From art to culinary experiences, Vienna offers a diverse range of exciting attractions. When planning your itinerary, be sure to prioritize attractions and activities based on your chosen theme. Below, you’ll find recommendations for the best things to do in Vienna, along with some travel tips to enhance your holiday experience in the city!
Best Things to Do in Vienna
Generally, there are many interesting things to do in Vienna. By day, you can explore a variety of tourist attractions, including palaces, museums, and local eateries, and many more.
Meanwhile, some of the best things to do in Vienna at night are enjoying the city’s night view from a sightseeing bus, indulging in a delightful dinner at a restaurant or cafe, and attending musical performances or art exhibitions.
What to Do in Vienna
Vienna, with its beautiful and elegant European charm, boasts minimal air pollution, making it a pleasant destination. The city’s rich cultural and art history is evident in its numerous historical, cultural, and artistic attractions. Here are some recommended highlights and the best things to do in Vienna.
1. Get Closer to the Heavens at the St. Stephen’s Cathedral
This church building boasts a rich history spanning over 400 years, serving as a silent witness to numerous historical events in Austria. Situated approximately 19 kilometers from VIE Airport, accessing this cathedral from the airport takes approximately 30 minutes by car or taxi.
Alternatively, visitors can reach the attraction by taking the CAT 9056 train. From there, a transfer to the U3 train at Lansdstraße station is required, culminating at Stephansplatz station, which is about 240 meters from the cathedral.
While exploring this historical site, visitors are advised to adhere to certain guidelines, such as refraining from wearing revealing clothing like shorts and sleeveless t-shirts, bringing animals, or smoking.
Additionally, visiting the attraction area is considered one of the most popular free things to do in Vienna. However, for tours to the north or south towers and other tour packages, visitors are required to pay a fee ranging from EUR 5 to EUR 16 (USD 5.47 to USD 17.52).
2. Witness World-Class Performances at Vienna’s State Opera House as The Best Things to Do in Vienna
Among many best things to do in Vienna, watching fascinating ballet and orchestra performances at the Vienna State Opera House is a standout experience. This iconic attraction hosts over 300 performances each season.
To attend one of these captivating performances, you will need to purchase a ticket, with prices ranging from EUR 13 to EUR 250 (USD 14.23 to USD 273.74). For more information on tours and ticket availability, please visit the official website.
Additionally, if you’re arriving at Vienna International Airport (VIE), the distance to the Vienna State Opera is approximately 19 kilometers. You can reach these tourist attractions by car in about 25 minutes or by train in approximately 30-40 minutes.
3. Experience Imperial Elegance at the Schönbrunn Palace
The Schönbrunn Palace stands as one of Vienna’s most magnificent palaces, occupying a vast complex spread across 160 hectares of land, encompassing both palace buildings and park areas.
Visitors have the opportunity to explore this historical and cultural attraction between 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM. The ticket prices for tours vary depending on the type of tour you choose. For instance, an imperial tour will cost visitors between EUR 17 and EUR 24 (USD 18.61 to USD 26.28) per person.
4. Tour Around the Fascinating Mozart Museum
The Mozart Museum is an attraction located approximately 19.2 kilometers or a 20-minute drive away from VIE Airport. It is conveniently situated about 1 kilometer from St. Stephen’s Cathedral. The museum is open daily from 10 AM to 6 PM. Entrance tickets to the museum range from EUR 4.50 to EUR 12 (USD 4.93 to USD 13.14) per person.
At the museum, visitors can explore exhibitions dedicated to Mozart and enjoy special events, including music performances and food tours. For detailed information about concert schedules and ticket prices, please visit here. Definitely, you will experience the best things to do in Vienna.
5. Indulge in Vienna’s Culinary Delight With a Hearty Wiener Schnitzel
There are various culinary delights to enjoy while in Vienna, and one standout option is the Wiener Schnitzel—a breaded and fried veal escalope. Due to its widespread popularity, this quintessential Vienna food is featured on almost every restaurant menu in the city.
In addition to the classic version, there are alternative meat options available, including chicken (Hühnerschnitzel), pork (Wiener Schnitzel vom Schwein), and turkey (Putenschnitzel). The price range for a serving of Wiener Schnitzel typically falls between EUR 15.50 and EUR 20.90 (USD 16.97 – USD 22.88).
6. Hang Out and Sip in Vienna’s Renowned Coffee House
Arguably, one of the non-touristy activities but still the best things to do in Vienna is to spend time at a coffee house. Vienna boasts a variety of delightful coffees, including Kaisermelange, Fiaker, Franziskaner, and more. One renowned café that serves Vienna’s signature coffee is Cafe Central, an establishment that has been in operation since 1876.
7. Engage with Art and History at Belvedere Palace
The Belvedere Palace is a complex of palace buildings located on Prinz-Eugen-Straße, approximately 18.7 kilometers from Vienna International Airport. The Belvedere Palace is open to visitors from 9 AM to 6 PM. If you wish to explore either the lower or upper part of the complex, an entrance fee ranging from EUR 14.60 to 16.70 (USD 15.99 to 18.29) per person will be charged. Visiting this place can be one of the best things to do in Vienna.
8. Roam Through the Cultural Complex of Museumsquartier
This art center is located approximately 20 km from Vienna International Airport (VIE). It is considered one of the best things to do in Vienna with kids. The attraction offers a diverse range of entertainment, including fine art, architecture, children’s literature, photography, and more.
Tickets for this 24-hour attraction are priced between EUR 7 and EUR 27.50 (USD 7.66 – USD 30.11).
Traveling Tips
You should take into account several important factors to ensure that your holiday in Vienna is enjoyable. Here are some key considerations to choose the best things to do in Vienna:
- Prioritize the attractions you want to visit, especially if you have a short visit planned (1-2 days).
- Rather than rushing through your itinerary, it is advisable to take your time during your holiday in Vienna to make the most of your visit and enjoy the experience.
- Ensure that your hotel bookings are in safe and secure locations.
- Apply for a Vienna City Card to enjoy visiting Vienna attractions with affordable transportation prices.
Finally, those are all the best things to do in Vienna that you may want to consider for your itinerary. Explore Airpaz for excellent deals on flight tickets and hotels for your trip to Vienna, Austria!
