20 Unbelievable Things To Do in Vienna: Austria’s Imperial City

Vienna is a city that’s incredibly easy to fall in love with—it feels elegant and grand, but not in a stuffy way, just effortlessly beautiful.

You’ll find wide boulevards, soaring churches, and palaces so ornate it almost feels unreal. Practically every building I walked into had my jaw on the floor.

A lot of that grandeur comes from Vienna’s past. As the capital of the powerful and wealthy Habsburg Empire, Vienna was built to impress—and it still does. You’ll see it in the Baroque architecture that fills the city, from palaces to museums and churches to public buildings.

And as the city where musical legends like Mozart, Beethoven, and Haydn lived and worked, it’s no wonder Vienna is known as the City of Music. All of this combines to make Vienna a city unlike anywhere else in Europe.

A Brief Look at History

To really appreciate Vienna, it helps to know just a little bit about its past.

For centuries, Vienna was the capital of the Habsburg Empire (later known as the Austrian Empire), a powerful force that ruled a large swath of Central Europe, including present-day Austria and Hungary. The empire dissolved after World War I, but its legacy is still everywhere in the city.

Two rulers you’ll hear about a lot are Empress Maria Theresa, who reigned from 1740 to 1780 and was known for strengthening the empire and implementing reforms, and Emperor Franz Joseph, who ruled from 1848 to 1916. His wife, Empress Elisabeth—or Sisi—is still one of Austria’s most iconic and beloved figures.

20 Unbelievably Beautiful Things to Do in Vienna

1. Hofburg Palace

The Hofburg Palace is a massive palatial and governmental complex dating back to the 13th century when it was initially constructed as a residence for the Habsburg dynasty.

Over the centuries, the palace grew and expanded, serving as the political center of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. While it was the imperial seat of the Habsburgs for over 600 years it now is the home of several museums and unique attractions.

The most famous attraction is the Sisi Museum, dedicated to the life of and personal affects of Empress Elisabeth (Sisi). She was one of the most famous rulers of 19th century Europe.

Beyond being a ruler of one of the largest empires of the time, she was renowned for her beauty and became a tragic figure when she was assassinated by an Italian anarchist named Luigi while visiting Switzerland.

When visiting the Sisi Museum, you can also visit the Imperial Apartments and Treasury to see what the residences and daily life of the royal family was like, visit the impressive Swiss wing, and see many relics of the Holy Roman Empire.

The Neue Hofburg wing is a 19th-century extension to the palace complex, primarily used for governance. Today it holds three museums that can be visited with a single ticket:

• The Weltmuseum focuses on world cultures
• The Armory is focused on Austrian military history and weaponry
• The Musical Instrument Museum provides insight into the rich musical tradition of the Austrian court and several of its famous composers

The complex also hosts other sites of note, including the Austrian National Library and the Spanish Riding School (discussed next) and the Hofburg Chapel. The chapel is still used for mass and is the home of the Vienna Boys Choir, and can be visited for free when not being used for events.

2. State Hall of the Austrian National Library

Regularly included on lists of the most beautiful libraries in the world, the State Hall of the Austrian National Library is basically heaven for anyone who loves books and architecture (hello, that’s me). Commissioned in the early 1700s by Emperor Charles VI, this baroque marvel is nothing short of jaw-dropping.

The space is richly adorned with colorful ceiling frescoes, a soaring cupola, Corinthian columns, gilded accents, statues, and warm, elegant wood shelving. The library holds over 200,000 books, stacked floor to ceiling in ornate cases that line the grand hall.

It’s been described as a “jewel of secular baroque architecture”—and once you step inside, it’s easy to see why.

• Hours: 10am-6pm, open until 9pm on Thursday, and closed Monday
• Cost: €11

3. Spanish Riding School

The Spanish Riding School was founded in the 1500s and has always been associated with the famous white Lipizzaner horses. It’s a school dedicated to the art of classical dressage—an elite horse training tradition long linked to the Habsburgs—and it still operates today. In the horse world, it’s a pretty big deal.

You can experience it a few different ways: attend a formal performance, take a guided tour of the stables, or watch a morning practice session in the elegant riding hall (all require you to book ahead online).

