Vienna holidays

Dubbed the ‘City of Music,’ Austria’s capital was home to Mozart, Beethoven and a bevy of other famous composers. They’re long dead, of course, but holidays to Vienna prove that this city still has a lot to sing about. Tour the grande dame museums and concert halls that make this a cultural powerhouse, but don’t confine yourself to the historic centre. Vienna’s outer districts, with their coffee houses and maverick art galleries are well worth a visit.

Vienna holiday highlights

Prater

City of Music

Musicians have been drawn to Vienna for hundreds of years. Vivaldi, Schubert and Mozart all lived here at some point. Discover more about this musical legacy by visiting the House of Music on your city break to Vienna. Classical music concerts can be found everywhere in the city, but there are also jazz clubs and indie music at venues like Flex.

Fresh air

Vienna is known for its air quality, and the many parks and gardens will help you appreciate clean living in the city. Stadtpark, Volksgarten and Augarten are all favourites for picnics and walks. But if you have to choose one park to visit, make it Buggarten. The winding paths and the butterfly house bring a little bit of magic to a holiday to Vienna.

Viennese coffee culture

Coffee drinking is a way of life in Vienna. It is said that in the 1600s, the Austrians drove off invaders who left behind bags of coffee beans in the chaos. Coffeehouses popped up across the city and so began Vienna’s relationship with the brew. UNESCO even recognises the city’s love of coffeehouses as ‘intangible cultural heritage’.

Vienna: Know before you go

Language

German

Currency

Euro (€)

Time zone

UTC+1 (CET) and UTC+2 (CEST)

High season

July – August

Low season

January – February

Find the best time to go to Vienna

Weather in Vienna

April – May: Pack layers for spring’s chilly temperatures and gusty winds. Despite the changeable weather, it’s a great time to see the Volksgarten’s colourful flowers in bloom.

June – August: Take advantage of summer’s warm weather to stroll the Vienna Woods and the Danube River paths. This is Vienna’s rainiest season, so don’t forget your umbrella.

September – October: Look forward to mild temperatures and sunny days in early autumn. Don’t miss the foliage in Prater park and Schönbrunn Palace Park.

November – March: Temperatures can dip below freezing and snow is a possibility. Enjoy the warm glow of the city’s Christmas markets around the festive season.

Events in Vienna

Wiener Festwochen (May to June): Founded in 1951, the Vienna Festival showcases theatre, opera and dance performances from around the world.

Vienna Jazz Festival (June to July): Also known as Jazz Fest Wien, this international festival features headlining acts and regional talent in jazz, soul, funk, pop and blues.

Viennale (October): Held annually since 1961, the Vienna International Film Festival hosts screenings of new Austrian and international films at cinemas across the city.

Christmas markets (November to December): Vienna celebrates the festive season with Christmas markets selling traditional gifts and seasonal treats like ‘glühwein’ (mulled wine). The Christmas market at Rathausplatz is one of the city’s best.

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The best neighbourhoods in Vienna

Neubau

Neubau is where to stay if you want to stroll to vintage shops, organic bakeries and record stores. Mariahilfer Strasse, Vienna’s main shopping street, is a few blocks away. There you’ll find restaurants serving Indian, Italian, Turkish and Asian cuisine. But the highlight is the MuseumsQuartier, home to the Leopold Museum, MUMOK and a cafe-lined square that’s perfect for people-watching.

Good for: Museums, shopping, international restaurants

Landstrasse

Landstrasse is one of the best areas to stay in Vienna if you want a blend of sophistication and bohemian charm. This neighbourhood is known for its Baroque Belvedere Palace and gardens. Explore the KunstHausWien, an eco-friendly museum designed by the iconic architect Hundertwasser. For gourmet treats, meander through the Rochusmarkt. And a visit to the tucked-away Arenbergpark with its historic flak towers is also a must.

Good for: Culture, architecture, restaurants

Innere Stadt

The city’s regal heart, Innere Stadt (Old Town) is a trove of architectural wonders and one of the best places to stay in Vienna. St Stephen's Cathedral and the Hofburg Palace offer a little grandeur. The winding alleys filled with boutique shops and traditional Viennese coffeehouses are also fun to explore. Don’t miss Shakespeare & Company, an old-fashioned bookstore stocked floor to ceiling with mostly English books.

Good for: Sightseeing, shopping, cafés

Things to do in Vienna

Kunsthistorisches Museum

Take in the culture

The galleries and museums in Vienna are treasure troves of history. The Belvedere Palace is a magnificent Baroque building with a collection of Austrian paintings, including Gustav Klimt's ‘The Kiss (Lovers)’. Visit after 3pm to miss the crowds. The Kunsthistorisches Museum is also a must visit for art lovers, with a collection that dates back to the ancient world. On Saturdays, join a guided tour of the Main Building of the University of Vienna, where more beauty awaits.

