An in-depth guide to Vienna, Austria’s capital

More than any other European city, Vienna is the perfect blend of history, architecture, art and music – with a bucketload of modern flair thrown in. The city is eminently walkable so the very best things to do in Vienna are close together, meaning this vibrant city can be tackled at a leisurely pace. The Austrian capital is packed with castles, cathedrals, old-world cafés and riverside retreats on the banks of the Danube. With some quirky gems along the way, you’ll leave with memories of grand palaces, magnificent music, and the simple pleasure of a perfectly brewed Viennese coffee.

Top things to do in Vienna: tour historical landmarks

Visit the iconic Schönbrunn Palace

Top of the must-see places in Vienna is the vast 18th-century Schönbrunn Palace, former summer residence of the Habsburgs and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its 1,441 rooms (45 of which can be visited) include opulent state rooms, all-frescoed ceilings, gilded mirrors and treasures from around the world, and a virtual reality film provides a deeper dive into imperial life.

Its sprawling gardens include a maze, a zoo and a palm house, plus the Gloriette, another beautiful building atop a steep slope, complete with café and views overlooking Vienna. The palace is Vienna’s most visited attraction, so book ahead and consider a guided tour.

Uncover imperial Vienna at the Hofburg

In the heart of the old town, the Hofburg complex once served as the political and ceremonial center of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Today, you can explore the Imperial Apartments, the Sisi Museum, and the silver collection to get an insider’s view of royal routines.

The Hofburg is also home to the Spanish Riding School and the famous Lipizzaner stallions, which you can watch performing their morning exercise in the Winter Riding School. You don’t have to be an expert to appreciate the spectacle and it’s part of what makes the Hofburg a top place to visit in Vienna.

Explore the majestic St. Stephen’s Cathedral

At the center of the city, St. Stephen’s Cathedral is a magnificent symbol of Vienna and a stunning gothic masterpiece. Head inside to admire its multicolored tile roof and Gothic nave. For panoramic rooftop views, and to work off that sachertorte, climb the South Tower’s 343 steps.

If you time your visit right, you can attend Vespers or a midday organ recital, but one of the best ways to experience the interior is to attend an atmospheric classical concert, held most Friday and weekend evenings.

Read more: Our guide to exploring Austria’s cities

Get to know Vienna’s museums and art scene

MuseumsQuartier: Vienna’s cultural heart

If you thought museums weren’t for you, you’ll change your mind when you visit MuseumsQuartier, a complex of modern and contemporary art museums, venues, shops, cafés and restaurants and Vienna’s cultural and artistic hub. Once the Habsburg imperial stables, now its cafés and courtyards are filled with locals and travelers alike, making it one of the best places to visit in Vienna for soaking up local energy – you’ll need at least half a day here to make the most of it.

If modern art is your thing, get your fill at MUMOK, home to experimental media and pop art. Most visitors flock to the Leopold Museum to see Austrian modern masters like Egon Schiele and Gustav Klimt, although don’t expect Klimt’s most famous work, The Kiss. This hangs in the Upper Belvedere Palace, another of Vienna’s stunning buildings where you can see more of Klimt’s art alongside works by Schiele, Rodin, Kokoschka, Munch, and Makart.

Marvel at the Kunsthistorisches Museum

The Kunsthistorisches Museum is one of Vienna’s top sights, known for its world-class collection of Renaissance and Baroque art. As well as witnessing the world’s largest Bruegel collection, you can expect masterpieces by Titian, Vermeer and Velázquez, plus ancient Egyptian and Eastern artifacts.

The building itself is a work of art, with its domed staircase and marble hall, and even the café is known as one of the most beautiful places in Vienna to indulge in more Viennese torte.

Hundertwasser House: a blend of art and architecture

When you’ve had your fill of Renaissance art and imperial palaces, head for Friedensreich Hundertwasser’s whimsical apartment building which injects a pop of color and nature into Vienna’s cityscape. There’s nothing serious about this quirky architect-designed building, with its colors and curves, forested rooftops and mosaic facades, now occupied by many of Vienna’s residents.

While you can’t tour the apartments, you can wander around the exterior and grab a coffee in the nearby village where cafés and shops are inspired by Hundertwasser’s vision. A short walk away takes you to the equally fabulous Kunst Haus Wien by the same architect which includes an exhibition dedicated to Hundertwasser’s life and art.

Soulful sounds: soak up Vienna’s musical offerings

Catch classical performances at the Vienna State Opera

For opera buffs, the State Opera House is up there with the Paris Opera and the New York Met. It stages over 300 performances annually, from Puccini to Strauss, and even being inside the building is awe-inspiring. Booking ahead is highly recommended but even if you can’t snag a coveted evening ticket, consider a guided tour of backstage areas, stand in the €3 gallery, or check on the day for last-minute seats and standing-room tickets.

