Vienna: Skip-the-Line Sisi Museum, Hofburg and Gardens Tour
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Vienna
Vienna is truly unique: only in the Austrian capital does it seem as if the 19th century never ended. Mozart ‘s music and waltzes are still the big hits, played by prestigious orchestras in sumptuous palaces and halls. The elegant cafés are always full but never rowdy. Sissi, the empress made immortal by a famous film saga, seems likely to appear before you at any moment. The beautiful blue Danube continues to flow, placid and inexorable.
This magical fairytale atmosphere reaches its peak at Christmas time, when the traditional Christmas markets open and young and old flock to the atmospheric ice-skating rink in the heart of the old town.
Imperial Vienna will not disappoint your expectations, but what tourists are generally not prepared for is the modernity of Vienna: trendy clubs make the Austrian capital a must-see destination for lovers of electronic music, trendy cafés vie for customers with historic cafés, and public transport is highly efficient.
Whether it’s the nostalgic charm or the exciting dynamism of this city that brings you here, our online guide to Vienna will help you experience the holiday of your dreams.
Vienna offers an extraordinary artistic and architectural heritage that takes several days to fully appreciate: you could fill an entire weekend just visiting the royal palaces of the Habsburg court. If you’re short on time, concentrate on the two most opulent: Hofburg, the Imperial Palace, and Schönbrunn Palace, the summer residence (perhaps with a stop at the zoo); to these you can add Belvedere Castle and the Rathaus, a town hall with sumptuous rooms.
It’s hard not to notice the neo-Gothic St Stephen’s Cathedral on the central Stephanplatz: its towers and spires soar high into the Vienna sky and the roof is decorated with thousands of coloured tiles forming two iconic images of the city and nation.
For a complete change of atmosphere, take in the liveliness of the Naschmarkt and the flea market, stroll through the picturesque Spittelberg quarter or get your fill of art and culture in the MuseumsQuartier.
Art lovers should not miss the Kunsthistorisches Museum, one of the world’s most important art galleries, and the Albertina, with its collection of over one million graphic works.
To find out all the must-see attractions visit the Things to do in Vienna section.
Due to the amount of tourists who visit these attractions on a daily basis, we recommend that you book tickets to the top attractions online well in advance.
One of the symbols of Vienna is the Ferris wheel in the Prater: a ride on the romantic Wiener Riesenrad is a thrilling experience, not to be missed.
For an authentic Viennese experience, step into one of the city’s historic cafés, but know in advance that in front of such mouth-watering cakes, you should forget your diet and good intentions.
Whether or not you are a fan of symphony concerts and operas, during a holiday in Vienna, don’t miss the opportunity to attend a classical music concert. The exclusive locations in which they are performed, such as castles, imperial palaces or historical cafés, will enhance the magic created by the music.
If you have some time, treat yourself to a cruise on the Danube, Europe’s most romantic river, which inspired Johann Strauss’ famous waltz.
Active holidaymakers will find fascinating cycling and hiking routes in and around Vienna, including the famous Ringstrasse cycle path; if you come in winter you can try your hand at sports such as ice skating and curling.
For more ideas on what to do on your holiday visit Vienna Tours and Activities.
Visiting Vienna during the Christmas and New Year holidays is certainly a great idea, you can admire the traditional Christmas markets and take part in the end-of-year events that involve tourists and Viennese alike. Plus, attending the famous New Year’s Concert is a unique experience!
We have compiled the must-see restaurants and clubs, events and traditions for you on the New Year’s Eve in Vienna page.
Discover Vienna through the eyes of expert guides who will take you on a tour of the city's hidden treasures. Participating in a guided visit or a free tour will allow you to capture the true essence of Vienna.
The free tours are a viable alternative to traditional guided tours. They work like this: participation is free and at the end of the visit you can leave a tip at your discretion. Below you will find our favourite free tour, otherwise you can see the full list by visiting this page.
Vienna offers various city cards that allow you to save significantly on transport and entrance fees to attractions. The Vienna City Card includes unlimited public transport and discounts of up to 25% at over 210 museums, attractions, theatres, concerts, restaurants and shops. It is available in different durations (24, 48 and 72 hours) and is ideal for those visiting Vienna for the first time and concentrating on several paid attractions.
The Vienna Pass, on the other hand, offers unlimited free entry to over 70 attractions, including Schönbrunn, Belvedere, Hofburg, Albertina and the Prater Wheel, as well as hop-on hop-off bus tours. The pass pays for itself by visiting 3-4 main attractions per day and is available for 1, 2, 3 or 6 consecutive days. It also includes fast track to skip the queues, especially useful in high season when queues at Schönbrunn Palace can exceed 60 minutes.
Those travelling with children under the age of 19 save even more: most state museums offer free admission for minors, while many attractions such as Schönbrunn Zoo apply advantageous family rates. Buying tickets online at least 24 hours in advance guarantees discounts compared to physical ticketing.
Hotels in the centre of Vienna tend to be expensive, which can be a bit disconcerting for tourists who want to organise their own holiday. Fear not: there are solutions to suit all budgets, from luxury hotels in the Innere Stadt and the Ringstrasse to budget hotels in the neighbouring districts.
Don’t disdain quality hotels and B&Bs just because they are located in the suburbs: public transport in Vienna works very well, so getting to the centre is quick and easy.
For more in-depth advice on how to choose the best area, visit Where to stay in Vienna.
Vienna is located in the far north-east of Austria, on the banks of the Danube just 60 km from the Slovak border. The Austrian capital is 80 km from Bratislava, the nearest European capital, 250 km from Budapest, 300 km from Salzburg and 530 km from Munich.
City Card allow you to save on public transport and / or on the entrances to the main tourist attractions.
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