Vienna Guide: 15 Best Things To Do In Vienna, Austria

I visited Vienna for the second time after almost 10 years, and it was as beautiful as I remembered it being. The history, architecture, and cafe culture make it an amazing city to explore. So, I put together a comprehensive guide with the 15 best things to do in Vienna. Whether you’re a history buff, an art lover, or just in search of the perfect slice of Sachertorte, you’ll find a few activities to add to your Vienna itinerary.

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Quick Picks for Vienna

Short on time and can’t decide what to do? Here’s what I would prioritize. Thank me later.

• Have breakfast or dinner at Cafe Central (the best pastries you’ll have in your life)
• Visit the Kunsthistorische Museum (bonus points if you make a reservation at their cafe)
• Go to an Opera or classical music performance
• Visit the Hofburg Palace (you’ll learn a lot about Austria’s history)
• Do a walking tour (perfect if you’re short on time)

Where to Stay in Vienna

Vienna is very walkable and well-connected by public transport, so even if you stay outside the historic center (Innere Stadt), most attractions are still easily accessible. That said, there’s plenty of options when looking at where to stay in Vienna.

Innere Stadt (Historic Center)

• Best for: first-timers who want to be in the heart of it all.
• Pros: Walk to St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the Opera, and other highlights.
• Cons: It’s pricey and can get crowded.
• Top Picks:
  • Rosewood Vienna – Luxurious, historic charm with a spa.
  • Mercure Vienna First – Central and cozy, with breakfast included.
  • König von Ungarn – Historic vibes next to Mozarthaus.

Neubau

• Best for: creatives, boutique lovers, and anyone wanting a more local vibe.
• Pros: Trendy cafés, galleries, and unique hotels.
• Cons: Slightly far from the main attractions.
• Top Picks:
  • Max Brown Hotel – Stylish and centrally located.
  • Boutique Hotel Altstadt Vienna – Ideal for art lovers.

Wieden

• Best for: a quieter, more authentic experience close to the Naschmarkt and Belvedere Palace.
• Pros: Local feel, good food, and budget-friendly stays.
• Cons: Less central, though still walkable or a short ride away.
• Top Picks:
  • Hotel Kaiserhof Wien – Elegant and eco-certified.
  • Hotel Erzherzog Rainer – Classic charm, near transit.
  • Grätzlhotel Belvedere – Unique suites with kitchenettes and free bikes.

👉 Pro tip: Book as early as possible, especially if you’re visiting during the Holiday season. Vienna is a popular destination, and prices will go up.

15 Best Things To Do In Vienna

Vienna is such a beautiful city, I’d love to visit again, but perhaps this time during summer time as the winters in Vienna are super cold! There’s so much to experience, from exploring palaces and museums to sipping coffee in historic cafés, attending a classical concert, or simply strolling through the city

Spend the Afternoon at the Belvedere Palace

The Belvedere Palace is a Baroque palace that is now a museum. You can find one of the most important art collections in Austria there. They’ve got the biggest collection of Gustav Klimt’s work. Yes, including ‘The Kiss’, which is even more stunning in person.

Even if you’re not into art history, it should still be on your itinerary because the place is just breathtaking. Plus, the gardens outside look like they are out of a fairytale.

If you’re visiting during the winter, it is the perfect place to hide from the weather, and you can visit the Belvedere Palace Christmas Village outside, where you can sip on Glühwein and eat a Bratwurst.

I recommend purchasing the tickets for the Belvedere Palace ahead of time, as it is one of the most popular attractions.

Visit the Spanish Riding School

Witness centuries-old equestrian tradition come to life at Vienna’s iconic Spanish Riding School, a UNESCO-recognized institution.

Watch as riders and horses perform jumps perfected over generations. If you choose to visit the Spanish Riding School, you can also attend morning training sessions to see how these displays come together.

Recommended for you: The Perfect 3-Day Vienna Itinerary

Visit the Albertina Museum

The Albertina Museum is an art museum where you’ll see some classic masterpieces by Monet, Picasso, and even Da Vinci, along with other contemporary exhibitions.

