Vienna: Highlights and excursion tips

The beautiful capital of Austria is a real eye-catcher and impresses with architectural masterpieces. Explore this special city and visit the nearby palaces. Learn more about Empress Elisabeth of Austria, better known as Sisi, and immerse yourself in a long bygone era. Vienna is a city to fall in love with and offers you an impressive variety of sights.

Sights in the city

Right next to the shopping street: St. Stephen’s Cathedral

If you head to the capital for a shopping trip, you will come across St. Stephen’s Cathedral in the city center. The building impresses with its imposing appearance and is perfect for photos. So don’t forget to take pictures in front of the building before exploring the cathedral from the inside.

Visits are possible from Monday to Saturday between 9:00 and 11:30 a.m. and from 1:00 to 4:30 p.m. On Sundays, the cathedral is only open between 1:00 and 4:30 p.m. As a special highlight, it is recommended to climb the steps of the South Tower and enjoy the unique view over Vienna.

Karlskirche (St. Charles Church)

Karlskirche has a remarkable history. It was built in connection with the plague, construction began in 1723 and it was completed in 1739. With a height of 72 meters, it impresses with its monumental architecture reminiscent of a Greek temple. Particularly striking are the two triumphal columns modeled on Trajan’s Column in Rome. The dome completes the overall impression and draws the attention of visitors.

A special feature: If you would like to visit Karlskirche, you can take a glass elevator up. There you have the opportunity to view the frescoes by painter Johann Michael Rottmayr up close. Please note that admission is subject to a fee.

Hofburg Vienna

The Hofburg Vienna is best known as the former residence of Empress Elisabeth and is a particular highlight for many Sisi enthusiasts. However, it is also recommended for anyone interested in Austrian history or who simply wants to admire the impressive building from the outside. Among other things, the Hofburg houses a museum where you can visit historic living quarters. In addition, the Hofburg offers many other attractions:

• Sisi Museum
• Spanish Riding School
• Rooms of the former emperor
• Imperial Treasury
• Silver Collection
• Court Music Chapel
• Austrian National Library

Especially the Treasury with its impressive exhibits should not be missed on your tour. There you can admire valuable relics such as the two imperial crowns or the treasure of the Order of the Golden Fleece. Please note that admission here is also subject to a fee.

For Sisi fans, the Sisi Museum is considered a particular highlight. There you have the opportunity to see personal items belonging to the empress in 24 rooms. Admission to the museum is also subject to a fee.

National Library

If you are already at the Hofburg, it is worth making a detour to the Austrian National Library. The State Hall impresses with a length of 80 meters and a height of 20 meters. As soon as you enter, you quickly get the impression of stepping into another world. The dome is artistically designed, and the frescoes are a real eye-catcher. The National Library is open from Tuesday to Sunday and is also subject to a fee.

Schönbrunn Palace

In addition to the Hofburg, Schönbrunn Palace was also an important place for Empress Elisabeth and Emperor Franz Joseph. That’s why Sisi fans should not miss this impressive landmark. Visit Schönbrunn Palace and be amazed by its beauty. It’s no coincidence that it is one of Vienna’s most visited sights. You don’t need a ticket to view it from the outside. However, if you want to explore the entire grounds, including the Crown Prince Garden and the Maze, an admission fee applies.

Vienna State Opera

The Vienna State Opera already captivates from the outside and is considered an architectural masterpiece. The stucco-decorated arches, opulent figures, and the light green roof in particular create a striking accent. The Vienna State Opera is one of the most famous opera houses in the world. If you are interested, it is worth not only viewing the building from the outside, but also enjoying a performance.

Natural History Museum

The Natural History Museum houses an extraordinary collection: The impressive building holds around 30 million exhibits. It was built on the orders of Emperor Franz Joseph I.

The museum combines various exhibition areas. For example, visit the dinosaur hall with the model of an Allosaurus, or the world’s largest meteorite exhibition. Also well worth seeing are the nearly 30,000-year-old “Venus of Willendorf” and the digital planetarium, where you can get closer to outer space. The museum is open daily (except Tuesdays). Please note that admission is subject to a fee.

MuseumsQuartier

If you are interested in art and want to get to know Vienna’s creative core, the MuseumsQuartier is an excellent address. It is considered an important meeting place for art and the scene and showcases modern and contemporary art. You can also take a short break from sightseeing on the sofa loungers in Courtyard 1. Particularly worth seeing are, among others:

• Architecture Center Vienna
• Kunsthalle Wien
• Leopold Museum
• mumok (Museum of Modern Art)

Belvedere Palace

Belvedere Palace is not only a real eye-catcher from the outside, but is also known for its impressive art collection. You can enjoy the area even without a ticket: A walk with views of the architecture and through the Baroque gardens is definitely worthwhile.

Hundertwasser House

In addition to the representative buildings that convey Vienna’s imperial flair, the Hundertwasser House provides a deliberate contrast. It was built between 1983 and 1985 and designed by artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser.

A special feature: Residents are allowed to help shape the colorful façade and thus influence the appearance of the Hundertwasser House. Directly opposite, a passage designed by Hundertwasser was built a few years later, featuring shops and communal areas. Please note that the Hundertwasser House can only be viewed from the outside.

Cultural highlights

Vienna Naschmarkt

If you want to discover not only sights but also enjoy culinary delights, a visit to the Vienna Naschmarkt is recommended. There you can choose from numerous stalls and restaurants. From Viennese specialties to oriental dishes, the selection is diverse. The Naschmarkt is open Monday through Saturday.

Prater

The Vienna Prater is one of the most popular excursion destinations and offers a wide selection of rides. Particularly famous is the Giant Ferris Wheel, which has been delighting visitors since 1897 with a beautiful view over Vienna. Admission to the Prater is free, but individual attractions are subject to a fee.

Our insider tip for the best Wiener Schnitzel

A visit to Vienna also includes trying a genuine Wiener Schnitzel. We especially recommend the Meissl & Schadn restaurant. This traditional establishment is known for its schnitzels. While prices are higher, the culinary experience is usually worth it. Remember to reserve in advance, as the restaurant is often fully booked early.

Worth seeing nearby

Day trip to Salzburg

Austria has much more to offer than Vienna. Not far away is the charming city of Salzburg. There, too, you can discover many traces of past eras and learn more about the history of the prince-archbishops. Visit Hohensalzburg Fortress or Mirabell Palace. You can find more information about Salzburg in our guide.

Danube Floodplains National Park

If you want to explore nature in addition to the cities, the Danube Floodplains National Park is a recommended option. It can be reached by car in about 40 minutes from Vienna and can also be visited by public transport. In the national park you can observe numerous animal species and discover over 100 bird species such as white-tailed eagles or kingfishers. There is also the option of taking boat trips or exploring the landscape by canoe.

Best time to travel

If you want to experience Vienna in the best weather and are also interested in the surrounding nature, the peak season between June and August is ideal. However, Vienna can also be enjoyed with spring-like temperatures between March and May. Especially for popular attractions such as the palaces or the Hofburg, the off-season can be advantageous. It is recommended to purchase tickets for desired sights before your trip.

The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey

We wish you a pleasant trip to Austria and lots of fun on your sightseeing tour in Vienna. Please inform yourself in advance about the toll regulations in Austria. You can find more information about the toll in our guide. You are also welcome to use our route planner to plan your trip better and have suitable toll products displayed. If you have any questions, we are happy to help. Contact us anytime by email.