Things To Do In Vienna July 2023 – Where To Go Now

What are the best things to do in Vienna in July 2023? As Austria along with other European countries gradually reintroduces normality, outdoor festivals and music events will win the day. Other than that, consider venturing out to the countryside in Wachau Valley with a small group, for wine tasting and sightseeing.

1.Open Air Fun At Food and Music Film Festival at Rathaus Platz

Things to do in Vienna July 2023. For two months every year, the annual Filmfestival on Rathausplatz transforms the large square in front of the City Hall (Rathaus) into a vibrant party space. Between Vienna sausages, Wiener Schnitzel, sweet dumplings and international street food you can watch and listen to an equally rich choice of music. From around 9.15-9.30 pm, the large screen in front of City Hall shows famous operas, musicals, classical concerts, jazz, rock and pop. On Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays 5 pm to 7 pm a live DJ blows lounge tunes past the local after work crowd. And each Sunday, live jazz bands celebrate the Viennese’s love for weekend brunches.

My tip: Try the freshly prepared Viennese Kaiserschmarrn – warm fluffy thick pancakes in big chunks served with plum compote and caster sugar – prepared in a large iron pan.
Dates: 1st July to 3rd September 2023
Location: Vienna City Hall; entrance of open air cinema via Lichtenfelsgasse;
Admission: free

2. Experience A Classical Concert

Things to do in Vienna July 2023. While classical concert venues are largely closed during the summer, popular tourist venues such as Hofburg Imperial Palace host regular Mozart and Strauss concerts. Special tip: the fabulous classical music events at St. Peter’s church. For Mozart fans: the violin and piano sonatas there in the early evening. At landmark St. Stephen’s Cathedral Vivaldi’s Four Seasons celebrate hot summer Fridays, and some Saturdays . On Thursdays and Fridays, the Four Seasons will sweep across the baroque nave of church St. Charles Borromeo, starting from 2nd July 2023.

3. Attend An Open Air Opera

Things to do in Vienna July 2023. Where to see an opera performance in July, when Vienna’s traditional opera houses take a summer break? Each summer, the vibrant tunes, grand voices and colorful costumes of Oper Klosterneuburg turn the baroque Imperial Courtyard of Klosterneuburg Abbey into an al fresco opera stage. As you would expect, romantic/bitter sweet to comical opera dominates the local summer nights, such as Verdi’s Don Carlo this season. If it rains the performances take place in the equally stunning historical Babenberg Hall nearby.

Dates: 8th July 2023 (premiere); 11th, 14th, 16th, 19th, 21st, 25th, 27th, 29th July 2023; 1st and 4th August 2023
Time: 8.00 pm
Location: Klosterneuburg Abbey (5 km from Vienna’s borders);

4. Discover the Charms of Summerstage

Things to do in Vienna July 2023. Not just the Vienna Danube – in certain parts – has its charms. In fact, sipping a glass of wine at Danube Canal’s Summerstage lets you discover a real neighborhood favorite. When I lived in Vienna it was my summer garden. From the seven restaurants there, the Wiener Weinpavillon wine bar is my favourite. It serves local Viennese wines (yes, we do grow them in the outskirts) and Austrian food. If you are with friends, create your own little degustation menu from the small cold and warm dishes on the menu.
Dates: red May to mid September 2023
Timing: Monday to Saturday 5.00 pm to 1.00 am; Sunday 3.00 pm to 1.00 am
Location: Rossauer Lände, 1090 Vienna

Admission: buy tickets

5. Learn About Nazi Restitution in Vienna

Not least since the blockbuster movie The Woman In Gold the restitution of artworks looted by the Nazis in Austria has moved into the spotlight. For the first time, this topic becomes the center of a museum exhibition: Between April and November 2023, the Museum of Folk and Folk Art (Volkskundemuseum Wien) will present the complexities of Nazi provenance research and restitution in Austria. As a prime example, the museum will showcase the extensive Mautner collection, which it had returned to its legal owners.

By visiting the general exhibition at the Volkskundemuseum, you will gain a deeper understanding of Austria’s history and how its cultural identity has evolved over time. The museum’s exhibits span centuries, highlighting the continuity and changes in folk traditions and practices. It allows you to explore the connections between the past and the present, providing a historical context to contemporary Austrian culture.

Dates: 22 April to 26 November 2023
Opening Hours: daily 10.00 am to 5.00 pm
Location: Volkskundemuseum Wien, Laudongasse 15-19, 1080 Vienna

6. Go City Sightseeing by Bike

Things to do in Vienna July 2023. The moment I started to pedal off on my city tour bike one hot July afternoon I knew it was the right thing to do. Catching a cool breeze during summer sightseeing was so pleasurable! Besides, we saw much more than during a walk and worked off all that patisseries and coffeehouses had to offer…

To find out more about the whole experience and whether you can still jump onto the saddle, click on my story about the city bike tour.

7. Embark On A Small Group Wine Tasting Tour To Wachau Valley

Things to do in Vienna July 2023. July and August are also good months to bike out to the Austrian country side. This one day wine tasting bike tour is one of the most popular in and around Vienna. It is fairly easy going: You will cycle along the mostly flat Danube bike path to UNESCO World Heritage Site Wachau Valley. The group makes regular stops at small wineries to taste wine, apricot liqueur and jam, and other local produce. Read more in small-group wine tasting tour

8. Light Festival On The Old Danube

Things to do in Vienna July 2023. Each year the tranquil Old Danube switches on sound and light during its Lichterfest. Dozens of decorated and illuminated boats float to Radio Wien’s popular tunes through the evening. This is a perfect opportunity to experience Vienna’s recreation paradise. At around 10.00 pm fireworks will light up the night sky. Rent a boat (best one of these amazing sofa boats) and watch the show from the water while you dine. Alternatively, glide amidst the fireworks on a stand up paddling tour.

Location: Old Danube
Date: 22nd July 2023 (in case of bad weathe: 29th July 2023)
Time: 7.00 pm to 11.00 pm

9. Explore The Danube Flood Plains By Boat

Things to do in Vienna July 2023. To capture the most savage authentic stretch of the Danube, go where the cruise ships can’t. In the summer, you can take the small National Park boat from the city to the Danube National Park of Lobau. It’s so close to Vienna, yet it’s as if you are in a wetlands jungle. From the National Park Centre you can take short and long hiking and biking tours, or go deeper into the Danube’s side arms by canoo.
Dates: 2nd May to 26th October; 9.00am (return arrival at 1.30 pm)
Location: Danube Canal at Salztorbrücke/Franz-Josefs-Kai
Price: EUR 12 (adults) EUR 6 (children 6-15 years); you need to book in advance; nh@ma49.wien.gv.at;

Check things to do during other months: