Mod Travel
Sina Ettmer Photography/shutterstock
Claudio Alessandri/Vienna Tourist Board
Art and culture are embedded in the soul of Vienna: imperial splendour, world-class museums, opera and classical music heritage. Modernist legacy and a cosmopolitan flair add delicious contrast to the old-world charm. Walk down the parks and grand palace-lined Ringstrasse, experience the centuries-old cafe tradition and admire the astonishing architecture of a buzzing modern capital filled with history.
The City
Vienna is located on the Danube, just at the centre of Europe and near the north-eastern extension of the Alps, largely surrounded by the Vienna Woods.
The city is world-famous for its magnificent imperial heritage, with the Schönbrunn Palace, the Belvedere and the Imperial Palace. The city is also appreciated around the world for its top-notch music and cultural offer with many renowned concert halls, museums and institutions — from the large Musikverein Hall to the prestigious Museum of Fine Arts and the Vienna State Opera.
And let’s not forget that Vienna is considered one of the world's most liveable cities and has been awarded this distinction eighth times in a row, confirming the city's status as a metropolis for bon vivants and art lovers, offering its guests an abundance of unique attractions at any time of the year.
Unique Spots
Besides the many sights sought after by tourists, Vienna has something more to offer. There are many hidden gems in the city that often provide a deeper understanding of its history and a real insight into its daily life.
Do & See
Vienna has over 100 museums and countless examples of great architecture seamlessly combining old and new designs. When you've got enough sightseeing for the day, rest in one of the 280 parks and gardens scattered around the city.
Sound of Music
Every evening thousands of enthusiasts gather in concert halls, big and small, to experience live classical music in Vienna. The city has a reputation as the 'capital of classical music' largely owing to the immensely popular composers who lived and worked here in the late 18th and 19th centuries. During this period, numerous performance halls were built to accommodate the overwhelming boom of musical talent.
Major music venues in Vienna include the State Opera House, the People's Opera House, the Burgtheater, and the Theater an der Wien. Pick a venue that suits your liking and schedule and let the art vibrate through you.
Dining
The Austrian capital has a rich choice of great restaurants: from gourmet dining establishments perfect before (or after) a night at the opera to down-to-earth local eateries. First time visitors simply must try a hearty Kaisersemmel, traditional Viennese bread, or a Kaiserschmarrn, Austrian chopped pancakes dusted with powdered sugar.
Vienna is the only metropolis in the world that grows a significant amount of wine within city limits, so prepare to find plenty of good local wines to match your Viennese dinners.
The most popular time for dinner in Vienna is around 7 or 8pm, so if that's when you plan to sit down for your dinner meal — book a table in advance.
Cafés
Since 2011, the traditional Viennese coffee house culture has been regarded as part of the intangible cultural heritage of UNESCO. Legend has it Vienna's café culture had its beginning back in 1683 when a sack of coffee beans was left behind by the retreating Ottomans.
In the late 19th and 20th centuries, coffee houses became the go-to places for intellectuals and creatives, including the likes of Sigmund Freud, Gustav Klimt, James Joyce and Leon Trotsky.
Traditional cafes entice visitors with a wide variety of coffee-based specialities, buttery pastries and a special cosiness — the Austrian gemütlichkeit. If you are in the mood for something more modern, there are hundreds of third-wave coffee places in Vienna.
Bars & Nightlife
A world-famous electronic scene, live music, relaxed cocktail bars and a top-notch cultural offer. A young scene of microbreweries, waterside bars along the Danube sides and retro bars populates the bohemian neighbourhoods and are the perfect places to spend a more relaxed evening. During the weekend, head towards one of the famous underground clubs.
Shopping
Shopping is an essential part of any stay in Vienna. Find an original souvenir for friends at home or a pretty memento for yourself. From the many colourful markets and shops filled with countless mouth-watering Viennese specialties to design boutiques and luxury shopping experiences: whatever is your budget you'll find a sweet gift to bring back with you.
Claudio Alessandri/Vienna Tourist Board
Accommodations
Tourist Information
Vienna International Airport (VIE)
Vienna’s International Airport is at Schwechat, 20 kilometres from the centre of Vienna. There different options to reach the city:
– The city airport train, CAT, takes 16 minutes to the centre and departs from the airport every half hour.
– The buses of Vienna Airport Lines link the airport with the main transport hubs in the city. It takes 20 minutes to get to the centre, and departures are every half hour.
– The fast train (S7 or REX7 S-Bahn) is the cheapest option and takes 25 minutes to the centre. Trains leave every 30 minutes, with additional services at peak time.
– The taxi stand is located just outside of the arrival building. For information about the different taxi companies ask at the City Transfer counter in the arrival hall.
Address: Flughafen Wien-Schwechat, Schwechat
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Phone: +43 1 70070
Website: www.viennaairport.com/en/passengers
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Passport & Visa
Citizens of European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) countries do not need a visa to enter Austria, only a valid ID. Many other countries, including the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, United Arab Emirates, Australia, and New Zealand, benefit from visa-free entry for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
Visitors from visa-exempt countries must hold a valid passport and, starting in late 2025, will need to apply for an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) authorisation online before travelling.
For those requiring a visa, such as travellers from some Middle-East, African or Asian nations, a Schengen visa must be obtained prior to arrival. All travellers should ensure their passport is valid for at least three months beyond their intended stay.
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Website: https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/schengen/visa-policy_en
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Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Vienna is around April–May in the spring and September to mid-October in the autumn. The weather is mild and the low-peak tourist season means that you can expect lower prices on average.
The warmer summer months are very popular with tourists. Consequently, expect prices to be higher.
Many travellers will make their way to Vienna in the winter to visit Christmas markets, wander the streets and spend time with loved ones in the famous Viennese cafes.
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Public Transport
The public transport company Wiener Linien provides a broad network of tram, underground (U-Bahn) and bus lines, which make getting anywhere in and around Vienna very easy.
There are single, 24- and 48-hour tickets, as well as passes for longer periods. The same ticket is valid everywhere and can be bought at tobacconists (Vienna’s 850 Tabaktrafik), at the vending machines available in any underground station, via the online shop or ticket app of Wiener Linien or at one of their ticket offices.
Tickets must be validated before boarding. To validate your ticket, stamp it using the blue machines located at the entrance of underground stations, on buses and trams.
Address:
Email: post@wienerlinien.at
Phone: +43 1 79090
Website: www.wien.gv.at/english/transportation-urbanplanning/public-transport
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Taxi
Taxis are easy to find at the taxi stands and train stations and are relatively cheap compared to other European destinations. Some reliable companies are:
Taxi 401 00
+43 1 401 00
www.taxi40100.at
Taxi 313 00
+43 1 313 00
www.taxi31300.at/en
Both companies have their own smartphone apps. You can pay for your taxi ride using card or cash. You can use Uber, Bolt or Freeride (powered by Lyft) to hail a ride.
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Website: www.wien.info/en/travel-info/arrival-departure/airport-to-center/taxi-360908
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Post
There are many branches of the Austria's Postal Service in Vienna, as well as many of the bright-yellow postboxes.
Address: Postfiliale 1010, Fleischmarkt 19, District 1, Vienna
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Website: www.post.at/en
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Pharmacy
Pharmacies in Vienna usually have the same opening hours as most shops. However, there are always 24/7 pharmacies operating at night and weekends located throughout the city: a list of the nearest ones is posted outside of each pharmacy.
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Phone: 1455
Website: www.nachtapotheke.wien
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Electricity
The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. Power plugs and sockets are of type F common in Continental Europe.
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Telephone
Country code: +43
Area code: (0)1
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