If I was to summarise Vienna in one word, it would be opulent! It is one of the most glamorous and picturesque cities I have had the pleasure of visiting in Europe. During my first afternoon in Vienna I stumbled upon endless designer shops (unfortunately I didn’t have the money to stumble into these shops), magnificent grand historical buildings, delicious (and ultra aesthetic) cakes, and even horses clip-clopping their way around the cobbled streets of the the historical centre, navigated by men in top hats and suits, of course.
Aside from its glamorous exterior, Vienna is famous for its variety of museums, classical music (Mozart,Beethoven, and Johann Strauss II, all resided in Vienna ), parks and is consistently recognised as the most liveable city in the world. It is no wonder that Vienna is one of the best cities in Europe for a city break.
To be honest, I wasn’t sure there would be many cool things to do in Vienna. Deciding to visit here after crumbling up a few pieces of paper with Ryanair destinations into a hat, we were actually disappointed we choose Vienna. Spoiler alert, we were oh so wrong!
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16 Fun Things To Do In Vienna
1. Central Cafe
Cafe Culture in Vienna is a big deal! It dates all the way back to the late 1600’s, after the Turkish Siege when the Ottomans left their delicious coffee beans behind. Since then, Vienna’s coffee houses are part of Viennese culture, once viewed as an extension of the living room, a place to spend hours either socialising, relaxing with a book or hashing out business ideas. You’ll find a wide selection of cafes to visit in Vienna, both new and old.
Cafe Central is one of Vienna’s most historically significant coffee houses, dating back to 1876, it has a long list of famous customers such as Freud, Trotsky, Hitler and Stalin. Interestingly, in January 1913, Josip Broz Tito, Sigmund Freud, and Stalin were all in Vienna and could have very likely crossed paths in Cafe Central, how bizarre is that!
As soon as you step inside you are transported to a bygone era, with marbled floors, high ceilings, and pianist, which all results in an incredible atmosphere. Choose from a large variety of cakes, from Viennese classics like the sachertorte and apple strudel to more contemporary options such as a passion fruit and mango mousse. Eating all these cakes is the perfect rainy day activity in Vienna.
I strongly recommend booking a seat online. When we arrived there was a long queue but, we got to walk to the front and were seated in just a few minutes.
The cafe culture in Vienna is incredible, not only are the cakes basically a work of art, but the coffee is up there with the best in the world. If you are a coffee connoisseur you don’t want to miss Austria’s famous coffees such as the Einspänner, Melange, Franziskaner and Kapuziner. A fun way to be introduced to Austria’s coffee is this Viennese Coffee, Cake, and Chocolate Tour…sounds terrible doesn’t it!
2. Take A Spin On The Oldest Ferris Wheel In Europe
Built in 1897, Wiener Riesenrad is the oldest Ferris Wheel in Europe. Standing at a massive 65 metres, it is made up of spacious standing carriages, there are also some carriages reserved for private dining, which would be a romantic things to do for couples visiting Vienna.
Tickets cost €14 per person, the ride takes about 10 minutes and treats you to beautiful views of the city.
3. Night Full Of Fun At Prater
Without a doubt, one of the most fun places in Vienna is Prater, the oldest amusement park in the world. There are 250 attractions here, from scary rollercoasters, sky high swings and creepy haunted houses to Madame Tussauds and many food stalls, cosy bars and restaurants. It’s best experienced during the night due to the atmosphere, in the day you can explore the large Prater Park.
The park is free to enter but you must pay for each ride, most rides are €5. You will need to pay in cash but you can also purchase a Prater Card for cashless payment.
Prater is open every day of the year, most rides start at 10 am. The high season is 15 March to 31 October where all rides are operating daily, however the low season is 1 November to 14 March, during this time rides are dependent on the weather.Additionally, between mid-November and early January there is a cosy Christmas Market.
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4. Würstelstands
Würstelstand translates to “sausage booth” and you will find them all over Vienna, they are so delicious! At night, these Würstelstands are lively, the counters are surrounded by people socialising with a beer and sausage in hand.
