One of the best ways to see Vienna is undoubtedly on foot. Mihir and I hardly ever use public transport when we travel and growing up in Austria, I have walked in Vienna a lot. That’s why we have created this handy self-guided walking tour of Vienna for you. It will take you past some of Vienna’s highlights and show you some hidden corners as well. This post is accompanied by a free map. Enjoy your walk! 🙂
PS: Scroll until the end if you would like to have a PDF version of this itinerary!
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Table of Contents
Why Choose This Self-Guided Vienna Walking Tour?
This self-guided Vienna walking tour itinerary is perfect if you are short on time and trying to save some money.
With our free map, you can follow the route easily without having to hire an expensive guide for the day. Because I’ve been to Vienna so many times, I know what is feasible and what isn’t.
The walking tour focuses on the inner city (a UNESCO World Heritage Site, by the way). However, you can easily add a few more attractions to it to fill a whole day.
It will take you past some of the most important sights in Vienna, but will also show you some hidden gems that others don’t know about 😉
Vienna Walking Tour Itinerary
The walking tour is approximately 5.5 km (3.4 miles) long and takes you past Vienna’s highlights, the city’s most iconic cafes, and through some of the city’s main shopping areas. This walk can be rather demanding, particularly in the summer.
Please take good care of yourself and take breaks when you need them! If you are still looking for more things to do in Vienna, check out our recommendations at the end of this post!
On this Vienna walking tour, you will see:
- City Hall (Rathaus)
- Imperial Court Theater (Burgtheater)
- Parliament Building (Parlament)
- Museum Quarter (MuseumsQuartier)
- Maria Theresien Platz
- Hero’s Square (Heldenplatz)
- Hofburg Palace
- Minorite Church (Minoritenkirche)
- Cafe Central
- Apotheke Zum Weissen Engel
- Plague Column (Pestsäule)
- Cafe Hawelka
- Zacherlhaus
- Anchor Clock (Ankeruhr)
- St. Rupert’s Church (St. Ruprechtskirche)
- Wolf and Cow Playing Backgammon
- St. Stephen’s Cathedral (Stephansdom)
- Stock im Eisen
- Vienna State Opera (Staatsoper)
- Plachuttas Gasthaus zur Oper
- Cafe Sacher
1. City Hall (Rathaus)
Vienna City Hall is the seat of the local government and a beautiful example of Neo-Gothic architecture, dating back to the late 1800s. Its richly adorned facade is modeled after the famous Brussels Town Hall and definitely Instagram-worthy!
If you don’t have time for one of the guided tours of the representative rooms, head down to Restaurant Rathauskeller instead. The restaurant consists of several ornately decorated Baroque rooms and is well worth a quick look.
City Hall Square is one of my favorite places to visit in Vienna during Christmas time.
It’s home to one of Vienna’s biggest Christmas markets as well as a ginormous ice skating rink that even includes skating “paths” leading through a small park. Check out Vienna Ice World for more information.
Directions
Your next stop is the Imperial Court Theater (2). You can find it just across the street from city hall. You’ll be walking a distance of 160 m.
2. Imperial Court Theater (Burgtheater)
Just opposite City Hall, you can find the Imperial Court Theater (Burgtheater). The theater opened its doors in 1741 and has since been a focal point in Austrian culture.
To this day it is the most important German-language theater and is known to locals simply as “die Burg”. No less than three of Mozart’s operas premiered here.
Directions
Your next stop is the Austrian Parliament (3), just south of city hall and the theater. You’ll be walking a distance of 300 m.
3. Parliament Building (Parlament)
The Austrian parliament building is where the two houses of the Austrian Parliament conduct their sessions. The building was completed in 1883 in an imposing Greek Revival style.
The interiors are just as beautiful as the exterior and a visit to the parliament should definitely be on your list! Not many foreign tourists make the effort to visit and thus miss out.
Directions
Your next stop is the Vienna Museum Quarter (4). On your way, you will also pass the Volkstheater. You’ll be walking a distance of 650 m.
