VIENNA.

Welcome to Vienna, a city of impressive architecture, amazing museums and awe-inspiring music. Those interested in the imperial-style architecture will be delighted by Vienna, where everything bears the signs of typical imperial grandeur. This legacy of the Habsburg monarchy, with notable examples such as the Hofburg palace complex, Schloss Belvedere and Schloss Schönbrunn, makes Vienna able to rival the most popular cities in the world. But architecture is not the end of Vienna’s wonders – just wait untill you explore the museums. The Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna, with its imperial art collection, is enough to make your head spin, with the display including the world’s richest coin collections, as well as the priceless works of many greats. Still, perhaps the most valuable legacy in possession of Vienna is the music. The musical heritage of famous composers such as Josef Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Franz Schubert, Johann Strauss, Ludwig van Beethoven, and many others, makes Vienna worthy of the title of the City of Music.

Vienna Money Saving Tips

Money Saving Tips

Best Period to Visit Vienna

Best Period to Visit Vienna

Accomodation Tips for Vienna

Accomodation Tips

Getting Around Vienna

Getting Around Vienna

Top 10 Things to See and Do in Vienna

Top 10 Things to See and Do in Vienna

Other Things to See and Do

Other Things to See and Do

Money Saving Tips

Buy day passes for transportation

While public transport in Vienna sure is fast and effective, it is also quite expensive, as a single ticket costs as much as €2.20. Make sure to buy a day pass, either for one day, two days, or three days. There is also a weekly ticket, valid from Monday to Monday, which costs even less than the 72-hour one.

Remember about tipping

When planning your budget for the trip to Vienna, make sure to account for tipping in restaurants. In Austria, and especially in tourism-oriented cities like Vienna, tipping is expected and almost necessary. Even when ordering a single drink, the waiter will expect some kind of a tip.

Get a Vienna Pass

Since each individual entrance ticket to most museums in Vienna costs over a €10 each, you are much better off getting a pass like a Vienna Pass. The Vienna Pass covers entry to most major museums in the city, as well as metro, buses, and trams, and can be bought for a day, or even two, three, or six days.

Do not go shopping on Sundays

Most places you would usually go for shopping, like malls and supermarkets, are closed on Sundays, and so are cafes and most restaurants. The only shops that are likely to be opened on Sundays are those placed inside of the railway stations and the airport, but those are best avoided due to their prices.

Drink Tap Water

Austria is widely known for their great quality of tap water, which will most likely not cost you anything. Not only is it safe to drink and healthy, but it also even tastes better than bottled water, so instead of buying bottles of water, which are not cheap, you will be far better off refilling your bottles with tap water.

Do not buy discount cards

While such passes as Vienna Pass allow you not only free entrance to many attractions but also free public transportations, watch out for tourist traps like the Vienna Card, which only grant you some discounts, and in the long run, you are far more likely to spend more than you save.

Do not use the City Airport Train

When landing at Vienna Airport, you are most likely to notice signs telling you to go to the City Airport Train if you want to get to the city centre. Instead, go to platform one or two, where you can find a standard train, which is a couple of euros cheaper and takes only several minutes more to get you there.

Utilize the gardens

Vienna is well known for its beautiful gardens placed all around the city, so make sure you visit those if you are looking for the perfect spot for an afternoon walk. You can also take a basket and a blanket with you to set up a picnic with friends and family, creating a tranquil evening atmosphere.

Get discounts for kids

If you are travelling with kids, or are yourself under the age of nineteen, make sure to ask for discounts at the main attractions of the city. Moreover, most if not all of the art galleries and museums in the city are free for people under the age of nineteen and have discounts for students under the age of twenty-six.

Free entrance days

In order to allow more people to enjoy the cultural and historical heritage of the country, the museums in Vienna allow free entrance for all visitors on particular days. The Wien Museum for example grants free entry on the first Sunday of each month, and so does the Military Museum.

