Things to Do in Vienna
Majestic castles, historic theatres, stunning imperial palaces... the Austrian capital city of Vienna has countless wonders to discover. Read our guide to discover how you can make the most of your visit to this fantastic city.
Vienna, located in the heart of Europe, is famed for its fascinating imperial heritage, grand boulevards and buzzing cultural scene. It's a really accessible city, which you can get around by bike or public transport, making it a great destination to visit whether you're going solo, or with family.
In this guide, you'll discover the most important things to see in the city, unique activities to enjoy and how to save money along the way. For starters, check out the Vienna Pass—this tourist pass gives you access to more than 70 attractions, including monuments, parks and museums, as well as unlimited access to the Vienna tourist busses.
Vienna's Must-Sees
In a city with so much to do, whittling down your itinerary can be a challenge! From the Vienna State Opera, which ranks amongst the most famous opera houses in the world, to the Prater—a beloved public green space, home to one of the world's oldest amusement parks, the famous Riesenrad Ferris Wheel and Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, where you can strike a pose with Sigmund Freud!
Start your journey around Vienna from Stephansplatz, the square which marks the geographical centre of the city. Here, you'll find the Stephansdom (Vienna Cathedral), one of the tallest churches in the world, as well as the Haas Haus, a fascinating piece of contemporary architecture which stands in contrast to the Cathedral, which dates back to 1137. You can see lots of these sites and more, accompanied by an expert guide as part of our free guided tour of Vienna******, or, our free tour of Vienna by night!
Arguably the most famous attraction in the city is the painting of The Kiss by Austrian painter Gustav Klimt. You can see it for yourself by buying a ticket to the Belvedere Museum, where you'll also get to enjoy stunning art spanning from the Middle Ages to Classicism to Viennese Art Nouveau.
Vienna's Top Monuments & Attractions
Monuments and tourist attractions are aplenty in this cultural powerhouse. To get a taste of the city's imperial heritage, consider opting for a guided tour of Schonbrunn Palace, the 17th-century summer residence of the Habsburg family. Explore the extensive royal gardens and enjoy the beautiful baroque architecture of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
If you make your way to the Ringstrasse (a circular boulevard which surrounds Vienna's historical centre), you'll easily be able to make your way from attraction to attraction. This boulevard marks the old city's walls, which stood from the 13th century until 1850. Explore the boulevard and grab a ticket to the Hofburg Palace, see the Austrian Parliament, visit the Art History Museum and much more!
Churches in Vienna
Aside from the world-famous, aforementioned Stephansdom (Vienna Cathedral), there is a wide selection of churches and other religious buildings to discover in Vienna. One of our favourites is the 18th-century St. Peter's Church (Peterskirche Vienna). This Baroque-style church is magnificent both inside and out, and also boasts stunning acoustics! In fact, you can enjoy a concert in St. Peter's Church with Civitatis, featuring the Classical Ensemble Vienna. For Neo-Gothic-style architecture, check out the wonderful Vienna Votivkirche. This striking church was built in dedication to Emperor Franz Joseph, who was attacked on this very site.
Museums in Vienna
The aforementioned Belvedere Museum is home to various Dramatic, Gothic and Baroque pieces as well as an outstanding medieval collection. However, the main highlight of the museum is the The Kiss by Gustav Klimt. The foremost museum in the city however is the Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Art History), which features works spanning over a millennium, with rooms dedicated to Egypt, Greece & Rome, as well as art from such greats as Velazquez, Titian, Caravaggio and Rubens.
For a deeper dive into the history of the city, be sure to check out the Wien Museum (Vienna Museum), an institution that consists of a number of smaller museums scattered across the city— all of which tell the story of the Austrian capital. You'll find museums dedicated to Beethoven and Mozart, a Clock Museum and much more!
For a slightly alternative experience, check out the Vienna Museum of Illusions—a great way to spend a few hours having fun as a family!
If you're spending a bit longer in Vienna, you might consider going on a day trip from the city, to see what else Austria and neighbouring European countries have to offer. Hallstat is a fantastic option for a day trip, located in the Austrian Alps. Another great option is Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart. See below our list of the best day trips from Vienna:
Whether you're staying for 2 or 3 days, or for a longer stint, there's plenty to see in Vienna. If you're planning a trip and need more inspiration to fill your trip, check out more tours & experiences with Civitatis!
