Updated April 18th, 2019

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Our last stop on our Austria itinerary was back where we started, in Austria’s largest and most well-known city, Vienna. Read on to find out what to do in Vienna.

What to Do in Vienna

Free Walking Tour

We did a free walking tour through Good Vienna Tours and as the name suggests got a good introduction to the city. I messed up the timing and instead of doing the tour on our first morning as planned, we did it on our second morning. For some reason I felt a little lost within Vienna and the tour really helped to orient me to the center of the city. It also gave an overview about everything which kept the tour interesting because so many topics were discussed but was useful in helping us decide what we wanted to do with the rest of our time. I would recommend doing this tour your first morning in the city if possible. 

We stopped half-way through at food market type place where you could buy something to eat and pay to use the toilet. We went to a bakery on the corner for some great breadsticks!

A fair amount of the tour was focused on the Hofburg palace, one of the largest palace complexes in the world, and all the institutions that make up the complex. Many of the Viennese sights to see are within the former residences and government buildings of the Hapsburg emperors, including: 

The Sisi Museum

Throughout the museum and the imperial apartments you learn about the fascinating life of Empress Elizabeth. Click here to read more about our visit in the Sisi Museum and Schönbrunn Palace.

Albertina Museum

Art museum, known for its print rooms.

Austrian National Library

We planned our schedule to visit the Austrian National Library, Austria’s largest library and another component of the Imperial Palace complex, when they were having a free open house. During the visit we were able to look around the impressive Great Hall. Informational panels are set up throughout the imperial hall. We learned that during Hitler’s reign many books were taken from Jewish families and added to the library. Over the years these books have finally gone back to their rightful owners. It’s a gorgeous building that reminds me of the Beauty & the Beast library. When we were there it was full to the brim with tourists and didn’t quite have that library feel I was hoping for.

Two other gorgeous Austrian libraries are located in Admont and Kremsmünster. Read more about them and other beautiful libraries around the world.

Spanish Riding School Tour

Neither my mom or I have any interest in horses. I really have very little interest in animals at all. This didn’t deter me from wanting to visit the Spanish Riding School through a guided tour and learn about the famous Lipizzan horses. The riding school is another part of the Imperial Palace. Throughout the tour we visited the horse stables and got close to them, but were only able to take photos from a distance.

We saw the tack room with the saddles and bridles. We also saw their morning practice arena and the performance arena.

Even though we didn’t have a particular interest in horses and definitely no equestrian knowledge, we both really enjoyed the tour and found it interesting. Our guide was great and shared a lot of details about the requirements of being a rider and the daily lives of both the horses and riders. For the first time ever the school now has a female rider.

Vienna Opera House

Our first night in Vienna I surprised my mom with tickets to the Vienna Opera House to see the ballet, Balanchine, Neumeier and Robbins. Visiting the famous opera house was a must for me.

Inside the building is just as opulent as it is on the outside, so there are many visitors all fighting for the perfect shoot.

Another way to see the inside of the opera house is to partake in a guided tour. If you want to catch a glimpse of opera for free stop by the opera house in the evenings and you might catch a free live broadcast outside.

Vienna Museum

We lucked out being able to visit the museum on the first Sunday of the month when it is free. The museum covers the history of Vienna through paintings and a variety of other historical artifacts. The collections are organized by time period. There are some beautiful paintings and I learned a tid bit here and there, but for the most part I was glad our visit was free.

When we visited there were two exhibits. One on Otto Wagner that I did not find particularly interesting. The other, which will be at the museum until January 2019 was on hair and skin. At first I thought it would be weird and scientific, but it was actually on the history and changes within beauty care of the years with some connections to Vienna. It was interesting to think about something that we use and do everyday and how those routines have developed and changed over time.

St. Stephen’s Cathedral

You can go inside the cathedral for free or pay to walk to the top for a view. We took a peek inside during a service. It’s gorgeous on the inside, but I felt a little weird gawking around in the back as people were in the middle of service.

Stadtpark

After all the sights were closed we enjoyed a nice evening stroll in this park before dinner one night.

Where to Stay in Vienna

Suite Hotel 900 m zur Oper is a great choice if you are looking for a nice place at a little lower price point. It is a 15 minute walk from the hotel to the Vienna State Opera. Depending on the booking you choose breakfast may or may not be included in the cafe connected to the hotel.

Visiting Information

Recommendations

Opera House: We had first row seats in the center of the ‘Balkon Mitte Rechts’. They offered an unobstructed full picture view, but you had to sit up/be tall or lean forward a bit to see over the railing. Looking around the theater it seemed like people in all parts of the balconies had to do the same. From my own research I know that anyone sitting in the second row in the side boxes can’t see at all. Standing tickets for 3 euros are available if you wait in line and of course stand during the entire performance.

Spanish Riding School: Unless you have a particular love of horses and/or want to spend the money on a show, I suggest doing the guided tour instead of the morning exercise. While you don’t see the horses in action, you do see them and get to learn a lot more about the school and the famous tradition in Vienna.

Toilets

Free toilets are hard to find. Even some cafes in the center charge, but offer a paper voucher upon paying that can be deducted from your bill. Within the Hofburg complex there is a paid public toilet, but it closes at 6pm. Near the main shopping street there are underground toilets. Other than the intimidating lady forcing you to pay, they are actually quite nice considering you feel like you are going underground to a metro station. McDonald’s is always a good bet too, but of course there is a fee.

More about Austria

• A full Austria Itinerary
• Which Cities & Towns to Visit in Austria and What to Do
  • Gmunden (in the Salzburg Lakes District)
  • Salzburg: Sound of Music Bicycle Tour, Untersberg, Hellbrunn Palace, Salzburg Christmas Museum
  • Seefeld (in Tyrol near the Austrian Alps)
• What and Where to Eat in Austria
  • Sweet Treats
  • Savory Foods

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