Franziskanerplatz in Vienna

What To Do In Vienna: 15 Key Trip Building Blocks

To find out what to do in Vienna within the time frame you have, don’t tick off random ‘must-do’ lists.

Instead, use these 15 key building blocks to gain the big picture first: from classical art and music, coffee and cake, historic palaces, neighborhood walks, hanging out in beautiful locations, to quality gift shopping, great food and wine. If you have been to Wien before or plan an extended stay, check out my insider tips in Vienna Austria: 10 Off Beat Travel Tips.

NOTE: From 3rd November 2020, Austria will enter into a second lockdown until 30th November 2020. Please cross check all events and tips on this site before you attend, thank you.

1. Start With Your Cornerstones

Gloriette at Schonbrunn gardens in ViennaSome independent first-time travellers do visit much the same sites as I do when back in my homecity. Other than Heurigen (wineries), I re-visit places like Schönbrunn Palace, Augarten, and certain rooftop cafés in the city centre.

And I always look for a reason to get into a tramway along Ringstrasse. There are many more sites that I think we both like…go to Vienna Sightseeing to get ideas.

2. Add Particular Attractions

Kaffeesieder Ball in HofburgWhat will you particularly enjoy doing in Vienna, because it is special to this place? Perhaps watching baroque white horses perform 400-year-old horse training traditions and having a ride in the Vienna Ferris Wheel. If you like music and dance you will have an idea what to do in Vienna – like visiting an operetta, and waltzing at a lavish ball. And to celebrate Austrian food, why not cook Wiener Schnitzel and apple strudel in a local Viennese’s home?

Get the full listing of my favourite Vienna Attractions. As a fast track option, get an overview of available sightseeing tickets and passes.

3. How To Pick The Best Museums

Museum of Fine ArtsIncredibly enough, my friend Veronika spends an entire day in ONE Vienna museum. Lock her up there and she won’t even notice. However, you may prefer a little more variety. Instead, carefully select a few of the more than 100 local museums to get a mix of classical and contemporary art, local history, imperial and popular culture, textiles and furniture, and music.

To build some synergies, some of the best museums are housed in splendid palaces. Access my shortlist of the best Vienna Museums.

4. Flesh Out With Self Guided Walks

What do to in Vienna: Spittelberg walkLike any compact, historical and safe city Wien lends itself to walks. Especially the city center – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – is packed with amazing townhouses, palaces, coffeehouses, restaurants and shops. Then there are charming neighbourhoods like Neubau or Josefstadt that one best discovers on foot.

I have collected six of my favourite walks through Wien, including maps, for you to follow my traces: from an Old Vienna Walk, to seeing Art Nouveau, exploring historic courtyards, seeing Vienna by night, and more. Go to Vienna Walks. By the way, the Vienna Municipality provides a great map including several mapped out city walks.

5. Season To Taste: Spring To Autumn Danube Boat Trips

Vienna Danube Cruise ShopThere is an air of excitement whenever I change asphalt for water during a city break. In Vienna and surroundings you can take several boat trips between April and September. You can even visit other European capitals, such as Bratislava and Budapest. Each of these boat trips have a different flair, depending on the surroundings. Read my reviews and find out more about the best local boat trips.

6. Finetune With Classical Concerts

What to do in Vienna: concertSometimes I visit classical concerts and operas in other European cities. I don’t know what it is, but it’s not quite the same. Good concerts in Vienna are performed by top orchestras such as the Wiener Symphoniker or Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, or exquisite chamber music ensembles. They take place in glamorous Old World locations, from baroque churches to traditional concert venues. Find out more about choosing the right Vienna Concerts.

7. Any Music Festivals In Town?

What to do in Vienna: Vienna Symphony Orchestra and Sylvain CambrelingIf you love a particular type of music – whether classical, baroque, jazz, Jewish or contemporary – choose a local music festival. Each year, the ‘city of music’ stages a good dozen festivals that condense different music events into a rich schedule. What I love most about them is the festive spirit of the grand opening events, which are mostly free.

To get an idea of what will be on during your stay, use my Vienna Music Festival Guide, listing my favourite local festivals.

8. A Night At The Vienna Opera House

Vienna State OperaA night at the opera is a classic in my home city. Visit Wiener Staatsoper and you’ll meet everyone: from elegant international travellers on their first time visit to local subscription holders of standing tickets bringing along their Wurstsemmel.

