13 Things to Do in Vienna

You’ll find Vienna strikes the perfect balance between imperial grandeur and modern charm, offering experiences that range from wandering through opulent palace halls to sipping coffee in centuries-old cafés. Whether you’re drawn to Klimt’s masterpieces, panoramic cathedral views, or the city’s legendary pastry scene, Austria’s capital rewards every type of traveler. The challenge isn’t finding things to do—it’s deciding which of these thirteen essential experiences deserves your limited time.

Tour Schönbrunn Palace and Its Gardens

Among Vienna’s imperial treasures, Schönbrunn Palace stands as the crown jewel that’ll transport you into the opulent world of the Habsburg dynasty. You’ll explore 45 of the palace’s 1,441 rooms, each showcasing stunning Rococo interiors within the distinctive yellow Baroque facade. Don’t miss the Empress Stairway leading to Maria Theresa’s former apartments.

The palace gardens are equally spectacular, featuring formal pathways that create impressive sightlines along the main axis. You’ll discover fascinating follies like the Roman Ruin and can climb to the hilltop Gloriette for panoramic city views.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site seamlessly blends architectural grandeur with landscaped perfection, offering you a complete imperial experience where Mozart once performed and Emperor Franz Joseph lived. The palace’s history stretches back to 1569 when Emperor Maximilian II first transformed the area into a Habsburg hunting estate.

Explore the Hofburg Palace Complex

Seven centuries of imperial power await you at the Hofburg Palace Complex, Vienna’s sprawling political heart that’s evolved from a 13th-century fortress into Austria’s presidential residence. You’ll discover multiple architectural styles spanning Gothic to Neo-Gothic as you explore this massive complex that housed Habsburg rulers until 1918.

Start at the Swiss Gate from 1553, then visit the gothic Hofburgkapelle with its 600-year-old elements. Don’t miss the imperial state rooms and private apartments showcasing Habsburg luxury.

The Austrian National Library offers stunning baroque architecture, while the Spanish Riding School demonstrates centuries-old equestrian traditions.

The complex houses multiple museums displaying imperial collections and art. The Schatzkammer preserves the Holy Roman Empire’s crowns, scepters, and Emperor Rudolph II’s gem-studded crown alongside curious relics like a unicorn horn. You can attend classical concerts in historic halls or explore the modern Hofburg Gallery, where contemporary glass architecture meets ancient courtyards.

Marvel at Gustav Klimt’s “The Kiss” at Belvedere Palace

One of the world’s most iconic romantic masterpieces awaits you at Vienna’s stunning Belvedere Palace, where Gustav Klimt’s “The Kiss” takes center stage in the Upper Belvedere’s permanent collection.

Painted between 1907-1908 during Klimt’s “Golden Period,” this shimmering masterpiece features oil paint, gold leaf, silver, and platinum depicting an intimate couple in ornate robes.

You’ll find the painting in this UNESCO World Heritage baroque palace, originally built for Prince Eugene of Savoy. The palace’s distinctive green domes were designed to resemble Turkish tents, symbolizing Prince Eugene’s triumph over the Ottoman Empire.

Book tickets in advance to skip the queues—this artwork draws massive crowds year-round.

While you’re there, explore other Klimt works and collections spanning from medieval art to Viennese Expressionists.

The palace itself offers breathtaking architecture and panoramic Vienna views, making your visit doubly rewarding.

Climb St. Stephen’s Cathedral Tower

Rising 136 meters into Vienna’s skyline, St. Stephen’s Cathedral’s South Tower offers Vienna’s most spectacular panoramic views. You’ll climb 343 narrow spiral steps on medieval stone stairs—no elevator here—reaching a viewing platform about 70 meters high.

The physically demanding ascent requires good fitness and comfortable shoes, especially in warm weather.

From the former watchman’s post, you’ll enjoy unbeatable 360-degree views of Vienna’s historic center through four windows. The colorful tiled cathedral roof spreads beneath you, creating one of the city’s most photographed scenes. During your climb, you’ll pass through the atmospheric bell chamber, a dark space housing the cathedral’s historical bells.

Small windows during your climb offer architectural glimpses.

Find the entrance at the tower’s base on the cathedral’s right side. Tickets cost €3.50-€5.50, and it’s open daily 9am-5:30pm.

