Vienna Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Belvedere featuring a garden, a square or plaza and heritage architecture
St. Stephen\'s Cathedral featuring a city, a church or cathedral and religious aspects
Vienna
Vienna
Vienna

Vienna Travel Guide Video

Baroque buildings and the River Danube set the scene in Austria’s culturally rich capital of art, music and gastronomy.

Surrounded by rolling vineyards and decorated by magnificent architecture, Vienna is a living postcard of stunning scenes. Walkable streets deliver memorable moments in enchanting coffee shops and art galleries. Explore the Ringstrasse boulevard and you’ll see some of the city’s top attractions, including the prestigious Vienna State Opera.

Visit Viennaat any time of year, as all four seasons have their charms. Enjoy the alfresco dining and open-air theatre shows of summer, along with the Vienna Jazz Festival. Winter wonderland isn’t a fantasy in the Christmas season just follow your nose to toasted almonds at the Viennese Christmas Market on the Rathausplatz square.

Things to do in Vienna

Set aside plenty of time to explore one of the world’s biggest palace complexes, Hofburg Imperial Palace. Admire the chandelier-adorned Imperial Apartments, accessed via the white marble Imperial Staircase. The Sisi Museum is in the apartments, and other museums are located in the complex. See the Imperial Silver Collection and the Austrian National Library.

Another magnificent landmark, St. Stephen’s Cathedral (Stephansdom), is located in the heart of the city. Austria’s tallest church features towering spires and rare religious relics inside.

The city centre is a shopper’s heaven around Stephansplatz square. Head to historical Kohlmarkt to find luxury fashion brands and jewellers.

Breathtaking views are assured on Vienna’s Giant Ferris Wheel, established in 1897. Take the kids to Wurstelprater amusement park next to it for fun rides including roller coasters and ghost trains. To marvel at gardens, visit Schönbrunn Palace park. Highlights include the Maze and the Crown Prince Garden.

Culture and history in Vienna

The MuseumsQuartier is one of the world’s largest cultural districts with around 60 venues and institutions. See Viennese art nouveau at the Leopold Museum and learn about 20th and 21st century architecture at the Austrian Architecture Museum. With mirror tunnels, craft workshops and science experiments, the ZOOM Children’s Museum provides fun activities for all ages.

Admire works by Andy Warhol and Pablo Picasso at the mumok - Museum of Modern Art Ludwig Foundation Vienna. It’s Central Europe’s largest modern and contemporary art museum. Therefore, you’ll need a few hours to discover about 10,000 works from paintings and sculptures to videos and architectural models.

Visit the Belvedere Palace and Museum to see one of the country’s treasured art collections. The paintings of Gustav Klimt include The Kiss, considered to be one of Austria’s most famous art works. Stroll through the Baroque gardens of Belvedere and you’ll see a reflecting pool and the Alpine Garden, which is Europe’s oldest.

Dining and nightlife in Vienna

Try all the classics, such as Wiener schnitzel and apple strudel, at the Naschmarkt. Vienna’s renowned market dates to the 16th century. Today, it features a mix of scrumptious cuisines from Indian to Vietnamese. After dark, bar hop around the neighbouring Freihaus district where an artistic vibe blends with trendy venues.

No matter where you are in the Innere Stadt, romantic cobblestone streets lead to restaurants and bars in the heart of historical Vienna. The Gürtel, beneath the stations and arches of the subway, is the place for late night music clubs.

Don’t miss out on experiencing performances in Vienna’s enchanting theatres, including the Burgtheater and the Volkstheater. A visit to Vienna isn’t complete without enjoying an opera or ballet at the acclaimed Vienna State Opera.

Getting around Vienna

Vienna International Airport is about a 20-minute drive from the city centre. The quickest and easiest transport is the City Airport Train, with a 16-minute journey to downtown Vienna (Wien Mitte). Car rental, bus connections and taxis are also available.

Consider purchasing a Vienna City Card for discounts on Danube sightseeing cruises and the efficient public transport system of the subway, trams and buses. Numerous cycling paths and bike sharing services create a fun way to explore. Stay in the city centre to be within easy walking distance of fantastic attractions, shops and restaurants.

Where to stay in Vienna

St. Stephen\'s Cathedral featuring a city, a church or cathedral and religious aspects

Innere Stadt

4.5/5(585 area reviews)

Known for its fascinating museums and stunning cathedral, there's plenty to explore in Innere Stadt. Check out top attractions like Vienna State Opera and Graben, and jump on the metro at Stephansplatz U-Bahn or Herrengasse U-Bahn to see more of the city.

Innere Stadt
Wiener Prater which includes landscape views, a square or plaza and a city

Leopoldstadt

4/5(303 area reviews)

Consider exploring the abundant dining options in Leopoldstadt. If sightseeing is on the list, Giant Ferris Wheel is a top attraction. Hop on the metro at Praterstern U-Bahn or Franzensbrücke Tram Stop to see more of the area.

Leopoldstadt
Viennese City Park showing flowers, a garden and signage

Landstraße

4.5/5(133 area reviews)

You might take some time to check out the abundant dining options in Landstraße. Spend some time visiting top spots like Landstraßer Hauptstraße, and catch the metro at Rochusgasse U-Bahn or Sechskrügelgasse Tram Stop to see more of the area.

