10 FREE HIGHLIGHTS IN VIENNA
Real experiences – zero entry fees, zero excuses
Vienna isn’t cheap – but some things cost absolutely nothing and are still absolutely worth it.
Not just a quick glance at a pretty façade, but experiences with depth, atmosphere and substance: museums, interiors, viewpoints, historic places – all for free.
Perfect if you don’t want to count every euro on your trip – but prefer to take home real memories instead.
These 10 tips prove that Vienna impresses even without a ticket – ideal for anyone who prefers to explore more and pay less.
#1 Wien Museum
Right on Karlsplatz stands the new Wien Museum – a place that shows just how exciting urban history can be.
The exhibition takes you from Vienna’s first settlements to the present day, with topics like housing, work, migration, protest and daily life – told in a way that’s lively, personal, and full of surprises.
A highlight: the large city model of Vienna around 1900.
And at the top: a rooftop terrace with views of Karlskirche – perfect for a short break.
🎨 Some special exhibitions may charge a fee – check what’s on at the
💡 Perfect for: rainy days, hot afternoons, curious minds – or if you want to understand Vienna before you dive in.
#2 Palace of Justice
From the outside, it looks rather plain – but step inside and you’re in for a real wow moment:
A massive domed hall, sweeping staircases, polished marble, and a whiff of imperial grandeur.
One of those places you wouldn’t expect – and yes, you’re legally allowed to go in.
A few floors up, on the rooftop of the building, you’ll find the Justizcafé with a large terrace.
It’s not part of the court itself, but it’s open to the public – access is via the main entrance and security check on the ground floor, then just take the elevator to the 5th floor.
At the top, you’ll be rewarded with fantastic views over Vienna – from the Rathaus to the MuseumsQuartier.
👉 All info on opening hours, access and the rooftop café can be found on the websites of the Ministry of Justice and the Justizcafé.
💡 Heads-up:
The Palace is only open on weekdays, and visitor numbers are limited.
Plan for some waiting time – especially around lunchtime.
#3 Austrian Parliament
Right on the Ringstraße, you’ll find one of Vienna’s most striking buildings – the newly renovated Austrian Parliament.
From the outside, it resembles a Greek temple; inside, you’ll discover a modern visitor center, a stunning columned hall, an engaging exhibition on democracy – and a rooftop terrace with views of the Rathaus.
You can visit during regular opening hours – no ticket required. And if you want to dive deeper, you can sign up for a free guided tour.
It’s a great way to learn more about the architecture, politics and history of the building.
👉 You’ll find all info, opening hours and tour details on the
💡 Tip:
Free tours must be booked online in advance.
Especially in summer, they fill up quickly – so it’s best to plan ahead.
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Vienna Travel Guide 2025 – your go-to guide for arrival, public transport, seasons, and local tips.
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#4 City Hall (Rathaus)
Vienna’s City Hall looks like a fairy-tale castle – with its towers, archways and an impressive façade along the Ringstraße.
The arcaded walkway at the front is freely accessible and well worth a stroll – especially when something’s happening on Rathausplatz: film festival, Christmas market or summer concert.
If you want to see more, you can join a free guided tour inside – including the ceremonial hall, council chambers and historic rooms.
📍 Important: Registration is only possible on site at the City Information desk – not online.
Or you take the virtual City Hall tour – with fascinating insights into rooms that are usually closed to the public.
👉 All info about the tours and the digital visit can be found on the
💡 Tip: If you want to join a tour spontaneously, it’s best to be at the information desk before 9 a.m. – spots are limited.
#5 Palais Kinsky
Right in the city centre, just off Freyung square (entrance no. 4), lies the baroque Palais Kinsky – and from the outside, you’d hardly guess what’s behind the gate.
The entrance is freely accessible, and right after stepping inside, you find yourself in a sumptuously decorated staircase: marble, gilded ornamentation, sweeping curves – a true baroque gem.
The palace is mainly used for auctions and events today, but the entrance area can be viewed briefly – a quick yet impressive stop on your walk through the city centre.
