The Parliament in Vienna – Your guide to the free tour
Along the elegant Ringstraße in Vienna, one impressive building after another catches the eye, but one will particularly stand out to you. A grand white structure in the style of a Greek temple, with huge columns, a fountain, and an imposing statue of a goddess. This building is the Austrian Parliament and undoubtedly one of Vienna’s architectural gems. After extensive renovations, it reopened in 2023, and a visit to this fascinating place is definitely worth your while.
In this guide, I will provide you with everything you need to know for your visit to the Austrian Parliament, from the must-see highlights to useful tips to make the most of your visit. At the end of the article, there’s also a “Hidden Gem” waiting to be discovered.
What you should know before visiting the Austrian Parliament in Vienna
ou have several options for visiting the Parliament:
- Join a free guided tour
- Explore the visitor center
- Visit one of the cafes/restaurants
I will go into more detail about each of these options later.Du hast mehrere Möglichkeiten das Parlament zu besuchen:
How much does it cost to visit the Parliament?
Visiting the Parliament in Vienna is completely free, whether you join a tour or simply visit the visitor center.
How do I register for a visit to the Parliament?
The bureaucratic part comes first. To enter the Parliament, you need to register online in advance on the Parliament’s website. You’ll need to provide your name, date of birth, and email address, and select the date of your visit. You will then receive a QR code that you need to present at the entrance along with an ID. After passing a security check, you’ll enter the Parliament’s visitor center.
When can you visit the Parliament?
The Parliament is open to visitors during the following hours (last entry is always 30 minutes before closing time, and on Saturdays, it is one hour earlier):
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8 AM to 6 PM
- Thursday from 8 AM to 9 PM
- Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM
Tours are available on various days and times; check the Parliament’s website for exact schedules.
From the outside, the Parliament is accessible around the clock.
How to get to the Parliament?
The Austrian Parliament is located on the Ringstraße (Dr.-Karl-Lueger-Ring) next to the Vienna City Hall and is very accessible by foot from the city center – about a 15-minute walk from Stephansplatz.
Tram lines 1, 2, 71, and D (Station: Parlament or Ring/Volkstheater) and subway line U3 (Station: Volkstheater) stop nearby.
Street parking is available in the vicinity, especially on the back side of the Parliament, but finding a spot can be difficult. Keep in mind that Vienna has a widespread short-term parking zone from Monday to Friday between 9 AM and 10 PM. Additionally, there are several parking garages around the Parliament.
Guided tours of the Parliament in Vienna
f you want more than just a glance at the Parliament from the outside, I highly recommend the free guided tours. Tours on various topics are offered, such as architectural tours or tours for children and families. These free tours are available in German or English (sometimes in other languages like Spanish, French, or Italian) and last between 55 and 85 minutes, with a maximum group size of 20 people.
I attended the 55-minute architectural tour and found it very interesting and enjoyable, thanks to our friendly guide. During the tour, you get a glimpse of the Parliament’s architecture and history and see the most beautiful rooms, such as the Column Hall, the Historic Plenary Hall, and the Vestibule.
How to book a tour of the Parliament in Vienna
You can easily book tours online and choose from the different options available.
A Few Tips for Booking Your Tour:
- You can book a tour up to 28 days in advance. I recommend making a reservation as dates often get booked up days in advance.
- Unfortunately, despite having a booking, it is possible for a tour to be canceled at the last minute due to “parliamentary necessity.” I only made it on the 4th attempt, before that I always got an e-mail the evening before saying that the tour was canceled. There is no replacement date, so you would need to book a new tour, which can be challenging for visitors to Vienna.
- If you don’t get a slot, you can try asking on-site if there are any last-minute cancellations. Sometimes you might be lucky and get a spot.
Be sure to book the correct tour (Parliament/Main Building); there are also tours available for Palais Epstein.
What rooms can you visit during the tour through the Parliament in Vienna?
Here are some highlights of the rooms you can see on the tour:
The Historic Plenary Hall (Historischer Sitzungssaal) was the highlight for me, with its many columns and marble statues. The hall is still used for special sessions.
For me the Column Hall is one of the most beautiful rooms in the Parliament.
As well as the Vestibule, where I particularly admired the beautiful Vries painting.
The tour ends in the modern National Council Chamber, where you can experience what it’s like to be a member of parliament and take a commemorative photo at the speaker’s podium.
Can you visit the Parliament in Vienna without a tour?
You can enter the Parliament without a tour, but you won’t have access to the most beautiful rooms like the Column Hall or the Historic Plenary Hall. If time allows, you should definitely join a tour.
With your registration and after the security check, you will enter the visitor center “Demokratikum” of the Parliament. Here, you can learn more about parliamentary democracy and the history of the Austrian Parliament through interactive media stations. You can also visit the library and one of the restaurants or cafes.
Die Restaurants und Cafes im Parlament
If you want to take a break, there are options available within the Parliament:
On the 3rd floor, you’ll find Bistro Kelsen for breakfast, snacks, and pastries. There’s also the Cantina and the à la carte Restaurant Kelsen, which are open for lunch only.
On the ground floor, between the information desk and the library, is Café Agora, where you can try various pastries or enjoy a drink.
On the 3rd floor, you’ll find Bistro Kelsen for breakfast, snacks, and pastries. There’s also the Cantina and the à la carte Restaurant Kelsen, which are open for lunch only.
Insider Tip: Palais Epstein Tour
Palais Epstein is located right next to the Parliament, and you can also visit it as part of a free tour. It is the only Palais on the Ringstraße that has largely remained unchanged and is still accessible for tours. During the fascinating tour, you will learn a lot about the building’s history and the Epstein family, offering insights into society and life during Vienna’s Gründerzeit. I found these stories very exciting and had a few aha moments!
The architectural aspects of the Palais are also very interesting, as it was a major project between Theophil Hansen (architect of the Parliament) and Otto Wagner. The tour includes many beautiful elements, from the covered vestibule to the rooms on the first floor, such as the banquet hall, ballroom, dining room, and salons. You’ll also be surprised by small technical “gimmicks” and end with a special discovery found during the renovation, which I won’t spoil here!
When are tours of Palais Epstein held?
As Palais Epstein is used as an office building by the Parliament, tours are only held on Saturdays at 10:30 AM and 12:30 PM in German and at 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM in English, duration of the tours is 55 minutes.
How to book a tour of Palais Epstein?
You can book the tour through the Parliament’s website, and no separate registration is required. However, tours are only possible with a guide. The meeting point for the tour is at the main entrance of the Parliament, behind the Pallas Athena Fountain.
The Parliament in Vienna is not only one of the most beautiful buildings in the city from the outside but also offers an impressive experience inside. This guide has shown you what you need to know before your visit, how to register, and how to book a tour. The insight into the magnificent interior makes the tour a real highlight for both locals and visitors—and the fact that the tours are free is a great bonus. Enjoy your visit!
Do you have any questions about visiting the Parliament in Vienna? Feel free to ask, and I’ll be happy to help.