Best Period to Visit Vienna

Tourism

Vienna is the most crowded during the hot summer months – this is when the clubs and parties around town are at their best. Those of you who are not very fond of the crowds should aim to visit Vienna from April to May or from September to October when the mild weather attracts fewer tourists but is still pleasant. The crowds subside during winter, with the exception of December, which brings a surge of tourism in Vienna.

Weather

Summer offers moderately high temperatures, with July being the warmest month, with 26°C highs. Fall and spring are pleasant, with around 15°C average highs from April to May and September to October. Winter brings moderate colds, with temperatures reaching around -2°C.

Money

Summer is the most expensive period to be in Vienna. Those who want to save some money should consider either spring or fall. Winter offers the most substantial discounts if one does not mind the colder weather and lack of tourists.

Events

New Year's Day Concert (January)
Sound: frame Festival (April)
Vienna City Marathon (April)
Vienna Festival (May-June)
Danube Island Festival (June)
Rainbow Parade (June)
ImPulsTanz Vienna International Dance Festival (July-August)
Vienna Fashion Week (September)
Long Night of the Museums (October)
TennisTrophy (October)
Viennale Vienna International Film Festival (October-November)
Vienna Christmas Market (November-December)
Vienna Ball Season (December-February)

Accomodation Tips

Apartments

Tourists travelling to Vienna can choose from a great variety of apartments for rent. These are evenly distributed around the city so that everyone can book one that meets his needs. Especially large families or groups of friends travelling together should consider this accommodation option.

Budget (1-2 star) hotels

Cheap hotels in Vienna are perfect for students and backpackers, as well as for people who just like to save money on their travels. Nightly rates for budget hotels in Vienna depend mainly on location and season but start around €10.

Standard (3-4 star) hotels

Standard hotels in Vienna are able to satisfy most anyone. With their better than average location and well-equipped rooms, the 3- and 4-star hotels in Vienna leave little to complain about. Nightly rates for these hotels start around €45, mostly depending on the proximity to tourist attractions.

Luxury hotels in Vienna

Luxury hotels in Vienna guarantee top-notch service and state-of-the-art quality of accommodation. From room equipment to the facilities and amenities, they offer nothing but perfection, which ensures the satisfaction of even the most demanding tourists.

Getting Around Vienna

Bicycle

Known for its pleasant bike routes and picturesque parks to drive through, Vienna is a great place to get around by bike. While U-Bahns and S-Bahns allow bikes to be carried free of charge, make sure the one you are getting on has a bike symbol near the door. Take notice that trams and buses do not allow carrying bikes.
You can also take a look at the bike share programme introduced by the city, with bike stands scattered around Vienna.

Bus

While buses are generally quite prone to traffic jams and are often late, they are useful for getting to the outer parts of the town. The most important buses are the 13A, which runs through Vorstadte between Hauptbahnhof and Alser Strasse; 2A which connects Schwarzenbergplatz, Stephansplatz, Schwedenplatz, and Michaelerplatz; 3A which connects Borsenplatz and Schottentor with Stephansplatz and Stubentor.
Most bus lines start at 5 a.m. and run to midnight, with some exceptions on weekends. Nightline routes also cover most of the city and run every thirty minutes from midnight to approximately 5 a.m.

Car and motorcycle

As is the case with most popular tourist cities of Europe, it is never a good idea to use your own vehicle in Vienna, as you will often be stuck in traffic jams and you will search for a parking spot for hours. Moreover, parts of the city are restricted, and only residents can drive around those.

Trains

A good way to get to the suburbs and surrounding towns are the S-Bahn and the U-Bahn. The S-Bahn operates ten lines from train stations, and services from 4:30 a.m. to 1:10 a.m. While the S-Bahn is a good way to get to the remote towns around Vienna, make sure to extend your standard ticket if you are planning on going there.
The U-Bahn is an efficient way of getting around the city for an affordable price. There are five lines available, with stations scattered around the city. Every U-Bahn station has lifts and escalators to make it easier to get inside, and every platform has a current timetable with information on all of the lines.