At the Vienna State Opera, performances sell out on average 98 percent. Quite a few people think that the best tickets are the most expensive. They get on ticket waiting lists. And don’t know that the other three opera houses provide great plan B’s. As a native, I’ve been to the various opera houses many times. Let me share a few tips in Vienna Opera House.

9. Where To Fit In Local Shopping?

Rozet and Fischmeister shop in ViennaShopping in Vienna has become a selective art since I visit my hometown only a couple of times per year. I want gifts, something typical that is authentic, traditional fashion and Austrian jewelry, and sometimes international luxury brands. The shops need to be fairly central yet original. Over the years, I have collected my personal ‘best of shopping’ list. It even includes an insider shopping tour. Find out more in Vienna Shopping.

10. Where To Lunch And Dine? Restaurants in Wien

Mezzanin 7: private dining in ViennaGood or bad is not a question of expensive and cheap. You will know that from your own native restaurant scene. The same applies to Vienna restaurants, taverns, snack bars and our popular local sausage stands. In Restaurants in Vienna, you will find various tips and restaurant reviews. I have also included my favourite private dining places. If you need a restaurant booking site, access my independent review of a great local booking tool that provides up to 30 percent discounts.

11. Smart Stopovers: Viennese Coffeehouses

What to do in Vienna: Cafe DiglasNever miss out on visiting an old coffeehouse when in Vienna. It’s the same as not having pizza in Italy.

Our coffeehouse culture is listed as a UNESCO Immaterial Cultural Heritage – though that only partly explains why we love to hang out in cafes over Melange and Torte. The other part is easily explained, with a couple of examples of my favourite Vienna coffeehouses. To help you choose the ideal place for you, see this unique list of best Vienna Coffeehouses to match your personal preferences.

12. Refuel At Iconic Cake shops

What to do in Vienna: Simply Raw BakeryWhile many cafés offer a good choice of cakes, it is the cake shops that provide the icing on your vacation. Konditoreienare as popular as Kaffeehäuser. The difference: People go there to indulge in cakes and chats, less to read the papers or to surf on their smartphones. Unlike coffeehouses, cake shops do not serve lunch or savoury snacks. Find a shortlist and brief reviews in Cake Shops Vienna.

13. Wineries And Wine Tastings

Schreiberhaus winery in ViennaOf course you get home-made local wine at a local winery. Apart from that, have you ever thought of a winery as an alternative to a restaurant? As for myself, I don’t necessarily have wine when lunching or dining at a Heuriger since that typical Austrian food there is reason enough to visit.

The Schnitzel, roast pork, and cold meat and cheese platters along with that unique atmosphere perfectly legitimise a Heurigen visit. Access my top tips, a primer about the Heuriger, and a winery calendar in Vienna Wineries.

14. Sprinkle On Top: Cocktail, American and Jazz Bars

Best Bars in Vienna: Rote BarWhile many travellers skip bars because of an evening concert or to put their feet up, they could easily explore Vienna’s thriving bar scene before dinner. Most of the best cocktail bars, American bars and jazz bars open when museums and attractions close, or even earlier. Although a few bars are non-smoking your best chance for clean air in the other bars is before 8.00 pm. Besides, the modernist, Art Deco and 1930s interiors of some establishments will extend your architectural insights! Find out more in Best Bars in Vienna.

If you or your grown up kids are up for something more crazy, the outer ring road Gürtel and some spots in the center boast a vivid scenery of night clubs, student bars and nighttime cafés. Guest writer Sam, who loves loud clubs and hot dogs, shares his insight in Vienna nightlife.

15. Special Treats: A Local Spa Afternoon

Vienna's Park Hyatt luxury spaSince Austria’s capital celebrates the good life there is nothing wrong with adding extra wellness to your cakes. But where best to have tired legs massaged, backs embalmed, faces rejuvenated, and tummies toned?

I have tested some of the best luxury hotel spas in Vienna, and found brilliant external day spas. Many also include elegant swimming pools for a good dive before or after your sightseeing. Read more in my Vienna Spa Guide.

Vienna Unwrapped logoIf this sounds all overwhelming, I can help plan an amazing itinerary for you that you will love. Find out more in Vienna Travel Planning

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