin Square near the Cabbage Market.   Visiting The St. James Church :   Tuesday- Sunday 9:30am-6pm; Closed  Mondays.  Costs is CZK 140.

15. Heiligenbrunn, Austria ( 2.5 Hours Away ):

About Heiligenbrunn :  If you want the hidden gem of Austria, the village of Heiligenbrunn is it.  Prague may be known by tourists as the most Medieval town in Europe, but Heiligenbrunn gives it a run for the money.  The town itself only has 1,000 residents, 2 hotels, no castles or fortifications, but it has a personality to boot.

Historically the village is most well known for it’s cute, thatched-roofed, hobbit style houses, but don’t underestimate the wine.  The wine, made as early as 1225 AD, was once banned for being too strong, but today it’s perfect and you’ll find grape vines growing in all sorts of places.  The Basement or Kellerviertel is an awesome straw stellar which has been preserved as a living reminder of Heliligenbrunn’s wine culture.  We highly recommend stopping by Ulrich’s Chapel as its bubbling spring is said to have curing powers, especially for the eyes.

Getting Here From Vienna :  From Vienna’s Wien Secession Bus Station ( Friedrichstraße ) take Bus G1 directly to Heligenbrunn in 2 1/2 hours.  Make sure to check the schedule as some options require a transfer to bus 1862 that will bring your total travel time up to 3 1/2 hours.

Rating as a Side Trip From Vienna :  4 out of 10 because of travel but an 8 out of 10 with a car or overnight stay.  The more we think about Heligenbrunn the cooler it is to visit a tiny village, in the middle of nowhere, stuck back in time, and off the the normal tourist track.  Staying overnight can be very relaxing.

14. Hardegg Castle ( 1 Hour 45 mins Away ):

About Hardegg Castle :  Stunning riverside castle overlooking the Austrian-Czborderrder from a hilltop perch.  It was first built in the 1100s and has luckily stood the test of time.  It may not be as cool as the other castles around Vienna, but is still a good visit for castle lovers.  The grounds are open for the public to free roam most days but to see the private collection of arms you must arrange a tour ahead of time with requires 20 or more guests.

Getting Here From Vienna :  70 minute local train to Retz then Bus 1255 takes you right to the Castle in about 1 hour and 45 minutes total. Make sure to check the schedule as a couple times a day there is a 45 minute layover waiting for the bus. Only 90 minutes by car.

Rating as a Side Trip From Vienna :  5 out of 10.  It is actually a very interesting place, but there are cooler castles near Vienna to see first.  If there weren’t better castles nearby this one would maybe be a 7 out of 10.

16. Eggenburg Beinhaus ( 2 Hours Away ):

About Eggenburg Beinhaus :  Crypt containing the bones of 5,800 Austrians arranged in an artistic manner. It was written about as early as 1299 AD and a majority of the current crypt was built in 1405 AD. Because the bones are so old, you can only look at the crypt through a large glass wall and can no longer walk among them, but they are impressive still.  The only downfall is the window you look through to see it is small and often dirty but after dark, you can flip a light on to see it better.

Getting Here From Vienna :  2-hour train right to Eggenburg and a 10-minute walk to the Beinhaus next to Pfarrkirche Church. Can get here by car in just 50 minutes.   Rating as a Side Trip From Vienna :  5 out of 10.

17. Römerstadt Carnuntum ( 70 Minutes Away ):

About Carnuntum :  While Vienna was once the Roman fort of Vindobona ( 97-433AD ), it was the larger city of Carnuntum ( 40-395AD ) that was the regional capital on the Northen border of the Roman Empire.  It’s said that Emperor Tiberius was the first Legion group to reach the area in 6AD where he camped with as many as 40,000 troops.  In as early as 40AD Carnuntum started to become permanently fortified as a military camp and training area.

By 80-120AD Carnuntum had grown into a full city with a walled civilian suburb next near the fort.  The early city was complete with a legionary fort ( castra ), public forum, temple buildings, governor’s palace, thermal baths, two large amphitheaters, and a population of over 50,000 including troops.  Much of the growth was fueled by the city’s location on the Danube River where the East-West Limes Road ( connecting northern Roman forts ) and the North-South Amber Road trade route ( from the Baltic Sea to Rome ) met.

Carnuntum may be the most famous as the place where Emperor Septimius Severus was crowned in 193 after Commodus had been slain and that Julianus tried to claim the throne.  This is often referred to as the Year of the Five Emperors or the Ides of August.  Septimius Severus had been in line for succession to Marcus Aurelius ( 161-180, died in Vienna ) and Commodus ( 177-92 ).

As the Huns invaded as far west into the Roman region as Castra Constantias ( modern-day Budapest ), it broke down the Limes Road and Carnuntum was sacked by Germanic tribes ( Goths ) in 395AD ( abandoned by 433 ).  Luckily ruins from the Roman city have been preserved as a living museum thanks to  excavations ongoing since 1877.   Today you can visit the base of the Civilian Colosseum ( Zivilstadt ,  seated 13,000 ), the Military Colosseum ( Militärstadt,  seated 8,000 ), numerous stone foundations, a city senate ( curia ), some preserved floor mosaics, reconstructed buildings ( citizen’s house, upscale urban villa, public baths, barracks ), and ruins of the Heidentor Gate.  The four portal Heidentor Gate was built as a huge triumphal gate in 324AD by Emperor Constantius II to commemorate his victories.

Thanks to modern laser scanning, they were able to find and partially reconstruct the remains of a wooden gladiator school next to the Civilian Colosseum ( Zivilstadt ) in 2011.  They got the tip to scan in the area after finding some documents dating back to the time of Emperor Hadrian ( reign 117-138AD ) which mentioned the 40-60  person gladiator school next to the ancient civilian stadium.

A short walk away is the large Petronell Palace which was a castle built in 1660 that has been restored after sitting vacant for decades.  They often have actors dressed in Roman gear and have a big festival once a year to show what life was like here in 333AD.

Getting Here From Vienna :  From the main train station, you take the Rex bus to Bruck/Leitha Bahnhof ( 2 stops, 27 minutes ) then Bus 274 to Petronell-Carnuntum Freilichtmuseum ( 12 stops, 27 minutes ).   Rating as a Side Trip From Vienna :  5 out of 10, a 7 if you love Roman history.

18. Marchfelderhof Restaurant ( 40 Minutes Away ):

About Marchfelderhof Restaurant :  A little tacky, but a beautiful restaurant from 1843 seemingly filled with junk.  They serve traditional Austrian food, have a funky atmosphere, and cater to large groups.

Getting Here From Vienna :  Take the S1 subway right from the heart of Vienna to the restaurant in around 40 minutes.   Rating as a Side Trip From Vienna :  4 out of 10.

Longer Side Trips From Vienna:

Munich, Germany ( 4 Hours ); Prague, Czech Republic ( 4.5 Hours ); Sedlec Ossuary Bone Church in Kutná Hora, Czech Republic ( 3.5 Hours ); Berchtesgaden, Germany ( 3.5 Hours ); Wefen, Germany ( 3.5 Hours ); Innsbruck, Austria ( 4.5 Hours ); Graz, Austria ( 2.5 Hours ).

Accessible By Night Train From Vienna:

Rome ( Italy) ; Venice ( Italy ); Amsterdam ( Netherlands ); Florence ( Italy ); Brussels ( Belgium) ; Frankfurt ( Germany ); Warszawa ( Poland ); Bucureşti ( Romania ); Zürich ( Switzerland )

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30 Little Gems in Old Town Vienna (See Them on a Map)

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Truth: you could easily spend three or four days in Vienna just sightseeing.

In Old Town Vienna (Innere Stadt) alone, within the perimeter of Ringstrasse, a single day might not be enough to wander and see all the beautiful landmarks, historical sites, and intriguing museums! Believe it or not, that’s still the case even if we exclude the landmarks you’ll encounter during a walking tour of Ringstrasse or the architectural wonders in the city .

Indeed, there’s an overwhelming amount to see! For instance, these 30 lesser-known attractions or hidden gems I discovered in Vienna, which I’ll share with you today.

If you’re looking to uncover even the smallest intriguing details of Vienna or if you’re aiming to do something unique in Vienna , these attractions/city features are ideal for you to visit. I’ve included a map of these minor attractions in Old Town Vienna for you to conveniently find them.

Do you find trip planning a bit overwhelming, or are you seeking in-depth knowledge and cultural insights into Old Town Vienna? This top-rated Vienna Guided Walking Tour of the City Center Highlights is perfect for you! For a unique experience, consider the Vienna Spooky Ghost Tour . And for an exploration you’re sure to enjoy, our partner-certified 2-hour Historical Sightseeing Tour of Vienna is worth considering. For more amazing experiences in Vienna, this list is a must see .

Old Town Vienna Map

In summary, the sites displayed on these maps of Vienna are distinguished by their architectural beauty and historical importance. They include unique spots and museums associated with Mozart, Beethoven, the Holocaust, and more.

Below are three maps: (1) a comprehensive map of Old Town Vienna highlighting the locations of 30 lesser-known attractions; (2) a zoomed-in map of Old Town Vienna showing the points of interest near the Danube Canal ; (3) another close-up map of Old Town Vienna, revealing the hidden gems in parts of the Old Town Vienna away from the Danube Canal .

Jump into the description of each attraction by clicking their names.

Discover amazing ways to enjoy Vienna

Vienna Ringstrasse Walking Tour DIY (with Map and Tips)

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Old Town Vienna’s 30 Unique Things to Do (Little Gems)

If you’re short on time and can’t see everything in Old Town Vienna, you might want to focus on visiting the churches, palaces, and old government buildings. Also, don’t miss out on the beautiful sights on the streets like fountains, clocks, and scenic views.

For the palaces, don’t miss out on the Daun-Kinsky Palace and the Liechtenstein City Palace . As for the churches, be sure to visit Annakirche , Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church , Maria Rotunda Catholic Church , and the Jesuit Church . Other beautiful sights include the Old City Hall (Altes Rathaus), the Anker Clock (Ankeruhr), the Vienna Plague Column (Wiener Pestsäule), and Kohlmarkt , a very scenic street.

Tip: Look for four small Austrian flags hanging on the facade of some of these lesser-known attractions in Vienna. They’ll help you identify these hidden gems as you stroll through the historic center.

The list below is organized in the order corresponding to the numbers on the map. All the details about each attraction are conveniently linked and compiled in the resources section of this post for easy reference.

1. Alte Börse

While it seems you’ll see stunning architecture wherever you look in Old Town Vienna, some buildings just stand out. Amazingly, their exteriors aren’t the only eye-catching features. Step inside and you’ll treat your eyes to elegance and grandeur.

One beautiful example is Alte Börse , or the Old Stock Exchange , with its gorgeous Viennese neo-Renaissance style. You can find it along the Schottenring of Ringstrasse . Today, it hosts private institutions and events. Unfortunately, as far as I know, it’s not possible to tour inside on your own, which is a letdown.

However, concerts also take place here, specifically in Festsaal — the architectural highlight of Alte Börse ’ s interiors. The concert is an opportunity to see its interiors. Most importantly, it accomplishes two things: pleasing the ears and the eyes.

This is where you can check for concert tickets in various places in Vienna , including those at Alte Börse.

2. Schottenkirche

If you plan to visit the Kunsthistorisches Museum before exploring the beautiful lesser-known attractions in Old Town Vienna, you might already be familiar with Schottenkirche.

Freyung, the square where Schottenkirche is located, is depicted in a beautiful painting in the museum. This painting, created by Bernardo Bellotto, clearly shows Schottenkirche dominating the square’s view with its tower.

However, Due to Vienna’s turbulent past, such as the Turkish wars, Schottenkirche no longer retains its original appearance. You’ll notice this if you compare Bellotto’s painting to the actual view of the church from Freyung.

On the bright side, the interiors of Schottenkirche have been breathtakingly restored in a mix of Neo-Renaissance and Neo-Baroque styles. The beauty you’ll encounter inside, particularly the glass mosaic of the Virgin Mary on the altar and the intricate stucco work everywhere, is one reason why this church is a gem in Vienna.

3. Maria am Gestade Catholic Church

Did you know that, apart from Karlskirche , there are more architecturally interesting churches in Vienna?

One of them is the Maria am Gestade Catholic Church , which stands out for its tall and narrow design. Its 56-meter high openwork tower, styled in Gothic scrollwork , is a unique sight to behold. With its tower, you can easily distinguish this church from a distance.

Another two features that make this church a gem in Old Town Vienna are the beautiful stained glass windows in its choir and the intricate lacy stonework of the altar , which is quite eye-catching.

If you’re a history buff, Maria am Gestade has an interesting fact to offer: it’s been standing since the mid-12th century. Yes, it’s one of the oldest churches in Vienna and was the place where sailors of the Danube River used to pray.

You can find the Maria am Gestade Catholic Church at Salvatorgasse 12. The nearest bus stop is Schwertgasse.

4. Museum Judenplatz

Interestingly enough, Vienna hasn’t just been a home for Christians, but also for a community of Jews. As you wander through the Old Town, you’ll come across various monuments, landmarks, and even a museum that narrate their tale.

For instance, if you visit Judenplatz — the heart of the Jewish neighborhood in Vienna — you’ll find the Museum Judenplatz . It showcases the religious, cultural, and social living conditions of the Jews in Vienna throughout history, stretching back to the medieval ages.

In my opinion, this museum is a gem for those wanting to discover a part of Vienna’s history from a different perspective .

The most interesting part of the museum? It’s the excavated remains of a medieval synagogue that once stood in Judenplatz. The exhibition includes augmented reality features, giving you an idea of what it looked like when the synagogue was still standing.

5. Holocaust Memorial

As a human being, I find the Holocaust Memorial in Judenplatz to be one of Vienna’s most moving monuments.

This site, also known as the Nameless Library , is dedicated to the 65,000 Austrian Jews who were killed during the Holocaust . The design of the memorial? It effectively conveys their heartrending story.

From afar, it simply looks like a concrete block.

But upon closer inspection, you’ll see the details: The outer surface of the monument features shelves of books with their spines turned inward, symbolizing the countless stories that were never told . The doors of the library remain closed, symbolizing the inaccessibility of these untold stories .

6. Kirche am Hof

Kirche am Hof stands out as another architecturally fascinating church in Vienna’s Old Town, boasting a blend of styles . Its exterior is Baroque, the interior Gothic, and the choir? It’s Neoclassical. The Rococo stucco work on its three-aisled nave further enhances its charm.

While it may not be as breathtaking as other churches in Old Town, like the Peterskirche with its grand Baroque interiors, it certainly possesses an elegance that offers a serene and beautiful experience.

The fascinating aspect of Kirche am Hof lies not only in its architecture but also in its rich history.

The church’s terrace served as the place for Pope Pius VI’s Easter blessing to Emperor Joseph II. Also, it has welcomed two modern-day pontiffs, Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI , who have both graced its platform.

7. Altes Rathaus

Along Wipplingerstraße lies another notable, yet lesser-known site in Vienna — the Old Town Hall, or Altes Rathaus.

It is the place which when you visit, you can picture some of the city’s most pivotal historical events, such as the execution of Franz III. Nádasdy and Vienna’s March Revolution in the mid-19th century .

While it no longer serves as the seat of city government, it still maintains its dignified presence with architecture that features elements of Gothic and Baroque styles.

Beyond its architecture, two other compelling reasons to visit Altes Rathaus during your trip to Vienna are the Inner City Local History Museum and the Documentation Center of Austrian Resistance .

The museum preserves the development of the city, its culture, and significant events. Meanwhile, the Documentation Center offers insights into Austria’s history from the establishment of the First Republic onwards.

8. Ankeruhr

Like most European cities, Vienna boasts its own beautiful clock that fascinates every visitor. In Vienna, it’s known as the Ankeruhr . Where can you find it? This clock is situated in Hoher Markt , where it spans like a bridge, connecting two parts of the Anker Insurance Company’s buildings.

It was created by the aforementioned insurance company, hence its name. Of course, there’s commercial intent behind building the Ankeruhr. Anker constructed it to underscore the importance of insurance, using allegorical motifs to symbolize the passage of time and human existence.

Visit the Ankeruhr at noontime , and you’ll witness a parade of historical figures within the clock, accompanied by music. You’ll see representations of Marcus Aurelius, Charlemagne, Maximilian I, Maria Theresa, Prince Eugene of Savoy, and more.

It’s a pretty spectacular little show, although I find the clocks from other cities, mechanically crafted back in the Middle Ages, more impressive. For instance, the Zytglogge , one of the beautiful landmarks of Bern, Switzerland .

9. Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church

Vienna is full of architectural surprises, often in the form of churches. I shouldn’t be surprised, given Vienna’s reputation for beautiful architecture, but the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church just did surprise me with its spectacular interiors.

Its Byzantine Revival architecture is enchanting and unlike anything I’ve seen before in Vienna. From the intricately detailed walls to the massive chandelier and the profoundly valuable artworks throughout the sanctuary, you’re sure to feel a spiritually uplifting atmosphere.

In fact, its exterior, visible from Fleischmarkt, is quite distinctive. The two-tone brickwork and gilded archways should catch your eye without fail as you step into the market square.

Today, this church serves not only as an architectural treasure in Vienna but also as a historical beacon: It symbolizes the religious freedom granted by the Patent of Toleration, issued by Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor, in 1781.

10. Mozarthaus

After visiting St. Stephen’s Cathedral , you can immediately visit another lesser-known yet interesting place in Vienna: Mozarthaus . Previously known as the Camesina House, this place along Domgasse is where Mozart lived in the late 18th century after moving from Salzburg .

Mozart was born in an apartment Salzburg, which is now also a museum called Mozart’s Birthplace .

Today, Mozarthaus in Vienna is also a museum ; a gem for travelers who are fans of this great musician.

It has four floors, containing information about Mozart’s life and work in Vienna , and details about his family. You can find musical instruments, uniform, and documents of Mozart, as well as interactive displays providing deeper insights into his life.

However, the current setup of the museum does not reflect the setup of Mozart’s room back in his time, which I think it should. On the flip side, the museum also hosts special events like classical concerts , lectures, and workshops that provide a richer experience to anyone interested.

11. Jesuit Church

Even if we exclude the palaces and government buildings, Vienna remains a paradise for beauty seekers and architecture enthusiasts. The city’s churches, such as the Jesuit Church or the University Church, never disappoint.

This early-17th-century Baroque religious building, while appearing quite simple from the outside, is a visual feast on the inside. Not a single inch of the church is left unadorned. As you wander inside the church, taking in the gilded stucco work, colorful frescoes, and even the pews , you get the impression that you’re exploring God’s palace.

What sets the Jesuit Church apart are the illusionary painting techniques used in the church’s artworks.

You must see the remarkable trompe-l’œil dome , painted on a flat part of the ceiling along the nave. It’s truly impressive, giving the church additional visual space and dimension from certain viewpoints. If you visit Innsbruck before Vienna, the technique should remind you of Innsbruck Cathedral .

Jesuit Church is situated on  Dr. Ignaz Seipel-Platz , immediately adjacent to the old University of Vienna buildings.

12. Katholische Kirche Maria Rotunda (Dominican Church)

The Katholische Kirche Maria Rotunda is another church in Vienna that will leave you speechless with its ornate beauty.

Similar to Salzburg Cathedral , the stucco work that is everywhere in the interior of this church is a play of shapes and shadows. It creates a divine dramatic scenes that everyone would love to behold. When you explore its interior, don’t forget to check the side chapels, which are adorned with beautiful wrought iron grills with gilded leaf-like ornamentation .

