What to See in Vienna: Tips for Historical Monuments, Experiential Cruises, or Visiting the Theater

The capital of Austria has been known for its beauty since time immemorial. Even during the times of Hungary, coronations, balls, and dances took place here. Thanks to its rich history, many significant historical and cultural monuments have been preserved. In addition to these, Vienna offers amusement parks, theaters, opera, and a large zoo. In this article, we will show you tips for the most famous attractions that you must see in Vienna.

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Traveling in Vienna

If you are planning to visit Vienna, definitely buy the Vienna City Card, which allows you to travel for free, and that without limits, you will receive discounts at museums, tourist attractions, and much more.

You can purchase it online or at tourist information centers in the city. It can also be bought at hotels or you can download the Vienna City Card app.

The Vienna Card is the official card issued by the city, which helps you discover everything Vienna has to offer in one or more days. It has various editions; you can buy a one, two, or multi-day card. One child under 15 years old travels for free with each cardholder.

The price for a 24-hour card is €17, a 48-hour card costs €25, and a 72-hour card is €29. More information can be found on the official page: My Vienna City Card.

St. Stephen's Cathedral  

One of the most famous and recognizable monuments in Vienna, known for its diversity, history, and artistry. Among other things, St. Stephen's Cathedral is also one of the tallest churches in the world.

It is unique for its majestic architecture. The most significant elements are its towers. The southern tower measures 136 meters and serves as an observation point. Here you can enjoy a magnificent view of the entire Vienna. Just buy a ticket and climb 343 steps, after which you will be rewarded with a beautiful view that is definitely worth it. The cathedral can also be seen from the inside thanks to public tours – primarily offered in German or English, but audio tours are available in up to 23 different languages. Prices vary based on what you want to see. For more information regarding opening hours and prices, click here.

Since the cathedral is located in the heart of Vienna, its location gives you many options for shopping, enjoying a glass of wine, or a good meal.

Karlskirche

We also recommend visiting St. Charles Church, where you will find many church and artistic treasures.

To enjoy a panoramic view of the city or see world-famous frescoes, you need to purchase a lift ride.

With the Vienna Card, the price instead of €8 is only €5. Karlskirche is open daily.

Naschmarkt

The Vienna markets are a place where you can shop advantageously and also eat well.

Besides shopping, the city also reveals its multicultural side – the legendary Viennese wit mixes with the charm of Eastern Europe and the temperament of the Mediterranean.

There are very few things you wouldn't buy at the Vienna markets. Naschmarkt is the most popular market in Vienna. Here you can taste dishes from local and international cuisine.

The market is located near the Vienna Theater. It is open daily, from 6 AM to 11 PM, and closed on Sundays.

Fairy-tale Belvedere Palace 

The complex lies on the southern side of Vienna and consists of two palaces. The word Belvedere in translation means beautiful view. The complex was built by Prince Eugene of Savoy. First, a park was built, followed by two palaces - Lower and Upper Belvedere.

With its fairy-tale beauty, this palace ranks among the most beautiful monuments in Vienna. You can take various types of tours, depending on what interests you the most.

In the Lower Belvedere, you will find the Golden Room, the Marble Hall, and a gallery. There are also works by Austrian authors and artistic items from the Baroque period.

In the Upper Belvedere, you will find the largest part of the collections from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Many temporary exhibitions are also held here, which are regularly changed.

The complex also includes the Orangery (today's winter garden) and terraced gardens. The entrance fees to the individual parts of the palace are around €17 per person and can be purchased here.

Vienna City Hall 

Still wondering what to see in Vienna? The Vienna City Hall is a building built in the neo-Gothic style, which you can visit completely for free. Opening hours are from 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM on weekdays. You can take a tour independently or with a guide. If you choose the latter option, you can come for a tour that takes place on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 1:00 PM.

During your visit to the city hall, you will see the staircase, halls, and the arcade courtyard. At the top of the city hall is a statue of the Iron Man, which is one of the symbols of Vienna. In the courtyard, in front of the city hall, various festivals, events, and the most famous Christmas markets are regularly held. The city hall is also currently the seat of the mayor and the city council.

Schönbrunn Palace

Admire the magnificent summer residence that belonged to the Habsburg dynasty. Opening hours vary during the main season, but this unique palace is open daily. With the Vienna Card, you get up to a 15% discount on your visit.

If you are not among the museum types, take a walk in the palace gardens, which are open to the public.

You will find a symmetrically planted park here, where tourists relax daily. For more information, click here.

Hofburg and Sisi Museum 

Another beautiful palace in Vienna is the former residence of the Habsburgs, which is Hofburg Palace. It is located in Heldenplatz and consists of 18 buildings, each built in a different architectural style. You will find a large number of exhibitions and museums here. 

Among the most visited is the Sisi Museum. It is dedicated to Empress Elisabeth of Bavaria, who was nicknamed Sisi. The museum includes imperial apartments and an exhibition of the empress's personal belongings. Admission to this museum costs €17.50. 

