20 Best Things to Do in Vienna for First Timers

Renowned for its extravagant palaces and housing the largest museum quarter in Europe, Vienna, the capital of Austria, is a city steeped in history.

But there’s so much more to this striking city! For example, did you know that Vienna was the true birthplace of the croissant? Vienna is also known as a ‘wine city,’ housing the most vineyards of any city in the world.

As you can gather, there’s an abundance of things you can see and do in Vienna! In this article, I will delve into my recommendations for the top things to do in Vienna as a first-time visitor. Find more information about the country in this Austria Travel Guide.

1. Hofburg Palace

Dating back to the 13th century, Hofburg Palace is one of the world’s biggest palace complexes which is made up of museums, the Austrian National Library, and the Spanish Riding School and is the official office of the President of Austria.

It’s no wonder really that this dazzling monument is the most visited in the city.

Hofburg Palace is, in fact, a complex, made up of several beautiful buildings.

Three key parts of the palace that you can explore are the Sisi Museum which delves into the life of Empress Elisabeth, the Imperial Apartments, where you can tour rooms used by Elisabeth and her husband, and the Silver Collection, which is a display of beautiful kitchen utensils and porcelain.

PRO TIP: Events at the Spanish Riding School also occur throughout the year. If you want to visit one, booking your ticket in advance is a must, as they sell out quickly.

2. Innere Stadt 

Innere Stadt is the name given to Vienna’s Old Town, which is the central 1st District and is encircled by the grand Ringstrasse boulevard, which was erected upon the old city walls.

Many of the city’s key monuments are in this district, including Hofburg Palace, the Vienna Opera House, MuseumsQuartier, and more.

This historic center dates back to the Roman ages and is, in fact, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

As well as housing an abundance of ancient monuments, the streets of Innere Stadt are lined with a host of restaurants and cafes, many of which sell tantalizing local cuisine, as well as shops.

3. Schloss Belvedere (Belvedere Palace)

Surrounded by tranquil gardens, this magnificent 18th-century Baroque palace today is a museum, housing one of the country’s most valuable art collections.

Schloss Belvedere is made up of two palaces: Upper Belvedere and Lower Belvedere.

Upper Belvedere is an art museum and contains the world’s biggest Klimt collection – 24 paintings to be exact, including his most famous piece called ‘The Kiss.’ Gustav Klimt was an Austrian artist.

Lower Belvedere was the residential palace of Prince Eugine. It’s surrounded by beautiful gardens, including The Alpine Garden, the oldest of its kind in Europe.

4. Burggarten Park & Gardens

In the heart of the city is a tranquil leafy sanctuary, overlooked by striking palaces. Once serving as the private royal garden of the Habsburg family, Burggarten Park, and Gardens house a handful of statues, including an iconic statue that depicts Hercules fighting a lion and a grand statue of the world-famous composer Mozart, one of the most famous statues in Vienna.

The gardens are a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and to enjoy a moment surrounded by nature.

5. Austrian National Library

Within the striking Neue Burg Wing of Hofburg Palace, you will find the Austrian National Library, the largest library in the country, which consists of over 12 million items, including 200,000 historical books.

A key point of interest within this dazzling library is the Grand Hall, an extravagant room with a large dome ceiling that gazes down over walnut bookshelves and marble columns.

It’s easy to see why this is classed as one of the most beautiful libraries in the world! 

6. St Stephen’s Cathedral

Nestled in the vibrant center of Vienna is this incredible 136-meter-high limestone cathedral. The cathedral has a number of incredible towers which dominate Vienna’s unique skyline. The tallest tower is the ‘Steffl,’ also known as South Tower, and is visible from almost everywhere in the city.

St Stephen’s Cathedral is the symbol of Vienna and one of the most famous landmarks in the city.

You can visit parts of the interior of the cathedral free of charge but will need to purchase a ticket to see the bulk of its interior, including the iconic towers.

