As the “City of Music and “City of Dreams” Vienna is in itself a masterpiece. Mozart, Beethoven and Freud resonate throughout this entire vibrant culture. The grand architecture, art and 600 coffee house take you back in time. I recently spent 5 glorious days here and love sharing tips. So, read on to discover 20 Vienna Austria top attractions.
About Vienna
Located in northeastern Austria, Vienna lies at the eastern base of the Alps in the Vienna Basin. It lies on both sides of the Danube River. As the capital of the Habsburg Monarchy for more than 600 years (1278-1918), Vienna remains the legacy of their architectural past. In the city center stands a plethora of Baroque palaces and Gothic churches. The 3-mile Ringstrasse exhibits some of the most historic and beautiful buildings in the city.
Vienna became the known as the “City of Music” and center of classical music. The Classical Period (Music) spanned between 1750 and 1820. The First Viennese School refers to the three composers of the Classical Period. These musical geniuses include Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven and Joseph Haydn. Vienna is also called the “City of Dreams,” because it was the home of Sigmund Freud. He studied dreams and was the founder of psychoanalysis.
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21 Vienna Austria Top Attractions
Walk the Ringstrasse
This 5.3 km (3.3 mi) circular boulevard is spectacular at both day and night. This ring road lies where the city walls once stood, surrounding the historic center. It runs clockwise and divides into 9 parts. Historic buildings and monuments grandly stand along the road. The Ringstrasse is a World Heritage Site.
Walking the Ring Road is the ideal way to experience the history with gorgeous architecture. If you’re not up for the walk, trolleys and buses circumnavigate this boulevard.
Free Walking Tour
Meeting in front of the Albertina Museum, free walking tours happen daily. You can reserve online at FreeWalkingTourVienna. These walking tours help orient newcomers about the iconic sites and history. Vienna is a grandiose treasure, warranting a professional introduction. Overall, most of us enjoy the sites more when we know the stories behind them.
Hofburg Palace and Gardens Tours
Vienna Austria Top Attractions
House of Hofburg Tour
The colossal Hofburg offers many different tours in the complex. I loved this self-guided audio tour. It takes you through 650 years of Habsburg history at your own pace. It begins in the grand Hall of Columns. Other highlights include the Armory Chamber, Collection of Historical Musial Instruments and the Weltmuseum (ethnographic museum).
Sisi Museum
Empress Elizabeth of Austria or “Sisi”is one of the most famous members of the Habsburg dynasty. She was married to Franz Josepf until assassinated in 1854. As a cultural icon, her Sisi Museum at the Hofburg is a popular destination. The museum explores her life story and character with historical exhibits. Also, possessions and replicas of her dresses express her legendary style and long tresses.
Spanish Riding School
The Spanish Riding School is known as the “Ballet of White Stallions.” Traditionally, the Lipizzaner horses perform equestrian shows at Hofburg Palace. After years of training, the classical riding style is set to music for an audience. If interested, reserve online
Austrian National Library
Located in the Neue Burg wing of the Hofburg, the Austrian National Library is the largest in Austria. Housing more than 12 million items, the library includes 4 museums. One of the main missions of the library is to collect and archive all publications appearing in Austria.
The library’s State Hall is a gorgeous Baroque design with fresco’s, marble and gilded details. Marble statues by Peter and Paul Strudel stand along the long hall. Also, four giant globes by Vincenzo Coronelli are showcased
Schonbrunn Palace and Gardens
Vienna Austria Top Attractions
The Schonbrunn Palace was the 1,441-room Baroque summer home to the Habsburg dynasty. Empress Maria Theresa remodeled the palace to its current style in the 1740 – 1750s. Her son, Franz I, the longest reigning Austrian Emperor was born and died here. Following the fall of the Habsburg dynasty in 1918, the palace became a museum. I reserved online a tour of the palace interior at
Then, I walked the French gardens between the palace and Neptune Fountain for free. Behind the fountain, the Gloriette crowns a 60 m (200 ft) hill. The landscape and gardens are beautiful. Additionally, I reserved online at and attended a Mozart and Strauss Concert at the Orangerie, performed every night.
Kunsthistorisches Museum
Vienna Museum of Art History
Off the Ring Road on Maria Theresien Plaza, the palatial Kunsthistorisches Museum (KHM) is the largest art museum in Austria. Built with a Renaissance-Revival façade in sandstone, an octagonal dome crowns the building. Emperor Franz Joseph I opened the building in 1891 to house the Habsburg art collection. The opulent interior is adorned with marble, gold-leaf, murals and an elegant grand stairway. Also, in the gorgeous domed hall is a café-restaurant, requiring a reservation.
