The 10 Must-see things to do in Vienna
Vienna is a city break that really surprised me – it’s jam packed with things to see, do and eat. There seems to be a museum on every corner, and after spending 5 days in the city, I can’t wait to go back again and experience more of what the city has to offer.
Nestled to the east of the Danube, Austria’s capital city has a rich history; being the centre of the artistic and intellectual world as the home of Mozart, Beethoven and Sigmund Freud (to name a few). You can feel the history around you as you step inside historic palaces, restaurants and cafes and everywhere around you has a story to tell.
A city so seeped in history means there is so much to explore, so here are 10 must see things when you’re in Vienna.
Top things to do in Vienna
Visit the museums
With over 100 museums to choose from, there really is something for everyone in Vienna. From history to art to music and more – the range is huge. If you get the Vienna City Card, you can find discounts at most of these as well. Here are just a few I’d recommend;
Johann Strauss – New Dimensions Museum
This was the stand out museum that we visited whilst in Vienna. Telling the story of Johann Strauss over 90 minutes, this is a fully immersive experience. You’re given a headset as you start, and then you set off, with an audio tour soundtracked by Strauss’s music. The last 30 minutes is a wall to floor projection that you sit in, and it is magical.
In all honesty, I wasn’t looking forward to this museum when I saw how long it was going to be, but I was blown away by it. Time disappeared whilst you were there, and it was so enjoyable, and you come away learning so much.
Kunsthistorisches (Art History Museum)
If you love grand buildings as much as the art inside them, this one will stop you in your tracks before you even get through the doors. Housed in a palatial building on Maria-Theresien-Platz, the Kunsthistorisches is one of the most important art museums in the world.
Even if you’re not someone who isn’t into art, it’s worth visiting for the setting alone. The marble staircases, ornate ceilings and domed halls feel like you’re wandering through a palace rather than a museum.
Museum of Natural History Vienna
Directly opposite the Kunsthistorisches, the Natural History Museum is just as grand from the outside, with an almost identical façade. Inside, it’s home to everything from dinosaur skeletons to meteorites.
One of its most famous exhibits is the Venus of Willendorf, a small prehistoric figurine dating back around 29,500 years. It’s surprisingly tiny, but extraordinary to think about just how old it is.
It’s the kind of museum you could easily spend half a day in, especially if you enjoy science, geology or anything slightly prehistoric. The building itself is just as impressive as the collections it houses.
Sigmund Freud Museum
Based in the actual home and surgery of Sigmund Freud, you learn about the psychologist, his research and approach. There’s also a room with home videos, voiced over by his daughter, and a temporary exhibition about the persecution they family, and Austrian Jews, faced around World War 2.
Schönbrunn Palace
Schönbrunn Palace was once the summer residence of the Habsburg rulers, and stepping inside feels like walking straight into imperial Austria. The state rooms are lavish, with gilded details, chandeliers and impossibly high ceilings.
You move through room after room, learning about Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth (Sisi), and what life was like at court. The audio guide brings it all to life, helping you piece together the history behind the opulence.
When we visited, you could find the Christmas markets in the gardens, and they were some of my favourites! The easiest way to get here is to take the metro out – it only takes 10 minutes or so from the centre.
Belvedere Palace
The Belvedere is actually made up of two Baroque palaces – Upper and Lower – connected by beautifully landscaped gardens. Today, the Upper Belvedere houses an impressive art collection, including Austria’s most famous painting, Klimt’s The Kiss.
I’ll be honest, I thought it was a little expensive and most of the art wasn’t really my taste, however seeing The Kiss alone was incredible to see.
Austrian National Library State Hall
The State Hall (Prunksaal) of the Austrian National Library is less of a museum and more of a moment. A vast Baroque library hall lined with dark wooden bookshelves, it houses over 200,000 historic volumes.
The ceiling fresco stretches overhead, with statues and globes dotted throughout the room. It’s the kind of place where you automatically lower your voice, even if no one has asked you to.
It doesn’t take long to walk around, but it’s one of the most beautiful interiors in Vienna. If you love books, history or simply very grand rooms, this one feels quietly unforgettable.
Prater wheel
Vienna’s giant wheel is in the heart of Prater park. Constructed in 1897, it was the tallest ferris wheel from 1920 until 1985. You can still ride on it today, and you can get some stunning views over the city.