It is housed in a Habsburg palace. The architecture is beautiful! You can also find its State Rooms, which were restored to their original 19th-century design. They provide a glimpse into the lavish lifestyles of the Habsburg dynasty.

These are the exact tickets we booked.

Stroll Through the Hofburg Palace & Sisi Museum

The Hofburg Palace used to be the home of the powerful Habsburg dynasty, so you can imagine it’s pretty impressive. Inside the Hofburg Palace are the Sisi Museum and the Imperial Apartments.

Plus, the place hosts a lot of events and even has the famous Spanish Riding School. It’s a must-see if you’re in Vienna and want to learn more about its history. Definitely, a must-see for those visiting Vienna for the first time.

This is the exact Hofburg Palace & Sisi Museum tour we booked during our first time in Vienna. It’s a guided tour of the Hofburg Palace, and includes the Sisi Museum, the Imperial Apartments, and the gardens. It also includes a photo stop at the Spanish Riding School. This tour definitely offers the best value for the price, since you’ll get to see so much!

However, there are different tours depending on what you’d like to see.

Dine at the Palmenhaus

The Palmenhaus is a restaurant and bar that serves Austrian specialties with locally sourced ingredients. They have the famous Wiener Schnitzel, and also some vegetarian and vegan options. If you don’t feel like ordering a whole meal, you can try their cheeseboards with a glass of local wine.

It is definitely a very Instagram-worthy place, so perfect to take pictures at. There are tropical trees and plants inside, which make you feel like you’re in another part of the world.

Vienna itself is not a very affordable city, so beware that this restaurant can be a bit pricy. The Wiener Schnitzel was €32. Here is their full menu.

👉 Pro tip: Make a reservation beforehand. We walked in and got lucky because it wasn’t too busy, so they gave us a table.

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Visit the Kunsthistorisches Museum

The Kunsthistorisches Museum is a stunning building filled to the brim with some of the world’s most incredible art. We’re talking about works by Raphael, Caravaggio, and Bruegel.

Regardless of whether you’re an art lover, the Kunsthistorisches Museum is a must-see. The museum itself is gorgeous!

If you’re planning to go, I recommend booking your entry ticket ahead of time, as they do sell out during peak seasons.

👉 Pro tip: What I regret not doing, is grabbing a coffee ir breakast at their Café-Restaurant, it looks so beautiful. But we didn’t know we needed a reservation, and the waitlist was so long. You can make a reservation online, just keep in mind that you need valid museum tickets to be able to dine at their cafe.

Have Tea Time at Café Central

Café Central is the oldest cafe in Vienna, it opened in 1876, and it’s seen poets, philosophers, and even revolutionaries pass through its doors. The interior feels more like a palace than a café.

While the name has the word “cafe”, you can also grab lunch or dinner there. We tried the Wiener Schnitzel and Backhendl (Vienna-style fried chicken). It is the perfect place to just sit down, enjoy your meal, and people-watch. It is definitely more of a touristy place, due to the reputation it has and because of the amazing architecture.

If you like hazelnut, Nutella, or chocolate, I absolutely recommend you try the “Nuss Kuss”. It might be one of the best pastries I have tried in my whole life!

Prices: The prices were reasonable for the ambiance and quality of food. The Wiener Schnitzel was €26, the Backhendl was €18 and pastries ranged around €6 and €11. Here is Café Central’s menu.

👉 Pro tip: Make a reservation! We didn’t have one and had to wait for over 45 minutes in the rain.

Stroll Around the Rathaus

The Rathaus is Vienna’s city hall. It was built in the Gothic style, and it’s a landmark that tells a story of Vienna’s rich history and culture.

Aside from its stunning architecture, the Rathaus is a hub for some really cool events. Think vibrant Christmas markets in winter and open-air film festivals in summer. It’s a place where locals and tourists alike come together to enjoy the best of Vienna’s community.

👉 Pro tip: If you’re in Vienna during Christmas, then the largest and best Christmas market is right in front of the Rathaus. PS. I published a Vienna Itinerary for Christmas, where I break down all the best Christmas markets to visit.

