Home to Mozart and Beethoven, the seat of the Habsburg dynasty, and one of the world’s best museum cities, Vienna has more than enough to lure travelers.
Thanks to Europe’s extensive rail network, it’s also only a short train ride away from the rest of central Europe’s capitals, like Prague, Bratislava, and Budapest (the latter two can also be seen along with Vienna on a Danube River cruise).
Image Credit: Getty Images, dermot68. Image Location: Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna
What are the top things to do in Vienna?
Whether it is the focus of your trip, or a stop along a central European odyssey, these are the experiences that no traveler to Vienna should miss.
Witness the splendor of the Austro-Hungarian empire
Visit the Hofburg, Schönbrunn and Belvedere palaces: Vienna was the seat of the royal house of Habsburg for half a millennium, and they built a bevy of palaces to make sure you wouldn’t forget it. Schönbrunn Palace is where Mozart played some of his first shows, while the Belvedere hosts incredible artwork, such as that of Gustav Klimt, one of Austria’s most famous artists.
Take in some of Europe’s greatest artwork
See the new and old at the Kunsthistorisches Museum, and explore Vienna’s aptly-named “MuseumsQuartier” – the 90,000 square-meter quarter, known locally as the MQ – which was built out of the city’s old court stables and includes several modern art museums, including the Leopold Museum and Mumok.
Catch a show at the Vienna State Opera
It may not have been around in Mozart or Beethoven’s day, but the 19th-century theater continues their tradition and has maintained Vienna's reputation as Europe’s capital of classical music.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Vladislav Zolotov. Image Location: St Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna
Marvel at St. Stephen's Cathedral
Largely finished in the 14th-century, the cathedral is one of Europe’s best examples of Romanesque and Gothic architecture.
End it off with something sweet...
…namely Vienna’s signature Sachertorte, a decadently layered cake mixed with the flavors of chocolate and apricot. We recommend enjoying one at the beautiful Café Central, right in Vienna’s old town.
How much time is enough in Vienna?
We recommend three to four days to get through Vienna’s essentials without feeling too rushed, but for those who caught the Viennese bug, there are no shortage of attractions to keep you longer.
Sachertorte. Image Credit: Getty Images, serts
For those staying a little longer
Classical music lovers can’t miss Mozarthaus, a museum to the musical genius set in his old apartment complex.
Foodies should hit the Naschmarkt, an outdoor bazaar with over 120 stalls hawking Austria’s local delicacies. On Saturdays, it turns into an antique market and flea market.
Have a beer at a Vienna staple. Be they Germans, Austrians, Czechs, Slovaks or Hungarians, there’s no one on earth that loves a good beer more than a Central European. With its forty-page drinks menu, Mel’s Diner can satisfy any taste or preference.
Take a ride on the Riesenrad, Vienna’s century-old Ferris wheel. Located at the Prater amusement park – which is a great stop for both the young and young at heart – the Ferris wheel takes riders 200ft into the air for unparalleled views of Vienna’s cityscape.
How to get around Vienna
Vienna has four forms of public transit: subways, above-ground local trains, trams, and buses. All four are run by the same transportation authority and can be accessed with a Vienna City Card, which also offers discounts at several museums and attractions.
When is the best time to go to Vienna?
Vienna is one of those cities that won’t disappoint all year round, but visitors will be most comfortable in the spring and fall when the weather is temperate and the prices reasonable. During the summer and Christmas season, costs tend to skyrocket.
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Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Manchan. Image Location: Belvedere Palace, Vienna