As one of the most important art museums in the world, it’s renowned especially for the Renaissance and Baroque styles. The museum’s most famous masterpiece is The Tower of Babel by Pieter Bruegel the Elder. Other famous authors featured here include Rubens, Rembrandt, Vermeer, Jan van Eyck, Raphael and Gustav Klimt. If you only have time for one art museum in Vienna, this is the one to see.
Naturhistorisches Museum Wien
Natural History Museum – NHM Vienna
The NHM Vienna is one of the largest non-university research institutions in Austria. It stands across Maria Theresien Plaza from the Kunsthistorisches Museum with a similar exterior design. The 39 exhibition rooms display more than 100,000 objects. Overall, the museum houses millions of objects based on research related to human, earth and life sciences.
Emperor Franz Joseph I opened the museum in 1891. His wife Maria Theresa gave the natural science collection to the state and opened it to the general public. This was instrumental toward the dawning of the European Age of Enlightenment.
Justizpalast (Palace of Justice)
Also, on Ring Road is the Palace of Justice, the Supreme Court of Vienna. This majestic neo-Renaissance building is free to see inside. Highlights include the arcade court and a rooftop café both open to the public.
Rathaus (City Hall)
On Ring Road, the Rathaus or Vienna City Hall is the seat of the local government. This grand 19th century neo-Gothic building looks out over the square and park. Rathausplatz is home to one of Vienna’s biggest Christmas markets in December.
Mozart/Beethoven/Strauss/Schubert Monuments
Vienna Austria Top Attractions
The “City of Music” is an ideal place to pay tribute to the classical music legends. The Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart monument stands in Burggarten Park. The Italian marble sculpted figure is before his music stand. A flower bed designed in sheet music lies in front of the statue.
Stadtpark features one of the most popular photo ops at the Johan Strauss Monument. Here, the life-size golden Strauss stands playing his violin. A flowerbed lies before the statue. Also, in the park are memorials for Franz Schubert, Bruckner and Lehar. Near Stadtpark is Beethoven Square with his bronzed statue. It features the stern Ludwig van Beethoven sitting above symbolic figures, such as, Prometheus.
Haus der Musik or House of Music Museum
The House of Music Museum is an innovative venue, where visitors learn about the art and science of music. It’s fun and interesting for both kids and adults. It offers many high tech, interactive exhibits. For example, the musical stairs play as you step on each keyboard at the entrance.
The museum houses the archives of Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. It also offers 3 rooms dedicated to the great composers. Here, visitors learn about and listen to the music of Mozart, Beethoven and Hayden.
Classical Music Concert
Attending a classical music concert is the best way to experience the essence of the “City of Music.” The city offers a plethora of venues to enjoy a concert. I reserved online and attended a Mozart and Strauss concert at the Schonbrunn Palace.
The Vienna State Opera is a world class venue for classical concerts, opera and ballet performances. Also, at the St. Charles Church, the Vienna Mozart Orchestra plays concerts with singers in costume. Other venues include the Hofburg, Konzerthaus and Musikverein Golden Hall.
Vienna State Opera
On the Ring Road, the Vienna State Opera is a Renaissance Revival venue with 1,709 seats. Badly damaged during WW II, today the opera house is restored to its original design. This is one of the most famous opera houses in the world and also home to the Vienna State Ballet.
I reserved online a 40-minute guided tour learning about the history of the building and its opera. With firsthand explanations, we toured the grand staircase, state rooms and auditorium. Even more, reserve online to discover the heart of Vienna at a concert or ballet here.
Belvedere Museum and Gardens
The Belvedere Museum is a complex of Baroque palaces housing Austrian art from the Middle Ages to present day. It’s famous for being home to the world’s largest collection of Gustav Klimt’s paintings, especially his masterpiece The Kiss. The complex consists of 3 buildings: Upper and Lower Belvedere and Belvedere 21. The Austrian art stays in the Upper Belvedere and contemporary art in Belvedere 21.
The Baroque palaces and gardens are a work of art in and of themselves. Prince Eugene of Savoy built them in 1723 as his summer residence. After his death, Empress Maria Theresa acquired the entire estate. She turned the Upper Belvedere into a venue for the imperial collections. This became one of the first public museums in the world.