Tram

While trams are quite a bit slower than the U-Bahn, they provide a more picturesque journey, as you can gaze through the window upon the monuments and attractions of Vienna. The tram network of Vienna is also quite extensive, having as much as 29 lines, and is a good way to see the city if you’re on a budget.
Each tram has its own ticket machine, which accepts cash only, so do not worry about buying tickets before.

Top 10 Things to See and Do in Vienna

Schönbrunn Palace Evening

With this all-inclusive tour of the famous Vienna palace, you will be allowed to discover its hallways and chambers at your own pace with an audio commentary. Moreover, after you are done walking around, you will be eligible for a tasty traditional Austrian dinner, as well as a concert afterwards.

Vienna Mozart Concert at the Musikverein

Being a great experience for all music enthusiasts, this tour will allow you to hear for yourself some of the most recognisable pieces by Mozart, recreated by renowned and skilled musicians. You can choose from four seating options, as well as an upgrade to a VIP package which grants you dinner afterward.

Kursalon Vienna: Johann Strauss and Mozart Concert

This tour will provide you with the opportunity to listen to some of the greatest musical performances written by Johann Strauss and Mozart Concert inside of the Kursalon Vienna, as you soak up the cultural heritage of the country in the hell where Strauss himself had his musical career started.

Melk Abbey and Danube Valley Day Trip

Starting from the centre of Vienna, this day trip will take you on a ride in an air-conditioned coach along the Danube River with a boat cruise included. A guide will show you to Melk Abbey, where you will be able to learn some history of the Benedictine monastery, and at the end, you will be shown the landscapes of the Wachau Valley.

Wine Tasting Bike Tour

A nine-and-a-half-hour long bike tour combined with wine tasting departing from Vienna, which will take you through the famous region of Austria’s best wine regions – the Wachau Valley. A professional guide will show you the gorgeous sights of the Wachau Valley and recommend to you some of the finest Austrian wines.

Budapest Full-Day Trip from Vienna

While on a visit to Vienna, why not spend a day outside of the city to discover the gorgeous city of Budapest? This tour will take you aboard an air-conditioned minivan as you cross the border into Hungary. An informed guide will show you the gorgeous landscape of Hungary and the highlights of Budapest.

Alpine Panoramic Hallstatt Day Trip

A full-day tour departing from Vienna meant to show you the highlights of Hallstatt and Admont Abbey. You will be able to spot some of the gorgeous views of the Austrian Alps, as well as the UNESCO-listed Salzkammergut. Afterwards, you will be taken to some lakeside villages for shopping and sightseeing.

Wachau Valley Small Group Tour and Wine Tasting

This tour will allow you to save some money on renting a car or getting a train to the countryside, as you travel with a well-accustomed guide who will give you insight on the history of the Wachau Valley. The tour combines visits to Durnstein, the Melk Abbey, and the Danube River, with additional wine tasting.

Salzburg Day Trip

Take a day off from the hassle of the city of Vienna and allow a professional guide to take you to Salzburg, the home of Mozart. The tour will take you through the Old Town of Salzburg’s, which is a listed UNESCO world heritage site, allowing you to see places such as the famous gardens of Mirabell Palace.

Time Travel: Magic Vienna History Tour

Take part in this unique tour which will show you the past of Vienna through the use of special effects, animatronics, and gorgeous visuals. You will be able to experience the life of the Roman Vienna and the plague-stricken streets of the medieval city, as well as the musical heritage of Vienna and its WWII times.

Other Things to See and Do

Gardens at Schönbrunn Palace

While to get inside of the Schönbrunn Palace you need to buy a ticket, you can still visit the surrounding gardens for free. The gardens make for a great place for a walk or a run, as you can admire the gorgeous greenery, Roman ruins, numerous fountains, and monuments placed along the pathways.

