Vienna in Summer
Where art, culture, and a unique zest for life come together

Vienna offers a blend of awe-inspiring architecture, world-class music, and warm charm.

Vienna, world's most liveable city

From the heights of Kahlenberg, you are treated to a breathtaking view of the Danube, while Vienna reveals itself in all its splendour. Vineyards stretch out before you, with the architectural heritage of this Central European metropolis shining in the background. For half a millennium, world history has been written here – and art history even more so.

Few major cities can boast a historic cityscape as intact as Vienna's, dominated by grand buildings from the Baroque and Gründerzeit eras. A drive along the famous Ringstrasse takes you past the State Opera, the Museum of Art History and the Museum of Natural History, the Parliament, the Burgtheater, and the Town Hall.

At the very heart of the city, the Gothic St Stephen's Cathedral casts a shadow over a slice of the Middle Ages. The palaces and parks from the Habsburg era – Schönbrunn Palace with its Gloriette and zoo, the Belvedere, and the vast Hofburg complex housing the Imperial Apartments, the Sisi Museum, and the Silver Collection – give the city an imperial grandeur, further enriched by magnificent buildings from the Art Nouveau period.

A City for Connoisseurs

"Wien, Wien, du allein / Sollst stets die Stadt meiner Träume sein” – this famous Viennese song poetically captures what a Canadian-American consultancy firm has officially confirmed: Vienna is a marvellous city, with an exceptionally high quality of life. Indeed, Vienna ranks among the most liveable cities in the world.

Quick facts about Vienna
Population:approx. 2 million (Austria's largest city)
Province:Vienna
Area:approx. 415 km²
Altitude:151 m (Lobau) to 542 m (Hermannskogel)
Favourite viewpoints:Danube Tower, St. Stephen's Cathedral, Hermannskogel

An iconic symbol of Vienna, the Giant Ferris Wheel is one of the oldest in the world and offers spectacular views of the city.

Meet Vienna

Top highlights

Activities in and around Vienna

Tours

Austria's best museums and galleries

Music is in the air

Vienna: City of Music

In a city of music, the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra is Vienna’s cultural flagship. Conductors from around the world consider it an honour to lead the New Year’s Concert in the 'Golden Hall' of the Musikverein. The Vienna Boys' Choir also enchants audiences worldwide with their singing.

But Vienna offers more than just classical music: the jazz scene thrives at Porgy & Bess club, while electronic beats pulse along the Danube Canal.

At Christmas, Vienna’s churches turn their grand halls into spaces filled with magical sounds. Whether classical choirs or festive organ music, these concerts fill the city with a reflective atmosphere, bringing Christmas magic to the heart of Vienna.

Sights in Vienna

Top events

Famous personalities

Experience culinary Vienna

Recipes

Unique places to stay

Green Vienna

Sustainability in Vienna

Vienna's trees

Vienna's City Gardens Department manage and maintain nearly half a million trees: 95,000 street and avenue trees, 188,400 park trees, 1,900 trees on industrial sites, and around 200,000 forest trees, such as those in Vienna's Prater.

Urban farms

Surprisingly, Vienna is home to about 800 farms. They produce more cucumbers than the rest of Austria combined and contribute significantly to the harvest of aubergines, parsley, tomatoes, and peppers.

Green spaces

Fields, parks, vineyards, forests, and gardens: thanks to the Vienna Woods and the Danube Wetlands, almost half of Vienna's total area is green space. The Hietzing district is the greenest, with about 70% green coverage.

Sustainable mobility

Vienna has 162 public transport lines used by over 966 million passengers annually. The city excels in sustainable mobility: 73% of the population use public transport to get to work, 44% walk, 13% cycle, and only 33% drive.

How to enjoy Vienna for less

Vienna travel cards

Enjoy discounts, free admission, access to public transport, and other special offers with Vienna's visitor cards.

Vienna City Card: public transport and discounted tickets

Vienna Pass: free entry to 90 of Vienna’s most popular attractions and museums and hop-on hop-off bus access

Vienna Flexi Pass: choose 2, 3, 4 or 5 visits from a selection of up to 60 sights

Vienna Welcome Card: public transport and discounted tickets

FAQs

  • Prater

  • Spanish Riding School

  • Belvedere Palace

  • Musikverein

  • Schönbrunn Palace

  • Vienna State Opera

  • St. Stephen's Cathedral

  • Museum of Art History

Vienna offers everything from cycling and hiking to water sports such as canoeing, pedal boating, and sailing.

The Vienna Tourist Board has a comprehensive calendar of events.

Vienna’s uniqueness lies in its blend of art, culture, architecture, music, and charm. It keeps traditions alive while skillfully combining them with modern elements.

5 reasons why Vienna offers such high quality of life

  1. Green spaces are close by
    You can reach a nearby recreational area such as the Danube Island in just 15 minutes from the city centre.

  2. Public transport runs smoothly
    The Viennese love their public transport system, including trams, buses, and the underground (U-Bahn). The U-Bahn runs all night on weekends.

  3. Alpine water from the tap
    The city’s drinking water comes directly from the Lower Austrian and Styrian Alps via high-quality pipelines.

  4. The city is spotless
    Streets, parks, and public spaces are immaculately clean, thanks to excellent waste collection and cleaning services.

  5. Relaxed pace
    Vienna’s coffee houses and wine taverns have long encouraged a laid-back mentality, inviting visitors to spend leisurely afternoons and evenings. In Vienna, there’s no rush.

This might also be interesting

Discover the Best of Austria

Sign up for our newsletter and enjoy exclusive access to:

  • Insider tips and itineraries for your next trip to Austria

  • Traditional recipes

  • Must-see events and cultural highlights

  • Interesting stories about Austria