10 Free Things to do in Vienna That You Shouldn't Miss

May 8, 2022 Fernanda Pittenger

In Vienna, the coffee house isn’t just a hangout: it’s an institution. Lingering over a newspaper with a pastry and a strong espresso drink is, according to UNESCO, officially a Viennese cultural pastime. Walk off your slice of Sachertorte with a self-guided tour of the city’s stunning traditional, Secessionist, and modern architecture, such as the Imperial Palace, the State Opera House, the Kirche am Steinhof, or the Kunsthistorisches Museum, an exercise in ornate geometry.
Restaurants in Vienna

1. St. Stephen's Cathedral

Stephansplatz 3, Vienna 1010 Austria +43 1 515523054 [email protected] http://www.stephanskirche.at
Excellent
57%
Good
31%
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10%
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4.5 based on 23,708 reviews

St. Stephen's Cathedral

Austria's most prominent national symbol, this magnificent cathedral is known for its intricately tiled roof and its nearly 500-foot-tall South Tower, which provides amazing views of the entire city.

Reviewed By Gangers_and_ash

The cathedral is beautiful - very grand and ornate with beautiful mouldings and gothic architecture. The detail in the carvings was extraordinary and the paintings were very beautiful. There are certain parts of the cathedral which are blocked off (the entire mid and front section) which does make the back part quite cramped with lots of people taking photographs. Be patient and you will get your turn! I’d recommend the catacombs tour (6 Euros each) - it was very interesting and the tour guide was extremely knowledgable, offering the tour in both German and English.

2. Kultur und Weihnachtsmarkt Schloss Schonbrunn

Schloss Schonbrunn Ehrenhof, Vienna 1130 Austria +43 1 81741650 [email protected] http://www.weihnachtsmarkt.co.at
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4.5 based on 396 reviews

Kultur und Weihnachtsmarkt Schloss Schonbrunn

This festive Christmas Market is located in the courtyard of Schönbrunn Palace.

3. Stadtpark

Parkring 1, Vienna 1010 Austria +43 1 40008042 http://www.wien.gv.at/english/environment/parks/stadtpark.html
Excellent
43%
Good
45%
Satisfactory
10%
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1%
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4.5 based on 1,458 reviews

Stadtpark

This bucolic city park, the highlight of which is a gilded statue of musician Johann Strauss in its center, was established in 1862.

Reviewed By macedonboy - Glasgow, United Kingdom

The Stadtpark is a large public park that’s divided into two sections by the River Vienna. The river has been engineered into what looks a little like a canal with elegant bridges over the river. Scattered throughout the park are statues of famous Viennese artists, writers, and composers, including Hans Canon, Emil Jakob Schindler, Johann Strauss Jr, Franz Schubert, and Anton Bruckner. The most famous of which is probably the golden statue of Johann Strauss Jr. There’s also a small lake where there’s a colony of ducks. The park is a lovely green area and a great place for a stroll.

4. Central Cemetery (Zentralfriedhof)

Simmeringer Hauptstrasse 230-244, Vienna 1110 Austria 4301534690 https://www.friedhoefewien.at/eportal3/ep/channelView.do/pageTypeId/75472/channelId/-54304
Excellent
63%
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4.5 based on 1,606 reviews

Central Cemetery (Zentralfriedhof)

Europe's second largest cemetery marks the final resting place for over 2.5 million people, including Beethoven, Brahms, Schubert and Strauss.

Reviewed By TsarShishman - Sofia, Bulgaria

An unique place where some of the most influential people in the world were buried - musicians, politicians, painters, artists, philanthropist, scientists, engineers and so on... You can spend the whole day in this marvellous place watching the beautiful monuments and learning more with the audioguide.

5. Graben and Kohlmarkt

Vienna Austria +43 1 5337488 http://www.graben-vienna.com/
Excellent
52%
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39%
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4.5 based on 1,155 reviews

Graben and Kohlmarkt

Reviewed By ParvizM2013 - San Diego, United States

As part of our Vienna city center walk, we spent some time on beautiful Graben Street. It is a must see in Vienna. You see very nice and old buildings with amazing architecture. There are lots of very nice cafes, restaurants, and high end designer shops on Graben street. As expected, the Graben street was very busy and crowded with tourists. There is a lot to see when you are there. You are within few minutes of walking distance to attractions such as Hofburg Palace, Sisi Museum and Kaiser apartments, Stephan Platz, St. Stephen's Cathedral (Stephansdom), Albertina Platz, Vienna State Opera, and the amazing golden Plague Column (Pestsaule). It was a very peasant walk and spent a few hours over there. Go to Graben street and have fun!

6. Kirche am Steinhof

Baumgartner Hohe 1, Vienna 1140 Wien Austria +43 1 9106011204 http://www.stadt-wien.at/wien/kirchen/otto-wagner-kirche.html
Excellent
80%
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4.5 based on 636 reviews

Kirche am Steinhof

Reviewed By Gulliver07

The setting is in the middle of a beautiful recreation area of meadows and forest. It is easily reached from downtown via public transport. It is definitely worth a visit for its architecture, the splendid restoration that used real gold plating on its cupola, the beautiful stained-glass windows as well as its fascinating history. I frequently visit Vienna and always make a visit to the Kirche am Stainhof. Take a guided tour by all means, but if you only speak English, make sure your guide is aware of it.

7. Michaelerplatz

Vienna Austria http://www.wien.info/de/orte/michaelerplatz
Excellent
47%
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44%
Satisfactory
8%
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4.5 based on 573 reviews

Michaelerplatz

Reviewed By sergo_il - Haifa, Israel

Michaelerplatz is the main entrance to the historical city center of Vienna, it is a beautiful square with amazing architecture, you may catch a popular carriage ride from here, find the entrance to the Hofburg and the Spanish Riding school or just enjoy a cup of coffee.

8. Rathausplatz

Vienna Austria +43 1 40008100 http://www.wien.gv.at/english/culture-history/film-festival.html
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4.5 based on 2,690 reviews

Rathausplatz

9. Ringstrasse

Vienna Austria http://www.wien.info/en/sightseeing/ringstrasse
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4.5 based on 2,637 reviews

Ringstrasse

Constructed in the late 19th century, this wide avenue encircles the old city of Vienna.

10. Stephansplatz

Vienna 1010 Austria
Excellent
52%
Good
36%
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4.5 based on 6,069 reviews

Stephansplatz

Reviewed By AudreyFotheringham - Aberdeen, United Kingdom

lots of shops , restaurants and cafes situated near the cathedral - really buzzing area of Vienna with lots of things to do , see , eat and drink .

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