Autumn in Vienna: 15 Beautiful Things to Do
Autumn is my favorite season in Vienna, along with spring. I love when it finally gets a little cooler, but is still warm enough to comfortably spend time outside. The colorful leaves, walks through parks and vineyards, café visits, pumpkins, cinnamon rolls and little day trips,that’s what autumn is all about for me. And I think it’s such a lovely time to experience Vienna.
Are you planning to visit Vienna in autumn or looking for a few new ideas for the next couple of weekends? Then I’ve put together some of my favorite things to do in autumn for you here, and I’d be very happy if you discover a few new favorite places and activities that make your autumn in Vienna even more enjoyable.
1. Pumpkin Farms Around Vienna
Pumpkins and autumn simply belong together for me, which is why I always look forward to visiting the pumpkin farms around Vienna. You’ll find pumpkins in all kinds of sizes, shapes and colors, you can walk around the decorated farms and, of course, take lots of photos. And afterwards, I can never wait to decorate my apartment with pumpkins for autumn and try out new pumpkin recipes.
My 3 favorite pumpkin farms around Vienna:
1. KĂĽrbishof Franzlbauer
HaselbacherstraĂźe 39, 3414 Hintersdorf (around 20 minutes from the Vienna city limits)
Free admission
September 5 to October 31, 2026, daily from 9 am to 7 pm
2. KĂĽrbishof Wunderlich
Ahragartensiedlung between Stockerau and Hausleiten
Mon – Fri: adults: 6 € / Children (4 – 14 years): 4 €
Sat and Sun: adults: 10 € –13 € (depending on date) / children (4 – 14 years): 6 €
Until October 26: daily from 9 am to 6 pm
October 27 to November 1: daily from 9 am to 5 pm
3. KĂĽrbisranch Asperhofen
Johannesgasse 9, 3041 Asperhofen
Free admission
September 15 to October 31, daily from 9 am to 7 pm
MY TIP: I’ve also written a detailed article about the pumpkin farms around Vienna. There, I introduce all three farms in more detail and share everything you need to know for your visit, from opening hours and admission prices to my personal tips.
2. Autumn Atmosphere at Setagayapark
Setagayapark is one of my favorite places in Vienna in spring, but I also love coming here in autumn. With the deep red and yellow leaves, it looks particularly beautiful at this time of year. And if you visit at the right time, it can be incredibly peaceful: the pond, the little bridge, the tea house (which is not in operation) and, of course, all the colorful trees.
You don’t need much time for Setagayapark, though. It’s really small and you can walk through it in just a few minutes. There are a few benches, but otherwise there isn’t much here. For me, that’s exactly what makes it so nice. I like sitting here for a while, looking out over the pond and enjoying the peace and quiet. And of course, I always have to take a few photos of this beautiful setting.
It can get quite busy on weekends, especially in the afternoon, and then the peaceful atmosphere disappears pretty quickly. If you can, I’d therefore recommend coming during the week, but even on weekends it’s usually still relatively quiet in the morning.
OPENING HOURS:
March 1 – November 30
October: daily 7 am – 7 pm
November: daily 7 am – 5 pm
Closed from December 1 to February 28
ADMISSION:
Free
ADDRESS:
Hohe Warte 8, 1190 Vienna
GETTING THERE:
Tram 37 to Barawitzkagasse, Hohe Warte
MY TIP: If you’re already in the area, you can combine a visit to Setagayapark with a trip to Kahlenberg. From there, you can continue with a walk through the autumn vineyards. More about that in point 6 below.
3. Walking Under the Chestnut Trees in the Prater
When you think of the Prater, the amusement park probably comes to mind first. But right next to it is the Green Prater, and in autumn, when the thousands of chestnut trees along the Prater Hauptallee slowly turn yellow and brown, I really enjoy going for a walk here.
