Top 13 Budget Friendly Things To Do in Vienna, Austria
Vienna is the capital of Austria and home to some of the most gorgeous buildings. You may also hear the city be called “Wien” this is the local’s way of saying Vienna. Being just south of Germany, the prominent language spoken here is German. Many people will speak English, making it easy to navigate and explore the city. There are numerous things to see in this historic and expensive city. If you are traveling on a budget but still want to get the full Vienna experience then this is the guide for you!
Personalized Trip Planner
If you are interested in a more tailored and detailed Travel Itinerary, I am happy to help. With my Custom Travel Itineraries you will receive a full travel consultation with me and a full Itinerary that is fit to your travel style and needs!
1. Free Things to do in Vienna – St. Stephans Cathedral
The St. Stephans Cathedral is a top attraction in Vienna with its gothic design. Construction on this massive cathedral began in the 12 century and was designed by Anton Pilgram. You can visit the inside of the cathedral for FREE. If you want to climb the 343 steps to the top of the bell tower that is also available at a price. My favorite part of this large intricate cathedral is the colorful roof.
2. The Hofburg
The Hofburg was once Vienna’s Imperial Palace and housed the Habsburg emperors. Today, this large set of buildings hosts a number of museums, the Spanish Riding Horses, a congress center, and more. Its exterior is absolutely stunning with a white facade, intricate accents, and green domes.
3. Unique Things to do in Vienna – Hundertwasser House
One metro ride from Vienna city you will find a unique colorful building. The Hundertwasser House has become a large tourist attraction. There are a number of people living here, each in their own apartment. This one-of-a-kind architectural house was designed by Friedensreich Hundertwasser.
Fun Fact: Each resident has the right to decorate the exterior of their unit however they would like.
4. Must Try Food in Vienna – Sachertorte
You cannot visit Vienna without trying this indulgent rich cake. Sachertorte originated in Austria and has become world-famous with its chocolate cake layers, apricot jam, and decadent dark chocolate icing. If you want to try the “Original” Sachertorte visit, Hotel Sacher. One slice will cost you €7.90, a bit pricey for us, so we decided to visit Aida for a more budget-friendly option. This pink retro bakery has been established for over 100 years, so I knew it had to be good. One slice of Sachertorte at Aida cost us €4.56, a little bit better of a price and still just as delicious!
5. See the Spanish Horses
The Spanish Riding Horses are treated like royalty in Vienna. These beautiful horses put on a show twice daily. Show tickets cost €22.00 – €27.00 per person, or you can pay half the price to watch the horses train from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM before their big show. If you want to see these stallions for FREE, line up outside the Spanish Riding School to see the horses walk to their performance area.
6. MusuemsQuartier
The MusuemsQuartier is one of the largest areas for modern art and culture in the world. This open area is stunning at night with different artists’ work being displayed throughout the square. Contemporary block benchers lie throughout the area making for a great spot to hang out with friends and share a drink. This area is FREE to enter and enjoy the temporary outdoor exhibits. If you are interested in touring inside galleries tickets can be purchased here.
7. Goulash
While goulash originated in Austria’s neighboring country, Hungary, goulash has become one of Austria’s most loved dishes. This hearty dish is made of slow-cooked beef and a thick beef broth sauce. We got the locals inside scoop on the best place for goulash in the city and they recommended Zur eisernen Zeit inside the Naschmarkt. This was the perfect dish for lunch on a cold fall day.
Fun Fact: Austrian’s eat their larger meal of the day at lunchtime.
8. The Staatsoper (Vienna State Opera)
The Vienna State Opera is another attraction you should not miss when visiting Vienna. One ticket to a show here can run upwards of €300.00. This is a bit steep for me personally. SO…
Cheap Vienna Opera Show Tickets
Book your tickets well in advance!
Check for the furthest tickets from the stage, these can sometimes be the price of €7.00 to €25.00, your seat may not be the best but you will still get to enjoy the stunning interior.
Vienna State Opera offers a lottery ticket option for those willing to wait outside the building on the day of their preferred performance. Tickets start selling one hour before the show and cost about €5.00.
9. Stay at the Wombat Hostel
One of the most expensive things you will pay for in Vienna is accommodation. Since the city center is made of mostly historic buildings like the St. Stephans Cathedral and the Hofburg, hotels are limited. We opted to stay in a hostel right next to the Naschmarkt, just a few blocks from the city center. For a young couple backpacking through Europe, a hostel fit us well and was a fraction of the price. I highly recommend the Wombat Hostel!
10. Take a Free City Walking Tour
Since we stayed at a hostel, there was a FREE city walking tour that was available to all guests at the Wombat. We had the pleasure of touring the city with other travelers and our amazing tour guide. She was wonderful and provided us with a wealth of knowledge about this historic city. These tour guides do work for their tips, so if you did enjoy the tour it is a nice thing to tip your tour guide!
Tip: If you are not staying at a hostel, you can find FREE city walking tours in most tourist cities. Just Google, “Free City Walking Tour in…” you will find numerous options.
11. Naschmarkt
The Naschmarkt was one of my favorite places in Vienna. This large market is a foodie’s dream with stalls selling a variety of foods from Greek gyros to traditional Austrian bites. Many of the locals will purchase their fresh produce, nuts, and grains here. The market is open Monday – Saturday from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM and closed on Sundays. You do not want to miss this great market if you love food as much as me!
12. Manner Wafers
While strolling through the famous Naschmarkt stop inside the small pink filled Manner Waffer shop. Manner Wafers originated in Vienna and have become a famous sweet treat. Each stick has five layers of thin light wafer with four layers of your favorite filling in between. We chose the original with a chocolate hazelnut filling. These are absolutely delicious and well worth the easy €1.00.
13. Karlskirche
Karlskirche is a church located on the south side of Vienna, and worth the walk from the city center. This baroque-styled church is absolutely stunning with a large pond in the front reflecting the white and green facade. This is a great place to bring your fresh purchases from the Naschmarkt and enjoy a picnic on the steps!
2-Month Backpacking Through Europe Packing List
Subscribe for my Full Packing List Free Download
This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Thank You and Happy Gallivanting!
Top 12 Things To Do in Prague
