Last Updated on September 13, 2024 by gregor
Explore Vienna on foot with our 11 Free Sightseeing Routes that showcase the city’s most beautiful attractions and hidden gems. Vienna is a city that blends stunning architecture with lush parks, making it perfect for outdoor exploration. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, these walking routes offer a fantastic way to spend a few hours taking in Vienna’s history, culture, and natural beauty.
Best of all, these Vienna City Walks are completely free! Below, we’ve listed the most scenic routes and iconic sightseeing paths that will guide you through Vienna’s top landmarks and charming neighborhoods.
Get ready to explore the best of Vienna, from its grand architecture to peaceful green spaces—all while enjoying a leisurely walk through one of Europe’s most enchanting cities.
These places are best for walking tours in Vienna
Old City Center Walks, 1010 Vienna
Vienna’s city center has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001. The most important sights, which you can easily reach on foot, are located in an area of approx. 3km². This is definitely one of the most beautiful places to walk in Vienna.
Highlights
- Historic facades, churches, fountains, and monuments.
- eat in excellent restaurants
- Many traditional Viennese coffee houses (Cafe Central Demel, Sacher, Hawelka, Sluka,..)
Top Tip: Enjoy Vienna by night. Sunset to Midnight is the best time for a night walk
How do I get to the Old City Center in Vienna?
The easiest way to explore the old inner city of Vienna without a tourist guide is from Schwedenplatz. Simply get off at the Schwedenplatz underground station (lines U1 or U4) and walk up from there in the direction of Stephansplatz!
Here is a BLOG ARTICLE with the full Old City Center walking Tour in Vienna and a YouTube VIDEO featuring the whole tour!
VIENNA’S OLD HISTORIC STREETS IN THE CITY CENTER, AUSTRIA
Vienna Government District Walk, 1010 Vienna
Vienna Government District is near the Hofburg Palace in the City Center. A great Vienna City Walk which features a lot of Historic Buildings and Palais, and the famous Minoriten Square and Minoriten Church
Highlights:
- 00:00 Presidential office (Ballhausplatz)
- 01:13 Federal Chancellery (left side)
- 02:20 Ministry of Interior
- 02:24 Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- 02:27 Minoriten Church
- 02:35 Minoriten Square
- 05:22 Palais Dietrichstein
- 05:27 Palais Liechtenstein
- 05:30 Ministry of Education & Science
- 07:04 Palais Niederösterreich (left side)
- 07:52 Minoriten Square
How do I get to the Government District in Vienna?
The easiest way to explore the Government District of Vienna is from Karlsplatz. Simply get off at the Karlsplatz underground station (lines U1 or U4) and walk up from there in the direction of Hofburg!
Here is a VIDEO with the full Vienna Government Center walking Tour in Vienna featuring all the sightseeing highlights!
Vienna Luxury City Center Walk, 1010 Vienna
A luxury Street Walk from the St. Stephens Cathedral via the Graben, Kohlmarkt, and Herrengasse. If you love (window) shopping this is definitely the perfect walking tour in Vienna for you.
Highlights:
The shopping area of Top Luxury Brands
- 00:00 Intro and St. Stephen’s Cathedral
- 03:00 The Graben Luxury Shopping Street
- 07:15 Kohlmarkt Luxury Shopping Mile (Gucci, Dior, Tiffany’s,….)
- 09:29 Hofburg Palace + Michaeler Tor
- 12:29 Herrengasse
- 17:13 Cafe Central – World Famous Viennese Coffee House, let’s have a look at the delicious pastry and taste a Truffle Cake + Melange (Viennese Cafe) Yummy,…
How do I get to the Luxury Streets in Vienna?
The easiest way to explore the Luxury Streets in the city center of Vienna without a tourist guide is from Stephansplatz. Simply get off at the Stephansplatz underground station (lines U1 or U3) and walk up from there in the direction of Stephansplatz!
Here is a VIDEO with the full Luxury Streets City Center walking Tour in Vienna featuring all the sightseeing highlights!
The Ringstrasse Walk, 1010 Vienna
Walking the Ringstrasse Vienna can take you about 1-3 hours. (The Ringstrasse is 5.3 kilometers long). A city walk to accommodate numerous monumental buildings built during Historicism in the 1860s to 1890s. The buildings erected there – from the State Opera to the Art History Museum – are among the most important sights in Vienna today.
