10 Best Things to Do in Vienna Austria
Why should you visit Vienna, Austria?
Are you wondering what to do in Vienna, Austria? We spent several days exploring the capital city. Vienna is a historic city with plenty to do and see. Our Vienna travel guide includes the ten best things to do in Vienna, Austria.
Continue reading to get all the information for the perfect trip to Vienna.
We cover location, main sights, where to eat, and other tips to have a fantastic time in Austria’s capital.
In addition, we include information on the top seven must-try foods in Vienna.
*Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you buy something using the links, we will receive a commission. Using the link is at NO extra cost to you. We appreciate it when you buy through one of our affiliate links. It is a great way to show your support for us. It will allow us to continue to bring you valuable, free content.
Be sure to check out our full Vienna Vlog. We go to each of the places mentioned in this post: 10 Best Things to Do in Vienna, Austria.
10 Best Things to Do in Vienna, Austria
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Where is Vienna, Austria?
Vienna is the capital of Austria. It is near Czechia, Slovakia, and Hungary in the northeastern part of Austria. Being Austria’s largest city, it is also its most populous city. Vienna is famous for its classical music culture, coffeehouses, and architecture.
What are the main sights to see in Vienna?
These are the 10 best things to do in Vienna, Austria.
-Schönbrunn Palace
-Belvedere Palace
-Karlsplatz
-Vienna State Opera
-Hofburg Palace
-Vienna City Hall
-Mozart’s House
-St. Stephen's Cathedral
-Hundertwasser House
-Prater Amusement Park
1. Schönbrunn Palace
What is Schönbrunn Palace?
The first place on our list is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Vienna’s most popular tourist attraction Schönbrunn Palace.
This 1,441-room palace was the summer home of the Habsburg monarchs.
When is the Schönbrunn Palace open?
The palace is open from 9 am to 5 pm, and the gardens are open from 6:30 am to 9 pm.
Is it free to visit Schönbrunn Palace?
You can enter the Palace Park for free, but if you want to tour the inside of the palace, you must purchase tickets.
Visiting the Gloriette is also free. The Gloriette is the lookout point where you can get views of the palace.
How much are tickets to Schönbrunn Palace?
There are several ticket packages available for purchase. We recommend buying the tickets online to avoid the lines.
Prices for the tours range from €22 all the way to €61 depending on the package you buy.
How long does Schonbrunn Palace take?
Visiting Schönbrunn can take as little as a few hours or an entire day, depending on your ticket.
2. Belvedere Palace
What is Belvedere Palace?
The Belvedere Palace consists of two palaces, the Upper Belvedere and the Lower Belvedere. It is also home to Belvedere 21, a contemporary art museum.
It was a summer home for Prince Eugene of Savoy.
The Upper Belvedere Palace was a museum, an imperial residence, and even the place where the Austrian Independence Treaty was signed.
Today, it is Austria’s most visited art museum. Gustav Klimt’s famous painting The Kiss is here.
The Lower Belvedere Palace was the royal residence, but now it is for exhibitions.
When is the Belvedere Palace open?
The Botanical Garden is open daily from 10 am to 4 pm.
The Upper Belvedere is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm.
The Lower Belvedere is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm.
Belvedere 21 has hours from 11 am to 6 pm Tuesday-Sunday. On Thursdays, it is open until 9 pm.
Is Belvedere Palace free to visit?
It is free to walk around the palace gardens, but to enter either the Upper or Lower Belvedere requires a ticket.
How much are tickets to Belvedere Palace?
A ticket for the Upper Belvedere is € 15.90 if purchased online. Only timed tickets are available to visit the Upper Belvedere.
A ticket for the Lower Belvedere is €13.90 if purchased online. This includes entrance to the State Stables (displaying medieval art) and the Orangery.
A combo ticket is €22.90.
How long does Belvedere Palace take?
Try to visit the palace after 2 pm because the busiest times are from 11 am - 2 pm.
If you only explore the gardens, it will take around one hour. Exploring the gardens and the Upper and Lower Belvedere will take a few hours.
3. Karlsplatz (Charles Square)
What is Karlsplatz?
It is one of the largest squares in Vienna, located right off Vienna’s Ring Road. It is home to St. Charles Church (Karlskirche).
St. Charles Church is a Baroque church on the south side of Karlsplatz. Throughout the year, the church hosts classical concerts. It also hosts the Karlsplatz Christmas market.
When is the Karlskirche open?
It is open from 9 am to 6 pm.
Is Karlskirche free?
It is free to attend the church service but touring the church requires a ticket.
How much are tickets to Karlskirche?
It is €8 to visit inside the church.
How long does a tour of Karlskirche take?
Visiting Karlskirche will take about 1-2 hours.
4. Vienna State Opera
What is the Vienna State Opera?
The Vienna State Opera is one of the top opera houses in the world. It is also the home of the Vienna Ballet and hosts the yearly Vienna Opera Ball.
When is the Vienna Opera House open?
Visit their website to book your preferred tour time. You can also use their website to purchase opera tickets.
How much are tickets to tour the Vienna Opera House?
