Vienna is a cultural city where the old and new seamlessly blend. Whether you’re a history buff, architecture lover, or a foodie, you’ll find something to enjoy. There are so many things to do, you could spend several days and not have done or seen everything. If your trip is short or you want to cut to the chase, here’s my pick of the top five things you must do when you visit Vienna, Austria.
Contents
Top 5 Things You Must Do When You Visit Vienna, Austria
Below you’ll find a mix of tourist attractions along with experiences unique to Vienna.
1. Schonbrunn Palace (Schloss Schönbrunn)
Allow lots of time to tour Schonbrunn Palace
You should plan several hours to really enjoy your visit to Schonbrunn Palace (Schloss Schonbrunn), gardens, maze, and labyrinth.
The former summer home of the Habsburgs, this Baroque palace offers a wealth of treasures both inside and outside. Checking off UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites? The Schonbrunn was added to the UNESCO list in 1996.
Book your tour in advance:
- Skip the line: Guided tour Schonbrunn Palace and Vienna Historical City Tour
- Vienna Historical City Tour with Schonbrunn Palace
- Schonbrunn Palace Evening Concert
- Vienna Schonbrunn Palace Including Schonbrunn Gardens with Private Round-Trip Transport
- Tiergarten Schonbrunn Entrance Ticket (Vienna Zoo)
- Small-Group Schonbrunn Palace Half-Day Tour with a Historian Guide
- Vienna Schonbrunner Gardens Mini-Train Tour
2. Prater (Wurstelprater)
See all of Vienna from the top of the Wiener Riesenrad (ferris wheel) at Wurstelprater
Amusement parks are a dime a dozen in California. Living in San Diego we’re minutes away from Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm, Universal Studios, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Sea World, and Legoland California.
So an amusement park has to offer something different to stand out. Wurstelprater does that in spades.
You get free admission to Wurstelprater seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day.
Wurstelparter is great for families with young children who are too small (or scared) to go on the rides. And for adults who enjoy a carnival atmosphere, people watching, or get burnt out after standing hours in long lines.
And because you only pay for rides vs paying to get into the park you’re not wasting valuable money on an admission ticket.
Enjoy a ride on the Giant Ferris Wheel (Wiener Riesenrad) and a visit to the Schonbrunn Zoo.
Or take a private Vienna Wine Tavern Night Tour with Giant Ferris Wheel
3. Hot Dog Stand (Würstelstände)
4 euros gets you a tasty footlong hot dog or sausage from a street cart
You can grab a frankfurter or sausage from a street cart for a filling (and cheap) meal from Wurstelstands all over Vienna.
A foot long sausage encased in a crusty french roll costs under $4 (4 euro).
4. Vienna State Opera (Wiener Staatsoper)
You can enjoy an evening at the Vienna State Opera House for 3 euros
A visit to the Vienna State Opera, one of the most respected and busiest opera houses in the world, is a must while in Vienna. So you can book a tour of the Vienna State Opera (Wiener Staatsoper).
Do make time to watch an opera. Here’s how you can get a ticket for as little as 3 euro ($3).
If you’re looking for a unique experience, consider attending a Mozart Concert where the orchestra is dressed in historical costumes.
Or enjoy a gourmet dinner and concert at the Vienna Opera House.
5. 1516 Brewing Company
Stop by 1516 Brewing Company for a cold brew
Although Vienna is known for its coffee, with wine following a close second, there’s plenty of beer to be found. But there aren’t a lot of breweries.
If you like a good craft beer or want to enjoy dinner in a non-smoking environment and where English is spoken (in case your German is a little rusty or non-existent), head to 1516 Brewing Company.
Go on a Vienna pub tour.
Conclusion
With so much to see and do, there are many top things to do in Vienna. But we’ve summed up the top 5 things you should do when you visit Vienna, Austria.
Everything from spending hours at Schonbrunn Palace to riding the ferris wheel at Wurstelprater.
Let’s not forget eating from street cart hot dog stand, enjoying the brews at 1516 Brewing Company, or seeing an opera at the Vienna State Opera.
Need more suggestions?