I challenge you to try as many varieties of sausage while in Vienna. You will mostly find the following kinds of sausage at these stands:
- Käsekrainer: My personal favourite, gooey cheese-filled sausages.
- Bratwürst: Shallow fried, lightly spiced and absolutely massive sausages.
- Frankfurter: The classic boiled sausage that we all know and likely associate with a hotdog.
- Currywürst: Usually sliced with curry sauce, delicious snack
Aside from the currywurst, they serve your sausage in a hollowed, crispy baguette with ketchup and mustard. Yum!
There are so many wurstelstands dotted across Vienna, you shouldn’t have trouble finding a good one, but Bitzingers Würstelstand and Würstelstand zum Hohen Markt were our favourites that we kept revisiting.
5. Rollercoaster Restaurant
Looking for something unique to do in Vienna? The Rollercoaster Restaurant offers a quirky dining experience. Located in Prater, this restaurant has a very busy robot who places everyones food on the in-house food rollercoaster. Your order then speeds down the flashing neon-lit rails to your table. Along with being a diligent waiter, the robot also puts on a dance performance every 30 minutes.
The food is classic American, expect to find burger, fries and nachos. Overall the experience is enjoyable, albeit a bit silly, but is a fun thing to do in Vienna for families. It is also a good place to rest and grab a cocktail in Prater.
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6. Schonbrunn Zoo
Schonbrunn Zoo is the world’s oldest working zoo, founded in 1752 as an imperial menagerie, it has come along way since, currently home to over 700 species and one of only 27 zoos where you can see Giant Pandas. It is frequently voted the best zoo in Europe. It is not difficult to understand why, spacious and charming, the zoo kept its vintage architecture, you can really imagine what it was like back in its early years.
Animals to see here are Polar Bears, Orangutans, Elephants and Wolves. The highlight for me was the sloth house, where a small family of sloths freely crawl and climb, you can get very close to them and take some cute photos.
You should allow yourself about 3 hours to explore this zoo. I advise booking the tickets online to skip the lines and directly enter the zoo with a QR code.
7. Sip A Fensterccino
Vienna is a coffee lovers heaven, it is embedded into the culture, there are cafes every couple of steps. One coffee spot we thankfully stumbled on and fell in love with was Fenster, tucked away behind a small window down an unassuming alleyway.
Their speciality is a Fensterccino, a velvety cappuccino served in a waffle cone that is coated in milk chocolate. You might be questioning if the waffle falls apart but it actually stays intact. Not only is it sustainable but once you are finished with the cappuccino you have a tasty chocolaty cone to eat!
Unfortunately, the cafe has increased the price of their iconic Fensterccino to €12, which although I feel is insanely expensive for a coffee I think it is still worth it to taste as a treat and something unique to do in Vienna. They also serve many other creative coffees and cocktails for a more reasonable price.
8. Learn How To Make A Traditional Wiener Schnitzel
Weiner schnitzel means “Viennese cutlet”, it is veal that has been pounded down into a thin slice, breaded and deep fried. Served with a potato salad and lemon wedges, it is tender, juicy, crispy, delicious and a must try when in Vienna!
A fun fact about the wiener schnitzel is that it is legally protected, under the Austrian culinary code it is an offence to serve a Weiner schnitzel that is not veal, if any other meat is used “Weiner” must be dropped from the name.
A few spots I recommend to try weiner schnitzel in are Griechenbeisl, Reinthaler’s Beisl, Wiener Wiazhaus and Gasthaus Reinthaler.
A fun and lifelong souvenir to take home is to learn how to make your own wiener schnitzel. This cooking class is taught by an experienced chef, you can choose to cook veal, chicken or vegetarian. Not only will you be shown how to make a schnitzel but also apple strudel. Such a cool activity to do while in Vienna.
9. Schonbrunn Palace Park
Schonbrunn Gardens is a must-visit attraction in Vienna! At 160 hectares it is absolutely massive! Declared a UNESCO heritage site in 1996, the adjacent Schonbrunn Palace features a total of 1,441 rooms, 40 of which can be visited but the rest are off limits.
