Vienna on a Budget: 6 Free Things To Do in Vienna, Austria

On our first quick trip to Vienna, Austria we wanted to explore the city, but we were also intent on keeping our budget intact.

Our initial look at the high prices for a cup of coffee let us know that Vienna is not a budget destination. We had to make a conscious effort to find cheap and free things to do in Vienna, but our determination paid off, literally!

With a little creativity, we were able to design a money-saving itinerary that featured top sights, incredible architecture, beautiful green spaces and a few hidden gems. We are sharing what we learned so that you, too, can visit Vienna on a budget.

Whether you are backpacking through Austria or are sailing away on a European River Cruise, our list of places to visit in Vienna for free shows you how to save money on your vacation!

 

6 Free Things To Do in Vienna, Austria

Alright, time is money they say, so let’s get right into our list of the best things to do in Vienna, Austria without going broke!

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#1 Freely Explore Vienna

One of the prime ways to experience Vienna for free is to discover the city on foot. Much of Vienna’s charm lies in the streets adorned with opulent architecture.

Create a self-guided walking tour to see the most gorgeous sights. Start in the city center where every lane and spacious square boasts beautiful buildings.

Pass by the grandiose museums and ornate churches, which can be admired from the outside without spending a single cent.

Of course, seeing Vienna City Hall is a highlight of any trip to the city. In addition to being able to admire it from the plaza, visitors can also enter the inner courtyards.

Plus, on select days they offer free tours of the interior. Just be sure to grab tickets first thing in the morning, as they are limited to 50 and first come, first serve.

 

Vienna District Discovery

While the extravagant city center is a must-see, we also recommend delving into the surrounding districts, which are equally appealing.

Step into the quaint Spittelberg neighborhood – one of our favorite areas. Marked with narrow cobblestone lanes and artist galleries, it’s one of the best free places to discover in Vienna.

Travelers seeking a more modern and edgy vibe should head toward Donaukanal. The area between Heiligenstadt and Franzensbrucke Bridge is particularly known for its vibrant street art. While in the vicinity, be sure to check out the unique architecture at Hundertwasserhaus.

 

Free Walking Tour Vienna

If a guided walk better suits your travel style, Vienna Free Tour offers tip-based walks of the city. You could also follow the self-guided free tour of Vienna, Austria by Big Boy Travel.

 

#2 Find Free Vienna Churches

The churches in Vienna are top tourist attractions. While some require a ticket, a few of the best are completely free to enter.

St. Stephen’s Cathedral is absolutely sensational. Budget travelers may shy away when they see the ticket booth, but do not be deterred. It is free to look down the nave. Tickets are only required for the catacombs and tower.

St. Peter’s Church (or Peterskirche) is just a stone’s throw from St. Stephen’s, and it is open to visitors for free. The sumptuous Baroque interior is magnificent (don’t miss the dome’s painted ceiling).

Furthermore, St. Peter’s is one of the places that regularly offers free concerts (although donations are appreciated). Check the schedule here. 

Our favorite free church, however, is the 16th century Annakirche. The richly decorated church is tucked down a quiet lane and is practically unknown.

 

#3 Seek Out Free Vienna Green Spaces

The parks and gardens in Vienna are as stunning as the architecture – and nearly all are free to visit. In addition to the meticulous grounds, the city’s lush landscapes are highlighted by an array of sculptures and artworks.

City Park – or Stadtpark – is an oasis in the busy center. The green space features a pond, intertwining walking paths and the iconic golden statue of Austrian composer Johann Strauss.

The Burggarten, although gated, is free to enter. Designed in the early 1800s as a private garden for Emperor Franz I, the park has been open to the public for the past 100 years.

Inside, find the numerous statues (the one of Mozart is a top landmark) and be sure to get a glimpse of the ornate Ohmann Glasshouse.

Voksgarten Park – which sits across from the Rathaus City Hall – is full of delightful flowers. The rose garden is particularly exceptional at the beginning of summer.

