The best viewpoints in Vienna
There’s something magical about looking down on a city from above. For me, it’s a must to visit at least one viewpoint whenever I travel. There’s just something special about seeing the streets, houses, and parks from a bird’s-eye view. I love a good view, it’s relaxing, almost like a little dose of magic. That’s why you’ll often find me at one of Vienna’s many scenic spots.
In this post, I’ll share the best places to enjoy breathtaking views over Vienna. Each spot offers a unique perspective of the city, and they’re all worth exploring. Some are right in the heart of the city, while others are on the outskirts. But they all have one thing in common: stunning views of Vienna. And the best part? Many of these views are completely free to enjoy!
So, let me take you on a little tour over the rooftops of Vienna and show you the city from above!
1. St. Stephen’s Cathedral (Stephansdom)
Let’s kick things off with one of the most impressive views in the city right from the towers of St. Stephen’s Cathedral in the center of Vienna. You can climb two of the Cathedral’s four towers, so you can choose between the easier-to-access North Tower or the more challenging South Tower.
North Tower of St. Stephen’s Cathedral
With a height of 68 m, the North Tower is the lower of the two observation towers, and the good news is you can take an elevator to the top. From the open-air observation deck, you’ll get a fantastic view of Vienna, especially the Inner City. You’ll be able to spot landmarks like the Rathaus, Votive Church, and the iconic Giant Ferris Wheel. There are information boards so that you know exactly what you are looking down on.
What I love most here is how close you are to the Cathedral’s rooftop, giving you a stunning view of the intricate roof mosaic and all the little details that you don’t notice from the ground. Plus, you’ll get an up-close look at the famous Pummerin bell.
OPENING HOURS :
April – December: 9:00 AM – 8:30 PM (last ascent at 8:15 PM), January – March: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM (last ascent at 5:15 PM)
ADMISSION :
Adults: € 7, kids (6-14 years): € 3
You can only pay CASH!
ENTRANCE :
Inside the cathedral, take the left-hand aisle past the ticket booth, the elevator is at the first door on your left.
HOW TO GET THERE :
Subway U1, U3: station “Stephansplatz”
Bus 1A, 3A: station “Stephansplatz”
ADDRESS :
St. Stephen’s Cathedral Main Entrance, Stephansplatz, 1010 Vienna
South Tower of St. Stephen’s Cathedral
If you’re up for a bit more of a workout, you can climb the 343 steps to the South Tower. At 137 meters, this is the higher of the two towers. Keep in mind that the staircase is narrow, and you might encounter people coming the other way. It can be a bit tricky to stop for a break if it’s busy, so this climb isn’t ideal for little kids or those who aren’t super fit.
But once you reach the top, you’ll be rewarded with an amazing 360-degree view from the tower room. In contrast to the North Tower, there is no open-air platform here, but rather four large windows from which you can view every direction. Among other landmarks, you can see the Karlskirche, the Peterskirche, the Votivkirche, the Rathaus, the Parliament, the Hofburg, the Kunsthistorisches Museum, the Naturhistorisches Museum, and even the Belvedere.
OPENING HOURS :
daily 9:00 AM – 7 PM (last ascent at 6:15 PM)
ADMISSION :
Adults: € 6,50, Kids (6-14 years): € 2.50
You can only pay CASH!
ENTRANCE :
The entrance to the South Tower is outside the Cathedral. Head left when you exit the building.
HOW TO GET THERE :
Subway U1, U3: station “Stephansplatz”
Bus 1A, 3A: station “Stephansplatz”
ADDRESS :
St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Stephansplatz, 1010 Vienna
Can’t decide which view to go for? Maybe this comparison will help!
2. View of the State Opera from the Albertina Terrace
This isn’t a traditional viewpoint, but it’s definitely worth mentioning! The terrace in front of the Albertina gives you a fantastic view of the Vienna State Opera. I love coming here to soak up the view. Here you are standing on the old city wall bastion. You can reach this spot by taking the stairs up to the main entrance of the Albertina Museum or conveniently by escalator or elevator. In addition to the impressive statue of Archduke Albrecht, you have a wonderful view of the Opera House.
