St. Stephen's Cathedral
Vienna's Gothic symbol with a colourful tiled roof and a 137 m tower.
- Category
- Religious site
- Duration
- 1 h
- Price
- $
- Best time
- Morning
Tip: Climb the south tower for views of the city.
Show on mapCulture – Vienna
Vienna is a cultural capital shaped by music, Habsburg heritage and coffeehouse tradition. Opera, waltz and baroque architecture are part of everyday life.
Historic sites
- Hofburg Palace – The Habsburgs' 600-year-old winter residence, now seat of the Austrian president.
- Ringstrasse – A boulevard from the 1860s lined with palaces and museums, replacing the old walls.
- Schönbrunn Gardens – A baroque garden with the Gloriette and the world's oldest zoo.
Traditions
- Coffeehouse Culture – An UNESCO-listed tradition of lingering for hours over a single coffee.
- Waltz and Ball Season – Over 450 balls are held each winter, and the waltz is UNESCO heritage.
- Heuriger Wine Tavern Culture – A tradition of winemakers serving their own new wine in garden taverns.
Festivals
- Vienna Festival – A May-June festival of theatre, opera and performing arts.
- Christmas Markets – Held from mid-November to Christmas at Rathausplatz and Schönbrunn.
- Danube Island Festival – A free three-day open-air music festival in June, one of Europe's largest.
Etiquette
- In a coffeehouse the waiter won't rush you; ask for the bill yourself.
- Tip around 10% by rounding up the bill.
- Validate your ticket before riding and give up seats for the elderly.
- Dress smartly for opera and concerts; silence and punctuality are expected.
Map
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Places
Vienna State Opera
One of the world's great opera houses, with nearly 300 performances a year.
- Category
- Performance
- Duration
- 2.5 h
- Price
- $$
- Best time
- Evening
Tip: Cheap standing-room tickets are sold shortly before the show.
Show on mapVienna Giant Ferris Wheel
A historic Ferris wheel turning since 1897, made famous by 'The Third Man'.
- Category
- Landmark
- Duration
- 30 min
- Price
- $$
- Best time
- Evening
Tip: Ride at sunset and book ahead to skip the queue.
Show on mapMusikverein
Home of the Vienna Philharmonic in the Golden Hall, host of the New Year's Concert.
- Category
- Performance
- Duration
- 2 h
- Price
- $$$
- Best time
- Evening
Tip: You can also visit on a daytime guided tour.
Show on mapSpanish Riding School
Lipizzaner horses perform a 400-year-old classical tradition.
- Category
- Tradition
- Duration
- 1.5 h
- Price
- $$$
- Best time
- Morning
Tip: Watching a morning training session is cheaper.
Show on mapHundertwasser House
A fantastical apartment block with wavy floors and a colourful façade.
- Category
- Landmark
- Duration
- 40 min
- Price
- Free
- Best time
- Year-round
Tip: The flats are private; visit the nearby Kunst Haus instead.
Show on mapSt. Charles's Church
A baroque masterpiece with a great dome and Trajan-style columns.
- Category
- Religious site
- Duration
- 45 min
- Price
- $
- Best time
- Morning
Tip: Take the lift to the dome to see frescoes up close.
Show on mapVienna City Hall
A neo-Gothic city hall whose forecourt hosts events all year.
- Category
- Landmark
- Duration
- 45 min
- Price
- Free
- Best time
- Year-round
Tip: Free guided tours are held on certain weekdays.
Show on mapCentral Cemetery
A vast cemetery with honorary graves of Beethoven, Schubert and Brahms.
- Category
- Historic site
- Duration
- 1.5 h
- Price
- Free
- Best time
- Morning
Tip: The honorary graves are in Group 32A; take tram 71.
Show on map
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Please verify with official sources before your visit.
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