Whether you are longing for a relaxing break in nature, want to explore cultural treasures or are looking for a lively market: there is a suitable excursion destination for every taste in and around Vienna. If you want to save a lot of money, the Vienna Welcome Card is worthwhile, as it gives you discounts to many excursion destinations in Vienna. In this article, we present a selection of day trips and activities in Vienna that you are sure to look back on with fond memories.

Hof Palace: Imperial excursion destination around Vienna

One of the most beautiful day trips around Vienna is definitely Schloss Hof in Marchfeld. This baroque palace really is a little gem and is only about an hour away from Vienna. Fans of glitz and glamor will get their money's worth here: not only magnificent state rooms await you there, but also impressive gardens - something your Instagram feed is sure to be happy about. The gardens are modeled on contemporary French palace gardens and that is no coincidence: after all, the palace was owned by Prince Eugene of Savoy for a long time. Want to entertain your kids too? No problem: adventure trails, an adventure playground and a wide variety of events and activities await children. Incidentally, this excursion destination near Vienna is easy to reach by public transport with the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB).

Laxenburg Palace: a day trip into the past

Located south of Vienna, you will find the fairytale Laxenburg Palace, where we always enjoy spending a leisurely day trip. The palace and the extensive palace park were once the summer residence of the Habsburgs and today offer a fascinating backdrop for a relaxing afternoon in the countryside. Particularly worth seeing is Franzensburg Castle, which rises picturesquely on an island in the castle pond and looks like a medieval knight's castle - even though it was built in the 19th century. The park invites you to take long walks and picnics, while you can stroll through the historic rooms in the castle or experience various events. Especially recommended for all romance fans: you can grab one of the rental boats at the castle pond and sail across the idyllic waters.

Baden near Vienna: day trip to the spa town

The charming spa town of Baden bei Wien is just a stone's throw from Vienna and is perfect for a relaxing day trip. The town offers a perfect mix of relaxation and culture: you can unwind in the famous sulphur springs of the Roman thermal baths, stroll through the picturesque spa gardens or visit the Beethoven House, where the composer created some of his most important works. The Casino Baden, one of the oldest casinos in Europe, and the Doblhoffpark with its impressive rosarium are also worth a visit. You can easily reach this excursion destination near Vienna on the Badner Bahn, which runs from the Vienna Opera Ring to Baden. 

Vienna's Wurstelprater: Ferris wheel, nostalgia and adventure 

There are many exciting excursion destinations to discover not only around Vienna, but also in Vienna itself. And if you haven't been to the Prater, you haven't been to Vienna: that's an unwritten law. The Vienna Wurstelprater, also known simply as the Prater, is a traditional amusement park in the heart of Vienna. Emperor Joseph II opened the grounds as a recreational area back in 1766, laying the foundations for today's Prater. Here, nostalgic charm meets modern attractions that delight young and old alike: this activity is therefore ideal for the whole family. The Prater's landmark, the Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel, towers majestically over the city. If you want to see it from above, you should definitely take a ride on one of the historic gondolas. Afterwards, we recommend a walk along the directly adjacent Prater Hauptallee. This car-free street lined with chestnut trees stretches for four kilometers and combines the hustle and bustle of the Prater with natural relaxation. 

The Albertina: art enjoyment at the highest level

If you want to escape indoors on a rainy day, the Albertina is the place to be - although this destination is of course worth a visit whatever the weather. After all, with a collection of over one million drawings, prints and photographs, it is one of the most important art museums in the world. The magnificent building, which is enthroned on the old city walls in the middle of the first district, not only houses masterpieces by artists such as Dürer, Klimt and Picasso, but also offers an impressive insight into the history and architecture of the city. The combination of classical and modern art, coupled with the elegant atmosphere of the historic palace, makes the Albertina a must-see for all culture lovers. You can easily spend an entire afternoon here and then round off the evening in the surrounding hotel bars or restaurants.

Our tip: Discounted entry with the Vienna Welcome Card.

The Schlumberger Cellar Worlds: On the trail of Viennese sparkling wine culture

The Schlumberger Cellar Worlds take you into a fascinating realm where bubbles meet centuries-old tradition. In the historic cellars of Austria's oldest sparkling wine producer, located in Vienna's 19th district, you can experience at first hand how the famous Schlumberger sparkling wine is made from fine grapes. On a guided tour through the kilometer-long cellars located deep underground, you will learn all about the elaborate process of traditional bottle fermentation and the history of Schlumberger, which has stood for the highest quality since 1842. A tasting of the exquisite sparkling wines rounds off the experience and lets you experience the art of sparkling wine making with all your senses. After all, Vienna is not only a place where people like to raise a glass or two during the ball season. Recently, there has also been an escape room where you and up to five other people can solve several puzzles within an hour to find the top-secret Schlumberger recipe. 

The Kahlenberg: excursion to Vienna's popular local mountain 

Are you visiting Vienna and not only want to discover the vibrant city life, but also get some fresh air in the countryside? Then a trip to the Kahlenberg is the perfect day trip near Vienna. Vienna's local mountain can be reached via numerous hiking trails, one of the most popular being Stadtwanderweg 1, which takes around four hours to complete. Once at the top, you can expect a fantastic panoramic view of the city and the surrounding Vienna Basin. You will also find the charming St. Josef's Church and the Skyline Kahlenberg café-restaurant, where you can enjoy coffee and cake.

Tip: If you want to take it easy on your legs, you can also get up there by public transport. From Vienna, it is best to take the U4 subway line to Heiligenstadt station and then change to the 38A bus, which will take you directly to the Kahlenberg. With the Vienna Welcome Card, you can also save on travel costs and get to Kahlenberg.

The Leopold Museum: a focus on 20th century art

Vienna's MuseumsQuartier is always a hive of activity: students relax on the Enzis - as the colorful plastic seats are called - and various restaurants and exhibitions invite you to linger. The Leopold Museum is also located in the middle of the spacious square, where you can discover masterpieces of Art Nouveau and Viennese Modernism. This includes the world's largest collection of works by Egon Schiele, as well as many pieces by Gustav Klimt, Oskar Kokoschka and Richard Gerstl in combination with temporary exhibitions. But it's not just the eyes that are treated to something special here, the palate is also spoiled: the Leopold Café, located in the same building, invites you to enjoy drinks and delicious food before or after your visit to the museum. We particularly recommend the Sunny Side Art Package, which combines admission to the museum with breakfast.

Our tip: Discounted entry with the Vienna Welcome Card

Vienna's Naschmarkt: culinary delights from all over the world 

Vienna's Naschmarkt is an Eldorado for curious gourmets and a lively meeting place in the middle of the city. It stretches along Wienzeile and offers a variety of culinary delicacies from all over the world over a length of around one and a half kilometers. Here you will find fresh regional products, exotic spices, fragrant baked goods and a variety of international specialties. In addition to the market stalls, there are also numerous small restaurants and snack bars that invite you to enjoy and observe. The Naschmarkt is not just a place for shopping, but also a cultural experience where you can experience the hustle and bustle of Vienna in all its diversity: Every corner smells of something different and everywhere you go you can hear the market stallholders haggling eagerly with customers. Whether you are simply strolling through the alleyways or looking for special ingredients, you will find a wealth of impressions and taste experiences here at any time of year.

Want to know more about Vienna? Here we show you the most interesting castles in the city. And in this article you will find the most popular wine taverns. And if you get a Vienna Welcome Card, you will receive discounts  at numerous Viennese excursion destinations and mobility partners.