10 Places You Must Visit When In Vienna.
Vienna has a lot to offer, so it’s hard to name just 9 must-visit spots. Personally I think Austria’s capital city is one of the most stunning cities to live in, and there are many reasons for this: its rich culture, long-lasting tradition, stunning architecture, the way of living, amazing coffee houses, the capital city for classical music, and many many more…
Obviously there are many more sights and places to be seen in Vienna, if you want more info, feel free to contact me via a comment below or an e-mail through the contact form (even when it comes to touristy places).
#1 Must Visit When In Vienna: A Ring Tour.
The Ringstraße is the road surrounding the inner city (1st district) of Vienna with some of the most famous sight like the Opera House, Hofburg Palace, Parliament and City Hall. While wondering the street, take a side track into the lovely Burggarten to either rest a bit or to enjoy a cup of coffee in the Palmenhaus. Further along the way, you will come to the Votivkirche and then to the Danube Channel with many restaurants.
The Ring is definitely one of my favourite places in Vienna, simply because of the impressive buildings built around it and the atmosphere along the way…
#2 Must Visit When In Vienna: One, Or two, Or three Coffee Houses.
As a Viennese, I love a good cup of coffee. The Viennese Coffee House Culture is world famous – and since 2011 even an UNESCO intangible cultural heritage. The Viennese coffeehouse is described in this inventory as a place “where time and space are consumed, but only the coffee is found on the bill.” And oh is that true! I wrote a separate article on my top 10 favourite coffee houses. Of course there are many more, but I think this gives you a goof impression on traditional and modern ones in all areas ov Vienna.
#3 Must Visit When In Vienna: Twin City Liner.
Vienna and Bratislava are the capital cities with the shortest reaching distance (in Europe). So, if you’re staying in Vienna for more than just the weekend, be sure to hop on the Twin City Liner to take a cruise to Bratislava. It only takes 75 minutes in each direction and you can check out two capitals in just one day.
#4 Must Visit When In Vienna: Schloss Schönbrunn (Including The Zoo) & Gloriette:
Schloss Schönbrunn: Schönbrunn is one of the most important cultural monuments and tourist attractions in Austria. So why am I posting it here, since I promised to stay away from typical tourist attractions … Well, because there’s more to Schloss Schönbrunn than just the (very beautiful) castle; the park around Schloss Schönbrunn is a great little oasis in an otherwise busy city. It’s perfect for long walks or a little jog. Jogging grounds in Vienna are rare, so naturally the park can get pretty crowed … best to go there early morning or late in evening.
Winter tip: The Christmas Market in front of the castle is a must for every visitor and local.
Gloriette: The Gloriette in Vienna is the largest (and therefore most well-known) gloriette worldwide and is a nice café where you can refuel your energy.
Tiergarten Schönbrunn: The famous Vienna zoo was founded in 1752, which makes it the oldest zoo in the world.
How to get there:
- If you want to see the castle, take metro line U4 station Schönbrunn. For the zoo it’s better to take the metro line U4 until Hietzing (even though you can also walk through the gardens to reach the zoo).
#5 Must Visit When In Vienna: Naschmarkt & Brunnenmarkt.
Naschmarkt: The Naschmarkt is Vienna’s most popular market and a real hot spot. Whether you want to go out for lunch or after work-cocktails … one of the many bars/restaurants will suit you for sure. You can also buy yummy fresh fruits and vegetables from around the world, exotic herbs, cheese, baked goods, meat and seafood.
How to get there:
- The Naschmarkt is located at the Wienzeile in the 6th district of Vienna and is about 1.5 kilometres long. You can get there by metro line U4 station Kettenbrückengasse or Karlsplatz (also U1 and U2 go there).
Brunnenmarkt: The Brunnenmarkt is the longest street market in Europe, located in the 16th district of Vienna and (in my opinion) the “new” Naschmarkt. Over the years, many lovely restaurants have popped up around the Yppenplatz, which is the extension of Brunnenmarkt. The setting around the entire area is trendy yet still very cultural, and that’s what makes Brunnenmarkt so diverse and “hot”.
