Vienna Travel Guide: The Best Things to Do, See & Eat
Vienna, Austria's capital, is a city of imperial grandeur and cultural vibrancy. Visit the opulent Schönbrunn Palace, explore art at the Belvedere, and enjoy a coffee at a traditional Viennese café. The city's musical heritage, from Mozart to the Vienna Philharmonic, offers a harmonious experience.
With 323+ hand-picked places to explore, Vienna rewards travellers who look beyond the obvious. Here's our complete guide to the best of the city — organised by what you're in the mood for.
Must-See Attractions in Vienna
The icons and landmarks no first visit is complete without.
Start with Heldenplatz — a key stop for those exploring Vienna's rich history, Heldenplatz serves as both a landmark and gathering place. Just as worthwhile is Rathaus (Vienna City Hall): an architectural highlight on the route through Vienna, ideal for exploring local culture and history. Stephansplatz completes the picture: a lively square that serves as a central meeting point in Vienna, anchored by the stunning St. Stephen's Cathedral.
Heldenplatz
Vienna • Historic Squares & Plazas
A key stop for those exploring Vienna's rich history, Heldenplatz serves as both a landmark and gathering place.
Rathaus (Vienna City Hall)
Vienna • Historic Architecture
An architectural highlight on the route through Vienna, ideal for exploring local culture and history.
Stephansplatz
Vienna • Historic Squares & Plazas
A lively square that serves as a central meeting point in Vienna, anchored by the stunning St. Stephen's Cathedral.
Austrian Parliament Building
Vienna • Famous Landmarks
A stunning example of Greek Revival architecture, this landmark is a center of Austria's political life.
Museums & Culture in Vienna
Galleries, museums and cultural landmarks for a deeper look at the city.
Top of most lists is Vienna State Opera (Wiener Staatsoper): a visit to Vienna is incomplete without experiencing the grandeur of this iconic opera house. Locals will also point you to Kunsthistorisches Museum — begin your exploration of Vienna at this essential art museum, a cornerstone of the city's cultural landscape. And for something different, there's Burgtheater: stunning frescoes by Gustav Klimt adorn the grand facade of Austria's National Theatre, a cultural landmark in Vienna.
Vienna State Opera (Wiener Staatsoper)
Vienna • Theaters
A visit to Vienna is incomplete without experiencing the grandeur of this iconic opera house.
Kunsthistorisches Museum
Vienna • Museums
Begin your exploration of Vienna at this essential art museum, a cornerstone of the city's cultural landscape.
Burgtheater
Vienna • Theaters
Stunning frescoes by Gustav Klimt adorn the grand facade of Austria's National Theatre, a cultural landmark in Vienna.
Leopold Museum
Vienna • Museums
Situated in Vienna's MuseumsQuartier, this museum showcases a rich collection of modern Austrian art.
Best Things to Do in Vienna
Activities and experiences to fill your days.
If you only make time for one stop, make it Time-Busters Escape Room — situated on Mariahilfer Strasse, this escape room offers a range of themed challenges for team players. Danube Island earns its reputation too — located along the Danube River, this extensive island is a prime outdoor destination in Vienna. Round out the shortlist with Wiener Kochsalon — a hands-on cooking class that enhances your exploration of Austrian cuisine in Vienna.
Time-Busters Escape Room
Vienna • Indoor
Situated on Mariahilfer Strasse, this escape room offers a range of themed challenges for team players.
Danube Island
Vienna • Outdoor
Located along the Danube River, this extensive island is a prime outdoor destination in Vienna.
Wiener Kochsalon
Vienna • Indoor
A hands-on cooking class that enhances your exploration of Austrian cuisine in Vienna.
Kletterhalle Wien
Vienna • Sports
A major indoor climbing facility in the 22nd district of Vienna, perfect for climbers of all levels.
Where to Eat in Vienna
From local classics to standout modern kitchens.
Start with Silvio Nickol Gourmet Restaurant — dining in a historic palace, where classic and contemporary cuisine merge seamlessly. Just as worthwhile is Le Ciel by Toni Mörwald: located on Kärntnerring, this rooftop venue combines fine French dining with impressive skyline views of Vienna. Le Salzgries Paris completes the picture: ideal for couples seeking an authentic French dining experience in Vienna's sophisticated ambiance.
Silvio Nickol Gourmet Restaurant
Vienna • Fine Dining
Dining in a historic palace, where classic and contemporary cuisine merge seamlessly.
Le Ciel by Toni Mörwald
Vienna • Fine Dining
Located on Kärntnerring, this rooftop venue combines fine French dining with impressive skyline views of Vienna.
Le Salzgries Paris
Vienna • Fine Dining
Ideal for couples seeking an authentic French dining experience in Vienna's sophisticated ambiance.
Opus Restaurant
Vienna • Fine Dining
An elegant Art Deco interior complements a refined take on Austrian culinary traditions.
