Six Best Things to Do in Vienna (Austria)

Baroque streetscapes and imperial palaces set the stage for Vienna’s artistic high and mighty. Top this with one-of-a-kind coffeehouse culture, spectacular parks along the Danube, and a rich cultural and historical heritage.

Traveling around Vienna is an enriching cultural experience. Here are the top things you must do when you visit Vienna.

  1. Visit the Schönbrunn Palace

Schönbrunn Palace is one of the main attractions in Vienna. The palace has been a popular tourist attraction and a UNESCO world heritage site since 1996.

Schonbrunn Palace was commissioned to be built in the late 17th century after the Habsburg Emperors celebrated their second victory over the Turks in 1683. The palace offers a choice between taking the Imperial Tour and the Grand Tour. Those interested in a more in-depth look at the complex’s history may prefer to visit the Great Gallery, which impresses with golden stucco, ceiling frescoes, and gold-plated chandeliers.

  1. See Vienna’s Skylines on the Wiener Riesenrad

The Wiener Riesenrad is a 64.75-meter (212 ft) tall Ferris wheel at Prater in Vienna. The giant Ferris Wheel or Wiener Riesenrad was built in 1896 to mark the 50th year of Emperor Franz Joseph’s coronation. It has been a well-known and popular part of Vienna’s skyline ever since.

You can take a turn on this historic observation wheel to see Vienna from all angles. If you are on a romantic weekend in Vienna, you can hire a private cab on one of the world’s most significant and fascinating structures. Alternatively, you can buy an Espresso coffee maker from emerging pictures for sub $300-$400 and enjoy a cup of coffee as you walk along the Wiener Riesenrad.

  1. Hofburg Palace

If you want to walk through the same hallways that were once home to the Austrian aristocracy, you should visit the Hofburg Palace. The Hofburg lies at the center of Vienna and can be accessed via underground transport. Until 1918, this extensive palatial complex was the political center of the Austria-Hungary monarchy. The oldest part of the complex, the Royal Chapel (Burgkapelle), dates from the 13th century.

With various museums such as the Imperial Treasury Vienna, outstanding collections, the Spanish Riding School, and a congress center, the Hofburg palace is a must-visit. The Imperial apartments also show the more personal side of the Habsburgs.

  1. St Stephen’s Cathedral

St. Stephen’s Cathedral is a major landmark in Vienna. At 136.4 meters high, it is an architectural masterpiece of the late Middle Ages. The Cathedral is a perfect example of the timeless nature of Gothic architecture.

Often damaged by war, St.Stephen’s Cathedral has been a part of all the great moments in the city’s history. Its interior holds many of the mortal remains of Habsburg members. Today, St. Stephens Church can be seen in all its splendor, though these mosaics had to be restored.

You can enter the building when there is no state occasion or service planned.

  1. Walk the Ringstrasse

Think of ring roads, and you probably think of flyovers and junctions, but not in Vienna. By contrast, the Ringstrasse has more charm altogether. Built on the site of the former city walls, it is a unique ensemble of world-class museums, inviting beer gardens, grand cathedrals, and impressive architecture on every block.

On this walk, you’ll dive into that moment in Vienna’s history. A greater number of historical sights may line its edges than any other road in Europe. If you rent a car, you can drive along Ringstrasse in about 20 minutes.

  1. Visit the Globe Museum

If there’s something the compulsive traveler has to love, it’s maps. Vienna’s Globe Museum is the only museum in the world dedicated to the exhibition of globes. The museum introduces you to these magical spheres’ art, with some other magnificent examples to admire. This history of globes is well presented, with many fascinating tidbits of information.

This gallery displays more than 600 globes at its planetary and celestial exhibitions section. Here one can follow the development of cartographic and cosmographic knowledge. There are folding fabric globes, giant man-sized globes, and tiny plum-sized globes.

Enjoy Your Visit

Vienna continues to attract visitors with its many great historical sightseeing opportunities. But there’s more to this city than just music and monarchs. This information will help you to decide what to see in Vienna.