How to get there:
- The Brunnenmarkt can be reached by the metro line U6 until station Thaliastrasse and then the tram line 46 until Brunnengasse.
#6 Must Visit When In Vienna: Lainzer Tiergarten.
The Lainzer Tiergarten is for those of who who would like to get away from all the hassle for a while. It’s a wildlife preserve in the 13th district of Vienna. Approximately 80% of it is covered in woodland, so it’s a perfect destination for long walks. Back in 1561, it was used as a fenced-in hunting ground for Ferdinand I of Austria and his family. What’s really lovely about this place is that your trip can either be topped with a yummy lunch/coffee at the café or a visit to the museum in the Hermesvilla (or both of course). Emperor Franz Josef I gave this chalet to his wife Empress Elisabeth (better known as “Sissi”) because she was a huge nature fan and wanted a place for her own. Not bad huh?
How to get there (Lainzer Tor):
- Take the tram line 60 until Hermesstraße, or bus number 55A until Lainzer Tor
#7 Must Visit When In Vienna: A Typical “Heuriger”.
A Heuriger is a typical Austrian wine tavern where pretty much all you get is wine and a limited variety of cold food (bread with cheese, etc.). A Heuriger isn’t open all year around; typically only two to four weeks per year. It’s a really nice experience because it’s some very traditional and typical for Austria so if you’re visiting during the “Heurigen” season, be sure to check one out. The 19th and 23rd district, as well as Perchtholdsdorf (South of Vienna) are the classical areas.
My “Heuriger” tip: Heuriger Kurt Pröglhöf (Am Goldbieglberg 5, 2380 Perchtoldsdorf) or any Heuriger in the 19th district.
#8 Must Visit When In Vienna: Wiener Zentralfriedhof (Vienna Central Cemetery).
Some may find this sight a bit macabre but I think that the Zentralfriedhof is an amazing place in Vienna and therefore I want to include it. The Viennese Central Cemetery is the largest cemetery in Austria and Europe’s second largest (Hamburg-Ohlsdorf is the largest). It opened its gates in 1874 and is a great place to visit since it displays Austrian history throughout the last 200 years. The Karl-Lueger-Kirche is the Art Nouveau-style church and once of the most famous buildings at the cemetery. it’s located in the centre of the cemetery. From the Main Gate an avenue leads to the “graves of honor” reserved for famous personalities. Some of the notable persons laid to rest here are Beethoven, Brahms, Schubert and Johann Strauss (son and father).
My tip: Take a walk through the Jewish cemetery and you might get lucky by spotting a deer – yes, the cemetery is THAT big :)
How to get there:
- Take the metro line U3 until the station Simmering and then with the tram line 71 or 6 until Zentralfriedhof
#9 Must Visit When In Vienna: Otto Wagner Church.
If you have enough time and are interested in nice architecture, the Otto Wagner Church in the 14th district is an absolute must when visiting Vienna. Designed by Otto Wagner, it’s considered one of the most important Art Nouveau churches in the world. The copper-covered dome (which looks a bit like half a lemon) is visible from quite a distance.
How to get there:
- Option 1: Metro Line U4 until Unter St. Veit and then Bus 47A untilPsychiatrisches Zentrum
- Option 2: Metro Line U3 until Ottakring (last stop) and then Bus 48A (also starts from the bus station Dr. Karl Renner Ring) until Psychiatrisches Zentrum
#10 Must Visit When In Vienna: Haus des Meeres.
The Haus des Meeres is a public aquarium located in the 7th district of Vienna. The aquarium itself is nice, but not that special compared to other aquariums in the world. Although not too many aquariums are located inside a tall concrete flak tower built during World War II, so I guess that’s kinda special. The best part about the Haus des Meeres is the rooftop cafe/restaurant. It’s one of the only public places in the city centre where you really have a complete 360° view. It’s truly spectacular and therefore one of my favourite spots in the city!
How to get there:
- Option 1: Metro Line U3 until Neubaugasse and bus lines 13A, 14A, 57A (stop “Haus des Meeres”).
Join the Discussion
“10 Places You Must Visit When In Vienna.”
