All citiesVienna Things to do and walking itinerary
Austria Vienna travel guide
33 things to do in Vienna, where to stay, airport transfers, 5 MICHELIN-starred restaurants. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.
Top things to do in Vienna
- Belvedere — building complex that includes two Baroque palaces in Vienna, Austria (visit ≈ 90 min)
- St. Stephen's Cathedral — church in Vienna, Austria (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Vienna State Opera house — opera house in Vienna, Austria (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Hofburg Palace — palace located in Vienna, Austria (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Kunsthistorisches Museum — art museum in Vienna, Austria (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Austrian Parliament Building — Theophil Hansen built this temple-style parliament in 1874-1883, fronted by the Athena fountain. A free visitor centre opened in 2023. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Graben — This broad pedestrian street lies over the Roman camp's moat, with the Plague Column in the middle and historic shopfronts either side. (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Spanish Riding School — In the Hofburg's baroque riding hall of 1735, you can watch white Lipizzaner horses in shows and morning training sessions. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Albertina — art museum in Vienna, Austria (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Natural History Museum, Vienna — natural history museum in Vienna, Austria (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Austrian National Library — largest library in Austria (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Burgtheater — state drama theatre in Vienna, Austria (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Karlskirche — Baroque church in Vienna, Austria (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Academy of Fine Arts Vienna — art school in Vienna, Austria (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Schönbrunn Zoo — zoo in Vienna (visit ≈ 150 min)
- Prater — public park in Vienna (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Votive Church — church in Vienna (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Imperial Crypt — burial place of the House of Habsburg (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Vindobona — former Celtic settlement and Roman military camp on the site of Vienna (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Theater an der Wien — Historic theatre and Opera building in Vienna and Gemeindebau building located on the Left Wienzeile in the Mariahilf district. (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Heeresgeschichtliches Museum — museum for the military History of Austria in Vienna (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Donauturm — Opened in April 1964, the tallest free-standing structure in Austria (visit ≈ 40 min)
- Secession Building — historic exhibition hall in Vienna, Austria (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Reichsbrücke — bridge in Vienna, Austria (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Vienna Volksoper — building in Vienna, Austria (visit ≈ 20 min)
- MAK – Museum of Applied Arts — museum in Vienna, Austria (visit ≈ 120 min)
- MuseumsQuartier — cultural area in Vienna (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Stadttempel — synagogue in Vienna, Austria (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Leopold Museum — museum of modern Austrian art in Vienna, Austria (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Heldenplatz — square in Vienna, Austria (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Karlsplatz — town square in Vienna (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Pestsäule — memorial monument in the city of Vienna, Austria (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Wiener Riesenrad — Ferris wheel in Vienna (visit ≈ 30 min)
2-day Vienna walking itinerary
Starting point: Innere Stadt (1st district). The top 8 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated; distances are estimates with a street allowance.
- Day 1 (≈ 7.0 km · 9,460 steps · 1 h 33 min on the way): St. Stephen's Cathedral → Belvedere → Vienna State Opera house → Kunsthistorisches Museum → Austrian Parliament Building → Hofburg Palace
- Day 2 (≈ 1.3 km · 1,760 steps · 17 min on the way): Spanish Riding School → Graben
Hidden gems and overlooked spots in Vienna
- Schönbrunn Palace — The Habsburgs' summer palace, with grand state rooms, vast Baroque gardens and a walk up to the Gloriette. (visit ≈ 180 min)
- Hundertwasserhaus — A fairy-tale apartment block with wavy floors, bright colours and trees on the façade, seen from outside only. (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Naschmarkt — A long open-air market of spices, cheese and deli stalls, joined by a flea market on Saturdays. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Butterfly House (Schmetterlinghaus) — Hundreds of tropical butterflies flying free in an Art Nouveau glasshouse in the Burggarten. (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Anker Clock — A clock on a bridge between two buildings on Hoher Markt, where historical figures parade past at noon. (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Jesuit Church — Lavish Baroque church with a trompe-l'œil painted dome and twisted columns. (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Seegrotte — An underground lake in a former gypsum mine, toured by boat and one of Europe's largest. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Vienna City Hall — Neo-Gothic city hall whose square hosts an ice rink and Christmas market in winter. (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Sigmund Freud Museum — The flat at Berggasse 19 where the founder of psychoanalysis lived and worked, with his waiting room and belongings. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Haus der Musik — Interactive museum of sound and music where you can try conducting a virtual Vienna Philharmonic. (visit ≈ 90 min)
- St. Peter's Church — Small Baroque church just off the Graben with an oval dome and gilded interior, and frequent free organ recitals. (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Clock Museum — Hundreds of timepieces spanning centuries in an old house near Am Hof. On the hour they all chime together. (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Mozarthaus Vienna — In a lane behind the cathedral, the flat where Mozart lived longest in Vienna and wrote Figaro. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- KunstHausWien — Uneven floors and a colourful facade mark this museum, which Hundertwasser converted from a former Thonet furniture factory in 1991. (visit ≈ 75 min)
- Palace of Justice — Completed in 1881, the supreme court has a grand staircase hall and a top-floor cafeteria, open to visitors, that looks over the Ring. (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Burggarten — Behind the Hofburg, the former imperial garden opened to the public in 1919 and holds the 1896 Mozart monument and the Palmenhaus. (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Kohlmarkt — A narrow street from Michaelerplatz to the Graben, framed by the Hofburg's Michaelertor dome and home to the Demel patisserie. (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Haus des Meeres — An aquarium spread over the floors of a concrete WWII flak tower, with a rooftop terrace looking over the city. (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Gloriette — A colonnade built in 1775 at the top of the Schönbrunn gardens. After the climb, the palace and the city spread out below. (visit ≈ 40 min)
- Stadtpark — Opened in 1862 beside the Ringstrasse, the park holds the gilded statue of Johann Strauss and the stone channel of the Wien river. (visit ≈ 40 min)
Where to stay in Vienna
- Innere Stadt (1st district): St. Stephen's, palaces and cafés on foot, but expensive.