 

Palace Gardens: Schonbrunn and Belvedere

Schonbrunn Palace is Vienna’s top sight – and touring the interior requires a high-dollar ticket. What many tourists don’t know is that the Schonbrunn Palace Gardens are open to the public for free – just as they have been since the year 1779.

The exquisite gardens (along with the palace) are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors can easily spend the better part of a day exploring the 250-acre park. (Note that some areas – such as the Orangery, Maze and Zoo – require a fee to enter.)

The elegant Belvedere Palace Gardens, which are just steps from the city center, are nearly as enchanting. Featuring Baroque design, the formal three-tiered garden is situated between the Lower and Upper Belvedere.

The Upper Belvedere Palace houses the Austrian Gallery Art Museum, where masterpieces – like Klimt’s ‘Kiss’ – are on display. While a ticket is required to enter, it is free to walk along the pond to the south of the palace to take in the splendor of the estate from afar.

To the east of the Upper Palace, find the hidden entrance to the free University of Vienna Botanical Garden. With forested trails and high walls, we felt as if we had the garden all to ourselves! 

 

#4 Visit the Best Vienna Museums for Free

We wish that we could tell you all about the free Vienna museums – but the truth is that most institutions charge a fee.

The one cost-free museum in Vienna is the Wien Museum on Karlsplatz. Covering the history of Vienna from Medieval to modern times, the museum is both informational and fun.

That said, of the more than 100 museums in Vienna, a few do offer select free admission days. This is often on the first Sunday of the month.

Visiting the museums on gratis days are one of the most popular Vienna things to do for free. You can find a list of free museums in Vienna here to confirm which museums offer complimentary admission.

If visiting cultural institutions is high on your Vienna to-do list, consider a Museum Pass that can save time and money. Also note that most Vienna museums offer free admission to children and teens, up to the age of 19.

 

#5 Spend Time at Free Markets, Fairs and Events

When we were looking for the best things to do in Vienna for free, we surprisingly stumbled onto a number of gratis events – including markets, fairs and concerts.

 

Food Market 

The city’s largest and best market – Naschmarkt – has been in operation since the 1780s. Fresh vegetables, meat, spices and sweets are sold from the historic stalls. While purchasing anything obviously requires money, checking out the space and partaking in any of the samples that are offered doesn’t cost a dime. 

It’s also one of the places to eat for cheap in Vienna. Market vendor Heise u Kalte Wurstwaren sells delicious sausages at fantastically low prices.

 

Christmas Market

The most legendary free event in the city is the superb Vienna Christmas Market. More than a dozen different holiday markets dot the wintery landscape – and they are all open for free! We don’t think there is anything more Christmassy than strolling along wooden chalets with the sweet scent of holiday treats hanging in the air.

 

Wurstelprater Amusement Park

One of our favorite free attractions in Vienna is the Wurstelprater Amusement Park. The fair is home to the Wiener Riesenrad Ferris wheel, which was built in 1897 and ranked as the world’s tallest Ferris wheel from 1920 until 1985.

It’s true that the Wiener Riesenrad and other amusement rides require tickets (starting at €1.50 but much more for the ticket for the Ferris wheel). However, the park itself is one of the free places to visit in Vienna.

 

 

Concerts

As the Classical Music Capital of the World, Vienna hosts a number of concerts…some of which are free of charge.

We already mentioned the free concerts at St. Peter’s Church, but it’s worth mentioning again because it’s one of the best Vienna free things to do! Both organ concerts and choir performances are held almost daily.

 

#6 See Vienna from Above – for Free

We love finding elevated viewpoints that allow us to see the city from a better vantage point. In Vienna, there are several places where visitors can take in the vista from a lofty perch – without paying for the view.

We were impressed with the breathtaking views over the city from both the Belvedere and Schonbrunn Palace gardens.

Both palace gardens – Belvedere and Schonbrunn – offer breathtaking views of the city. The Wien Museum Karlsplatz has a lovely terrace.