Highlights
- 00:00 Intro – Schwarzenbergplatz
- 00:14 Hotel Imperial – 5* luxury Hotel
- 01:30 Vienna State Opera
- 05:16 Heldentor
- 05:31 Hofburg – Heldenplatz – Emperor Palace
- 07:00 Michaelertor – Michaeler Square
- 11:19 Heldentor
- 11:39 The Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien (Art History Museum) left
- 11:45 The Naturhistorisches Museum Wien (Nature History Museum) right
- 13:21 Austrian Parliament
- 14:06 Burgtheater
- 14:52 Rathaus (Vienna Town House)
- 16:03 University of Vienna
- 17:30 Votiv Church – Votivkirche
- 19:06 Wiener Börsengebäude (Vienna Stock Exchange)
- 21:02 Franz Josefs Kai
- 24:55 IBM Building
- 25:05 Schwedenplatz
- 27:54 Urania Wien
- 30:24 MAK Museum für Angewandte Kunst (Museum of Applied Arts)
- 31:13 Stubentor
- 32:04 Stadtpark
- 32:28 OPEC Vienna
- 33:12 Palais Coburg (in the back white Building)
- 33:19 Marriott Hotel Vienna
- 33:42 Almanac Hotel (planned opening Mid of 2022)
- 33:47 Weihburggasse
How do I get to the Ringstrasse in Vienna?
The easiest way to explore the Ringstrasse in the city center of Vienna without a tourist guide is from Vienna State Opera. Simply get off at the Karlsplatz underground station (lines U1 or U4) and walk up from there in the direction of Vienna State Opera!
Here is a VIDEO with the full Ringstrasse walking Tour in Vienna featuring all the sightseeing highlights!
The Stadtpark Walk, 1010 Vienna
In the city park, there are picturesque meadows, large water areas, and ornamental shrubs. Large avenue trees shield the park from the ring road. Some rare trees are protected, for example, ginkgo, Christ’s thorn, a pyramidal poplar, and a Caucasian wingnut.
Highlights
- The Stadtpark has the most monuments and sculptures of all parks in Vienna.
- The most famous is the Strauss monument.
- Top Restaurant: Steirereck and Meierei
How do I get to the Stadtpark in Vienna?
The easiest way to explore the Stadtpark in the city center of Vienna is from Karlsplatz. Simply get off at the Stadtpark underground station ( U4) and walk up from there in the direction of Stadtpark!
Here is a VIDEO with the full Stadtpark Walking Tour in Vienna featuring all the sightseeing highlights!
The Burggarten Walk, 1010 Vienna
The Burggarten is located on the Ringstrasse and is laid out in the English style. The Palmenhaus is also located here, one of the most beautiful Art Nouveau glass houses designed by Friedrich Ohmann.
Highlights:
- Mozart Statue
- Emperor Franz Joseph Statue
- Nice places to sit and relax
- Take a PicNic with your friends
- Palmenhouse
How do I get to the Burggarten?
The easiest way to explore Burggarten Park in the city center of Vienna is from Karlsplatz. Simply get off at the Karlsplatz underground station ( U4) and walk up from there in the direction of Opera/Burggarten!
Here is a VIDEO with the full Burggarten walking Tour in Vienna featuring all the sightseeing highlights!
The Naschmarkt Walk, 1040 Vienna
The Naschmarkt in Vienna is the most famous food market in Vienna, with around 120 market stalls and restaurants.
Highlights
- It offers a wide range of culinary delights, from Viennese to Indian, from Vietnamese to Italian.
- The Naschmarkt Wien has become a meeting place for young and old.
- The flea market on Saturday is already a cult.
How do I get to the Naschmarkt?
The easiest way to explore the Naschmarkt in the city center of Vienna is from Karlsplatz. Simply get off at the Karlsplatz underground station ( U4) and walk up from there in the direction of Naschmarkt!
Here is a VIDEO with the full Naschmarkt walking Tour in Vienna featuring all the sightseeing highlights!
Belvedere Palace Gardens, 1040 Vienna
Belvedere Gardens Vienna is one of Europe’s most significant historical gardens, a fine example of late Baroque garden design.
Highlights
- the pools that mirror the building’s façade
- the Palace Gardens
- the privy Gardens
- the Botanical Garden
The Botanical Garden is the oldest of its kind in Europe with a valuable historical collection of Alpine plants. Wonderful attractions include the rhododendrons, the variety of Sempervivum, and the Japanese Bonsai.
How do I get to the Belvedere Palace?
The easiest way to explore the Belvedere Gardens in the city center of Vienna is from the Hauptbahnhof. Simply get off at the Hauptbahnhof underground station ( U1) and walk up from there in the direction of Belvedere!
Here is a VIDEO with the full Naschmarkt walking Tour in Vienna featuring all the sightseeing highlights!
