Vienna: Sights, Highlights and Day-Trips

Austria’s beautiful capital city is a real eye-catcher and impresses visitors 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 bygone era. Vienna is a city to fall in love with and offers an impressive variety of attractions.

City Sights

Right Next to the Shopping Mile: St. Stephen’s Cathedral

If you are heading to the capital for a shopping trip, you will come across St. Stephen’s Cathedral in the city centre. The building impresses with its imposing appearance and is an excellent photo opportunity. Be sure to take pictures outside before you step inside to visit the cathedral.

Visits are possible Monday to Saturday between 9:00 and 11:30 and from 13:00 to 16:30. On Sundays, the cathedral is open only from 13:00 to 16:30. As a special highlight, we recommend climbing the steps of the South Tower and enjoying 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. At 72 metres high, it impresses with monumental architecture reminiscent of a Greek temple. Particularly striking are the two triumphal columns, modelled on Trajan’s Column in Rome. The dome completes the overall look and draws visitors’ attention.

A special feature: if you would like to visit Karlskirche, you can use a glass lift that takes you 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 Palace

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

• Sisi Museum
• Spanish Riding School
• Former Emperor’s apartments
• Imperial Treasury
• Silver Collection
• Hofburg Chapel
• Austrian National Library

In particular, you should not miss the Imperial Treasury with its impressive exhibits during 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 is subject to a fee here as well.

For Sisi enthusiasts, the Sisi Museum is a special highlight. There you have the opportunity to view personal belongings of the Empress across 24 rooms. Admission to the museum is also subject to a fee.

National Library

If you are already at the Hofburg, a detour to the Austrian National Library is well worth it. The State Hall impresses with a length of 80 metres and a height of 20 metres. Upon entering, you quickly get the feeling 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 an admission fee.

Schönbrunn Palace

In addition to the Hofburg, Schönbrunn Palace was also an important place for Empress Elisabeth and Emperor Franz Joseph. For this reason, Sisi fans should not miss this impressive landmark. Visit Schönbrunn Palace and be amazed by its beauty. It is one of Vienna’s most visited attractions for good reason. You do not need a ticket to view the palace from the outside. However, if you want to explore the entire grounds, including the Crown Prince Garden and the Maze, an entrance fee applies.

Vienna State Opera

The Vienna State Opera captivates visitors even from the outside and is considered an architectural masterpiece. The ornate archways, opulent figures and the light green roof create a striking accent. The Vienna State Opera is among the best-known opera houses in the world. If you are interested, it is worth not only admiring the building from the outside but also experiencing a performance.

Natural History Museum

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

The museum brings together a variety of exhibition areas. Visit, for example, the dinosaur hall with a model of an Allosaurus or the world’s largest meteorite exhibition. Also worth seeing are the nearly 30,000-year-old “Venus of Willendorf” and the digital planetarium, where you can get closer to the fascination of 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 would like to discover Vienna’s creative core, the MuseumsQuartier is an excellent address. It is considered an important meeting place for art and culture and presents modern and contemporary art. You can also take a short break from sightseeing on the lounge sofas in Courtyard 1. Particularly worth seeing are, among others:

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

Belvedere Palace

Belvedere Palace is not only a true eye-catcher from the outside, but also renowned for its impressive art collection. You can enjoy the grounds even without a ticket: a walk with views of the architecture and through the Baroque garden is well worth it.

Hundertwasser House

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

A special feature: residents are allowed to help shape the colourful facade, influencing the appearance of the Hundertwasser House. Directly opposite, a few years later, Hundertwasser designed a passage with shops and shared community 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 culinary highlights, a visit to Vienna’s Naschmarkt is highly recommended. There, you can choose from numerous stalls and restaurants. From Viennese specialities to Oriental dishes, the selection is diverse. The Naschmarkt is open Monday to Saturday.

Prater

The Vienna Prater is one of the most popular excursion destinations and offers a wide range of rides and attractions. The most famous is the Giant Ferris Wheel, which has delighted visitors with beautiful views over Vienna since 1897. 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 tasting an authentic Wiener Schnitzel. We particularly recommend the Meissl & Schadn restaurant. This traditional establishment is well known for its schnitzels. Prices are higher, but the experience is usually worth it. Remember to book in advance, as the restaurant often sells out early.

Things to See Nearby

Day Trip to Salzburg

Austria has much more to offer than Vienna. Not far away lies the charming city of Salzburg. There, you can also 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 would like to explore nature in addition to cities, the Danube Floodplains National Park is a highly recommended option. It can be reached by car in about 40 minutes from Vienna and can also be visited using public transport. In the national park, you can observe many animal species and discover more than 100 bird species such as the white-tailed eagle or the kingfisher. There is also the opportunity to join boat trips or explore the landscape by canoe.

Best Time to Visit

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

The DMC Team Wishes You a Pleasant Trip

We wish you a pleasant trip to Austria and lots of enjoyment on your exploration tour of Vienna. Please make sure to inform yourself in advance about toll regulations in Austria. You can find more information about tolls in our guide. Feel free to use our route planner to plan your journey more easily and to see suitable toll products. If you have any questions, we are happy to help. Contact us at any time via email.