The Prater Hauptallee stretches for almost 4.5 kilometers from Praterstern to the Lusthaus. When I’m walking here, though, I also like to turn off the main avenue and take one of the smaller paths. It immediately becomes much quieter, and between the meadows and trees, it suddenly doesn’t feel like Vienna anymore. And if you’re here early in the morning, you might even spot deer or other animals. At the same time, you’re only three underground stops (U1) away from Stephansplatz.
MY TIP: If you want to do more than “just” go for a walk, you can rent a bicycle or one of the fun rickshaws at Radverleih Hochschaubahn in the Wurstelprater, roughly opposite the Schweizerhaus. There are also WienMobil Rad stations nearby (at Praterstern opposite No. 9 and at Ausstellungsstraße 4). There are several playgrounds as well as a skate and BMX park. And if you don’t want to walk the entire Hauptallee, you can also take the Liliputbahn through the Prater.
Whenever I’m in the area, I also like going on one of the rides in the Prater amusement park. My favorite is the Praterturm, the huge chair swing ride. And right next to it you’ll also find the Ponykarussell, a lovely and slightly unusual restaurant in the Prater.
4. Exploring Vienna Central Cemetery
A cemetery as a place to visit? It might sound a little unusual at first, but don’t let that put you off. Vienna Central Cemetery is one of the places in Vienna that I particularly enjoy visiting in autumn. I like to start in the old part of the cemetery at Gate 1, ideally early in the morning. With the old, partly overgrown and weathered graves and the colorful leaves, the atmosphere can feel almost a little mystical.
MY TIP: I’d also recommend leaving the main paths every now and then. You’ll keep discovering interesting gravestones, old inscriptions and little details, and with a bit of luck, you might even come across some of the cemetery’s animal residents, such as deer or hamsters.
From the old cemetery, I usually continue towards the Church of St. Borromeo. I think it’s worth seeing both from the outside and inside. Afterwards, you can stop by the graves of honor. Among others, Beethoven, Johann Strauss, Schubert and Falco are buried here. I particularly like looking at some of the rather elaborate and unusual gravestones. Some of them almost feel like works of art to me. Further towards Gate 2, you should also make sure to see the Old Arcades. The view through the arcades towards the autumn trees is especially beautiful.
MY TIP: Right by Gate 2, the café Kurkonditorei Oberlaa is perfect for a little break. The cakes there are really good. My favorites are the chocolate mousse cake and the truffle cake.
And don’t worry: you definitely don’t have to explore the huge Central Cemetery entirely on foot. There is a dedicated bus line running through the grounds, and you can also cycle here (e-bikes are available to rent at Gate 2: 5 € for the first hour, 2.50 € for each additional hour) or use one of the two running routes. If you’d like to learn more about the cemetery and its history, there is also an audio guide called “Friedhof to go”, which costs 8.40 €.
5. The Pumpkin Festival at Am Himmel
Before October comes to an end, the traditional pumpkin festival takes place at Am Himmel every year. Am Himmel in Döbling is already a lovely place for a day out, with its large meadow, Tree of Life circle and playground for children. During the pumpkin festival, there’s just a little more to discover.
For example, you can choose your own pumpkin and then carve it right there. I particularly like this shortly before Halloween because doing it at home can be a little inconvenient. There’s always a large selection of different pumpkins here. The Pumpkin Farmers’ Market focuses on regional specialties. You’ll find various food and drinks from Styria, and you can also buy pumpkin seed oil, Vulkanland ham, apples and much more directly from local producers and farmers.
Families can also make their own kite and then fly it on the large meadow. And because the surrounding area is so beautiful, I always combine the pumpkin festival with a walk. Around Am Himmel, you can take a lovely walk through the vineyards or continue towards Cobenzl, with a great view over Vienna along the way.
DATE:
Sat, October 24 to Mon, October 26, 2026
10 am – 6 pm
ADDRESS:
Am Himmel, HimmelstraĂźe 125, 1190 Vienna
ADMISSION:
Free
GETTING THERE:
Public transport is recommended, as there are only a few parking spaces.
