How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Vienna

Viennaor Wien as the locals call itis rich in historyarchitectureartmusicfoodand wine. Located on the River DanubeAustria's capital city began as a Roman-era settlement. Howevermost of the city's Baroque buildings were created under Empress Maria Theresa (18th century) and Emperor Franz Joseph (19th century)and today they stand in contrast to modern glass and steel structures.

Beautiful buildingswalkable streetsdelicious foodand lots to do both indoors and outdoors make Vienna a wonderful vacation destination. Voted one of the most livable cities in the worldVienna's city limits include vineyardsparksand the forested Vienna Woods (called Wienerwald in German)a protected natural landscape. The "coffee culture" is featured prominently in Viennese lifeand coffee houses are places to relaxsocializeand enjoy the city's famous desserts.

Classical composers such as SchubertMozartHaydnStraussBrahmsand Beethoven all once called Vienna homewhich explains its apt nickname"the City of Music." Vienna is also known for its Ball Seasonwhich runs from November until the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. Over 400 balls take place — with the Viennese Waltz and elegant formal attire in full display.

To sum up a perfect trip to Viennayou'll shop for snow globesorder a plate of Wiener Schnitzelstop at a hot dog standand finish with the city's most famous dessertSacher-Torte.

Here's our guide to everything you need to know about planning an elegant trip to Vienna.

Best Hotels & Resorts

Hotel Sacher

Hotel Sacher is a classic Victorian-era hotel that features 152 exquisitely furnished rooms and suitescombining tradition with modern amenities. Fine-dining restaurants and cocktail lounges are availableand guests should not miss Café Sacher's world-famous Sacher-Tortea decadent chocolate cake invented in the 19th century. Childcare is availableand the "Petit Sacher" program provides a welcome gift and special amenities for children.

The Hoxton

Set in a former office of the Austrian Chamber of CommerceThe Hoxton is a hotel with a modernist that pops with color and art. Overlooking Stadt Parkwith a 360-degree view of Vienna from the rooftop pool and barthe hotel has 192 stylishly decorated rooms ranging in size from the smallest "Shoeboxes" designed for solo travelers to the "Roomy" rooms with king-size beds.

Hotel Bristol

Voted the best hotel in Vienna by T+L readers in 2025Hotel Bristol is another classic Vienna hotel that has been a beacon of Art Deco-inspired hospitality in Vienna's Old Town for over a century. The location is unbeatableright next to the Vienna State Operaand it's both pet- and family-friendly with discounts if you book a second room for the kids.

Ritz-Carlton Vienna

Located in downtown Viennathe Ritz-Carlton features 201 guest roomsincluding 43 suites. The historic building was once four palaces that have since been connectedand modern amenities include a fitness centerindoor pooland spa. An excellent steakhouseItalian restaurantcocktail loungeand the seasonal Atmosphere Rooftop Bar provide a range of dining offerings.

Hotel Imperial

Built for the Duke of Wurttemberg in 1863Hotel Imperial offers 79 rooms and 59 suitesall elegantly furnished with authentic antiques. Conveniently located near the Vienna State Opera and St. Stephen's Cathedralthe hotel is also ideal for designer shopping. Family-friendly options include babysitting serviceconnecting roomsand children's menus.

Best Things to Do

Schönbrunn Palace

This magnificent 18th-century palace is one of Vienna's top attractions for its architecturehistoryand Baroque gardens. Tours take visitors through the rooms once used by Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Maria Theresa to see the furnitureartand sumptuous décor.

St. Stephen's Cathedral

Also called Stephansdomthe St. Stephen's Cathedral was built as a 12th-century Romanesque churchand it has been reconstructed several times as recently as post-World War IIcombining its original design with Baroque and Gothic architecture. Visitors can tour the 14th-century catacombs in an underground labyrinth or climb one of the towers for a view of Vienna from the roof.

MuseumsQuartier

Located in central Viennathe MuseumsQuartier is a complex that includes 60 cultural institutions spanning contemporary arthistoryarchitecturemusicfashiontheaterdanceliteraturephotographystreet artand children's culture. Guided tours are availableand the exterior courtyard is designed for visitors and locals to enjoy unique outdoor furniturecafésand restaurants.

The Spanish Riding School

The Spanish Riding School was established with the introduction of the famous Lipizzaner horses from Spain in the 16th century. Todaya variety of tours and performances demonstrate equestrian skills and take visitors behind the scenes for exercise and training sessions.

The Prater

With a history that dates back to the 18th centurythe 3,200-acre amusement park was rebuilt after World War II. The Prater is home to roller coastersold-fashioned theme park ridesthe Giant Ferris WheelHaunted Castlethe Prater MuseumPlanetariumand more.

Best Shopping

Ringstrassen Galleries

Two buildings connected by a glass bridge create a unique atmosphere for the 16-floor mall that includes officesluxury apartmentsand restaurants as well as retail shops. The stores on the three-mile-long Ringstrasse offer clothingaccessoriesjewelrytoysartgiftsflowersand more in a gorgeous setting.

Kohlmarkt

One of the oldest and most elegant streets in ViennaKohlmarkt is home to jewelers and international luxury fashion brands including CartierChanelArmaniBurberryGucciand more. Browse the high-end shops and enjoy the grand historical architecture of the area.

Steffl Department Store

This upscale department store features a wide variety of clothing and accessory brands including Dolce & GabbanaFurlaChloeand Patagoniain a convenient location. Rest a bit after shopping at the SKY Café and enjoy views of St. Stephen's Cathedral and Vienna's skyline.