Don’t forget to have your cell phone or camera handy! The terrace is perfect for snapping a memorable photo.
MY TIP: Come in the evening when the opera is beautifully lit up!
OPENING HOURS :
free access around the clock
ADMISSION :
free of charge
HOW TO GET THERE :
Subway U1, U2, U4: station “Karlsplatz/Oper”
Tram 1, 2, D, 62, 71, Badner Bahn: station “Kärntner Ring/Oper
ADDRESS :
Albertinaplatz 1, 1010 Vienna
3. Palace of Justice (Justizpalast)- Rooftop Terrace
Not only is the Justizpalast worth a visit for its stunning interior, but it also offers an incredible view from its rooftop terrace. After passing through the security check, head up to the fifth floor where you’ll find the Justizcafé. Although it’s actually the court employees’ cafeteria, it’s open to the public as well. From the rooftop terrace of the Justizcafé, you have an incredibly beautiful view of the surrounding area, including the neighboring Parliament, the Town Hall, the Volksgarten and the Ringstraße.
While you’re here, why not take a little time out, find a seat on the terrace and enjoy the fantastic view.
OPENING HOURS :
Monday to Friday 8 AM – 4 PM (closed on public holidays)
ADMISSION :
Admission to the Palace of Justice is free, but to use the terrace you should eat or drink something in the café.
WHAT TO KNOW :
You’ll need to go through a security check to enter the Palace of Justice, and you might need to show your ID.
ANFAHRT :
Metro U3 Station” Volkstheater”
Tram 1, 2, 49, 71 or D: Station “Dr.-Karl-Renner-Ring”, Tram 46: Station “Schmerlingplatz”
Bus 48A: Station “Dr.-Karl-Renner-Ring” or “Volkstheater”
ADDRESS :
Palace of Justice (Justizpalast Wien), Schmerlingplatz 11, 1010 Vienna
4. MQ Libelle
A visit to the Museumsquartier is also worthwhile, and not just for the view. The huge art and culture area has so much more to offer, including museums with one of the world’s largest collections of works by Egon Schiele, restaurants, cafés and a great inner courtyard that invites you to relax.
The MQ Libelle is the ideal place to get an impression of the area and enjoy a view over Vienna at the same time. The two elevators, which take you to the roof of the museum free of charge, are located at the back of the Leopold Museum.
On the terrace, you can enjoy the view of the Museumsquartier, the Art History Museum and the Natural History Museum, and on clear days, you can even see as far as Kahlenberg and Leopoldsberg. You can also take a seat in the garden of the “Zur Libelle” kiosk, grab a drink and look out over the beautiful Maria-Theresien-Platz.
OPENING HOURS :
Daily between 10 AM – 10 PM
ENTRY :
Admission is free of charge
ENTRANCE :
The two elevators are located on the east side of the Leopold Museum (go past the stairs to the museum entrance, continue along the wall and then turn right)
HOW TO GET THERE :
Metro U3 Station” Volkstheater”
Tram 49: Station “Volkstheater”
Bus 48A: Station “Volkstheater”
ADDRESS :
Museumsquartier, Museumsplatz 1, 1070 Vienna, Rooftop of the Leopold Museum
5. Wien Museum
As soon as it opened, this viewpoint immediately became one of my favorites in Vienna – the terrace on the 3rd floor of the Wien Museum on Karlsplatz. From here you can overlook the Resselpark and, above all, enjoy a breathtaking view of the St. Charles Church (Karlskirche). But that’s not all: at the other end of the terrace, you also get a great view of the Musikverein and the Albertina Modern.
