Vienna, Austria, offers a rich tapestry of imperial grandeur, a vibrant arts scene, and a celebrated coffeehouse culture. Visitors immerse themselves in centuries of history, admiring grand palaces, world-class museums, and stunning architecture. The city provides a refined yet unhurried experience, blending classical traditions with a contemporary cultural pulse.
For socializing, the Innere Stadt (First District) serves as the central hub, bustling with historical sights, restaurants, and traditional coffee houses that are perfect for conversation and people-watching. The Museumsquartier (MQ) stands out as a cultural meeting point, hosting various art institutions and open-air events. Additionally, the Wieden district offers a cool, lively atmosphere with the famous Naschmarkt, a large outdoor food market ideal for dining and experiencing local life.
Top 7 Things to do in Vienna
Visitors to Vienna engage in exploring imperial history, appreciating classical arts, experiencing unique cultural traditions, and enjoying panoramic city views.
1. Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens
One can wander through the former imperial summer residence of the Habsburgs, marveling at its opulent Rococo interiors. The vast, meticulously maintained gardens invite leisurely strolls, with pathways leading to various features, including the Gloriette for panoramic views. Exploring the palace offers a deep dive into Austrian imperial history and grandeur.
Cost: Entrance to the palace starts from an estimated €24.00 to €34.00 for adults, depending on the chosen tour or package. Children's tickets are available from €15.20 to €24.00. The extensive gardens are generally free to access, though some specific attractions within the grounds may require a small fee.
Transport: The palace is easily reached by taking the U4 subway line to Schönbrunn station, a journey of approximately 15-20 minutes from the city center, with a single ticket costing around €2.40. Trams 10 and 60 also stop at Schloss Schönbrunn, as does Bus 10A. A taxi from central Vienna typically costs an estimated €10-15.
As the former winter residence of the Habsburg dynasty, the Hofburg Palace complex allows visitors to step into centuries of imperial life. The Imperial Apartments showcase the private and official chambers of Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth. The Sisi Museum offers insight into the enigmatic Empress Elisabeth (Sisi), while the Imperial Silver Collection displays the extravagant dining culture of the court. Additionally, attending a morning exercise session at the Spanish Riding School provides an opportunity to observe the famed Lipizzaner horses in training, an enduring tradition of classical horsemanship.
Cost: A combined ticket for the Sisi Museum, Imperial Apartments, and Imperial Silver Collection is approximately €20.00 for adults, which includes an audio guide. Attending a morning exercise at the Spanish Riding School costs around €17.00.
Transport: Located in the heart of Vienna, the Hofburg is largely walkable from many central areas. Public transport options include taking the U3 metro line to Herrengasse station, or trams 1, 2, or D to Burgring station. Buses 1A and 2A also serve the Hofburg station. A taxi from central Vienna would cost an estimated €6-8.
3. St. Stephen's Cathedral (Stephansdom)
This iconic Gothic cathedral stands as a central landmark in Vienna. Visitors can freely explore the main nave, admiring its impressive architecture and stained-glass windows. For a deeper experience, one can ascend the South Tower for panoramic views across Vienna's rooftops, or descend into the catacombs to learn about its historical significance. The cathedral treasury also holds many valuable artifacts.
Cost: While entry to the main nave is free, access to other areas is ticketed. Individual tickets are available for the catacombs (estimated €7.00), the South Tower (estimated €6.50), and the North Tower lift (estimated €7.00). Combined tickets are also offered for visiting multiple sections.
Transport: St. Stephen's Cathedral is centrally located in Stephansplatz and is easily accessible on foot from most parts of the Inner Stadt. The Stephansplatz metro station (U1 and U3 lines) is directly adjacent to the cathedral. Taxi services from nearby city areas would incur a minimal cost, estimated at €5-7.
4. Belvedere Palace (Upper Belvedere)
The Belvedere is a stunning Baroque palace complex that houses an impressive collection of Austrian art, most notably Gustav Klimt's masterpiece, 'The Kiss,' which is displayed in the Upper Belvedere. Visitors can admire the opulent architecture of the palace and stroll through its formal gardens, offering a blend of art, history, and natural beauty.
Cost: An entrance ticket for the Upper Belvedere, where 'The Kiss' is exhibited, costs approximately €19.50 for adults.
Transport: While precise recent transport costs were not readily available, Belvedere Palace is generally accessible by tram D to Schloss Belvedere or trams 18 and O to Quartier Belvedere. From the city center, a taxi ride would cost an estimated €10-15.
5. Vienna State Opera (Wiener Staatsoper)
As one of the world's leading opera houses, the Vienna State Opera offers visitors the chance to experience its grandeur. One can attend a world-class opera or ballet performance, or take a guided tour to explore its magnificent interior, learn about its rich history, and gain insights into its daily operations and architecture.
Cost: Guided tours are available for approximately €15 for adults. Tickets for performances vary widely, from an estimated €13 for standing room to €45-€245 for seated tickets, with premium seats potentially costing €150-€200. The Vienna Pass includes free admission for guided tours.
Transport: The Vienna State Opera is located on the Ringstrasse, making it easily walkable from many central parts of the city. Public transport options include the U1, U2, and U4 metro lines to Karlsplatz, or the U3 line to Stephansplatz, followed by a short walk. Trams D, 1, 2, 62, and 71 stop directly at Oper/Karlsplatz. A taxi from central Vienna would typically cost an estimated €5-7.
6. Naschmarkt
This bustling urban market, Vienna's largest, is a vibrant hub offering an eclectic mix of international and local delicacies. Visitors can explore numerous stalls selling exotic fruits, vegetables, spices, seafood, and local produce. Beyond shopping, the Naschmarkt features a variety of restaurants and cafes, perfect for sampling diverse cuisines. On Saturdays, a large flea market also operates alongside the food stalls, adding to the lively atmosphere.
Cost: Entrance to the Naschmarkt is free. Costs depend on individual purchases of food, drinks, or items from the stalls. Many stalls primarily accept cash.
Transport: The Naschmarkt is conveniently located between Karlsplatz and Kettenbrückengasse. It is best accessed by taking the U4 metro line to Kettenbrückengasse station, or the U1, U2, or U4 lines to Karlsplatz station. It is also an approximate 8-minute walk from the Museumsquartier. A taxi from central Vienna would cost an estimated €7-9.
7. Prater Amusement Park (Wiener Riesenrad)
The Prater is a vast public park, home to the Wurstelprater amusement park. A highlight is the Wiener Riesenrad, a historic Giant Ferris Wheel, which provides breathtaking panoramic views of Vienna. Beyond the Riesenrad, the amusement park offers over 250 attractions, ranging from classic rides to modern thrill experiences, appealing to a wide range of visitors.
Cost: Entry to the Prater amusement park itself is free. Individual attractions, however, are ticketed, with prices generally ranging from an estimated €1.50 to €10.00 per ride. A ride on the Wiener Riesenrad costs approximately €10.00 for adults and €4.50 for children.
Transport: The main entrance to the Wurstelprater is at Praterstern station, a key public transport hub. It is accessible via the U1 and U2 metro lines, trams O and 5, and various bus lines (5B, 80A, 82A). A taxi from central Vienna would cost an estimated €7-9.
At TFA Travel we believe in travel for all. Our mission is to enable people to explore the world as easily as possible without having to pay a travel agent a huge commission.
Our typical audience are those that want to see something new and get involved with authentic experiences of a country. Whether you are a backpacker, solo traveller, solo female traveller, straight or LGBTQ+ couple, family, you will find local and authentic experiences here.
