Top Things to Do in Vienna Austria
FOMO is real! Do you worry about overlooking something incredible when travel planning? If so, then you’re in luck because this curated list of 100 things to do in Vienna Austria will ensure you create an unforgettable and personalized vacation. You will find landmarks, attractions, museums, outdoor activities, beaches, where to eat and shop, and where to get the perfect photos for lasting memories. Don’t skip the Plan Your Trip section for when to go, how long to stay, what to pack, how much to budget, where to stay, and how to get around. It’s all here, keep reading for 100 Things to Do in Vienna Austria. Then, plan the itinerary for your Vienna trip or snag my 2-day itinerary of the top attractions in Vienna Austria. Enjoy your time out of the office!
READ Complete Austria Travel Guide, What You Need to Know
100 Unforgettable Things to Do in Vienna Austria
Top 5 Things to Do in Vienna Austria
- Visit Austrian National Library
- Tour Hofburg Palace, don’t miss the Spanish Riding School
- Visit Karlskirche (St. Charles’ church) for Baroque architecture and rooftop views
- See Klimt’s The Kiss at Belvedere Palace
- Tour Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens
Must Do Attractions and Activities in Vienna Austria
- Plan a DIY church tour including Votivkirche, St. Peter’s, St. Charles, St. Stephan’s, and St. Francis of Assisi Church.
- See the Austrian crown jewels at the Imperial Treasury of Vienna at Hofburg Palace.
- Tour Schönbrunn Palace and watch the strudel demonstration.
- Watch the Anker Clock in Hoher Markt at noon.
- Tour the Rathaus (City Hall), and don’t miss the Grand Staircases and Arcade Courtyard.
- Check out the Parliament Building architecture and take a tour.
- Tour the Vienna State Opera and watch a free performance on the big screen.
- Take a scenic Vienna Ring Tram ride around the Ringstrasse to see many of Vienna’s key sights.
- Do not miss the beautiful Austrian National Library Baroque State Hall and its extensive collection of rare books.
- Tour the Spanish Riding School and see the Lipizzaner horses.
- Enjoy the city lights on a Vienna night tour.
- Discover the resting place of Habsburg royalty in the Imperial Crypt.
- Visit the historic Benedictine Schottenstift Monastery its impressive church.
Best Museums in Vienna Austria
- Browse Austrian art at the Belvedere, and don’t miss Klimt’s The Kiss.
- Learn about Viennese history at Time Travel Vienna.
- Browse masterpieces by Raphael, Caravaggio, and Bruegel at the Kunsthistorisches Museum.
- Admire the works of works by Dürer, Klimt, and Picasso at Albertina.
- See the dinosaur exhibits at the Natural History Museum.
- Check out the contemporary art at the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK).
- Browse the Viennese Art Nouveau at the Leopold Museum, including pieces by Egon Schiele.
- Visit Sigmund Freud’s former home and office at the Sigmund Freud Museum.
- Explore the interactive exhibits on technology and industry at the Vienna Museum of Science and Technology.
- Check out the history and cultural exhibits at the Vienna Museum (Wien Museum).
- Learn about Vienna’s Jewish community at the Jewish Museum.
- Explore the holograms and optical illusions at the Museum of Illusions.
- Learn about classical music and conduct your own orchestra at the Vienna House of Music.
- Step into Mozart’s life at Mozarthaus Vienna.
Parks, Gardens, and Outdoor Activities in Vienna Austria
- Rent a kayak and paddle around the waters of the Alte Donau.
- Explore Spittelberg, a neighborhood full of narrow cobblestone streets and hidden courtyards.
- Take a walk along the beautiful Ringstrasse, the historic Ring Road.
- Rent a bike and cycle the Danube Cycle Path.
- Take a cruise on the Danube Canal.
- Explore the hidden courtyards of the 1st District.
- Stroll through Volksgarten past the Theseus Temple and 3,000 rose bushes.
- Explore the Schönbrunner Gardens on a mini-train and wander through the Palmenhaus Schönbrunn.
- Relax in the thermal baths at Kurpark Oberlaa.
- Take a walk next to the Danube River at Donaupark.
- See the collection of plants from around the world at the Botanical Garden of the University of Vienna.
- Visit the Setagayapark Japanese garden.
- Make your way through the labyrinth at the Hirschstetten Botanical Gardens.
- Pay respects to famous composers like Beethoven and Brahms in the historic Central Cemetery (Zentralfriedhof) or to Mozart at St. Marx Cemetery.
- Go for a hike in the Vienna Woods.
Where to Eat in Vienna Austria
- Book a Cooking Class and learn to prepare traditional Sachertorte.
- Eat apple strudel at a cafe on Spittelberg.
- Enjoy a traditional Austrian dinner in the home of a local family.
- Attend the Austrian Dinner Show.
