Vienna

Alpine peaks, imperial cities and classical music

• Passport strength: ≈188 visa-free destinations
• Language: German (Austrian dialect) · ~75% speak English
• Free-trade agreements: ≈45

Vienna — Imperial city of music and coffee houses

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Schönbrunn Palace Royal palace

The Habsburgs' vast Baroque summer palace with formal gardens and a Gloriette.

Best time: Apr–Jun & Sep–Oct — Mild weather suits the palace and its huge gardens together.

Things to do:

• Tour the imperial state rooms
• Walk up to the Gloriette view
• Get lost in the garden maze
• Visit the world's oldest zoo on-site

St Stephen's Cathedral Cathedral

Gothic cathedral with a patterned tiled roof at the city's very centre.

Best time: Apr–Jun & Sep–Oct — Pleasant weather suits the cathedral and its tower climb.

Things to do:

• Climb the south tower's 343 steps
• Ride the lift to the north-tower bell
• Descend to the catacombs
• See the tiled mosaic roof

Hofburg Royal palace

Sprawling imperial winter palace of museums, the Sisi rooms and Spanish Riding School.

Best time: Year-round — Its museums make a rewarding indoor day in any season.

Things to do:

• See the Sisi Museum and apartments
• Watch the Spanish Riding School stallions
• Marvel at the Imperial Treasury crowns
• Stroll Heldenplatz square

Belvedere Art museum

Baroque palace gallery holding Klimt's golden 'The Kiss'.

Best time: Year-round — A world-class indoor art stop for any weather.

Things to do:

• View Klimt's The Kiss in the Upper Belvedere
• Wander the Baroque palace gardens
• Explore Austrian art from medieval to modern
• Enjoy café overlooking Vienna

Kunsthistorisches Museum Museum

One of world's greatest art collections in opulent 19th-century palace.

Best time: Year-round — Vienna's premier museum with masterpieces from Renaissance to Baroque.

Things to do:

• Gaze upon Bruegel's 'Hunters in the Snow' and Renaissance masterworks
• View Egyptian mummies and ancient Greek sculptures
• Study Titian, Caravaggio, and Velazquez paintings in gilded rooms
• Explore the world's finest collection of Golden Age European art

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Austria?

It depends on where you go: every place has its own ideal season on this page. For example, Schönbrunn Palace is best around Apr–Jun & Sep–Oct. Austria has 6 featured cities and areas to plan around.

Is English spoken in Austria?

Roughly 75% of people speak English. The main language is German (Austrian dialect).

How strong is the Austria passport?

The Austria passport gives visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to about 188 destinations.

Is Austria expensive to travel in?

This page lists indicative traveller costs for Austria — medical, insurance, connectivity and education ranges — and the interactive travelogue holds the full breakdown.

What is there to do in Austria?

Schönbrunn Palace, St Stephen's Cathedral, Hofburg, Belvedere, Kunsthistorisches Museum, Hohensalzburg Fortress — each with the best time to visit, why it is worth it, and specific things to do.