💡 Tip: Even a short visit gives you a glimpse of one of the most elegant examples of baroque architecture in Vienna – no ticket, no waiting.
#6 Fire Brigade Museum
Small, charming, and unexpected: located right on Am Hof square, the Vienna Fire Brigade Museum is a true mini-museum full of history.
Inside its historic rooms, you’ll find exhibits on the daily life of firefighters, major operations, old uniforms and equipment. A few vintage fire engines are also on display.
Admission is free – but the museum is only open on select days. Current opening hours and updates can be found on the official Vienna website.
💡 Tip: Open only on Tuesday afternoons and Sunday or public holiday mornings – perfect for a short, spontaneous stop while exploring the city.
#7 Central Cemetery
Vienna’s Central Cemetery isn’t a place to tick off a list – it’s one to experience slowly.
This is where you’ll find the graves of Beethoven, Schubert, Falco and Udo Jürgens, surrounded by grand tombs, overgrown paths and a stunning Jugendstil church right in the middle of a park-like setting.
It’s easy to lose yourself here – in the best possible way. Among tree-lined avenues, squirrels, silence and history, you get a whole different sense of Vienna. And best of all: it’s vast, free of charge, and never crowded.
📌 A detailed map, info on honorary graves and more can be found on the
ℹ️ Note: Although many areas are freely accessible, the cemetery remains a place of remembrance – please keep behaviour and noise levels respectful.
📌 Want even more helpful tips?
• 10 Classic Mistakes in Vienna – What to avoid on your first trip
• Vienna Packing List – What to bring (and what you can leave at home)
#8 Free Museum Sundays
On the first Sunday of each month, many of Vienna’s museums open their doors for free – a great opportunity to discover smaller collections that are often overlooked.
Among them: the Roman Museum, the Clock Museum, the Haydn House, and the District Museums in all 23 boroughs.
Perfect if you’re flexible or love exploring off the beaten path –
the exhibitions are often surprisingly interesting, and entry is always 100% free.
🔗 A current list of participating museums is available on the
official website of the City of Vienna.
💡 Tip: Many of these museums are quite small – better be there when they open, because it can get crowded fast.
#9 Historic Parks
You don’t need a ticket to stroll through Vienna’s imperial settings.
Whether it’s Schönbrunn, Belvedere, Volksgarten, Burggarten or Stadtpark –
all of these parks are freely accessible and at the same time impressive witnesses of Vienna’s history.
Here, every green space becomes a piece of open-air museum.
Between rose gardens, the Mozart monument, the Gloriette and palm houses,
Vienna shows its relaxed side – full of history, open to all, and completely free.
💡 Tip:
These historic parks are not just beautiful – they also give you space to breathe.
Here you can process what you’ve already seen, take a step back –
and simply let yourself drift, instead of rushing from sight to sight.
#10 MUSA Gallery
Just behind the Vienna City Hall hides a place few people know – and that’s exactly what makes it so interesting:
MUSA Gallery shows changing exhibitions of contemporary art from Vienna – with free admission.
From photography to conceptual art, from quiet to provocative – this is where you get real insight into Vienna’s contemporary art scene, without pressure, without a ticket.
The shows rotate regularly – so it’s worth a visit even on your second or third Vienna trip.
📌 Current exhibitions and opening hours on the MUSA Gallery website.
💡 Tip:
Perfect for anyone who enjoys art but doesn’t want to deal with entry fees or long queues.
The entrance is right next to the U2 station Rathaus –
so it’s easy to drop in.
Experience more – for free
Vienna doesn’t have to be expensive. Between marble halls, museums, monuments and parks, there are countless places that are completely free to visit – and still incredibly impressive.
If you know where to look, you’ll find not only big highlights, but also the quieter, more personal sides of the city.
And often, it’s exactly those places without a price tag that bring you closest to Vienna – no lines, no stress, just honest impressions.
These 10 tips prove it: You don’t have to spend much to take away a lot.
More Vienna. Zero admission.