There’s a self-service café with excellent snacks and drinks, which I can only recommend. During the warmer months, it’s especially nice to sit on the terrace and enjoy the view. Then it is also open every day except Monday until 9 pm. By the way, access to the Wien Museum and the terrace is free of charge. I also highly recommend visiting the Wien Museum itself.
OPENING HOURS :
Wien Museum: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 9 AM – 6 PM, Thursday 9 AM – 9 PM, Saturday and Sunday 10 AM – 6 PM, closed on Mondays
Terrace: During the summer months the terrace is open Tuesday to Sunday until 9 PM.
ADMISSION :
free of charge
HOW TO GET THERE :
Subway U1 or U4: station “Karlsplatz”
Tram 1, 2, D: station “Oper, Karlsplatz” or “Schwarzenbergplatz”
ADDRESS :
Wien Museum, Karlsplatz 8, 1040 Vienna
6. St. Charles Church (Karlskirche)
A visit to the beautiful baroque Karlskirche with its distinctive green dome is a must on any tour of Vienna. I am always impressed by how beautiful and imposing this church is – it is one of the most stunning churches in Vienna for me. And the best part: It’s not only impressive from the outside, but its interior is also absolutely worth seeing.
Your admission ticket includes access to the outdoor terrace. The view from there is truly special, as you not only get a great view of the park in front of the church, the Musikverein and much more, but also stand close to the imposing columns and statues.
MY TIP: If you’re visiting the church anyway, don’t miss the view from the terrace. However, buying a ticket just for the terrace might not be worth it in my opinion. Instead, enjoy the free view of the St. Charles Church and the surroundings from the neighboring terrace of the Wien Museum (see number 5).
OPENING HOURS :
Monday to Saturday 9 AM – 6 PM, Sunday, holidays 11 AM – 7 PM
ADMISSION :
Adults: 9.50 €, students 6 €, young people 5 €, children (aged 10 and under) free
You can only pay CASH!
WHAT TO KNOW :
Your admission ticket includes access to the interior of the church, the organ loft, the treasury, the church model, and the panoramic terrace.
HOW TO GET THERE :
Subway U1 or U4: station “Karlsplatz”
Tram lines 1, 2, D: station “Oper, Karlsplatz” or “Schwarzenbergplatz”
ADDRESS :
Karlskirche, Karlsplatz 10, 1040 Vienna, entrance is on the right side of the church
7. Belvedere Gardens
My next viewpoint is not only one of the most beautiful in the city, but you can also enjoy it completely free of charge. From the entrance of the Upper Belvedere, you not only see the stunning baroque garden of the palace and the Lower Belvedere but also get a great view over Vienna and some of its most beautiful landmarks, such as St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
MY TIP: The garden is particularly lovely at sunset!
OPENING HOURS :
April and August to September 6.30 AM – 8 PM, May to July 6.30 AM – 9 PM, October 6.30 AM – 7 PM , November to February 7 AM – 5.30 PM, March 7 AM – 7 PM
ADMISSION :
Entrance to the Belvedere Gardens is free of charge
HOW TO GET THERE :
Tram line D: station “Schloss Belvedere”
Tram lines 18, O: station “Quartier Belvedere”
ADDRESS :
Oberes Belvedere, Prinz Eugen-Straße 27, 1030 Vienna
8. Giant Ferris Wheel (Riesenrad)
The Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel is one of the city’s landmarks and is visible from many places in Vienna. A ride on the oldest operating Ferris wheel of its kind is a must during any visit to Vienna. During the 12-15 minute ride, you enjoy a great view over the Vienna Prater and the city. When you look out from the Ferris wheel car, you’ll notice how green Vienna is.
MY TIP: A bit cheaper is the ride on the Blumenrad. The ticket costs € 6, and you also get a nice view of Vienna including the Giant Ferris Wheel. However, the ride only lasts a few minutes but is a good compromise if the Ferris Wheel is too expensive. The following images show a comparison between the two views.
