In a nutshell
- Already seen St. Stephen’s Cathedral and Schönbrunn Palace and wondering what else to do in Vienna? We’ve got you covered.
- We’re sharing 7 unique Vienna activities that go well beyond the classic sightseeing itinerary.
- A day at the Prater — Ferris Wheel, roller coasters, and a stroll through the park — is an absolute must when visiting Vienna.
- For a truly local Vienna experience, we recommend sipping a Sommerspritzer at a Heuriger wine tavern — exactly the way the locals do it.
Enjoy the View of the Prater from the Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel
A ride on the Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel is one of the top attractions in Vienna. That’s why the Giant Ferris Wheel is our #1 on our list of the best activities in Vienna.
The view of Vienna from the Ferris Wheel is simply fantastic! But did you know that you can easily spend an entire day at the Prater, beyond just the Ferris Wheel?
Just in the amusement park, the Wurstelprater, you can keep yourself busy for hours with roller coasters, bumper cars, and a haunted house. Even more so if you’re visiting Vienna with kids.
You can take the Liliputbahn miniature railway for a loop around the Prater, explore the green part of the park with a bicycle rickshaw, or just let the kids run wild on one of the many playgrounds.
By the way, you can also grab a great meal in the Prater. Our tip for families is the organic restaurant Luftburg, which has an indoor playground.
Our tip: For the Ferris Wheel, it’s worth buying your ticket online in advance to skip the line.
Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel ticket — skip the line
Read our detailed guide to the Viennese Prater too:
Donauturm: Views and an Adrenaline Rush from the City's Highest Vantage Point
If the Ferris Wheel doesn’t give you enough action, our next Vienna activity is just for you. Head to the highest vantage point in the city — the Donauturm!
Standing at an impressive 252 meters, it’s also the tallest building in Austria. From the observation deck at 150 meters above the ground, you’ll have a spectacular 360-degree panoramic view of Vienna, from the Prater to Donauinsel and all the way to the city center.
Since 2023, there’s an extra highlight for thrill-seekers. For that special adrenaline rush, swap the elevator for a slide. High up in the air, you’ll whiz down Europe’s highest slide at top speed, twisting several turns from the middle level down to the observation platform. Not for the faint of heart — but seriously cool!
To bring your pulse back down afterward, you can take a leisurely stroll through the beautiful Donaupark surrounding the Donauturm.
Our tip for families: There’s also a miniature railway running through Donaupark. The kids will love it — and honestly, so will the adults.
Donauturm ticket — skip the line
Attend a Classical Concert: Listen to Vivaldi's Four Seasons at the Karlskirche
Vienna is the home of classical music! Beethoven, Haydn, Mozart — nowhere else in the world have so many famous composers lived.
Classical music is still very much alive in Vienna today. There are countless concerts to choose from, and the variety is seriously impressive.
We recommend the performance of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons at the stunning Karlskirche. The atmosphere and acoustics in the Karlskirche are truly special, and the ensemble is world-class.
Think classical music isn’t your thing? Don’t worry at all — you’ll still enjoy the performance at the Karlskirche, even without any background in classical music.
Vivaldi’s Four Seasons concert at the Karlskirche
Cycling Along the Donauinsel
Ah, just thinking about a beautiful summer day on the Donauinsel makes us want to go back immediately. Why? Because in our opinion, there’s no better place in Vienna to truly relax.
So what exactly is the Donauinsel? The “island” (as locals call it) is the city’s green oasis — a 21-kilometer-long, artificial island in the Danube and a real leisure paradise right in the heart of the city.
You can easily spend an entire day here: walking, cycling, swimming, barbecuing, or simply unwinding in the sun.
For us, it’s the best place in Vienna to take a proper break from sightseeing.
Our tip: The best way to explore the Donauinsel is by bike — it gets you from point A to B faster and helps you find a spot away from the crowds. Your best bet is to rent one affordably through WienMobil Rad, the bike-share service run by the Wiener Linien.
Kayaking on the Alte Donau
Already done the Danube cruise in Vienna or walked your legs off through Vienna’s museums?
Here’s something completely different to add to your list of things to do in Vienna: a guided kayak tour on the Alte Donau!
On a paddling tour of the Alte Donau, you’ll see the city from a totally different angle. The skyline of the Donaustadt district against the idyllic scenery of the Alte Donau — it’s a wonderful combination.
On this one-of-a-kind sightseeing experience, you move forward entirely under your own power while your guide shares some real insider tips for Vienna along the way.
Our tip: Don’t forget the sunscreen!
Guided kayak tour on the Alte Donau
Sample Austrian Specialties at Vienna's Oldest Hotel
Would you rather enjoy a great meal than paddle around on the Alte Donau? Or wondering what to do in Vienna on a rainy day?
We’ve got just the right activity for that: a culinary journey through traditional Viennese cuisine in seven courses.
From Kaiserschmarrn to Tafelspitz to Wiener Schnitzel — you get to try everything you absolutely need to eat at least once in Vienna.
Your 7-course dinner is served at the Hotel Stefanie, the oldest hotel in the city. The atmosphere at Restaurant Stefanie is charmingly rustic and old-fashioned — super cozy!
The only downside? You’ll definitely eat way too much.
The culinary experience at Hotel Stefanie
Take a Time Trip Through Vienna: Time Travel Vienna
In the mood for a little time trip? Then Time Travel Vienna might be right up your alley. Here you travel through the city’s past across around 1,300 m².
You’ll encounter the Habsburgs, Mozart, a plague pit, and an air-raid shelter. Special effects like a 5D cinema, lasers, virtual reality, and live actors bring history vividly to life.
You can also optionally take part in Sisi’s Amazing Journey — a virtual boat ride through historical Vienna as seen through the eyes of Empress Sisi, complete with fascinating anecdotes from her life and views of the most beautiful sites of that era.
Ideal for rainy days, families, and anyone who’d rather experience history than just read about it. And if you ask us, you should go ahead and try both attractions.