Tostmann Trachten

Tostmann Trachten is the best place to purchase locally-made traditional Austrian clothing. In business for over 60 yearsTostmann offers dirndls for ladies and lederhosen for gentlemen. Choose from a variety of s for adults and children.

Augarten Wien

Europe's second oldest porcelain manufacturer and purveyor to the Habsburg courtAugarten still produces timeless objects meticulously designed and painted. Dinnerwarevasesfigurinesteapotsand collectible objects are available at the shop.

Nightlife

Krypt

Krypt is a subterranean barlocated two flights down into an old Viennese cellar with a speakeasy aesthetic. Expect a bold menu of whiskey highballs and classic cocktails.

Bruder

Instead of bottlesthe shelves above the bar at Bruder are stocked with jars of homemade cocktail ingredients. The theme is fermentation and you'll notice many pickled ingredients in the highly creative food and drink menu.

Pratersauna

Formerly a mid-century bathhousePratersauna is now one of Vienna's hottest dance clubs where you can find techno and electro music. The pool is still open in the summer as the Sauna Strand Klubbut after darkthe party goes inside and Viennese clubbers continue the party across multiple dance floors.

Best Restaurants

Mraz & Sohn

This family-run fine dining restaurant has received two Michelin stars for its creative approach to Austrian and internationally-influenced cuisine. Multi-course tasting menus offer an experience that's both sophisticated and casualwith friendlyattentive service.

Steirereck

Located in Vienna's Stadtpark and set in a modern mirrored glass buildingSteirereck features rural Austrian cuisine in creative presentations. Fresh seafoodproduce from the terrace gardenswild boarand more are treated in novel ways. Choose the tasting menu or dine a la carte.

Palmenhaus

Set in an 1822 greenhouse overlooking Hofburg palace gardensthe updated modern glass and steel structure is stunning and Palmenhaus offers both indoor and outdoor dining. Breakfastlunchand dinner are servedand the dinner menu includes seafood and (of course) schnitzel.

Café Central

Established in 1876 and set in Palais Ferstela palatial Italianate mansionCafé Central attracts tourists and locals who dine on Viennese dishescoffee specialtiesand bakery items in the historic setting. Through the years famous figures like Freud and Trotsky as well as poets and writers have dined thereso a stop at Café Central should be on every visitor's itinerary.

Naschmarkt

Vienna's largest and best-known food marketthe Naschmarktis located on the concrete-covered Vienna Riverwith more than 120 market stands selling producefishcheeseinternational street foodssweetssnackslocal productsand sit-down restaurant meals. On Saturdaysa flea market next door offers booksrecord albumsantiquesand more.

Best Time to Visit

Vienna's climate is continental with cold winters and moderately warm summers. For mildalthough sometimes chilly weatherspring and fall are pleasant times to be in Vienna. Fewer tourists make it easier to see the city's attractionsand hotel rates are lower.

Summer is warm and sunny with temperatures in the high 70s and perhaps a bit more rain. It's also a lovely time therebut the city sees more visitors during the high seasonwhich is reflected in hotel prices. If you don't mind colder temperatures thoughChristmas markets and magical decorations make December an attractive time to visit. Additionallythe ball season from November until February can be fun even if you're not ready to waltz onto the dance floor.

Neighborhoods to Visit

Innere Stadt (1st District)

This is the city center where most hotelsstoresrestaurantsand attractions are located. St. Stephen's Cathedralthe Vienna Opera HouseParliamentand many museums are located in this district. The Ringstrasseonce the city's fortifications and now a fashionable boulevardcircles the district.

Leopoldstadt (2nd District)

Once Vienna's Jewish quarterthis is now a trendy area a short subway ride from the central city. Prater ParkVienna's amusement parkis in this districtas is the Augarten porcelain factory.

Landstrasse (3rd District)

This area includes StadtparkSchwarzenberg PalaceBelvedere Palaceand several embassies and consulates. Stadtpark features lush lawnsplaygroundsand the excellent restaurant Steirereck im Stadtpark for Austrian cuisine.

Mariahilf (6th District)

This neighborhood features the busy Mariahilferstrasse shopping street and the Naschmarkt produce and dining market as well as theaters and pubs. Also hereVienna's aquarium Haus des Meeres is housed in a World War II air defense tower built by Hitler's engineers.

Hietzing (13th District)

Home to Vienna's most popular tourist attractionSchönbrunn Palaceand the Vienna Zoothis neighborhood is an elegant residential area with gorgeous 18th- and 19th-century summer residences. The district includes the Klimt Villawith an exhibition of the artist Gustav Klimt's life and work.

How to Get Around

Vienna's public transportation network is extensiveso familiarize yourself with the many forms and their names. The subway is called U-Bahn; local trains are Schnellbahn or S-Bahn; the tram is the Straßenbahnand Autobus is the bus. From Vienna International Airportthere are bustraintaxiand rideshare services.

Busestrainstramsand underground lines operated by Wiener Linien make getting almost anywhere in the city quite convenient. Tickets work on an honor systemso you won't have to tap or scan to board but you can get fined if you're caught without having a ticket by a conductor doing a spot check. Children under six years old don't need a ticket. Ticket machines are located at underground stationstobacconistsand online. In addition to single ticketstravel cards are available for longer periods of time.

The Vienna City Card provides discounts on tours and attractions as well as free public transportation on most lines. WienMobil operates approximately 185 bike stations around Vienna.