Once one of Europe’s great imperial cities, Vienna still bears the hallmarks of its glory years: opulent baroque palaces, prestigious opera houses, and high society balls held during its annual Carnival celebrations. It’s especially easy to find memorable things to do in Vienna in the historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and along the Ringstrasse. Visit architectural wonders like the Vienna Opera House and St. Stephen’s Cathedral, then indulge in a slice of Sacher torte— rich chocolate cake with a layer of apricot jam—at a classic coffee house.
Winter brings short days and cold, blustery weather to Vienna, but the charm of seeing the city during the Christmas season more than makes up for the weather conditions. Christmas markets dressed up in lights dot the city, each serving various seasonal treats alongside mugs of mulled wine and punch. For a more pleasant time of year for outdoor sightseeing and other things to do, wait for the colorful blooms of spring in April and May.
Don’t make the mistake of trying to walk everywhere in Vienna when the city’s U-bahn metro, trams, and buses make it so easy to get around. Even Vienna Airport is accessible by several trains and buses. The only part of the city where walking is still the best way to get between attractions is the city’s historical center—the First District—surrounded by Ringstrasse, although public transit still covers this popular area.
Vienna’s most famous coffeehouses—Hotel Sacher and Café Central to name just two—are rarely without long lines of tourists waiting to enter. Alternatively, head over to Café Frauenhuber or Café Diglas im Schottenstift for an equally typical experience of Viennese coffee and cake, without the wait. If your sweet tooth isn’t satisfied by that, try kaiserschmarrn, a Viennese dish of fluffy pancakes shredded and served with jammy fruit at Heindls Schmarren & Palatschinkenkuchl, a short walk from St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
Local Currency Euro (€) | Time Zone CET (UTC +1) | Country Code +43 | Language(s) German | Attractions 100 | Tours 971 | Reviews 38,258 |
Three days in Vienna will give you enough time to see many of the city's highlights and still have time left over to check out a classical music concert, spend time sampling coffee drinks in local cafes, and take a day trip out into the Austrian countryside.
...MoreThe two things Vienna is perhaps best known for is its baroque architecture and its long association with classical music. Baroque highlights include the famous Schönbrunn Palace and the Belvedere. The city is also a great place for classical concerts, with regular live performances at the famous Musikverein and at churches across the city.
...MoreWhile Vienna proper is a great place to explore by bike, fans of outdoor recreation who want something a bit more vigorous will find better cycling still in the narby Wachau Vallwy, a popular spot for bicycle wine tours. Not far from Vienna, the Ötscher-Tormäuer Nature Park is a great spot for summertime hiking.
...MoreVienna is full of free things to do, from wandering Schönbrunn's Palace Park to visiting the interiors of St. Stephen's Cathedral. Many of the city's top museums are also free on the first Sunday of the month, including the Wien Museum Karlsplatz and the Römermuseum (Roman Museum).
...MoreVienna is absolutely worth visiting, particularly if you're a fan of architecture and the arts. It's full of museums, historical palaces and churches, and entertainment options (particularly of the classical music variety) and makes an excellent base for visiting other nearby spots such as Bratislava and Salzburg.
...MoreWhile Vienna merits plenty of time, two days is definitely enough to get a sense of the city. You’ll have enough time to visit the historic Schönbrunn Palace and Hofburg Imperial Palace, see “dancing” Lipizzaner horses at the Spanish Riding School, and check out a museum or two.
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