Visit early morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds.

Spend an Afternoon at the Kunsthistorisches Museum

Housing one of the world’s greatest art collections, the Kunsthistorisches Museum transforms an afternoon into a journey through five millennia of human creativity. You’ll explore Emperor Franz Joseph I’s magnificent 1891 building, where Renaissance Revival architecture meets lavish interiors adorned with marble, gold leaf, and Gustav Klimt’s stunning murals.

Navigate the grand staircase past Canova’s “Theseus Slaying the Centaur” to reach the Picture Gallery‘s masterpieces. You’ll encounter Vermeer’s “The Art of Painting,” Rembrandt’s self-portraits, and the world’s largest Bruegel collection.

Don’t miss the Egyptian artifacts, Greek and Roman antiquities, or the fascinating Kunstkammer. The museum’s collections trace back to the Habsburg dynasty, including portrait and armor collections of Ferdinand of Tirol and paintings of Archduke Leopold Wilhelm.

Grab an audio guide to maximize your visit—you’ll need it to fully appreciate the Habsburg treasures spanning from ancient civilizations to 18th-century European masters.

Take a Free Tour of the Austrian Parliament Building

Why settle for admiring Vienna’s political heart from the outside when you can explore Austria’s democracy in action? The Austrian Parliament Building on Ringstraße offers free guided tours that’ll take you inside this neoclassical masterpiece. You’ll need to register online beforehand through their official website – walk-ins can visit the visitor center, but only booked tours access the main chambers.

Your 45-60 minute English tour covers the Historic Plenary Hall, Column Hall, and National Council Chamber, showcasing stunning neoclassical design and artworks. The Demokratikum visitor center features 27 interactive stations where you can take political quizzes and vote on actual parliamentary issues.

Don’t miss the adjacent Palais Epstein, also designed by Theophil Hansen, which offers additional free tours of this architectural gem. Tours are conveniently available Saturday afternoons in both German and English.

Ride the Giant Ferris Wheel at Prater Park

Since 1897, Vienna’s Giant Ferris Wheel has spun slowly above Prater Park, offering visitors one of the city’s most iconic experiences. You’ll climb aboard one of 15 operational gondolas for a leisurely ride that moves at just 2.7 km/h, giving you plenty of time to absorb breathtaking panoramic views across Vienna.

The 64.75-meter wheel completes a full rotation during your ride, showcasing the city’s stunning architecture and sprawling Prater park below. The wheel was originally built to commemorate Emperor Franz Joseph I’s golden jubilee, marking his 50th anniversary on the throne.

Before or after your ride, explore the Panorama Museum featuring eight original cabins and 2,000 years of Viennese history. You can book luxury gondolas for special occasions or visit during evening hours when gold and silver lights illuminate this 430-ton engineering marvel that’s remained Vienna’s beloved symbol for over a century.

Attend a Classical Concert at Vienna State Opera

Book tickets online well in advance, especially for popular productions like *Carmen*. Performances typically start at 8:30 p.m. and conclude around 10:15 p.m.

Dress in formal or semi-formal attire to match the venue’s elegant atmosphere.

The centrally located opera house is easily accessible via public transit, making it convenient for your Vienna itinerary. The 2025/26 season will showcase female protagonists across diverse productions including tragic tales, romantic narratives, and mythological stories.

Wander Through the Museumsquartier Cultural District

After soaking up Vienna’s musical heritage, you’ll discover the city’s visual arts scene thrives just as brilliantly at the MuseumsQuartier. This 9-hectare cultural complex seamlessly blends 18th-century Baroque imperial stables with contemporary architecture, creating one of Europe’s largest cultural districts.

Start at mumok for modern masterpieces, then explore the Leopold Museum’s renowned Egon Schiele and Gustav Klimt collections. Don’t miss Kunsthalle Wien’s thought-provoking contemporary exhibitions or the experimental spaces in quartier21, where 60 art groups showcase alternative works.

Between museums, relax on the colorful Enzi and Enzo lounge furniture scattered throughout the courtyards. Families will love DSCHUNGEL WIEN’s engaging theatre for young audiences and the interactive exhibits at ZOOM Kindermuseum.