If you’re a Catholic like me, I believe this church will also inspire you to pray, particularly when you contemplate the paintings inside. Forty-six of them depict scenes from the life of Our Lady , which tell a great deal about obedience to God.

Actually, travelers who have been to Italy might find the architecture of Katholische Kirche Maria Rotunda quite familiar. Its facade is reminiscent of the Roman-Lombardic style , very similar to Santa Maria Novella in Florence.

Katholische Kirche Maria Rotunda, located along Postgasse , is also known as the Dominican Church.

13. Alte Stadtmauer Stubentor

Did you know that Vienna once had a medieval wall encircling its Old Town? It was built in the 1200s but was taken down in the 19th century as walls became outdated.

Today, the Ringstrasse has replaced the wall. However, you can still find small remnants of it while exploring the Old Town. One such remnant is the Stubentor (tower), located at Doktor-Karl-Leuger-Platz . While the tower no longer stands, its remains are now part of a station on Line U3 of the Vienna U-Bahn.

Outside the station, you can find a model of Old Town Vienna , showing what the wall looked like when it still stood around the city.

14. Wien Museum Beethoven Pasqualatihaus

There’s a reason why Vienna is called the City of Music. Many of the Western canon’s greatest composers spent a significant amount of time in Vienna, and their legacy continues to resonate in the city even today.

Like you can check out this list of concerts in Vienna ; they’re held in every beautiful corner of the city!

Aside from Mozart, another composer who contributed to Vienna’s musical legacy is Ludwig van Beethoven. If you’re curious about his life in Vienna, a lesser-known attraction in the city is the place to visit: the Wien Museum Beethoven Pasqualatihaus .

This museum was Beethoven’s apartment for eight years and is now home to a compact biographical exhibition about the musical genius. Interestingly, it was in this place that he composed his famous piano piece “Für Elise,” and the original manuscript of this piece is housed in this museum.

You can find Wien Museum Beethoven Pasqualatihaus in Moelker Bastei 8 , near Universitätsring of Ringstrasse.

15. Palais Daun-Kinsky

When you visit Schottenkirche in Freyung, you’ll find that Palais Daun-Kinsky is just a short stroll away. This palace, dating back to the 18th century , is one of Vienna’s most impressive.

If you’re looking to attend a concert in Vienna , Palais Daun-Kinsky is a venue you should consider . It’s a magnificent example of Baroque splendor in Vienna , and without a doubt, it’s one of the most beautiful places to attend a concert in the city.

You’ll get that impression even before you enter this magnificent Baroque palace, thanks to its intriguing facade and ornate door ! From the looks of it, you can also say that it’s one of the most important palaces in the city center.

And wait until you see the breathtaking fresco above the main staircase and all the stucco work and ornate decorations everywhere. Something memorable indeed awaits inside.

Yet, the beauty doesn’t end at the staircase. There’s more to behold, like its most impressive artwork called the “ Window to Heaven ,” painted on the ceiling of the Ovaler Saal (hall) .

16. Stadtpalais Liechtenstein

If you’re looking to experience a complete Baroque marvel in Vienna without attending a concert , Stadtpalais Liechtenstein is the place to go.

This palace, situated along Bankgasse and representing Vienna’s finest example of High Baroque architecture , is open to the public through guided tours . Prince Johann Adam Andreas I von Liechtenstein, who bought this palace in the 17th century, ensured that its interior is lavish — certain to leave visitors in awe.

From the ceiling to the curtains, every corner is adorned with beautifully designed rococo elements. I was particularly impressed by the massive chandeliers and the ceiling, decorated with gilded stucco!

What’s even more remarkable about this palace is that the tour also allows you to view some of the masterpieces from the princely collections , including some of the finest artworks. Interestingly, the collection features major works of European art, ranging from the early Renaissance to the Biedermeier era .

The tour is conducted in German, but an English audio guide is provided.

Did you know there’s a castle belonging to the Liechtenstein Family just a short trip away from Vienna? Consider visiting Liechtenstein Castle , especially if you love to be transported back to the medieval times!

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17. Theseustempel

The parks in Vienna’s Old Town are always full of new discoveries. For instance, if you visit the scenic Volksgarten , you’ll come across the Theseus Temple (or Theseustempel), which I consider to be another hidden gem in the city.

Constructed between 1819 and 1823 by Peter von Nobile, it’s a replica of the ancient Greek temple of Hephaestus in Athens . Initially, it was designed to house an incredible marble sculpture, “Theseus Defeats the Centaur,” by Antonio Canova.

However, after about seventy years, they relocated the sculpture to the Kunsthistorisches Museum.

Today, the temple hosts temporary exhibitions of contemporary art . The best part? It’s free to enter! The exhibitions rotate annually , so you’re always in for a surprise. The last time I was there, I saw an artwork made of plastic that resembled an ocean. It was quite amazing!

18. Wiener Minoritenkirche

As you may already know, Vienna is home to some uniquely designed churches. The Wiener Minoritenkirche is another one we can add to that list! Just take a look at the structure of the church from the back.

The Minoritenkirche is also unique for its long history and its association with the monastic Order of Friars Minor Conventual monks .

What’s really cool about this church is its French Gothic style . It’s like stepping into a piece of France right in the heart of Austria. The entrance of the church follows a French pattern, which is pretty uncommon for Austria .

Inside the church, there’s a life-sized copy of Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper . It’s not just any copy, however, it’s a mosaic made by Giacomo Raffaelli and was commissioned by Napoleon I in 1809. There’s also a Neo-Gothic high altar made by Ferdinand Hohenberg. Take note of the stained glass behind the organ. It’s picture-perfect!

You can find this church northwest of the Hofburg , at the Minoritenplatz .

19. Globe Museum of the Austrian National Library

If you’re a curious explorer, eager to discover how people in the past depicted other places, the Globe Museum of the Austrian National Library is a must-see.

It’s a simple yet unique experience: you’ll gaze upon tens of tens of globes in various forms and designs . There are globes featuring animals, zodiac signs, constellations, and more! Globes of the moon and other celestial bodies are also included. Perhaps, they used these to predict eclipses and the movement of planets in our solar system.

Yes — the globes here aren’t just about land and sea. Interestingly, I found a globe where California isn’t connected to the mainland US , which is somewhat odd. And overall, you can see more than 200 globes . But, if there’s something you shouldn’t miss, it’s these: The terrestrial globe of Gemma Frisius and the globe by Gerard Mercator , both from the mid-16th century.

Another reason to visit the museum is because of its location: it’s housed in Palais Mollard-Clary , one of the beautiful palaces in the city. You should be able to spot this museum and palace while strolling along Herrengasse near Hofburg .

20. Kohlmarkt

For stunning photography opportunities in Vienna, Kohlmarkt is a fantastic place to explore.

This street, which extends from Michaelerplatz to Graben, is where you can view the St. Michael Wing of Hofburg , flanked by beautiful buildings and shops. The St. Michael Wing is an architectural highlight of Hofburg, with its magnificent dome and allegorical sculptures .

Kohlmarkt is also an excellent place for luxury and window shopping in Vienna . In fact, it’s known as Vienna’s luxury shopping street due to the presence of international fashion labels and numerous jewelry stores. I’m not much of a shopper, so I can’t recall everything I’ve seen here. However, a few that come to mind are Salvatore Ferragamo and Fendi.

If you want to experience the café culture of Vienna, the iconic Demel Café is located on Kohlmarkt.

Planning a trip to Vienna during Christmas ? You simply can’t miss Graben .

This gem is the most dazzling street in Vienna , especially when it comes to Christmas lights and decorations. You’ll be strolling under twinkling lights, surrounded by stunning architecture – it’s truly magical. Just picture the scene with snow! It’s so lovely.

Even on regular days, Graben remains fantastic. Like Kohlmarkt, it’s a prime spot for shopping and window shopping amidst beautiful landmarks and buildings . I’ve noticed a plethora of international and luxury brands here, from Swatch to Hermès and Louis Vuitton , which is situated at the far end of the street from Stephansplatz.

For explorers like me who love to admire beautiful buildings, Graben has plenty to offer. Just stand in front of the Louis Vuitton shop for a striking view!

You might also enjoy people-watching here in Graben while savoring some of Vienna’s finest coffee .

22. Wiener Pestsäule

Another reason to visit Graben is that it’s home to the Wiener Pestsäule , also known as the Plague Column or Trinity Column.

This is one of the most beautiful and intricate monuments in Vienna . It’s quite tall, standing at 69 feet, and is designed in the Baroque style, which is incredibly detailed and ornate.

What’s so fascinating about the Wiener Pestsäule is the story it tells about Vienna’s past: It shows that the city faced numerous challenges, like the plague and the Second Siege of Vienna by the Ottomans. But through faith and the leadership of Emperor Leopold I, they were able to overcome these hardships. It’s a symbol of Vienna’s resilience.

By the way, the column was built following the Great Plague in 1679.

23. Jewish Museum of the City of Vienna

The Judenplatz Museum is just one location in Vienna where you can learn a great deal about Jewish history.

In fact, it’s only just a part of the Jewish Museum of the City of Vienna , which another notable place in the city that offers more extensive exhibits about Jewish culture. It is the museum that narrates a comprehensive story of Vienna’s Jewish community, from its inception in the city to the present day .

One of the highlights of the museum is its collection of Judaica objects : antique menorah, a large mezuzah, and a Hebrew clock . These were preserved from synagogues all over Austria during the Holocaust. The relationship of Vienna, as a city, with the Jews is also well discussed in this museum.

Overall, I’m impressed by how meticulously the museum’s exhibits are curated and researched! Considering all that you can learn about Jewish history here, we can say that it is a place that everyone should visit at least once, especially if you’re a history enthusiast.

You can find the Jewish Museum of the City of Vienna at Dorotheergasse 11 .

24. Mozart Monument

Did you know that there are more than 40 monuments scattered throughout the Old Town alone? They’re primarily located in the city parks and gardens, where they serve as beautiful reminders of the city’s rich heritage.

One particularly striking monument is the Mozart Monument in Burggarten , situated behind the Neue Burg of Hofburg. It’s also one of the most beautiful monuments I discovered in Vienna, alongside the statues of Prince Eugene and Archduke Karl in Heldenplatz, as well as the statue of Maria Theresa situated between the Naturhistorisches and Kunsthistorisches Museums.

Standing 7.5 meters tall, the statue of Mozart is very detailed , and his monument is heavily adorned, particularly the base. The base is decorated with ornaments, masks, and wreaths and is framed within a semi-circular balustrade made of rough marble from Sterzing.

There’s not much to do here other than to appreciate Mozart and his monument, and perhaps take a selfie as it’s an iconic spot in Vienna . When you take pictures, don’t forget to include the G-Clef in front of the statue ! It should make your photo extra unique.

25. Imperial Crypt (Kapuzinergruft)

Among all the attractions I’ve mentioned, the Imperial Crypt is the most unusual and perhaps one of the sights in Vienna that can make your trip to the city unique .

In essence, the Imperial Crypt has served as the main burial site for the members of the House of Habsburg . A visit offers the chance to stand within arm’s reach of Austria’s most significant figures like Maximilian I, Maria Theresa, Franz Stephans, and of course, Empress Elisabeth or Sisi.

Well, of course, they’re already deceased, but you get my drift.

In total, there are 145 remains of Habsburg royalty here, including 12 emperors and 18 empresses.

More importantly, if you’re not keen on encountering the deceased up close, a visit to the Imperial Crypt provides an opportunity to see some of the most exquisite coffins ever crafted . They are literally works of art. Breathtaking works of art!

Some of the coffins, although they appear eerie , are incredibly spectacular with their detailed decoration . The statues and reliefs adorning the coffins are eye-catching. Believe it or not, some that you’ll see are made of highly valuable materials like bronze, silver, and gold. Even the rooms, where some of the coffins are stored, are works of art.

If you wish to visit, you can find the Imperial Crypt at Tegetthoffstrasse 2.

26. Theatermuseum

The Theatermuseum is another gem in Vienna; a museum that you won’t regret visiting if you love the performing arts. This museum, located on Lobkowitzplatz , houses some of the most significant collections related to theater. From costumes to stage designs, and props to drawings and graphics, there’s a wealth of discoveries to be made.

As a wanderer and seeker of beauty, the highlight of visiting the Theatermuseum is the Eroica Hall , with its breathtaking early 18th-century fresco on the ceiling . It should take your breath away!

However, stepping into the shoes of a theater enthusiast, perhaps the puppet collection on the first floor and the technology used to animate them would be the most amazing part. The attention to detail in creating the stage and set models for these puppets is incredible.

I think they’ll also love the costume collection, exhibits about Mozart, the Bosch art exhibition, and more. Some people say that the main reason to visit is to see Bosch’s ‘The Last Judgement.’

Overall, there are around 600 costumes, 1,000 stage models, and hundreds of thousands of photos, graphics, and drawings awaiting a theater fan at the Theatermuseum.

27. Albrechtsbrunnen

While exploring the area around Hofburg to look for more breathtaking architecture, I discovered Albrechtsbrunnen .

This fountain near Albertina is probably one of the most beautiful fountains in Vienna (another is Minervabrunnen near the Museum of Applied Arts). It was a head turner, and definitely a small architectural marvel. I marvel at it like for a few minutes while wondering what is the significance of this fountain.

And after researching I found out that it indeed has some historical significance and symbolism : This fountain stands as a tribute to the grandeur of the empire, underscoring the connection between Vienna, the Danube, and its various tributaries. The central figure, Danubius, is surrounded by tritons and Vindobona, who represents Vienna.

Each figure, crafted from the famous Carrara marble, is reminiscent of renowned sculptures like Michelangelo’s David.

28. Mozart Death House

For those who are fans of Mozart and wish to gain insights into his entire life, your journey can culminate at the site where he breathed his last. This is the house (as shown in the picture) where Mozart passed away. It’s situated at Rauhensteingasse 8 . However, the original structure no longer stands. In its stead, you’ll find a memorial plaque and a department store.

29. Annakirche

If you thought you’ve seen all the beautiful churches in Old Town Vienna by reading this far, think again. There’s another church you’d love to see when exploring the Old Town, and it’s Annakirche .

Located in Annagasse, it’s another Baroque gem in Vienna: a blend of gold and pastel colors that are a feast for the eyes . Every corner reveals new details – from ornate marble columns to the unique woodwork of its doors. Look up and you’ll see the ceiling, featuring magnificent frescoes depicting scenes from the life of St. Anne, to whom the church is dedicated.

There are also frescoes about the Glory of the Virgin Mary, and The Glory of the newborn Christ Child. When you visit, don’t also miss the wood-carved statue of Saint Anne with the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child , a masterpiece dating back to 1510.

If you’re visiting on July 26 and you’re a Catholic, this church is a must-see destination for being a pilgrimage site. On that day, the right hand relic of Saint Anne is displayed in the church .

Annakirche is also a venue for concerts. Here is where you can find the schedule and concert tickets .

30. House of Music

Last but certainly not least: among the attractions in Vienna, the House of Music is the most entertaining.

Also known as Haus der Musik, this unique sound museum offers an interactive exploration of the world of music , making it both a fun and educational experience for adults and children alike. If I were to describe it, it’s the kind of museum where you learn by doing.

The museum spans four floors, each offering a different musical experience. On the first floor, you’ll find the Vienna Philharmonic . The second floor, known as SONOTOPIA , presents the world of sounds in a multimedia and interactive format. The third floor pays homage to the great composers who lived and worked in Vienna. On the fourth floor, you can test your skills as a conductor of the world-renowned Vienna Philharmonic in the Virtual Conductor exhibit.

If you’re able to climb a flight of stairs, you’re in for a delightful surprise. There are piano stairs that play notes as you ascend to the first floor. They’re a ton of fun for both adults and kids!

If you want to visit the House of Music, it’s located at Seilerstätte 30 .

Resources: Old Town Vienna

And there you have it! These are the lesser known and unique attractions of Vienna. For more detailed planning, I recommend checking out the websites of the mentioned places of interest for the most recent and practical information.

• Alte Börse — Official Website
• Schottenkirche — Official Website
• Maria am Gestade Church — Official Website
• Museum Judenplatz — Official Website
• Documentation Center of Austrian Resistance — Official Website
• Palais Daun-Kinsky — Official Website
• Stadtpalais Liechtenstein — Official Website (public guided tours)
• Globe Museum of Austrian National Library — Official Website
• Theatermuseum — Official Website
• House of Music — Official Website

If you’re looking for more suggestions on what to see and do in Vienna, I’d recommend the Belvedere Palace , Schönbrunn Palace , Museum of Military History , and the Danube Tower . As for day trips from Vienna , consider visiting Melk Abbey , Kreuzenstein Castle , or Laxenburg Castle Park .

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27 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions & Things to Do in Vienna

Written by Bryan Dearsley Updated Dec 22, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Capital of the Republic of Austria and one of Europe's most visited cities, Vienna (Wien) owes much of its charm and rich history to its splendid location on the banks of the Danube River. For centuries the gateway between West and East Europe, it was the natural nucleus of the once sprawling Habsburg Empire, and to this day remains Austria's most important commercial and cultural hub.

Vienna continues to attract over 17 million visitors each year with its many great historical sightseeing opportunities, its fabled collections of art, glittering palaces, and exceptional musical heritage. This appreciation of the nation's rich culture is still very evident in Vienna's magnificent museums, its fine concert halls, and one of the world's great opera houses.

With an unmistakably cosmopolitan atmosphere, Vienna retains a distinctive charm and flair. This is very much accentuated by its fine old architecture; its famous horse-cabs, known as Fiakers; as well as its splendid coffeehouses with their famous Viennese cakes and pastries.

Whether you're looking for great places to visit in Vienna for a single day, or multiple things to do over several days, you'll have plenty of choices in this elegant city. If time permits, consider taking some day trips to explore the beautiful surroundings and nearby cities . And be sure to refer often to our exhaustive list of the top tourist attractions and things to do in Vienna, Austria.

1. Explore Imperial Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens

2. visit the historic hofburg, 3. kunsthistorisches museum and maria-theresien-platz, 4. a baroque masterpiece: belvedere palace, 5. take the kids to vienna zoo (tiergarten schönbrunn), 6. get your art fix at the albertina museum & albertina modern, 7. the vienna state opera house, 8. see st. stephen's cathedral, 9. see the dinosaur relics at the museum of natural history (naturhistorisches museum), 10. vienna city hall (rathaus) in the historic city center, 11. visit the prater and ride the giant ferris wheel, 12. take in a performance at the spanish riding school, 13. see the royal burial vaults in the imperial crypt and the capuchin church, 14. visit the leopold museum & vienna's museum quarter, 15. st. peter's catholic church (peterskirche), 16. dine like royalty at the famous demel: vienna's ultimate café, 17. st. charles church (karlskirche), 18. see the city views from the danube tower (donauturm), 19. walk by the colorful homes of hundertwasserhaus, 20. take a stroll on donauinsel (danube island), 21. learn about the austrian parliament building, 22. kärntner strasse and the donner fountain, 23. take in a show at the burgtheater: austria's national theater, 24. museum of military history, 25. the franciscan church: st. jerome, 26. jewish museum & judenplatz holocaust memorial, 27. sigmund freud museum, where to stay in vienna for sightseeing, map of tourist attractions & things to do in vienna, vienna, austria - climate chart.