PRO TIP: Don’t miss a visit to the catacombs. You’ll need a separate admission ticket.

7. Visit Traditional Viennese Coffee Houses

Vienna is a city that’s renowned for its coffee culture. So much so that UNESCO has declared it as an ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage.’

It’s no surprise then that pretty much anywhere you turn in Vienna, quaint coffee houses line the city’s lively streets, each serving a range of delicious coffees. If you’re a coffee fan, then you really can’t visit Vienna without sampling one of their traditional coffees!

One of the most famous coffee houses is Café Central. This venue is so popular that you can expect to be queuing out the door for a table. Café Central first opened in 1876 and has welcomed a host of famous guests, including Sigmund Freud and Leon Trotsky. It serves a range of traditional food, cakes, and, of course, coffee!

Another coffee house worth visiting is Cafe Hawelka, positioned in the heart of the old town. Opening in 1939, this coffeehouse is particularly popular with poets and musicians. Maybe it’s something about the coffee here that ignites their creative spark!

8. Palmenhaus Schönbrunn

Home to around 4,500 plant species, Palmenhaus Schönbrunn is a large greenhouse in southern Vienna and is part of Schönbrunn Palace Park. The name ‘Palmenhaus’ means Palm House, an accurate description of the colorful greenhouse.

This vast 111-meter-long structure was built in 1882, during the reign of Emperor Franz Joseph. When it was built, it was considered the largest greenhouse in the world.

Within the greenhouse, you can find thousands of Mediterranean, tropical and subtropical plants, spread out over 3 pavilions and 3 climate zones.

Palmenhaus Schönbrunn is surrounded by pristine and extensive palace gardens, which are well worth a visit in their own right.

9. Schönbrunn Palace

Once the main summer residence of the Habsburg rulers, this 1,441-room Baroque palace dates back to the 16th century. It’s one of the most popular attractions in the whole of Vienna, bringing in 2.3 million visitors in 2022.

The palace, as well as its gardens, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The gardens (which include Palmenhaus Schönbrunn greenhouse) plus 40 rooms within the palace are open for visitors throughout the week. Try a guided tour of the palace and gardens!

10. Try the local cuisine

Vienna is a city that’s famous for its culinary scene. As well as producing vast quantities of wine, there are a number of iconic dishes that you simply cannot miss on your trip to Vienna.

Austria is the birthplace of Wiener Schnitzel, which has become the country’s flagship dish. One of the best places in Vienna to try authentic Wiener Schnitzel is Figlmüller, a restaurant that follows an over 100-year-old recipe.

Another must-try dish in Vienna is the Sachertorte, a unique chocolate sponge cake made of layers of thin apricots and jam. The cake is topped with solid chocolate. This fantastic cake can be enjoyed at the Sacher Hotel.

11. Leopold Museum

Within the MuseumsQuartier, you will find the Leopold Museum, which houses one of the largest collections of modern Austrian art. The museum comprises 5,000 different exhibits, including the world’s largest Egon Schiele Collection.

The artwork featured in this museum is an elaborate collection that once belonged to Dr. Rudolf Leopold.

Spanning over four floors, this art museum is the most visited museum in the MuseumsQuartier.

12. Hundertwasserhaus House

One of the most unique buildings in Vienna is Hundertwasserhaus, an apartment block with over 200 trees and shrubs growing on the roof. Artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser designed this spectacular building.

The building was completed in 1985 at a cost of over €7 million to build.

Today it’s a functioning apartment block and so can’t be viewed inside. Still, marveling at it from afar is an experience in itself, and the ground floor houses a handful of cafes which are the perfect spot to grab a bite to eat.

13. Karlskirche (St Charles Church)

Looming proudly over Karlsplatz Park and Garden is Karlskirche, a majestic church characterized by a large green dome roof and two 47-meter tall columns.

