The Vienna State Opera House is a historic venue in Austria known for its grand performances. It stands as a symbol of cultural excellence with its grand architecture. The 1,709-seat Renaissance Revival venue was the first major building on the Vienna Ring Road.
Uncover the royal charm of Vienna City Hall, a famous Austrian landmark. Frederick von Schmidt designed the impressive Gothic building between 1872 and 1883. It is now the home of the mayor and the city council. Moreover, it also serves as the background for one of the city's most famous Christmas markets. Vienna City Hall reflects the rich historical and cultural legacy of the city. This magnificent structure features breathtaking Gothic and Renaissance architectural elements.
1. Explore the Famous Museum of Fine Arts: Visiting this one-of-a-kind museum in the whole world is one of the must things to do in Vienna on your visit. This exclusive museum houses highly exclusive artworks from 7 different millennia, ranging from the Ancient Egypt Civilization to the 18th Century.
One of the best collections of the museum is from the Ancient Roman and Greek cultures. The building of this amazing museum is also one of the best architectural wonders of the world and is highly picturesque. If you are an art lover, this place would definitely be no less than a paradise on earth for you!
Location: Maria-Theresien-Platz, 1010 Wien, Austria
2. See Wiener Riesenrad: This humongous Ferris Wheel of Vienna is surely one of the most important symbols and attractions of this beautiful city. Taking a ride on this giant wheel is one of the best activities in Vienna to indulge in. The wheel was built in 1897 and has been one of the most crucial elements of the city’s skyline ever since. The wheel is almost 61 metres high and if you wish to capture some of the best views of the city, it is a must for you to take a ride on it. Try to get on the wheel during the early morning or evening.
Location: Riesenradplatz 1, 1020 Wien, Austria
3. Walk the Ringstrasse: Also known as Vienna’s Ring Road, this 5.3 kilometres stretch of road is one of the most important landmarks of Vienna. Some of its most iconic buildings, including the Museum of Fine Arts as well as the Vienna State Opera House are situated along this stretch itself. Taking a stroll along this beautiful road will surely provide you with a glimpse of the entire Vienna city, and in fact the whole of Austria within a short while! This walk is also a must for all the architecture lovers out there!
Location: Krems an der Donau
4. Visit Hofburg Palace: One of the central attractions of Vienna is the Hofburg Palace from as back as 1279. If you wish to experience the History of Vienna and Austria, visiting this palace is one of the best things to do in Vienna. This amazing structure is the official workplace of the President of Austria but it’s still open for the visitors to admire Hofburg’s rich decorative interiors and explore Vienna’s ancient history. The historic silver collection of the Sisi Museum is the major attraction of this palace.
Location: 1010 Vienna, Austria
5. Visit Palmenhaus: This attraction was formerly a greenhouse built for the royal family of Austria. Currently, the place has been transformed into a café, bar, as well as a lounge for the tourists to sit by rich flora and spend a memorable time. The intricately decorated high ceiling of Palmenhaus, with amazing views of the Royal Gardens, is one of the best activities in Vienna to spend some leisurely time and bask in some sunlight. You can also enjoy an exquisite lunch or dinner at Palmenhaus, however; it is highly recommended to make your reservations well in advance for a flawless experience.
Location: Burggarten 1, 1010 Wien, Austria
6. Take a visit to Sigmund Freud Museum: Home to one of the most renowned neurologists that ever existed and among the top places to visit in Vienna, Sigmund Freud stayed and practiced at this place for almost 47 years, till he had to flee from the Nazi Army in 1938. This home of his was later converted into a museum in 1971.
If you wish to know about the life and work of this legend, this place is a must-visit for you. Moreover, now the inner parts of the house have also been opened for visitors, including the space on the first floor, from where Freud started his practice for the first time.
Location: Berggasse 19, 1090 Wien, Austria
7. Explore Jewish Museum: If you are confused about what to do in Vienna, you must simply head off to this place. This museum has been designed to portray the religion, traditions, history as well as lives of Austrian Jews. The museum also allows visitors to have a peek into the living conditions of the Jews in the past.
The museum has various physical as well as digital exhibits that will take you on the journey of Austrian Jewish History. You will not only get a chance to know about the brutal history of this ancient religion but also get closer to the culture and tradition of Austria.
Location: Dorotheergasse 11, 1010 Wien, Austria
8. Klimt’s ‘The Kiss’ at the Upper Belvedere Palace: One of the best things to do in Vienna for art lovers is to visit the Upper Belvedere and admire the astonishing artwork of Gustav Klimt. “The Kiss” is the most popular painting in the whole collection of Austrian artists. This iconic painting dates back to 1907-8 when the artist developed a brand-new technique of painting by combining oil/bronze paint with gold leaf. The painting is one of the most unique symbols of love on our planet and attracts thousands of visitors on a daily basis to admire its unmatched beauty.