The spectacular 18th-century Schönbrunn Palace (Schloss Schönbrunn) is worth visiting not only for its magnificent architecture, but also for its beautiful park-like setting. One of Vienna's top tourist attractions, this beautiful Baroque palace contains more than 1,441 rooms and apartments, including those once used by Empress Maria Theresa.

Tour highlights include a chance to see the Imperial Apartments, including Emperor Franz Joseph's Walnut Room and his Bedroom, which still has the small soldier's bed in which he died. Of Empress Maria Theresa's rooms, highlights include her richly furnished and decorated garden apartments, along with her Breakfast Room with its floral artwork created by her daughters.

Schönbrunn Park and Gardens is another must-see here. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site , the park, with its sweeping vistas and sumptuous Baroque gardens, is one of several top free things to do in Vienna (although you will have to pay to enter the maze and some of the adjoining buildings, such as the 1883 Palm House). If traveling with kids, visit the Children's Museum for a chance to see them dressed up as a prince or princess.

A good way to get to the palace and avoid the wait at the entrance is on a Skip the line: Guided tour of Schönbrunn Palace and Vienna Historical City Tour . These popular tours begin with a handy pickup from your central hotel or the Opera House. After a narrated drive along the famed Ringstrasse, past major attractions like the Hofburg Palace, City Hall, and the Vienna State Opera, you'll tour Schönbrunn Palace without having to wait in line. The tour continues to Belvedere Palace, where you can see Gustav Klimt's The Kiss and other famous Austrian art with a discounted admission.

Address: Schönbrunner Schloßstraße 47, 1130 Vienna, Austria

• Read More: Visiting Vienna's Schönbrunn Palace: Highlights, Tips & Tours

For more than six centuries the seat of the Habsburgs – and the official residence of every Austrian ruler since 1275 – the Hofburg is perhaps the most historically significant of Vienna's palaces. The official seat of the Austrian President, this sprawling complex consists of numerous buildings reflecting various periods, including architectural flourishes from the Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Rococo movements.

All told, this vast complex covers 59 acres with 18 groups of buildings, including 19 courtyards and 2,600 rooms. Its main attractions are the Imperial Apartments , the Sisi Museum , and the Silver Collection , while other notable sites within the complex include the Imperial Chapel (Burgkapelle) and the Hofburg Treasury with its large collection of Imperial regalia and relics of the Holy Roman Empire. Informative guided tours are available in English.

You can stop at the Hofburg and the city's other important tourist attractions on the Vienna Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off Tour . This is by far the best option for first-time visitors who want to see the major sites and get acquainted with Vienna. One-, two-, or three-day options are available.

Address: Michaelerkuppel, 1010 Vienna, Austria

• Read More: Exploring Vienna's Imperial Hofburg Palace: A Visitor's Guide

Vienna's Kunsthistorisches Museum (Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien) is housed in a magnificent building created expressly to show off the tremendous art collections of the Hapsburg royal family. The superb collection of Dutch art features the world's largest collection of works by Pieter Bruegel the Elder, including his masterpiece Tower of Babel .

There are also paintings by Raphael, Titian, Bellini, Caravaggio, and Vermeer, plus portraits by Velazquez. While the museum's specialties are late Italian Renaissance, Baroque, and Flemish painting, the collections go far beyond those with classical Greek and Roman art and Egyptian artifacts.

English language guided tours are available and can be tailored to your specific interests. The museum's café is also worth a visit, especially for its atrium setting and tall, elegantly decorated walls and ceiling.

The museum overlooks Maria-Theresien-Platz, the focal point of which is the grand monument to Empress Maria Theresa. The statue was commissioned by Franz Joseph I and was unveiled in 1887. This massive monument depicts the Empress on her throne while surrounded by major personages of her day, including a number of generals on horseback. The high reliefs depict illustrious figures from the fields of politics; economics; and the arts, including Haydn, Gluck, and Mozart.

If you're able to squeeze in a little more gallery hopping, head over to the Museum of Applied Arts (Museum für angewandte Kunst), or MAK. This superb museum features traditional Austrian crafts and arts along with contemporary art, design, and architecture.

Address: Maria-Theresien-Platz, 1010 Vienna, Austria

Official site: www.khm.at/en/

Among Vienna's most popular attractions, Belvedere Palace is really two splendid Baroque buildings: the Lower (Unteres) Belvedere and the Upper (Oberes) Belvedere. Highlights of the Upper Palace include the Ground Floor Hall with its statues, and the Ceremonial Staircase with its rich stucco relief and frescoes.

Also worth seeing is the Marble Hall. This stunning two-story hall features numerous period sculptures, paintings, and ceiling frescoes. The Lower Palace also boasts a Marble Hall, this one noted for its oval plaster medallions and rich ceiling fresco, as well as a Marble Gallery built to house a collection of historic statues.

Other must-see buildings include the Winter Palace, a Baroque building that once housed the Court Treasury; the Orangery; the Palace Stables, home to the Medieval Treasury; and the Belvedere Gardens and Fountains linking the two palaces.

If there's time left in your Belvedere itinerary, be sure to include the Österreichische Galerie Belvedere. This popular art museum in the Belvedere Palace is well known for its extensive collections, including a rich array of sculptures and panel paintings from the 12th to the 16th centuries. But it is perhaps best known for Austrian Symbolist artist Gustav Klimt's The Kiss , a masterpiece of early modern art.

Address: Prinz Eugen Strasse 27, A-1037 Vienna, Austria

• Read More: Exploring Vienna's Belvedere Palace: A Visitor's Guide

The origins of the Vienna Zoo – also known as Schönbrunn Zoo (Tiergarten Schönbrunn) – can be traced to Emperor Francis I's menagerie. Founded in 1752 it's the oldest continually operating zoo in the world. With many of its original Baroque buildings still intact, it's one of the most pleasant zoos in Europe to visit, particularly if you spend a little time seeking refreshment in the original 18th-century Imperial Breakfast Pavilion that now houses a great café.

A highlight of the zoo's more than 750 species are its giant pandas, including cubs, as well as the many fascinating creatures housed in the interactive Rainforest House and Aquarium. If you're traveling to Vienna with children, be sure to check the zoo's official website for details of feeding times, always a fun family experience. Also worth checking into is the availability of special themed and backstage guided tours.

If after visiting the zoo, you've still got time in your Vienna travel itinerary for more critters, check out Haus des Meeres , a large public aquarium situated in a WWII flak tower. Also worth seeing is the Butterfly House (Schmetterlinghaus), located next to the Opera house and a pleasant place to unwind after all that sightseeing.

Address: Maxingstraße 13b, 1130 Vienna, Austria

Official site: www.zoovienna.at/en/zoo-and-visitors/visitor-information/

All the great names in modern art are represented, often by multiple works, in the magnificent Albertina museum. Representative examples from all the various schools and movements are to be found here, including French impressionists, Vienna secessionists, the Russian avant-garde, the expressionists, and fauvists, represented by their greatest artists.

These include important works by the likes of Chagall, Picasso, Cezanne, Degas, Magritte, Vlaminck, Modigliani, Klimt, Munch, Kandinsky, Münter, Miró, Brach, and Ernst - all are here to compare and admire. All told, this must-visit Vienna attraction is home to over a million works of art plus in excess of 65,000 drawings.

Many of these masterpieces hang in a splendid 17th-century palace where the Habsburg archdukes lived for a century, and their sumptuous State Rooms have been restored to their original glory. In addition to these permanent displays, temporary exhibits are also available for viewing. English language guided tours are available, along with informative audioguides. If traveling with kids, be sure to look into one of the private children's tours, which can also include a fun workshop.

If there's time in your Vienna itinerary, be sure to add the brand new Albertina Modern to your list of must-sees. Located an easy 10 minutes' walk away on Karlsplatz, the Albertina's large collection of post WWII and contemporary art by Austrian and international artists is housed in this newly renovated neoclassical building.

Address: Albertinaplatz 1, 1010 Vienna, Austria

Official site: www.albertina.at/en

One of the world's largest and most splendid theaters, the Vienna State Opera House (Wiener Staatsoper) has hosted many of the world's most prominent composers, conductors, soloists, and dancers. Operatic and ballet performances are staged at least 300 times a year, fuelled by an obsession with music that goes as far back as 1625 when the first Viennese Court Opera was performed.

The current massive Opera House was built in 1869 and is notable for its French Early Renaissance style, while interior highlights include a grand staircase leading to the first floor, the Schwind Foyer (named after its paintings of famous opera scenes), and the exquisite Tea Room with its valuable tapestries.

Capable of accommodating an audience of 2,211 along with 110 musicians, the Opera House is also home to the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. English language behind-the-scenes guided tours are available.

If music is your thing, you may also want to pay a visit to Wiener Musikverein , a concert hall that serves as home for the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra (tickets can be booked online in advance). And the House of Music (Haus der Musik) offers visitors a fascinating glimpse into sound and music through interactive displays and demonstrations.

Address: Opernring 2, 1010 Vienna, Austria

Official site: www.wiener-staatsoper.at/en/

Vienna's most important Gothic edifice and the cathedral church of the archbishopric since 1722, St. Stephen's Cathedral (Stephansdom) sits in the historic center of Vienna. The original 12th-century Romanesque church was replaced by a Late Romanesque one in the 13th century, the remains of which are the massive gate and the Heathen Towers (Heidentürme).

Next came reconstruction in the Gothic style in the 14th century, along with the addition of the choir and the chapels of St. Eligius, St. Tirna, and St. Catherine. The famous 137-meter high South Tower (Steffl) belongs to the 15th-century.

Improvements and further construction followed from the 17th to 19th centuries, and the whole structure was rebuilt after World War II. Highlights include climbing the 343 steps to the Steffl's Watch Room for the spectacular views, and the North Tower, home to the massive Pummerin Bell. For those not wanting to tackle the stairs, a fast lift takes visitors to a viewing platform.

Other features of note are the 14th-century catacombs and the Cathedral Treasure, containing many of the cathedral's most important artifacts. Interesting English language guided tours are available, including an unforgettable 1.5-hour evening tour that takes in the cathedral's superb city views.

Address: Stephansplatz 3, 1010 Vienna, Austria

Read More: Exploring St. Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna

Best known for its huge Dinosaur Hall and for the world's largest exhibit of meteorites (which includes the Tissint meteorite from Mars that fell in Morocco in 2011), Vienna's Natural History Museum (Naturhistorisches Museum Wien) is a fascinating place to visit. Its 39 exhibit halls trace such subjects as the origins and development of humans and the evolution of human culture from prehistoric times.

One of its rarest treasures is the so-called Venus of Willendorf, a pottery figurine dating from between about 28,000 and 25,000 BCE. The museum's newest feature is its Digital Planetarium with full dome projection. The building opened in 1889 and is itself a work of art, especially the magnificent ceiling painting above the main staircase.

A variety of fun workshops and guided tour options are available, and audioguides are provided upon request. The museum's latest addition, "Deck 50," features workshops and lectures, as well as fascinating "meet a scientist" sessions that provide a unique opportunity to ask questions of leading experts in a variety of disciplines.

Address: Burgring 7, 1010, Vienna, Austria

Official site: www.nhm-wien.ac.at/en

Located in the heart of historic Innere Stadt and overlooking Rathausplatz, Vienna's City Hall (Weiner Rathaus) is an impressive Neo-Gothic building that serves as the city's administrative center. Remarkable for its size, it occupies nearly 14,000 square meters of the former Parade Ground.

This attractive and much-photographed building was completed in 1883 and is notable for the famous Rathausmann on top of its 98-meter-high tower, a banner-carrying iron figure presented to the city as a gift from its master locksmith.

The arcaded courtyard in the center of the building is the largest of seven courtyards and is used for popular summer concerts. Highlights of a guided tour of the building include the Schmidt Halle, the large entrance into which carriages would once drive to deposit their passengers, and the two Grand Staircases leading to the Assembly Hall.

Other sights included in the tour are the Heraldic Rooms; the City Senate Chamber, notable for its coffered ceiling decorated with gold-leaf and its huge Art Nouveau candelabra; and the Mayor's reception room. Tours are free and are available Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 1pm, and audioguides are also available.

Try to time your visit to coincide with one of the frequent festivals or events held in Rathausplatz. The old City Hall makes an extremely romantic backdrop for everything from colorful Christmas markets to summer music concerts.

Address: Friedrich-Schmidt-Platz 1, 1010 Vienna, Austria

Official site: www.wien.gv.at/english/cityhall/tours.htm

Visiting the Prater (Wiener Prater), a large natural park situated between the Danube and the Danube Canal, is a little like stepping into another world. Covering an area of 3,200 acres, this vast park - once a royal hunting ground - has long been one of Vienna's most popular recreation areas. There's something here for everyone, from thrills and spills in the Wurstel area, with its old-fashioned theme park rides, to dining and dancing, to the dinosaur-themed park for the kids.

A highlight for sightseers is taking a ride on the famous Giant Wheel (Wiener Riesenrad), a Viennese landmark that has provided fine views over the city since 1896. If you can afford it, go for the super luxurious cabin, suitable for parties of up to 12. Other park highlights include the Prater Ziehrer Monument , a larger-than-life statue of composer CM Ziehrer built in 1960; the Prater Museum with its displays documenting the park's history; a Planetarium ; and the Liliputbahn miniature steam railroad traversing a four-kilometer line near the main avenue.

Elsewhere in this vast park there's room enough for horseback riding, swimming in the stadium pool, football, cycling, tennis, and bowls. Also worth visiting is nearby Danube Park (Donaupark). This 250-acre open space is also home to a fun miniature railroad, an artificial lake (Lake Iris), and a theater. Visiting Prater park at night is also fun, and is highly recommended.

Address: 1020 Vienna, Austria

Official site: https://prater.at/en/park-information/

Dating back to the time of Emperor Maximilian II, the superb Spanish Riding School (Spanische Hofreitschule) was established after the ruler had the famous Lipizzaner horses introduced to his courtesans in 1562.

Today, it's one of Vienna's leading attractions, and one of the leading riding schools in the world, thrilling audiences with fabulous displays of equestrian skills in the Baroque Winter Riding School in the grounds of the Hofburg Palace, where it has been located since 1735. Tickets to these popular performances sell out quickly, so be sure to book as far in advance as possible.

If available, purchase a package that includes a behind-the-scenes tour and the chance to visit the stables, along with a morning training session. An on-site café ensures you can linger a little longer-you'll certainly want to.

Address: Michaelerplatz 1, 1010 Vienna, Austria

Official site: www.srs.at/en/

Dedicated to Our Lady of the Angels, Vienna's Capuchin Church (Kapuzinerkirche) is best known for its spectacular Imperial Vault (Kapuzinergruft). This stunning edifice is home to the Habsburg family vault containing the remains of 145 members of the family (almost all Austrian Emperors since 1633 are buried here).

The nine vaults are arranged in chronological order, making it easy to trace the evolution of taste, at least in burials. A highlight includes the Founder's Vault , the final resting place of Emperor Matthias who died in 1619, and Empress Anna, who died in 1618.

Also of interest is the Maria Theresa Vault , a domed chamber dominated by a double sarcophagus in the Rococo style and built for the Empress, who died in 1780. The sarcophagus takes the form of a bed of state, at the head of which is the Imperial couple with an angel and a crown of stars, while along the sides are numerous reliefs depicting scenes from Maria Theresa's life.

Address: Neuer Markt, 1010 Vienna, Austria

Official site: www.kapuzinergruft.com

Since opening in 2001, Vienna's Museum Quartier (Museumsquartier, or "MQ") has been home to a variety of first-rate museums that are well worth exploring. A mix of old and new architecture centered around an area that once served as the former royal stables, it's easy to spend the best part of a day (or two) here.

Must-visits include the famous Leopold Museum , noted for its large collection of works by Austria's leading modern artists, such as Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele, and MUMOK , the Museum of Modern Art Ludwig Foundation Vienna, featuring more than 10,000 contemporary and modern pieces by renowned artists including Picasso and Warhol.

Another highlight of a visit to the Museum Quarter includes the popular summertime Vienna Festival (Wiener Festwochen). The event's main offices are located here, so it's a hub of activity once tickets become available, and many of the surrounding buildings are used as venues for a variety of cultural events and concerts. Also located here is the Tanzquartier , the country's leading dance center, along with artists' studios and galleries.

Address: Museumsplatz 1, 1070 Wien, Austria

Official site: www.mqw.at/en/

Modeled on St. Peter's in Rome, Peterskirche – the Collegial and Parish Church of St. Peter – is built on a site originally occupied by a Roman church and later by one founded by Charlemagne in 792 AD. The present edifice was built in the 18th century and boasts a massive dome with a superb fresco and many artistic treasures.

Other highlights include the Barbara Chapel with its magnificent portal, and in which Franz Karl Remp's Decollation of St. Barbara is found, and the choir with its High Altar and painting of the Immaculate Conception. The church is also noted for its frequent organ recitals.

Also of note is the nearby Plague Pillar , a 21-meter-tall Baroque pillar built to commemorate the end of the devastating plague of 1679 that cost at least 75,000 Viennese their lives. The nearby Abbey of the Scots (Schottenstift), built in the 12th century and extensively renovated and enlarged since, is also worth popping into. Its school included Johann Strauss and Austria's last emperor, Charles I, among its pupils, while its fine collection of artwork includes pieces from the 16th to 19th centuries.

Address: Petersplatz 1, 1010 Vienna, Austria

Official site: www.peterskirche.at

Founded in 1786, the famous Demel is not only the oldest café and bakery in Vienna, it's perhaps the most memorable food experience you'll have in this wonderful city. Officially known as Hofzuckerbäckerei Demel – shortened to "Demel" by those in the know – this exquisite café serves dishes and cakes carefully prepared by hand to traditional centuries-old recipes.

Some of these delicious treats were once used to satisfy the cravings of Emperor Franz Joseph who secretly had Demel cakes and pralines served during his tête-à-têtes with his lover. Apparently, his unhappy wife, Sisi, was addicted to their legendary violet sorbet.

A highlight of a visit is the Demelinerinnen, the modestly dressed waitresses wearing black dresses with lace collars who still address customers with the formal, " Haben schon gewählt ?" ("Has Madam/Sir already made her/his choice?").

The other highlight, of course, is drooling over the mouthwatering displays of cakes and pastries, including special creations resembling characters or creatures from history and mythology, each a work of art. Reservations can be made in advance online, and are recommended.

Address: Kohlmarkt 14, 1010 Vienna, Austria

Dedicated to St. Charles Borromeo, a saint invoked during times of plague, St. Charles Church (Karlskirche) was built in 1737 and remains Vienna's most important Baroque religious building. This vast building is crowned by a magnificent 72-meter dome and is famous for its twin 33-meter Triumphal Pillars, based on Trajan's Column in Rome, with their spiraling bands depicting scenes from the life of St. Charles.

Interior highlights include the fabulous frescoes of St. Cecilia. Be sure to check the church's official website for details of its regular concert program.

Also worth visiting is the Gardekirche , built in 1763 in the city's southern outer district as the church of the Imperial Hospital and later serving Polish congregations. Of particular interest is the painting above the High Altar.

Address: Kreuzherrengasse 1, Vienna, Austria

Few European capital cities in the 50s and 60s were left without that definitive mid-20th-century landmark, the telecommunications tower, and Vienna is certainly no exception. Standing taller than any other building in the city and in fact the tallest structure in Austria, the 252-meter-tall Danube Tower, the Donauturm, opened to great fanfare in 1964 and continues to attract visitors for its spectacular view over the Danube River.