U4 to Heiligenstadt, then bus 38A to Cobenzl, followed by around a 10 – 15 minute walk.
6. A Day in Vienna’s Vineyards
Let’s stay in the same area for a moment, because Vienna’s vineyards are also an essential part of autumn in Vienna for me. Did you know that Vienna is the only major city in the world where significant wine production takes place within the city limits?
I particularly like Nussberg in Döbling. One of my favorite routes leads from Kahlenberg down through the vineyards. Stopping at one of the traditional wine taverns along the way, sitting among the vines and then continuing your walk through the vineyards is, for me, one of the nicest things you can do on a sunny autumn day in Vienna. And then there’s the beautiful view over the city. I always find it so special that you’re right in Vienna and yet it can feel a little like being on holiday.
My favorite traditional wine taverns at Nussberg:
1. Wieninger am Nussberg
Eichelhofweg 125
Thursday 2 – 10 pm, Friday and Saturday 12 – 10 pm, Sundays and public holidays 11 am – 10 pm
2. Feuerwehr Wagner am Nussberg
Eisernenhandgasse 17
Opening hours
3. Mayer am Nussberg
Kahlenberger StraĂźe 213
Thursday to Friday from 2 pm, Saturday, Sunday and public holidays from 12 pm
Not at Nussberg, but also beautifully located:
4. Hans und Fritz am Steinberg
Krapfenwaldgasse 17
Friday: 4 – 10 pm, Saturday, Sunday and public holidays: 12 – 10 pm, Monday: 4 – 10 pm
Another tip from me is Buschenschank Esse. It’s in a really idyllic location and, to me, has almost a little Tuscany feeling. There is outdoor seating only, and the wine tavern is open only on selected weekends, so make sure to check the current calendar beforehand.
And of course, you don’t have to go to Nussberg for a walk through Vienna’s vineyards. Neustift am Walde is also a wonderful place to walk through the vineyards and then stop at one of the wine taverns, for example along Rathstraße. Stammersdorf is another great option if you want to combine vineyards, historic wine lanes and a visit to a traditional wine tavern.
MY TIP: On September 26 and 27, 2026, the annual Vienna Wine Hiking Day takes place, with four routes in four different districts. Along the routes, you can enjoy wine and regional specialties at wine taverns and other refreshment stops. You can find the brochure with the routes and all the information here.
7. Through Lainzer Tiergarten to Hermesvilla
Despite its name, Lainzer Tiergarten isn’t a zoo but a huge recreation area on the western edge of Vienna. There are still animals living there, including deer and wild boars. I haven’t actually come across any myself during my visits, though. There used to be a small wildlife enclosure here, but it has since been closed.
I always like to start at Lainzer Tor and head towards Hermesvilla from there. It’s a pleasant walk of around 15 minutes through the forest. There is also a small parking lot and public toilets at Lainzer Tor, and bus 56B stops there.
Hermesvilla itself is one of my favorite places in Vienna. Empress Elisabeth received it as a gift from her husband, Emperor Franz Joseph, who hoped it would encourage her to spend more time in Vienna. I like sitting on a bench in the garden and imagining what it must have looked like here during Sisi’s time. The outdoor area of the villa is always free to access during the opening hours of Lainzer Tiergarten. I recommend walking all the way around the building, as the back side with the fountain is also really interesting. The building is currently being renovated and is partly covered in scaffolding, but I still think it’s worth seeing.
If you’d like to see more, you can also visit the interiors of Hermesvilla, but this requires a ticket and is only possible on weekends until the end of September. Inside, you get an insight into the life of the imperial couple and can see, among other things, the exercise room and bedroom.
MY TIP: On the first Sunday of every month (starting again in May), admission to the interiors of Hermesvilla is free. Admission is generally free for everyone under 19.
If I’m still in the mood for a longer walk after visiting Hermesvilla, I usually don’t head straight back to Lainzer Tor. Instead, I continue through the forest, passing St. Veiter Tor, until I reach Wiener Blick. There’s a large meadow there with a really beautiful view over Vienna. Of course, you can also extend the walk and continue further through Lainzer Tiergarten.