We chose the morning practice so we could actually see the horses in action (the stable tour doesn’t include any riding), but honestly, I thought it was massively overpriced and kind of overrated.

It was nearly €20 for a standing spot, and what you get is an hour of watching 4 or 5 horses walk or trot in small circles. Yes, the riders wear their traditional outfits, and the horses go through some precise movements—angled walking, keeping their heads tucked, and the occasional skip step—but after about 12 minutes we were like… this is it?

It’s possible the guided tour of the stables is more interesting, since you get to see the horses up close and learn about their care and the school’s long history. But even my horse-loving girls were bored by the morning practice. Unfortunately, I just wouldn’t recommend it.

4. Volksgarten and Burggarten

Heldenplatz is the large public square in front of the Hofburg Palace, and on either side, you’ll find Volksgarten and Burggarten. Of the two, we especially liked Volksgarten. Opened in 1823, it was Vienna’s first public park.

There are several distinct sections here—a formal Baroque garden, a rose garden, and a more relaxed English-style garden. You’ll also find the Theseustempel, a small white temple modeled after the Temple of Hephaestus in Athens.

It’s a lovely, peaceful spot and a great place to relax during your time in the city.

5. Rathausplatz

Rathausplatz—City Hall Square—is home to Vienna’s City Hall, which honestly looks more like a palace than a government building. Built in the Gothic Revival style, the building is incredibly detailed and has an impressive central bell tower.

The square in front has small parks and walking paths, making it a really nice place to explore. Throughout the year, Rathausplatz transforms for different seasonal events—there’s a Christmas market and ice skating rink in the winter, and a film festival during the summer, for example.

It’s an iconic spot in Vienna and definitely worth a visit, even if just to admire the building’s striking facade.

6. Fine Arts Museum

The Kunsthistorisches Museum, known as the Fine Arts Museum, is housed in an incredibly palatial building on Maria-Theresian-Platz, directly across from the similarly beautiful Museum of Natural History. 

The building was constructed in 1891 by Emporer Franz Joseph I, and was built specifically to house the expansive art collection of the Habsburgs. I was blown away by the beauty of the building.

You enter through an incredible domed entryway, then walk up a grand staircase lined with marble pillars, statues, and intricate ceiling details—stucco designs, gold leafing, and murals. From there, you continue around the atrium to explore the collections, with ornate touches at every turn.

The museum’s collection includes works by major European artists like Pieter Bruegel, several paintings by Peter Paul Rubens, and Giuseppe Arcimboldo’s Summer.

You’ll also find sections dedicated to Greek and Egyptian antiquities, an extensive coin collection, and a range of Habsburg artifacts—ornate serving wares, platters, tea sets, jewelry boxes, and more—that are seriously impressive.

I loved this museum – the artwork and artifacts are beautiful and often over the top, and the building itself is drop-dead gorgeous. Don’t miss the lovely museum cafe!

• Cost: €21
• Hours: 10am-6pm (9pm on Thursday)

7. Maria-Theresien-Platz

This square features a large, commanding statue of Empress Maria Theresa, proudly watching over all her subjects walking below. The Fine Arts Museum and Natural History Museum flank either side of the square, with symmetrical Renaissance Revival facades.

Pathways wind through green spaces lined with hedges, and plenty of people sit on the grass, enjoying the ambiance. It’s a regal, bustling square.

8. St Stephens Cathedral

Located right on Stephansplatz, St. Stephen’s Cathedral is the main church in the city center and one of Vienna’s most recognizable landmarks—especially with its colorful tiled rooftop.

Entry is free, though access is limited to the front and left side of the church. Still, you can admire the soaring ceilings and beautiful stained glass from those areas.

There are also a few ways to explore beyond the main floor. You can take a guided tour of the catacombs beneath the cathedral, or head up one of the towers for a panoramic view.

The north tower is shorter but has an elevator, while the south tower is taller but requires climbing a long staircase.

It was blazing hot when we were in Vienna, so we opted not to climb stairs in the afternoon heat and went up the north tower. The views over the city, the church roof, and a glimpse of the south tower were fantastic.

9. Vienna State Opera

Vienna is practically synonymous with classical music, with legends like Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, and Haydn all living and working here, so it’s only fitting that the city is home to one of the most iconic opera houses in the world.