Family friendly things to do

Thanks to its compact city centre and variety of kid-friendly activities, there are some brilliant things to do with family in Vienna. Prater is a beloved amusement park, and the Vienna Museum of Science & Technology is one of many child-focused museums. Book tickets online in advance to skip the queues. Kids also love the quirky Haus des Meeres, an aquarium located in a World War II flak tower.

Nightlife

Vienna's nightlife offers everything from world cinema to jazz, clubbing, and bar-hopping. For some open-air revelry, visit Vienna's many rooftop bars and clubs – Das LOFT Bar is a winner for awesome views and interesting cocktails. Down near the water of the Donaukanal there are bars and cafes with regular live music performances.

Places to eat

With so many varieties of pastries and divine ‘Sachertorte’ (chocolate cake), it’s easy to skip straight to dessert in Vienna. Visiting a coffeehouse is an essential part of a Viennese morning. Demel is one of the most historic coffeehouses in the city, with a large selection of chocolates and cakes. Many restaurants in Vienna specialise in local cuisine. For dishes from all over the world, visit Naschmarkt, open every day except Sunday.

Free things to do

Whether it’s walking along the historic streets or activities that don’t cost a euro, there are lots of free things to do in Vienna. Start by wandering along the Danube River and visiting the island of Donauinsel. The annual music festival Donauinselfest is free and celebrates local musicians. In the MuseumsQuartier of central Vienna, find free art exhibitions at the Freiraum and MQ Salon.

Shopping

Vienna is a go-to destination for luxury and high-end fashion. The tree-lined Mariahilfer Strasse, Vienna's longest shopping street, is a popular spot for this. If you want to experience a quaint and creative side of shopping in Vienna, head to the boutiques and shops in the 7th and 8th districts. Siebensterngasse is the street for designer bags and handmade jewellery.

Plan your holiday to Vienna

Budget

From taking strolls in its beautiful parks to free art exhibitions and swimming spots along the Danube, planning a cheap holiday in Vienna is easier than you might think. When budgeting your stay, expect to pay around 15 euros (€) for a simple meal in a restaurant and less than €10 for a short taxi ride.

Day trips from Vienna

Known for its Baroque abbey overlooking the Danube, the town of Melk is a little over an hour away by train. Visiting in winter? Hit Semmering’s ski slopes in the Austrian Alps, also about an hour from Vienna by car. You can also easily cross the border into Slovakia for a day of sightseeing in Bratislava, an hour away by train.

Getting around Vienna

Many of Vienna’s museums and cultural landmarks are within walking distance of each other in the city centre. If you need to travel to the city outskirts, the U-Bahn (subway), S-Bahn (train), tram and bus network is efficient. Buy a day ticket or a weekly pass. And remember to validate your ticket when you board the U-Bahn, trams or buses.

FAQs about Vienna holidays

Chances are, you'll be hearing plenty of German. Picking up a few local expressions can be a fun way to start conversations and get to know people during your city break in Vienna.
While on your trip to Vienna, you'll be using the euro (EUR) for all your spending. You may want to carry a mix of cash and cards to avoid any issues with paying.
Austria’s capital is considered to be a safe city to visit and many people book holidays to Vienna throughout the year because of this. As with any travel experience, make sure you take care of yourself and your belongings.
January brings the coolest conditions. Plan your Vienna trip then and you can anticipate lows of -6ºC (21ºF).
With an average rainfall of 9 cm, June is the rainiest month to go on a Vienna holiday. When the drizzle sets in, head indoors and make the most of the city's restaurants, shops, museums and more.
There’s really no bad time to plan a city break to Vienna. During the warmer months there are lots of open air festivals and events, plus beaches and swimming at the Danube River. The markets around Christmas have a special festive atmosphere. For cheaper deals on flights and accommodation, consider travelling from April to May and September to October.
The warmest month in Vienna is July, which sees maximum temperatures of 29ºC (84ºF).
You can easily see a lot of key attractions during a weekend break to Vienna. If you like to take your time, stay for three or four days. You could even take a day trip to the Alps if you have a few extra days – Schneeberg mountain is only 90 minutes away by public transport.
The cost of your city break in Vienna will differ according to things like where you're flying in from, when you plan to go, and your chosen stay. Vienna flights and hotels typically cost more during busier times, but you can score savings by booking in the off-peak season.
With countless things to do in Vienna, this city will have you hooked from the start. Begin your exploration at must-visit attractions like Schonbrunn Palace and St. Stephen's Cathedral.

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