To keep it focused this article lists the top interactive experiences, for example shows by traditional institutions, musical events, entertainment, photo opportunities and culinary attractions. Click through for up-to-date practical tips, addresses and opening times. This list could well become your trip plan's backbone.
If you are missing Schonbrunn Palace, Hofburg Palace and other landmarks you can find them in my list Vienna Sightseeing top 10, plus four extra tips. For a blend of awe-inspiring and charming museums, go to Vienna Museums.
1. Schönbrunn Palace
Vienna Attractions. Certainly Schloss Schönbrunn is among the best things to see in Vienna. Until little more than 100 years ago it was the Imperial summer residence of the Habsburgs, who ruled Central Europe for more than six centuries.
Schönbrunn Palace is Vienna's most popular attraction and Austria's most visited site because it offers an unparalleled glimpse into Habsburg imperial grandeur. More than 40 opulent state rooms showcase 18th-century court life, from Maria Theresa's lavishly decorated apartments to Mozart's childhood performance venues. In total, the palace's includes magnificent 1,441-rooms. Its spectacular baroque gardens feature the iconic Gloriette pavilion, a palm house, the world's oldest zoo, and manicured grounds that create one of Europe's most beautiful royal estates. Because it is Vienna's number one tourist attraction make sure you use Skip the Line ticket and tour options.
You still sense Empress Maria Theresia of Austria, Empress Sisi (Elisabeth) and Emperor Franz Josef, whether you tour the palace, promenade in the gardens, have coffee in the Gloriette belvedere, visit the spectacular zoo, or visit the historic marionette theater. Find out about Schönbrunn Palace.
2. Hofburg Imperial Palace
Vienna Attractions. The Imperial Palace (Hofburg) is a city within a city. The average Viennese doesn't know where it starts and where it ends. Its 18 tracts and 19 courtyards spread across 240,000 square metres. Most of its buildings are among the best Vienna sights.
Clearly, the Hofburg serves as the ultimate showcase of Habsburg power and Austrian imperial history, functioning as the primary residence of emperors for over 600 years. Comprising a vast compound it houses an extraordinary collection of museums, state apartments, and cultural institutions within a 240,000 square meter complex. Visitors can explore the opulent Imperial Apartments where Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth (Sisi) lived, marvel at the Imperial Silver Collection's priceless treasures, and experience the world-famous Spanish Riding School with its magnificent Lipizzaner horses performing classical dressage in baroque splendor. As with Schönbrunn, Skip the Line tickets will dramatically cut your waiting time when visiting.
Today, as both the official residence of Austria's President and a cultural powerhouse containing the Austrian National Library's stunning State Hall, the Imperial Chapel, and multiple world-class museums, the Hofburg offers an unmatched journey through European royal history while remaining a living symbol of Austria's political and cultural significance.
Beyond the tourist guides, clubbings and summer café at Volksgarten, and dining at Palmenhaus Orangerie are all part of Hofburg. To help you plan your visit I have put together this compact guide to the Imperial Palace Vienna.
3. Spanish Riding School
Vienna Attractions. Clearly, the Spanische Hofreitschule has not only been attracting horse fans from abroad but lovers of classical culture and music alike. Almost daily, you can watch the Lipizzaner stallions perform in the unique Renaissance tradition of horse riding. Essentially, the two main shows on offer are formal performances of about one hour, and the more informal Morning Exercises, which take two hours.
While most 500-year-old institutions require multimedia to share their past, the Spanische Hofreitschule brings its European tradition to life all naturally! To find out more click on Spanish Riding School Vienna, performances and bookings.
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Lipizzaner Stallions
The celebrated baroque horses are the main attraction of the Spanish Riding School. They are part of the UNESCO immaterial cultural heritage of Austria. You can also visit them at their breeding and training grounds outside town, including a splendid annual open air gala show.
Read more about the Lipizzaner Stallions, and their lives between athlete like trainings and graceful performances in a splendid baroque riding hall.
4. Belvedere Palace
Vienna Attractions. Schloss Belvedere (Belvedere Palace) combines architectural magnificence with one of the world's most important art collections in a breathtaking baroque palace complex. Built in the early 18th century as the summer residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy, the Belvedere showcase the pinnacle of Austrian baroque architecture: ornate façades, magnificent state rooms, and stunning formal gardens that create one of Vienna's most photographed panoramas.
The Upper Belvedere houses Austria's premier art collection, most famously Gustav Klimt's iconic The Kiss. Alongside the world's largest collection of Klimt works, you will find masterpieces by Egon Schiele and Oskar Kokoschka that define the Vienna Secession movement. The collection spans from medieval art to contemporary works, offering a comprehensive journey through Austrian artistic heritage. While you can join guided tours, consider buying a simple ticket without queuing and enjoy the palace at your own pace.
The palace grounds themselves are equally spectacular, featuring terraced baroque gardens with fountains, sculptures, and sphinx statues that provide stunning views over Vienna's skyline toward the historic city center. The Lower Belvedere presents rotating exhibitions in opulent baroque interiors, while the Orangery and Palace Stables host contemporary art displays.
5. Stephansdom
Vienna Attractions. Since Stephansdom is Austria's symbol of national identity you will eventually come across St. Stephen's Cathedral. What's more, the gothic church on Stephansplatz is right at the epicenter of Wien's city centre.
In fact, Stephansdom is more than 900 years old. We call it 'Steffl' and most of us adore it: the gothic interiors, the glazed roof tiles, even the catacombs. While our school children regularly collect donations we adults listen to 'radio Stephansdom'. Not to mention that our favourite sweets brand Manner chose Stephansdom as its logo. During classical concerts I think the church ambiente really shines. To find out more what to do there visit my tips for Stephansdom.