- Have the original Wiener Schnitzel at Figlmüller.
- Relax in Café Central with a Viennese coffee and pastry.
- Eat Sachertorte, Vienna’s signature cake, at Café Sacher or Café Demel.
- Try the traditional Tafelspitz, a Viennese boiled beef dish, at Plachutta.
- Have lunch at the Naschmarkt Food Stalls.
- Eat traditional Austrian cuisine at Griechenbeisl, one of Vienna’s oldest restaurants.
- Take in panoramic views from the observation deck or enjoy a meal in the revolving restaurant at Danube Tower (Donauturm).
- Treat yourselves to a gourmet dining experience at Restaurant Steirereck, a Michelin-starred restaurant.
Vienna Austria Nightlife: Pubs, Cocktails and Nightclubs
- Spend an afternoon enjoying local wine at the Grinzing Wine Village.
- Spend a night out in the 7th District.
- Dance the night away at Flex, Volksgarten Club Disco, B72, Grelle Forelle, or Donau Techno.
- Listen to live rock and indie bands at Chelsea.
- Relax with some jazz in Vienna’s oldest jazz club, Jazzland.
- Spend an evening at Heuriger Experience, a traditional wine tavern.
- Enjoy craft cocktails at Kleinod.
- Drink crafted cocktails at the Loos American Bar.
- Have a cocktail with a view on the roof of D-Bar.
Shopping in Vienna Austria
- Find unique souvenirs at Vienna’s famous market, Naschmarkt.
- Shop along Mariahilfer Straße, Vienna’s longest shopping street filled with boutiques.
- Check out the designer boutiques on Neubaugasse, Kärntner Straße, or the Ringstrassen-Galerien.
- Browse the luxury shops and high-end brands along Graben Street or the Golden Quarter.
Instagrammable Places in Vienna Austria: Lookouts, View Points and Selfies
Photograph the Mozart Monument in Burggarten Garden, a statue of Johann Strauss II in Stadtpark, Ferstel Passage, the Jewish Memorial at Judenplatz, Strudlhofstiege (staircase), or the funky architecture of Hundertwasserhaus.
Check out the view from the DC Tower, Stephansdom South Tower, Prater Ferris Wheel, Albertina Terrace, Kahlenberg Hill, or the Danube Tower.
Be in selfie heaven at the made for Instagram No Filter Museum.
Day Trips from Vienna Austria
- Take a day trip to the Wachau Valley region for wine tasting, castle tours, and boat rides on the Danube.
- Visit Melk Abbey, a Benedictine abbey with impressive Baroque architecture.
- Explore the charming village of Dürnstein and its medieval castle ruins with spectacular views.
- Take a quick trip to Bratislava, Slovakia’s capital, just an hour away by train or boat.
- Spend the day in Salzburg and enjoy the Austrian Alps.
- Check out the medieval castle Kreuzenstein Castle located just north of Vienna.
- Visit Baden bei Wien, a spa town known for its thermal baths and beautiful parks.
- Head to Lainzer Tiergarten for a wildlife preserve hike and visit the Hermesvilla, the “castle of dreams.”
Check the Vienna Austria Tourism Board website for upcoming festivals, special events, and what’s happening during your stay.
Plan Your Trip to Vienna Austria
Why Visit Vienna Austria
Vienna Austria had approximately 12 million visitors last year. Mozart, Freud, and Beethoven once called Vienna their home. Today, people are drawn to Vienna for its gorgeous architecture and passageways, palaces, opera, coffee culture, and chocolate cake. Vienna Austria is full of history, museums, fun attractions, and great shopping. Vienna’s Christmas Market is well known as one of the best in Europe.
How Many Days in Vienna Austria is Enough
Two days in Vienna Austria is enough to experience the city. Add another day if you plan to attend a special event or wish to take a day trip.
READ How to Spend 48 Hours in Vienna Austria
Is Vienna Austria Safe for Solo Travelers
According to Travel Safe Abroad, Vienna is a very safe city. In fact, it is one of the safest capitals in the world. However, there is a medium risk of being scammed. Be careful using your credit card and check your bank transactions. There is also a medium risk of terrorist attacks due to it being a capital city. Check their website for more information.
Best Time to Visit Vienna Austria
Spring (April to May) and Fall (September to October) are the shoulder seasons in Vienna, crowds thin and prices drop. Summer is high season and brings crowds and increased accommodation prices. The average summer temperature is 68°F. Vienna is known for its Christmas market and is busy during December. The average temperature in December and January is 32ºF with the likelihood of snow.
How to Get to Vienna Austria
Austria Airlines flies nonstop to the Vienna International Airport (VIE). A nonstop flight from LAX to Vienna Austria is 11.5 hours; nonstop Newark (EWR) to Vienna is a little over 8 hours. Prepare for your flight!