4. Museum Quarter (MuseumsQuartier)
The Vienna Museum Quarter (MQ) is one of my favorite areas in all of Vienna. It is home to over 60 cultural institutions, many of which are highly renowned museums. It’s a conglomerate of traditional Baroque buildings as well as modern edifices.
One of my favorite museums is the Leopold Museum, which is home to the largest collection of modern Austrian art, featuring artists such as Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele.
Directions
Your next stop is Maria Theresien Platz (5). It is located just across the street from the Museum Quarter. You’ll be walking a distance of 200 m.
5. Maria Theresien Platz
Picture-perfect Maria Theresien Platz has two of Austria’s most important museums on either side. To the west, the Natural History Museum (Naturhistorisches Museum), and to the east, the Museum of Art History (Kunsthistorisches Museum).
These are fantastic museums, but be warned: they are huge! Mihir and I spent almost a whole day in the Natural History Museum alone. Located in the center of the square is a fountain dedicated to Tritons and Naiads.
Directions
Your next stop is Hero’s Square (6). You merely need to cross the Burgring. You’ll be walking a distance of 300 m.
6. Heroes’ Square (Heldenplatz)
On your way to Hofburg Palace (7), you will cross through Heroes’ Square (Heldenplatz). The square is the home of three notable structures, namely the Outer Castle Gate which are the remnants of historic fortification walls, as well as two statues: One of Archduke Charles of Austria as well as one of Prince Eugene of Savoy.
However, the square is known by most as the location where Adolf Hitler announced the Anschluss of Austria to Germany in 1938. It is a highly important location in the collective Austrian memory.
Directions
Your next stop is Hofburg Palace (7). Find your way to Michaelerplatz by walking through the palace passages. You’ll be walking a distance of 300 m.
7. Hofburg Palace
Part of Hofburg Palace, Neue Burg, actually flanks Heroes’ Square, but the majority of the palace is located further down on Michaelerplatz. Built in the 13th century, Hofburg Palace was the seat of power of the Habsburg Empire for several centuries.
It was expanded several times and now consists (amongst others) of the imperial chapel, the imperial library, the treasury, the Spanish Riding School, and the imperial mews.
Although some parts of the palace are currently closed to visitors, one of the most popular tourist attractions is the Imperial Apartments which transport you back several hundred years to an age of splendor and indulgence.
If you do not have time to visit Schönbrunn Palace, you may want to consider visiting Hofburg Palace instead.
Directions
Your next stop is Vienna’s Minorite Church (8). On your way, you will walk along Herrengasse, one of the prettiest streets in Vienna. You’ll be a distance of 350 m.
8. Minorite Church (Minoritenkirche)
The construction of the Minorite Church began during one of the perhaps most interesting periods in Austrian history, the Interregnum, in 1275.
It was one of the first real Gothic churches in the Austrian realm and was partially destroyed during the Ottoman sieges of Vienna.
At the beginning of the 19th century, Napoleon commissioned a mosaic replica of The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci. It proved too big for its original destination at Belvedere Palace.
Finally, it found its home at the Minorite Church where it can still be admired today.
Directions
Your next stop is Cafe Central (9). You’ll be walking a distance of 150 m.
9. Cafe Central
Cafe Central is a traditional Viennese Cafe. The Viennese Coffee House Culture dates back hundreds of years to 1683 when coffee beans left behind by Turkish invaders initiated the coffee craze. Viennese coffeehouses have since been an integral part of Austrian culture.
Cafe Central first opened its doors in 1876 and quickly became a hot spot for Viennese intellectuals, such as Sigmund Freud.
It’s my favorite traditional cafe in Vienna and sipping on a cup of coffee in the grand interiors is a lovely treat. After all the walking before, you certainly deserve it!
PS: Try a piece of REAL apple strudel with your coffee 😉
Directions
Your next stop is Apotheke Zum Weissen Engel (10). You’ll be walking a distance of 250 m.
10. Apotheke Zum Weissen Engel
Although the pharmacy by itself isn’t particularly interesting, the building is. Constructed in 1902, it is an early example of Art Nouveau architecture in Vienna.
It was designed by notable Austrian architect Oskar Laske. The entrance is framed by two mosaics of angels on either side.