Find and book tours in Vienna with Viator.
What’s on your must to list for Vienna?
Articles on Vienna
- Free Things to Do in Vienna
- How to Get Vienna Opera Standing Room Tickets
- Top 7 Hotels in Vienna, Austria
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i would say a must is try the schnitzel at figlmueller. The schnitzel is as big as your plate amazing. we where in Vienna in May great city very regal i would say.
cheer
mark
Hi Mark,
Yes, schnitzel for sure. We didn’t make it to Filmueller, we had ours at Hopferl. But as you agree, it’s a great city.
I’ll be there next week- so exciting!
Hi Katie Featherstone,
Excellent. Love to hear your top 5 picks after your visit. How long will you be there for?
This makes me excited for our trip next year!
Unfortunately, I missed the Ferris Wheel as well because I visited Vienna in November! I am not that into sausages but I’m more like a Schnitzel guy! Thank you for the tips Debra!
Thanks for the guide Deb! We loved Vienna on our visit last year, our favorite part was climbing to the top of St Stephens Cathedral – offered wonderful views over the city. And then I enjoyed taking over the grand pianos in different cafes we hopped between :D!
We were just in Vienna this past December and loved it there! Unfortunately we were only there for a night, so we missed out on most everything on your list. We did check out the Schonbrunn Palace, but I’d really love to check out all of these spots on our next visit, especially 1516 Brewing Company and the Opera!
I just loved the palace. When we were there, a gigantic military display was on the lawn out the back…we sat there for hours watching them load choppers and all sorts of aircraft. Apart from the beer and schnitzel, the place I really adored was St Stephen’s Cathedral and it’s incredible mosaic tiled roof.
Vienna appeals to me for so many reasons but your recommendations are very practical and not just the grand architecture tips I usually see. One day…
Haven’t been in Vienna, but is on my bucket list and hopefully I am going in this year. I am sure Wurstelprater would interests me a lot.
$3 Euros for an opera in Vienna – count me in! I know I would spent a ridiculous amount of time just gawking at all the amazing architecture and the views from the ferris wheel must be something also!
Schonbrunn is absolutely wonderful. It takes a while to see it if you add the Zoo to it, but it’s absolutely worth it. I visited right before Christmas, so there was a Christmas market in front of it. Absolutely lovely!
I’ve been to Vienna a few times, all during the Christmas Markets. There are also so many great museums – I really enjoyed the Natural History Museum. Great food, music and just walking around the beautiful city.
I’ve never been to go Vienna and Austria. But thank you for this tips, But maybe someday I will go to there and I use this tips.
I really enjoy Vienna and have been fortunate to visit the Prater a few times and ride that giant wheel, a great suggestion. You nailed it with this one. Everyone should include all of these items in their visit to Vienna. Enjoyed reading the post.
1516 Brewing Co. and the Sausage Stands are right up my alley! I would love to visit Austria sometime. Great tips all around.
Vienna looks wonderful! I can’t believe it’s so close where I used to live and I have never visited ! Your top 5 is faboulous !
I just interviewed an expat living in Vienna for my blog so I had to do some research into Vienna which made me really want to visit. And this list makes me even more excited to go! It really must be a beautiful city with so much history and culture.
Vienna has been on my bucket list since I first watched Before Sunrise, and I have ZERO excuse for not having been. I´m reading this post with itchy feet! Although the idea of meeting a tall, dark, and handsome American and spending the night walking around the city philosophizing does still appeal to me, I think a night at the opera is probably more my scene these days. A really great read!
Hot dogs and brewing , what a great combination to enjoy this kind of place!, now i find myself impatient to be there.
Vienna is also in my bucket list! I can’t wait to try the rides in the amusement park as I’m a kid at heart. And great news for not having to pay for admission ticket but only for the rides you want. Those sausages would be amazing as well and very cheap meal for 4 euros. The Opera House would be another great thing for me to check out and of course, who doesn’t like a good beer. Cheers for sharing this post!
Hot dogs and beer! I knew they were great in Germany, but had no idea that the trend continued into Austria. The ferris wheel and yellow palace are fabulous!