Commissioned by Emperor Franz Joseph I and Empress Sisi, the Vienna State Opera was built between 1861 and 1869 in a grand Renaissance Revival style. With 1,709 seats and over 350 performances a year, it’s still one of the busiest opera houses in the world—sometimes there’s a different opera every single night.

You can only visit the inside on a guided tour (book ahead, they do sell out!), but the tour was phenomenal.

We were taken through many different rooms of the opera house—up the absolutely stunning grand staircase, past the emperor’s suite, and into elegant reception rooms decorated with busts of composers and small murals from their most famous works.

We heard fascinating stories about the history and design of the opera house and got a behind-the-scenes look at how it functions today. The scale of it all is wild—they’re rotating through multiple shows each week, with elaborate sets and costumes constantly being transported between the opera house and offsite storage.

Truly, the building is a masterpiece that showcases the masterpieces of so many of the greats. I was seriously in awe, and absolutely loved the building and the tour.

Cost: €15

10. Karlskirche

St. Charles Church, built in 1737, was commissioned by Emperor Charles VI to honor Saint Charles Borromeo—the patron saint of plague sufferers—after a devastating epidemic in 1713 that killed more than 8,000 people.

The church is an absolutely stunning blend of styles: a Greco-Roman portico out front, a soaring baroque dome, and massive columns that give it the feel of a monumental imperial church.

The inside of the church is a combination of Baroque and Rococo styles, with huge marble pilasters holding up a grand dome, where beautiful, colorful frescoes are painted. Marble columns, intricate scrollwork on stone, painted frescoes, and other ornamentation fill practically every surface of the church—it’s incredibly awe-inspiring.

Your entrance ticket includes access to a spiral staircase up to the organ loft, plus a rooftop terrace with panoramic views back toward the city center.

Cost: €9.50, cash only if bought in person, or buy tickets online with card

11. Schönbrunn Palace

Schönbrunn was the Habsburgs’ summer palace. It was originally built as a hunting lodge before Empress Maria Theresa expanded and decorated it into a symbol of imperial power and wealth, and today is one of the most gorgeous palaces in Europe.

It’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Vienna and definitely a must-visit. The palace itself is huge, the surrounding gardens are expansive and beautifully manicured, and the entire estate is just beyond beautiful.

There are a few different types of palace self-guided tours you can book, but the Palace Tour takes you to the most rooms (and is worth it, I think).

There are also several types of combo tickets you can buy that combine the palace, gardens, and other Hofburg sites. We opted for the Classic Pass and 4 of the paid gardens (more on that in a minute).

The Palace Tour takes you through 40 rooms, including the lavish ballrooms, imperial apartments, and smaller, more private quarters. I loved walking through Schönbrunn—the grand rooms, the opulent ballroom, and the personal spaces of Franz Joseph and Sisi were all jaw-droppingly opulent.

The audioguide (included with admission) was excellent—interesting, well-paced, and full of good info about the royals, the rooms, and the artwork.

The main garden behind the palace is free and absolutely worth visiting—long walkways, manicured flower beds, statues, fountains, and the enormous sculpture-topped Napoleon Fountain at the far end.

There are also several smaller themed gardens, many of which require tickets:

• The Privy Garden (Crown Prince’s Garden) has a horseshoe-shaped vine-covered walkway encircling flowers, bushes, and trees in the middle, and lovely views of the palace.
• The Orangery had some walkways through fruit trees, some flowers, and a fountain, and had a more natural feel. It was a nice garden, but not a must do for me.

• The Maze was genuinely fun and a good option for families, with platforms to overlook the layout and shout instructions to lost companions, plus a few playgrounds.

• Gloriette: A neo-classical arched pavilion and viewpoint of the gardens and palace from the top of a small hill.
• Schönbrunn Zoo: The oldest zoo in the world still in operation.

• Palm House: A picturesque greenhouse filled with tropical and Mediterranean plants.

There is also a mini train, and carriage rides around the grounds.

A Few Tips:

• Despite recommendations saying to plan for 2–4 hours at Schönbrunn , we easily could have spent the full day here (and indeed, came back the next day to finish up). We spent 1.5 hours on the palace tour alone, and then another ~4 hours in the gardens, and still didn’t get to visit everything.
• Schönbrunn is fairly far from the city center, but it’s very easy to reach via the U4 metro.
• You need to make a timed entrance ticket for the palace, but the gardens you can visit anytime you like. 