Directions
Your next stop is the Vienna Plague Column (11). Along the way, you will pass through one of Vienna’s premier shopping streets, Graben, with luxury boutiques to either side. You’ll be walking a distance of 250 m.
11. Plague Column (Pestsäule)
The Vienna Plague Column marks a dark chapter in Austrian history. In Vienna alone, about 100,000 are estimated to have died in 1679 during a plague epidemic.
The Plague Column (also known as Trinity Column or Dreifaltigkeitssäule) commemorates its victims to this day.
Reaching a height of 21 m, this Baroque gem is an impressive sight. It was commissioned by Habsburg emperor Leopold I who is eternalized on the column’s pedestal as the victor over both, the plague and the Ottomans.
Directions
Your next stop is Cafe Hawelka (12). You’ll be walking a distance of 350 m.
12. Cafe Hawelka
Cafe Hawelka first opened its doors in 1939 but shut down during the turbulent years of World War II. After its reopening in 1945, it quickly became a hotspot for the Vienna art scene.
On any given day, you would find Vienna’s leading writers and artists sipping a cup of coffee and debating their latest projects. Regular customers included people such as Helmut Qualtinger and Friedensreich Hundertwasser (who designed Vienna’s famous Hundertwasserhaus).
The cafe is steeped in Viennese ‘charm’. Waiters tend to be snippy, prices are high, and there is no menu. I strongly recommend you don’t order anything other than a traditional Melange coffee.
If you’re feeling peckish, ask the waiter for the house specialty: Buchteln, a traditional Austrian dish of sweet rolls, prepared according to the family recipe.
A melange will set you back about 4 EUR while the Buchteln will cost you 10 EUR.
Directions
Your next stop is the Zacherlhaus (13). You’ll be walking a distance of 300 m.
13. Zacherlhaus
Often overlooked, the Zacherlhaus is one of the most architecturally interesting buildings in Vienna. Designed in 1903 by Slovenian architect Jože Plečnik, it’s a beautiful example of Art Nouveau transitioning into Art Deco.
It’s pretty to look at from the outside, but make sure to take a look at the interiors as well. The building’s staircase is one of my all-time favorites.
Directions
Your next stop is the Ankeruhr (14). You’ll be walking a distance of 200 m.
14. Anchor Clock (Ankeruhr)
The Anchor Clock (Ankeruhr) is a decorative mechanical clock, dating back to 1913. Designed by Franz von Matsch, this clock is both, pretty and fun to look at. In the front of the clock, a set of figurines passes as time goes by.
Each represents important personalities in Vienna’s history, such as Marc Aurel, Charlemagne, Maria Theresia, and Joseph Haydn. At each full hour the clock chimes a little tune.
If you can manage to get here at 12:00, you can enjoy a little show of all 12 figurines and tunes.
Directions
Your next stop is St. Rupert’s Church (15). You’ll be walking ad distance of 200 m.
15. St. Rupert’s Church (Ruprechtskirche)
Widely considered the oldest church in Vienna, St. Rupert’s Church is a marvel of Romanesque architecture. Located in what was once the Roman ‘city’ of Vindobona, the church has been through a lot since its construction in the 12th century.
During Medieval times, the church was the seat of the salt office (Salzamt) which distributed this important commodity equally among the citizens. The church is neatly tucked away in a quiet neighborhood, nestled between bars and cafes.
Directions
Your next stop is ‘Wolf and Cow Playing Backgammon’ (16). You’ll be walking a distance of 550 m through the streets of old Vienna.
16. Wolf and Cow Playing Backgammon
On one of the building facades on Bäckerstrasse, you will find a cute little fresco. It depicts a wolf and a cow playing backgammon. It dates back to the mid-17th century when the entire facade was covered in paintings.
There have been numerous attempts to interpret its meanings, however, no airtight explanation has been found so far. What do you think it could mean? 🙂
Directions
Your next stop is St. Stephen’s Cathedral (17). You will be walking a distance of 350 m.
17. St. Stephen’s Cathedral (Stephansdom)
St. Stephen’s Cathedral is one of my favorite churches in Europe and one of the most important landmarks in Vienna. The cathedral dates back to the mid-14th century and today serves as the seat of the Archbishop of Vienna.