OPENING HOURS :
May to October 8th from 9 AM, October 9th until End of April from 10 AM, Closing times vary (between 7:45 PM in winter and 11:45 PM in summer)
ADMISSION :
Adults: € 14.50
Children (3-14 years): € 6.50
HOW TO GET THERE :
Subway lines U1, U2: station “Praterstern”
S-Bahn S1 – S3, S7, S15: Station “Wien Nord”
Tram lines O, 5: station “Praterstern”
Bus 80A: station “Praterstern”
ADDRESS :
Riesenradplatz 1, 1020 Vienna
9. Rooftop Bars
Unbeatable views can be enjoyed in spring and summer from the numerous rooftop bars around the city. With a cocktail in hand, it’s even more fun to gaze over the rooftops of Vienna.
Here is a small selection of rooftop bars that I tested this summer in various districts of Vienna:
- Organics Sky Garden, Wipplingerstraße 2, 1010 Vienna – View of St. Stephen’s Cathedral
- Dachboden, 25hours Hotel, Lerchenfelderstraße 1-3, 1070 Vienna – See photo above
- Aurora, Andaz Vienna at Belvedere, Arsenalstraße 10, 1100 Vienna – View of the Belvedere Palace
- Cayo Coco, The Hoxton, Rudolf-Sallinger-Platz 1, 1030 Vienna – View of the Inner City especially St. Stephen’s Cathedral and St. Charles Church, from one side view of Belvedere Palace
- Zoku Rooftop Terrace, Perspektivstraße 6, 1020 Vienna – View of the Prater amusement park – especially beautiful at sunset
10. Ikea Westbahnhof
A rooftop terrace with no purchase required can be found on top of the Ikea at Vienna Westbahnhof. From there, you have a view over Mariahilfer Straße, one of Vienna’s major shopping streets, and the surrounding area. The view of the Maria vom Siege Church is particularly impressive.
If you go to the rear right corner of the terrace, you can even spot the Gloriette in the Schönbrunn Palace park in the distance. The terrace is has many little trees and a small Ikea snack bar.
OPENING HOURS :
Monday to Friday 9.30 AM – 8 PM, Saturday 9.30 AM – 6 PM, closed on Sundays
ADMISSION :
free of charge
HOW TO GET THERE :
Subway lines U3, U6: station “Westbahnhof” – exit “Äußere Mariahilfer Straße”
Tram lines 5, 6, 9, 18, 52, 60 : station “Westbahnhof”
ADDRESS :
Ikea Wien Westbahnhof, Europaplatz 1, 1150 Vienna, elevator directly to the terrace
11. Gloriette – Schönbrunn Palace Gardens
Speaking of the Gloriette, this spot is also one of the most beautiful viewpoints in Vienna. The Gloriette is located on a hill above Schönbrunn Palace and is itself a noteworthy building. The large figures on the staircase are especially great for photos.
The best part about the Gloriette is the view you have of Schönbrunn Palace, the park, and the city. You can even see as far as the Otto Wagner Church, whose golden dome is visible from afar. Simply breathtaking. Access to the Gloriette is free, and so is the view!
MY TIPP: There is a Gloriette viewing terrace, which does require an entrance fee, but the view from up there is truly fantastic. The stone figures on the roof also look really good in photos. For me personally, however, the free view from below is more than enough, but that is of course a matter of taste.
Decide for yourself – here are some pictures of the viewing terrace for comparison:
OPENING HOURS :
Access to the Gloriette is year-round during Schönbrunn Palace park opening hours – from 6.30 AM, with varying closing times depending on the season (see Schönbrunn Park opening hours)
Viewing Terrace:
April to June: 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., July and August: 9:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., September to October 28: 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., October 29 to November 2: 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Last entry 30 minutes before closing time!
ADMISSION :
Access to the Gloriette: free of charge
Viewing terrace: Adults and children 6 years and older: € 5
WHAT TO KNOW :
The viewing terrace is only accessible by stairs!
