Where to Find the Best Views in Vienna

The Austrian capital, known for its architecture and beautiful parks, is full of beautiful vistas. Historic buildings offer city views, while mountain overlooks and castles offer myriad ways of enjoying the rural areas just outside down. Here are options for finding the best Vienna views. 

A stop on many city walks, sightseeing tours, and even Segway tours, the North Tower at St. Stephen's Cathedral offers some of the best views in all of Vienna. On a clear day, pay a small fee and take the elevator up to the viewing platform, where you can enjoy stunning city panoramas.

To admire the numerous sights in Vienna's UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic center, book a cruise along the Danube River and through the Danube Canal. Whether you opt for a daytime tour or choose to admire the city lights at night, you can relax and enjoy views of notable attractions like the Uniqa Tower and the Ring Tower. 

For a fun twist on the typical city overlook, don't miss a ride on the giant ferris wheel (Riesenrad) in the Prater Amusement Park. You can pre-book tickets to the ferris wheel to enjoy skip-the-line access, and when you reach the top, you’ll have excellent views of must-see Vienna sights, such as the Ringstrasse and the ancient city center.

The verdant Vienna Woods are just a short drive from the city center. This wooded area offers great countryside views as well as walking trails, vineyards, and historic towns. The Kahlenberg hill—and the 72-foot (22-meter) Stefaniewarte tower at the top—offers stunning vistas of the Vienna Woods and Danube Valley.

One of the most popular wine regions in Austria, the Wachau Valley is known for its rolling hills and Danube River views—and Vienna is the perfect home-base for a day trip. Active travelers may enjoy biking through the vineyards or taking a tour to Melk Abbey, where the gardens offer some of the best views in the region. For a luxury experience, take a Danube cruise and enjoy riverside sights like Gottweig Abbey and Schonbuhel Castle.