Recently updated on October 6th, 2025 at 11:06 am
Vienna is known as the City of Music, but if opera and Mozart aren’t quite up your street then there are plenty other things to do in Vienna – though if anywhere will convert you to opera and classical music, then this is it!
Whether you’re discovering the delights of Austrian wine (it’s sustainable, as a bonus), feeling like royalty among its many palaces, or getting your caffeine fix at the very coffee house that Freud pondered at, you’re never short of brilliant things to do in Vienna. Here are some of our favorites.
Tour not found.What is Vienna best known for?
Vienna is best known for opera, coffee and Mozart, in a nutshell – though of course there’s much more to this elaborate city.
While Mozart was born in Salzburg he spent his final five years in Vienna, moving there in 1781. Over these years, he composed many of his greatest works, including more than 10 piano concertos and the opera The Marriage of Figaro. Today, you have plenty of options to hear his (and many others’) compositions throughout the city, and visit his Viennese residence that has been transformed into a museum.
And as for coffee, Vienna’s coffee house culture is listed as a source of ‘intangible cultural heritage’ by UNESCO, so it’s pretty important to the city. After Turkey retreated from Vienna in 1683 following the end of the Austro-Turkish wars, coffee was left behind – and Vienna then began to create a coffee culture of its own. It wasn’t just the coffee itself that was unique, but the coffee houses; extravagant meeting spaces provided a place for intellectuals, artists and chess players to convene.
15 Best things to do in Vienna
1. Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens
A beautiful example of Baroque architecture, Schönbrunn Palace is the former royal summer residence of the Habsburg emperors from the 18th century until 1918. Perfectly preserved and richly decorated, the UNESCO-listed palace is a way to step back in time to the Austrian empire, and when you visit with Trafalgar you’ll have a Local Specialist to bring it to life, room by room – and onto the beautiful gardens.
2. Wander the city
One of the best and easiest things to do in Vienna is simply explore it on foot! The center of Vienna is perfectly walkable, being very flat and most key sites fairly close. With us, you’ll take a walking tour through its different districts with your Local Specialist who will reveal the historic core of the city. Tour the Ring Road to see the Hofburg Imperial Residence, Opera House, Parliament Building and Karlskirche.
Tour not found.3. Visit Vienna Woods
Escape city life for a day when you’re in Vienna and take the opportunity to visit the Vienna Woods, a sprawling area of green forests, rolling hills and gentle streams. There are charming wine villages to travel through, the Romanesque Abbey of the Holy Cross, and stop at the Carmelite convent – something a Local Specialist will guide you through when you visit Vienna with Trafalgar.
4. The Kunsthistorisches Art History Museum
The Kunsthistorisches Museum doesn’t just hold works of art within its walls – the building itself is an architectural masterpiece. As you walk among its marble staircases, grand columns and painted ceilings, you’re surrounded by Egyptian antiquities, Greek and Roman sculptures, and Baroque art. With more masterpieces by Raphael, Caravaggio, and Bruegel, this prestigious museum isn’t one to miss. With Trafalgar, you’ll discover the Royal Collection at the Kunsthistorisches Museum before the general public has access, so you can take all the time you need to soak it all up.
5. Attend a Viennese Concert
Yes, there’s more to Vienna than Mozart, but that doesn’t mean you can ignore his influence throughout the city. Catching a classical Viennese concert of some of Mozart’s (or even Strauss’) works is one of the best things to do in Vienna. When you visit with Trafalgar, you’ll get to attend one of these magical concerts, performed by some of the most highly acclaimed soloists and dancers in Austria. You’ll receive ‘A Class’ tickets and a complimentary drink during the interval for an evening to remember.
6. Step inside the Vienna State Opera
An iconic Vienna experience: a visit to the Vienna State Opera. One of the top opera venues in the world, when you travel with Trafalgar you’ll see the inside of this historic Renaissance building for yourself – and skip the queues while you’re at it. With your own private guide, you’ll learn about the history of this epicentre of classical music, experience the opulence of the grand staircase and ceremonials rooms and see the stage that has hosted many beloved musicians, singers and performances.
7. Discover Austrian wine
Ever tried Austrian wine? It tastes even better in its home country – Weingut Wien Cobenzl is a sustainable winery found right in the Vienna Woods, one of the top wineries of Vienna and has been owned by the City of Vienna for over 110 years.
Enjoy a sip of wine with views of the city, tasting the fruits of one of the first wine producers with certified sustainable viticulture, bearing the seal of quality ‘Sustainable Austria’. You’ll visit the winery on one of your MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences with Trafalgar, which supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.
Tour not found.8. St. Stephen’s Cathedral
An icon of the Vienna skyline, St. Stephen’s Cathedral is the tallest church in Austria standing at 136 meters. Admire the 12th century Gothic architecture at any time of day, or head over on a Friday or weekend evening to listen to a classical concert, when a brilliant five-piece ensemble perform a range of works by composers like Mozart, Beethoven, Bach and Vivaldi.
9. Sit in Café Central
Café Central makes the bold claim to be the real centre of Vienna, rather than St. Stephen’s Cathedral. As the oldest coffee house in Vienna it does have many claims to fame; it’s seen many famous faces walk through its doors and sip its coffee, from Sigmund Freud to Leon Trotsky, as well as writers and artists such as Stefan Zweig, Hugo von Hofmannsthal, and Peter Altenberg. Sit and enjoy your coffee surrounded by its mesmerizing architecture.
10. See the Christmas Markets
As the festive season approaches, Vienna transforms into a winter wonderland with over 20 official Christmas markets around the city. That’s plenty to choose from, with some dating back to the 17th century and some launched as recently as 2022. The markets begin around mid-November and most end just before Christmas, while a few continue into January. Wrap up warm and bring back some handmade crafts and trinkets to put under the tree.
11. Belvedere Palace
Don’t feel as though you have to choose between Schönbrunn Palace and Belvedere Palace when it comes to things to do in Vienna. Make time for both! Belvedere is a beautiful Baroque palace, with stunning gardens and an unmissable (and incredibly valuable) collection of Austrian art including Gustav Klimt’s “The Kiss”.
12. Try Kaiserschmarrn
Kaiserschmarrn is a delicious Austrian sweet treat that has gained favor with both hungry tourists and royalty alike – these lightly sweetened shredded pancakes were a favorite of Austrian emperor Franz Joseph I. You can find them on most restaurant dessert menus, at market stalls and at the famous Café Demel coffee house.
13. See the Jesuit Church
Fairly nondescript from the outside, it would be easy to miss Vienna’s 17th century Jesuit Church, but take one step inside and you’ll be captivated by its ornate decoration, with golden ceilings, stone columns and Baroque frescoes. Some say the interior is more beautiful than the world-famous St. Stephen’s Cathedral – but we’ll let you decide. The best part? This is one of the completely free things to do in Vienna.
14. Eat a schnitzel at Figlmüller
Self-proclaimed ‘Home of the Original Wiener Schnitzel’, Figlmüller is a renowned establishment in Vienna. The historic tavern first opened in 1905 by Johann Figlmüller who founded it as a place for locals to meet, drink and enjoy comforting Viennese food – so make sure you do just that when you pay it a visit.
What to do for 3 days in Vienna?
Three days is the perfect amount of time in Vienna if you want to see most of the main attractions without completely rushing. With Trafalgar you’ll generally spend two nights in Vienna, giving you the chance to experience a city tour with a Local Specialist, a Viennese dinner, live classical music, Schönbrunn Palace, and even time to relax and sip Viennese coffee and fit in a visit to the Cobenzl winery.