OPENING HOURS:
– Lainzer Tiergarten
Open daily from 8 am all year round
Closing times vary depending on the season.
– Hermesvilla (interiors)
Friday to Sunday: 10 am – 5 pm
Closed for winter: October 1 to May 1
ADMISSION:
– Lainzer Tiergarten: free
– Hermesvilla (interiors):
Adults: 8 €
Reduced: 6 €
Free for everyone under 19
Free on the first Sunday of every month for every visitor
GETTING THERE:
– By car: For example, to Lainzer Tor on HermesstraĂźe. There is a small parking lot there, although it can fill up quickly on weekends. During the week, short-term parking regulations apply.
– By public transport: For example, take bus 56B from U4 Hietzing to Lainzer Tor or bus 54B from U4 Ober St. Veit St. Veiter Tor.
8. A Cozy Afternoon in a Bookshop
A cold, foggy autumn day, a small bookshop, browsing for a while and perhaps even settling down with a book and a cup of tea or chai latte. Sounds like a pretty perfect afternoon to me!
Vienna has some really lovely bookshops where you can easily spend some time. I particularly like Mi’s Booknook, for example. The selection of books is exactly my kind of thing, and the cute window nooks are perfect for sitting down with a cup of tea and reading or simply enjoying the quiet. Buchhandlung Analog on Otto-Bauer-Gasse is another really lovely place. Besides the selection of books, I especially like the atmosphere there. You’re often welcomed with a cup of tea, and then I usually head upstairs (there are always some great books already to discover along the staircase) and browse through the little room at the top. And Buchcafé Melange is also one of the particularly special bookshops in Vienna for me.
MY TIP: Looking for even more beautiful bookshops in Vienna? I’ve put together my favorites in a separate article.
9. Long Night of Museums
For me, autumn is also the time to spend more afternoons in museums again. One special opportunity to do so is the annual Long Night of Museums. On October 3, 2026, numerous museums throughout Austria will open their doors from 6 pm to midnight, and you can visit them all with just one ticket.
What I particularly like is that you can explore not only the large and well-known museums, but also discover places you might otherwise never have thought of visiting. Of course, classics such as the Kunsthistorisches Museum, the Albertina and the Belvedere are taking part. At the same time, you can discover smaller and slightly more unusual museums, such as the Klimt Villa or the Snow Globe Museum. There are also special events at the museums, and some offer programs for children.
MY TIP: Think beforehand about which museums you’d like to visit and put together a rough route. You can find the list of participating museums online, and you can also get a booklet with all the information at the participating museums. Some of the more popular museums and exhibitions can get quite busy that evening, though, and at places such as Mythos Mozart or Liechtenstein City Palace, you should expect longer waiting times.
DATE:
Saturday, October 3, 2026
6 pm – midnight
ADMISSION:
Adults: 19 €
Reduced: 16 €
Children up to 12 years: free
In Vienna, the ticket is also valid as a public transport ticket from 5 pm until 12:59 am!
ADDRESS:
Museums throughout Austria
10. Autumn Festivals and Events in Vienna
There is an incredible number of events in Vienna in autumn, especially in September and October. On some weekends, you really don’t know where to go first. And I think there’s something for everyone. Families can enjoy events such as the Day of Sports, the Fire Brigade Festival, Mistfest or the Safety Festival. Music fans can go to the Opera Open Air or the Musical Festival.
For anyone who wants to discover a different side of Vienna, there’s the Day of the Monument, Open House Vienna or the Long Night of Museums. If you like to celebrate, you might enjoy the Wiener Kaiser Wiesn, while bargain hunters can look forward to various flea markets, such as the Flaniermarkt in Neubaugasse or the IKEA-Westbahnhof flea market. And of course, there are also events that simply feel perfect for autumn, such as the Herbsttage, the pumpkin festival at Am Himmel or the Tea Festival.