Butterfly House 

In the middle of Vienna and near the aforementioned Hofburg Palace, there is a palm greenhouse with hundreds of butterflies. This attraction is suitable for every nature lover or families with children. Throughout the year, you can observe over 400 species of butterflies. The tropical paradise meets all the conditions of a real rainforest, thus creating perfect conditions for the life of butterflies.

You will find many exotic plant species, waterfalls, and ponds here. The entrance fee to this tropical paradise is €9 for adults. If you are looking for a tip on something interesting to see in Vienna during your next stop, then the Butterfly House should be at the top of your list. 

Austrian National Theater  

If you are a lover of cultural experiences, you definitely must visit the Burgtheater. It is one of the largest theaters in Europe, where world-famous performances take place.

You can go there for a performance or take a guided tour. These tours are conducted in German and English. During a walk through the picturesque theater, you will see beautiful ceiling paintings and a grand staircase. 

Vienna State Opera 

Another unforgettable cultural experience is visiting the Vienna State Opera. Every year, over 50 different theatrical performances are held here. Performances in this opera are among the most famous and popular shows in all of Austria.

The demand for tickets to the state opera is high, so it is necessary to purchase them in advance. During performances, you will see a large number of well-known actors and opera singers.

However, if you do not want to see any performance but are interested in how this building looks from the inside, you can take a paid guided tour. If you are lucky, and no one is rehearsing, you might even get a glimpse behind the scenes. 

Prater 

A place where you will experience fun and adventures without leaving Vienna! Even though the operation is affected by the weather, the park is open daily.

With the Vienna City Card, you can also enjoy a lot of fun here at good prices. Pick up your coupons at the information booth located near the Giant Ferris Wheel and save up to €200.

If you want to experience Vienna from a slightly different angle, definitely start with the Wiener Riesenrad – the famous Giant Wheel, which offers breathtaking views of the city.

But don't forget about other attractions, as it's easy to lose track of time when you are enjoying the moment.

Vienna Zoo 

The Vienna Zoo is located in the park of Schönbrunn Palace. It is the oldest zoo in Europe, home to more than 700 species of animals.

Particularly popular residents of the zoo are the giant pandas, which have lived here for decades. Besides pandas, you can also see giraffes, orangutans, meerkats, tigers, and many other exotic animals.

The zoo also offers the opportunity to feed the animals while learning new information about the animal kingdom. The garden also includes a rainforest and a restaurant, where you can taste Austrian specialties. 

Hundertwasser House

Since it is a residential building, it can only be seen from the outside. However, it is definitely worth a visit.

Its design was created by the world-renowned Austrian painter Friedensreich Hundertwasser. The colorful architecture, which is the hallmark of the entire house, is the reason for tourists to visit, who are ready to spice up their Instagram.

If you are intrigued by the author's unique architectural style and would like to learn more about it, if you want to see the largest collection of his art in the world, we recommend visiting the Hundertwasser Museum. It is open daily from 10 AM to 6 PM.

Try the Local Cuisine

When visiting Vienna, you must try the Sacher Torte – the legendary chocolate dessert, and of course, the Viennese Schnitzel. We think you will enjoy both!

If You Still Have Some Time Left…

Breathtaking Evening Cruise  

If you have already discovered all the beauties of picturesque Vienna from its land, you can also experience its beauty from the Danube River. The evening cruise is one of the unforgettable experiences that will show you Vienna from a different perspective.

Cruises take place regularly from May to September. Some shipping companies offer only sightseeing cruises, while others offer dinner cruises. Cruises to Bratislava during the day are also popular.

For many tourists, a boat cruise is a new experience, a way to experience the classic journey between two cities, but in a completely different way. 

Museumsquartier

If you are fans of art and architecture, music, fashion, theater and dance, literature, and design or photography, then definitely write MuseumsQuartier on your list.

MuseumsQuartier is one of the largest quarters dedicated to contemporary art and culture in the world. It is a place of meetings, creativity, and artistry. Entry is free, there are no gates or fences. However, if you plan to visit, think in advance about what you want to see, as this visit can be time-consuming. 

Donauturm Wien

The newly renovated Danube Tower is, at a height of 252 meters, the tallest monument in Vienna and offers a fantastic 360-degree panorama. The tower also features a revolving restaurant at a height of 170 meters and a café at 160 meters – both delight tourists with traditional and modern Austrian cuisine. Don't forget that with the Vienna City Card, you get a 20% discount on entry.

1-Day Itinerary in Vienna:

Do you have only one day to visit the capital of Austria? Here are our tips on what to see in Vienna in 1 day:

• Stephensplatz – St. Stephen's Cathedral
• Karlskirche
• Naschmarkt
• Schönbrunn Palace
• Prater Amusement Park
• Hundertwasser House
• Museumsquartier
• Donauturm Wien

Conclusion 

The capital of Austria offers many ways for cultural enjoyment, visiting fun attractions, or exploring historical monuments. This beautiful city is located just a few dozen kilometers from the Slovak borders. You can come here several times, and there will always be places to discover. If you plan to visit Vienna in the near future, be sure to save this article. This way, you will have all the tips on what to see in Vienna right at hand.