I absolutely loved this experience, and there’s a really interesting museum on your way to the wheel. There’s a cheesy photo opp as well, which you have to do (but you don’t have to buy them!), and then you’re on the wheel.
Because we had the Vienna City Cards, you got a slight discount on the
Concert at St Stephen’s Cathedral
St Stephen’s Cathedral is a thing of beauty and it felt very magical to get off the metro at St Stephenplatz, head up the escalator and to be met by its grandness.
An evening concert at St Stephen’s Cathedral is one of those classic Vienna experiences that feels almost too atmospheric to be real. As soon as you step inside, the scale of the Gothic interior sets the tone as you sit and listen to music which often featuring Mozart, Vivaldi or Schubert.
Have coffee and cake at Grand Central Cafe
Grand Central Cafe is one of Vienna’s many historic cafes, and was once the meeting place for intellectuals and artists like Freud and Trotsky.
It’s a magnificent building, and we opted to go there for breakfast. It was a simple looking breakfast of boiled egg, sourdough, croissants and jam but it was delicious. The coffee wasn’t the best (that’s a decaf oat coffee for me, wouldn’t recommend), however the service, setting, and food was brilliant. I eyed up a few of the cakes and would love to go back for cake here!
To save queuing around the block, I’d recommend booking before you go. If you’re wanting a weekend, make sure to book at least one month in advance.
See the free light show
If you head to Vienna’s Museum of Change, you will find a free 30 minute light show projected in the courtyard. With more than 50 projectors, 120 speakers, and fog machines this is a spectacle you need to add to your itinerary.
It runs 24/7, but I’d recommend going after dark to get the full experience.
Have SCHNITZEL at the oldest coffeehouse in Vienna
Now, everyone will tell you Figlmüller for schnitzel however I’d argue that Frauenhuber is the better place to get your schnitzel fix. Located just up the road from St Stephen’s Cathedral, Frauenhuber is one of the oldest coffeehouses in Vienna, and both Mozart and Beethoven used to play here.
We had such a gorgeous meal here (make sure to get the potato salad!!), great service and it was possibly the best meal we had whilst in Vienna!
The Vienna hop on hop off bus
Are these a tourist trap? Potentially. But I love a hop on hop off bus and think they’re a great way to get your bearings and see where the main areas of a city are. I went down with a bad cold whilst we were away, and I enjoyed being able to just hop on and rest/see the sights at the same time as well!
With our Vienna City cards, we actually had the hop on hop off bus as part of it (and free public transport as well!) which made it a no brainer. Especially whilst it was cold and wintery, it was a nice way to see some parts of the city that are further out as well.
Vienna State Opera
One of the most famous opera houses in the world, the Vienna State Opera feels special before you’ve even stepped inside. In the evening, the building glows, and there’s a real sense of occasion as people arrive for the performance.
Inside, it’s red velvet, gold detailing and that soft pre-show buzz. The programme changes frequently, with opera and ballet throughout the season, and standing tickets are released on the day at surprisingly affordable prices.
A word of warning, there are a lot of people outside trying to sell you tickets and these are often at a much higher price, so buy them direct instead!
Have your dinner served to you by train
Hop on over to Naschmarkt and you will find Vytopna – a railway themed restaurant where your drinks and food are all delivered to you by the model railway set that goes around the whole restaurant. If you like trains, burger and beer you will love this place!
Head to Cafe Demel for Kaiserschmarrn
If you search places to go and eat in Vienna, Kaiserschmarrn at Cafe Demel is usually at the top, and for good reason too!
I first had Kaiserschmarrn when I was in Budapest, and I was hooked! Usually there’s a huge queue to get in, however we got lucky going on a Tuesday morning and had no problem getting in. The Kaiserschmarrn were light and fluffy, and the jam was perfectly tart to go with it.
The building itself is stunning as well, and the shop was a feast for the senses as we walked through it on our way to the cafe upstairs.
Vienna is such a brilliant city, and filled with so many things to do. What I loved the most though was how relaxed and safe it felt there. I’d love to come back in summer to see it in the sunshine! If you’re looking for more European travel guides, you can check them out here. And don’t forget to follow me on instagram for daily adventure inspo