Tickets for the guided tour of the opera house are €12.
How long does a tour of Vienna Opera House take?
The tour of the Vienna Opera lasts around 40 minutes.
How can I get cheap opera tickets?
If you do not mind last-minute tickets, visit the ticket office 80 minutes before the show for standing room tickets. You will pay significantly less for the tickets.
5. Hofburg Palace
What is the Hofburg Palace?
Vienna is full of palaces, and number 5 on our list is the Hofburg Palace.
It is one of the largest palace complexes in the world. It has 18 wings and over 2,600 rooms.
The palace was once the winter residence of the Habsburgs and is now home to the Austrian president. When you visit, there is so much to see. There are museums, the Imperial Apartments, and the famous Spanish riding school.
When is the Hofburg Palace open?
The Hofburg palace is open daily from 9:30 am - 5 pm.
Is the Hofburg Palace free to visit?
It is free to walk around the grounds, but to tour, the inside requires a ticket.
How much are tickets to tour the Hofburg Palace?
To learn about the fascinating life of Empress Elisabeth, you can visit the Sisi Museum. Also included in the ticket price are the Imperial Apartments and the Silver collection.
The tickets are € 16.00.
How long does a tour of Hofburg Palace take?
Depending on what you choose to visit, Hofburg Palace is massive, so it could take a few days if you want to see it all.
6. Vienna City Hall (Rathaus) and Rathauspark
What is Vienna’s Rathaus?
The gothic-style building is the Vienna City Hall building.
It is in Rathausplatz. Here you will find the Mayor’s office and other governmental offices. Rathauspark is used year-round for events such as concerts and markets.
When is the Vienna City Hall open for tours?
The guided tour did take place on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Friday at 1 pm, but they are not occurring until further notice.
Check their website before visiting to find out when they will start again.
Is the Vienna City Hall tour free?
Yes, when the tours begin to operate again, they are free.
The guide will be speaking in German, but they have free multilingual audio guides available for rental. The only requirement for the rental is to leave your ID as a deposit.
How long does a tour of Vienna City Hall take?
You cannot make reservations for the tours, but you can arrive at 7:30 am to get a ticket for that day. The tours last about one hour.
7. Mozart’s House (Mozarthaus Vienna)
What is Mozarthaus Vienna?
Mozart lived here from 1784-to 1787. The apartment is where he composed The Marriage of Figaro (Le Nozze di Figaro).
The museum covers three floors and gives visitors a tour of his Vienna apartment, his music, and his life in Vienna.
When is Mozarthaus Vienna open?
Mozarthaus Vienna is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm.
How much are tickets to tour Mozarthaus Vienna?
Tickets to tour Mozart’s apartment in Vienna cost € 12.
8. St. Stephan’s Cathedral
What is St. Stephen’s Cathedral?
In the middle of Stephanplatz, St. Stephen’s Cathedral is a Vienna landmark. With its colorful tiled roof, the cathedral is a symbol of Vienna.
When is St. Stephen’s Cathedral open?
The cathedral is open Mondays to Saturdays from 9 am to 11:30 am and then from 1 pm to 4:30 pm. On Sundays, it is open from 1 pm to 4:30 pm.
Is it free to visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral?
It is free to enter the church, but certain areas of the church require a ticket.
How much are tickets to tour St. Stephen’s Cathedral?
For €20, you get an audio guide, a catacomb tour, and a visit to the north and south towers.
9. Hundertwasser House (Hundertwasserhaus)
What is the Hundertwasser House?
Hundertwasser House is a colorful apartment complex that is one of Vienna’s most visited buildings. It was the idea of artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser.
When is the Hundertwasser House open?
There are no visiting hours because you can only visit the building from the outside. Make sure to see it from both sides.
Is the Hundertwasser House free?
Yes, it is free to see the Hundertwasser House.
How long does a visit to Hundertwasser House take?
A visit to Hundertwasser House will probably take about 15 to 20 minutes.
10. Prater Amusement Park
What is the Prater Amusement Park?
Prater Amusement Park has been around since 1766 making it one of the world’s oldest amusement parks. The highlight of the park is the giant Ferris wheel.
When is the Prater Amusement Park open?
The park is open daily from 11 am to midnight.
Is the Prater Amusement Park free to visit?
Yes, it is free to enter the park. If you want to ride the rides, you have to purchase tickets.
How much are tickets at Prater Amusement Park?
Most rides cost between € 1 to € 6.
The Ferris wheel is € 13.50.
Those are our 10 best things to do in Vienna. We hope that these 10 places have inspired you to want to visit Vienna, Austria.
Are you looking for must-try foods in Vienna?
In our Vienna food guide, you will get all the information to help you plan what to eat while visiting the Austrian capital.
Check out our Vienna food vlog for all of Vienna’s must-eat foods. We cover our seven must-try foods and restaurants for sampling the best dishes in the capital city.
In Vienna, excellent Viennese food is plentiful, so get ready to indulge in mouth-watering Austrian cuisine.
7 Austrian Foods You Must Try in Vienna
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