Hello Gautam!
I’m sure you’ll enjoy your trip a lot. I think the best photographing opportunity will be on a Ring Tour as I mentioned above. You have pretty much all the famous sights in one go :)
Take care & enjoy!
Hello Nisa,
thank you for very nice tips, what to see in Vienna. Me and my other 5 friends are coming to Vienna on the beginning of the June. My friend is going to have his 50. birthday. We would like to surprise him and take him to nice place to celbrate it. We were thinking about DO and CO restaurant or the Donauturm in Wien. But actually we don’t need any fancy thing and we would like just to find nice place or activity where to have a lunch with him. Could you pleas give us some recommendations, which place may be nice for lunch or to do something extraordinary.
Thank you a lot for you help
With best regards
Jitu :)
Hi Jitu!
Celebrating your friends 50th birthday in Vienna will definitely be a nice place to do so :) I wouldn’t suggest the Donauturm though; not because it’s not fancy, but because it’s pretty run down and desperately in need of a renovation.
Do & Co Stephansplatz is a perfect spot. You have a nice view of St. Stephens Cathedral, it’s a bit fancy, but the price range is really good for what you get. Other than that, there’s the Restaurant Steirereck (more expensive but really good food – during lunch the Meierei im Stadtpark is open), Fabios, Neni am Naschmarkt or the Glacis Beisl (typical Viennese). You definitely need to reserve your seats for pretty much any restaurant in the evening (and during lunch time), otherwise it’ll be hard for 6 people to find a place…
I hope you enjoy your trip! Let me know if you need anything else.
Hi Nisa,
I will stay in Krems for around 4 full days starting from 26th June. I plan to visit Wachau Valley.
Then I plan to go to Vienna for around 3-4 days. I am interested in the churches, museums, architectures, etc. I don’t mind visiting some natural places, too. My main purpose is to relax and I hope not to be so rush in Vienna. Are there any suggestions for must-go places for these 3-4 days?
Thanks a lot! =]
Hi Christine!
I’m sure you’ll love Krems & the Wachau valley. Summer is the best season to visit :)
Well, in 3-4 days a lot can be seen & done in Vienna. Apart from the things I already mentioned (with a Ring Tour as number 1), I would suggest to visit the Kunstkammer Wien – one of the nicest museums you could visit or relaxing at one of the meadows near the Prater-Hauptalle. Also really nice is a stroll across the terrain of the Baumgartner Höhe for a visit of the Otto Wagner Church. I could go on for hours, so let me know if you want more details :)
Thank you Nisa, We will be in Vienna next week for 6 days and this information helps a lot! Thx!!!
Hi Nisa,
Thinking of visiting Vienna for my honeymoon and I want to do something romantic for my wife. Is there any countryside or a quiet romantic place in and around the main city where we can go out for a day’s trip. Will be in Vienna for 3 days.
Thnx in advance
Hi Ravish!
Well the Wachau lies West of Vienna (approx. 30-45 minute drive) and Lake Neusiedl to the East (approx. 45 minute drive). The Wachau is quite romantic, because you can walk through the vine yards for hours and explore castles and fortresses…
My ex-boyfriend tried to make me go to Vienna once, but we decided to head to Belgium instead, Ghent. I definitely want to see what Vienna has to offer and I can already tell you that the Brunnenmarkt would be on top of my list :).
Definitely try and visit Vienna Agness! Not to brag or anything, but it really is one of the best cities in the world ;)
Hi Nisha, I am a photographer and could manage to visit Vienna only 1 day from Bratislava. My kid is 5 years old. Would appreciate the key areas for photographing. Saint Stephen’s cathedral is one of my attraction (Inside view mainly). Do you have any blog on Bratislava?
Thanks
Ari
What about Stephansplatz?
Hi Deki!
Stephansplatz is in the first district, so definitely it’s one of the must visit places :)
Best, Nisa
Hi Nisa!
Very well written article, I will be coming to vienna with my husband in August second week. So we are doing 2 nights, Prague, 2 nights Budapest, 3 nights Salzburg and 2 nights Vienna. We love mountains, lakes, waterfall, landscapes, and good architecture… Ee love to photograph, so what places would you suggest us to cover during our stay. Also we are strictly vegetarians (we don’t even eat eggs) so would we get vegan food there?
