Vienna

The regal capital of Austria is a beloved, unfailing source of art and culture.

Video about Vienna

With romantic nostalgia and modern hype, Vienna combines present and past. Its historical center is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Grand palaces, churches, parks, and museums are everywhere in Vienna. There is no doubt why Vienna's historic is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Lovers of culture will feel right at home with Vienna's cafes and pastry shops, timeless art, and music. For better or worse, this vibrant city has left its mark on the world: if you visited in 1913, you would have found Freud, Hitler, Stalin, Lenin, Tito, and Trotsky living in the same district, patronizing the same cafes. Often regarded as the world's music capital, Vienna is where Mozart and Beethoven made history. This vibrant tradition continues today with musical and theater performances daily across the city.

It's hard to go wrong sightseeing in Vienna. There seems to be a palace around every corner. The city center, known as St. Stephen's Square, features an eponymous gothic cathedral. Visit Stephansdom – St. Stephen's Cathedral – to enjoy a wealth of art treasures and climb the 343 stairs for breathtaking views over the city and square. A splendid boulevard called the Ringstrasse circles the center. It is lined with grandiose imperial buildings and defines the "Innere Stadt" where you will find the magnificent Hofburg. Further out lies the majestic Schönbrunn Palace, a former summer residence of the Habsburgs. The Belvedere Palace is another must-see. A stroll amongst Vienna's bustling walking streets makes for an enjoyable day of shopping. You could also cruise on the Danube. Or just relax at one of the famous Viennese coffee houses.

Popular Tour Itineraries Featuring Vienna

Spend some time in Vienna on a tour that takes in other cities in Austria and neighboring countries. Our vacation packages including Vienna and other destinations throughout Austria and Europe hassle-free. We take care of getting you from place to place, accommodation, excursions and activities.

A Whistle-Stop Tour of Central Europe Custom Itinerary

A Whistle-Stop Tour of Central Europe

Prague, Vienna, Budapest

Austria Abridged Custom Itinerary

Austria Abridged

Vienna, Durnstein, Salzburg

In Mozart's Footsteps Custom Itinerary

In Mozart's Footsteps

Prague, Vienna, Salzburg

Central Europe's Imperial Capitals Custom Itinerary

Central Europe's Imperial Capitals

Prague, Vienna, Budapest

The Charms of the Alpine Edge Custom Itinerary

The Charms of the Alpine Edge

Ljubljana, Salzburg, Vienna

Taste Austria Custom Itinerary

Vienna, Krems, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Graz, Vienna

Central European Christmas Markets Custom Itinerary

Central European Christmas Markets

Prague, Salzburg, Vienna, Budapest

Hungary & Slovakia's Story Custom Itinerary

Hungary & Slovakia's Story

Budapest, Eger, Kosice, High Tatras, Bratislava, Vienna

Four Highlights of Central Europe Custom Itinerary

Four Highlights of Central Europe

Budapest, Vienna, Prague, Krakow

Song, Food, and Scenery in Central Europe Custom Itinerary

Song, Food, and Scenery in Central Europe

Prague, Salzburg, Vienna, Budapest

The Best of Italy and Austria Custom Itinerary

The Best of Italy and Austria

Rome, Venice, Salzburg, Vienna

The Culinary Delights of Central Europe Custom Itinerary

The Culinary Delights of Central Europe

Budapest, Vienna, Prague, Krakow

Family Friendly Central Europe Custom Itinerary

Family Friendly Central Europe

Prague, Salzburg, Vienna, Budapest

Movie Tour of Central Europe Custom Itinerary

Movie Tour of Central Europe

Budapest, Vienna, Salzburg, Prague

Winter Sports and More in Germany & Austria Custom Itinerary

Winter Sports and More in Germany & Austria

Munich, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Innsbruck, Salzburg, Vienna

Off the Beaten Path in Austria and Germany Custom Itinerary

Off the Beaten Path in Austria and Germany

Vienna, Graz, Kufstein, Innsbruck, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Munich