St Stephen’s Cathedral

Being one of the most famous places in all of Vienna, St Stephen’s Cathedral is also free to visit. The church is built in Gothic style and presents a tall, sophisticated façade with statues and decorative windows. At one point it was the tallest building in Europe and it is definitely among the prettiest ones.

Augustinian Church

Located on the Josefsplatz, right next to the Hofburg, the Augustinian Church is both a parish and the winter palace of the Habsburg dynasty. It was originally built in the 14th century with the Gothic interior added in the 18th century. The church may look ordinary from the outside, but it is worth visiting on the inside.

Naschmarkt

Take a stroll around Vienna’s best-known market with more than a hundred colourful stalls and restaurants offering local produce, as well as foreign cuisine ranging from Indian to Vietnamese. Make sure to come in on Saturday, as the flea market is opened, to experience the variety of colours.

Brunnenmarkt

While it is one of the lesser known marketplaces of Vienna, it is still worth visiting to take a walk along the stalls of local artisans and craftsmen who display their work. The Brunnenmarkt is located in the Ottakring district, and often presents events and exhibits by South European artists.

City Hall

Make sure to come to the city hall, or Rathaus, on a Monday, Wednesday, or Friday at 1 p.m., as free guided tours start. The guides speak in German, but you can receive a free audio guide in English, French, Italian, or Spanish, so make sure to stop by this gorgeous building.

MUSA – Museum Start Gallery Artothek

If you’re a contemporary art enthusiast, make sure to visit the MUSA, as it has one of the largest collections of contemporary and modern art in all of Austria. You don’t have to worry about buying tickets, as the admission to the gallery is free for everyone during the whole year.

Geldmuseum

Being a rather unusual museum, the Geldmuseum presents the history of money and how it was made. The exhibits of the museum highlight the process of development of money from its origins to the present day, including free guided tours, showcases of collections, and exhibitions of rare coins.

Ringstrasse

Take a walk along this wide avenue, which circles around the old city of Vienna. The road was constructed in the late 19th century, where medieval fortifications once stood. Around the Ringstrasse, you can notice such beautiful monuments and buildings like the State Opera, the Palace of Justice, or the Parliament.

Stadtpark

Established in 1862, this bucolic city park is a perfect spot for an afternoon stroll or a picnic with friends and family. The park, in its centre, features a gilded statue of musician Johan Strauss, as well as other busts and statues of composers, including a statue of Beethoven.

Street Art Passage

With a changing and rotating display of a variety of art, the Street Art Passage displays many different forms of art, from street to typography. The Street Art Passage is located on the bridge from the Spittelberg to the Museumsquartier and was opened in September 2008.

Vienna Opera

Not only is the Vienna Opera free to see for yourself up close, but you can also go on the inside and discover the hallways and chambers of the old opera building. Moreover, during the months of April, May, June, and September, some performances are shown on a screen outside of the opera for free.

Karlsplatz Vienna

Not only is this town square a place of beautiful architecture and one of the best-connected transportation hubs in Vienna, but the Karlskirche is also located here. Moreover, thanks to the Austrian Film Museum, you can watch free movies every summer, but come early to find a seat.

Music Film Festival

If you visit Vienna during the summer, make sure to come to the Music Film Festival, as you can watch pre-recorded concerts on a huge display in the middle of the City Hall Square. A lot of famous musicals can be watched here, as well as jazz performances and concerts of musicians such as Iggy Pop.

Danube Island Festival

The Danube Island Festival, or Donauinselfest, is a free open-air music festival with millions of visitors each year. The performances take place on the Danube Island, including both local bands and performers as well as world-famous artists, so make sure to come – it’s free after all.

Christmas Markets

If you are in a Christmas spirit and are visiting Vienna during November and December, make sure to take a look at the Christmas Markets, where you can see a wide variety of ornaments and Christmas tree decorations, handmade by the locals and foreigners alike.