Attend a Performance at the Vienna State Opera

Going to the opera in Vienna is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, as Vienna is well-known for its musical history. Did you know Mozart and Beethoven are from Vienna?

Even if you don’t go to an opera performance, you should stop by the Vienna State Opera (or Wiener Staatsoper). Just like many buildings in Vienna, it is a magnificent piece of art.

Aside from that, you have the option to book a guided tour and see the opera house inside.

👉 Pro tip: Going to an opera performance can be expensive. However, there are ways you can score affordable tickets. One of those ways is by showing up at the Vienna State Opera one or two hours before a show, as they might have leftover tickets they are trying to sell. Keep in mind that those might be standing tickets, and you might not have a good view. But the experience is what matters, right?

Price of opera performances: On average, Vienna State Opera tickets are around $100 to upwards of $250, depending on the performance and also on the section you choose.

If you couldn’t get tickets for the opera in the Wiener Staatoper, you can still experience classical music in Vienna. There are plenty of classical music concerts in Vienna.

Mozarthaus Vienna: Visit Mozart’s Former Residence

Step into the world of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart at Mozarthaus Vienna, the only surviving apartment where the musical genius lived and composed. Located in the heart of the city near St. Stephen’s Cathedral.

This museum is perfect to learn more about Vienna’s rich musical history, get your entry ticket ahead of time to avoid the lines and make the most of your visit.

PS. If you’re trying to figure out how to fit all of these activities into the perfect itinerary, then you should check out my 3-day Vienna itinerary.

Stop by St. Stephen’s Cathedral

This cathedral isn’t just a church; it’s a symbol of Vienna. Standing tall in the city skyline with its iconic, patterned roof and massive Gothic tower, St. Stephen’s is a masterpiece.

Inside, you’ll find stunning altars, beautiful stained glass, and intricate stonework. You can also climb the South Tower for an amazing view of the city.

Entrance to the cathedral is free, however if you’d like to climb the towers or see the catacombs, you’ll need to purchase an entry ticket.

For a truly unique experience, attend a classical concert inside the cathedral. The ambiance is everything, picture a candlelit classical musical concert.

Eat Lunch at a Wurstelstand

You cannot leave Vienna without first eating at a Wurstelstand, which is basically a sausage kiosk. They carry different types of sausages, like one filled with cheese or a smoked one. They are either served on a bread roll or chopped up on a plate accompanied with condiments such as mustard and ketchup.

The Wurstelstand also sells alcoholic beverages and yes, you are allowed to drink in the street.

Explore Schönbrunn Palace

No visit to Vienna is complete without exploring the Schönbrunn Palace, the former summer residence of the Habsburg monarchy. This UNESCO World Heritage Site has 1,441 rooms.

Stroll through the lavishly decorated staterooms, walk in the footsteps of Empress Maria Theresa, and take in the breathtaking beauty of the Baroque gardens.

Make the most of your visit with a skip-the-line Schönbrunn Palace tour, including access to the palace, gardens, and a licensed tour guide.

Take a Day Trip to Hallstatt

If you’ve ever seen those fairytale-like photos of a tiny Austrian village with colorful houses reflected in a glassy lake—yeah, that’s Hallstatt. It’s the perfect day trip if you’ve seen the main attractions in Vienna.

It’s about a 3-hour drive from Vienna, so it makes for a doable day trip. Think mountains, charming streets, fresh air, and amazing views.

If you don’t feel like dealing with trains or rental cars, book this Hallstatt day trip that handles everything for you—including an optional boat ride.

I also wrote an article going over the best 8 quick & easy day trips from Vienna, including fairytale towns like Hallstatt, but also bigger cities like Prague and Bratislava.

Visit the Christmas Markets (Winter Only)

If you’re visiting Vienna in winter, you’ll be able to experience Vienna’s magical Christmas markets, which are open from mid-November to the end of December.

My family and I spent Christmas in Vienna, and it was an unforgettable experience. The Rathausplatz Christmas Market is the largest, featuring an ice skating rink and handmade crafts.

For a more regal experience, visit the Schönbrunn Palace market, where local artisans and festive delicacies shine against the stunning palace backdrop.