Highlights of a visit include the speedy elevator ride to the observation deck at 150 meters, from which you can also pick out many of Vienna's most important attractions. The other big draw here actually combines two of a traveler's favorite things to do: enjoying incredible views and partaking in world-class dining experiences.

The Danube Tower is in fact home to two restaurants, one fine dining and the other a casual café-style establishment.

Address: Donauturmstraße 8, 1220 Wien, Austria

Official site: https://www.donauturm.at/en/

Famous as Vienna's "nature and human-friendly" apartment block, the decidedly odd (yet fascinating) Hundertwasserhaus is well worth a visit. Designed by painter Friedensreich Hundertwasser, this brightly colored landmark on the corner of Löwengasse and Kegelstrasse was completed in 1985, and the occupants of its 53 units-perhaps unsurprisingly-consist mostly of artists, intellectuals, and creative types, much like the architect himself.

Although the brightly colored building can only be enjoyed from the outside, you can explore the nearby Kunsthaus Wien, a complex of apartments containing a terrace café where you can rest while soaking up the ambience. Afterwards, pop over to the similarly styled shopping arcade.

Address: Kegelgasse 36-38, 1030 Vienna, Austria

Official site: www.hundertwasser-haus.info/en/

If you took the time to enjoy the views from the Danube Tower, you'll have noticed that the city appears to have not just one, but two rivers running through it. No, you're not seeing double. In fact, what you're seeing is the Danube River (the wider of the two) and, running parallel to it, a canal known as the Donaukanal, or "new Danube." Separating them is a long stretch of land known as Danube Island (Donauinsel), and a sightseeing opportunity you won't want to miss.

Although only 210 meters wide at its widest point, the island is over 21 kilometers in length and is a popular spot to walk and relax for locals. Easily accessible via water taxi or bridge, the island is dotted with interesting dining opportunities (both casual and upscale), and is particularly pleasant for those wanting a quiet stroll along the Danube.

Sports enthusiasts are also drawn here, partaking in activities as diverse as biking and rollerblading, along with canoeing, kayaking, and swimming at one of the many beaches . Danube Island is also the scene of the annual Donauinselfest , Europe's biggest open-air festival, and one so popular an estimated three million visitors drop in to enjoy it each September.

Home of Austria's National and Federal Parliament since 1918, the Parliament Building impresses with its vast dimensions. Completed in 1883 for use by the Imperial and Provincial delegations, it boasts many Greek influences, from its Corinthian columns to its rich decoration. Of particular note are the exterior carvings depicting the granting of the Constitution by Franz Joseph I to the 17 peoples of Austria, along with numerous marble statues and reliefs.

Another highlight is the splendid Pallas Athene Fountain with its four-meter-high statue adorned with a gilded helmet and lance, along with figures symbolizing the Rivers Danube, Inn, Elbe, and Moldau.

English language guided tours are available from the Visitor Center where you can also enjoy displays and multimedia presentations about the history of the building and Parliament itself. (Editor's Note: Please be aware that there may be some restrictions regarding tour access due to ongoing renovations.)

Address: Dr.-Karl-Renner-Ring 3, 1017 Vienna, Austria

Official site: www.parlament.gv.at/ENGL/

Looking to do a little window shopping after all that museum and gallery hopping? Then head to Vienna's most elegant street, Kärntner Strasse. Linking Stephansplatz to the Staatsoper on the Ring and ending at Karlsplatz, this (mostly) pedestrian-friendly area is fun to wander thanks to its lime trees, pavement cafés, fashionable shops, elegant boutiques, and busy shopping arcades.

Although most of the buildings you see today are 18th-century, the Maltese Church still has a few features dating from the 13th-century when the street served as an important trade route (take a peek inside for its coats of arms of the Knights of Malta).

Other notable buildings are Palais Esterházy , built in 1698 and now home to an upscale restaurant, while nearby buildings house high-end clothing stores. Also of note is the exquisite Donner Fountain , built in 1739 by Georg Raphael Donner to reflect the 'caring and wise' city government; it was, of course, commissioned by those who ran Vienna at the time.

The Burgtheater, Vienna's superb National Theater, has long been famous for its productions of German-language plays and performances. Many famous names have acted on its four stages since its founding by Emperor Joseph II in 1776 as the Court Theater. After devastation by bombing and fire in 1945, the theater eventually reopened in 1955 and has since grown in stature as the country's most important theater.

In addition to its size and the caliber of its performances, the building's exterior is impressive on account of its numerous decorative figures, scenes, and busts. Equally as impressive is its interior consisting of rich decoration in the French Baroque style, and a staircase with frescoes by Gustav and Ernst Klimt. Behind the scenes, guided tours are available in English and are well worth the cost.

Address: Universitätsring 2, 1010 Vienna, Austria

Whether you're a military history buff or are simply interested in learning more about Austria's place in the history of European conflict and warfare, be sure to schedule a visit to The Museum of Military History: Military History Institute (Heeresgeschichtliches Museum - Militärhistorisches Institut).

This remarkable collection is all too often overlooked, but those who do venture here are rewarded by the chance to peruse an immense collection of weaponry and exhibits detailing events in which the Austrian military was involved from the 1600s up to the 1950s. Along the way, you'll see weaponry, from muskets to machine guns, cannons to tanks, as well as vintage aircraft. Add to this interesting dioramas and models, along with uniforms and medals, and you'll want to stay right through until closing.

And be sure to spend time enjoying the splendid architecture, too. The museum is located in the city's sprawling Arsenal, and in places, the lavish interior-such as in the memorial hall-rivals that of any of the city's palaces. English language guided tours are available and come highly recommended.

Address: Arsenal 1, 1030 Vienna, Austria

Official site: www.hgm.at/en

The early 17th-century Roman Catholic Franciscan Church (Franziskanerkirche), also known as the Church of St. Jerome, is unique in Vienna for having a Renaissance façade, while its delightful interior is decorated in Baroque style. Highlights include the High Altar from 1707 and a painting of the Madonna and Child from 1550. Other paintings are the Martyrdom of St. Capristan and one of the church's patron saint.

Also of interest is the carved Baroque organ from 1643, the oldest organ in Vienna, notable for its folding doors with their fine carved and painted saints. The church's most famous artifact, however, is a carved image known as the Madonna with the Axe , known for having been carried by Austrian soldiers during their campaign against the Turks in Hungary, and credited for their victory.

Address: Franziskanerplatz 4, 1010 Vienna, Austria

Established to both celebrate and commemorate Vienna's Jewish population, The Jewish Museum (Jüdisches Museum Wien) does a stellar job of both. Established in 1986 and spread across two locations in the city-in Judenplatz and Dorotheergasse-the museum features displays and exhibits relating to the history of Jewish culture and religion in Austria over the centuries.

The Dorotheergasse location consists of the main collection, housed in Palais Eskeles, including artifacts and memorabilia relating to Jewish life in the post-WWiI period. A café and bookshop are also located here.

The Jewish Museum Vienna at Judenplatz houses displays relating to the social, cultural, and religious lives of the city's Jewish population. Highlights include a chance to visit an authentic medieval Jewish synagogue, along with art and photography collections. Afterwards, be sure to spend time in Judenplatz itself and visit the Holocaust Memorial located in the heart of the square.

Address: Dorotheergasse 11, 1010 Vienna, Austria

Official site: www.jmw.at/en

Established in 1971, the Sigmund Freud Museum offers a fascinating glimpse into the life of one of the most remarkable thinkers of modern times. Located in Freud's former home (it was built in 1891, the year he moved in, and was his home for 47 years), the museum features rooms and exhibits relating to the history of psychoanalysis, including its influence on art and society as a whole.

Many of Freud's original writings are housed in the museum's research library, considered one of the most important such facilities in the world. In addition to personal artifacts from his life, along with his collection of antiques, an impressive modern art collection is housed on the property, too.

Address: Berggasse 13, 1090 Vienna, Austria

Official site: www.freud-museum.at/en/

The Ringstrasse circles Vienna's old city center, replacing the walls that once enclosed it. Most of the city's major attractions are inside or along this ring, with major museums surrounding the buildings of the former Habsburg Palace, the Hofburg. As you might expect, most hotels in this compact center are in the luxury range. Budget hotels are found farther outside the ring or in the attractive neighborhood around Schönbrunn Palace and the zoo.

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Things to Do near Vienna : A delightful two-hour road trip from Vienna, Graz is Austria's second biggest city and is popular for its many well-preserved Baroque buildings, especially those located in the Old Town area. Two hours west, and you're in lovely Linz . Also on the magnificent River Danube and once home to such luminaries as Wolfgang Mozart, Linz boasts numerous great museums and art galleries. For more ideas of great day trips from Vienna , be sure to check out our list of the top excursions to destinations such as the Wachau Valley and Melk Abbey.

Head for the Hills : Widely regarded as one of Europe's most attractive cities, Salzburg sits under the shadow of the 1,853-meter-tall Untersberg, adding a distinctive character to the city's old medieval city center. Innsbruck is another city that's beauty is enhanced by its mountain scenery, and is a special favorite of those who enjoy superlative skiing. Also popular with ski enthusiasts, the dramatic scenery of Kitzbühel is the perfect backdrop for hiking and biking adventures in summer.

Austria Vacation Ideas : The lovely shoreline of the Hallstätter Sea is where you'll find the pretty town of Hallstatt , one of the loveliest destinations in Austria and one that offers a variety of great vacation experiences. The medieval town of Klagenfurt is another great option and is famous for its charming Old Town center with its many galleries, shops, and cafés (and be sure to wander along its old canals, too). Exploring the sites of Bregenz is another good option, and is especially popular for sightseeing due to its location on the shores of Lake Constance.

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Vienna   Travel Guide

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18 Best Things to Do in Vienna, Austria

Vienna is a city that relishes its past, and it has the attractions to prove it. The historic city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and whether you're interested in the long-reigning Habsburg family; music composed by Vienna's own

• All Things To Do

Hofburg Palace Hofburg Palace

Unlike Vienna's other royal residences, Hofburg is like a city within a city. Sitting on the southwestern edge of the Innere Stadt , the 13th-century palace was the winter residence of the Habsburgs, and a center of power for some 600 years. These days, the Hofburg Palace is residence and office of the President of Austria, however extensive parts of the palace are still open to visitors.

One area of the palace is the Sisi Museum, named after Empress Elisabeth, wife of Emperor Franz Joseph, with more than 300 objects on display. The Sisi Museum offers insights both into the grandeur of the Habsburgs and into the life and death of Vienna's beloved Empress Elizabeth. You can also explore the Imperial Apartments ( Kaiserappartements ) where the royal family lived. Though Hofburg has about 2,600 rooms, only 18 are open for the public to tour. The oldest parts surround the Swiss Wing ( Schweizertrakt ), named for the Swiss guards who used to patrol the area. (Unfortunately, the silver collection is closed until further notice.)

Schönbrunn Palace Schönbrunn Palace

Originally constructed from 1696 as a grand hunting lodge, Schönbrunn Palace later became the official Hapsburg summer residence. Under the supervision of Maria Theresa (the only female Habsburg ruler), Schönbrunn evolved into an expansive paradise with ornate rooms and vast elaborate gardens comparable to King Louis XIV of France's palace at Versailles . One of the finest baroque palaces in Europe, Schönbrunn was one of the first places in Austria to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, back in 1996. A tour will lead you through apartments belonging to Maria Theresa as well as Emperor Franz Joseph, his wife Elisabeth (better known as Sisi) and Archduke Franz Karl. Other highlights include the Blue Staircase, the Mirror Room and the Hall of Ceremonies. Plan to spend at least an hour in the gardens, which are connected by promenades that extend from the Gloriette, a stunning Roman-style arch overlooking a vast pool. Located within the grounds is the Tiergarten , the oldest zoo in the world.

Travelers say the grounds are beautiful, the tour is insightful and the zoo is entertaining for the whole family, but many warn about how crowded this attraction gets. Some suggest visiting first thing in the morning to avoid the congested atmosphere. Others wish there had been more information about the history within the rooms themselves.

MuseumsQuartier Wien MuseumsQuartier Wien

U.S. News Insider Tip: The area between the MuseumsQuartier and Naschmarkt – especially along and leading off Gumpendorfer Strasse – is a great place to explore for small, trendy bars and boutique stores. – Rudolf Abraham

Straddling the southwest section of the Ringstrasse, the MuseumsQuartier Wien is an enormous cultural institution comprising numerous top-notch museums. If you're even remotely interested in art, head to the Leopold Museum , which houses an exceptionally impressive collection of Austrian masterpieces dating from the 19th century to the present – including major works by Gustav Klimt, Oskar Kokoschka and Egon Schiele (it's the world's largest collection of works by Schiele). Next door, the Museum of Modern Art (aka MUMOK) is home to the national collection of 20th-century works by famed artists like Max Ernst, Rene Magritte and Andy Warhol. Adjacent to MUMOK, the Kunsthalle Wien showcases an ever-rotating collection of avant-garde exhibits featuring contemporary art.

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St. Stephen's Cathedral (Stephansdom) St. Stephen's Cathedral (Stephansdom) free

Towering above the streets of the Innere Stadt , this massive cathedral is one of the true centerpieces of Vienna. St. Stephen's has stood in this very spot since the early 13th century (having replaced an even earlier church), but little remains of this Romanesque construction aside from the Riesentor (Giant's Door) and the Heidenturme (Towers of the Heathens). The Gothic structure standing today was built in the early 1300s. It was here that Mozart was married to Constanze Weber in 1782, and it was here that the great composer's funeral was held in 1791. Despite parts of it being heavily damaged by fire in the final year of World War II, it was painstakingly repaired. Today this stunning cathedral remains an active house of worship, a national icon and a top tourist attraction.

After you've toured the main section, head underground to the catacombs where you'll find the tombs of members of the Habsburg royal family, along with various cardinals, archbishops and victims of the Great Plague of Vienna. Before you leave, you should climb the 343 steps to the top of the South Tower, from where you'll be treated to a spectacular view. Or use the elevator to reach the lookout terrace at the lower, never-completed North Tower, which is also home to the largest church bell in Austria, known as Pummerin. Visitors call this one of those "must-visit" attractions in Europe, praising the gorgeous church and its surroundings.

Museum of Fine Arts (Kunsthistorisches Museum) Museum of Fine Arts (Kunsthistorisches Museum)

The works at the Kunsthistorisches Museum , or Museum of Fine Arts, range from ancient Egyptian and Greek objects to masterpieces by numerous European masters, including Titian, Velasquez, Van Dyck and Rubens. In fact, the collection here is so extensive that many people say the walls of the Hofburg Palace look bare in comparison. The building itself, which opened to the public in 1891, impresses travelers as well; its facade features ornate sculptures.

Recent travelers appreciated the wide range of work on display at this museum and note just how large the building is and how much art is held within. A few suggested breaking up the day with a quick cup of coffee at the on-site coffee shop, which is in the museum's beautiful domed hall.

Belvedere Palace (Schloss Belvedere) Belvedere Palace (Schloss Belvedere)

If you can't get your art fix at either the MuseumsQuartier or the Kunsthistorisches Museum , you're sure to find satisfaction at the Belvedere. There are actually two palaces here – separated by an ornate 17th-century French-style garden – which some say are among the best examples of Baroque architecture in the world. Formerly home to such notable Austrian figures as Prince Eugene of Savoy and Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the buildings now house an outstanding array of Austrian art from such renowned artists as Gustav Klimt (including his famous painting "The Kiss"), Egon Schiele and Oskar Kokoschka. It's in the Upper Palace that you'll find works by these and other artists from the permanent collection, while the Lower Palace houses temporary exhibitions. A third, modern building, Belvedere 21, acts as an arts and performance venue and is located just across the main road. It has just a few exhibits on at any given time. Travelers love the gardens, ornate buildings and array of paintings on display at this attraction. Many warn of large crowds.

The Belvedere sits just southeast of the Innere Stadt,  between the Wieden and Landstrasse districts. It is open every day from 9 a.m. (Upper Belvedere) and 10 a.m. (Lower Belvedere) to 6 p.m. When purchased online, entrance to both sites costs 24 euros (about $26) for adults. Youths 18 and younger always explore for free. You should definitely book tickets online, as entry is limited by time slots and these do sell out. For Belvedere 21, you only need to specify the day of your visit, not the time. Guided tours are available and there are a variety of combo ticket packages available as well. For more information, visit the palace's website .

Leopold Museum Leopold Museum

Part of the excellent MuseumsQuartier Wien , the Leopold Museum houses one of greatest collections of Austrian art anywhere in the world. Along with major works by the likes of Gustav Klimt, Oskar Kokoschka, Richard Gerstl and Max Oppenheimer, the Leopold Museum includes the world's largest and most comprehensive collection of works by Egon Schiele.

The main part of the museum is the permanent exhibition, Vienna 1900, which takes you through the most important artistic developments and changes in Vienna around the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries, the last decades of the Habsburg rule. If you only have time to visit one museum to see works from the Viennese Secession (the local style of art nouveau), the Leopold Museum gives the best overview. Visitors commented on the exceptional quality of the artworks on display, the clear and spacious layout of the museum, and the pleasant café.

Austrian National Library Austrian National Library free

On one side of the Hofburg 's Neue Burg wing, and entered off Josefsplatz, is the Austrian National Library. The main reason to come here is the spectacular State Hall ( Prunksaal ), built for Emperor Charles VI in the 1720s, as the former Court Library. The State Hall was painstakingly restored in 2022.

Forget any ideas of what a library looks like – the Prunksaal is a baroque masterpiece. Some 80 meters (around 262 feet) long and 20 meters (about 66 feet) high, the State Hall is lavishly decorated with stucco, marble and gilding. A statue of Charles VI stands in the center of the hall, likely the work of Venetian sculptor Antonio Corradini. There are more than a dozen other statues in the hall of Austrian dukes and Habsburg rulers, by the Strudel brothers (one of whom, Paul Strudel, also worked on Vienna's Plague Column or Trinity Column, erected as a memorial after the Great Plague in 1679). The hall also contains four enormous Venetian globes. Perhaps most impressive however is the soaring oval dome, 30 meters (98 feet) high and decorated with breathtaking frescoes by the Habsburg court painter Daniel Gran, whose other work includes frescoes at the famous Klosterneuburg Abbey.

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Museum Judenplatz Museum Judenplatz

U.S. News Insider Tip: Make a point of visiting the excellent Sigmund Freud Museum, housed in Freud's former apartment and practice. It's less than a mile north of Judenplatz. – Rudolf Abraham

Judenplatz earned its name back in the 13th century when it was first designated as the Jewish Ghetto. For two centuries, this neighborhood remained the epicenter of Jewish life in Vienna, an identity that still lives among the exhibits found at the Museum Judenplatz. This small yet effective branch of the Jewish Museum Vienna (located a little south of Judenplatz) details the role Viennese Jews played in the development of city life and the persecution and expulsion of the Medieval Jewish community on the 1420s.

Café Central Café Central

One of the most famous coffee houses in Vienna, Café Central was established in 1876. Right up until the eve of the Second World War, this landmark spot was a favorite meeting place of Vienna's poets and intellectuals (many of whom were Jewish). Sigmund Freud and some of Austria's most famous writers including Stefan Zweig, Peter Altenberg and Arthur Schnitzler – not to mention Russian revolutionary Leon Trotsky – frequented the cafe's tables. Given its former clientele, you can guess the cafe is an incredibly grand and atmospheric place – not somewhere you order a coffee to-go. Café Central occupies the ground floor of a magnificent building, awash with ornate decoration and Italian flourishes, which was originally home to the stock exchange and central bank.

