Explore Essentials: The Definitive Guide to Vienna’s Top Attractions

“Vienna is a city with no shortage of fascinating things to see and do, but the challenge can be to squeeze it all into one trip. In our definitive guide to Vienna’s top attractions we cover everything from opening times and ticket prices to how to get there, helping you make the most of your time in the city.

Hofburg Palace
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The former palace of the Habsburg Monarchy, home to the Imperial Apartments and a number of excellent museums, the Hofburg Palace is one of the most popular attractions in Vienna. Open daily 9am-6pm, adult tickets cost from €15 and include admission to the Sisi Museum, Imperial Apartments and the Silver Collection, either with an audio guide or on a guided tour (for a few euros more). The Hofburg Palace is in the heart of the city centre and the closest U-Bahn station is Herrengasse.

Book it: Imperial Treasury Museum at Hofburg Palace Ticket

Naschmarkt
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Open Monday-Saturday from 6am, the Naschmarkt is Vienna’s main produce market and also a great place to explore the culinary traditions and diversity of the city with its mix of stalls and nearby restaurants. If you want to explore the market without the crowds it pays to get there early. If you visit on a Saturday you can also hunt for bargains at the weekly Flea Market. The Naschmarkt is in the city centre, a short walk from the Kettenbrückengasse U-Bahn station.

Book it: Vienna: Naschmarkt Food Market Tour with Tastings

Giant Ferris Wheel at the Prater
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The Prater is Vienna’s central park, with a mix of amusement rides, a beer garden and lovely green spaces to explore. One of the highlights is the Wiener Riesenrad, a giant ferris wheel that has been offering up amazing views of the city for 150 years. As a symbol of the city, this is one of the most popular attractions in Vienna, but you can skip the lines by buying your tickets online in advance. Take the U-Bahn to Praterstern and look up – you can’t miss it!

Vienna State Opera
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The Vienna State Opera is one of the finest classical concert houses in Europe; and with over 350 performances a year by world-class musicians and singers there is plenty of opportunity to catch a concert during your time in the city. You can book tickets in advance online in advance, or take your chances of nabbing one of the standing room only tickets that go on sale 80 minutes before performances start. To get behind the scenes, the Vienna State Opera also offer regular guided tours. See the website for more details. U-Bahn station: Karlsplatz.

The Vienna State Opera by Peter Siroki – CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/) – https://www.flickr.com/photos/petersiroki/382641170Schönbrunn Palace
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To get a sense of the grandeur of Habsburg Vienna, take a tour through the Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens. Open daily 8am-5pm, there are different tickets and tours on offer, from the 30-40 minute Imperial Tour to the 60 minute Grand Tour. Another fine way to experience the palace in all its glory is by attending one of the regular programme of classical concerts held in the historic Orangery. The palace is easily reached from the city centre by taking the U-Bahn or tram to Schönbrunn.

Book it: Schönbrunn Palace Classical Concert

Jewish Museum
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Exploring centuries of Austrian Jewish life in Vienna and the contribution Jewish citizens have made to life in the city, the Jewish Museum Vienna is split between two sites – one on Judenplatz and the other on Dorotheergasse. Both are open Sunday-Friday (check website for up-to-date opening times) and tickets allow entry to both museums within four days of issue. The two sites are also within walking distance of each other in the city centre, with the closest U-Bahn stations at Stephansplatz (for Dorotheergasse) and Herrengasse (for Judenplatz).

Danube Boat Tour
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A great way to see the city from a different angle or explore the beautiful surroundings of Vienna, is by taking a boat tour. There are different tours on offer, from city cruises to full-day excursions, on both the Danube canal, passing through the heart of the city, and along the Danube itself. You’ll find DDSG Blue Danube tours, which has a range of tour options, at Franz-Josefs-Kai. The closest U-Bahn station is Schwedenplatz.

Book it: Evening Boat Cruise with Viennese Songs

By Karl Gruber – Own work, CC BY 3.0 at, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=27262355Kunsthistorisches Museum
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With its collection of art and antiquities, all housed in a stunning Habsburg-era building, the Kunsthistorisches Museum is Austria’s largest art museum. Notable pieces including works from Dürer, Rubens, Rembrandt and Vermeer. The museum is open daily 10am-6pm, with tickets for the permanent collection from €15 (with a Vienna City Card). The Kunsthistorisches Museum is in the city centre, next to the Museumsquartier U-Bahn station.

Book it: Expert-led Private Tour of Vienna’s Kunsthistorisches Museum

For a place to stay in the Austrian capital, check out our hotels in Vienna or explore Vienna city breaks and find great deals on flights and accommodation”