- Neubau / MuseumsQuartier: Young area with museums, design shops and bars.
- Mariahilf / Naschmarkt: Naschmarkt food market and restaurants, near the shopping street.
- Leopoldstadt: Near the Prater, cheaper and local, just one bridge from the centre.
- Hauptbahnhof / Belvedere: Main train station and Belvedere Palace nearby, with modern hotels.
- Landstraße / Wien Mitte: The CAT airport train leaves from here, and the area is quiet and central.
Getting from the airport to Vienna
- Vienna Schwechat (VIE): City Airport Train (CAT) ≈ 16 min or S7 suburban train ≈ 25 min
Getting around
The U-Bahn, tram and bus network is excellent; 24, 48 or 72-hour tickets are handy. The inner city is easy on foot.
Classic places to eat
- Café Central: A historic café under a grand vaulted ceiling, for Melange and apple strudel.
- Café Sacher: Home of the original Sachertorte. Have it with cream.
- Demel: The imperial confectioner, for cakes and hot chocolate.
- Figlmüller: Famous for its plate-sized Wiener Schnitzel.
- Plachutta: Vienna’s classic address for Tafelspitz (boiled beef).
- Café Landtmann: An elegant coffee house opposite the Burgtheater, open since 1873.
- Café Sperl: An authentic coffee house with an 1880s interior.
- Café Hawelka: A small bohemian café serving warm Buchteln buns in the evening.
- Trzesniewski: Tiny open sandwiches. Grab a few and eat standing.
- Bitzinger Würstelstand: A sausage stand by the Albertina. Try a Käsekrainer.
MICHELIN-starred restaurants
Last known stars; check the MICHELIN Guide before you go.
- Amador — 3 MICHELIN stars, Creative
- Steirereck — 2 MICHELIN stars, Modern Austrian
- Mraz & Sohn — 2 MICHELIN stars, Creative
- Konstantin Filippou — 2 MICHELIN stars, Creative
- Silvio Nickol — 2 MICHELIN stars, Creative
Romantic views
- Kahlenberg (Sunset): All of Vienna and the Danube appear above the vineyards.
- Gloriette, Schönbrunn (Sunset): An arched structure atop the palace gardens, facing the city.
- Volksgarten Rose Garden (Afternoon): A garden with hundreds of rose varieties beside the Hofburg.
- Spittelberg (Evening): Cobbled Biedermeier lanes that are very calm in the evening.
Football stadiums in Vienna
- Allianz Stadion: Home of SK Rapid Wien
- Generali Arena: Home of FK Austria Wien
- Datenpol Arena: Home of Admira Wacker
Day trips
- Baden — 25 km from the centre
- Carnuntum — 38 km from the centre
- Bad Vöslau — 29 km from the centre
Good to know before visiting Vienna
- Fine: In Vienna riding without a valid ticket is fined; some paper tickets must be stamped.
- Fine: A vignette is mandatory on motorways and expressways.
- Fine: Nazi symbols and salutes are illegal.
- Fine: Pedestrians crossing on red can be fined.
- Fine: Smoking is banned in restaurants and bars.
- Warning: Don't walk on cycle paths.
- Emergency: 112 (police 133, ambulance 144, fire 122)
- Plugs: C/F, 230V
- Tap water: Tap water comes from Alpine springs and is excellent.
- Tipping: Round up 5–10%, telling the server the total when you pay.
Sources: UK FCDO — Foreign travel advice: Austria, Wikivoyage — Austria, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı — Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only; rules change, check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10
Vienna travel FAQ
- How many days do you need in Vienna?
- The top 8 places in the centre take about 2 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Allow 4 days for the top 20 places within walking distance. Add extra days for day trips (Baden and Carnuntum).
- What are the top things to do in Vienna?
- Highlights: Belvedere, St. Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna State Opera house, Hofburg Palace and Kunsthistorisches Museum. The map has 33 things to do in total.
- Where to stay in Vienna?
- Innere Stadt (1st district): St. Stephen's, palaces and cafés on foot, but expensive. Other options: Neubau / MuseumsQuartier, Mariahilf / Naschmarkt, Leopoldstadt, Hauptbahnhof / Belvedere and Landstraße / Wien Mitte.
- How do you get from the airport to Vienna city centre?
- Vienna Schwechat (VIE): City Airport Train (CAT) ≈ 16 min or S7 suburban train ≈ 25 min
- How do you get around Vienna?
- The U-Bahn, tram and bus network is excellent; 24, 48 or 72-hour tickets are handy. The inner city is easy on foot.
- Which MICHELIN-starred restaurants are in Vienna?
- According to the last known data there are 5 starred restaurants: Amador (3 stars), Steirereck (2 stars), Mraz & Sohn (2 stars), Konstantin Filippou (2 stars), Silvio Nickol (2 stars). Check the MICHELIN Guide before you go.
- What is the emergency number in Vienna?
- Emergency: 112 (police 133, ambulance 144, fire 122).
- Do you tip in Vienna?
- Round up 5–10%, telling the server the total when you pay.
Routes that include Vienna
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