Along with plenty of delicious cakes and pastries, Café Central serves classic Austrian dishes such as Wiener schnitzel and Tafelspitz (boiled beef in broth). Try the house sandwich (organic turkey-ham and mozzarella, served warm). They also have some vegetarian and vegan dishes on the menu. Recent travelers commented on the beautiful setting, impeccable coffee, top-notch service and excellent pastries.

Naschmarkt Naschmarkt free

U.S. News Insider Tip: Along with all the food stalls and multiple options for late night or Asian-infused dining, the Naschmarkt area is one of the city's best for LGBTQ+-friendly bars. – Rudolf Abraham

Every Monday through Saturday, hundreds of vendors flock to this vibrant market in the Mariahilf District – located just south of the Ringstrasse – to sell fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, dairy products and other local food items. This open-air extravaganza, Naschmarkt, is considered one of the largest of its kind in Austria, and it's a great intro into everyday life in Vienna. There has been a market here since at least the late 18th century. In addition to the food stalls, you'll find small eateries and cafés throughout.

House of Music (Haus der Musik) House of Music (Haus der Musik)

Vienna has long been a musical epicenter. It was here that renowned composers, such as Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn, Mahler, Bruckner and Strauss lived, composed and performed at various points in their careers. If this history entices you, you must visit the House of Music ( Haus der Musik ) during your time in the city. This small but fascinating museum showcases the works of Vienna's elite musicians with displays featuring manuscripts and sound bites. Exhibits also explain the evolution of sound and the mechanics behind our ability to hear. Plus, there's an entire floor dedicated to the Vienna Philharmonic where you can even use a virtual wand to conduct the musicians. (But be careful: If you mess up they may ridicule you!) It's a great place to visit with kids, too. The facility also hosts a variety of concerts.

Travelers say if you're a classical music fan (or even a fan of the science of sound), a visit to the House of Music should be a priority. They also enjoy all the interactive elements.

St. Peter's Catholic Church St. Peter's Catholic Church free

St. Peter's Catholic Church ( Peterskirche ), which stands in the heart of the Inner Stadt close to St. Stephen's Cathedral , is one of most outstanding examples of baroque architecture in Vienna. Consecrated in 1733, it was built on the site of an earlier, Romanesque church first mentioned in the 12th century, which was destroyed by fire in the 1660s. It, in turn, probably stood on the site of an even earlier church, which sat upon the site of Roman Vindobona. Today's church makes up for its relatively compact size with its soaring dome and exceptionally lavish decoration.

The richly decorated interior features a gilded pulpit by Matthias Steinl (one of the leading baroque artists on Austria), and a magnificent baroque organ (with more than 2,000 pipes). The show-stealer however is the dazzling fresco cycle beneath the dome, the work of Johann Michael Rottmayr. Outside the church there's a relief from 1906 depicting the legendary founding of the church by Charlemagne. Travelers commented on the beauty of the decoration, and the surprising opulence of the interior compared to the relatively simple exterior. Stepping into the church always comes as a rather breathtaking surprise.

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Vienna's Tiergarten Vienna's Tiergarten

It began in 1752 as an exotic menagerie amassed by Franz Stephan, the husband of Maria Theresa (the only female Hapsburg ruler) and the country's Holy Roman Emperor. Today, Vienna's Tiergarten (also known as Schönbrunn Zoo or Vienna Zoo) is the oldest zoo in the world, home to about 750 animal species (around 8,500 animals total) ranging from tigers to lemurs – and most famously, pandas (it's one of the few zoos outside China to have these rare animals). The zoo hosts special tours and there are daily feedings that visitors can watch, with animals like orangutans, elephants, penguins and otters.

Since its founding, Tiergarten has undergone many a renovation to bring it up to par with modern facilities. Travelers say that while the cost of admission is on the pricey side, it's worth it to see the variety of animals and impressive facilities at this zoo.

Vienna State Opera (Staatsoper) Vienna State Opera (Staatsoper)

U.S. News Insider Tip: Don't miss the landmark Secession Building, just a short walk from the Vienna State Opera. Head down to the basement to see Klimt's amazing "Beethoven Frieze," while listening to Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" from the Symphony No. 9 on headphones provided. – Rudolf Abraham

Since 1869, the Vienna State Opera has been the city's premier venue for the performing arts and a major focal point of Viennese life. One of the world's greatest opera houses, the Staatsoper still hosts top-notch performances (and each seat has its own small subtitles screen), and you can also tour this magnificent building on a guided tour. The 40-minute tours run every day (times vary depending on the performance schedule) and allow you a behind-the-scenes look at this beloved landmark. Tours come highly recommended by previous visitors. 

Burggarten Burggarten free

Behind the Neue Burg wing of the Hofburg , the Burggarten is a charming city park. It was originally created in the wake of Napoleon's withdrawal from Vienna in 1809 as a private garden for the imperial family. Completed around 1819, it wasn't opened to the public until 100 years later – in 1919 – following Emperor Franz Joseph I's death in 1916.

As well as being a beautiful and peaceful place to take a break from sightseeing, the Burggarten is also home to the Mozart Monument. Unveiled in 1896, this famous monument originally stood in front of the Albertina Palace, but was damaged by bombing during World War II. After restoration it was relocated to the Burggarten. The monument is a top Vienna photo-op, especially in spring when the flowerbeds are in bloom, which are shaped like a large treble clef. Other statues in the Burggarten include one of Emperor Franz Josef.

Spanish Riding School Spanish Riding School

The Spanish Riding School, part of the Hofburg Palace complex, is one of the most celebrated riding academies in the world. It carries on a 450-year-old tradition of classical dressage (meticulous, careful training to achieve almost balletic movements and perfect harmony between horse and rider), featuring the beautiful white Lipizzaner horses (the younger animals are grey) which go through years of training. The stud farm is located in the village of Piber, southwest of Vienna.

Performances and Morning Exercise sessions take place in the Winter Riding School – built under Charles VI in the 1720s and 1730s – and are accompanied by classical music. During a Performance, you can see the horses and riders at the epitome of their technique, whereas the Morning Exercises are training sessions and include younger horses as well as the fully trained stallions. Guided tours are also available. Regular tours take in all the main areas, including the stables and the Winter and Summer Riding Schools, and last an hour. The 80-minute Architectural tours explore the baroque style of the Winter Riding School and takes you up into its elaborate, wooden roof structure.

Maria-Theresien-Platz Maria-Theresien-Platz free

Named after the Empress Maria Theresa, this large square framed by grand architecture lies between the Hofburg Palace and the MuseumsQuartier , alongside the busy Ringstrasse. The only female Habsburg ruler, Maria Theresa was empress from 1740 to 1780, a challenging period for the Habsburg monarchy which began with territorial losses and political conflict. However, Maria Theresa proved herself by leaving the empire a stronger and more stable one than the one she inherited. During her lifetime she instigated a wide range of reforms from agriculture and education to medicine and the military.

A huge monument to Empress Maria Theresa stands at the center of the square, dating from the late 19th century. The prominent neo-baroque sculptor Kaspar von Zumbusch spent more than a decade working on the project. The bronze sculpture of the Empress sits enthroned on top of a granite plinth and pedestal, above sculptures of her advisors, administrators, military commanders and figures from the sciences and arts (including Mozart as a child). The imposing monument stands more than 62 feet (the figure of Maria Theresa alone is nearly 20 feet tall). Travelers say the structure is beautiful but you won't need much time for the square itself.

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25 Top Tourist Attractions in Vienna

One of the most visually stunning cities in Europe, Vienna is full of wonderful art and architecture, with countless museums, palaces, and elegant parks testifying to its wealth and beauty.

Both the capital and culture center of the country, Vienna was once the seat of the Hapsburg dynasty; the Emperors and Empresses were great patrons of the arts, sciences, and music. As such, there are loads of amazing art collections to explore.

Visiting the Vienna State Opera to watch a performance is simply a must when in the city, as Vienna is synonymous with famous composers such as Beethoven, Strauss, and Schoenberg.

A great and easy way to see many of the most famous tourist attractions in Venice in one go is to wander along the Ringstrasse taking in all the fantastic buildings as you go, before heading into the center of the city itself.

It is a city that represents refinement and culture to visitors, who will not lack for things to see and do:

25. State Hall (of the Austrian National Library)

Built in the eighteenth century, the stunning State Hall of the Austrian National Library needs to be seen to be believed; a wonderful statue of Emperor Charles VI, who commissioned it, stands at its center.

A delightful dome with fantastic frescoes lies above, and countless old tomes and books line the shelves; wonderfully carved wooden handrails, columns and banisters complete the refined look of the place.

A veritable feast for the eyes, the State Hall is definitely worth stopping by when in Vienna – you can almost feel the wealth of knowledge emanating from the bookshelves.

24. Naschmarkt

The most popular market in Vienna, the Naschmarkt is fun to wander around. Its plethora of stalls, stands, and shops sell everything from spices and vegetables to seafood, meats, and clothes. Trawling the lively market is a lovely way to spend the afternoon.

Several cafes and restaurants here offer up Viennese classics, with Kaiserschmarrn and Palatschinken being particularly popular amongst tourists and locals alike. A great place to buy either souvenirs or fresh fruit and vegetables; the Naschmarkt has it all.

23. Parliament Building

Located on the Ringstrasse, the elegant Parliament Building was built in Greek Revival style. It is here that the Austrian Parliament holds its sessions.

Classic Greek architecture was decided upon due to democracy’s link with Ancient Greece; its brilliantly white columns and marvelous bronze statues are wonderful to behold, while the lovely Pallas Athene Fountain stands in the foreground of the building. One of the most popular tourist attractions in Vienna, the Parliament Building is well worth visiting for its spectacular design and importance to the country.

22. Kaiserliche Schatzkammer

The Imperial Treasury is located at Hofburg Palace and its extensive collection of valuable treasures is dazzling. Its twenty-one rooms cover 1000 years of history. Among its many highlights are the Imperial Crown of Austria and the Imperial Crown of the Holy Roman Empire.

Divided into a secular and ecclesiastical collection, the crowns, scepters, and jewelry of the Kaiserliche Schatzkammer invariably astound visitors with the opulence and decadence on display.

21. Peterskirche

St. Peter’s Church (as it is known in English) is located on Petersplatz; numerous churches have existed on the site, with the earliest dating back to the Early Middle Ages. The current baroque church was completed in 1733 and is modeled on St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. While the interior is pretty, the undoubted highlight is its stunning interior, with its wonderful frescoes.

The pulpit, organ, and altar feature equally delightful artistry. What makes the church particularly great to visit is that it is largely hidden away behind the surrounding buildings and appears majestically before you as if out of thin air.

20. KunstHausWien

Designed by esteemed architect and artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser, the KunstHausWien is mesmerizing to behold due to its eclectic exterior – sure to look unlike anything you’ve ever seen before; straight lines hardly feature at all.

The interior is equally bewitching to wander around with its undulating floors, and Hundertwasser’s art pieces are fascinating for their unique look and design. Temporary exhibitions mean that many local residents return time and time again to this special museum.

19. Stadtpark

Bordering the Ringstrasse, the large Stadtpark is divided in two by the Vienna River running through it. The park is a relaxing spot to head to if you’ve had enough sightseeing for one day. With numerous statues and monuments of renowned Viennese scattered about, visitors will come across such famous figures as the composer Strauss and the painter Schindler amidst the greenery on show.

Alongside the plethora of fauna and flora, a children’s park, concert hall and landscaped gardens make it well worth stopping by.

18. Stephansplatz

Located at the heart of the city, Stephansplatz is one of the most important squares in Vienna. The center of the square is dominated by the enormous St. Stephen’s Cathedral, which towers to an impressive 136 meters. The mix of old and new architectural styles on show in Stephansplatz is dazzling.

With lots of shops, restaurants, and bars on offer nearby, as well as many attractions, most visitors to the city pass through at some point for the myriad of things that it has to see and do.

17. Naturhistorisches Museum

Vienna’s Natural History Museum is one of the most important of its kind in the world and is remarkably home to over 30 million objects.

The 39 exhibition rooms cover everything from precious stones and dinosaurs to prehistoric art and stuffed animals. Visitors will learn a lot from its fascinating displays and exhibits. Just as stunning as the extensive collection is the beautiful palace itself, featuring elegant galleries, staircases, and lobbies. Built in the late nineteenth century, the Natural History Museum is located on the Ringstrasse and is identical to the Kunsthistorisches Museum which lies directly in front of it.

16. MuseumsQuartier

An intriguing place to visit, the MuseumsQuartier boasts an intoxicating mix of art, architecture, culture, and leisure; one could spend a lifetime exploring all that it is has to offer. The beautiful buildings are home to numerous museums, artist studios, and cultural initiatives, while the exhibitions and festivals that it hosts draw yet more people to the complex.

With renowned art museums such as the Leopold Museum and the Kunsthalle Wien lying next to the Tanzquartier dance center and the Q21 artist’s group, MuseumsQuartier has a plethora of things for visitors to see and do.

15. Karlskirche

This wonderful baroque church is widely considered to be amongst the city’s most impressive buildings. Consequently, a visit to Karlskirche is a must when in Vienna.

Its beautiful dome is flanked by two columns and the dazzling white facade is adorned with angels from both the Old and New Testaments. Inside is just as fabulous, with a marvelous fresco covering the ceiling and an ornate altar and elegant canopy sitting alongside the towering marble columns. Commissioned by Emperor Charles VI, Karlskirche was completed in 1737 and dominates the huge Karlsplatz on which it lies.

Prater is a large public park located in Leopoldstadt. Its huge green spaces make it a popular spot among locals and tourists alike. While many people visit to relax and unwind amongst the greenery, an amusement park, museum, and even a disco are situated within the park.

While wandering around the park, make sure to take a ride in the huge Ferris Wheel that towers over Prater – the views are breathtaking.

13. Kunsthistorisches Museum

Opened by Emperor Franz Josef I in 1891, the stupendous Museum of Art History (as it is known in English) is located on the Ringstrasse in a magnificent palatial building that dominates its surroundings.

The museum was established to house the Hapsburg’s extensive art collection, and the lavish interior is befitting of all of the wonderful masterpieces on show. Exploring the endless galleries is fascinating, and the list of renowned artists rolls off the tongue as you pass works by Caravaggio, Tintoretto, van Dyck, Raphael, Rembrandt, and Rubens.

12. Albertina

Located in Vienna’s Innere Stadt, the Albertina hosts an amazing collection of artworks, including drawings, paintings, and sculptures.

Once part of the city’s old fortifications, the Albertina has stood since the 17th century and was renovated into a palace before becoming an art museum. Home to one of the most extensive and important print rooms on Earth, the collection is wonderful to explore. Masterpieces by da Vinci, Bruegel the Elder and Toulouse-Lautrec are on display.

In addition to its delightful permanent collection, temporary exhibitions ensure that this is a place worth returning to for both locals and tourists.

11. Vienna State Opera

No visit to Vienna is complete without going to see an opera. The city is synonymous with the majestic art form and the Vienna State Opera is the perfect place to go and watch a performance.

Opened in 1869 on the Ringstrasse, much of the opera house was destroyed by a bomb during the Second World War and it was rebuilt in 1955 in the form of the elegant high Renaissance building we see before us today. The interior is equally opulent, with its marble staircases, luxurious lobbies and the breathtaking auditorium itself.

With numerous operas, ballets and classical concerts being performed daily, the Vienna State Opera has something for everyone to enjoy.

10. Wiener Rathaus

The Wiener Rathaus isn’t a place where visitors can eat wieners, though a notable restaurant serving Vietnamese delicacies is located on the premises. Rather, it serves as Vienna’s town hall, as well as the seat of government for the State of Vienna.

The Gothic-style building, constructed in the 1880s, features the Rathausmann that sits on top of the tower and is a symbol of Vienna. The Wiener Rathaus is currently undergoing an extensive renovation that is expected to be completed in 2023.

9. Spanish Riding School

The Spanish Riding School is a traditional riding school for Lipizzan horses that offers public performances in the Winter Riding School in the Hofburg. The Riding School calls these performances classical dressage, but most viewers would call it magic.

The school has been training horses like this for more than four centuries. The 68 stallions – their ancestors came from Spain – have trained and performed at the Winter Riding School since about 1735. Horses and riders both undergo special training that lasts for many years.

Graben is one of the most famous streets in central Vienna. The word Graben means “trench” in German, and dates back to an old Roman encampment in the Austrian capital. Back in those days, Vienna was surrounded by a city wall, with a trench alongside of it.

The trench was later filled in and became one of the first residential streets in Vienna. Craftsmen originally lived in wooden houses on the Graben, but it gradually evolved into a market place and later residences for the city’s elite. Today it is an up-scale shopping promenade, with many local specialties such as Wien Porzellan.

7. St Stephen’s Cathedral

St. Stephen’s Cathedral, also known as Stephansdom, had humble beginnings as a parish church in the 12th century. Today, it is the home church for the Catholic archbishop in Vienna. The church was destroyed in World War II but was rebuilt in seven years, with worship services still held daily.

The cathedral, one of the city’s most important landmarks, reaches high into the Viennese skyline. Its impressive roof is covered by 230,000 glazed tiles. The cathedral has more than 18 altars, all built at different times, and contains precious works of art as well.

6. Burggarten

The Burggarten is a once-royal garden that is a bit of England in Vienna, as it is patterned after English gardens. The Burggarten was the court garden for the Hapsburg rulers. One Austrian ruler, Kaiser Franz II used to work in the garden, which is now a place where people can enjoy outdoor lunches on pleasant days.

A memorial to that great Austrian composer, Mozart, can be found in one corner of the garden, while the Palmenhaus, a magnificent glass palm house, is located in the northern part. The left part of the Palmenhaus houses the Schmettlerlinghaus where visitors can see tropical butterflies and even bats.

5. Ringstrasse

The Ringstrasse is a road, slightly more than 5 km (3 miles) long, that circles Vienna’s inner city. Ordered built by Emperor Franz Joseph in the mid-19th century, many of the most important buildings in Vienna line both sides of the street: palaces, museums and stately homes.

Buildings along the road include the State Opera, the Natural History Museum, City Hall and the Vienna Stock Exchange. The buildings represent various architectural styles, and are all considered architectural masterpieces. Construction of the Ringstrasse started in 1857, with the street opening in 1865.

4. Belvedere

The Belvedere is an integral part of Vienna’s historic scene, consisting of several palaces and an orangery that dates back to the late 17th century. It consists of the Baroque palaces, the Lower and Upper Belvedere; palace stables and the Orangery, all set in a Baroque-style park. Prince Eugene of Savoy had the complex built for this summer home.

During the French Revolution, the palaces served as home to French royalty fleeing their country. The Belvedere is stunning to look at during the night when it is all lit up, and well as provides great views of Vienna.

3. Hundertwasserhaus

The Hundertwasserhaus is a colorful apartment building near Vienna’s center in the Landstraße district. It is named after Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser who developed the concept in the 20th century, with noted architect Krawina doing the building’s design.

Each of the 52 apartments is a different color; some just out from the building proper, with several trees covering the roofs, while more trees grow inside other units, their limbs sticking out windows. Construction on the innovative apartment building ended in 1985; today, it is an intrinsic part of Vienna’s cultural heritage.

