3 great Vienna walks

As a professional travel and adventure writer, there’s nothing I love more than discovering the highlights of a city with my own two feet. Exploring Vienna, which has a population of 1.7 million people and abundant history, food, and art can seem daunting though, especially if you travel with FOMO (fear of missing out) like I do.

To get a feel for this city, I make it a habit to stop at important points of interest, pop into a coffee shop or two, try local foods (hello, sachertorte!), and seek out green spaces for a break. I have a go-where-the-wind-blows ethos, where I research and plan ahead of time but, for the most part, I wander where I feel a pull. On my last visit to Vienna, for example, I stumbled upon the Viennese Pride Parade and decided to march along the route with the community.

These are my favorite walking routes in Vienna, designed to maximize your time and energy and help you see much of what the city has to offer. And should you decide to skip a few because you’re going where the wind blows (or joining a parade) that’s fine, too.

Total walking time: 4 hours, slow pace

Exploring Old Vienna, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a treat because the Innere Stadt (First District) area where it’s located is safe, compact, and easy to navigate. I love it not only for learning about the history of Vienna, the Habsburg noble family, and the magnificent St. Stephen’s Cathedral, but also, the coffee and market culture that is seemingly around every corner.

This circular walking tour will take you from the opera house to The Hofburg to St. Stephen’s Cathedral to one of the most special cafes in Vienna before bringing you back to where you started.

Your Stops:

1. Begin your self-led walking tour at the Vienna State Opera, centrally located and easily accessible via multiple public transportation options. One of the first buildings erected on Ringstrasse (a wide boulevard that literally “rings”the historic center) it’s where classical artists like Gustav Mahler were once in residence and is home to hundreds of performances per season. You don’t need tickets to appreciate the Renaissance architecture though; I like to do a loop of the outside to take in the intricate columns and stone work ( you can take a guided tour of the 19th century interior, too).

2. After snapping a few photos, visit the on-site shopping arcade. My favorite is Hamtil & Söhne. Here you’ll find high-end trinkets, baubles, jewelry, home goods, and fashion accessories as well as books.

3. Pick up a few souvenirs and then head about 6 minutes south to Albertina, a small art museum in an 18th century building chock full of paintings, sculpture, drawings, and photography by masters such as Picasso, Monet, and even Michelangelo. If you’re ready for lunch, there’s a buffalo mozzarella gnocchi that you must try at the museum’s lovely DO & CO Restaurant—the outdoor terrace is great for people watching.

4. Next, head about 10 minutes to the southeast to get some sunshine at the Burggarten, known for its Mozart statue, tidy garden, and charming butterfly house. Rest for a moment before making your way to one of the most popular sites in Vienna.

5. Get your camera ready because the nearby Hofburg Palace, home to the Habsburg dynasty beginning in the 13th century, has much to see. You could spend all day at the impressive mix of historic buildings, museums, gardens, and squares, but if you want to keep walking today, at least stop in at the Sisi Museum and the elaborate Imperial Apartments. Then head across the street to see the gorgeous steads in the stables at The Spanish Riding School.

6. When you’ve had your fill, wander eight minutes east to the city center. You’ll walk through Kohlmarkt, a historic street with boutiques and cafes where you’ll find the most imposing structure in Vienna— St. Stephen’s Cathedral—recognizable for not only its sheer size, but also its multi-colored roof tiles set in an intricate pattern. The tallest church in Austria, make sure you walk around the entire building and make time to see inside as well.

7. Finally, it’s time for cake! Walk 15 minutes south taking in the sights of Kärntner Strasse to the last stop on this walking tour, Volllpension. A special “granny café,” it aims to combat age-related poverty and loneliness by employing the elderly and utilizing their baking talents in a warm and welcoming environment. Sip an espresso and try one of the cakes—you won’t regret it!

