Your guide to Vienna
Vienna highlights
City of Music
Musicians have been drawn to Vienna for hundreds of years. Vivaldi, Schubert and Mozart all lived here at some point. Discover more about this musical legacy by visiting the House of Music on your city break to Vienna. Classical music concerts can be found everywhere in the city, but there are also jazz clubs and indie music at venues like Flex.
Fresh air
Vienna is known for its air quality, and the many parks and gardens will help you appreciate clean living in the city. Stadtpark, Volksgarten and Augarten are all favourites for picnics and walks. But if you have to choose one park to visit, make it Buggarten. The winding paths and the butterfly house bring a little bit of magic to a trip to Vienna.
Viennese coffee culture
Coffee drinking is a way of life in Vienna. It is said that in the 1600s, the Austrians drove off invaders who left behind bags of coffee beans in the chaos. Coffeehouses popped up across the city and so began Vienna’s relationship with the brew. UNESCO even recognises the city’s love of coffeehouses as ‘intangible cultural heritage’.
Vienna: Know before you go
| Language | German |
|---|---|
| Currency | Euro (€) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) and UTC+2 (CEST) |
| High season | July - August |
| Low season | January - February |
Find the best time to go to Vienna
Weather in Vienna
April – May: Pack layers for spring’s chilly temperatures and gusty winds. Despite the changeable weather, it’s a great time to see the Volksgarten’s colourful flowers in bloom.
June – August: Take advantage of summer’s warm weather to stroll the Vienna Woods and the Danube River paths. This is Vienna’s rainiest season, so don’t forget your umbrella.
September – October: Look forward to mild temperatures and sunny days in early autumn. Don’t miss the foliage in Prater park and Schönbrunn Palace Park.
November – March: Temperatures can dip below freezing and snow is a possibility. Enjoy the warm glow of the city’s Christmas markets around the festive season.
Events in Vienna
Wiener Festwochen (May to June): Founded in 1951, the Vienna Festival showcases theatre, opera and dance performances from around the world.
Vienna Jazz Festival (June to July): Also known as Jazz Fest Wien, this international festival features headlining acts and regional talent in jazz, soul, funk, pop and blues.
Viennale (October): Held annually since 1961, the Vienna International Film Festival hosts screenings of new Austrian and international films at cinemas across the city.
Christmas markets (November to December): Vienna celebrates the festive season with Christmas markets selling traditional gifts and seasonal treats like ‘glühwein’ (mulled wine). The Christmas market at Rathausplatz is one of the city’s best.
The best neighbourhoods in Vienna
Neubau
Neubau is where to stay if you want to stroll to vintage shops, organic bakeries and record stores. Mariahilfer Strasse, Vienna’s main shopping street, is a few blocks away. There you’ll find restaurants serving Indian, Italian, Turkish and Asian cuisine. But the highlight is the MuseumsQuartier, home to the Leopold Museum, MUMOK and a cafe-lined square that’s perfect for people-watching.
Good for: Museums, shopping, international restaurants
Landstrasse
Landstrasse is one of the best areas to stay in Vienna if you want a blend of sophistication and bohemian charm. This neighbourhood is known for its Baroque Belvedere Palace and gardens. Explore the KunstHausWien, an eco-friendly museum designed by the iconic architect Hundertwasser. For gourmet treats, meander through the Rochusmarkt. And a visit to the tucked-away Arenbergpark with its historic flak towers is also a must.
Good for: Culture, architecture, restaurants
Innere Stadt
The city’s regal heart, Innere Stadt (Old Town) is a trove of architectural wonders and one of the best places to stay in Vienna. St Stephen's Cathedral and the Hofburg Palace offer a little grandeur. The winding alleys filled with boutique shops and traditional Viennese coffeehouses are also fun to explore. Don’t miss Shakespeare & Company, an old-fashioned bookstore stocked floor to ceiling with mostly English books.
Good for: Sightseeing, shopping, cafés
Things to do in Vienna
Take in the culture
The galleries and museums in Vienna are treasure troves of history. The Belvedere Palace is a magnificent Baroque building with a collection of Austrian paintings, including Gustav Klimt's ‘The Kiss (Lovers)’. Visit after 3pm to miss the crowds. The Kunsthistorisches Museum is also a must visit for art lovers, with a collection that dates back to the ancient world. On Saturdays, join a guided tour of the Main Building of the University of Vienna, where more beauty awaits.
Family friendly things to do
Thanks to its compact city centre and variety of kid-friendly activities, there are some brilliant things to do with family in Vienna. Prater is a beloved amusement park, and the Vienna Museum of Science & Technology is one of many child-focused museums. Book tickets online in advance to skip the queues. Kids also love the quirky Haus des Meeres, an aquarium located in a World War II flak tower.
Nightlife
Vienna's nightlife offers everything from world cinema to jazz, clubbing, and bar-hopping. For some open-air revelry, visit Vienna's many rooftop bars and clubs – Das LOFT Bar is a winner for awesome views and interesting cocktails. Down near the water of the Donaukanal there are bars and cafes with regular live music performances.
Places to eat
With so many varieties of pastries and divine ‘Sachertorte’ (chocolate cake), it’s easy to skip straight to dessert in Vienna. Visiting a coffeehouse is an essential part of a Viennese morning. Demel is one of the most historic coffeehouses in the city, with a large selection of chocolates and cakes. Many restaurants in Vienna specialise in local cuisine. For dishes from all over the world, visit Naschmarkt, open every day except Sunday.
Free things to do
Whether it’s walking along the historic streets or activities that don’t cost a euro, there are lots of free things to do in Vienna. Start by wandering along the Danube River and visiting the island of Donauinsel. The annual music festival Donauinselfest is free and celebrates local musicians. In the MuseumsQuartier of central Vienna, find free art exhibitions at the Freiraum and MQ Salon.
Shopping
Vienna is a go-to destination for luxury and high-end fashion. The tree-lined Mariahilfer Strasse, Vienna's longest shopping street, is a popular spot for this. If you want to experience a quaint and creative side of shopping in Vienna, head to the boutiques and shops in the 7th and 8th districts. Siebensterngasse is the street for designer bags and handmade jewellery.
Get ready for Vienna
Budget
From taking strolls in its beautiful parks to free art exhibitions and swimming spots along the Danube, experiencing Vienna on a budget is easier than you might think. When planning your stay, expect to pay around 15 euros (€) for a simple meal in a restaurant and less than €10 for a short taxi ride.
Day trips from Vienna
Known for its Baroque abbey overlooking the Danube, the town of Melk is a little over an hour away by train. Visiting in winter? Hit Semmering’s ski slopes in the Austrian Alps, also about an hour from Vienna by car. You can also easily cross the border into Slovakia for a day of sightseeing in Bratislava, an hour away by train.
Getting around Vienna
Many of Vienna’s museums and cultural landmarks are within walking distance of each other in the city centre. If you need to travel to the city outskirts, the U-Bahn (subway), S-Bahn (train), tram and bus network is efficient. Buy a day ticket or a weekly pass. And remember to validate your ticket when you board the U-Bahn, trams or buses.