2. Hofburg Imperial Palace

The Hofburg Imperial Palace has played an integral part of the Austrian government scene since it was built in the 13th century. It has been home to some of Europe’s most powerful royalty over the centuries, including the Hapsburgs and rulers of the Holy Roman and Austro-Hungarian empires.

Today it is a museum and home to the president of Austria. The palace has numerous wings and halls built by various royalty over the centuries, but only three parts are open to the public today: the Imperial Apartments; the Sisi Museum, dedicated to Elizabeth, wife of Emperor Franz Joseph, and the Silver Collection, a collection of Imperial household objects.

24. Schonbrunn Palace

The 1,441 room Schönbrunn Palace, comparable in grandeur to Versailles, is one of the major tourist attractions in Vienna. The palace was built between 1696 and 1712 at the request of Emperor Leopold I and turned into the imperial summer palace by Maria Theresa.

The Palace Park offers a lot of attractions, such as the Privy Garden, the oldest zoo in the world, a maze and labyrinth, and the Gloriette, a marble summerhouse, situated on top of a 60 meter (200 feet) high hill.

Map of Tourist Attractions in Vienna

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INSIDER TRAVEL TRIPS

Credit: istock.com/dummyname, travel guide | easy scenic hikes near vienna.

EXPLORE ONE OF THE MANY SCENIC HIKES AND WALKING TRAILS NEAR VIENNA

Map   Vienna, Austria

Table of Contents

• 1 TRAVEL GUIDE | EASY SCENIC HIKES NEAR VIENNA
• 2 GENERAL TRAIL RULES
• 3.1 A FARMING COMMUNITY
• 3.2 AWESOME WILDLIFE
• 3.3 DIRECTIONS
• 4.1 WHAT IS A BUSCHENSCHANK?
• 4.2 WHAT IS A PRESS HOUSE?
• 4.3 DIRECTIONS
• 5.1 WOLKERSDORF PUZZLE
• 5.2 THE SUNKEN ROAD
• 5.3 DIRECTIONS
• 6.1 DIRECTIONS
• 7 NEAR THIS PLACE
• 8 BEST PLACES TO STAY

Cooped up inside and looking to get out of the city and explore the countryside? Maybe take your dog for a walk? We don’t blame you. Just an hour outside of Vienna (or  Wien in German) is a different world.  Important — wein means wine.  If you haven’t explored the Weinviertel region of Lower Austria, then you are truly missing out.  Here are several easy hikes near Vienna that you won’t want to miss.

The Weinviertel is the wine region to the north and east of Vienna.  It is largely defined by its vineyards, rolling hills, and sweeping views.  It also has some of the best hikes and walking trails near Vienna.  The countryside is sprinkled with castle ruins and is punctuated by its Dorfs  or small farming villages. While you are enjoying nature, these small towns are great places to pick up local products. The farmers typically sell their honey, wine, fresh fruits, and vegetables at roadside stands where you pay using the honor system.

In addition to the network of roads connecting each of the Dorfs, there is a separate network of trails and paths for hiking.  We have compiled a list of the most scenic hiking and walking trails near Vienna in Lower Austria.  We affectionately refer to Lower Austria as “Slower Austria.”

Hanging out in the city is fun.  If you want to take in some great scenery then explore some of these easy hikes and trails near Vienna.  By the way, these are all off the beaten path.  Read on!

GENERAL TRAIL RULES

Before we get started, let’s go over a couple of ground rules. Hiking is a bit of an art form in Austria and is something the locals are very passionate about. For our American readers, you will notice other hikers holding ski poles and flailing their arms about. Do not be concerned, these are called Nordic walking sticks and are meant to help exercise your upper body.

Be warned, Austrians are rule followers and will dress you down in a New York minute if you are not conforming to the rules of the trail. So, try to follow the signage and stay on the designated trail. If you go off-trail, the perception is that you are destroying nature.  Never, ever, ever hike across the farmer’s field (again under penalty of death)!

If the trail is congested, stay on your side (to the right).  Complete strangers will scold you, especially if your dog is off the leash. At a bare minimum, you’ll receive dirty looks and some strange hand gestures.  If you do not clean up after your dog, you could face the death penalty!  Actually, there is a EUR 50.00 fine.  Do not litter ever, under any circumstances. I told you they followed the rules here.

Oh yeah, one last thing. Some of these trails are impossible to find and when I say impossible, I mean impossible. Since we like you, each trail has a hyperlink that will open up the starting point in Google Maps.  Now, are you ready to have some fun and enjoy some scenic hikes near Vienna?

1. THE TRIMMEL TRAIL (6.8 km/4.2 miles – Easy)

Just a few miles away from the city center and you are transported to a completely different world of endless farm fields, jackrabbits, and deer.  This is one of the best rural hikes near Vienna.  It starts in the small farming village of Gerasdorf bei Wien.  This hike is dog friendly.

A FARMING COMMUNITY

The starting point is just past the Bauernladen Trimmel , one of the region’s best farmer markets for fresh fruits and vegetables. Trimmel specializes in locally grown weißer spargel  (white asparagus) and  erdbeeren (strawberries). The best part about Trimmel is that they are open on Sunday.  Okay, now back to our hike. 

Just north of Trimmel, you will cross over the Marchfeld Canal and go up a hill.  At the top of the hill, on your left is Salzstraße, our starting point. This hike takes place in the farm fields between Seyringer Straße, Salzstraße, and Urberngasse.

AWESOME WILDLIFE

You should definitely hike this route in the morning or around dinner time, as there is a good chance you will see herds of deer or a fluffle of jackrabbits. (Yes, that’s correct a group of jackrabbits is called a fluffle.)  The jackrabbits are so enormous that at a distance, you could easily confuse them for deer! 

Continue along Salzstraße until you reach the vigil statue on your right.  Turn right and continue along the gravel path (which also doubles as the Gerasdorf bike trail).  At the next decision point, turn right.  Continue about 100 meters and then turn left at the forested lane (the Gerasdorf bike trail).  Continue until reaching the next decision point. 

Turn left and you will continue along what appears to be a dirt trail through a wooded area. Continue straight along this route for some time until reaching the next path on your right. You should see a neighborhood in front of you. Turn right and continue along the path through the farm field until reaching a decision point.  Turn right again and then stairstep your way back to the dirt path through the wooded area.  Now retrace your steps back to the starting point.   

We hope you enjoyed this easy hike near Vienna and were able to see lots of wildlife.

Click the Green/Red icons below to open the START and END POINTS in Google Maps. You will START/END in the same location. 

Start Point      End Point

Google Maps 2020

2. enzerfeld wine cellar trail (3.5 km/2.2 miles – easy/moderate).

If you like scenery, this is one of the best hikes near Vienna.  This amazing wine cellar road and vineyard hike are located in the small farming village of Enzerfeld. Although the vast majority of this hike is flat and easy, the first part of the hike is uphill.

This trail really has it all including an ancient cobblestone alley with wine cellars, quaint wine press houses on a country road, vineyards, tree-lined roads, and a panoramic view of Vienna. An added benefit, there are three fine Buschenschanken nearby so you can enjoy some food and drink after your hike. This hike is dog friendly.

WHAT IS A BUSCHENSCHANK?

Before we get into the details of our hike, what exactly is a Buschenschank ? Simply put, they are rustic, inn-like places with one or two rooms and a garden, run by a local winegrower. (Similar in many ways, a  heurige is a larger-scale version.) The name Buschenschank refers to the traditional bundle of twigs (Buschen) that can be found at the entrance. The bundle signals that the Buschenschank is open, welcoming people to enter.

Enacted in 1784 by Emperor Franz Joseph II, a special law permits farmers to sell and distribute their own seasonal food, wine, and produce at a price they determine (without paying taxes).  All of the food at a Buschenschank must be produced regionally.  Okay, now back to our hike.  

As you depart the starting point on Schüllerkeller, you will head uphill slightly along the Kellergasse (wine road). You will be surrounded by 18th-century wine cellars, many of them built into the hillside. You will also find an interesting assortment of wine press houses, each with its own unique door. At the end of this cobblestone road, you will turn right onto Fürstenbergkeller, a longer road chock full of colorful wine press houses. 

WHAT IS A PRESS HOUSE?

Historically speaking, farmers used these pressing houses to “press” their grapes and for wine production. Wine cellars were also used for pressing; however, were generally used for storage given their consistent temperature, humidity, and shade. Hike to the end of Fürstenbergkeller and you will see a path leading up the hill that goes through the forest. Continue up the path. At the top of the path, you will enter a vineyard on a sloped hill. Continue straight up the hill through the vineyard to the tree line. This is it for hills — the remainder of the route will be mostly flat.

At the top of the hill, turn left and continue walking. Before doing that, stop and turn around. You will enjoy a gorgeous view of the city of Vienna. Now, continue along the dirt path through the vineyard (paralleling the tree line). You will come to a fork in the road. Stay to the left and you will go down a slight slope and find a tractor path. Continue along the gravel road until it ends at the forest and runs into Waldkeller, which is a paved road.

Turn right and continue uphill slightly along Waldkeller. There will be a vineyard on your right-hand side. At the top of the hill (at the end of the vineyard) turn right onto another tractor path. As you continue, the forest will be on your left and the vineyard will be to your right. The tractor path through the grass will eventually turn into a gravel road. Continue for a good distance until you encounter a hardened road and can go no further. Turn right on the hardened road and continue downhill. You should see Vienna in the distance.

Before reaching the bottom of the hill and the main road (Route L3109 aka Enzerfeldstraße), you will see a sign on your right with a strange u-turn arrow. You will also see a footpath on your right that cuts through the small field. Take this footpath. If you get confused or completely miss the footpath and the u-turn sign, all is not lost. Continue to the main road (L3109) and turn right. Walk along L3109 for about 30 meters (100 feet) and then take your first right onto Satzkeller. Satzkeller is a paved secondary road.

Continue along Satzkeller until you reach more wine press houses. They will be on your right. Walk along Satzkeller until you reach a slight fork in the road. Stay to the left and remain on Satzkeller. You will eventually reach the end of the road and find yourself on Schüllerkeller and back at your starting point.  

After your hike, kick back with a relaxing meal and adult beverages at one of the following quaint Buschenschanken near the starting point. By the way, these are among the most charming Buschenschank in the region. You will, however, need cash!  They do not accept credit cards. 

We hope you enjoyed this scenic hike near Vienna and were able to take in some of the lovely views and explore the kellergasse (wine cellar road)!

Click on the addresses below to get directions in Google Maps.

Buschenschank Praschinger.  ADDRESS:  2202 Enzersfeld im Weinviertel, Neustiftkeller 3, Lower Austria. Buschenschank Josef und Eveline Eichberger.  ADDRESS:  Aukeller 6, 2202 Enzersfeld im Weinviertel, Lower Austria. Buschenschank Laimgstätten 17.  ADDRESS:  Laingstetten-Keller 17, 2202 Enzerfeld im Weinviertel, Lower Austria.

3. THE SUNKEN ROAD TRAIL (6.1 km/3.8 miles – Easy)

This is one of the more interesting hikes near Vienna.  It is located off the beaten path near Vienna in the countryside in the small farming village of Mahartsbrunn. This is one of those places you would really have to put a lot of effort into finding. Although very much “away from it all,” on a clear day there are nice views of Vienna far off in the distance.  This hike is dog friendly.

We enjoy this hike for several reasons.

• It is very much a country hike — you will have the path to yourself, and the scenery is incredible.
• In April, the fields have the incredible yellow glow of the rapeseed plants.

The starting point is at the top of a hill on a country road named Zum Alten Hof which roughly translates in English into “to the old courtyard.” As an added bonus, Zum Alten Hof is also an old wine cellar road (or kellergasse).  After admiring some of the neat architecture, walk along the gravel road down the hill on Zum Alten Hof until you reach the forest. Just before the forest, take the dirt path to your right and follow the yellow sign that says “Wolkersdorf Puzzle.”

WOLKERSDORF PUZZLE

Before we carry on any further, the Wolkersdorf Puzzle is a ginormous series of interconnecting paths through the farm fields in this region.  Unless you speak German, you will never know about it. 

Continue along the dirt path with the forest on your left until you reach a bend in the path. You should pass some beehives along the way on your left. Follow the bend to the right and continue until you hit a fork in the road. At the fork, take the path on your left and continue down a slight hill. 

In April this is the heart of the rapeseed plants. Their vibrant yellow color is absolutely spectacular. You will also find deer frolicking about in the fields.   Continue for some time along this path until you reach a T intersection. At the T, turn left and continue along the dirt path.

THE SUNKEN ROAD

This path will descend down below the fields and vineyards and become a sunken road called Grasenberg.  Think about this — this road has been traveled so many times that it has “sunk” below the surface.

You will eventually emerge from the sunken road. The dirt path will begin to turn into a paved road.  At this point, take your first left and continue uphill.  You will walk uphill for some distance until you reach another fork. Stay to the left and continue.  Continue straight until you reach a tree line and then turn left. Follow this path along the tree line and then take your first right. This will take you back to your initial route.  At the next fork in the road, take a left and retrace your steps back to the starting point. 

We hope you enjoyed this easy hike near Vienna and were able to catch the amazing views!

4. CASTLE FALKENSTEIN TRAIL ( 7.2 km/4.4 miles – Easy/Moderate)

Out of all the scenic hikes near Vienna, this one is our favorite.  Everything about this trail is spectacular.  Falkenstein bei Poysdorf is an ancient medieval town close to the Czech border. Although in Austria, it feels like the Cotswalds in the English countryside. You are greeted by the 13th century Castle Falkenstein perched above a hilltop. The shining white Castle Mikulov is off in the distance. The quaint town of Falkenstein, a town with incredible character, is surrounded by vineyards and forest.  This hike is dog friendly.

The starting point is on the corner of Marktstraße and Kirchenhgasse in the center of town. Your next stop is the Kellergasse, just a few streets over. Take your time passing through as this kellergasse is one of the prettiest in Austria.

You will encounter a wine cellar dug into the hillside reminiscent of Bilbo Baggins’ Hobbit Hole in Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit . Stay to the right and continue up the hill. You will next be greeted by vineyards galore and have a sweeping view of the countryside, Castle Falkenstein and Castle Mikulov.

Continue until you reach a wooded area on your right and a dirt trail on your left that goes to the top of the hill.  Take the trail on your left and continue uphill. At the top of the hill, there is a statue of the crucifixion and a picnic table, continue until you begin to descend and reach a T junction. The forest will be in front of you. Turn left onto the dirt path until you quickly reach a four-way intersection. Turn right and continue along the path into the forest.  

You will encounter a side trail, stay to the left. You will continue downhill and then turn right. This path will take you uphill along a dirt trail through the forest. Continue along this trail until you come to the road. Cross the road (L23/Dörfl) and continue along the path in front of you. Eventually, you will reach a national forest. There will be a clearing and a religious monument in front of you, turn right.

Pass through/around/under the gate and continue downhill. You will be greeted by Castle Falkenstein and the scenery will open up all around you. As you approach the Castle (which is on the hill in front of you), turn right onto the dirt trail that passes through the fields and continue downhill towards the town. You will exit onto Marktgasse and be back at your starting point.  When you are done, wander back to the Kellergasse for a drink or explore the small town.

Wasn’t that incredible?  This scenic hike near Vienna is one of our favorites.  

NEAR THIS PLACE

HAGENBRUNN: VINTNERS, VINEYARDS, AND HEURIGE.   Hagenbrunn, an entire village of vintners, vineyards, and heurige east of the Danube. Enjoy a great day out at this off the beaten path location.

VIENNA WINE TOUR AND HIKING DAY.   The Vienna wine trails, an annual scavenger hunt for oenophiles in the scenic city outskirts. Enjoy a glass of wine, as you walk from vineyard to vineyard.

TRAVEL GUIDE | RETZ UNDERGROUND WINE CELLARS.   Retz has a beautiful medieval square and the largest and most extensive network of underground wine cellars in Central Europe.

GALGENBERG WINE CELLAR ROAD . Welcome to the Wine Cellar Road of Galgenberg with over 180 wine cellar houses built into the scenic countryside. Walk, bicycle or jog and enjoy.

SCENIC DRIVE IN AUSTRIA.   Rolling hills, blissful meadows, and majestic mountain views make this gorgeous scenic drive in Lower Austria an absolute must.

VOICEMAP | VIENNA SELF GUIDED WALKING TOUR. Want to learn how the Mossad operation to bring Nazis like Adolf Eichmann to justice originated in Vienna?  Check out our VoiceMap self guided walking tour: VIENNA + THE HOLOCAUST: FROM TRAGEDY TO JUSTICE.  You can preview it for FREE.  Start point is Nestroyplatz on the U1 red line in the 2nd District.

BEST PLACES TO STAY

SO/ VIENNA . Designed by the famous architect Jean Nouvel, this stylish hotel is near all of the sites. Panoramic views over Vienna, a gourmet restaurant, a gym, and FREE spa facilities. Modern, spacious rooms with air conditioning, FREE mini-bar, and FREE Wifi. ADDRESS: Praterstraße 1, 02. Leopoldstadt, 1020 Vienna, Austria.

RUBY LISSI HOTEL VIENNA . Boutique hotel located in an 18th-century building in Vienna’s first district. Luxuriously furnished rooms with air conditioning, wooden floors, use of tablet device and FREE Wifi. Each room has a Marshall amplifier and guitars can be rented. Organic breakfast and 24/7 access to Italian antipasti and snacks, beverages and selected wines. ADDRESS: Fleischmarkt 19 / Laurenzerberg 2, 01. Innere Stadt, 1010 Vienna, Austria.

GRAND FERDINAND VIENNA .   Opened in autumn 2015, located on the Ringstraße boulevard in the center of Vienna. Modern spacious rooms with air conditioning. Rooftop pool, 3 restaurants, fitness center, and FREE Wifi. ADDRESS: Schubertring 10-12, 01. Innere Stadt, 1010 Vienna, Austria.

LE MERIDIEN VIENNA .  Located on the Ringstraße in the heart of Vienna. Modern, spacious rooms with amenities. Indoor pool, spa facilities, fitness center, FREE mini-bar, and FREE Wifi. ADDRESS: Robert-Stolz-Platz 1, 01. Innere Stadt, 1010 Vienna, Austria.

DO&CO HOTEL VIENNA.  Steps away from St. Stephen’s Cathedral in the heart of Vienna, this elegant hotel features spacious and stylish rooms with modern furnishings, wooden floors, air conditioning, and FREE Wifi. FREE use of neighborhood fitness center. ADDRESS:    Stephansplatz 12, 01. Innere Stadt, 1010 Vienna, Austria.

HOME    AUSTRIA

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Magdalenenhof

Senderstrabe 127, 1210 wien www.berggasthof-magdalenenhof.at.