Total walking time: 3 hours, slow pace

For this circular cultural walking tour, wear your stretchy pants and comfy shoes to visit some of the best places to nosh, nibble, and imbibe. From open air markets to coffee shops, art museums, and churches, here are my favorite stops, outside of the historic inner district. Keep your eyes open in this vibrant district for the many shops and stores to pop into along the way.

Your Stops:

1. While there are numerous markets all over the city, Naschmarkt is Vienna’s most popular. With around 120 market stalls and cozy restaurants for every taste, it’s easy to spend many pleasant hours here. And, if you’re visiting on a Saturday, you’ll see that the flea market swells the shopping opportunities. I like to spend time perusing the mounds of spices and stacks of incense and gawking at the baked goods before picking out a snack for the rest of my walk.

2. From the market, walk 15 minutes southeast, via Schleifmühlgasse and Wiedner Hauptstraße streets, to one of Vienna’s oldest coffee houses, Café Wortner. Try authentic Viennese cuisine, like apple strudel or a hearty schnitzel accompanied by a classic Wiener Mélange, a hot coffee drink similar to cappuccino.

3. After fully caffeinating, head straight east on Rainergasse street and visit Belvedere Palace, which includes three separate buildings. Among the highlights are a personal favorite,Klimt’s dazzling “The Kiss” painting, as well as masterworks by Schiele, Funke, Messerschmidt, and Van Gogh. The grounds are quite lovely as well so leave some time for strolling.

4. Next, walk 15 minutes north to St. Charles Church, or Karlskirche, a beautiful baroque church with a massive dome and two columns, completed in 1737. Located outside of the city center, tickets are required to enter but it’s worth the effort. Afterward, walk the half mile back, or take the tram, to Naschmarkt.

Total walking time: 3 hours, slow pace

From palaces to gardens to zoos, the outer 13th district has much to offer all within an easily walkable and safe area. Easily accessible from the city center by public transportation, this area of Vienna is especially good for families who want to explore on foot, but anyone interested in a mix of history and green scenery will appreciate this walk.

1. One of the most popular places in Vienna, Schönbrunn Palace is a wonderful spot to walk around, especially if you have littles in tow. What was once the summer residence of the Habsburgs is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. The grounds are beautiful and easy to see even without touring the interior.

Pro Tip: Visit early to avoid the crowds at this popular attraction. While the palace opens at 8:30 a.m., you can actually arrive as early as 6:30 a.m. to stroll the outdoor spaces. A safe bet is to see everything before the crowds swell at around 10:00 a.m.

2. For the perfect family photo, head south into the Schonbrunner Gardens to see the beautiful plants and flowers. Kids love to make their way through the intricate hedge maze located here, too.

3. A big hit with little ones, the Tiergarten Schönbrunn, Vienna Zoo, a few minutes’ walk to the west of the gardens, is home to a wide range of animals, including polar bears, big cats, rhinos, and elephants. Even adults will be impressed by the Siberian tigers and giant pandas.

4. The Palm House, or Palmenhaus Schoenbrunn, about a five minute stroll north, is one of the largest and most beautiful glass greenhouses in Europe. I love exploring the three different pavilions and climate zones here.

5. Who wouldn’t want to see all of the lovely carriages, coaches, and vehicles used by the imperial household? Walk north for about 8 minutes and you’ll find the opulent transportation used by the Hapsburgs at the Imperial Carriage Museum. There are some incredibly elaborate royal gowns and other clothing to ogle here, too.

6. When you’ve done all of the rambling and exploring you can handle, stroll 15 minutes south through the grounds to Café Gloriette. If this space looks fit for royalty, it’s because it is – Emperor Franz Joseph I used to eat his breakfast here. The “Sisi” brunch buffet runs everyday from 9 to 11:30, a great feast without a huge price tag. The rest of the day, the cafe serves gourmet cakes and tarts and specialty coffees, plus wine and other drinks. Try and get a seat on the gorgeous terrace for stellar palace views.