Completed in 1739, this incredible church was designed by Baroque architect Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach, and dedicated to the Habsburg emperor at the time, St. Karl Borromäus.

This incredible church today acts as a concert venue and hosts Mozart and Vivaldi concerts which are expertly performed by Orchestra 1756. You can also purchase tickets to explore the church during the day.

14. Naschmarkt

Made up of over 100 different food and vintage stalls, Naschmarkt is a sprawling market in the heart of Vienna, with roots dating back to the 16th century. Within this lively and colorful market, you can purchase local produce or try some exceptional street food. There are even some cafes and restaurants here.

Every Saturday between 6 am and 2:30 pm, Naschmarkt hosts a flea market where you can find a range of antiques, pottery, second-hand clothing, and much more.

15. Albertina Museum

Housing one of the most important collections of old master prints and drawings in the world, the Albertina Museum can be found within a beautiful 19th-century former Habsburg palace.

The museum includes the works of some of the world’s most famous artists, including Pablo Picasso, Leonardo da Vinci, and Salvador Dalí.

Albertina Museum is regarded as one of the largest and most significant art museums in the world.

16. Kunsthistorisches Museum

Situated on Ringstraße, a famous boulevard encircling the historic center of Vienna, is Kunsthistorisches Museum, another renowned art museum in Vienna.

The Kunsthistorisches Museum boasts an exceptional collection of artworks that once belonged to the imperial family.

The building in which the museum is housed is a spectacle in itself, crowned with a large dome that makes it a prominent landmark on Vienna’s skyline.

17. Enjoy a Cocktail on a Rooftop Bar

Vienna has arguably one of the most breathtaking skylines in Europe, made up of a vast array of incredible monuments such as St Stephen’s Cathedral and Karlskirche. I can think of few better ways to soak up the view than from the comfort of a rooftop bar, with a cocktail in hand.

One of the best rooftop bars in the city is Atmosphere Rooftop Bar which sits atop the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. Located right next to Stadtpark, this bar offers exceptional views of the city whilst at the same time boasting incredible online reviews.

Another great option is Der Dachboden which can be found within the MuseumsQuartier, atop the 25hours Hotel. This bar is cozy, quirky and serves delicious cocktails.

18. Attend a Mozart Concert

The musical genius Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart composed over 800 works. While he was born in Salzburg, Mozart spent his final years in Vienna, and this is where he created most of his well-known pieces. You’ll find Mozart concerts all over town.

PRO TIP: The world-famous Vienna Boys’ Choir performs Mozart pieces. Search for tickets in advance to ensure you get to enjoy a performance. 

19. Ride the Viennese Giant Ferris Wheel

Since 1897, Vienna’s giant Ferris wheel, the Riesenrad, has provided magnificent city views. You can even book a special dinner aboard one of the cabins! The wheel is located in the city’s Prater amusement park, so you can enjoy several fun activities after all the cultural spots you’ve visited.

PRO TIP: Time your visit with the sunset for an amazing experience!

20. Ankeruhr Clock

Built in 1914, this art nouveau mechanical clock features 12 historical figures that rotate along the front of the clock. Watching the clock’s figures move is like watching paint dry – unless you come at midday! The plaza is crowded around midday as everyone waits expectantly for the figures to rotate all the way around. You’ll find the clock on a bridge that connects two buildings on Hoher Markt Street.

Where to Stay in Vienna

Luxury: Rosewood Vienna is perfectly located just a stone’s throw away from St. Peter’s Church. This highly rated 5-star hotel features spacious, modern rooms and houses a restaurant, terrace, and fitness center.

Mid-Range: Parkview Boutique Apartments is positioned just across the road from Stadtpark. These modern and stylish air-conditioned apartments have a kitchen and coffee machine.

Affordable: Vienna Boutique Hostel is nestled in the heart of the city. Dormitories are clean and spacious, each bed fitted with a privacy curtain. The hostel has exceptional online reviews.