Mozart’s Grave

Located at the St Marx Cemetery, Mozart's Grave is a beautiful place to visit, adorned with a white marble statue and a half-broken column. Often decorated with lush flowers, Mozart's Grave is only one of the many musician's graves, and for Beethoven, Brahms, and Strauss visit the Central Cemetery.

The University of Music and Performing Arts

While not all events presented at the University of Music and Performing Arts are free, many of them are so make sure to stop by and take a look at the calendar, or just search for it online. If you are lucky, you may be able to come and attend some of the concerts and performances at the university.

Vienna Concert Cafes

There are plenty of small-time cafés in Vienna which provide free concerts for their customers, mostly piano and jazz. While visiting such a café and listening to music is free, make sure to order a coffee or a pastry, as otherwise you will be seen as rude and may be asked to leave.

St Michael’s Church

Take a walk to one of the oldest churches in all of Vienna, and one of the few remaining Romanesque buildings in the city. The church is dedicated to the Archangel Michael and is located at Michaelerplatz, near the Hofburg Palace. Make sure to take a look at its gorgeous nave with two aisles, made in ancient Gothic style.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What are the best hotels for Vienna city break?

    Our list of the best hotels in Vienna are: Hotel de France Vienna, Hilton Vienna, Steigenberger Hotel Herrenhof, Le Meridien Vienna and Hilton Vienna Danube Waterfront. Discover the full list of best hotels in Vienna.

  • What are the luxury hotels in Vienna?

    The finest examples of luxury hotels in Vienna include Austria Trend Hotel Savoyen Vienna, Hotel Ananas, Fleming's Selection Hotel Wien-City, Hotel Josefshof am Rathaus, Hotel Erzherzog Rainer, Best Western Plus Amedia Wien and Arthotel ANA Boutique Six. Discover the full list of luxury hotels in Vienna.

  • What are the cheap hotels in Vienna?

    Those trying to visit Vienna on a tight budget will find everything they need in hotels such as Motel One Wien-Hauptbahnhof, Star Inn Hotel Wien Schonbrunn by Comfort, Star Inn Hotel Premium Wien Hauptbahnhof by Quality, Motel One Wien-Prater, Ruby Marie Hotel Vienna, Ibis Wien Mariahilf and Novotel Suites Wien City. Discover the full list of Cheap hotels in Vienna.

  • What is the best period to visit Vienna for a city break?

    Taking factors such as weather, crowds and prices, the best months to visit Vienna for a city break are April, May, August and September.

  • What are top 5 things to see and do in Vienna?

    Vienna offers plenty of exciting attractions and things to do. Must-sees in Vienna include: Schönbrunn Palace Evening, Vienna Mozart Concert at the Musikverein, Kursalon Vienna: Johann Strauss and Mozart Concert, Melk Abbey and Danube Valley Day Trip and Wine Tasting Bike Tour.

  • How much does an Vienna city pass cost?

    A city pass in Vienna costs around €61.

  • How much does public transport in Vienna cost?

    24-hour ticket for public transport in Vienna costs around €9.

  • What are the best night clubs in Vienna?

    The best night clubs in Vienna include: Das Werk, Grelle Forelle, Venster99, Rhiz and DonauTechno.

  • What are the best bars in Vienna?

    Judging on the reviews and customer opinions, the best bars in Vienna are: Kleinod, Loos American Bar, Elektro Gönner, Das Loft Bar & Lounge and Top Kino.

  • What are the best places to eat in Vienna?

    Your choice of the best restaurants in Vienna may vary depending on your taste, however, Pramerl & the Wolf, The Palmenhaus, Neni Am Naschmarkt and Erich are some of the most popular choices.

  • What are the top 5 best restaurants in Vienna?

    Top 5 restaurants in Vienna include: Lugeck, O Boufes, Tian Bistro am Spittelberg, Café Central and Ulrich.