Hmmm….this was quite interesting to read as this is my home and I was surprised at your five recommendations of Top 5 things to do. I guess it is a question of taste and preferences. I think you missed out on some other good things but I a, glad you enjoyed your time here.
Thank you so much for this. You have reminded me how much I love Vienna. I spent 3 weeks there a few years ago and I loved it. Although I’m sad I didn’t do all of these things…Maybe I’ll have to go back!
Vienna is one of the most amazing cities in all of Europe, in my opinion. I’ve traveled all over Europe, and nothing compares.
I want to go to every single one of these places. Of course the kids would want to start at Prater (Wurstelprater). What a beautiful place to visit.
Austria would be such a fun place to visit!!! I had not seen some of these attractions in Vienna before, looks like a great place!
I love to travel the World. I have never been to Austria, I will have to go now this place looks amazing.
Love, love, love your post! I’ve done all of these except the opera house. I know, I can’t believe I’ve never been there. I did see the Lipizzaner horses though. lol My mother is from Austria (about 1/2 hour outside Vienna), so I’ve been to Schonbrunn Palace many times. It’s a beautiful country with beautiful people. 🙂
Omg just loving the photos! Vienna is definitely on something place on my travel bucket list! Hope to make it there one day
Sounds like a lot of fun to me. I haven’t traveled outside the U.S. Since my college years. One day thought. The next time I’ll be able to afford to take the whole family with me will probably be retirement, but that’s okay. Something to look forward to.
Vienna is such a lovely city to visit. I know my husband and daughter would love the Wiener Riesenrad at Wurstelprater.
Why’s coffee popular in Vienna? I haven’t tried it before. As a coffee fan, this is one of the things I’d really be excited about when I get the chance to visit Vienna.
what a great place!! im sure you had so much fun!! looks like it will be added to my bucket list!
The photos are amazing. Vienna is such a beautiful place to visit. I am adding it to my bucketlist.
this is exciting!! i have some relatives in Austria! we are planning to visit them, this places are awesome!
Austria sounds like a unique place to visit! I’ll admit that ride at Prater (Wurstelprater) looks quite daunting… yet fun, nonetheless!
oh man i would love to visit austria. that would be a total dream. the Vienna State Opera looks amazing. thanks for this list
We are heading to Vienna in just a couple of weeks so glad I read your tips. I am going to look into an opera and love the look of the carriages on that Ferris Wheel. There seems like there is so much to do, and such little time!
Honestly, I think I’d be at the hot dog stand every day. I love me some hot dogs especially with the right toppings. ^yolonda
Vienna is simply irresistible. There are so many things to see and experience here that one would obviously need to prioritize based on personal preferences. Your list covers the top must see and experience activities. Schonbrun palace is of course on top of the list for us.too. The sound of Music seems to pervade the city of Vienna and we wish we could get there asap.
Hey 🙂
I just love your post. Vienna has been on my bucketlist for some time now. We went there via bus with a bigger group (booked on https://www.buslead.at/ for those who plan the same) and your list was awesome for that. The Schönbrunn palace was beautiful and thanks to your link we knew where to order beforehand. Prater was amazing too and rather convenient for a big group because everyone could do what they wanted. Your post has been a real help for planing this trip! I could not thank you enough
Hi Birdy,
I’m so glad my post was helpful! 🙂 And that you had an amazing time.
Let me know if you need help with anything else.
The architecture in Vienna looks beautiful. I really like the giant ferris wheel at the amusement park as well. I think that the main draw for me would be the food, so it’s nice to see that there are hotdog carts all over the city with different Austrian sausages. This is a good guide to keep in mind for future travels.
Wow I made it to Salzburg three times, but never to Vienna! Guess I know what I have to do when I finally get there!
I have been waiting to find something like this! VIENNA has been on my list for years, but never knew how much it offered or what tours I could book. Great feature thank you for sharing it. Very handy!!
I need to get to Vienna. I’ve wanted to visit Prater ever since seeing The Third Man!
I would love to visit Vienna one day! It just looks like one of those quintessential European cities you have to see! Awesome post!