6. Karlskirche
Vienna Attractions. If you like Schönbrunn Palace, explore what the same architect did with a church: While church St. Charles Borromeo (Karlskiche) is far from palatial size it does spread grandeur, thanks to an ancient-style exterior and a dazzling mix or marble and baroque frescoes inside.
St. Charles's Church's extraordinary Baroque architecture blends elements from different traditions, featuring a central dome flanked by two massive triumphal columns inspired by Trajan's Column in Rome. Built by Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach in the early 18th century as a votive offering after a plague epidemic, it's considered one of the finest examples of Baroque church architecture north of the Alps. Best of all, the church hosts regular classical concerts such as Vivaldi's Four Seasons and allows unique vistas of baroque art thanks to a panorama lift. Find out how to plan your visit to Karlskirche Vienna.
7. Austrian National Library
Vienna Attractions. The Austrian National Library (Österreichische Nationalbibliothek) in Vienna stands out for its magnificent Baroque State Hall (Prunksaal), considered one of the most beautiful library rooms in the world: Imagine soaring frescoed ceilings, ornate wooden bookcases, and marble columns that create a breathtaking architectural masterpiece amidst the fragrance of antique paper and polished wood. As Austria's largest library, it houses over 12 million items including rare manuscripts, incunabula, and historical collections spanning centuries.
The most precious item is the Vienna Dioscurides (also known as the Juliana Anicia Codex), the oldest surviving copy of the ancient Greek physician Dioscorides' treatise on medical botany and artistically invaluable as a masterpiece of Byzantine illumination from around 512 CE.
I have known the Austrian National Library since I toured this baroque architecture gem with my school. Whenever I am around, I try to re-visit the library, as many other travellers do, to see its gorgeous State Hall, full of ancient leather-bound books sitting on large wooden galleries under marble columns and vibrant baroque frescoes. You can either buy a separate entrance ticket or visit it using the Vienna Pass.
Read my review of the Austrian National Library
8. Naschmarkt
Vienna Attractions. Not only is Naschmarkt is a tourist attraction but my mother's weekly deli and vintage hunting ground. At the flea market, she loves to bargain and has made lots of friends among the sellers as she performs her weekly Naschmarkt ritual.
Essentially, listed Naschmarkt is our brightest window to Vienna's Balkan tradition. Though Prince Metternich won't have set foot to Naschmarkt, he was right that "the Balkans start in Vienna". Just visit the many Slavic, Polish and Turkish food stalls exuding (South-)Eastern European flair.
Locationwise, the large boulevard is right in the middle between Rechte Wienzeile and Linke Wienzeile, off Karlsplatz, and sits on top of a roof which covers the Wien river. Explore more about the Naschmarkt, tastiest of all top Vienna attractions.
9. Vienna Prater Amusement Park
Vienna Attractions. Originally the hunting ground of the Austrian Emperors, the Prater is Vienna's largest amusement park, with lush woodland right next to it.
Among the dozens of attractions you will find an eclectic mix of historic amusements such as the Giant Ferris Wheel (with candle light dinners in some cabins!). My other historic favourites are the mini railway, and the pony merry-go-round.
If you are contemporary thrill-seekers like my Austrian nephews, use Prater's typical luna park excitements such as roller coasters, ghost trains and and jump towers. Among the newer installations are Madame Tussaud's wax cabinet, and sports activities such as bike and segway rentals. More about what to see and do in the Vienna Prater Amusement Park.
10. Vienna Boys Choir
Vienna Attractions. For decades, the Vienna choir boys have been filling concert halls around the world with their angelical voices. In case you wonder, there are about 100 of them, split into four choirs.
Founded in Vienna by the Holy Roman Emperor in 1498 the Vienna Boys' Choir is special as the oldest boys' choir in the world, making it one of the most famous choirs in the world. The choir has extraordinary historical pedigree, with legendary composers like Joseph Haydn, Michael Haydn, and Franz Schubert serving as choir boys themselves, while the court attracted musicians like Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Anton Bruckner.
What makes them truly exceptional is their rigorous standards and unique sound quality. Comprising boys aged between 9 and 14, the choir excels for its unique timbre and purity of tone, which stems from its rigorous training and strict admittance requirements with the Vienna Boys' Choir having the most stringent training and admittance policy in the world.
In my home city, these super gifted school boys are among the most popular Vienna tourist attractions. Almost every Sunday, you can hear them sing at the Imperial Chapel, the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra's Musikverein, and at Augarten in their own concert hall. Find out more about the Vienna Boys Choir, their musical repertoire and where to see them.
Vienna Discount City Passes
To help visitors save money and simplify sightseeing Vienna offers several tourist discount passes. The two main options are the Vienna City Card and the Vienna Pass, each serving different travel styles and budgets. If you are not sure which is the best option compare them in Vienna Travel Card.
Beyond Attractions: Top Insider Tips
As you eventually spread out from our top Vienna tourist attractions add a few off-the-beaten track places to unearth new exciting finds. They have a similar setting but a quieter, more authentic lure, or simply round your impression of Vienna. Most of them are very popular with local residents. To give you a flavor I have related each insider tip with its popular counter part. Explore how to spice up your trip plan with these Vienna Insider Tips.
check Hotels Vienna Austria - Where I Would Stay If I Was A Tourist
visit Vienna Concerts - My Up To Date Shortlist of the Best Music Events
go to Schonbrunn Palace - Pomp, Stucco and Hidden Gems
find out more about Imperial Palace Vienna - Hofburg Wien Guide And Map
go to Vienna Travel Planning - Trip Planning and Travel Consulting by Vienna Unwrapped
visit What To Do In Vienna
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