We were excited to take in the free view from MQ Libelle on top of the Leopold Museum – but it was closed during both of our trips to Vienna. The Wien Museum Karlsplatz has a lovely terrace with nice views, too.

All that said, our favorite free view is from 57 Lounge at DC Tower. Standing on the Danube riverside at a height of 720 feet, it ranks as Austria’s tallest building. The upper floors are occupied by 57 Restaurant and Lounge, both of which offer incredible views of the city below.

While it will cost a pretty penny for a meal with a view or a cocktail at the bar, there is no cover charge to enter the lounge (making it one of the top free things to do in Vienna, Austria).

We think it’s best to head to 57 Lounge just before sunset. Order a moderately-priced beer from the bar so you can stay a while and watch the city lights come on!

 

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Top Tips for Visiting Vienna on a Budget

We have shared our list of the best things to do in Vienna for free, but we have a few more travel tips for your trip.

 

Sightseeing: Vienna Card vs Vienna Pass

There are two popular sightseeing cards that can help tourists save money. The Vienna Card offers discounts to more than 200 attractions. The Vienna Pass offers free entry into more than 60 sights. Both are available for multiple days and include discounts into top points of interest.

A third option is the Vienna Flexi Pass, which is probably more suitable for longer stays. For a flat rate, it offers entry into 2 to 5 sights over a 60-day period. 

• Learn more about the Vienna Card
• Book your Vienna Pass today
• Buy the Vienna Flexi Pass for your trip

 

Where To Eat in Vienna for Cheap

Seeking out cheap eats in Vienna isn’t the easiest task. To be completely honest, a trip to the grocery store will be the most cost-saving way to eat in Vienna. To save money, we avoided eating in sit-down restaurants. 

However, we were still able to get a taste of the local fare by indulging in street food in Vienna. Sausages are fairly inexpensive – and the kasekrainer cheese sausage is incredible! 

The Vienna café culture is difficult to resist, but usually comes at a high price. We saw ‘specials’ for a coffee and cake for €10…and that was a bargain. To save money, skip the city’s most popular and posh cafes – like Cafe Central and Cafe Sacher – and instead sit down for a coffee at a traditional Viennese cafe, like Cafe Restaurant Hummel. 

 

Cheap Places to Stay in Vienna

Our go-to resource for affordable accommodations is Airbnb. We have found that staying in apartments is often less expensive with the added benefit of a kitchen and, usually, more space. On short trips, however, the fees can be exorbitant. 

Thankfully, there are affordable hotels in Vienna. On our most recent trip, we found the best prices at hotels near the train station. By booking far in advance, we scored a room at the Ibis Wien Hauptbahnhof for right around 100 euros a night. 

Budget travelers willing to stay in a dorm bed might be able to find better prices at one of the Vienna hostels – like Vienna Hostel Ruthensteiner and Wombat’s City Hostels Vienna Naschmarkt. 

We share heaps of ways to save money on accommodations in our article, Booking Hotels for Cheap. 

 

Packing Tips for Your Vacation to Vienna

Our final travel tips are all about what to pack. Grab your FREE Packing Checklist here!

Good Shoes: A good pair of travel shoes will make all the difference in your trip.

Real Camera: Take amazing photos of the beautiful city with an excellent budget camera.

Day Bag: Carry a good travel day pack – with zippered pockets! – to deter pickpockets!

Trip Insurance: Travel insurance can save you money in the long run; check rates at World Nomads.

Organize Your Trip: Get (and stay) organized by using our Trip Planning Printables and our Guide To Planning a European Vacation!

 

Start planning your trip to Austria! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing!  Want more advice? Head over to our Travel Planning Page for tips on traveling – and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!

 

Destination Guides to Nearby Cities

• The Best of Graz, Austria (and the Graz Christmas Market)
• What To Do in Budapest on a Budget
• Best Beer in Prague
• What To See in Cesky Krumlov
• Visiting Ljubljana

 

 

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