The beautiful Belvedere Baroque Garden design is historical in itself. A large pool mirrors the Upper Belvedere building. The gardens are a wonderful place to relax and muse on the incredible art and landscaping.
MuseumsQuartier (MQ)
As the former imperial court stables, the MuseumsQuartier (MQ) is a large cultural complex. It features modern art museums, art spaces, shops and café-restaurants. Entrance to the complex is free, however, the museums require tickets.
The MQ provides tours of the complex. Popular museums include Leopold Museum, MUMOK or Museum of Modern Art, Architekturzentrum Wien and Zoom Kindermuseum for children. The Leopold Museum is famous for its colossal Schiele collection.
St. Stephen’s Cathedral or “The Steffl”
The Gothic St. Stephen’s Cathedral is an important symbol of Vienna. With origins in the 12th century, the building evolved to its current Baroque state. One of the most striking things about its exterior is the colorful roof tiles.
Its tallest tower reaches 136 meters with incredible views of Vienna reached by 343 steps. The north tower stands at 68 meters high reached by an elevator. I loved the north tower for its close-up view of the gorgeous roof tiles design with the city below.
600 Coffee Houses
The heart of Viennese café culture continues to thrive in its traditional coffee houses. Vienna is legendary for offering more than 600 coffee houses. They offer a sensual experience that roots you with its rich history. Almost all of them require reservations. I observed the Café-Restaurant in the domed hall at the Kunsthistorisches Museum and wished for a reservation.
Demel Café is the oldest in Vienna. It opened in 1786 and requires a reservation. However, I tasted their desserts at their cafe inside the Albertina Museum. Their caramelized pancake bits with raspberry sauce was divine.
Café Central is another iconic café visited by famous local legends, such as, Sigmund Freud.
At Café Sacher Vienna, inside of Hotel Sacher, the original Sacher Torte is on the menu.
Sacher Torte is a famous chocolate cake with two layers separated by apricot jam and drizzled in chocolate icing.
Shopping Streets
Vienna Austria Top Attractions
Inner Mariahilferstraße “Mahu” stretches from Westbahnhof to Museumsquartier. It’s the longest shopping street in Austria with a variety of boutiques, shops and café-restaurants. Kärntnerstraße starts at Karlsplatz and stretches past the opera to Stephansplatz. This is the second most popular shopping street in the city. It’s more expensive and near many iconic landmarks.
Golden Quarter is the most exclusive shopping district in Vienna. It spans in the city center on Graben. Luxury labels line up here, such as, Rolex, Prada and Louis Vuitton. Then, Graben leads from the Golden Quarter to the St. Stephen’s Cathedral with more designer shops. Kohlmarkt begins at Michaelerplatz in front of Hofburg stretching to Graben.
Albertina Museum and Modern
The Albertina Museum stands near the Opera House and Tourist Information Center. This site is another gorgeous museum inside a palace. Its outstanding collections include painting from creative giants around the times of French Impressionism. For example, the museum features Monet, Degas, Cezanne, Gaugin, Renoir, Picasso and Miro. Also, the Albertina staterooms provide self-guided tours of their 19th century elegance.
The Albertina Modern is just a few minutes-walk from the Albertina. It exhibits modern, postmodern and contemporary art.
Sigmund Freud Museum
The Sigmund Freud Museum consists of his former practice and part of his family townhome. Freud lived in the Alsergrund District for 47 years, where he developed his lifeworks. The museum covers the history of psychoanalysis. Attached to the museum is the largest psychoanalytic research library in Europe. Also, the site displays Freud’s books, writings, antiques and even his briefcase.
However, Freud’s famous couch went with him to London during Nazi occupation of Vienna during WW II. As a Jewish himself, Freud and his wife exiled to London where he later died in 1939.
Daytrip to Bratislava, Slovakia
Just an hour away by bus or train is the capital city, Bratislava, Slovakia. This charming city is compact and filled with history. Many people take a daytrip here from Vienna or Budapest. I enjoyed 2 days here. Check out my blog/video:
Related: Charming Bratislava, Slovakia’s Top 15 Attractions
Enjoy Vienna!
Everything about Vienna is hyperbole! Truly, my 5 days were just enough time to experience these 20 attractions. However, I would have loved more time to explore deeper. If limited on time, I suggest doing research and having a plan. This way you can get the most out of this culturally diverse hotspot. If your travels bring you to Vienna, feel free to leave any suggestions or tips below.
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