Vienna Top 30: Places to See and Things to Do
Top 30+ Things to See and Do in Vienna: The Ultimate Vienna Bucket List
There’s truly no place in the world like Vienna!
From its rich imperial history and breathtaking architecture to its modern cosmopolitan flair and thriving cultural scene, the Austrian capital effortlessly blends old-world charm with contemporary energy.
Whether you’re drawn to grand palaces and museums, elegant coffeehouses, or lively local markets, Vienna offers something special for every kind of traveller.
It’s no wonder this captivating city has been voted the Most Livable City in the World time and again.
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Quick Vienna Planning Summary
♦ Arriving in Vienna– Getting to the City from the Airport, by Train, Bus or Boat
♦ We recommend using Vienna’s world-class Public Transport
♦ Plan with our Free One-Day or Two-Day Vienna Itineraries
♦ Top 30 Vienna Bucket List
♦ Planning to visit the Vienna Christmas Markets? Buy ourVienna Christmas Market Itinerary
Our Recommendations | Where we stay in Vienna
♥ Perfect for families, we loved staying in a Maisonette (two bedrooms over two floors) at the König von Ungarn -directly in the centre of Vienna behind Stephansdom.
♥ Motel One Staatsoper, a great mid-range choice one block from the Opera and close to everything.
♥ I also love staying at the Hotel Pension Museum in Spittelberg, directly across from the U3 Metro Stop and Museums Quartier and Theaterhotel & Suites Wien in the 8th district- where I used to live, so this hotel feels like home.
You can find more hotel recommendations in our Vienna Hotel Guide
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Top 20 Things to See & Do in Vienna
1. Do a walking tour of Vienna’s Innenstadt (First District).
2. Tour the Ringstraßse by Tram
Vienna Ringstraße Tram Tour
1. Take Tram #1 from the Vienna State Opera in the direction of Prater to Julius Raab Platz
2. Switch to Tram #2 to continue back to the Vienna State Opera.
The tour lasts approximately 30-40 minutes, plus additional time for exploring the sights.
There are Hop-on/Hop-off bus tours, but the bus is restricted to the Ringstraße- the same road that the tram travels on.
Prices for the Hop On- Hop Off Vienna Tours start at 31€ (adult) for 24 hours.
3. Take a Fiaker ride (horse-drawn carriage) through Vienna’s first district.
30-minute Fiaker tour departing from either Stephansplatz or Michaelerplatz, accommodating up to 4 people per carriage (+ children on laps possible). See the Hofburg, and the beautiful Ringstraße building, including the Natural History and Fine Art Museums, Parliament and Rathauplatz
40-minute or 60-minute Fiaker tour departing from the Albertina, accommodating up to 4 people per carriage (children on laps are possible). The tour takes you through the historic streets of Vienna. Sights include Hofburg, Augustiner Kirche, Opera, Maria-Theresian Platz, Parliament, Rathaus, Freyung, Hoher Markt,
4. Visit Stephansdom (St Stephen’s Cathedral)
Climb the Towers for spectacular views of Vienna and visit the catacombs.
Combined Stephansdom Ticket including Audio guide for St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Dom Museum, 30-minute guided tour of the Catacombs, Access to the South and North Tower
Note: You can visit the Cathedral for free without a guide but require tickets for the Dom Museum, Catacombs and Towers
5. Take a tour of the Opera House.
6. Tour the Hofburg Palace.
Visit the Sissi Museum, the Imperial Apartments, and the Treasury.
♥ Visit the Sisi Museum and Imperial Apartments -See the grandeur of the Hofburg
♥ Visit the Imperial Treasury
7. Visit the Austrian National Library (Österreichische Nationalbibliothek).
The Austrian National Library is Austria’s largest library. It is located inside the Neue Berg Wing of the Hofburg Palace. The Baroque Prunksaal (Grand Hall), the main library hall, is one of the most impressive rooms in Vienna.