Although its interiors are beautiful, I particularly enjoy the cathedral’s Romanesque and Gothic facade. Oh, and the roof is particularly Instagram-worthy 😉
Just across the square, you can pop into the Manner flagship store and buy yourself a pack of wafers with the iconic building on the packaging – one of 15+ great souvenirs you can buy in Vienna!
Directions
Your next stop is Stock im Eisen (18). You’ll be walking a distance of just 100 m.
18. Stock im Eisen
There are plenty of legends associated with this curious sight in the center of Vienna. The ‘Stock im Eisen’ is essentially a tree trunk into which people have been driven hundreds of nails.
It was first mentioned in historical documents in 1533, but scientific examination has revealed that the tree was felled around 1440. Nails were driven into it long before that, for reasons unknown.
Perhaps it was meant as a votive offering as nails were not a cheap commodity in the middle ages. Legend has it that the devil himself drove the nails into the trunk. Do you have a theory?
Directions
Your next stop is the Vienna Opera House (19). On your way, you’ll be following Kärnterstrasse, Vienna’s leading shopping street. You’ll be walking a distance of 650 m.
19. Vienna State Opera (Staatsoper)
Your last real stop on this Vienne walking route is Vienna State Opera. A little surprisingly, the building was not well received by the public upon its completion in 1869 who deemed it ‘not grand enough’.
Today, it is one of the most important opera houses in the world. It is the venue of the world-famous Vienna Opera Ball, one of the biggest high-society events in Europe.
Directions
After this walk, you deserve a delicious Austrian lunch. Your next stop is Gasthaus Plachutta (20). You’ll be backtracking on Kärtnerstrasse and walking a distance of 250 m.
20. Plachuttas Gasthaus zur Oper
What could be better than capping off your self-guided Vienna walking tour with a nice hot schnitzel?
Although there are plenty of restaurants around serving traditional Austrian cuisine, Plachutta is one of the best. If you’re not up for schnitzel, Plachutta also serves a selection of our 35+ favorite Austrian dishes.
Directions
Your final stop is Cafe Sacher (21). You’ll be walking a distance of 100 m.
21. Cafe Sacher
Our last cafe on this list and the last stop on your walking tour of Vienna is Cafe Sacher. Part of perhaps the most iconic hotel in Vienna, Hotel Sacher.
The hotel first opened in 1876 and started serving the famous Sacher Cake (Sachertorte) soon after (although it was originally served only by Demel, not far from Hofburg Palace (7)). Way to finish your walking tour on a sweet note 🙂
Get A Printable Guide
Want to access this walking tour offline? Get the printable version and save it on your phone or print it on paper! Pay USD 2.99 or as much as you want.
Buy on Gumroad >>What Else to See in Vienna
Obviously, there is plenty more to see in Vienna than what we have covered in our walking tour. Places like the Schönbrunn Palace, the Danube Tower, the Albertina Museum, the Belvedere Palace, the Naschmarkt, and the Prater all deserve to be visited.
Where to Stay in Vienna
Since most of Vienna’s attractions are located in the city center area, it is best to select a hotel close to the center. Even if you stay further out, it’s a good idea to stay anywhere on the metro line (i.e. 5-minute walk from the nearest metro station), which is part of Vienna’s excellent public transit system.
With more than 500 hotels to choose from, there is something to suit every taste and budget in Vienna, from impeccable five-star hotels to avant-garde to low-cost chains.
Hostel: Wombats Naschmarkt, a popular hostel within walking distance from the city center
Budget Economy: B&B Hotel Wien-Meidling, great budget option close to Wien-Meidling station
Budget Plus: Motel One Wien Hauptbahnhof, an unpretentious choice within 2 minutes of Vienna Central Station
Mid-range: Mercure Secession Vienna, a reasonably-priced 4-star hotel in the city center
Splurge: Hotel Sans Souci Wien, one of the city’s most prestigious hotels, the glamorous Sans Souci features trendy rooms and deluxe furnishings
Further Reading For Your Vienna Visit
That concludes our self-guided Vienna walking tour. We reckon you’ll also find the following resources useful for planning your trip to Vienna!
