Postcard motifs and magnificent buildings, classical music, the famous St. Stephen's Cathedral, the Giant Ferris Wheel, Sisi and Schönbrunn Palace: the top sights in Vienna are as diverse as the city itself. Our highlights take you around the city and offer tradition, adventure, Viennese charm, art and history. The Vienna Welcome Card also offers many discounts and even free admission to Vienna's most beautiful sights.

Schönbrunn: In the footsteps of the Habsburgs

Schönbrunn Palace is a must-see in Vienna, whether you are interested in history, want to marvel at the architecture and art in the palace or are planning a long walk in the palace park. Here you can follow in the footsteps of Empress Sisi and Maria Theresa and learn all about the former summer residence of the Habsburgs in the state rooms of Schönbrunn. The baroque palace park is accessible free of charge all year round and impresses with its statues and a magnificent view over Vienna from the magnificent Gloriette. Special tips: Once a year, the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra's summer night concert takes place in the palace gardens with free admission and in winter, the Christmas market with its special backdrop is well worth a visit.

Tip: Book your ticket online via the Vienna Welcome Card by DocLX - App and avoid standing in line. Your fast-entry-tool.

MAK Museum of Applied Arts: Viennese design and arts and crafts

With its impressive columned hall, the first museum on the Ringstrasse is the top address for design and arts and crafts from the Wiener Werkstätte. The MAK stands for design and diversity and is a highlight if you are interested in the Viennese Art Nouveau period, especially with its Vienna 1900 display collection. In addition to a collection of furniture, porcelain and textiles, the MAK also has a Klimt design and an extensive Asian collection. There are also regular modern exhibitions and the MAK DESIGN LAB makes design tangible - we always enjoy a visit there.

Tip: Book your ticket online via the Vienna Welcome Card - App and avoid standing in line. Your fast-entry-tool.

Vienna Prater and Giant Ferris Wheel: fun for the whole family

The vibrant  Prater is an integral part of Vienna: the Giant Ferris Wheel is one of the city's most popular symbols for good reason. The famous landmark was built in 1897 and still has a magical attraction today, not least thanks to the film scenes in The Third Man or James Bond - The Touch of Death. A ride on the Giant Ferris Wheel takes around 15 minutes and you will experience a breathtaking view over the whole of Vienna from a height of 64 meters. For a little more adrenaline, there are numerous rides in the Prater, from the rustic Alt Wiener Grottenbahn to great roller coasters or the Luftikus nostalgia ring game at lofty heights. Admission to the Prater is free and you only pay for the rides you want to try. 

St. Stephen's Cathedral: the landmark of Vienna

The Viennese affectionately call it “Steffl”: With its 136.4-metre-high south tower, St. Stephen's Cathedral is the most famous landmark and one of the top sights in Vienna. The Gothic building in the city center is an architectural masterpiece that you can visit for free. You can also take part in guided tours, visit the catacombs or climb the 343 steps of the South Tower. The unfinished North Tower, which is the subject of numerous legends, is home to the Pummerin bell and can be reached by elevator. By the way: did you know that St. Stephen's Cathedral can also be found on the logo of the famous Manner biscuits? There is a Manner store just around the corner on Stephansplatz if you need a snack after your visit. 

Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna: art from Egypt to Bruegel

In addition to a rich art collection spanning five millennia, the Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna (KHM) also has one of the most beautiful coffee houses in Vienna. The art treasures at the KHM range from the Egyptian-Oriental collection to famous paintings by Pieter Bruegel and one of the largest coin collections in the world. Our tip for an extra dose of flair: if you need a break, the coffee house in the museum's domed hall is the best place to recharge your batteries with a Melange and an apple strudel.

Vienna Naschmarkt: culinary highlights

The Naschmarkt is as lively and diverse as Vienna itself. At the city's largest market, you will find fresh fruit and vegetables, delicacies, gourmet food, exotic spices, fish, meat, cheese, international specialties and much more. There is also a flea market here on Saturdays, where you can pick up a bargain or two. Top restaurants have also established themselves in the market area, including  the NENI on the Naschmarkt, which impresses with its Israeli street food. 

Vienna State Opera: experience classical music

Vienna is the city of classical music, so of course the State Opera should not be missing from our recommendations. The Vienna State Opera was opened on the Ring in 1869 and is still one of the most famous opera houses in the world today. From Mozart to Beethoven, everything is on offer here and famous opera stars such as Maria Callas, Luciano Pavarotti and Plácido Domingo have sung here. If you want to grab a standing room at short notice to experience the magic of opera for yourself, these are available at the box office for as little as 15 euros. There are also guided tours of the State Opera, where you can hear and see exciting background details. Too etepete for kids? Wrong: your offspring will also learn all kinds of interesting facts in a playful way on the children's tours. 

Hofburg: Sisi up close

The Hofburg was the residence of the Habsburgs in Vienna until 1918 and now houses the seat of the Federal President, the Austrian National Library and several museums. Sisi fans will find the Sisi Museum and the Imperial Apartments here, where the true personality of the empress is explored. The tour of the museum tells the story of how the myth of Sisi came about and offers an insight into numerous private objects belonging to the famous empress. Other highlights of the Hofburg include the Imperial Treasury, the Spanish Riding School and the Austrian National Library with its impressive State Hall, which is open to the public. 

Tip: Book your ticket online via the Vienna Welcome Card by DocLX - App and avoid standing in line. Your fast-entry-tool.

Schönbrunn Zoo: focus on species conservation

The oldest zoo in the world was founded in 1752 and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Schönbrunn. Schönbrunn Zoo has been transformed from a baroque menagerie into one of the most modern zoos and provides a habitat for more than 650 animal species on an area of 17 hectares. From the public's favorites, the giant pandas, to elephants, giraffes and penguins, you can learn all about animal species, some of which are endangered - and it's not just children who will be amazed. Thanks to its nature and species conservation projects, Schönbrunn Zoo has been named the best zoo in Europe several times. The feeding sessions, which you can experience live, and the special tours, which range from backstage tours to night tours, are also a special experience. And of course the Vienna Welcome Card also gives you a discount on this visit. 

Tip: Book your ticket online via the Vienna Welcome Card by DocLX - App and avoid standing in line. Your fast-entry-tool.

Belvedere: Klimt in the baroque palace

Attention Klimt fans: The Belvedere Palace is home to one of the most famous paintings in the world. In the permanent exhibition in the Upper Belvedere, you can be enchanted by Klimt's Kiss and marvel at the beautiful details of the painting. All in all, the baroque Belvedere Palace offers an insight into 800 years of art history with numerous masterpieces from Klimt to Schiele and van Gogh. There is also an extensive interactive program and themed guided tours. 

Our tip for your exploration tour through Vienna: With the Vienna Welcome Card, you get great discounts at numerous excursion destinations and mobility partners. So it's really worth grabbing a Vienna Welcome Card to explore the must-sees of Vienna.

Schönbrunn Palace and the Belvedere aren't enough pomp and splendor for you? Here you will find even more palaces in Vienna worth seeing. And if you're wondering how best to get to all these destinations, then take a look at our tips on how to get around Vienna.