HOW TO GET THERE :
Subway U4: station “Schönbrunn” or “Hietzing”
ADDRESS :
Gloriette, Schönbrunner Schlosspark, 1130 Vienna
These were my favorite views in Vienna’s city center and the surrounding districts, for a few more highlights I’m now heading to various outer districts – but believe me, it’s worth the trip.
12. Wilhelminenberg
A viewpoint that requires you to venture further out of the city is the view from the lawn in front of Wilhelminenberg Castle. Wilhelminenberg Castle is located in Ottakring, an outer district of Vienna, and now houses a hotel. However, the lawn in front of the hotel is open to the public for free.
From the lawn, you get a beautiful wide view of the vineyards and Vienna, making it a wonderful spot for a picnic or relaxing in the sun. If you walk to the right of the hotel into the forest, you will also find a lovely meadow with a view
OPENING HOURS :
Around the clock
ADMISSION :
Access is free of charge
WHAT TO KNOW :
Use the entrance gate to the hotel parking lot and walk past the hotel; the large lawn is at the back.
HOW TO GET THERE :
Bus 46B: station “Wien Wilhelminenberg”
ADDRESS :
Schloss Wilhelminenberg, Sagoyenstraße 2, 1160 Vienna
13. Danube Tower (Donauturm)
Also located a bit outside the city, in Danube Park (Donaupark), but easily reachable by subway, is the Danube Tower – the highest landmark in Austria.
From the observation deck at 150 meters, which is partially open and partially glassed in, you experience a unique 360° panoramic view over Vienna and beyond the city limits. On clear days, you can even see as far as the Schneeberg or Bratislava.
You can reach the Danube Tower’s observation deck comfortably via the express elevator. Interactive panorama screens provide information about the sights, and you even have the option to zoom in to examine them closely. At 170 meters, there is a revolving restaurant, and at 160 meters, you’ll find the tower café.
OPENING HOURS :
Monday to Sunday 10 AM – 10.30 PM, last ascent 9.45 PM, last descent 10.15 PM
From September 15, 2025: open until 10 PM (last ascent 9.15 PM, last descent 9.45 PM)
ADMISSION :
Adults € 18, Youths 15-19 years and students up to 27 years € 14.40, Seniors € 14.40, Children 6-14 years € 10.80, Children 3-5 years € 5.40
There are discounts of up to 20% with the Vorteilsclub Wien (only for Austrian residents) or the ÖAMTC card.
HOW TO GET THERE :
Subway U1: station “Alte Donau” or U6: station “Neue Donau” + Bus 20A: station “Donauturm”
ADDRESS :
Donauturmplatz, 1220 Vienna
14. Kahlenberg
For a view from the local mountain of Vienna, Kahlenberg, you need to travel to one of Vienna’s outer districts, Döbling. Kahlenberg is a popular excursion destination, accessible via the City Hiking Trail 1 (Stadtwanderweg 1). However, you can also easily reach it by car or bus. For the best view, you should walk from the parking lot to the right of the church to the panoramic terrace. The view of the city from there is impressive.
MY TIPP: If you walk past the hotel to the end of the path, you will reach a small viewpoint. From there, you have a view of the Danube, which is somewhat obscured from the panoramic terrace.
About 7 minutes from the parking lot or bus stop is the Stefaniewarte, from whose tower you also get a fantastic wide view of Vienna and the surrounding area. However, the Stefaniewarte is only open on weekends.
Kahlenberg is especially beautiful at sunrise and sunset! Many locals and tourists know this, so the terrace is often very crowded on pleasant summer evenings.
OPENING HOURS :
Panoramic terrace open around the clock
Stefaniewarte: May to October: Saturday 12 PM – 6 PM, Sunday and holidays 10 AM – 6 PM
ADMISSION :
Panoramic terrace: free of charge
Stefaniewarte: 1 €
HOW TO GET THERE :
Subway U4: station “Heiligenstadt” + bus 38A: station “Kahlenberg”
ADDRESS :
Am Kahlenberg, 1190 Vienna
15. Leopoldsberg
A 20-minute walk from Kahlenberg brings you to the neighboring hill, Leopoldsberg. Alternatively, you can also reach it by car or bus.