RECENT DAY TRIPS

JEWISH VIENNA | FORGOTTEN INTERNMENT CAMPS

VIENNA’S JEWS WERE DEPORTED FROM THESE FORGOTTEN INTERNMENT CAMPS PERSPECTIVES   Unlike in Germany, where the Jewish population was deported from several different cities, in Austria deportations of the Jewish population were centralized from Vienna’s Aspangbahnhof or Aspang Railway Station.  From February 1941 to October 1942, the majority of the Vienna’s Jewish population was deported to ghettos and concentration camps in the east from this train station.    The transports to the camps were organized by Austrian born SS Captain Adolf Eichmann, who was in charge of the Nazi Central Agency for Jewish Emigration in Vienna.  Eichmann had one primary objective — to speed up the rate that Jews were being deported from the city. Before being deported, Jews were held against their will at four internment camps in Vienna’s 2nd District: – Kleine Sperlgasse 2a; – Castellezgasse 35; – Malzgasse 7; and  – Malzgasse 16 At these camps, Jews were bullied, humiliated, and robbed of their honor and last possessions before being sent to their deaths.  Today, these camps have all been completely forgotten to history. Between 1939-1945, a total of 48,953 Jews were forcibly deported from Vienna.  Of this number, 47,035 Jews were forcibly transported on trains that departed from the Aspangbahnhof.  Tragically, only 1,073 of the Jews deported from the Aspangbahnhof would survive the Holocaust.    HOMECOMPANION GUIDE    Disclosure: White House Travel is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and Agoda affiliate programs, designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites at no extra cost to you.  

OPERATION RADETZKY MEMORIAL

Table of Contents1 A MEMORIAL DEDICATED TO THE MEN WHO TRIED TO SAVE A CITY2 OPERATION RADETZKY2.1 THE NERO DECREE2.2 TRAGEDY STRIKES2.3 SAVING VIENNA3 OPERATION RADETZKY MEMORIAL4 EPILOGUE5 NEAR THIS PLACE6 BEST PLACES TO STAY7 BOOKSHELF8 A MEMORIAL DEDICATED TO THE MEN WHO TRIED TO SAVE A CITY Am Spitz, 21st District   OPERATION RADETZKY On 19 March 1945, Hitler issued what became known as the “Nero Decree” — the planned destruction of all infrastructure within the German Reich.  Operation Radetzky was the code name given to a defensive plan organized by a group of Austrian opponents of the Nazi regime to surrender the city of Vienna to the advancing Soviet army.  The plan involved four major players: Major Carl Szokoll, Major Karl Biederman, Lieutenant Rudolph Raschke, and Second Lieutenant Alfred Huth.  Today, the Operation Radetzky Memorial stands in their honor. THE NERO DECREE In Vienna, German troops were ordered to destroy the city’s vital infrastructure for transportation, information, industry and public utilities.  This would include bridges, railway stations, water plants, electrical plants, gas plants, important road corridors, public transportation networks – in short anything and everything the enemy could use to help them advance their goals.   Viennese Major Carl Szokoll was instructed to draft the plans for Vienna’s self-destruction.  However, this was not Szokoll’s first rodeo.  In July 1944, Szokoll participated in Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg’s plot to assassinate Hitler at the Wolf’s Lair and to assume power.  During Operation Valkyrie, Stauffenberg detonated a bomb in the presence of Hitler; however, Hitler miraculously survived the blast.  Believing incorrectly that Hitler had been killed, Szokoll and other plotters rounded up the leading SS and Nazi officials in Vienna. During the ensuing investigation, Szokoll was able to convince the Gestapo that he had simply been following orders and was released.  Szokoll was promoted to Major and was tasked with defending Vienna from the advancing Soviets.  In Spring 1945, Szokoll joined Operation Radetzky and became one of the key players.  For Operation Radetzky to succeed, Szokoll and other military commanders in Vienna needed to pretend they were making preparations to destroy the city, while actually making plans to save it from annihilation.  Szokoll worked closely with the Austrian Resistance group, the O5, to successfully contact Soviet leadership.  Separately, the Allies agreed to not bomb Vienna during the turnover.   TRAGEDY STRIKES On the evening of 4 April,  Major Karl Biedermann was betrayed and arrested by the Gestapo.  Biedermann’s role in Operation Radetzky, which had now been partially uncovered, was to secure the city’s bridges.  The Gestapo frantically investigated to determine the goals of Operation Radetzky.  The Operation continued as planned. On 5 April, Soviet planes dropped red flares to signal their arrival overhead.  The resistance fighters responded with green flares to mark the beginning of Operation Radetzky.  Lieutenant Rudolf Raschke, and Second Lieutenant Alfred Huth were arrested while trying to commandeer the Bisamberg radio tower on the northern edge of Vienna.  Szokoll was warned, evaded arrest and fled to the Soviet 9th Guards Army command post at Purkersdorf where he briefed the Soviets on the failure of the operation. On 8 April, the Nazis hung Biedermann, Raschke, and Huth from the lampposts at the Am Spitz square in Floridsdorf.  Signs attached to their bodies read “I have made a pact with the Bolsheviks.” SAVING VIENNA In addition to the planned surrender, Szokoll and his team provided the Soviets with the the German battle plans for the defense of Vienna as well as the locations of munitions and other key military details.  Suing this intelligence, the Soviets surprised the Nazis by advancing from the West and North rather than the South.  The Battle for Vienna lasted from 6-13 April 1945.  The rapid Soviet advance prevented the Nazis from creating a siege situation and saved numerous lives and the left Vienna largely intact. OPERATION RADETZKY MEMORIAL Today, the Operation Radetzky Memorial stands in the Am Spitz square to recognize the bravery of Major Karl Biederman, Lieutenant Rudolph Raschke, and Second Lieutenant Alfred Huth.  There is also plaque on the main entrance of the Town Hall in Am Spitz.    EPILOGUE After the war, Szokoll went on to start a film production company.  He is buried in the Central Cemetery of Vienna. Biedermann, Raschke, and Huth were cremated and had their remains buried on 2 August 1945 in Vienna in Hietzingen cemetery (group 66, row 19, number 5). NEAR THIS PLACE VOICEMAP | VIENNA SELF GUIDED WALKING TOUR. Want to learn how the Mossad operation to bring Nazis like Adolf Eichmann to justice originated in Vienna?  Check out our VoiceMap self guided walking tour: VIENNA + THE HOLOCAUST: FROM TRAGEDY TO JUSTICE.  You can preview it for FREE.  Start point is Nestroyplatz on the U1 red line in the 2nd District. SEEGROTTE HINTERBRUHL MINE.  The Seegrotte Hinterbruhl Mine is a family friendly attraction that was once used by the Nazis to build the world’s first fighter jet. WW2 SITES NEAR VIENNA | MESSERSCHMITT ENGINE FACTORY.  Explore World War 2 sites near Vienna along a scenic hiking trail.  See the Messerschmitt Bf 110 aircraft repair factory and the front lines of the Battle of Vienna. BEST PLACES TO STAY SO/ VIENNA. Designed by the famous architect Jean Nouvel, this stylish hotel is near all of the sites. Panoramic views over Vienna, a gourmet restaurant, a gym, and FREE spa facilities. Modern, spacious rooms with air conditioning, FREE mini-bar, and FREE Wifi. ADDRESS: Praterstraße 1, 02. Leopoldstadt, 1020 Vienna. RUBY LISSI HOTEL VIENNA. Boutique hotel located in an 18th-century building in Vienna’s first district. Luxuriously furnished rooms with air conditioning, wooden floors, use of tablet device and FREE Wifi. Each room has a Marshall amplifier and guitars can be rented. Organic breakfast and 24/7 access to Italian antipasti and snacks, beverages and selected wines. ADDRESS: Fleischmarkt 19 / Laurenzerberg 2, 01. Innere Stadt, 1010 Vienna. GRAND FERDINAND VIENNA.  Opened in autumn 2015, located on the Ringstraße boulevard in the center of Vienna. Modern spacious rooms with air conditioning. Rooftop pool, 3 restaurants, fitness center, and FREE Wifi. ADDRESS: Schubertring 10-12, 01. Innere Stadt, 1010 Vienna. LE MERIDIEN VIENNA.  Located on the Ringstraße in the heart of Vienna. Modern, spacious rooms with amenities. Indoor pool, spa facilities, fitness center, FREE mini-bar, and FREE Wifi. ADDRESS: Robert-Stolz-Platz 1, 01. Innere Stadt, 1010 Vienna. BOOKSHELF HOME  AUSTRIA Disclosure: White House Travel is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and Agoda affiliate programs, designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites at no extra cost to you.  

VIENNA AIR RAID SHELTER

Table of Contents1 A WORLD WAR 2 AIR RAID SHELTER NEAR VIENNA HAS A PASTEL MAKEOVER1.1 ALLIED BOMBING OF VIENNA1.2 CONSTRUCTION OF THE AIR RAID SHELTER1.3 PURPOSE OF THE AIR RAID SHELTER1.4 AIR RAID SHELTER TODAY2 NEAR THIS PLACE3 BEST PLACES TO STAY4 BOOKSHELF5 A WORLD WAR 2 AIR RAID SHELTER NEAR VIENNA HAS A PASTEL MAKEOVER Gerichtsgasse, 21st District   Nestled in a quiet neighborhood across the Danube River in the 21st District, just minutes from the city center of Vienna, is one of the city’s remaining relics of World War 2.  This massive concrete Air Raid Shelter near Vienna was constructed during Summer 1944 – Spring 1945.  You will need to work hard to find this gem as it is not on any tourist maps.  The front of the Air Raid Shelter has been painted in warm pastels.  The Shelter is located just off the sidewalk and sits between two modern apartment buildings.  There are no restrictions or fences, so you can walk around and explore as much as you like.  Although the front of the Air Raid Shelter has been painted, the rest of the structure is “as is” and its 1940’s era concrete remains is good condition.  The doors have been bricked up so you cannot enter.  Although the Air Raid Shelter has been characterized as a Memorial, there are no visible signs to this effect. ALLIED BOMBING OF VIENNA The city of Vienna was bombed 52 times during World War 2.  Allied bombs destroyed 37,000 buildings and approximately 20% of the entire city.  The first air raid took place on 4 September 1942, when a lone Soviet bomber targeted the city.  Allied planes began bombing Vienna in earnest in 1944.   The skies over Vienna were defended by a ring of anti-aircraft batteries set up around the city and by three pairs of Flak Towers.  By early 1945, Vienna had already faced 1,800 bombs.  In February and March 1945, 80,000 tons of bombs were dropped by US and British aircraft.  270,000 people were left homeless. CONSTRUCTION OF THE AIR RAID SHELTER Hungarian Jews as well as Polish and Russian slaves from the Vienna-Floridsdorf satellite camp of the Mauthausen concentration camp were used as forced labor to build the Air Raid Shelter.  After completing the Shelter, the Nazis forced these laborers to march 120 miles to the main Mauthausen concentration camp in Upper Austria.  In 1945, the Shelter was damaged when a munition exploded on the roof.      PURPOSE OF THE AIR RAID SHELTER This Air Raid Shelter was specifically built to protect the workers at the nearby Siemens facility in Floridsdorf.  Among other armaments contracts, this Siemens facility produced control components for the V-2 rocket.  The Air Raid Shelter also protected workers at the Heinkel-Süd aircraft factory, the Floridsdorf Oil Refinery, as well as technicians at the nearby Messerschmitt Engine Factory. In early July 1944, Allied bombers struck the Heinkel-Süd plant in Floridsdorf, destroying the third prototype of the He 177B four engined bomber, and possibly damaging the incomplete fourth prototype He 177B airframe. During the Allied oil campaign, American B-17 and B-24s dropped their payloads 16 times on the Floridsdorf Oil Refinery. AIR RAID SHELTER TODAY NEAR THIS PLACE VOICEMAP | VIENNA SELF GUIDED WALKING TOUR. Want to learn how the Mossad operation to bring Nazis like Adolf Eichmann to justice originated in Vienna?  Check out our VoiceMap self guided walking tour: VIENNA + THE HOLOCAUST: FROM TRAGEDY TO JUSTICE.  You can preview it for FREE.  Start point is Nestroyplatz on the U1 red line in the 2nd District. SEEGROTTE HINTERBRUHL MINE.  The Seegrotte Hinterbruhl Mine is a family friendly attraction that was once used by the Nazis to build the world’s first fighter jet. WORLD WAR 2 SITES NEAR VIENNA | MESSERSCHMITT ENGINE FACTORY.  Explore World War 2 sites near Vienna along a scenic hiking trail.  See the Messerschmitt Bf 110 aircraft repair factory and the front lines of the Battle of Vienna. BEST PLACES TO STAY SO/ VIENNA. Designed by the famous architect Jean Nouvel, this stylish hotel is near all of the sites. Panoramic views over Vienna, a gourmet restaurant, a gym, and FREE spa facilities. Modern, spacious rooms with air conditioning, FREE mini-bar, and FREE Wifi. ADDRESS: Praterstraße 1, 02. Leopoldstadt, 1020 Vienna. RUBY LISSI HOTEL VIENNA. Boutique hotel located in an 18th-century building in Vienna’s first district. Luxuriously furnished rooms with air conditioning, wooden floors, use of tablet device and FREE Wifi. Each room has a Marshall amplifier and guitars can be rented. Organic breakfast and 24/7 access to Italian antipasti and snacks, beverages and selected wines. ADDRESS: Fleischmarkt 19 / Laurenzerberg 2, 01. Innere Stadt, 1010 Vienna. GRAND FERDINAND VIENNA.  Opened in autumn 2015, located on the Ringstraße boulevard in the center of Vienna. Modern spacious rooms with air conditioning. Rooftop pool, 3 restaurants, fitness center, and FREE Wifi. ADDRESS: Schubertring 10-12, 01. Innere Stadt, 1010 Vienna. LE MERIDIEN VIENNA.  Located on the Ringstraße in the heart of Vienna. Modern, spacious rooms with amenities. Indoor pool, spa facilities, fitness center, FREE mini-bar, and FREE Wifi. ADDRESS: Robert-Stolz-Platz 1, 01. Innere Stadt, 1010 Vienna. BOOKSHELF HOME  AUSTRIA Disclosure: White House Travel is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and Agoda affiliate programs, designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites at no extra cost to you.  

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How to get around Vienna: Trains, trams and bike trails

Dec 13, 2021 • 7 min read

Trams are perhaps the most pleasant (if not the fastest) public-transport option in the Austrian capital ©trabantos/Shutterstock

It’s a pleasure to take in all  Vienna  has to offer – and there are many ways to travel among all the neighborhoods, palaces, museums and wine bars you’ll find in town.

More laid-back than larger European capitals, Vienna’s famous streets are easy to explore by foot. The Innere Stadt is at the core of the city’s  23 Bezirke (districts) , which means you can nose around the site-crammed backstreets and tick off many of the big hitters – from the Hofburg palace to Gothic Stephansdom cathedral – without any vehicle. If you fancy leaping into a bike saddle instead, the paths along banks of the Danube are a cyclist’s dream. 

Modern, efficient and reasonably priced, Vienna’s stellar public transport network comes in handy the farther you get from the center: to visit the Prater park, where the Riesenrad Ferris wheel turns; or the baroque palaces of Belvedere and Schönbrunn . 

The network is intuitively organized, extensive and operated entirely by Wiener Linien , whose digital hub has all the maps, apps, timetables and tickets you need for getting around without hassle. The network is making great strides on the green front, too, with constant improvements and expansions making public transport far more enticing than driving. A new U5 line with fully automated cars is in the offing, brake energy is used to power some U-Bahn stations, and battery-electric buses and hydrogen-powered buses are set to launch in 2023. 

Here are all the ways you can waltz around the Austrian capital.

Vienna by foot 

Much of Vienna’s Innere Stadt is pedestrianized, so arrive prepared (and packed) for plenty of walking on cobblestoned backstreets. Exploring on foot truly offers the best sense of this city, allowing you to sidestep the throngs and click into the vibes of its different neighborhoods. 

If you’re just in town for a couple of days, you might not need to use public transport at all, as many of the city’s trophy sights, coffee houses, hotels and restaurants cluster in the grand streets of Vienna’s 1st district and along the Ringstrasse boulevard that wraps around it. Pop into Tourist Info Wien on Albertinaplatz for a map to get your bearings.   

Beyond the Innere Stadt, as things spread out, you might consider riding public transport between walks. Outside of the iconic 1st district, great neighborhoods to stroll around include the boho-flavored 7th district (Neubau), with its cluster of galleries, cool cafe bars and indie boutiques; the tree-lined avenues of the Prater in the 2nd district (Leopoldstadt); the 13-mile-long (21km) Donauinsel in the 22nd district (Donaustadt); and the artsy lanes fanning north of the foodie Naschmarkt in the 4th district (Wieden).  

Vienna by U-Bahn and S-Bahn

On the city’s safe, comfortable and punctual U-Bahn (subway), trains run roughly every five minutes from 5am to midnight Monday to Thursday and Sunday, and 24 hours a day on Friday and Saturday. The U-Bahn gets you close to most sights, especially in the center and denser areas (between the Ringstrasse and Gürtel, for instance). 

Tickets are sold at machines (with multilingual instructions), or at windows at stations. Just remember to validate your ticket by slotting it into one of the blue machines before hopping aboard (listen for the click). You only need to do this once if using a day or multi-day pass. 

Five lines currently operate: U1 (red), U2 (purple), U3 (orange), U4 (green) and U6 (brown). (U5 is still under construction and is slated for completion in 2025.) All stations have elevators as well as escalators, while platforms have timetable information and signs showing the exits and nearby facilities. 

The 10 lines of the S-Bahn run from train stations, servicing suburbs and satellite towns from 4:30am to 1:10am. If you’re traveling outside of the ticket zone of Vienna’s city limits, you’ll probably have to purchase an extension on your standard Vienna transport ticket or buy a ticket from a machine at the station; check on maps posted in train stations.

Vienna by tram

Speed isn’t everything, and something feels gloriously right about trundling on one of Vienna’s 29 tram lines. You’ll need to validate your ticket by stamping it in one of the blue machines when boarding. Trams are either numbered or lettered (eg 1, 2, D) and cover the city center and some suburbs; service runs from 5:15am to 11:45pm. Overall, this mode of transport offers a cost-effective way to see the sights and enjoy a slice of everyday life at the same time. 

A tips for exploring by tram: If you only have time for one journey, make it a self-guided spin of the Ringstrasse, which makes for a particularly atmospheric rumble by night, when its monuments are gloriously illuminated.

The Ring Tram caters to tourists, but the (commentary-free) regular service is far less expensive. For the price of a regular ticket, you can take tram 1 heading northwest from Schwedenplatz, changing to tram 2 at Stadiongasse/Parlament, Burgring or Kärntner Ring-Oper to finish at Schwedenplatz.

Vienna by bicycle

Ample green space and the expansive banks of the Danube make Vienna a delight to discover on two wheels. The city is traversed by 870 miles (1400km) of designated, well-marked cycle paths, some passing through little-trafficked areas. The city is geared up for long-distance cyclists, too, as a major stop-off on the Danube Cycle Path , which unfolds over 746 miles (1200km) from Donaueschingen in Germany to Budapest.

You can carry your bike (or e-bike) free of charge on carriages marked with a bike symbol on the S-Bahn and U-Bahn from 9am to 3pm and after 6:30pm Monday to Friday; after 9am Saturday; and all day Sunday.

Tips for exploring by bicycle: The Citybike Wien  bike-share scheme comprises 120 bike stands scattered throughout the city. You can register online or with a credit card at any station; simply swipe your card in the machine and follow the multilingual instructions. 

The bikes can only be locked up at a bike station (unless you use your own lock).  If you fancy something with a bit more oomph, Lime ’s fleet of e-scooters is great for zipping about town. Download the app for details on rental locations and rates.