Schönbrunn Palace Park Walk, 1130 Vienna
A walk through the park of Schönbrunn Palace is always a good idea! The sprawling grounds are particularly beautiful in autumn when the leaves are shimmering in rich, bright colors.
Highlights
- The Gloriette
- Roman Ruins
- Beautiful Fountains
- Numerous squirrels
How do I get to Schönbrunn Castle?
The easiest way to explore the Schönbrunn Castle in Vienna is with the U4 Underground. Simply get off at the Schönbrunn underground station ( U4) and walk up from there in the direction of Schönbrunn!
You can find out more about Schönbrunn Palace Park (Quick Guide) here.
Here is a VIDEO with the full Schönbrunn walking Tour in Vienna featuring all the sightseeing highlights!
The Green Prater, 1020 Vienna
The Vienna Prater is a perfect walking destination because the possibilities here are endless.
Highlights
- Prater Hauptalle – The main avenue is 4km long perfect for joggers
- Meadows and forests
- the Heustadelwasser
- the Sulzwiese
- Famous Ferries Wheel
Top Tip:
Rent a Bike! The Green Prater is huge (= Duble the size of the Central Park in New York! ) More about Bike Rental in Vienna read here:
BIKE RENTAL IN VIENNA – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW – WIENMOBIL RAD (VIDEO TOUR)
How do I get to the Prater in Vienna?
The easiest way to explore the Green Prater in Vienna is with the U1 Underground. Simply get off at the Praterstern underground station ( U1) and walk up from there in the direction of the Prater!
Here is a VIDEO with the full Donauinstel walking Tour in Vienna featuring all the sightseeing highlights!
The Danube Canal, 1020 Vienna
In summer, many people cannot imagine life without the Danube Canal with its pubs and the associated holiday feeling. A perfect evening walking tour in Vienna.
Highlights:
- There is a lot going on here when the weather is nice
- especially between Schwedenplatz and Schottentor a lot of restaurants and bars.
- the sometimes narrower, sometimes wider paths
- you almost forget that you are in the middle of the city.
How do I get to the Danube Canal?
The easiest way to explore the Danube Canal in Vienna is the Underground. Simply get off at the Schwedenplatz underground station (U1 or U4) and walk up from there in the direction of Donaukanal!
Here is a VIDEO with the full Donaukanal walking Tour in Vienna featuring all the sightseeing highlights!
BONUS!
Vienna by Night walk
During your stay in Vienna, I will really enjoy Vienna at night. For me, the most spectacular city night walks are in the city center and the view is from Kahlenberg.
Is Vienna a walkable city?
Vienna is very walkable. There are a lot of Public Parks and gardens along the Ringstrasse. Especially in the City Center, there are a lot of pedestrian zones
How to get around Vienna?
There are 4 Ways to get around Vienna.
By Public Transport, Vienna City Card
- Taking public transportation is the most convenient method to get around Vienna (Euro 8.- for a 24-hour ticket).
- A Vienna City Card, which permits unlimited use of the city’s metro, tram, and bus lines, can be purchased in advance.
- Vienna City Cards are available for 1, 2, or 3 consecutive days, and prices range from 24 hours for Euro 17, to 3 days of use + airport transfer for Euro 46.-.
The Vienna City Card also offers discounts at over 210 major attractions, making it an excellent value.
By Bicycle Rent a Bike in Vienna
- The city center of Vienna, and the majority of tourist attractions, are reachable by bicycle.
- WienMobil Rad is the most popular bike-sharing service in Vienna.
- Simply register online, find a terminal and scan the QRCode to unlock a bike.
- Detailed Information on How to Rent a bike in Vienna on my Blog:
BIKE RENTAL IN VIENNA – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW – WIENMOBIL RAD (VIDEO TOUR)
There is also the very popular Classic Vienna: 3-Hour Guided Bike Tour available to book in advance.
By Hop On Hop Off Bus
The City Card provides access to standard buses throughout Vienna. There is, of course, the well-known Vienna Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus.
This Hop On Hop Off bus allows you to hop on and off at many locations throughout the city, including the Museums of the Hofburg, the House of Music, and the Schönbrunn Palace.
This choice is always popular amongst travelers, and it is a great way to see many of Vienna’s famous attractions.
By Guided Tour
There are some amazing tours available to book in advance on Get Your Guide for people who are short on time or prefer everything to be organized for them.
There’s much to do in the Austrian capital, from food tours to river cruises and bar crawls!
Hope you enjoy my selection of the most beautiful walking and sightseeing tours in Vienna.