From the parking lot, take the short, steep path up to the church. From the terrace behind the church, you have a beautiful view of the Danube, the vineyards, the Ferris wheel, the Millennium Tower, and, on clear days, even Bratislava. Leopoldsberg is usually a bit quieter than the Kahlenberg’s observation terrace.
OPENING HOURS :
around the clock
ADMISSION :
free of charge
HOW TO GET THERE :
Subway U4: station “Heiligenstadt” + bus 38A: station “Leopoldsberg” ((Note: Only a few buses on this line go to Leopoldsberg – please check the schedule first!)
ADDRESS :
Am Kahlenberg, 1190 Vienna
16. Nussberg
For our next viewpoint, we stay in Döbling. If you walk down City Hiking Trail 1 from Kahlenberg towards Nussdorf, you’ll reach Nussberg. This area is quite special because you walk amidst the vineyards. You often have stunning views of Vienna along the way – simply breathtaking.
If you need a little refreshment after your hike, you’ll find some Heurigen (wine taverns) with their gardens set up in the vineyards among the vines. I always enjoy sitting in the garden with a good apple or grape juice (and of course you can also get wine) and some rolls with Liptauer, looking down over Vienna. It’s hard to find a cozier view of the city.
These Heurigen are unfortunately only open on weekends and during the warmer season, but you definitely shouldn’t miss a visit. My favorite Heurigen on Nussberg are Wieninger and Feuerwehr Wagner am Nussberg. There are a many others, and you’re sure to find your favorite.
OPENING HOURS :
Nussberg accessible year-round
Heurigen only open on weekends in good weather (usually from late April)
ADMISSION :
access free of charge
HOW TO GET THERE :
personal vehicle not allowed to access; taxis are allowed.
Best reached by Bus 38A to Kahlenberg and then walk along City Hiking Trail 1 (Stadtwanderweg 1). You can also take the Heurigen Express from Nussdorf to Nussberg.
ADDRESS :
Along Stadtwanderweg 1, Nussberg
17. Wiener Blick in Lainzer Tiergarten
I’ve already grown fond of Lainzer Tiergarten (which is not a zoo but a large recreational area on the outskirts of Vienna). Partly because one of my favorite places in Vienna is there – the Hermes Villa. I will talk more about Empress Sisi’s “Castle of Dreams” another time, and you can find a video on my Instagram account @lara.kristiin. Feel free to visit if you’re looking for more tips and inspiration about Vienna!
But back to Lainzer Tiergarten, since this time we’re interested in the view – and it’s truly impressive. From the large meadow at Wiener Blick, you have a wonderful view of Vienna. At the same time, you can relax there or enjoy a picnic.
You can reach the Wiener Blick after a 15-minute walk from St. Veiter Tor or by entering Lainzer Tiergarten through the Nikolaitor (easily reachable from subway U4 station Hütteldorf) and walking approximately 50 minutes to Wiener Blick.
OPENING HOURS :
Opening times varying by season
ADMISSION :
access free of charge
HOW TO GET THERE :
Bus 54A: station “St. Veiter Tor” + 15 min walk
Nikolai Tor: Subway U4: station “Hütteldorf” – 10 min walk to the gate + another 50 min walk to Wiener Blick
ADDRESS :
Wiener Blick, Lainzer Tiergarten, best accessed via St. Veiter Tor or Nikolai Tor
Did you enjoy our tour of Vienna’s most beautiful viewpoints? I think, even though Vienna doesn’t have a typical skyline, it’s still a wonderful feeling to see the city from above. What I love about the different viewpoints is that you get to see Vienna from various angles each time and discover something new. Which viewpoint is your favorite?