Landstraße
Belvedere featuring a garden, a square or plaza and heritage architecture

Wieden

4.5/5(85 area reviews)

Spend some time visiting places like St. Charles Church while getting to know Wieden, and be sure to check out the abundant dining options. You can hop aboard the metro at Paulanergasse Station or Taubstummengasse U-Bahn to see more of the area.

Wieden
Default Image

Favoriten

4/5(105 area reviews)

You might take some time to check out the abundant dining options in Favoriten. Spend some time visiting top spots like Horr-Stadion, and catch the metro at Altes Landgut Station or Alaudagasse Station to see more of the area.

Favoriten
Naschmarkt showing interior views, markets and food

Mariahilf

4.5/5(75 area reviews)

Travellers love Mariahilf for its popular shops, and you can see more of Vienna by jumping on the metro at Neubaugasse U-Bahn or Mariahilfer Gürtel Tram Stop. You might spend time checking out top sights like Haus des Meeres and Naschmarkt.

Mariahilf
 Leonardo Hotel Vienna Hauptbahnhof
Leonardo Hotel Vienna Hauptbahnhof
4 out of 5
Gerhard-Bronner-Straße 5, Vienna, Vienna
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is £76 per night from 6 Jul to 7 Jul
£76
6 Jul - 7 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Vienna. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,236 reviews)
"Great place to stay, safe, clean, spacious and everything is walkable"

Reviewed on 27 Jun 2025

Leonardo Hotel Vienna Hauptbahnhof
Moxy Vienna Airport
Moxy Vienna Airport
3 out of 5
Ausfahrtsstraße 4, Schwechat
The price is £113 per night from 5 Jul to 6 Jul
£113
5 Jul - 6 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Schwechat. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar in their reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,611 reviews)
"Kind of location. It's the furthest hotel from terminal to walk and still paying almost $300 per night. I don't mind to walk, but there is still open area from the hotel, so when is pouring rain you get soaked wet. Wish they build some roof attached to rest of the tunnel. No garbage bin in the room. ..."

Reviewed on 28 Jun 2025

Moxy Vienna Airport
Rioca Vienna Posto 2
Rioca Vienna Posto 2
3.5 out of 5
Viehmarktgasse 4, Vienna, Wien
The price is £56 per night from 22 Jul to 23 Jul
£56
22 Jul - 23 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Vienna. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,460 reviews)
"Overall, I had a very enjoyable week long stay. The check in was very quick and the reception staff were very informative. The room was excellent and great to have the convenience of trhe small kitchen. There were a couple of hiccups, with some items not replaced on cleaning days and the TV being ..."

Reviewed on 21 Jun 2025

Rioca Vienna Posto 2
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
smartments Wien Hauptbahnhof
smartments Wien Hauptbahnhof
3 out of 5
Gertrude-Fröhlich-Sandner-Straße 15, Vienna, Vienna
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified aparthotel in Vienna. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, satellite TV channels and housekeeping. Popular attractions Vienna State Opera and ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,221 reviews)
"I liked the location, the neighborhood, easy access to small grocery stores (to go along with my kitchenette setup), affordable restaurants nearby, and easy local public transportation. The room was generally comfortable, though could have used a more cozy reading chair. The top kitchenette cabinets ..."

Reviewed on 24 Jun 2025

smartments Wien Hauptbahnhof
Adina Apartment Hotel Vienna Belvedere
Adina Apartment Hotel Vienna Belvedere
4 out of 5
Canettistrasse 3, Vienna
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Vienna. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (836 reviews)
"Front desk people are very kind and helpful!!!"

Reviewed on 23 Jun 2025

Adina Apartment Hotel Vienna Belvedere
Adina Serviced Apartments Vienna
Adina Serviced Apartments Vienna
4 out of 5
Karl-Popper-Straße 6, Vienna
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Vienna. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour fitness centre and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9/10 Wonderful! (783 reviews)
"This was our first serviced apartment rental. It was clean and spacious and the helpful lady at check in came up personally to help ready our room for three persons as housekeeping made an oversight. She even left us extra towels. It was nice to have a full size fridge and dining table to eat our ..."

Reviewed on 30 Jun 2025

Adina Serviced Apartments Vienna
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Vienna

4.7
Top destination
5 - Excellent
872
5 - Excellent 73%
4 - Good
292
4 - Good 25%
3 - Okay
25
3 - Okay 2%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
2
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

What a beautiful city, we loved naschmarkt and all the gorgeous architecture. It was a shame that Coronavirus affected our visit but this could not be helped. Would love to return

5/5 - Excellent

Jeremy

Exceptionally quiet due to coronavirus and all museums shut but the architecture and the atmosphere more than compensated for the closures.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Great city, compact with great museums and architecture.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Perfect for a weekend city break. Such a beautiful city to explore, whether you're travelling solo or with others. It needs to be on everyone's travel list.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

We LOVED Vienna and will definitely be back!!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Vienna is much quieter than London, Paris and New York. At first I found this a bit alarming, but once I got used to it I realised it’s normal for Vienna at this time of year. Go if you are a fan of classical music, modernist art and good food 

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