12. Belvedere Palace

Belvedere Palace was built in the early 1700s as the summer palace for Prince Eugene of Savoy, a successful military commander for the Habsburg Empire. The palace was often abandoned after Eugene’s death, although notably, it hosted a ball to celebrate the marriage of Marie Antoinette to the French heir who would become King Louis XVI.

The complex includes two Baroque palaces—the Upper and Lower Belvedere—which are both art museums today. The Upper Belvedere is bigger and grander, with more permanent collections, and masterpieces, such as Klimt’s The Kiss, and the famous Napoleon Crossing the Alps by Jacques-Louis David.

Most of the interiors have been restored to feel more like gallery spaces rather than an opulent palace, but a few rooms—especially the Marble Hall—still showcase the grand architecture and ornate design of the original palace.

While the palace museums are worth visiting, the real highlight is the gardens. A large formal garden connects the two palaces, filled with fountains, sculptures, and flower beds. The backdrop of the Baroque palace facades behind the picturesque landscapes is genuinely stunning.

• Hours: 9am-6pm (Upper Palace), 10am-6pm (Lower Palace)
• Cost: €25.90 for a combo ticket to both palaces, timed entry enforced (book online)

13. Naschmarkt

Naschmarkt is a long stretch of 120 market stands and restaurants, located in the median of a wide boulevard on the edge of Vienna’s city center. While it’s technically a “market,” the stalls are all permanent brick-and-mortar shops, cafes, and restaurants, giving the area a more established (but still charming) feel.

You’ll find vendors selling produce, cheese, meats, bread, olives, dried fruits, and more, alongside plenty of sit-down spots to grab a bite. It’s a fun place to stroll, browse, and snack your way through. On Saturdays, there’s also a very popular flea market at the far end.

But be warned—not all of the restaurants here are good. We had one very overpriced and pretty underwhelming meal when we were all starving and just needed food ASAP.

But we ended up back here later at a different spot (Zer Eisernen Zeit) and had one of the best meals of the whole trip. It’s definitely worth checking reviews before sitting down.

14. St. Peter’s Church

If you (like me) just can’t get enough of beautiful Baroque architecture, don’t miss St. Peter’s Church. It’s another Baroque marvel from the early 1700s, tucked away in the First District, with similar vibes to St. Charles Church—but on a smaller, more compact scale.

Inspired by St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, this church was built to fit into the tight streets of the city center. From the outside, it doesn’t look especially large, but step inside and you’ll be surprised—the dome is massive, and the interior is nothing short of stunning.

Dedicated to Saint Peter and the Holy Trinity, the church boasts Corinthian columns, small niches filled with statues, and a richly decorated dome covered in colorful frescoes. It’s a total showstopper of a church, and regularly hosts organ recitals and concerts throughout the week.

15. Minoritenkirche

Minoritenkirche is another historic church tucked into the First District, and it has a totally different vibe from Vienna’s plentiful baroque buildings. This is a classic French Gothic style church, with pointed arches and tall stone columns giving it a much more “traditional cathedral” feel.

We specifically came here to see the life-sized mosaic copy of The Last Supper, which is displayed along one of the church walls. Commissioned by Napoleon and created by an Italian artist, it’s a shimmering, incredibly detailed recreation of the original painting in Milan.

Make sure to admire it up close—the detail and color variation in the stones is very striking in person.

16. House of Music

The House of Music is a fun, hands-on museum with creative exhibits that pay homage to Vienna’s musical history. For example, there are piano keys set into a staircase that play as you walk up and down the stairs, a variety of really unique sound labs, and interesting exhibits about some of Austria’s most famous composers.

My kids loved the station where you could “conduct” Vienna’s orchestra, and the orchestra on screen responds to you slowing down or speeding up the conducting.

While I think this is a fun place for adults, it’s certainly a must-do if you’re traveling with kids.