Interestingly, Schonbrunn Palace survived a WWII bomb that crashed through the roof and 3 floors, fortunately, it did not detonate.
I spent approximately 3 hours wandering the grounds, the Neptune fountain and gloriette should not be missed. It takes about 20 minutes to reach the gloriette, the climb is short but steep and the views are spectacular.
Entrance to the park is free but if you plan to visit the special attractions such as the maze you will need to pay a fee, also check the opening hours for these attractions before entering as they are different throughout the year.
10. Explore Naschmarkt
Soak up the vibrant atmosphere at Naschmarkt, at 1.5 km long with approximately 120 stalls and restaurants you will be sure to find something of interest. There is food from all over the world including local produce, Mediterranean olives, and baklavas, along with Indian spices and many stalls selling souvenirs and clothing.
Restaurants I recommend are LA BOTTEGA DEL GUSTO for fresh pasta and Zur eisernen Zeit for traditional Austrian food. Chocolate lovers might want to drop by SCHOKO COMPANY where you pick one of their many bars of chocolate and they melt it into a hot chocolate, perfect treat for a cold day in Vienna!
Vienna’s Naschmarkt is situated just a 15-minute walk from the trendy district of Neubau. A fun thing to do in Vienna at night is to have a night out in this area. There are many nice bars and restaurants.
11. Visit Sigmund Freud’s House
Visit the home of Sigmund Freud where he lived and worked for 47 years, it is known as the birthplace of psychoanalysis.
The museum is very interesting, you get insight into Freud’s professional and personal life. Some original furniture and decorations remain but Freud took most of his belongings to London when he fled Austria during WWII.
12. Visit 100 Museums
Ok, so maybe don’t visit them all, but Vienna has over 100 museums, they are known as some of the best in the world. Many of the museums are located in the MuseumsQuartier, which even if you don’t plan to visit a museum, it is worth walking around the area. It might be worth purchasing the Vienna Pass which has an extensive list of museums you can enter using the pass along, and it also gives you complimentary rides on public transportation.
Some museums I recommend to check out are:
- Imperial Carriage Museum: Showcases the glamorous carriages and clothing of the Habsburgs, a family that ruled Austria from 1282 until 1918.
- The Hofburg Complex: With over 700 years worth of history this impressive complex is packed with information about the former Emperor and his wife Sisi.
- Leopold Museum: Houses one of the largest collections of modern Austrian art.
- Museum Of Natural History: Considered one of the most important Natural History museums in the world this large museum hosts over 100,000 objects from human, earth and life sciences.
- Haus des Meeres Aqua Terra Zoo: The former WWII anti-aircraft tower is now a zoo housing 10,000 animals. The museum is 11 floors and you can see fish, sharks, lizards, monkeys and more!
13. Cruise Along The Danube
Discover the 2,000 km Danube River Basin that flows through 19 European countries, with 79 million people calling it home.
It is undoubtedly best explored on a boat with some apple strudel taking in the surrounding sights. I highly recommend this 75-minute cruise. If a cruise isn’t your thing you can also take a nice stroll or cycle along the banks in the city.
14. K-Dog From KOON
Vienna’s first K-Dog! A K-Dog is a Corndog with a Korean twist, it is mouthwateringly good. It consists of a hotdog, deep-fried in crispy batter, drizzled with spicy and cheesy sauce, then served on a stick.
At KOON you choose your fillings (cheese & sausage, sausage or just cheese), crust (plain, potato, ramen or corn) and finally you choose your sauce, I recommend spicy ketchup and cheese. They also have a vegetarian option. If you cannot decide which K-dog you want, you can order a selection boxes of four mini k-dogs.
15. Billabong Pub Quiz
The Billabong is a lively Australian pub that hosts a pub quiz every Monday night from 7 pm costing €2. If you cannot make the Monday night pub quiz I still recommend heading here for food or drink, they serve classic pub food and the atmosphere is brilliant. You also get a free shot if you participate in the quiz!
