Your browser (Internet Explorer {{browserVersion}}) is out of date. It has known security flaws and may not display all the features of this and other websites.
Update my browser
View of statue of lounging women, Austria

Athena at Austria Parliament

Admire the Athena statue at Austria's Parliament building in Vienna, a symbol of wisdom and democracy

Vienna | Austria

Enjoy astonishing architecture, classical concerts, cake and coffee houses when you waltz around cosmopolitan Vienna. See more highlights in this city guide.

Whether you enjoy Mozart or hearing about a few of your favourite things, music is central to Austrian culture and its capital Vienna. Classical concerts, cake and coffee houses are all must-dos but you can take more than a waltz around cosmopolitan Vienna to enjoy live music and clubs too. Regal history informs the city’s grand-scale architecture, with Habsburg dynasty palaces from Hofburg to Schonbrunn, and world-class music venues including the Stasoper (opera house). Then there are the art museums whose collections are no less magnificent, and for some seasonal sparkle, there's nothing quite like visiting the Viennese Christmas market during winter months.

Must-Sees

schonbrunn palace exterior vienna austria 12-5

Schonbrunn Palace

Schonbrunn Palace is the place to visit by day. On a tour through the rooms of this summer palace, discover the apartments of former emperors and wander the immaculate palace grounds. You'll learn about the former ruling family of Austria, the Habsburgs, and gain an intimate insight into how they lived.
Passengers cycling through Vienna, Europe

Guided Bike Ride

Why not get active on a guided bike ride to the 12th-century Klosterneuburg Monastery, before pedalling back to your river ship. A bike path runs right along the Danube where your ship is docked and there is also the Danube island, which is for recreational purposes only, so plenty of bike paths but no traffic! 
Vienna City Palace Orchestra, Austria

Liechtenstein City Palace

Head to the baroque Liechtenstein City Palace in the heart of Vienna, where you're invited to an exclusive cocktail party and private recital. A full orchestra performs classical masterpieces by Mozart and Strauss, and there is also an operatic recital and performance by members of the Mozart Boys’ Choir.

 

Local Recommendations

When it comes to local knowledge there's no one better to show you the way than our on-the-ground team. Read on to find out their favourite dining venues, places of interest, customs or secrets that keep them returning to these cities time and again.

Meet Local Expert - Kevin Sykes

Experienced Tour Director Kevin Sykes accompanies European river cruises and is based in the Luberon region of France, in a small village nestled in the National Park called Lourmarin. His favourite place to show guests is Vienna, as it has so much to offer for everyone. It is a modern metropolitan city, but steeped in the history of Empires. From indulging in the best coffee to admiring historic architecture, the list of ways to enjoy Vienna is endless so to start, here's a few of Kevin's favourite recommendations.

Coffee and coffee machine

Viennese Coffee

"Try the coffee! You can find many beautiful coffee houses on the ringstrasse of Vienna, for example Cafe Landtmann or the Cafe Sacher. The Kaffeehaus tradition dates back to the 17C when the Turkish left coffee as they abandoned their siege of the city but became fashionable in the 19C when you could find Freud, Marx or Strauss taking advantage of the warmth and intellectual company to escape Vienna's winter."

Passengers in Vienna, Austria

View Featured Trip

"Walk or ride along the blue Danube. Our ships dock on a lovely stretch of the Danube which offers you the chance to join the locals in a wanderweg (trail walk) in the morning."

 

 

View of Vienna's main shopping street, Austria

Authentic Shopping Experiences

"Many people are surprised that Vienna is such a fabulous city for shopping. From international and Austrian prestige brands (such as Swarovski crystal) to simple souvenirs, such as Klimt reproductions and Mozart confectionary, Vienna is a shoppers paradise."

Country: Austria

Currency: Euro (EUR)

International dialling code: +43

Local time: GMT +1

Panoramic view overlooking the city buildings of Vienna, Austria
Population: Approximately 1.9 million.
View Travel Tips

Language: Austrian German

Useful phrases: Gruss gott (good day); Auf wiedersehen (good bye); Einen kaffee bitte (a coffee please)

"Your visit will start with a local guided tour which will prepare you to get the most out of this amazing city. Then enjoy a stroll in the fashionable pedestrian zone or take a fiaker (horse and carriage) along the cobbled streets so you can take some time looking up at the elegant architecture as you explore the hidden corners of the city.

Try a Schnitzel. There are hundreds of local taverns in the historic centre, probably the most famous is Figlmüller but this local delicacy, served in a variety of ways is uniquely Viennese.

Don’t miss the Museums - Vienna is one of the greatest cities in the world for Art museums. Perhaps after visiting the Palace of Schonbrunn in the morning you can make your way to the Albertina in the middle of the old town. There are always interesting exhibitions , but my favourite is the Monet to Picasso collection."

 

(Words by Kevin Sykes)