17. Eat Delicious Viennese Cuisine

Austria has delicious cuisine, and it’s worth making sure you get some great local food while you’re in Vienna. Here are a few dishes you cannot miss:

>>Sausages

All kinds of sausages are available in Vienna, and while you can get great sausages in restaurants, it’s also Vienna’s most popular street food. Small stands selling various sausages and french fries are scattered all over the city, and make a great easy lunch or afternoon snack.

>>Schnitzel

One of the most classic German foods, schnitzel can be made of pork, chicken, or veal, and is a thinly pounded cutlet of meat that’s breaded and fried.

>>Kasespaetzle

Kasespaetzle was maybe my favorite dish I had in Vienna, and is essentially glorified cheesy pasta. Spaetzle is a type of German egg noodle, and it’s prepared with a creamy cheese mixture, and topped with fried onions. Absolutely heavenly.

We had this dish a couple of times, but the best was definitely at Zer Eisernen Zeit restaurant in the Naschmarkt – I’d highly recommend it.

>>Sachertorte

Sachertorte is one of Vienna’s most iconic desserts—a dense chocolate cake layered with apricot jam and finished with a smooth chocolate glaze. It was invented by Franz Sacher in the early 1800s and has been a staple in Viennese cafés ever since.

The most famous place to try it is Hotel Sacher, but we had an excellent version at Café Sperl—with much shorter lines. Just a heads-up: most cafés still follow the original 19th-century recipe, so the cake is a bit drier than what you might expect from modern chocolate cakes.

>>Apfelstrudel

Finally, you can’t visit Austria without trying apple strudel—it’s probably the country’s most classic dessert. Thinly sliced apples are layered with spices and tucked into a delicate, flaky pastry crust, then baked until golden.

18. The Albertina

The Albertina is one of Vienna’s most popular art museums and actually refers to a group of three locations, with the main one located just behind the Hofburg Complex in the First District.

The museum is known for its world-class print room, which holds around 65,000 drawings and over a million old master prints. There’s also impressionist and expressionist art, with some very famous works of art on display—think pieces from Monet’s Water Lilies or Degas’ Dancers series.

The museum is also a former Habsburg palace and includes a wing of beautifully preserved State Rooms. These were once the private quarters of Empress Maria Theresia’s daughter, Archduchess Marie-Christine. The rooms are opulent, decorated in deep colors and period furniture, and are beautiful to walk through.

This is a great museum with a little bit of everything—art, history, and royal flair. But if you’re short on time or less interested in art, I’d recommend prioritizing the Fine Arts Museum first.

19. Ernst Fuchs-Museum (Otto-Wagner-Villa)

Designed by Otto Wagner—one of Austria’s most celebrated architects—this villa was built in 1888 and was considered a groundbreaking example of early modern design. Wagner, known for his bold Art Nouveau style, actually lived here himself for a time.

The villa sits on the far western edge of Vienna, about 45 minutes from the city center, so it’s a bit of a trek. Today, it houses the Ernst Fuchs Museum, showcasing the incredibly distinctive and surreal artwork of Austrian painter Ernst Fuchs.

This spot definitely feels like a hidden gem. I wouldn’t prioritize it over Vienna’s more iconic attractions, but if you’ve already hit the major highlights and want something a little off the beaten path, Villa Wagner II is a unique and memorable stop.

• Cost: 14€
• Hours: 10am-4pm, closed Monday

20. Vienna Christmas Market

I’ve visited Vienna in both summer and winter, and honestly, both seasons are amazing. But coming in late November through December adds something extra—because that’s when the city transforms into a Christmas market wonderland.

I’ve been to nearly 20 different Christmas market cities around the world, and the Vienna Christmas Market is seriously one of the best. Sprawling markets take over squares and palace courtyards across the city, filled with delicious food, festive decorations, and some of the most beautiful light displays I’ve ever seen.

Seriously, it’s worth coming to Vienna in winter just for the markets.

Map of Attractions in Vienna

How Many Days Do You Need in Vienna?

I’d recommend at least 3 full days to hit the top sites, but you could easily spend up to a week exploring the ins and outs of Vienna.

The Wrap Up

If you can’t tell from the gushing superlatives throughout this post, I loved Vienna. The beautiful baroque architecture, delicious food, incredible landmarks, and interesting history all make for an unforgettable stay in one of Europe’s most fascinating capitals.