16. Day Trip
1. Salzburg
- Famous for being the setting for Sound of Music and the birthplace of Mozart. Regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe due to its proximity to the Alps
- You can reach Salzburg in 2.5 hours via train.
- If you do not want the hassle of arranging a train and attractions you can book a guided 13-hour bus tour that will pick you up at your hotel in Vienna. During the journey, you will see the Austrian Alps and stop at Lake Mondsee, Salzburg Old Town, Mirabell Palace and Fortress Hohensalzburg.
2. Hallstatt
- Famous for inspiring Disney’s Frozen, I mean it does look like a fairytale. The Alpine village has a population of under 800 and is home to the oldest working salt mine.
- The easiest way to reach Hallstatt for the day is to join a group tour, this tour is 13 hours with highlights including Hallstatt, Traunkirchen, Skywalk lift and Salzkammergut.
3. Bratislava
- Located under the Little Carpathian Mountains, Bratislava is known for its Castle, Oldtown and St. Martin’s Cathedral.
- Bratislava is just a short 90-minute journey away, making it one of the easiest day trips from Vienna.
- You can also book a guided tour including transport from Vienna, however, due to the short distance it is very easy (and cheaper) to do it on your own!
Where To Stay In Vienna (+ map)
Vienna has 23 districts, for first-time visitors I suggest staying in Innere Stadt, Leopoldstadt, Landstrasse, and Neubau. These areas are all close to major attractions offering a convenient stay, allowing you to walk or take a short tram ride to attractions.
- Innere Stadt – this is the heart of Vienna where most of the attractions are.
- Leopoldstadt – best area for families, it is central and very close to the fun Prater.
- Landstrasse – another central area within walking distance of all the top sights.
- Neubau – a trendy area with excellent nightlife and dining options
Recommended Hotels In Vienna
Budget | Vayalen Boutique Hotel is a stones throw from Prater, located in the central district of Leopoldstadt, you are within walking distance of many attractions. Newly renovated, the rooms are cosy with all the necessities. A small breakfast is also included in the rate.
Midrange | Pension Central is conveniently located in Innere Stadt, on the doorstep of all of Vienna’s museums and attractions. Situated in a historic building, rooms are modern, clean and bright. This hotel is self-checkin but has staff on hand if you need anything. Breakfast is not included but you will be surrounded by fantastic cafes.
Luxury | Hotel Gilbert is located in the trendy Neubau, just a 10 minute walk from many of Vienna’s top attractions. This 4-star boutique hotel offers modern, comfortable, air conditioned rooms equipped with a coffee machine, along with a gym and their award winning in-house restaurant Flora. They serve a superb breakfast which is included in most room rates.
Getting Around Vienna
Getting around Vienna is super easy, the public transport network is well developed with a subway, tram, bus and local train.
Here is some essential information to know to help you get around Vienna.
- Tickets can be purchased from the WienMobil app, ticket machines at subway stations, and from inside streetcars (single tickets only)
- Subway runs from 5am until midnight Sunday to Thursday, and 24 hours Friday and Saturday
- Single tickets are valid for 80 minutes once validated
- You can also buy 24-hour, 48-hour, and 72-hour tickets
- Consider purchasing the VIENNA CARD to which offers 24,48 or 72 hour transport pass along with big discounts on attractions
Vienna FAQ
I think 3 days is enough time to see the main sights in the city of Vienna but increasing to 4 days will allow you to sightsee at a more relaxing pace and get a day trip in.
Vienna is not a cheap destination, I found costs to be equal to my home country Ireland, specifically the capital city Dublin.
A meal in a standard restaurant costs approximately €16 per person, a pint of beer €4.50 , and wurstels are normally €4.50. Transport is affordable at €2.40 per journey but is generally not required as the city is very walkable.
Accommodation can also be pricey with an average hotel or Airbnb stay in the city centre costing €150 – €200 per night. However, don’t be afraid to stay a few km outside the city, like I said transport is fantastic and it could save you a lot of money.
Yes, Vienna is very pedestrian friendly, with wide footpaths and many pedestrian crossings. The city centre is compact, making it easy to walk between attractions.