MY TIP: If you’d like to know what’s happening in Vienna in September, you can find many more events in my article: Events in Vienna in September 2026.
11. An Autumn Walk Through Schönbrunn Palace Park
A walk through Schönbrunn Palace Park is one of those things I enjoy doing in every season, and of course autumn is no exception. The avenues lined with beautifully trimmed trees partly turn into real tunnels of yellow and brown leaves. Add the sound of leaves crunching under your feet, the many statues and fountains you pass along the way, and I think the park has a very special atmosphere in autumn.
And even though Schönbrunn is, of course, one of Vienna’s most famous sights and therefore popular with many tourists, it’s still a wonderful place for a walk. The palace park is spacious and free to enter, so when I visit, I usually don’t stay only around the palace itself.
My favorite paths and places in Schönbrunn Palace Park
From the Neptune Fountain through the avenues
One of my favorite walks starts at the Neptune Fountain and leads to the right through the Rustenallee, with its beautiful yellow “leaf tunnels”, along the outer wall of the zoo. Along the way, you can keep turning onto the smaller paths. If you continue along the avenue, you’ll also reach the area around the Palm House, which I always like to make a little detour to.
Crown Prince Garden
On the back of the palace, there’s a little detail I particularly like in autumn: the red vines on the outside of the Crown Prince Garden. The garden itself requires an admission fee (not the Palace Park itself, only this part) and is only open until November 2. But you don’t need to go inside to enjoy the view. The beautiful red leaves are on the outside wall.
Up to the Gloriette
Whenever I’m in Schönbrunn, I almost always walk up to the Gloriette as well. From up there, you have a beautiful view over Vienna, the palace and the gardens.
Meidling Gate
You can also start your walk through the palace park at Meidling Gate. The old wrought-iron gate and the view of the autumn trees make for a really beautiful first impression of the season.
Roman Ruins, Obelisk Fountain and Naiad Fountain
There’s plenty more to discover in Schönbrunn beyond the famous sights. The Roman Ruin and Obelisk Fountain are definitely worth a detour. And I’d also stop for a moment at the Naiad Fountain. With the palace in the background, it makes for a really beautiful photo spot.
12. Cozy Shopping at Maisonette
Maisonette in Neubaugasse is one of my favorite little shops in Vienna. I always enjoy stopping by because there are so many beautiful things to discover: notebooks, puzzles, postcards, candles, stickers, hair clips and much more. I could spend ages looking around every time, and usually something ends up coming home with me.
In October, Maisonette becomes even cozier: from October 2 to 31, “Cozy Autumn at Maisonette” takes place there. The shop is decorated for autumn and there are little seasonal details and activities. These include a Pumpkin Patch, a Bookswap Library, the opportunity to write and mail a postcard directly at the shop, as well as various events on specific days, such as Cinnamon Roll Day, an Embroidery Station and a Hairclaw Charm Bar.
13. Autumn Atmosphere in Vienna’s Parks and Gardens
If you follow me on Instagram, you might already know how much I love Vienna’s parks and gardens. Luckily, we have so many of them here in Vienna, and I like each one for a different reason. Here are a few that I particularly enjoy visiting in autumn:
Burggarten
Burggarten is one of my favorites, pretty much all year round (yes, even in winter it was beautiful with the snow last year). It’s right in the city center, surrounded by some of Vienna’s most beautiful historic buildings. I like simply wandering around here, sitting on the grass and enjoying a few rays of sunshine on a sunny autumn day. If the weather allows, you can also sit outside in front of the Palm House one last time.
There’s a special highlight you can experience in the early morning: with a bit of luck, you might see the famous Lipizzaners during their morning ride. They leave the Hofburg, ride past the Palm House and through Burggarten, and then graze on the small meadow to the right of the Mozart monument. It’s something I always really enjoy seeing.
