What to do in Vienna
79 places curated from 10 travel vlogs — the more a spot gets mentioned, the higher it ranks
Vienna's massive Gothic cathedral, whose colorful tiled roof was rebuilt with civic donations after World War II damage. Inside are a Gothic nave with a baroque overlay, a masterful sandstone pulpit with Anton Pilgram's self-portrait, and the Madonna with the Protective Mantle.







The Habsburgs' summer residence at the edge of town, set in expansive grounds.





The Habsburgs' sprawling main palace, which grew from the 13th century to just before World War I. Its lavish Imperial Apartments show Franz Joseph's audience room and iron bed, along with exhibits on Empress Elisabeth (Sisi).





A long, lively produce market built over the covered Vienna River, traditionally the place for faraway foods. Stalls sell olives, baklava, sauerkraut and gourmet vinegars you can taste.





Vienna's venerable opera house, a highlight for many visitors, though it has no performances in July and August.




This former princely summer residence is split into the Upper and Lower Belvedere, two palaces with striking architecture and surrounding gardens. It is now a museum, and the Upper Belvedere holds the largest painting collection.




A traditional Viennese coffee house, suggested as a place to sit down, relax and enjoy the city's coffee culture.




Neo-Gothic city hall on the Ringstrasse, recalling the age when local merchants ran the government.



Housed in a spectacular building with sweeping staircases and huge rooms, it holds art from around the world. Look up to see the paintings on the ceilings and the dome.



Its collection includes precious stones, minerals, fossils and animal skeletons, and a digital planetarium makes it a good family day out. It is a few minutes' walk from the MuseumsQuartier.



The zoo on the grounds of Schönbrunn Palace.



A free-entry amusement park with gentle and thrilling pay-per-ride attractions, open until around 10 pm.



Long-standing institution near the shopping streets, famous for cheap and charming finger sandwiches such as herring with onion and chicken liver. They're traditionally paired with a tiny beer called a Pfiff.


Famous classical riding institution housed in the Hofburg palace complex.


Twenty rooms of Habsburg treasures, including a 500-year-old 'unicorn horn' and the 10th-century crown of the Holy Roman Emperor. It also displays the 11th-century Imperial Cross said to hold a piece of the True Cross.


Hot, humid tropical butterfly house at the Hofburg that is open year-round. Visitors can watch butterflies feeding on trays of fermenting fruit.


Vienna's old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site covering about three square kilometres that largely survived WWII bombing. Its pedestrianised streets are full of palaces, classical music venues, coffee houses and grand buildings.


Opened in 2001 in the former 18th-century Habsburg imperial stables, this cultural complex houses modern and contemporary art museums. It is also a lively place to relax even if you don't like museums.


A landmark structure in the Schönbrunn Palace gardens, described as one of the things you can't miss.


Located in Schönbrunn Palace Park, it is the largest glasshouse of its kind in continental Europe, with Mediterranean, tropical and subtropical plants. Tickets cost about 7 euros, and there are plenty of benches to sit among the greenery.


A striking church on Karlsplatz that the host recommends checking out while you're in Vienna.


A trendy 7th-district neighbourhood with a more local vibe, suggested as an alternative base.


A Baroque hall with marble statues, over 200,000 books, a frescoed ceiling and four Venetian globes. The video recommends arriving at opening time to enjoy it in quieter moments.


The square in front of City Hall, always buzzing with events such as the Christmas Market and the summer Film Festival.


The Prater's iconic Ferris wheel, a Viennese symbol since 1897.


Historic cafe and bakery, once the Emperor's choice, famous for cakes and pastries including a made-to-order Sacher Torte. Customers can watch the bakers work, and its chocolate and marzipan window displays change regularly.

Grand boulevard built in the 1860s on the line of the old city wall, arcing nearly three miles around the old center. It is lined with neo-style landmarks and can be toured cheaply by riding tram number 1 around the loop.

Neoclassical parliament building on the Ringstrasse, styled after ancient Greece as the birthplace of democracy.

Vienna's Court Theatre on the Ringstrasse, built in neo-baroque style to evoke the age when opera and theatre flourished.

A skinny 12-mile island created in the 1970s when a flood-barrier canal was dug parallel to the Danube. It's a traffic-free grassy park and beach escape popular for barbecues and swimming.

Renowned boys' choir based in the Hofburg; like other musical institutions, it is mostly on vacation in July and August.

Crypt where about 150 Habsburgs are buried, including the ornate double coffin of Maria Theresa and Franz I. It also holds Franz Joseph's austere military tomb and Empress Elisabeth's flower-covered tomb.

Vienna's city park, which carries on the long tradition of music in the city's parks. Johann Strauss conducted wildly popular concerts here in the late 1800s.

Concert hall in the Stadtpark where the 'Waltz King' Johann Strauss directed concerts. Strauss and waltz concerts are still held here for music lovers.

A museum in the MuseumsQuartier known for its collection of works by Egon Schiele.

Vienna's museum of modern art, located in the MuseumsQuartier.

A contemporary art exhibition space in the MuseumsQuartier.

A museum of imperial carriages on the grounds of Schönbrunn Palace.

