Vienna Travel Guide: Things to Do & Best Time to Visit

Top things to do in Vienna

Vienna’s historic centre is ringed by the grand Ringstrasse boulevard, and most major sights lie within or just beyond it, linked by an excellent network of trams and underground lines.

• Schönbrunn Palace — The vast baroque summer residence of the Habsburgs, with lavish state rooms, formal gardens, a hilltop Gloriette and the world’s oldest zoo.
• Hofburg — The former imperial palace in the city centre, home to museums, the imperial apartments, the treasury and the Spanish Riding School.
• St Stephen’s Cathedral — Vienna’s Gothic landmark, with a patterned tiled roof and a tall south tower offering views over the old town.
• Belvedere — Two baroque palaces set in terraced gardens, housing a celebrated Austrian art collection that includes Gustav Klimt’s famous painting The Kiss.
• Kunsthistorisches Museum — One of the world’s great art museums, with masterpieces by Bruegel, Vermeer, Raphael and many others.
• MuseumsQuartier — A lively cultural complex of modern art museums, courtyards and cafés, popular for relaxed evenings.
• Prater — A large park with woodland paths and an amusement area, famous for its historic giant Ferris wheel.

Best time to visit Vienna

Spring, from April to June, and early autumn, in September and October, are the most pleasant times to visit, with mild temperatures, blooming or golden parks and comfortable conditions for walking between sights. Summer is warm and sometimes hot, with open-air concerts, film screenings and riverside bars along the Danube Canal, though July and August are also busy with tourists.

The opera and concert season runs mainly from autumn to early summer, so music lovers may prefer to visit outside July and August. January and February are the heart of the traditional ball season, when hundreds of formal balls take place across the city.

Winter is cold, often with frost and occasional snow. During Advent, Christmas markets fill the squares in front of the City Hall, Schönbrunn Palace and other landmarks, creating one of the most festive atmospheres in Europe. January to March, outside the ball season, is otherwise the quietest period, ideal for unhurried visits to museums and palaces and long afternoons in warm coffee houses.

Getting from the airport

Vienna International Airport is located in Schwechat, around 18 kilometres south-east of the city centre, and is well connected by rail and road.

• Express train — A non-stop airport express train runs from the station beneath the terminals to Wien Mitte, on the edge of the old town, in around 16 minutes.
• S-Bahn — The S7 suburban train also serves Wien Mitte, taking around 25 minutes with several stops, and is the most economical rail option.
• Intercity trains — Some long-distance trains link the airport with Vienna’s main station (Wien Hauptbahnhof) in around 15 minutes.
• Airport buses and taxis — Coaches connect the airport with several city districts, and taxis or pre-booked airport cars take around 25 to 35 minutes to the centre, depending on traffic.

Train tickets can be bought from machines at the airport station; check that your ticket is valid for the train you choose, as the express and regular services use different fares.

Where to stay

Vienna is divided into numbered districts, and its public transport is so efficient that almost anywhere near an underground station works well for visitors.

• Innere Stadt (1st district) — The historic old town within the Ringstrasse, ideal for first-time visitors who want to walk to the cathedral, the Hofburg and the opera house.
• Neubau (7th district) — A creative area next to the MuseumsQuartier, with independent shops, cafés and bars, suited to younger travellers and culture lovers.
• Wieden and Mariahilf (4th and 6th districts) — Central, characterful areas around the Naschmarkt food market and the shopping street Mariahilfer Strasse.
• Leopoldstadt (2nd district) — Across the Danube Canal, close to the Prater park, offering a local feel and good value.
• Landstrasse (3rd district) — Convenient for the airport trains at Wien Mitte and within walking distance of the Belvedere.

Travel tips

• Getting around — Vienna’s underground, trams and buses work on an honour system with no ticket barriers. Buy and validate your ticket before travelling, as inspectors carry out random checks and fines apply.
• Coffee house etiquette — In traditional coffee houses you can sit for hours over a single coffee. Wait to be seated or choose a free table, and your coffee will often come with a glass of water.
• Payment — Cards are widely accepted, but some smaller cafés, market stalls and Christmas market huts prefer cash, so carry some euros.
• Tipping — Rounding up or adding around 5 to 10 percent for good service in restaurants and cafés is customary; tell the server the total you wish to pay.
• Sundays — Most shops are closed on Sundays and public holidays, though museums, restaurants and shops at major stations stay open.
• Entry requirements — Visa and entry rules depend on your nationality. Check the latest requirements with official sources before you travel.