Visiting Vienna, Austria's largest city, could be a memorable lifetime experience. The city has rich culture, tradition, and history.
Additionally, Vienna is the home of many famous people such as Beethoven and Mozart, whose works significantly influenced Western civilization.
Consequently, Vienna ranks as one of the top tourist destinations ahead of other major European cities.
Regardless of the weather, here is a list of activities you could enjoy while visiting Austria's biggest city.
1. Virtual Escape
The undefeated winner in bad weather in Vienna: the Virtual Escape Rooms at Virtual Escape in Vienna. At Virtual Escape, you immerse yourself completely in fantastic worlds with the help of VR glasses and controllers, while solving exciting puzzles and challenges with friends or family. In the game you meet each other in the form of avatars with which you can see and hear each other in the game.
In the virtual world, everything is possible: You can explore the area, pick up objects and give them to your teammates, or even perform magic. You can choose from over 15 fantastic virtual worlds at the Virtual Escape Rooms in Vienna. From jungle to pyramid to wonderland: you choose the virtual escape room of your choice. But hurry up, because the time is running! We promise: Within a very short time you will have completely forgotten about the bad weather in Vienna.
2. Visiting the Spanish Riding School (Spanische Hofreitschule)
The Spanish Riding School at the Hofburg Palace is one of the most iconic sites to visit on your next Austrian tour to Vienna.
Build under Charles VI it features a ballet of white stallions with their Lipizzans. Accompanying classical Viennese music completes the experience.
Additionally, you can visit the Spanish Riding School during winter making it a great escape from the chilly European weather. Visiting the Spanish riding school costs about €27 per person.
Image credit: Spanische Hofreitschule/Facebook
3. The Natural History Museum
Dinosaurs are a prominent feature in many fantasy movies, such as Jurassic Park, which is dedicated to these savage behemoths.
However, visiting the Natural History Museum in Vienna brings you face-to-face with these ancient creatures, or at least their skeletons.
The museum also features other exhibits, such as artifacts and meteorites. The Natural History Museum features a digital exhibition of nature-related movies if you love the big screen.
Visiting the Natural History Museum will undoubtedly transport you to another point in time.
Image credit: nhmwien/Instagram
4. The Crown Jewels at Kaiserliche Schatzkammer Wien, the Imperial Treasury Crown
Jewels are a popular theme in many mobile games. You can unravel real-life crown jewels by visiting the Kaiserliche Schatzkammer Wien, also known as the Imperial Treasury.
The Imperial Treasury in Vienna exhibits many fascinating items, including clothes, fabrics, jewels, and artifacts. These include the world’s largest emerald, the Holy Lance, the Imperial Crown, precious items of the Order of the Golden Fleece, and the narwhal tooth, a unicorn’s horn that was declared the heirloom of the Habsburgs.
Visiting the iconic Kaiserliche Schatzkammer Wien will take you through 1000 years of European history.
Image credit: kunsthistorischesmuseumvienna/Instagram
5. Turtle watching at Haus des Meeres – Aqua Terra Zoo
Haus des Meeres houses over 10,000 aquatic and terrestrial animals in a nine-floor building.
Visitors can closely view various fish types, including sharks, reptiles such as turtles, and terrestrial animals such as monkeys.
Haus des Meeres is located on the Flak tower, constructed by Nazi Germany to host anti-aircraft guns during World War II.
Touring Haus des Meeres will allow you to visit the war museum located in the same building and sample Viennese food in the lavish restaurant.
Image credit: hausdesmeeres/Instagram
6. Visiting Mozarthaus
Mozarthaus was the residence of the classical Austrian composer, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The museum featured his life between 1784 to 1787 when he wrote the “Le Nozze di Figaro” opera and half of the “Haydn Quartets.”
The building also exhibits various items belonging to the legendary composer, such as pictures and documents. Visitors can “walk”’ through the life of Mozart and view the 1790 musical clock that plays “Andante for a cylinder in a small organ.”
Curated by Wien Museum, Mozarthaus is the only well-preserved museum that features the life of the influential composer.
Image Credit: mozarthausvienna/Instagram
7. The Austrian Museum of Military History - Heeresgeschichtliches
The Heeresgeschichtliches houses art, technology, architecture, and natural science artifacts from the country’s military history.
Exhibits include photographs, military uniforms, and weapons of various kinds such as planes, armored vehicles, and battleships.
The artifacts cover the period from the Habsburg Dynasty in 1500 to the fall of the Austrian empire in 1945 during World War II.
Image Credit: hgm_wien/Instagram
8. Virtual reality tour with Empress Sisi’s Amazing Journey
The best way to experience Vienna is to let Empress Sisi take you on a virtual tour.
Empress Elisabeth of Austria was the Queen of Hungary and Emperor Franz Joseph I wife.
She was a fashion icon and considered one of the most beautiful women in the world. However, taking a 5D immersive virtual tour with the dollface is more impressive than her beauty or tragic end.
Empress Sissi will give you exhilarating antidotes of her extravagant life as she takes you through a 360 degrees view of historic Vienna city.
Image Credit: Time Travel Vienna/Facebook
9. Wiener Riesenrad at The Prater
The Wiener Riesenrad Giant Ferris Wheel at The Prater amusement park is an iconic scene in Vienna that you should visit.
Towering at 64.75-metre (212 ft), the landmark architectural marvel is visible from Vienna's skyline.
If you love adrenaline-filled activities, you can ride on it and have a breathtaking view of the city or watch it spin if you are afraid of heights.
Riding the wheel is one of the most memorable experiences for tourists visiting Vienna. Rumor is that you haven’t visited Vienna unless you have ridden the Wiener Riesenrad.
Apart from riding the wheel, there are many activities that one can partake onsite such as ghost trains and arcade games.
Image Credit: prater.at/Instagram
10. Butterfly watching at the Schmetterlinghaus
If you are looking for peace and relaxation while visiting Vienna, then the Schmetterlinghaus or house of butterflies is the place to visit.
The garden hosts tropical plants and over 400 species of butterflies of various colors and sizes. You can relax and watch the magnificent insects flying past waterfalls in a scene that mimics their natural environment.
The butterfly garden is also located in the city's center and within 200 meters of the Opera House. The Schmetterlinghaus is the best last destination to visit while winding your visit to the Austrian capital.
Image Credit: schmetterlinghaus/Facebook
Visiting Vienna is a truly marvelous experience for locals and tourists. While this list is hardly comprehensive, we hope that it will get you started and could also help you discover other exciting places and activities.