Vienna by bus

Bus connections can be handy for reaching outlying parts of town or for travllers with limited physical mobility. Buses tend to be reliable and punctual, with several very useful routes for visitors, among them 13A (Hauptbahnhof to Alser Strasse); 2A (Schwedenplatz to Schwarzenbergplatz), which covers a substantial chunk of the Innere Stadt; and 3A (Stubentor to Schottenring). 

Buy tickets from the driver or a Tabakladen (tobacconist), then validate upon boarding. Most lines run from 5am to midnight, with fewer (sometimes nonexistent) services on weekends. Night buses cover much of the city and run every half-hour from 12:30am to 5am. Schwedenplatz, Schottentor and Kärntner Ring/Oper are stopping points for many night bus services; look for buses and bus stops marked with an “N.” All transport tickets are valid for Nightline services.

Accessible transportation in Vienna

Vienna scores high when it comes to accessible transport, and big plans are in place to make things increasingly barrier-free. Ramps are common, if not universal; most U-Bahn stations have wheelchair lifts and all have guiding strips for the blind. All buses these days have ramps (the driver will assist) and tilt technology, and the vast majority of trams have low-floor access for wheelchairs. Traffic lights have noise cues to indicate when pedestrians can safely cross the road.

 Tourist Info Wien’s Accessible Vienna page is a useful resource for the latest accessabilty upgrades.

Transport passes in Vienna

Wiener Linien runs Vienna’s integrated transport network, with a website providing such information as timetables, fares and route planners. A single adult fare (€2.40) covers travel in the core zone in one direction on an uninterrupted journey, including line changes; children under six travel free with a fare-paying adult. 

If you plan on getting around a lot by public transport, investing in a travel pass will save you a mint. The most popular options include the day ticket, valid from the start date until 1am (€5.80), and the 24-, 48- and 72-hour passes (€8, €14.10 and €17.10, respectively). 

It’s worth bearing in mind that the weekly pass costs the same as the 72-hour one. The 8-day Climate Ticket (€40.80) is ideal if you’re traveling with a group of friends or family and don’t plan on using public transport every day. 

Buy tickets at stations, the online ticket shop or by using the Wiener Linien app on your smartphone.

You might also like: The best museums in Vienna are a curated guide to the city's culture The best parks in Vienna: 11 glorious green escapes The best time to visit Vienna: from Christmas markets to film fests

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My 5 Favorite Neighborhoods To Experience In Vienna

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As the former capital of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire (1867–1918) — and now the capital of modern Austria — Vienna has not lost any of the luster, architecture, or cuisine meant for royalty. Although not as popular as Prague, Budapest, and Zagreb, which were also within the empire, prior to 2020 Vienna attracted over 34 million international visitors who arrived via planes, trains, and automobiles. 

Beethoven, Freud, and Gustav Klimt are some of the hometown heroes whose presence can still be felt and, in some cases, seen on the buildings that carry on their legacies. As Austria moves forward with tourism campaigns to highlight lesser-known destinations such as Salzburg, Linz, and Graz, it is essential to start in the capital city as an introduction to all that the country has to offer. 

Since Vienna is a highly walkable city with a great metro rail system (U-Bahn), you may want to put on a comfortable pair of walking shoes, buy a Vienna Pass at any train station, and get a map from any tourism office in town.

Below are some of my favorite unique neighborhoods in Vienna, as well as suggestions on what to see and do while there.

1. Inner Stadt (1 st District)

All trips to Vienna truly begin with a visit to the Innere Stadt (Historic Area). Go over to the State Opera House (Staatsoper) for a 40-minute guided tour (€7 at the time of this writing). For opera fans, tickets to performances start around €65, but you have to be flexible on your availability and seating.

The Café Sacher Eck Wien is a good place to get a coffee and get going on exploring the historic district. What put this place on my list are its famous Sacher cakes and sweets. 

Walk to the corner of Operngasse and Hanuschgasse for a Vienna sausage or pose for photos in front of the Albertina, which was a former Habsburg palace and is now used to display art. From here, you are only a few steps away from the palace garden (Burggarten) and palace (Hofburg Wien).

Go toward the Danube to visit both Hohermarkt and Judenplatz (Stephansplatz U-Bahn Station), which was the center of the Jewish ghetto from the 13 th to 15 th centuries. From here, you can visit the Museum Judenplatz and Mittalalterliche Synagogue.

Hidden History: Hohermarkt (Stephansplatz U-Bahn Station) was once the site of a public gallows. The area was originally settled by the Roman Empire. According to historians, this is also where Marcus Aurelius died from the plague.

2. Leopoldstadt (2 nd District)

The picturesque Second District is bordered by the Danube River on one side and Park Prater on the other. Depending on your preferences, you can stroll along the river or go to the amusement park areas of Prater, which have a number of entertainment options, including Wiener Riesenrad (the Ferris wheel).

If you are looking for a more vigorous activity, you can rent a bike to explore Vienna’s 200 miles of bike paths. Most are identifiable by a yellow image of a cyclist on the pavement or images constructed from rows of red bricks in cobblestone or concrete. Some of the most popular paths are in or near Leopoldstadt. 

A visit to the Chocolate Museum is worth the time if you have a sweet tooth. You can also learn about the darker parts of Vienna’s past by stopping at the Crime Museum Vienna . 

My personal and always enjoyable favorite activity is a visit to the Schweizerhaus (Swiss House) beer garden in the center of Prater, which is open from mid-March to the end of October.

Foodie Alert: Near Leopoldstadt is the Griechenbeisel Restaurant (Schwedenplatz U-Bahn), which has been serving generations of Greeks since 1450. Various luminaries such as Mozart, Twain, Pavarotti, and Johnny Cash have eaten here. Highly recommended is the Stelze Roast Pig Leg with cabbage.

3. Wieden (4 th District)

Follow the popular Kärntner Straße until it changes into Wiedner-Hauptstrasse, which is the main artery of the 4 th District. Galleries, bookstores, and local designers are the types of stores and people you will come across in Wieden. Start your exploration at the baroque church of Karlskirche and the adjacent Karlspltz Square, which attracts students from the University of Technology. 

Forming the border of this district is Belvedere Palace, which was once the summer residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy. After a brief break, go to the adjacent Botanical Gardens to explore and see the hundreds of exotic plants. 

After you are done, go to one of the many Austrian bars for cocktails or national beers.

Pro Tip: If you are a craft beer lover, then try an Ottakringer, one of the most popular regional beers. It’s on tap at almost every establishment. 

4. Mariahilf (6 th District)

Every foodie traveler finds themselves at Naschmarkt , which features a number of food stalls between Rechte Wienzeile (Right Street) and Linke Wienzeile (Left Street). If you are looking for inexpensive meals, then you have come to the right place. Trendy Mariahilf is lined with beisls (small eateries), Viennese coffee houses, pubs, and shops. Return in the evening to experience Viennese nightlife.

Art, music, and architecture lovers should stop at the Art Nouveau Otto Wagner Haus or visit some of his structures (for example, Majolikahaus). Visit the Secession Building (Secessionsgebaude) where artist Gustav Klimt led a separatist movement and where some of his major works are displayed. Make time to stop at the home of composer Franz Haydn, who lived at Haydnhaus from 1797 to 1809. 

Before leaving the area, take a stroll past Akademie der Bildenden Künste (Fine Arts Academy) (Karlsplatz U-Bahn Station). It was at this school that a young artistic Adolf Hitler was denied entry — twice.

Hidden History: Anti-Aircraft Flak (Flaktrum) Towers (five) were placed around Vienna to defend the city from enemy fire during World War II. You will find two within the Mariahilf District. One is located in Stiftgasse (the closest U-Bahn is Neubaugasse Station) and the other in Esterházy Park (U-Bahn Neubaugasse).

5. Neubau (7 th District)

Starting at the performing arts theater of Volkstheater and buttressed by MuseumsQuartier, the up-and-coming Burggasse begins with cafes, small craft stores, pubs, and restaurants all the way to Halbgasse. 

The street is fairly popular, and you will find a mix of people and age groups congregating at various points along the way. Neustiftgasse and Lerchenfelder StraBe offer a similar mix along with a number of musical venues with contemporary entertainment and live music. No matter which street you gravitate to, don’t neglect the side streets and connecting alleys. Hermangasse and Neubaugasse are two examples of streets that could go overlooked but offer a lot. 

Kaiserstraße in the Schottenfeld neighborhood within the 7 th District is another personal favorite due to the number of small restaurants and neighborhood bars along the street. This is ideal if you like smaller, more intimate locales that allow for making new friends. 

Foodie Alert: A personal favorite is Ulrich . I discovered this small restaurant while waiting out a brief storm. My time there was so enjoyable that I stayed after the rain and decided to have dinner there. The Ulrich Burger with the option to add bacon was delicious! 

If you are in the mood for dessert, one block away is Vienna’s first vegan ice cream shop. Veganista was a spur-of-the-moment try, but it was worth the time. It was opened by sisters Susanna and Cecilia, who work with natural ingredients. 

Vienna has a lot to offer, so once you become acclimated to the environment, hire a local guide to show you the hidden aspects of the city. If you have time, visit the surrounding areas such as Niederösterreich (Lower Austria). The region has fortresses and castles. You will also find a few vineyards. 

If you happen to be in the region during the early summer months, you will witness the Night Concerts in Schönbrunn . The Bregenz Festival brings in international guests and is another fun event that attracts travelers from throughout Europe. 

Regardless of how you go about spending your time in Vienna, don’t spend all of your time in the historic district. Yes, there is a lot to see there, but exploring the city allows for a more modern look at the culture and the Austrian people.

He has been to 80 destinations and lived in Greece, New Zealand, South Australia, Espana, Chile, and the United States.

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20 Exceptional Attractions in Vienna [with Map]

Are you looking for exciting attractions in Vienna?

Here we have compiled a list of the top 20 attractions that are interesting in both winter and summer.

In addition to popular highlights, we also have insider tips for you.

Other Recommended Articles:

• Top 10 Things to Do in Vienna
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• Public Transport in Vienna

1. Prater & Vienna Ferris Wheel

A classic Viennese attraction is  Prater in Vienna with its Ferris wheel.  This Viennese landmark in the heart of the city provides ultimate fun , especially with Wurstelprater amusement park,   which has been around since the early 19th century.

Be sure to take a ride on the iconic Vienna Ferris Wheel  and look out over the rooftops of Vienna.  Schweizerhaus serves typical Austrian cuisine and takes care of your physical well-being.

But Prater is much more than just an amusement park.  It is one of the city's "green lungs" and a popular recreation area for locals and tourists alike. At the same time, it is also a popular sports facility and even offers "excursions into space" with the planetarium.

2. Time Travel Vienna

At Time Travel Vienna, you are taken back to Vienna's fascinating past.  During a virtual journey through time of about 50 minutes, you can travel through Vienna's rich history at eight different stations. Thanks to the multimedia experience with special effects and innovative technology, the informative journey becomes an exciting history lesson that even children will be enthralled with.

Highlights include an original wartime air raid shelter, a 5D cinema and the Virtual Reality Music Ride  in Walzer Hall.  Time Travel Vienna, which is located in the historic vaults of Michaelerkloster in the center of Vienna, is a real highlight for the whole family.

3. Vienna Philharmonic C oncert

Anyone who visits Vienna also know as the city of music, should definitely attend a classical concert.  What would be better suited than one of the best orchestras in the world?! The Vienna Philharmonic  is one of the best in the world. The regular events offer the perfect setting to hear masterpieces of Viennese classicism by Mozart, Beethoven or Strauss in a breathtaking atmosphere.

At the Schönbrunn Summer Night Concerts, which takes place every year, you can even see the orchestra play for free against the picturesque backdrop of Schönbrunn Palace .

4. Vienna Heurigen Express

This attraction is not only a highlight for lovers, but also for families with children. During a romantic and relaxed ride on the Vienna Heurigen Express, you will be taken through picturesque wine villages, past idyllic vineyards and old winegrowers' houses. At the end of the trip you will experience a real Viennese Heurigen.

The route leads from the bus stop in Nussdorf via Kahlenberg to Grinzing and back to Nussdorf.  The hop-on/hop-off system offers the option of getting on and off at Kahlenberg or in Grinzing. The Express runs on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from the beginning of April to the end of October.

5. Naschmarkt

Naschmarkt on the edge of Vienna's old town is a true foodie paradise!  At around 5 kilometers long, it is the largest inner-city market and one of the most popular attractions in Vienna. The must-see offers you a wide range of national and international gastronomic offers in an incomparable atmosphere.  The Naschmarkt is therefore also perfect for a gourmet tour. There is also a flea market on Saturdays at weekends.

6. Danube Tower & Danube Park

Austria's tallest building is an experience for young and old! The 252 meter high Danube Tower on the edge of the Danube Park was built between 1962 and 1964. The Viennese landmark is a popular destination. On the viewing terrace at a height of 150 meters, you can enjoy a breathtaking 360° panoramic view of the Austrian capital. You can indulge in culinary delights in the tower café at 160 meters or in the rotating tower restaurant at 170 meters.

As one of the largest parks in the city, the Donaupark also offers numerous attractions, children's playgrounds, climbing combinations, ball courts, gaming tables with chess boards and skater facilities.

7. Schönbrunn Zoo

As the oldest zoo in the world, Schönbrunn Zoo is one of the highlights of Vienna.  The zoo on the grounds of the famous Schönbrunn Palace was opened in 1752 by Emperor Franz I Stephan of Lorraine, Maria Theresa's husband, as an imperial menagerie.  Not only is it part of the Schönbrunn UNESCO World Heritage Site, it has also been named “Best Zoo in Europe” five times in a row.

An area of 17 hectares is home to 700 animal species, some of which are endangered. These include pandas, tigers, orangutans, polar bears, koalas and elephants. A train commutes between the zoo, the Emperor's breakfast pavilion, the elephant house and the Tyrolean Court.

8. Museum of Illusions

This attraction is very popular with young and old! In the Museum of Illusions you can put your brain to the test. This interactive museum will amaze you with extraordinary illusions and exhibitions.  In addition to optical deceptions, illusions and holograms, you can also expect a rotating tunnel through which you can defy physical forces, as well as an anti-gravity room.

9. Spanish Riding School

The magic of the world-famous Lipizzaner, the oldest and most elegant horse breed in Europe, awaits you at the traditional Spanish Riding School .  During a visit to the "morning work," the daily morning training of the Lipizzaners, you can see these "dancing" horses train to classical music.  At the evening performances, which are very popular, you can marvel at a breathtaking equestrian spectacle.

The horsemanship of the Spanish Riding School has been part of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2015. T he Spanish Riding School is the only institution in the world that preserves old horsemanship traditions by dedicating itself to classic training and dressage of Lipizzaner horses, for 450 years.

10. House of Music

In the Haus der Musik sound museum in the  Palais Archduke Carl, children and adults can transform themselves into composers. The museum in the historic old town was opened in 2000. It presents the history of music in a multimedia and interactive way, starting with the first human musical instruments up to the present day. Here you not only learn more about the grandiose composers, you can become one yourself! Compose your own music and conduct the Vienna Philharmonic yourself. A sensational experience for young and old.

11. Maze, Labyrinth and Labyrinth Icon at Schönbrunn Palace

There is much more to the grounds of the picturesque Schönbrunn Palace than many visitors think.  In addition to the castle and zoo, a visit to the maze, the labyrinth and the labyrinth icon is an experience for the whole family.

Whoever finds the right way through the high hedges in the maze will be rewarded with a viewing platform. In the labyrinth  opposite, a bridge has to be crossed and a hall of mirrors provides a lot of fun.  The Labyrinthikon has various playgrounds for running around and playing, including a climbing frame, a hall of mirrors, a large xylophone and a water playground.

12. Palm House & Butterfly House

Palmenhaus  is a unique place is hidden in the middle of Vienna.  The Art Nouveau influenced steel glass construction was commissioned by Emperor Franz Joseph in 1882 and is one of the largest of its kind in the world. In the green oasis there are three pavilions where you can admire Mediterranean, tropical and subtropical plants.

Here you can also visit the Butterfly House , a butterfly zoo that takes you to the tropics.  With a humidity of about 80% and a temperature of about 26 degrees, you can explore the colorful world of butterflies. Around 400 tropical butterflies flying freely represent 150 different species.

After your walk,  Café Palmenhaus offers the perfect place to take a breather. Enjoy a coffee and homemade pastries in a unique ambience surrounded by exotic plants. The sun terrace offers a magnificent view of the castle garden.

13. Hohe Wand Nature Park

Hohe Wand Nature Park in the Gutenstein Alps in Lower Austria is about an hour from Vienna. With its animal and natural world, it is the perfect destination for nature lovers, sports enthusiasts and families.  From a llama and alpaca hike to the "Skywalk Hohe Wand" viewing terrace, numerous experiences and activities are offered in the park. In winter, the park also offers ski courses for beginners.

14. House of the Sea

An adventurous journey into foreign animal and plant worlds awaits you in the House of the Sea .  About 10,000 tropical and native animals and plants are presented on more than 4000 square meters, spread over ten floors. In addition to Austria's largest aquarium, there is a glass tunnel that you can walk through and the "Brandungsriff" adventure aquarium. Haus des Meeres is housed in an anti-aircraft tower from World War II.

15. Vienna State Opera

The Vienna State Opera is one of the most important international opera houses and a symbol of the city.  The world-famous opera house in Neo-Renaissance style impresses with its magnificent architecture. It was inaugurated on May 25, 1869 with a premiere of Mozart's Don Giovanni .  The State Opera is also known for the Vienna Opera Ball, which takes place here every year. With its sensational interior, it offers the perfect setting for an unforgettable experience. The diverse program, which consists of 60 different operas and ballets per season, promises the finest musical enjoyment.

16. Zeiss Planetarium

Visitors of all ages can take an exciting journey through the world of astronomy in Zeiss Planetarium.  The journey through the starry sky lets you look into the infinite worlds of space. You are invited to dream and gaze at the stars, be it with multimedia shows or with special programs for children and families.

17. Dschungel Vienna

Dschungel  Vienna in the Museums Quarter deals with the performing arts.  The ensemble includes artists from more than 20 nations. As a theater for children, teenagers and young adults, it is aimed at people aged 0-20 with various events.  Each season, 60 productions are realized and played in over 500 performances. The program is supplemented by various workshops.

18. Viennese Heurige

Heurige is a Viennese institution and an important part of Viennese eating and drinking culture.  Young wine  is served in a wine bar called   Heurige , . The name of the wine has its origin in the word Heuer , which means  this year .  A real Viennese Heurigen can be recognized by a pine bush above or on the door. In addition to local wines, regional dishes are also served. A particularly large number of wine taverns can be found in the Vienna area, for example in Nussdorf Heiligenstadt, Sievering and in Grinzing.  An evening in one of the wine taverns , which are characterized by a rustic and cozy atmosphere, should not be missed during your trip to Vienna.

19. Danube Cruises

A Danube cruise is a great experience for young and old. It's one of the most leisurely and enjoyable ways to explore Vienna. During a wonderful trip through the Danube Canal, you can enjoy the imperial city from the water and relax at the same time. Alternatively, you can go on a tour of the Wachau, which is very popular with the Viennese themselves.

20. Madame Tussauds Vienna

This branch of Madam Tussauds wax museum has been delighting visitors of all ages since 2011.  It is located in Vienna's well-known amusement park,  Wiener Prater .   Get up close and personal with international stars, personalities from Austrian history such as Emperor Franz and Sisi and stars from the music industry such as Falko and Mozart.  The highlight for many visitors is the interactive Sisi world of experience.

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