Follow in Mozart’s footsteps

One of Vienna’s top sights and a unique attraction is the home of arguably Vienna’s most famous resident. Mozart’s former home provides an intimate glimpse into the composer’s daily life during his most prolific years in Vienna. Stand in the rooms where he wrote Don Giovanni and The Marriage of Figaro, surrounded by period instruments, letters and portraits.

Guided audio tours bring anecdotes to life, making it an exceptional experience for classical music fans. Finish your musical pilgrimage with a coffee in the nearby Café Mozart or find a live performance of the great man’s work.

Three spots for nature, nostalgia and a touch of elegance

Prater Park is perhaps best known for the Wurstelprater, an old-school amusement park with a vintage vibe, complete with carousel, dodgems, roller coasters and a giant Ferris Wheel – an icon since 1897 and a must-do experience in Vienna! The rest of the park is six kilometers of green leafy space with promenades, cycle paths and picnic areas. Cyclists, joggers and families flock here all year round, making it a top choice for experiencing Vienna like a local.

Beyond its Baroque palaces, the Belvedere complex is known for its equally Baroque and serene gardens, with tiered water features, manicured lawns and orange tree pavilion. It’s one of those must-see places in Vienna that balances grandeur with a tranquil garden retreat. Find the pond for an interesting visual of the palace reflected in its tranquil waters.

When summer temperatures climb, the locals head to Danube Island for riverside walks, beach bars, open-air cinemas and waterfront cycling trails. This area of the Old Danube is known for its water activities like swimming, paddleboarding and kayaking plus boat tours from little jetties. Families might prefer one of the lidos such as the popular Gänsehäufel with its swimming pool, waterslides and children’s beach. The smaller islands on the river host seasonal festivals and pop-up eateries. Locals escape here for lazy afternoons and vibrant nightlife alike.

Read more: Top things to do in Austria

Culinary delights: dive into Vienna’s food scene

Sampling classic Viennese cuisine: from schnitzel to sachertorte

Aside from Mozart, another thing Vienna is famous for is its legendary café culture. A visit to one of its historic coffeehouses is a must and there are plenty to choose from. Stepping into Café Central or Café Sacher offers more than a caffeine fix – it’s a window into the city’s intellectual past where people have been ordering torte and apple strudel for decades, lingering over newspapers and game boards and discussing the issues of the day. If the queues are too long, try Café Hawelka or Café Goldegg.

Other authentic gastronomical experiences in Vienna include ordering Wiener schnitzel at a traditional gasthaus such as Figlmüller, served with potato salad or cucumber salad on the side, or tasting tafelspitz (boiled beef) or kaiserschmarrn (shredded pancakes) at renowned restaurants such as Plachutta. Austrian wines are now highly prized, so pair your schnitzel with a riesling or a blaufränkisch from vineyards in the Wachau Valley and settle in for the night. For a unique Viennese experience, dine with a view across nighttime Vienna from the revolving restaurant in the Danube Tower.

If eating like a local is more your scene, Naschmarkt is hands-down one of the best places to visit in Vienna for food lovers. With over 120 market stands and restaurants selling spices, cheeses, street food and international specialties, you can sample Austrian delicacies alongside Turkish kebabs, Lebanese meze or Japanese mochi. Visit on Saturdays and browse antiques and vintage treasures at the flea market and stop for a coffee and some wonderful people-watching.

Navigating Vienna: practical tips for travelers

Efficient public transport and Vienna City Card benefits

Vienna is compact, largely flat, and walking is a great way to soak up the architecture and atmosphere. But if you need transport, the city’s clean, reliable network of underground U-Bahn, as well as trams and buses makes getting around both fast and affordable.

A Vienna City Card gets you unlimited travel plus discounts on top attractions, guided tours and select restaurants. Download the Wiener Linien app to check schedules in real time. Also consider renting a bike through Citybike Wien for short hops in the inner districts.

Best time to visit and seasonal highlights

You can visit Vienna at any time of year, so choose dates that match your travel style. Do you favor outdoor strolls or cozy coffeehouse afternoons? And if you’re heading to Vienna for classical music, be sure to investigate the special seasonal concerts and festivals in advance.

• Vienna in spring means longer daylight hours and decent temperatures for sightseeing and blossoming gardens.
• Summer is busiest but is perfect for Danube outings and strolling the palace gardens.
• Fall has fewer crowds with the colors enriching the imperial parks.
• Lastly, Christmas in Vienna is something rather special: winters may be crisp, but the Christmas markets from mid-November to December bring some festive magic to the city. And with fewer crowds at the main tourist attractions, it’s worth wrapping up warm and making the most of that Viennese coffee.

Read more: Local expert tips: exploring top European gems in fall and winter

Make it happen

Feeling tempted to dive into the endless beauty and cultural charms that Vienna holds? Get in touch with our local experts in Austria today: they’ll suggest even more things to do in Vienna during your trip, and help you plan out a tailor-made itinerary suited to your interests and budget.