Travel Tips Vienna – In the ten years I’ve been visiting this city, I’ve watched Vienna transform from a gritty capital city to a cool, hip, foodie, and artistic paradise. (Well, it’s always been an artist’s paradise and maybe the “hard capital” was the first sign I was wrong.)
Since my first visit, I have come to appreciate the city and all it has to offer. Vienna has countless museums, palaces, markets, restaurants, quirky art exhibits, delicious food halls, neighbors a wonderful wine region, and is a quick train trip to Bratislava.
Travel Tips Vienna
There is so much to do in Vienna and you could easily spend weeks trying to see it all. In fact, there is so much to do here that I advise you to spend an extra day here. If you think three days is enough, use four. If you’re here for four, spend five.
Where To Stay In Vienna
No matter how you plan to be in the city, the Vienna travel guide can help you plan the perfect trip – and save money along the way!
The Belvedere is home to an amazing art collection including works by Renoir, Monet, and Van Gogh, among others. It also has a great picture collection. The Palace has a permanent collection in the Upper Belvedere while important exhibitions take place in the Lower Belvedere (contemporary art is in Belvedere 21, which is nearby). The free grounds feature beautiful fountains, gravel roads, ponds, sculptures, plants, and flowers. Admission is 16 EUR and guided tours can be booked in advance for a flat rate of 90 EUR for 20 people. Belvedere 21 is closed on Mondays but is open late on Thursdays.
This 1,441-room palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and began as a hunting lodge before becoming the summer residence of the Habsburgs, one of the most famous dynasties in European history, during the 1700s. It is now one of Vienna’s top attractions. The interior is exquisitely decorated with paintings, woodwork, chandeliers, and elaborate decorations. You can explore 22 rooms with the Imperial Tour (18 EUR) or 40 rooms with the Grand Tour (22 EUR). You can easily fill an entire day here.
One of the largest palaces in the world, the Hofburg is the official residence of the Austrian president. Previously, it was the main palace of the Habsburg royal family for more than 7 centuries. There are several exhibits here, including the Sisi exhibit (which depicts the life of Empress Elisabeth) and the royal apartments themselves. The famous Vienna Boys Choir performs in the High Mass in the Gothic Imperial Chapel every Sunday. The Sisi costs 16 EUR and includes admission to the Sisi Museum, the Imperial Apartments, and the Imperial Silver Collection. Free audio guides & printed descriptions are available.
Vienna, Austria: 14 Tips For Your First Visit
Although Mozart lived at a handful of different addresses in Vienna, this is the only apartment that survives. He lived here from 1784-1787. Spread over 3 floors, you can learn about his life, family, music, friends, and listen to his work. The exhibition on the first floor, consisting of four large rooms, two small rooms and a kitchen, is where Mozart and his family actually lived although you have to use your imagination because there is not much of the original furniture. and we don’t know much about it. how the rooms look or what they are used for. Various pictures, jewelry, letters, and memorabilia from his life as well. Admission is 12 EUR.
Take a wine bike tour of the nearby stunning Wachau Valley. Vienna Explorer offers a full-day tour (11 hours) that includes some tours, and two wine tastings (with multiple samples in each tasting) for 129 EUR. Pedal Power also offers a four-hour e-bike wine tour for 74 EUR. I always include a wine tour when I travel to Vienna and it’s the first thing people remember. Don’t ignore it!
The Stephansdom is a 12th-century Romanesque and Gothic cathedral in Vienna, noted for its colorful roof. The cathedral has been destroyed and rebuilt over the years, with the current version of the cathedral founded by Duke Rudolf IV (1339–1365). Its most recent reconstruction took place shortly after World War II. You can take a tour of the cathedral, the catacombs, and climb the north and south towers (which provide the best views of the city). Admission is 20 EUR, guided tours are 3.50 EUR and audio guides are 6 EUR. Catacomb tours are 6 EUR and going up the towers costs 5.50 EUR for the South Tower and 6 EUR for the North Tower.
This is Vienna’s largest food market. It has been operating for hundreds of years and has more than 100 stores including many international restaurants, shops, and restaurants. It’s a little touristy (don’t go grocery shopping here) but it has a cool feel and, on a hot sunny day, it’s nice to sit with food and a glass of wine. Despite its popularity, there are still many areas here. Be sure to hit Umarfisch for seafood and wine. On Saturdays, there is a flea market here too.
Tourist Attractions In Vienna: Best Sights And Our Local Tips
Once a government stable, the Museumsquartier is home to all kinds of art and cultural institutions and events. Three museums worth checking out at the MQ are the Leopold Museum for Art Nouveau and Expressionism; Kunsthalle Wien, an exhibition center with rotating exhibitions; and the Museum of Modern Art, which has the largest collection of modern art in central Europe. A ticket to all three museums costs 27.50 EUR. The Museumsquartier is also home to a number of festivals throughout the year (including outdoor concerts and a fashion week). Various tours are run on some Saturdays including a backstage tour offering the opportunity to see behind the studio doors of visiting artists.
This is a small but fascinating museum that features four floors of exhibits on some of the world’s most famous Austrian composers, including Mozart, Schubert, Strauss, and Schoenberg. You can see scripts and artifacts, and there’s also a virtual stage where you can make your own. It’s fun, interactive, and educational. Admission is 16 EUR.
Austria has contributed its fair share of composers to the world, so it’s no surprise that you can find many opportunities to indulge in the classics here. Just going to one of the many theaters and concert halls in Vienna is an experience in and of itself as the buildings are historic and beautifully decorated. If you’ve ever thought of taking in an opera, symphony, or ballet (the Vienna State Ballet is one of the best in the world), this is the place to do it. Prices vary depending on the activity but expect to pay at least 40 EUR for standard tickets. For the opera, I recommend buying last minute standing room tickets for 4-18 EUR on a show day. 435 tickets usually go on sale 80 minutes before the show (you can line up earlier than that, but they don’t go on sale until right before the show). It’s first come, first served and you can buy a ticket per person but it’s the cheapest way to see a performance!
This is the largest art museum in the country, with works from ancient Egypt and Greece up to the 18th century. There are over 700,000 items in the collection so it’s worth taking the time to explore (especially if you’re a history buff like me). Opened in 1891, the main collection belonged to the Habsburgs, which included tons of paintings and armor. Admission is 18 EUR.
Cheap Things To Do In Vienna: Budget Friendly Or Free Things You Can’t Miss!
For centuries, Vienna was home to a large Jewish population. Then there were the Nazis. This city area has two important museums: the Vienna Jewish Museum, which explains the role that Viennese Jews played in the development of city life; and Mary’s Synagogue (Misrachi-Haus), which shows the history of Jewish life in Vienna. Admission is 12 EUR and includes entry to both sites within four days of publication. Also nearby is the Holocaust Memorial, designed by British artist Rachel Whiteread.
This historic loop is overflowing with beautiful architecture. It is here that you can see the Parliament, the Hall, both the Museum of Fine Art and the National History Museum, and the State Opera. It’s a relaxing (and free) way to spend some time exploring the city and admiring its history.
Sigmund Freud, the famous founder of psychoanalysis, lived in the house-turned-museum from 1891-1938. The museum was opened in 1971 with the help of Anna Freud (his youngest daughter) and is home to original artifacts, Freud’s private collection of antiquities, and the first editions of his works. There are also films from his private life. It is small and takes about an hour to visit. Admission is 14 EUR.
The Albertina is one of the best museums in the city (which is saying a lot because this is a city of museums). It is located in one of the private residential wings of the Imperial Palace. It is most famous for its print collection, which has over one million prints and