This architecturally distinctive museum is devoted to Friedensreich Hundertwasser. Across three floors it shows his work and housing projects, plus a changing exhibition on the third floor; tickets cost about 11 euros.

A colourful residential building designed by Hundertwasser near the Kunst Haus Wien. People still live there.

Slovakia's capital is just over an hour from Vienna by train, making it an easy day trip. You can explore the old town and Bratislava Castle and be back in Vienna by evening.

A central square where the video is filmed, home to Karlskirche and a short walk from the Naschmarkt. The host has a personal connection to it from his student days in Vienna.

The 2nd district, recommended for its local feel and more affordable accommodation.

This 19th-century seat of the Austrian Supreme Court has a grand atrium with an ornate staircase and a statue of Lady Justice. It is open on weekdays and admission is free.

A historic square at the gateway to the Hofburg, marked by the turquoise dome over the entrance. It is best seen early, before the crowds arrive.

A museum dedicated to Empress Elisabeth inside the Hofburg, included in the palace ticket along with the Imperial Apartments and Silver Collection.

A wing of the Hofburg complex that houses parts of the Austrian National Library and several museums.

A lush garden beside the Hofburg, dotted with statues of Austrian luminaries such as Mozart and Franz Joseph, and with plenty of benches for a rest.

Vienna's second-tallest church, a white Neo-Gothic building begun in 1856 as thanks for Emperor Franz Joseph surviving an assassination attempt. Entry is free.

A charming French restaurant beside Sigmund-Freud-Park with views of the Votivkirche, suggested as an alternative to Café Central.

A park in front of the Votivkirche, offering views of the church.

A burger restaurant on Rotenturmstrasse with an extensive menu of meat and veggie burgers plus many sides, at around $15–20 per person.

A rooftop cocktail bar recommended for its night-time city views.

A glamorous high-rise cocktail bar, with cocktails at around $12–18.

The Belvedere's contemporary art venue, with tickets available separately or as part of a combo ticket.

An art museum whose forecourt offers the best view of the State Opera.

A 1914 Art Nouveau clock bridging two parts of the Anker Insurance building, where 12 historical figures rotate past the clock face. All 12 parade to music at noon.

A local street market recommended as a cheaper, less touristy alternative to Naschmarkt for fresh fruit and vegetables.

A local market recommended over Naschmarkt for buying fresh produce at local prices.

A colorful, nature-infused shopping complex that feels more like a work of art than a shopping space. Its quirky architecture and greenery contrast with Vienna's classic buildings.

A city park known for its manicured rose gardens.

A café inside a glass greenhouse where you drink coffee surrounded by lush greenery.

A tiny coffee window on a side street, famous for its Fensterccino, a cappuccino served in a chocolate-coated waffle cone. The video calls it a little expensive but a quirky, memorable experience.

Located at Hotel Sacher, it is the only place to get the original Sachertorte recipe, a chocolate and apricot cake created in 1832. It produces more than 270,000 slices a year.

Traditional Viennese restaurant with a courtyard shaded by grapevines. It serves classics such as pork-and-crackling dumplings, goulash, veal with cranberry and apricot jam pancakes.

Casual, Michelin Guide-listed restaurant whose chef-owner adds Asian touches to a short menu. Dishes include vitello tonnato, scallop sashimi, a truffle schnitzel and a riff on the Snickers bar.

Small cocktail bar with a Parisian, Moulin Rouge-style theme serving French-inspired cocktails. Its signature drink is an absinthe frappé.

Specialty coffee shop known for strong, well-made flat whites. It also sells pastries baked on site, such as orange-cinnamon rolls and almond buns.

Vienna's oldest sausage stand, founded by Leo in 1928 and now run by his granddaughter Vera. Its 16-euro 'Big Mama' platter of cheese-filled Käsekrainer sausage is enough for two people.

Burger spot that grew out of a lockdown pop-up by a business specialising in aged dairy-cow beef. It serves smash burgers, a kimchi-mayo Philly cheesesteak, curry-butter fries and Reuben sandwiches.

A brunch spot that viewers recommended for its excellent brunch. The vloggers had breakfast there on arrival and called it very lovely.

A baroque palace recommended by a follower as an architectural hidden gem. It is free to enter and look around.

A canal-side promenade where the vloggers planned an evening walk. They ended the day with a takeaway burrito picnic on its banks.

A well-known club at Praterstern where Chef Lukas Mraz used to go clubbing in his youth.

A modern first-district spot that serves tartare made from organic veal and beef without flavor enhancers. Toppings and marinades are creative, including caprese, and passion fruit with caramelized banana.

A doner kebab shop in the working-class 10th district where Ferhat serves pink, freshly carved meat in bread he learned to bake in Istanbul. Lukas Mraz calls it probably the best doner kebab in the world.

Chef Lukas Mraz's favorite sandwich spot, serving the classic Viennese grilled ham and cheese toast with crunchy cheese edges. The toast comes with a secret-recipe spiced mustard dip.

A quiet, picturesque neighbourhood a short walk from the centre, full of vintage shops, independent boutiques and cafés. It is good for an afternoon away from the main tourist areas.

A Christmas market that fills the winding streets of the Spittelberg district and feels like the one locals actually go to. People stop by after work for mulled wine.

The zoo on the grounds of Schönbrunn Palace.