MY TIP: From October 9 to 11, 2026, the Wiener Herbsttage take place in Burggarten. Around the Palm House and the area in front of it, everything revolves around gardens, plants and autumn. There will be, among other things, a fruit variety exhibition, apple variety identification, gardening advice and various exhibitors from the fields of plants, crafts, gardening and food.
Augarten
Augarten is also one of my favorite places for an autumn walk. You can simply stroll through the spacious park and, if the sun is still shining, sit on a bench and enjoy the last warm days of autumn.
If you’re already there, you can also combine your walk with a visit to Manufaktur Augarten. There’s a museum there, and of course you can also see the famous Augarten porcelain.
Belverdere Palace Gardens
I particularly like the gardens of Belvedere Palace because of the view over Vienna from the upper part of the gardens. But I also enjoy walking down through the gardens towards Lower Belvedere. There are a few trees to the left of Upper Belvedere whose yellow leaves create a particularly beautiful photo opportunity together with the building (see the photo below the heading for point 13).
Pötzleinsdorfer Schlosspark
If you’d like to get a little further away from the city center and feel like going for a longer walk, I can recommend Pötzleinsdorfer Schlosspark.
I like starting at the main entrance and taking the path on the right from there. Along the way, you’ll pass four statues representing figures from the former Vienna Ringtheater. They survived the theater fire and are now spread throughout the park. There’s also a small temple here. In autumn, the area between the old trees can have a really beautiful, almost slightly mystical atmosphere.
14. Autumn Is Market Season
Vienna’s markets are also part of a perfect autumn day for me. I like simply wandering between the stalls, getting something to eat and, when the sun is shining, sitting outside at one of the many markets even in autumn and watching the market life around me.
My favorite markets in Vienna
Kutschkermarkt
Kutschkermarkt in Währing is fairly small, but I particularly like its relaxed atmosphere. I like coming here for breakfast at Café Himmelblau before wandering through the market stalls for a while. Afterwards, you can continue your walk along Währinger Straße and browse through the shops there.
Karmelitermarkt
I also really like Karmelitermarkt in the 2nd district. One of Vienna’s larger farmers’ markets takes place here on weekends. During the week, it’s much quieter, but you can easily combine a visit to the market with breakfast or lunch at one of the restaurants around the market.
15. A Cozy Café Break
What I particularly like about autumn are those days when it’s still pleasantly warm but the intense summer heat is gone. That’s when I especially enjoy sitting outside, soaking up the sunshine and already getting a little taste of autumn. But even foggy, chilly days are instantly better with a visit to a café. Here are a few cafés that I find particularly cozy in autumn:
Calienna
Right in the middle of Neubaugasse and surrounded by plants, you can make yourself comfortable at Calienna. The café is also a plant shop and concept store. I always like taking a little break here when I’m in the area.
Café Camelle
The indoor area of Café Camelle isn’t particularly large, but that makes it even cozier. I especially like the little window nook, where you can sit comfortably and watch the autumn weather outside. And if it gets warmer again in autumn, there’s also a large and peaceful outdoor seating area.
Café November
Just a few steps from Karmelitermarkt, you’ll find Café November. It’s a really cute little café that, to me, fits autumn incredibly well. The interior has been decorated with lots of attention to detail, and I especially loved the shelf filled with different cups. They also serve homemade cakes, which I really enjoyed.
Josua Coffee
On Gumpendorfer Straße, you’ll find this small café, which I really like for its distinctive and very stylish interior. They serve homemade cakes and other sweet treats as well as various specialty coffees, but also matcha and chai latte.
Bonus: And Suddenly Christmas Is Just Around the Corner
Just when you’ve finally settled into autumn, the first Christmas markets in Vienna are already opening. Things get started at the beginning of November.
The first one is the Christmas market in front of Schönbrunn Palace, which opens on November 6, 2026. The other markets then gradually follow, including the Christmas Market at Rathausplatz on November 13.
If you’d already like to get a little glimpse of Christmas in Vienna, you’ll find lots of tips in my article: “15 Best Things to Do in Vienna during Christmas Time”.
