17 AMAZING Tours in Vienna [December 2024]

Vienna, Austria is a beautiful city overflowing with artistic and historic charm. It’s one of Europe’s cultural capitals and offers many enthralling attractions.

One of the most fun ways to experience the highlights of the city is with a tour. For this reason, we’ve put together a list of the 17 best tour options in Vienna. There’s something for everyone.  Whether you’re a first-time visitor, or you’ve been to Vienna before, guided tours offer an insightful and social way to see the city.

They open up a city’s history and allow you to discover it through an up-close perspective. To make the most of your time in this enchanting Austrian capital, here is our list of the top tours in Vienna.

#1 – Walking Tour: Vienna at First Glance

• $
• 2 hours
• A great introduction to the city
• Learn a lot about Vienna in a short amount of time

A walking tour of Vienna will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the city. Visit the top sites of central Vienna as you follow a local guide around this bustling city center. See the exterior of the Hofburg complex, visit Mozart’s former apartment, and walk through the Blutgasse District.

You’ll learn plenty of insider information on the city. Cover topics like Vienna’s traditional coffee houses and the legends of St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Take advantage of your guide’s vast knowledge and ask as many questions as you’d like.

 

#2 – Schönbrunn Palace & Gardens: Skip-the-Line Guided Tour

• $$
• 2-3 hours
• Austria’s most visited tourist attraction
• Learn about Vienna’s royal history

On this tour, you’ll visit the stunning summer residence of Vienna’s imperial family. You’ll also benefit from easy access into the palace with a skip-the-line ticket. Learn about the Habsburg Dynasty and discover how Viennese royalty lives.

Start your tour by spending 30 minutes walking through the majestic Baroque gardens of the palace. Next, continue inside and tour 22 of the palace staterooms. See the lavishly decorated interiors and marvel at the exquisite detailing. You’ll also visit the Great Gallery and the Hall of Ceremonies.

Schönbrunn Palace is one of Europe’s most impressive Baroque palace complexes. This tour is a must for history and architecture lovers alike!

 

#3 – Naschmarkt Food Tasting Tour

• $$
• 2.5 hours
• A walking Vienna food tour
• The city’s most popular market

Learn about Vienna’s culinary delights on a gourmet tour of Naschmarkt. This busy market is the heart and soul of Vienna’s food culture. Enjoy a walking tour and discover the city’s countless specialties with a local guide.

The variety of the market is great, there’s truly something for everyone. See more than 100 food stalls, plus many restaurants. Of course, you’ll be treated to delish samples along the way. Learn about the city’s delicacies, including lots of fun food facts.

 

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#4 – Strudel Show with Tasting at Schönbrunn Palace

• $
• 20-minutes
• Indulge in a Vienna specialty
• A great tour if you have a sweet tooth

This Vienna tour is short and sweet. It includes a visit to the court bakery of the Café Residenz inside Schönbrunn Palace. People have been baking in this historic area of the palace for centuries.

Watch in delight as a traditional Viennese apple strudel is made right in front of you. You’ll enjoy a live baking show and see all the steps involved. Of course, you’ll be able to indulge in a fresh piece of this Austrian delicacy – right out of the oven!

 

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#5 – Vienna Spanish Riding School Guided Tour

• $$
• 55-minutes
• Learn about a unique aspect of Vienna’s history
• A fun tour for history and horse lovers

Take a guided tour of Vienna’s famous Spanish Riding School. For more than 450 years, this iconic establishment has been in operation. 

Discover the Baroque-style Winter Riding School and the Renaissance-style Stallburg. Marvel at the impressive Austrian architecture and learn about this centuries-old institution. See the magnificent Lipizzaner stallions. Learn about their riding practices and how they are cared for.

This tour will take you out of the hustle and bustle of busy Vienna. It’s a great activity that all ages will enjoy.

 

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#6 – Concert of Mozart’s Requiem in Karlskirche

• $$
• 75-minutes
• Experience the sounds and ambiance of a Mozart concert
• A must for fans of classical music

Vienna is one of the world’s music capitals. This makes seeing a classical concert during your trip a must. Prepare for an evening of top-class entertainment at the Karlskirche, one of the city’s most gorgeous Baroque churches. You’ll be wowed both visually and audibly.

Enjoy the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, one of Vienna’s most famed composers. Included in the concert is Mozart’s final composition, The Requiem Mass in D minor.

The number of musicians in this orchestra is based on the actual size of the world premiere of this concert that took place in 1756. You’ll feel like you’re living in the 1700s Vienna during this musical event.

 

#7 – Mozarthaus Vienna with Audio Guide

• $
• 1 day
• Mozart lived and composed music here from 1784 to 1787
• Audio guides are available in many different languages

Mozarthaus is the former residence of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The building is now a museum where guests can take a self-guided tour and discover the life of Vienna’s most famous composer.

You’ll be equipped with an audio guide that allows you to tour the museum at your own pace. Simply plug in the numbers found on the displays into your audio guide and you’ll be entertained with the history of each piece you are viewing.

You’ll explore 3 floors of this well-preserved residence. Exhibits are spread through every room of the apartment.

 

#8 – Vienna Underground Walking Tour

• $$
• 90-minutes
• Travel beneath the streets of Vienna
• Visit crypts and basements

If you’re looking for a unique way to see the city, this underground walking tour is a great option. Go below the city streets and explore the mysterious underground passageways of Vienna.

See the archaeological excavations at Michaelerplatz and an exposed section of an old Roman city. Travel to the crypt of St. Michael’s Church and see the mummies of rich and notable figures. This is definitely one of the more unusual and interesting Vienna sightseeing tours!

