Visiting Vienna for the First Time? Here's What to See and Do

From museums to opera houses, here's how to get the most out of your visit stay in Vienna.

2 min read•Oct 07, 2019•By Peter Neely

Visiting Vienna for the First Time? Here's What to See and Do

Hi, I'm Peter!

Peter Neely is a Brooklyn-based writer and poet who's been bounding between cities for a decade, with stops in San Francisco, Budapest, Montreal, and Lyon. Changing NYC apartments like socks, Peter has lived in Harlem, Greenpoint, Sunnyside, and Crown Heights, though Coney Island is his spiritual homeland. Spot him reading on the subway, or complaining about the slice at your favorite pizzeria.

Vienna is a refined city known for its elegant architecture, musical legacy, and world-class museums. First-time visitors shouldn't miss these cultural gems or the numerous guided tours and cruises that offer fantastic views of Austria’s scenic capital. Here's what you need to know to have a great first trip to Vienna.

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Visit the museums

Get to grips with art and culture.

Vienna is a city celebrated for its cultural institutions, and it offers a variety of museums. Music fans can head to Mozarthaus to learn about the 18th century composer, history enthusiasts can visit the Imperial Treasury, and arts fanatics shouldn't miss the Leopold Museum, where they can see a collection of renowned works by Viennese artists such as Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele.

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See Vienna's top attractions

Don't miss the must-sees.

Whether you opt for a convenient hop-on hop-off bus tour, a traditional guided walking tour, or a speedy Segway excursion, you should get your bearings by following a guide through this picturesque city. Tours typically pass top attractions and depart several times a day.

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Get to know the city on a guided tour during your first trip to Vienna. | Photo Credit: Jana Ašenbrennerová / Viator

Cruise the Danube

For a new perspective on the city.

For views of the city that you just can't get from land, enjoy a boat ride down the Danube River and the Danube Canal, and take in views of notable landmarks, such as the Vienna Ring Tower. For a romantic option, see the city lit up at night on a dinner cruise.

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Listen to classical music

Where better than Vienna?

With its reputation for producing world-class composers from Johann Strauss to Franz Schubert, Vienna is a must-visit city for music enthusiasts. To experience Vienna's strong musical legacy, attend a classical concert at one of the city's esteemed venues, such as the Musikverein or the Schönbrunn Palace.

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Singers perform at the Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna.

Be sure to catch a show at the Schönbrunn Palace when in Vienna. | Photo Credit: Jana Ašenbrennerová / Viator

Enjoy ferris wheel views

Take to new heights in Vienna.

For a not-so-typical city view, hop on the giant ferris wheel (or Riesenrad) in Prater park for a loop over the city. Rising more than 210 feet (64 meters), the ferris wheel offers great views of the attraction-packed Prater amusement park and city vistas that reach all the way to old town.

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Explore the Schönbrunn Palace

For a dash of Viennese royalty.

No other building in this elegant city quite measures up to Vienna's most celebrated imperial attraction, the Schönbrunn Palace. This sprawling estate was once the summer residence of the Habsburgs and today offers visitors the chance to wander halls once reserved for royals.

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