My family has the tradition of always traveling for the holidays. One of the best holiday destinations is Vienna. It was our second time visiting Vienna after almost 10 years, and it was as beautiful as I remember it being. Even though winters can be very cold, the architecture and decoration make you feel like you’re strolling through a fairytale town. I’m excited to share with you the 14 best things to do in Vienna. Vienna is elegant, classic, and full of culture and history. Whether you’re a history buff, an art lover, or just in search of the perfect slice of Sachertorte, these 14 best things to do will ensure your Vienna itinerary is just perfect.
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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
Whether you’re after luxury or budget-friendly comfort, Vienna has a wide range of options. The city 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.
Here are three great neighborhoods to consider:
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 removed from 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.
Want to see how to spend 3 perfect days in Vienna? Check out my complete 3-day Vienna itinerary packed with culture, food, and hidden gems.
Best Tours To Book in Vienna
Vivaldi’s Four Seasons Concert in Karlskirche: Enjoy a wonderful classical concert at the beautiful Karlskirche in Vienna. This is a unique experience to have in Vienna, when you get to enjoy the music and the beautiful church.
Sunday Brunch Danube Cruise & Live Music: Celebrate a special occasion with a scenic cruise along the Danube River set to the beautiful backdrop of Vienna. Enjoy a delicious buffet brunch and live music for a relaxing atmosphere.
Belvedere Palace Skip-the-Line Tickets + Guided Tour: Beat the crowds and learn everything you need to know about Vienna’s rich art history.
Spanish Riding School Guided Tour: On an exclusive 55-minute behind-the-scenes tour, visit the Winter Riding School, a gem of Baroque architecture, the Summer Riding School which houses the world’s largest oval horse walker and the stables in the Stallburg.
Schönbrunn Palace & Gardens Skip-the-Line Tour: Skip long entrance lines and discover the Schönbrunn Palace and its beautiful gardens.
Skip-the-Line Sisi Museum, Hofburg and Gardens Tour: No lines, no hassle as you explore the Sisi Museum, Imperial Apartments, courtyards, and gardens of the Hofburg Imperial Palace Complex.
Full-Day Trip to Hallstatt and Salzkammergut: We highly recommend visiting the surrounding cities if you have time. With this tour, you will explore the lakes and mountains of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Salzkammergut on a guided bus tour from Vienna.
Hallstatt & Alpine Peaks Day Trip with Skywalk Lift: To make your experience even more unique, we recommend this one-day tour to Hallstatt and the Alpine Peaks which includes a Skywalk lift to enjoy breathtaking views over the town.
14 Best Things To Do In Vienna
Vienna is such a beautiful city, I’d love to visit again! There’s so much to experience, from exploring palaces and world-class museums to sipping coffee in historic cafés, attending a classical concert, or simply strolling through the city, learning its history.
Related: The Perfect 3-Day Vienna Itinerary
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. Each room in the palace tells a part of Austria’s rich history.
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 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.
Get access to one of the most iconic art collections in Austria! I recommend purchasing the Belvedere tickets ahead of time! Even in the middle of winter, we had to make a HUGE line.
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 graceful 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.
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 to enter the Albertina Museum, however, you can also find them on their website.
Stroll Through the Hofburg Palace
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 get a real feel for the city’s royal roots.
This is the exact tour we booked during our first time in Vienna, and we learned so much about Austria’s history. We didn’t tour the palace again as we wanted to focus on other attractions, but it is a must-see for those visiting Vienna for the first time.
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. However, we only got the table for one hour as there were many reservations.
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 the likes of Raphael, Caravaggio, and Bruegel.
Regardless of whether you’re an art lover, the Kunsthistorisches Museum offers an unforgettable journey through art history.
Get your entry ticket to the Kunsthistorisches Museum ahead of time since they do sell out during peak seasons.
👉 Pro tip: Before you start your tour around the museum, grab breakfast at their Café-Restaurant. I regret so much not being able to do this! We didn’t know we needed a reservation, the restaurant was packed, and there was a long waitlist. You can also 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 one in Vienna, as 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 in the Rathaus.
Related: The Best 5-Day Christmas Vienna Itinerary
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.
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.
Cost: Entrance to the cathedral is free, however, entrance to the towers, catacombs, and cathedral treasury requires a fee.
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 boasts 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.
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.
And there you have it, a curated list of the 14 best things to do in Vienna, a city that never ceases to amaze.
Vienna is a city where every corner has a story, and every view feels like a scene from a painting. In Vienna, there’s something for everyone to fall in love with, whether you’re admiring art at the Belvedere Palace, exploring the Hofburg Palace, or listening to the opera at the Vienna State Opera. Here’s to your Viennese adventure – may it be as enchanting and unforgettable as the city itself!