8. Visit the Imperial Crypt (Kapuzinergruft)
where members of the House of Habsburg are entombed.
9. See the Anker Clock in the Hoher Markt
Visit at noon when the twelve historical figures parade, each accompanied by music from its era.
10. Visit the Burggarten.
See the Mozart monument, have coffee and cake in the Palmenhouse and visit the Schmetterlinghaus (the Butterfly House).
11. Visit the Austrian Parliament.
The Parliament has a visitor centre, a café and a restaurant and has free tours in German and English
12. Visit the Justizpalast (Palace of Justice)
Austria’s Supreme Court is open to the public and has a very photogenic arcade court. The rooftop Justiz-Café has spectacular views of Vienna.
13. Visit Schönbrunn Palace.
♥ Audio Guide Tour of the Palace
♥ Visit the oldest working zoo in the world, Tiergarten Schönbrunn (Schönbrunn Zoo). The Zoo, established in 1752, is part of a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site and has now been named Europe’s best zoo six times in a row.
♥ The Children’s Museum lets children (and adults) experience what life was like for little Archdukes and Archduchesses with hands-on activities.
♥ The Carriage Museum The Imperial Carriage Museum near Schönbrunn Palace has an impressive collection of carriages that once belonged to Austrian royalty.
14. Visit Belvedere Palace and Gardens
Tour the Lower Belvedere and see the Klimt Masterpieces in the Upper Belvedere.
15. Visit Karlskirche (St Charles Church)
16. Go shopping on Kärntner Staße and the Graben or Mariahilferstraße.
17. Walk through Spittelberg’s cobblestone streets in the 7th district
Home to Biedermeier buildings containing rustic bars, restaurants, trendy galleries, and design studios.
18. Ride on Vienna’s famous Riesenrad (Ferris Wheel) in Prater Park.
19. Visit the Zentral Friedhof (Central Cemetery)
Take Tram 71. Visit the graves of famous musicians.
20. Spend a day on the Donau Insel
Ride bikes, rollerblade, have a picnic or visit one of the many restaurants on the river.
Top 10 Events and Performances to See in Vienna
21. Watch the Third Man film at the Burgkino and go on a Third Man tour.
22*. Attend an Opera at the Vienna Staatsoper.
23*. See a performance of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra at the Musikverein.
24*. See the Spanish Riding School’s famous Lipizzaner horses.
25*. See a performance of the Vienna’s Boys Choir (Wiener Sangerknaben).
*NOTE: #22-25 do not have performances in July and August
26. Enjoy a Classical Music Concert.
No trip to Vienna is complete without experiencing a classical music performance. Tickets Here.
Popular concerts include:
♥ Vivaldi-Four Seasons by Orchestra 1756 Concert at Karlskirche
♥ Mozart Concert in the Golden Hall of Muzikverein.
♥ Classic Ensemble at St Peter’s Church
♥ Classical Viennese String Ensemble Concert in Annakirche (St Anne’s Church)
27. Visit Vienna’s Christmas Markets.
The Christmas Markets in Austria open mid to late November until December 24th.
Discover our tips and Austria Christmas Guides
28. Go skating at Vienna Eistraum
The large skating rink in front of the Rathaus (City Hall)
29. Watch a free performance at the summer Vienna Rathausplatz Festival
The Festival takes place from end of June to September 1 in front of the Rathaus (City Hall)
30. Attend a Viennese Ball.
The Ball Season is from November to Shrove Tuesday. The most famous (and expensive) Ball is the Opern Ball, held at the Staatsoper on the Thursday before Ash Wednesday.
31. Run the Vienna City Marathon in April
Essential Vienna Planning Tips
Click on one of the topics below to start planning your visit to Vienna.
Getting to Vienna
Vienna Public Transport Guide
Vienna Tours & Tickets Guide
Top 30 Things to Do & See in Vienna
12 Best Things to Do on a Rainy Day in Vienna
Vienna Christmas Market Itinerary
Vienna Easter Markets
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