Sustainable Central Europe Custom Itinerary

Sustainable Central Europe

Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Budapest

Walk in Sisi’s Footsteps: The Story of an Austrian Empress Custom Itinerary

Walk in Sisi’s Footsteps: The Story of an Austrian Empress

Geneva, Munich, Salzburg, Vienna, Budapest

Central Europe's High Culture Highlights Custom Itinerary

Central Europe's High Culture Highlights

Budapest, Vienna, Prague, Dresden, Berlin

The Central European Grand Tour Custom Itinerary

The Central European Grand Tour

Berlin, Prague, Cesky Krumlov, Vienna, Budapest, Krakow

Following the Alps across Switzerland and Austria Custom Itinerary

Following the Alps across Switzerland and Austria

Geneva, Lucerne, Zurich, Innsbruck, Salzburg, Vienna

All Around Austria Custom Itinerary

All Around Austria

Vienna, Durnstein, Hallstatt, Salzburg, Kufstein, Innsbruck, Graz, Vienna

The UNESCO Highlights of Switzerland, Germany, and Austria Custom Itinerary

The UNESCO Highlights of Switzerland, Germany, and Austria

Geneva, Bern, Interlaken, Lugano, Zurich, Munich, Salzburg, Hallstatt, Vien ...

What we love about Vienna

Team Leader for Central & Eastern Europe

The thing I like about Vienna is definitely the suburbs, of course, the Schnitzel. As soon as I leave the Ring area, where pretty much all the main sights and fancy buildings are, I feel at home, and that Vienna's suburbs are the "real face" of the city.

Trip Planner

I love how Vienna, although a big city, has a tranquil vibe. This is a city you'll want to take in slowly. Every street is artistic display of facades, monuments, and cafes. And let's not forget the delicious cakes on every corner.

Trip Planner

I like Vienna for its coffeehouse culture. The city truly made this into an institution. And what better way to enjoy your coffee than with a piece of delicious Strudel or a famous Sacher Torte?

Where to stay in Vienna

All the accommodation choices we will present to you as part of your customized vacation package proposal are located in or very close to Vienna's Innere Stadt, the historic "Inner City." You can be sure you'll be close to all the major central sights.

Cozy Bed and Breakfast in Vienna

Cozy Bed and Breakfast

This classic, cozy hotel has a family atmosphere and antique furnishings, and a good price for its central location.

Historical Boutique Hotel in Vienna

Historical Boutique Hotel

This hotel dishes up lots of Viennese charm. You'll feel like you stepped back in time, but with the conveniences of today.

Iconic Luxury Hotel in Vienna

Iconic Luxury Hotel

Looking for a place to splurge? You know your stay will be luxurious, elegant and dare we say royal? This Vienna hotel is the true palace-like stay.

Things to do in Vienna

You'll find most of Vienna's main sights are in the city center, such as St. Stephen's Cathedral, the Hofburg and the opera house, so a walking tour is a great way to get to know the city. Private guides in Vienna are costly but offer the advantage of flexibility versus an excellent small group tour that doesn't run every day. We'll advise accordingly. Another pair of Vienna experiences that you'll want to fit in if you can are a visit to the Spanish Riding School, for a performance, or a practice session, and perhaps a performance of the Vienna Boy's Choir. Beyond the Ringstrasse, Schönbrunn Palace is a must-see marvel of imperial grandeur. To get a taste for another aspect of Austria, we highly recommend heading to the Wachau Valley, one of the country's major wine-producing regions. When we send your customized itinerary you will be able to choose additional excursions to include in your vacation package or consider for adding later.

Art Nouveau in Vienna Private Tour

Art Nouveau in Vienna Private Tour

Schonbrunn Palace Self-Guided Grand Tour

Schonbrunn Palace Self-Guided Grand Tour

Mozart and Strauss Concert in the Kursalon

Mozart and Strauss Concert in the Kursalon

Jewish Life in Vienna Private Tour

Jewish Life in Vienna Private Tour

Countryside Winery Tour with Dinner Small Group Tour

Countryside Winery Tour with Dinner Small Group Tour

Glowing Reviews from Our Guests

4.9 / 5

Average of our Guest's Ratings of our trip packages including Vienna, based on 87 reviews

Review by Darrell, Cheryl & Lee

Darrell, Cheryl & Lee

Texas

My daughter and I traveled to Prague, Vienna and Budapest with JayWay’s excellent guidance. Our trip was a delight with knowledgeable guides, great recommendations on food, and lovely boutique European hotels. We can honestly say it was the best!

My daughter and I traveled to Prague, Vienna and Budapest with JayWay’s excellent guidance. Our trip was a delight with knowledgeable guides, great recommendations on food, and lovely boutique European hotels. We can honestly say it was the best!