Vienna is also well connected by train and a must stop during a Central Europe trip. Budapest to Vienna’s Vienna Central Station is a 2.5 hour ride with no train changes. Salzburg to Vienna is also 2.5 hours with no train changes and Munich to Vienna is 5.5 hours with no train changes.
READ Best of Central Europe Travel Itinerary for First Timers, Day-by-Day Guide
How to Get Around Vienna Austria
Vienna International Airport is 16 minutes from the city by City Airport Train (CAT). You can also use the Railjets of Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) and arrive in 15 minutes. Buses run less frequently and ride time is 40 minutes. Taxi and Uber are also available. See all your airport transportation options here. https://www.wien.info/en/travel-info/arrival-departure/airport-to-center
The four main forms of transport are U-Bahn (subway), Schnellbahn or S-Bahn (local train), Straßenbahn (tram) and Autobus (bus). Vienna works on an honesty system with no ticket barriers at stations but transportation is not free. Tickets are available for 24, 48 or 72 hours. You must validate your ticket at blue ticket validation machines at the entrances to subway and S-Bahn stations. Ride share (Uber) and taxi are also available in Vienna. Tickets link:
Where to Stay in Vienna Austria
I suggest staying in the city center or at a hotel close to the main train station (Wien Hauptbahnhof) to make transportation easy. Search Booking.com and VRBO in one place to find the perfect property!
What Should I Budget for Vienna Austria
According to Budget My Trip, the daily cost of travel is $165 per person per day. This includes $36 on meals, $20 on local transportation, and $204 on hotels. As always, cost is based on your travel style. Check their website for more information.
What Should I Pack for Vienna Austria
Dark jeans and blouses are the common style in Vienna. Pack for the season you will visit and wear layers. Comfortable walking shoes for cobblestones are a must. Weather can be unpredictable.
Are There Any Romantic Things to Do in Vienna Austria
- Catch a movie under the stars at Karlsplatz Vienna.
- Attend a classical concert or open rehearsal of the Vienna Philharmonic at the Musikverein.
- Watch a Theater Performance at the Burgtheater.
- Watch a romantic ballet or operetta at the Volksoper.
- See a live opera performance in one of the world’s most renowned venues, the Vienna State Opera.
- Attend a Viennese ball during the ball season, especially the Vienna Opera Ball.
- Enjoy a romantic meal in the revolving at the Danube Tower (Donauturm) restaurant with panoramic city views.
- Spend a day sampling local wines in the Vineyards of Grinzing.
- Arrange for a private performance in the intimate setting of Mozart’s former home.
- Relax in the thermal baths of Oberlaa.
- Enjoy a candlelight dinner with live classical music at Kursalon.
Things to Do in Vienna Austria with Young Children
- Walk the sealife tunnels of the Haus des Meeres aquarium.
- Visit the pandas at Schönbrunn Zoo, the world’s oldest zoo.
- Ride the iconic Giant Ferris Wheel at Prater Amusement Park.
- Wander a tropical garden filled with butterflies at the Butterfly House (Schmetterlinghaus).
- Check out the hands-on exhibits at the ZOOM Children’s Museum.
- Explore a collection of toys from different eras at the Vienna Toy Museum (Spielzeugmuseum).
- Take a day trip to the fairytale-themed amusement park Märchenpark Neusiedlersee.
- Role-play various professions at Minopolis, a miniature city designed for children.
- Watch a special children’s opera at the Vienna State Opera.
- Catch a performance at the Mollardgasse Children’s Theatre.
- Learn about dinosaurs, space, and the natural world at the Natural History Museum.
- Meet farm animals and learn about rural life at Children’s Farm at Cobenzl on the outskirts of Vienna.
- Explore the stars and planets with interactive shows and exhibits at the Planetarium.
Things to do in Vienna Austria with Teens
- Engage with interactive exhibits about technology and science at the Techno-Zoo.
- Spend a day splashing around at Therme Wien.
- Engage with interactive exhibits about sound and music at Haus der Musik.
- Get an adrenaline rush bungee jumping off the Danube Tower (Donauturm).
- Check out the ever-changing street art along the walls of the Danube Canal or take a guided street art tour.
- Watch the street performers and check out the art installations at Karlsplatz.
Visiting More Cities in Austria?
Check out our Austria Travel Guide with links to must-see destinations and itineraries!
Booking Resources for Vienna Austria
Vienna Austria Travel Guide Books
Pick up an Austria Travel Guide from Amazon.com to browse on the plane.
Book Your Accommodation in Austria Now
Spending the night? Search Booking.com and VRBO in one place to find the perfect property!
Vienna Austria Attractions and Day Tours
The best attractions sell out! Don’t chance it, get your tickets now and relax when you arrive.
Travel Essentials
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