Top 10 Free Things to Do in Vienna (Insider Guide + How to Get There)

August 6, 2025

Top 10 Free Things to Do in Vienna (Insider Guide + How to Get There)

Front view of Belvedere Palace in Vienna with its formal gardens and baroque architecture on a sunny day.

Vienna’s old-world charm and imperial legacy don’t have to cost you a cent. From grand palaces to open-air concerts and street art, these top 10 free things to do in Vienna are budget-friendly and easy to reach.

1. Schönbrunn Palace Gardens & Gloriette

Address: Schönbrunner Schloßstraße 47, 1130 Vienna
Opening Hours: Daily 08:30 AM – 05:00 PM

How to Get There:
Take U4 (green line) to Schönbrunn Station. Walk ~10 minutes to the palace entrance.
The Gloriette viewpoint is located up the hill in the back gardens.

Explore manicured Baroque gardens, Roman ruins, and fountains—all for free. Don't miss the iconic hilltop Gloriette for panoramic views.

Check Schönbrunn Tours

2. Ringstrasse Walking Tour & Historic City Center

Busy Kärntnerstrasse shopping street in central Vienna with people walking past historic buildings and cafés.

Address: Loop around Innere Stadt (1st District), Vienna
Opening Hours: Accessible 24/7 (best during daylight)

How to Get There:
Start at Karlsplatz or Schottentor using U1, U2, or U4, then walk along the ring road.

Stroll past Parliament, Hofburg Palace, Vienna State Opera, and the University. Each stop offers iconic imperial-era architecture.

Check Tours in this Area

3. MuseumsQuartier Courtyard & Enzis

View of the modern facade of the Leopold Museum at MuseumsQuartier in Vienna with people relaxing in the courtyard.

Address: MuseumsQuartier, Museumsplatz 1, 1070 Vienna
Opening Hours: Courtyard open daily

How to Get There:
Take U2 to Museumsquartier Station or U3 to Volkstheater and walk 3 minutes.

Chill on colorful Enzi loungers and enjoy the buzz of Vienna’s modern arts district—totally free.

4. Naschmarkt & Brunnenmarkt

Colorful fruit and vegetable stands at Vienna’s Naschmarkt, with a vendor arranging produce at an open-air market.

Address:

Naschmarkt: Linke Wienzeile, 1060 Vienna
Brunnenmarkt: Brunnengasse, 1160 Vienna
Opening Hours: Daily 6 AM – 2 PM (closed Sundays)

How to Get There:

Naschmarkt: U4 to Kettenbrückengasse
Brunnenmarkt: U6 to Thaliastraße, then walk 5 minutes

These vibrant local markets are great for browsing fresh produce, spices, and multicultural street food. Sampling optional, browsing is free.

5. Stadtpark & Belvedere Gardens

A panoramic view of the formal Baroque gardens at Belvedere Palace in Vienna, with symmetrical paths, fountains, and city skyline in the background.

Addresses:

Stadtpark: Parkring 1, 1010 Vienna
Belvedere Gardens: Prinz Eugen-Straße 27, 1030 Vienna
Opening Hours:
Stadtpark: Daily 6 AM – 10 PM
Belvedere Gardens: Daily 7:30 AM – sunset

How to Get There:

Stadtpark: U4 to Stadtpark Station
Belvedere: Tram D to Schloss Belvedere

Admire the famous Johann Strauss monument, baroque landscaping, and sweeping views from Upper Belvedere’s garden terrace.

6. Donauinsel (Danube Island)

Aerial view of the Danube River in Vienna, showing bridges, green parks, and modern buildings stretching across the city.

Address: Donauinsel, 1220 Vienna
Opening Hours: Open 24/7

How to Get There:
Take U1 to Donauinsel Station—you’ll land directly on the island.

This urban oasis offers peaceful river walks, cycling paths, and beach bars (free to enter). It's perfect for sunny afternoons and locals’ favorite jogging route.

7. Rathausplatz Open-Air Events

Front view of Vienna City Hall at Rathausplatz under a bright blue sky, with people and market stalls in the foreground.

Address: Rathausplatz, 1010 Vienna
Opening Hours: May–September (evenings), for festivals and film nights

How to Get There:
Take U2 to Rathaus Station, exit at Rathausplatz.

From classical concerts to film screenings and food stands, this summer festival hub brings free entertainment to the heart of Vienna.

8. Prater Park & Hauptallee

Close-up of the historic Giant Ferris Wheel in Vienna’s Prater amusement park on a cloudy day, with visible passenger cabins.

Address: Prater Hauptallee, 1020 Vienna
Opening Hours: Park open 24/7

How to Get There:

Take U1 or U2 to Praterstern, then walk 3–5 minutes into the park.

Home to the famous Ferris wheel, the Wurstelprater amusement park charges for rides, but walking or cycling through the main alley (Hauptallee) is free and relaxing.

Giant Ferris Wheel Ticket

9. Hundertwasserhaus & Danube Canal Street Art

Colorful exterior of Hundertwasserhaus in Vienna, featuring irregular windows, curved lines, and rooftop greenery.

Address:

Hundertwasserhaus: Kegelgasse 36-38, 1030 Vienna
Danube Canal: Along Donaukanal, accessible from Schwedenplatz
Opening Hours: Visible daily (best in daylight)

How to Get There:

Hundertwasserhaus: Tram 1 or O to Hetzgasse
Danube Canal: U1 or U4 to Schwedenplatz

Admire vibrant, quirky architecture and canal-side murals showcasing Vienna’s alternative art scene. Great photo ops guaranteed.

10. Free Walking Tours of Vienna

Starting Points: Often near Albertinaplatz
Opening Hours: Daily at 10:00 AM / 2:00 PM (check tour providers)

How to Get There:
Use U1 or U3 to Stephansplatz or U2 to Museumsquartier, depending on your meeting point.

These tip-based tours are led by locals and history buffs who’ll guide you through centuries of Vienna’s story—pay what you feel is fair.

FAQs About Free Things in Vienna

Are these attractions really free?
Yes! All listed locations offer free public access, although some may have additional paid exhibitions nearby.
Can I use public transport with a day pass?
Yes. A 24-hr ticket (~€8.60) or Vienna City Card is ideal for using trams, metros, and buses throughout your visit.
Is everything walkable?
Most inner-city attractions are within walking distance, but metro rides save time for outer districts like Schönbrunn and Donauinsel.

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