Year : 2022
Visited : Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary
Itinerary : Prague, Vienna, Budapest
Rating :

5 / 5

Year : 2022
Visited : Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary
Itinerary : Prague, Vienna, Budapest
Rating :

5 / 5

Review by Carolynne & Wayne

Carolynne & Wayne

JayWay Travel has excellent efficient customer rapport. They give you the flexibility YOU want and make it work. They help you create a balance between being guided and planning your own free time.

JayWay Travel has excellent efficient customer rapport. They give you the flexibility YOU want and make it work. They help you create a balance between being guided and planning your own free time.

Year : 2022
Visited : Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary
Itinerary : Prague, Vienna, Budapest
Rating :

5 / 5

Year : 2022
Visited : Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary
Itinerary : Prague, Vienna, Budapest
Rating :

5 / 5

Review by Randy & Michael

Randy & Michael

Washington

JayWay Travel was great - very professional and it was so easy and efficient to work with them in putting together the travel trip itinerary. Their arrangements and choices made the trip a pleasure to go on with no hassle or problems but with complete freedom of schedule, activities and options. I would absolutely use JayWay the next time I travel.

JayWay Travel was great - very professional and it was so easy and efficient to work with them in putting together the travel trip itinerary. Their arrangements and choices made the trip a pleasure to go on with no hassle or problems but with complete freedom of schedule, activities and options. I would absolutely use JayWay the next time I travel.

Year : 2022
Visited : Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary
Itinerary : Prague, Vienna, Budapest
Rating :

5 / 5

Year : 2022
Visited : Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary
Itinerary : Prague, Vienna, Budapest
Rating :

5 / 5

Read more Guest Reviews

Latest articles about Vienna
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Read more articles about Vienna on our blog

Frequently Asked Questions about travel to Vienna

When is Vienna's opera season?

The Vienna State Opera, the city's premiere opera house, generally has performances from the beginning of September to early July. The Theater on the Wien has a more far-ranging schedule, so it only has opera from mid-September to mid-May.

Can I pay by card?

While credit cards are widely used, it's best to have some cash on hand. We recommend having about 20 EUR/person per day on hand, just in case. It's best to use an ATM in the entrance to a bank, but you can also change US dollars at any exchange office.

How do I get around Vienna?

The historic center of Vienna is compact and flat, so walking should not be a problem. But this former imperial capital has plenty of attractions beyond the "Innere Stadt." If you're the explorer type, grab a day ticket, good for 24 hours of transportation, for 8 EUR. Schönbrunn Palace, the Danube Canal, and the TV-Tower are worthwhile, and easily accessible by public transport. If you're just interested in a landmark or two beyond walking distance of the center, you can always purchase single tickets, or call a cab.

When are the local shops and cultural hotspots open?

Many museums are closed on Mondays and public holidays. On other days, exhibition halls await guests, often from 10 AM to at least 6 PM. Concert halls offer acoustic experiences almost every day. Most shops are open from early morning until 8 PM, but close on Sundays, although souvenir shops tend to close earlier. Some restaurants, take Mondays off, while the Naschmarkt food market, and its restaurants, take a break on Sundays.

How and where can I eat well?

Viennese cuisine is very much meat-based, and not just because of the Wienerschnitzel. "Tafelspitz" (beef or veal boiled in broth and served with minced apples and horseradish, goulash, various cold cuts served with sauerkraut, spreads, and cheese, are all very popular. And let's not forget the city's famed sweets! Vienna is most famous for its Sacher Torte cakes, and Kaiserschmarrn (a fluffy sweet pancake that's torn up and served with even sweeter toppings such as jam and apple sauce), and has just as many strudels as any of its Central European neighbors. Viennese love to eat out, so we recommend reserving a table. Almost anywhere you go, though, you can expect a quality dining experience.

How long should I spend in Vienna?

Imperial Vienna deserves a good 3-night stay. The historic city center, the "Innere Stadt," is relatively small, and you can get to know its exteriors fairly well with a 2.5-hour tour with a qualified day, then explore the rest of the city on your own or to choose other excursions available during your stay. On one of your full days, make sure to visit the Wachau Valley on a day trip by bike or private transfer. One of your evenings should be dedicated to a music event - it's Vienna, after all! For your last morning, attend the "morning exercises" of the famed Spanish Riding School's Lipizzaner Horses.

Is Vienna safe?

Like any other place in Austria, Vienna is very safe.