 

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#9 – Hop-on, Hop-off Sightseeing Bus

• $$
• 24 hours
• See the city at your own pace
• Easily travel from one attraction to the next

This Vienna city tour makes seeing the city’s attractions easy and convenient. The double-decker red bus has stops spread all over the city coinciding with Vienna’s main attractions. Enjoy unlimited rides for 24 hours.

Choose between inside seating or open-top seating that offers panoramic views of the city. Onboard, there is free Wi-Fi and audio guides for guests to listen to.

 

#10 – Evening Vienna Dinner Cruise

• $$$
• 3 hours
• See Vienna from a different perspective
• The cruise departs from Schwedenplatz, next to the city center.

Enjoy a romantic evening cruise through Vienna. Take in the sights of the sun setting on the Danube and watch as the city comes alive with twinkling lights. This tour includes a sit-down dinner at a romantically set table with wonderful vantage points of the city.

You’ll be able to choose from different options for all three of your courses. Once you’ve finished eating, head outside and admire the city’s attractions from the water.

If you’re looking for romantic tours of Vienna, Austria this cruise is sure to set the mood!

 

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#11 – Local Wine Tasting in a Historic Roman Wine Cellar

• $$
• 35 minutes
• Visit a historic Vienna winery
• Sample high-quality wine

On this Vienna wine tour, you’ll visit a Roman wine cellar and enjoy a guided wine tasting. Sample three different wines, paired with a small snack made at the in-house delicatessen. You’ll taste classic Viennese wines as well as other Austrian wines.

Learn about the types of wine produced in Austria, as well as the production methods. Don’t forget to buy a bottle to take with you. You’ll leave this tour in good spirits and ready to continue exploring the city!

 

#12 – 3-Hour Guided Vienna Bike Tour

• $$
• 3 hours
• A fun outdoor activity
• Set at a leisurely pace for all fitness levels to enjoy

If you’re looking for fun and adventurous ways to see the city, take a bike tour and cruise through Vienna on wheels. For 3 hours, you’ll pedal around the city and visit iconic attractions. Popular sights include the Vienna State Opera House, the Austrian Parliament Building, the Donau Canal, and the Town Hall.

Escape the chaos of the city’s pedestrian areas and travel along bike paths. You’ll learn more about the city’s history as well as plenty of fun facts from your cycling tour guide. 

 

#13 – Vienna Go Green Eco Tour by Electric Fatbike

• $$$
• 4 hours
• This tour includes a snack of bratwurst and shandy
• Bikes have thick tires that can easily traverse all types of terrain

If you’re looking for a tour in Vienna that takes you outside the busy city center, this is for you. Enjoy an afternoon discovering the surrounding areas of Vienna with an electric fat bike. Escape the crowds and explore the green outskirts of the city.

You’ll travel to Kahlenberg hill and admire the panoramic views of the city. En route, you’ll pass through beautiful vineyards and spacious wooded areas. This is a great outdoor activity all ages will enjoy.

 

#14 – Mozart & Strauss Concert in Kursalon Vienna

• $$
• 90 minutes
• Enjoy classical Viennese musical arrangements
• A great idea for date night

Enjoy an evening out experiencing Vienna’s performing arts culture. You’ll be delighted by the music of Mozart and Strauss, performed by the renowned Orchestra of Old Vienna. Listen to these composers’ most notable arrangements, including waltzes and polkas. The musicians are accompanied by opera-singers and ballet soloists.

Vienna is known for its classical music culture. For a magical night of enchanting classical compositions, make sure to add this concert to your list when touring Vienna.

 

#15 – 2-Hour Historical Sightseeing Tour

• $$
• 2 hours
• Tour Vienna’s most important historical sights
• This is a history lesson you didn’t learn in school

Dive deep into the city’s past as you explore the streets of Vienna on foot. Receive a comprehensive history lesson in a fun and engaging manner.

Find out what the symbol on the roof of the Austrian National Library means. Visit the church where many Habsburg weddings have taken place. Hear about the partial destruction of St. Stephen’s Cathedral during WWII. 

Listen to true stories about the city as you walk along the streets. You’ll learn lots of new things you probably would have missed without your Vienna tour guide

 

#16 – Best of Vienna Food Tour

• $$$$
• 2.5 hours
• Eat and drink like a local
• Indulge in bread, Austrian ham, pralines, wines, and more

On this food tour, you’ll enjoy the very best of Austrian delicacies. Visit various tucked-away establishments that specialize in different products, including bread, hams, chocolate, sweets, and wine.

Start at Palais Ferstel and taste a variety of savory Austrian ham specialties. Then, step inside a chocolate store and sample pralines. Order a few items to take with you at one of Vienna’s most famous quick snack shops.

Lastly, visit the famous “Kipferlhaus“ and enjoy a private wine tasting with some high-quality Austrian wines. Every tasting and drink is included in this tour.

 

#17 – Jewish Vienna Walking Tour

• $
• 2 hours
• An excellent background to the Jews population in Austria
• Receive a history lesson while you explore the city by foot

On this guided walking tour, you’ll learn about the history of the Jewish culture in Vienna from the Middle Ages to the present day. Travel to important buildings, institutions, plaques, and squares associated with the Jewish population of Vienna.

Learn about the medieval Jewish quarter and the mass extermination of the 20th century. See the exhibition of the Documentation Center of Austrian Resistance. Discover the symbolism of the Holocaust Memorial at Judenplatz. With this tour, you’ll get a history lesson outside of the classroom. .

 

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed our list of the top Vienna tours. Each one of these options will help you make the most of your travel time and experience the city in an insightful and interactive way.

By booking a tour, you’ll explore the aspect of the city that interest you most. Even better, they take all the hassle out of planning! With prices and options to suit all preferences, you can easily book several tours during your trip.

With the perspective and guidance of your knowledgeable tour guide, you’ll discover what makes Vienna truly unique!

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