With its stately Ringstrasse, irresistible palace charm and richly decorated architecture, you will be surprised to learn that Vienna is full of free things to do. Here is our selection of the most interesting free things to do in Vienna.
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Enjoy a stroll through the gardens © Richard Nebesky / Lonely Planet
1. Stroll through the palace gardens at Schönbrunn& Belvedere
Schoenbrunn Palace Gardens stretch 1.2 km from east to west with many hidden treasures and quiet corners, including the iconic Gloriette. Similarly, the immaculately manicured Belvedere Palace gardens, a Unesco World Heritage Site, are a Baroque wonder whose access is free to all visitors. Our choice? The cosy Kammergarten (private garden) on the Belvedere's lower terrace, where Prince Eugene of Savoy used to retreat with his closest friends.
2. Discover street art along the Donaukanal
Beneath the majestic Ringstrasse boulevard at Schwedenplatz lies the Donaukanal, a stretch of Vienna's alternative and artistic side beside the Danube. Take an afternoon to explore from Schwedenplatz to the Wien Spittelau and discover colourful and innovative street art beneath Vienna's classic appearance.
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There is so much to see © Irina Papoyan / Shutterstock
3. Lose yourself in the streets of the old town
Vienna's old town is an open-air museum and a loving ode to Baroque architecture and the glory of the fallen Habsburg Empire. Stroll from Kärtnerstrasse to the Rathaus and zigzag back to Schwedenplatz to get a sense of history, making sure to stop at Stadttemper and Ruprechtskirchke.
4. Exercise with free equipment in the city's parks
Leg presses, regular or lateral elliptical and balance boards are accessible for free in various public parks scattered around the city. The free gym concept has become so popular that you can find areas with equipment in more than 10 districts in Vienna.
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Vienna has plenty of markets to explore © Greg Elms / Lonely Planet
5. Go from market to market in the open-air market squares
In addition to the famous Naschmarkt, Vienna has plenty of local markets to explore to soak up the city's atmosphere. The multicultural Brunnenmarkt is a lively dive into the energetic 16th district, while the impressive Kutschermarkt in the 18th offers organic produce and tradition, as it is one of the city's oldest markets. For a local experience head to the Schwendermarkt in the 15th district or the Karmelitermarkt in the 2nd, where locals regularly gather for community events.
6. Reconnect with nature in nature parks
The Lobau Donau Auen National Park has its own information centre to provide you with the necessary maps and advice on routes, as well as a couple of small huts and restaurants in the 2300 hectares full of wildlife. Keep your eyes open for FKK areas where you can swim naked in summer! The Lainzer Tiergarten is a weekend favourite with locals thanks to its shorter trails leading to the ornate Hermesvilla and the possibility of running into a deer, wild boar or various animals roaming this former hunting ground.
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Don't forget to look up © Greg Elms / Lonely Planet
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7. Go in search of Otto Wagner's art nouveau motifs throughout the city
Spend the day chasing Otto Wagner's artwork, starting at the Stadtbahn Pavillions, then make your way along the U4, an underground line designed by the master, to the Kettenbruckengasse station. Here you can get to street level and see the gold decorations on the apartment blocks at Linke Wienzile 38 and 40. Take the U4 again to Hofpavillion Hietzing, the station famously built for the Habsburg nobility but only used once. Finally, walk to Wagner's flagship Kirche am Steinhof, nestled in the green hills of the Steinhofgrunde park, to see the gleaming golden dome of the free-access church and architectural marvel.
8. Bathe in the old Danube
In summer, locals flock to the banks of the Alte Donau for swimming, SUP, barbecues and sunbathing on the grassy banks. Coba Beach and the green area of Arberterstrandgasse are easy-to-reach swimming areas and popular meeting places. You won't need anything but a towel and sunscreen to bask in a day of fun by the water.
9. Walk along the paths through the vineyards
Vienna's verdant vineyards are renowned for producing dry Grüner Vertliner and full-bodied Zweigelt wines right on the edge of the city. You can get close to the characteristic vineyards on easy hiking trails, designed to take you door-to-door to the Heuriger wine taverns. There are several routes from Stammerdorf to Strebersdorf, from Kahlenberg to Grinzing, from Neustift to Nussdorf and from Ottakring to Neuwaldegg. With atmospheric Tuscan-style views of the city and the chance to stop for refreshments in a rustic heuriger - this may be one of the most delightful free walks of all.
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Take a free tour of the Rathaus © Jon Davison / Lonely Planet
10. Take a free tour of the historic Rathaus
Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1pm, the town hall invites visitors on a free guided tour of the glorious rooms of the Rathaus. The Rathaus, built in 1800 with one of Europe's largest inner courtyards measuring 2804 m², is often the venue for some of Vienna's most iconic events, including many classical balls and Christmas markets. Peek into the beautiful rooms, stroll down the ornate staircase and gaze at the majestic arches of the neoclassical building.
11. Check out the teeming energy of Vienna's creative districts
Despite its reputation as a classical capital, Vienna has a beating creative heart, sustained by students, artists and a robust social system that supports artistic and creative endeavours through generous funding and an acceptable cost of living. Take an afternoon to explore the fruits of the thriving scene in the shops and galleries of the 7th district: Burgasse 24 and Westlicht are great for browsing. Stroll over to the peculiar sixth district and take a peek at the pastel-coloured treasures at Feindinge, then walk the corridors of Teuchtler Records. Finally, for a real treasure hunt, stroll through the ever-emerging 15th district: the Improper Walls gallery and Metaware with its vintage and trendy feel, a gift shop for nerds and fanatics, will give you a taste of the latest trends in Vienna.
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Enjoy an outdoor show in the summer months © tichr / Shutterstock
12. Attend the opera for free
During the summer months, Vienna's iconic Opera House screens its performances live, so tickets are free for audiences who gather outside in the nearby Opera Garden. Arrive about 90 minutes before the curtain opens to secure your seat and enjoy the thrill of seeing a performance in the open air, completely free of charge. Some say the outdoor seats are better than the indoor ones, but you'll have to see for yourself.
13. Discover the city's free festivals
Vienna's socialist government makes sure that free events in the city happen regularly throughout the year, to keep up the standard of living the city is famous for. From musical film screenings in summer to festive Christmas markets in winter, City Hall has a rotating programme of free events to enjoy, including festivals and national holidays. The absolute emblem of this Viennese spirit is Donauinselfest, held over three days in June on the 13-kilometre-long Donau Island. It is Europe's largest free music festival, fun for all ages.
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Look for the gravestones of famous people like Mozart in this Viennese cemetery © Richard Nebesky / Lonely Planet
14. Go in search of celebrities at Zentralfriedhof Cemetery
Vienna's largest and most famous cemetery is the eternal resting place for musical luminaries such as Strauss, Brahms, Beethoven and Schubert. You can pay your respects to many other important people of the 19th and 20th centuries in the vast grounds of the Zentralfriedhof, including architect Albert Loos, writer Albert Schnitzler and beloved rock star Falco. Give yourself plenty of time to explore the area that stretches over 2.4 km² (wide enough to have its own bus line!). Inside you'll find more than just mausoleums: dedications to fallen soldiers in each world war, the ornate St. Borromaus Church and, should a macabre moment take your fancy, the funeral museum detailing the history of services and death over the centuries.
15. Learn about local history for free at the Bezirksmuseums
Every district in Vienna has its own unique identity and nowhere is this more evident than in the local district museum known as the Bezirksmuseums. To discover the special stories and local traditions of a specific district, head to one of the 23 museums whose admission is free. Although some are small and others may only have exhibitions in German, it is an innovative way to see how the city has developed over the years.