Location: Prinz Eugen-Straße 27, 1030 Vienna
9. Take a Weingut Cobenzl tasting tour: One of the best activities in Vienna for wine lovers is to take an exclusive tasting tour of Weingut Cobenzl. It houses one of the best collections of Austrian wines and organizes guided tasting tours for visitors from around the world. You will also get to spend some time in the lovely vineyards of this winery and learn the art of wine tasting as well as winemaking. Moreover, Weingut Cobenzl also allows visitors to capture some of the best views of the city of Vienna.
Location: Am Cobenzl 96 | A-1190 Vienna
10. Explore Naschmarkt: One of the must things to do in Vienna for each and every visitor is to explore the biggest food market in the city. This market has been functional for over 100 years now and has open dining areas with food stalls all around. If you wish to get the experience of bargaining at the local Vienna flea market, you can also plan a visit to this place over the weekend. Try out delicious street food items of Austria at this market and soak in the real culture of the country at this historic market.
1. Scuba Diving: One of the must-do activities in Vienna is to take a dive in the Danube river and admire its rich collection of flora and fauna. Vienna is one of the few places across the world where you can enjoy diving deep into a river or snorkeling your way below the surface of its crystal-clear river.
2. Kayaking: If you are visiting Vienna during the cooler months, trying out this adventure activity to soak in the warm sun and kayak in solace over the cold waters of the Danube river will surely send a shiver of adrenaline down your spine.
3. River Rafting: One of the most exciting and adventurous things to do in Vienna for the strong-hearted is to head down your way on a tube in the harsh waters of the Danube with strangers from all around the world.
4. Hiking: If you love mountains, hiking the Gutenstein Alps is probably one of the best activities in Vienna for you to indulge in. Hiking all the way to the summit and back would need at least 7-8 hours of rigorous hiking along the forest trails of Vienna. If you do not want to wander alone, you can also join a locally guided hiking tour.
1. Try out Waltz: You must have enjoyed watching the waltz in old movies. However, you might be astonished to know that the tradition of Waltz is still alive in Vienna. Most of the teenagers in Austria still learn to do the waltz on the classic cha-cha cha tunes.
2. Enjoy a Horse-Drawn Ride: One of the most romantic things to do in Vienna is to take a ride on the traditional horse-pulled carriages of Vienna on a starry night, with the major attractions of the city, all lit up with glorious lights.
3. Get a view from the top of the Giant Ferris Wheel: If you want to capture the glittering views of the beautiful city of Vienna at night, you must take a ride on the Riesenrad, the Giant Ferris Wheel during the dark hours.
4. Take a walk along the Danube River: The best time to explore the city of Vienna is during the night when all its riversides and beautiful architectural building are lit up amazingly. Take a stroll along the banks of the Danube River and you would definitely have a lovely time.
1. Go Boating: One of the most romantic and peaceful activities in Vienna for couples is to take a secluded boat ride over the beautiful Danube River. If you are lucky enough, you may even get to admire a flock of beautiful sea birds strolling around the banks of the river.
2. Take a Waltz Lesson together: Yes, you heard it right. What can be more special and learning to move your feet like a professional Waltz dances with your beloved in the very heart of Vienna? Tanzschule Elmayer in the city specially organizes 50-minute sessions for couples all-round the year.
3. Indulge in a Chocolate Spa Treatment: If you are a chocolate lover and also love taking rejuvenating spa treatments, Vienna is surely going to surprise you. One of the best things to do in Vienna for couples is to indulge in a chocolate spa that includes a chocolate wrap, chocolate body mask, and much more!
4. Catch a Ballet Show at the Vienna Opera House: The Vienna Opera House has been in function even since the 1860s and nothing else shouts out romance more than watching a moving ballet at this iconic location.
By Air: The Vienna International Airport is well connected by all the major international airports of the world and has frequent flights.
By Train: Vienna is also well connected by inter-country trains which run through a number of major destinations in Europe.
The best time to visit Vienna is from April to May during the spring season while the temperatures are mild and the tourist crowd is also decent. You can also plan a visit during the months of September to October if you like a lesser tourist crowd and a milt season.The summers from June to August are jam-packed with tourists and usually the most expensive months as well.
Vienna is particularly known for its amalgamation of rich historical background and modern as well as ancient architectural wonders. Vienna is also popular for its wine as well as its natural beauty. Also, if you are an art lover, you would surely not ask what to do in Vienna.
The easiest and best way to reach Vienna from India is by air. The only airline that operates a direct flight from India to Vienna is Air India which operates from New Delhi. However, there are various other airlines that offer connecting flights from various international airports of India to Vienna.