Time your visit during summer for Frameout open-air cinema or September’s Vienna Fashion Week. The MQ’s vibrant atmosphere makes wandering between world-class art and cultural events effortless.

Relax in the Volksgarten Rose Garden

When you need a peaceful escape from Vienna’s bustling cultural sites, you’ll find tranquility in the Volksgarten Rose Garden, where 3,000 rose bushes create one of the city’s most enchanting floral displays. This historic park, Vienna’s first public garden from 1823, showcases 400 different rose varieties arranged in meticulously designed beds bordered by boxwood hedges.

Visit between late May and early June for peak blooming season, when vibrant reds, pinks, yellows, and whites fill the air with intoxicating fragrance. The neoclassical Theseus Temple and Empress Elisabeth statue add architectural elegance to your stroll. The garden’s design beautifully combines English style landscaping with loose tree plantings on the east side and French Baroque elements along the Ringstrasse.

Located near the Burgtheater in the first district, the garden’s well-maintained pathways and strategically placed benches make it perfect for quiet contemplation amid imperial Vienna‘s heart.

Experience Viennese Coffee Culture at Historic Cafés

Moving from Vienna’s beautiful outdoor spaces to its cherished indoor sanctuaries, you’ll discover that the city’s coffee house culture represents far more than just a caffeine break—it’s a living piece of history that’s shaped European social life for over 300 years.

Start your coffee journey at Café Central, where grand architecture meets literary history, or visit Café Hawelka for its bohemian atmosphere and traditional Buchteln pastries. Don’t miss Café Sacher, home of the original Sachertorte, paired perfectly with a Wiener Melange—Vienna’s signature coffee made with equal parts coffee and milk topped with froth. For something distinctive, try an Einspänner, Vienna’s strong black coffee served in a glass and crowned with whipped cream.

These UNESCO-recognized “third places” encourage you to linger, read, and absorb the timeless atmosphere that once inspired Mozart, Beethoven, and countless intellectuals who made these spaces their creative sanctuaries.

Browse the International Foods at Naschmarkt

While Vienna’s coffee houses offer intimate culinary experiences, Naschmarkt delivers an entirely different feast for your senses—a sprawling one-kilometer marketplace where over 100 food stalls transform your lunch break into a global culinary adventure.

You’ll discover authentic Middle Eastern falafel from Dr. Falafel, established in 1998, alongside Asian specialties from Kuishimbo and China Zentrum. Sample Greek loukoumades, fresh seafood from Umar Fish, and traditional Turkish baklava dripping with honey.

The market’s charm lies in its sampling culture—grab small portions from multiple cuisines to create your own international tasting menu. Browse Austrian alpine cheeses, Moroccan spices, and gourmet preserves from Staud’s Vienna. Food prices range from approximately €5 for small snacks to €20+ for full sit-down meals.

Visit Monday through Saturday from 9am to 6pm, and don’t miss Saturday’s flea market addition.

Visit a Traditional Heuriger Wine Tavern

After exploring Vienna’s international food scene, you’ll want to experience the city’s most authentic drinking tradition at a Heuriger wine tavern. These unique establishments serve “heuriger Wein” – the current year’s harvest – traditionally available until November 11th. You’ll recognize an open Heuriger by the pine bough hanging above the entrance, a custom dating back to 1459.

Head to Vienna’s wine regions like Bisamberg or Rodaun for the authentic vineyard experience, or visit urban venues like Gigerl for year-round availability. Many Heurigen are conveniently located within Vienna’s city limits in districts like Grinzing, Nussdorf, and Heiligenstadt.

You’ll enjoy fresh wine served on tap alongside simple cold cuts and cheese in charming courtyards under grapevines. Listen for traditional Schrammel music featuring violin and clarinet while staff in Dirndl and Lederhosen serve your table, creating an atmosphere that’s quintessentially Viennese.

The Sum Up

You’ll find Vienna’s blend of imperial grandeur and cozy traditions creates an unforgettable experience. Whether you’re admiring Klimt’s masterpieces, sipping coffee in historic cafés, or exploring palatial gardens, the city offers something for every traveler. Don’t rush through your visit—Vienna’s charm lies in savoring each moment. Take time to wander, taste local wines, and soak up the cultural richness that’s made this Austrian capital a beloved destination for centuries.