As some of you know Austria is one of my favorite countries, I studied in Vienna for an exchange semester during university and I collected a lot of great memories. You can read more about my experience an tips to get a scholarship that will cover 100% of the expenses in the post How to win the Ernst Mach Grant for a semester or year abroad in Austria.
This summer I came back to Vienna and visited all my favorite places. Let me share with you which are the top 10 places you must definitely visit, plus some advice that will make your trip easier.
1. The City Center
Here you’ll be able to find two of the most beautiful churches in Vienna: St. Stephen’s Cathedral and Peterskirche. And you’ll also find streets full of stores to go shopping, and delicious Restaurants and Ice cream stores.
- St. Stephen’s Cathedral website: http://www.stephanskirche.at/
- Peterskirche website: http://www.peterskirche.at/st-peter/
2. Vienna State Opera
Besides its amazing architecture the Vienna State Opera is one of the top in the world, here you can enjoy first-class productions. It offers a different program every day, with over 50 operas and ballet works on around 300 days per season.
Depending on your preferences you can decide between buying high class tickets sitting in the front or buying standing tickets at the back that cost between 3 – 4 Euro.
Vienna Opera website: https://www.vienna-opera.com/
3. Austrian Parliament
This building contains a bast history, art and architecture. Visitors can get a lively impression of how politicians are at work – as guests watching the debates or through guided tours.
Austrian Parliament website: https://www.parlament.gv.at/
4. Volksgarten & Burggarten
Volksgarten: is a public park; the garden, which is part of the Hofburg Palace, was laid out by Ludwig Remy in 1821. You can also find there Volksgarten (nightclub) which is one of my favorites in Vienna. The entrance is around 12 euro and you’ll have two different dance-floors and a great vibe.
Volksgarten (nightclub) website: http://volksgarten.at/en/
Burggarten: just in front of Volksgarten you’ll find Burggarten. These were once the private gardens of Emperor Franz Joseph I., the husband of Empress Sisi. The gardens also contain the Palm House, one of the most beautiful art nouveau glass houses. And also include the Butterfly House where hundreds of exotic butterflies reside (the entrance fee is approximately 6.50 Euro), along with a very atmospheric coffee house and restaurant in the terrace.
5. Rathaus
Constructed from 1872 to 1883 in a Neo-Gothic style according to plans designed by Friedrich von Schmidt, it houses the office of the Mayor of Vienna.
There ‘s almost always an event going on there. On winter it turns into an ice skating ring and on summer there are a lot of festivals.
Rathaus website: https://www.wien.gv.at/verwaltung/rathaus/index.html
6. Schönbrunn Palace
It is a former imperial summer residence. The 1,441-room Baroque palace is one of the most important architectural, cultural, and historical monuments in the country.
You can visit the outside of the castle and the gardens for free or you can book different kinds of tours that will have a discount if you’re a student, child, or disabled person.
Here are some of the standard adult prices (for more information log into the website below): Imperial Tour 14.20 EUR, Grand Tour 17.50 EUR, Sisi Ticket 29.90 EUR, Classic Pass 24 EUR, Family Pass 49.90 EUR, Gloriette 3.80 EUR, Maze 5.50 EUR, Privy Garden 3.80 EUR.
Schönbrunn Palace website: https://www.schoenbrunn.at/en/
7. Belvedere Palace
Prince Eugene of Savoy a general and art connoisseur, built the Belvedere palace as his summer residence. Today, it is one of the most important baroque buildings in Austria. The palace consists of two seperate buildings: the Upper and Lower Belvedere, which are connected by a baroque garden.
You can visit the outside of the castle and the gardens for free or you can book different kinds of tours that will have a discount if you’re a student, child, or disabled person.
Here are some of the standard adult prices (for more information log into the website below): Belvedere Ticket 20 EUR, Prince Eugene Ticket 26 EUR, Upper Belvedere 15 EUR, Lower Belvedere 13 EUR, 21er Haus 7 EUR.
Belvedere Palace website: https://www.belvedere.at/en
8. Stadtpark
Court painter Joseph Selleny and garden director Rudolf Siebeck designed this municipal park. Today, the Stadtpark is regarded as a link between the city centre and the third district: people approaching the park from any side will find a different environment.
Stadtpark website: https://www.wien.gv.at/english/environment/parks/stadtpark.html
9. Wiener Prater
The Wiener Prater is a large public park in Vienna’s 2nd district (Leopoldstadt). It is the oldest amusement park in the world. The Prater area is open 24 hours each day, 7 days a week from January to December and accessible free of charge for everyone, only the attractions themselves are charged and close during the night. Fees for individual attractions vary between 1.50 EUR and 5 EUR depending size and genre.
Wiener Prater website: http://www.prater.at/GeneralInformation.php?LI=1
10. Kahlenberg
The Kahlenberg is 484 metres high and was given as a gift by Emperor Ferdinand II. to the Camaldolese Order in 1628. Today, it is a popular excursion destination and the top can be reached in about four hours on Vienna’s City Hiking Trail 1. At the highest point of the mountain is the Stefaniewarte (22 metre-tall viewing tower), the Baroque St. Joseph’s Church, the panorama terrace, and a restaurant and takeaway cafe.
Extra 1: The Hundertwasser House
The Hundertwasser House in Vienna was designed by Friedensreich Hundertwasser. It is one of Austria’s architectural highlights, the house draws visitors from around the world.
The Hundertwasser House website: http://www.hundertwasser-haus.info/en/
Extra 2: Mexiko Church
Also known as St. Francis of Assisi Church and the Kaiser Jubilee Church, is a Basilica-style Catholic church. Built between 1898 and 1910, it was consecrated in 1913. It is located on the Second District, Leopoldstadt, and is administered by the Order of the Holy Trinity.
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Gorgeous pictures! Love this post its definitely on my list. Pinning this so I can reference it!
Vienna looks like such an awesome city! I have to visit soon! <3
I went to Vienna a few years back and it’s still one of my favorite places I’ve been! My favorite were the gardens at the palace.
I love your pictures and outfit. The trip sounds wonderful and thank you so much for sharing with us the top 10 places we must visit.
What an amazing trips! Beautiful pictures!
Bucket list trip, looks like fun. Thanks for sharing your pics!
Beautiful pictures! I had a long layover in Vienna long ago and toured the city, but I was so tired I’ve always meant to go back and explore with a bit more time.