Hi Dee! Thanks for your comment! Sounds like a great tour you have planned. I was just in Prague for two nights and that is enough to really get to see the main sights of the city. Budapest is great as well. Salzburg is on pretty much every tourist’s list when coming to Austria. Personally, I’m not the biggest fan, but the mountains are amazing! There are several lakes around Salzburg, like Fuschsee, Attersee, Mondsee, Wolfgangsee or Traunsee. Bad Gastein is about a 1 hour drive away from Salzburg, and of course Hallstatt…
You’ll have no problem with getting vegan food in Salzburg or Vienna. The best vegan place in Vienna is the restaurant Tian (high class). Swing Kitchen offers great vegan burgers. Mr. & Mrs. Feelgood and yamm! are also good restaurants with vegan food and not too expensive.
Let me know if I can help you out any further :)
Hi Nisa,
vielen Dank für deine super Tipps!! Ich bin nicht so ein Typ, der gerne die typischen Touri- Sachen macht. Ich war gestern auf dem Zentralfriefhof und es war einfach herrlich. Habe an Tor 1 begonnen und bin bis zum jüdischen Friedhof gegangen. Diese Ruhe und Stille, gepaart mit schönem Herbstwetter. Top!! Und by the way – Rehe konnte ich auch sehen:)
Danach auf die andere Seite der Stadt, zur Otto Wagner Kirche. Auch ein toller Tipp! Heute werden wir deinem Rat folgen und im Daniels frühstücken…
Vielen Dank. Solche Insider Tipps sollte es öfter geben!
Viele liebe Grüße
Nina
Liebe Nina!
Cool, freut mich voll, dass dir die Tipps geholfen haben :) Am Zentralfriedhof war ich letztens auch wieder – bin da wirklich gern dort und genieße die Ruhe und die friedliche Stimmung.
Alles Liebe,
Nisa
Sorry, but I do not agree with your list. Yes the palace is well placed but rest of the stuff especially considering 1/2/3/4 districts is really an other list. For Vienna you must visit Cafe Mozart, Landtmann and Museum (also perhaps Pruckel). Then there is the Kholmarket which is the place like Rodeo drive. Then there is the St. Stephan’s Cathedral which is the oldest building. Then there are many many Museums which grace Vienna with its richness in the heritage and culture – that is what Vienna is known for not the countryside and wine bars. Yes of course countryside is beautiful but that’s a different list that is perhaps a larger one encompassing nature of Austria – not Vienna. Then there are the Christmas Markets – how can one be in Vienna and not mentioned them? Finally, I would add the Albetina and the Belvedere palace which house thousands of pantings. The richness of Viennese culture is housed inner staadt. Oh, remember Mozart?
Dear Jamal!
Thank you for your comment and I appreciate your input! It seems like you only went through this article’s headlines and did not actually read through it. It’s nice that you took the time to write your comment, but might have been better to read it beforehand. For example:
– Nr. 4 is Schönbrunn Palace and I did mention a winter tip, linking to a seperate article I wrote about Vienna’s Christmas markets.
– Also I do mention Coffee houses ( Nr. 2), where I share my favourite coffee houses of the city. The ones you mention are typical coffee houses that tourists and locals go to. They’re nice and all yes, but tastes are different.
– Viennas first district is mentioned right at the beginning (nr. 1) – again linking to a seperate article (where you will find St. Stephens Cathedral).
Your other inputs are fair and all, but keep in mind, that Vienna has throusand of sights that could be mentioned and I chose some that are not on every single must-visit-list.
Also, you mention that some of them belong on a countryside/Austria list. Actually, all of the ones mentioned are in Vienna. Vienna has much more to offer than just the inner districts and maybe some cities do not offer as much countryside as Vienna does, but this is what makes my hometown the most liveable city in the world.
I agree to disagree with you.
Merry Christmas & all the best,
Nisa
P.S. Just so you know, Mozart actually comes from Salzburg…