Vienna After Dark: Bars & Nightlife
Where to go once the sun sets.
Top of most lists is Aurora Rooftop Bar: located along Handelskai, this rooftop bar offers impressive views of Vienna's skyline and expertly crafted cocktails. Locals will also point you to Das Kleine Paradies — located on Berggasse, this cocktail bar combines local ingredients with creative mixology for a unique experience. And for something different, there's Eberts Cocktail Bar: ideal for couples and groups seeking creative cocktails in a lively evening setting.
Aurora Rooftop Bar
Vienna • Rooftop Bars
Located along Handelskai, this rooftop bar offers impressive views of Vienna's skyline and expertly crafted cocktails.
Das Kleine Paradies
Vienna • Cocktail Bars
Located on Berggasse, this cocktail bar combines local ingredients with creative mixology for a unique experience.
Eberts Cocktail Bar
Vienna • Cocktail Bars
Ideal for couples and groups seeking creative cocktails in a lively evening setting.
Porgy & Bess
Vienna • Live Jazz Venues
An esteemed venue for live jazz, offering diverse performances in an intimate setting.
Where to Stay in Vienna
Hand-picked hotels, hostels and B&Bs across every budget.
If you only make time for one stop, make it Hotel Bristol Vienna — start your day in Vienna with a luxurious stay at a historic hotel near the State Opera. Sans Souci Wien earns its reputation too — this spa hotel offers a relaxing break after exploring Vienna's cultural attractions. Round out the shortlist with The Guesthouse Vienna — führichgasse serves as a tranquil base close to Vienna's cultural attractions.
Hotel Bristol Vienna
Vienna • Luxury Hotels
Start your day in Vienna with a luxurious stay at a historic hotel near the State Opera.
Sans Souci Wien
Vienna • Spa Hotels
This spa hotel offers a relaxing break after exploring Vienna's cultural attractions.
The Guesthouse Vienna
Vienna • Luxury Hotels
Führichgasse serves as a tranquil base close to Vienna's cultural attractions.
The Ritz-Carlton, Vienna
Vienna • Luxury Hotels
Perfectly situated for a day of cultural exploration in Vienna, this hotel merges history and modern comfort.
Shopping in Vienna
Markets, boutiques and everything in between.
Start with Naschmarkt — a bustling market ideal for a midday break or an afternoon stroll, rich in culinary offerings. Just as worthwhile is Burggasse 24: a vintage shop and café on Burggasse that invites leisurely browsing and socializing. Kärntner Straße completes the picture: a prominent shopping destination lined with luxury boutiques and historic architecture.
Naschmarkt
Vienna • Markets
A bustling market ideal for a midday break or an afternoon stroll, rich in culinary offerings.
Burggasse 24
Vienna • Vintage & Thrift Shops
A vintage shop and café on Burggasse that invites leisurely browsing and socializing.
Kärntner Straße
Vienna • Luxury Shopping
A prominent shopping destination lined with luxury boutiques and historic architecture.
Bootik 54
Vienna • Vintage & Thrift Shops
A chic vintage shop specializing in unique pieces sourced from across Europe.
Parks & Green Spaces in Vienna
Room to breathe when you need a break from the streets.
Top of most lists is Burggarten: ideal for families and those seeking a tranquil escape amidst Vienna's historical backdrop. Locals will also point you to Donaupark Playground — ideal for families seeking a spacious and engaging outdoor experience in Vienna. And for something different, there's Hermesvilla: perfect for a peaceful escape, Hermesvilla combines nature and history in Vienna's Lainzer Tiergarten.
Burggarten
Vienna • Parks
Ideal for families and those seeking a tranquil escape amidst Vienna's historical backdrop.
Donaupark Playground
Vienna • Playgrounds
Ideal for families seeking a spacious and engaging outdoor experience in Vienna.
Hermesvilla
Vienna • Nature Reserves & Wildlife
Perfect for a peaceful escape, Hermesvilla combines nature and history in Vienna's Lainzer Tiergarten.
Hirschstetten Botanical Gardens
Vienna • Playgrounds
Located on Quadenstraße, this botanical garden offers diverse landscapes alongside a playground for children.
Vienna Like a Local
The spots most visitors walk straight past.
If you only make time for one stop, make it Miranda Bar — a retro-inspired bar offering creative cocktails and an eclectic atmosphere.
85 Explorer Picks We Held Back
Every list above is our free tier. On top of it, our editors mark the roughly one-in-ten places in Vienna that are genuinely special — standout stays, tables worth planning a day around, and rooms most visitors never find — as Explorer picks, with full write-ups reserved for members. A few currently on the Vienna list:
- Restaurant Amador· Fine Dining
- Steirereck· Local Cuisine
- Hotel Sacher Wien· Luxury Hotels
- House of Time· Indoor
- Schönbrunn Zoo (Tiergarten Schönbrunn)· Family-Friendly
Planning where to stay in Vienna?
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