Vienna

Coffee houses, flea-market finds & imperial strolls

Browse Vienna

Find hotels in Vienna Book tours & experiences

Vienna is one of the most rewarding places to explore, and this local guide brings together the best things to do, where to eat and where to stay in one place. Highlights include Flea market Kettenbruckengasse, Schonbrunn Palace and Belvedere. Food lovers should not miss Glacis Beisl and Zum Holunderstrauch. Below you will find 44 hand-picked local recommendations across sights, restaurants, hotels and tours, which you can filter by category and budget to plan the perfect trip, whether you have a weekend or a week.

Vienna at a glance

Ideal stay: 2 to 3 days
Best time to visit: spring and autumn
Highlights: Flea market Kettenbruckengasse and Schonbrunn Palace
Where to stay: Innere Stadt and Wieden
Local picks: 44 hand-chosen recommendations
Getting around: walkable, plus easy public transport

Local tips for Vienna

Stories and neighbourhood know-how from our local guides.

Local tipsWhere to Stay in Vienna: Best Neighborhoods for First-TimersWhere to stay in Vienna? A local guide to the best districts, from the elegant Innere Stadt to hip Neubau,…

Local tips3 Days in Vienna: The Perfect ItineraryA local's perfect 3-day Vienna itinerary: the imperial old town and coffeehouses, Schonbrunn and the Naschmarkt, plus art, concerts and…

Where to stay in Vienna

Compare live hotel prices and availability on the map. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Neubau

25hours Hotel Vienna

A playful, circus-themed design hotel right by the MuseumsQuartier, with a buzzy rooftop bar (great sunset views), a good restaurant and free bikes. Fun, central and full of character.

★ 4.5

Innere Stadt

Albertina

A superb art museum above the old Habsburg staterooms, ranging from Durer’s famous hare to Monet, Picasso and modern masters. Elegant, central and rarely overwhelming.

★ 4.6

Landstrasse

Belvedere

A pair of baroque palaces set in formal gardens, now an art museum whose star is Gustav Klimt’s shimmering The Kiss. Worth it for the building and gardens alone.

★ 4.7

Innere Stadt

Cafe Central

A palatial coffeehouse once frequented by Freud and Trotsky, all vaulted ceilings and marble. Come for the ritual of a Melange and a slice of cake – the queue is part of the experience.

★ 4.4

Innere Stadt

Classical Concert: Mozart & Strauss

An evening of Mozart and Strauss crowd-pleasers performed in period costume in a grand hall – a touristy but genuinely fun slice of Vienna’s musical soul. Great for a first classical concert.

★ 4.5

Copa Cagrana

Situated at the waterfront of the Danube and connected through a pontoon bridge, the “Copa Cagrana” and the “Sunken City” are good places to spend summer evenings. Variety is given by numerous…

Danube

Donauinsel

A 21km-long slip of island in the middle of the Danube – Vienna’s free playground for swimming, cycling, skating and barbecues, and home to Europe’s huge free Donauinselfest each summer.

★ 4.4

Innere Stadt

Figlmuller

The famous home of the plate-overhanging Wiener Schnitzel since 1905 – hammered thin, breaded and fried golden. Yes it’s touristy and busy, but the schnitzel really is that good; book ahead.

★ 4.4

Naschmarkt

Flea market Kettenbruckengasse

Vienna’s biggest flea market sits right beside the Naschmarkt. Every Saturday it fills with nostalgic finds, old books and vintage clothes – plenty of junk mixed in with the treasure. Come early for the best bargains; it is between the Kettenbruckengasse and Pilgramgasse U-Bahn stops.

★ 4.4

Neubau

Glacis Beisl

A modern take on the classic Viennese Beisl, hidden like a secret garden in the old city walls behind the MuseumsQuartier. A short, well-executed menu of schnitzel, goulash and seasonal specials – lovely on a summer evening.

★ 4.5

Innere Stadt

Graben & Kohlmarkt

Vienna’s grandest pedestrian streets – the wide Graben with its baroque Plague Column, and elegant Kohlmarkt leading to the Hofburg, lined with luxury shops and the famous Demel patisserie.

★ 4.5

Innere Stadt

Grand Ferdinand

A refined modern-classic hotel on the grand Ringstrasse, mixing old-Vienna elegance with a rooftop pool and lively restaurants. Beautifully central for the Opera and old town.

★ 4.6

$$$

Innere Stadt

Hofburg & Sisi Museum

The Habsburgs’ sprawling winter palace in the centre of town, housing the imperial apartments and the Sisi Museum devoted to the enigmatic Empress Elisabeth. A deep dive into imperial Vienna.

★ 4.5

Neubau

Hotel Am Brillantengrund

A quirky, arty family-run hotel in hip Neubau with a much-loved Filipino-Viennese courtyard cafe and vintage-styled rooms. Creative, friendly and full of neighbourhood soul.

★ 4.4

Wieden

Hotel Beethoven Wien

A characterful, family-run boutique by the Naschmarkt and Theater an der Wien, with art-filled, individually styled rooms and a warm welcome. A lovely mid-range base a little off the tourist track.

★ 4.5

Innere Stadt

Hotel Sacher Wien

Vienna’s most storied grande-dame hotel, opposite the Opera and home of the original Sachertorte. Red-velvet opulence, old-world service and a cafe worth the queue – a splurge steeped in history.

★ 4.7

$$$

Landstrasse

Hundertwasserhaus

A riot of wonky colour, uneven floors and rooftop trees – Friedensreich Hundertwasser’s fairytale social-housing block. It’s residential, so admire the facade from the street and pop into the little village opposite.

★ 4.3

Before you go

Things we recommend sorting before any trip. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Travel medical insuranceSafetyWing's Nomad Insurance works like a subscription: pay by the month, cover in most countries worldwide, and you can sign up even after your trip has started.Check prices on SafetyWing

Data the moment you landAn Airalo eSIM gets your phone online in 200+ destinations before you even leave the airport - no SIM swap, no surprise roaming bill. Use code UNLIMITED4YOU for 15% off your first Unlimited eSIM (through Sept 30, 2026).Get an eSIM on Airalo

Book your trip to Vienna

Find the best hotels and book tours and experiences, all in one place.

Find hotels in Vienna Book tours and experiences

Vienna travel FAQ

How many days do you need in Vienna?

Two to three days is enough to enjoy the highlights of Vienna at a relaxed pace. See our Vienna itinerary guide for a day-by-day plan.

Where is the best area to stay in Vienna?

Stay central and walkable to the main sights for a first visit. Our where to stay in Vienna guide breaks down the best neighbourhoods.

What are the best things to do in Vienna?

Browse the local picks above, from top sights and museums to where to eat and stay.

What is the best time to visit Vienna?

Spring and autumn usually bring the most comfortable weather and thinner crowds, though Vienna is worth visiting year-round.