More Self-Guided Walking Tours in Europe
In case you enjoyed our self-guided Vienna walking tour, do check out our other self-guided walking tours of major European cities.
Get A Printable Guide
Want to access this walking tour offline? Get the printable version and save it on your phone or print it on paper! Pay USD 3.99 or as much as you want.
Buy on Gumroad >>Now, what do you think? Did you enjoy our self-guided walking tour of Vienna? Are there any other stops that we should be adding? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
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Hello there, fellow globetrotters! I’m Jacky, a passionate travel blogger with an insatiable wanderlust. With several years of experience in online marketing, I leverage my expertise to ensure that you get the best travel advice, tailored for the digital age. My travels have taken me to over 30 countries, and I love sharing those experiences with readers like you. Besides traveling, my other loves are my beloved cats, architecture, art, science fiction, coffee, and all things cute. My travel tips have been featured on lonelyplanet.com and in the EasyJet Traveller magazine.
Please send pdf of guide
Hi Victor!
Please use the form above to receive the pdf.
Hello Jacky, can I have Vienna PDF Guide?
Hi!
As far as I can tell, zou have received the pdf. Have a save trip!
Please send a PDF of the walking tour.
Hi Amy!
I appreciate your interest. In order to get access to the PDF, please enter your e-mail address in the form above and follow the steps.
Have a great time in Vienna!
Hi,
We are in Vienna and ready to embark on our walking tour of this beautiful city.
Can I have a pdf of the tour please?
Hi Elaine!
I appreciate your interest. In order to get access to the PDF, please enter your e-mail address in the form above and follow the steps.
Have a great time in Vienna!
Hi can we receive the self guided map?
Hi I would love a copy of your guide.
PDF of both Vienna and Budapest walking tours please. I signed up, we leave in 2 days.
Hi Mary! I see you received the PDF for the Vienna walking tour 2 days ago. Unfortunately, we don’t have the Budapest walking tour in a printable format at the moment. Have a good trip!
Jacky
Please could I have the pdf?
PDF please! Thank you so much for this info!
Hey there. In Vienna now. Will be embarking on this route tomorrow morning at 8:30 AM. Will report back 🙂
Thanks for posting this!
Have fun! 😉
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Hi! I subscribed but have not received the pdf version of the Walking Tour of Vienna. I did check my spam file and it was not there. Thanks for your help.
Would like pdf of Vienna walk please.
Thanks
Hi Sue!
You should have received your itinerary already as you have successfully subscribed to our newsletter. Please take a look in your Spam folder, thanks!
Jacky
Great job!!!!
Thank you, Sofia 🙂
Hi guys, great blog and great experiences!
I thought my timeline is exciting (Russia-Australia-Sweden-Austria), but yours is cool too! 😉👍
Quick comment, I subscribed, but there was no second email with pdf. I also checked my spam folder, can you pls re-send it?
Ignore me, just got it! 🙂
Hello!
Loved your guide, thank you for writing it!
I subscribed but have not received the pdf, would you be able to send it please?
Many thanks 🙂
Sara
Hi Sara, could you double-check in your spam folder for me? If it’s not there, I’ll send it over 🙂
Jacky
Hi Jacky 🙂
Just checked the spam but it’s not there either.
Thanks 🙂
Hi Sara,
thanks for checking! I found the technical error in our back-end and you should be receiving the pdf within a day. Thanks for your patience 🙂
Jacky
I subscribed, excited for my trip to Vienna tomorrow, buuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuut. Where is the pdf you say is available once I subscribed? I don’t see anything about it but what is mentioned at the beginning of the Blog. Thanks
Hi Andy, it should have come to you by email. Perhaps it landed in your spam? 🙂 If not, let me know and I’ll send it to you!
Jacky
your blog is amazing!!
Aww, thank you so much 🙂 Do let us know if there is anything you’d like to read more about!
Jacky
please can you email us the self guide walking tour of vienna thanks
Hi Deb,
You can find the form for receiving the printable at the end of the post 🙂
Jacky
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