Vienna is well known for its beauty and high quality of life. It is consistently ranked as one of the topmost livable cities in the entire world. With an incredible public transportation system, arts, culture, infrastructure, parks, entertainment, and food, it’s safe to say it deserves to be at the top. It is the model city used for urban planning conferences worldwide and is a clean city that just works the way a city should. But are there things to do in the Austrian capital of Vienna on a budget? You bet.
The Quick List:
Doner Kebab
Try one of the best Doner Kebabs in all of Europe! When we travel in Europe, we’re always on the hunt for a delicious Doner Kebab. All doners we eat are compared to the greatest of all, at Berliner Döner Wien. We’ve found a few that come close, but this one is still on the top of our list.
Sachertorte
Try one of the best cakes in the world! The famous Sachertorte at the Hotel Sacher. This may not be budget-friendly, but you’d be insane and truly missing out if you didn’t indulge in this mouthwatering treat. It’s a very simple cake, although the recipe of the Hotel’s original version is a well-kept secret.
What we know: Dense chocolate cake, apricot jam, dark chocolate icing, and an indescribable, amazing taste. There’s a shop outside the hotel where you can get a budget-sized small sample. No doubt you’ll be tempted to go back for more!
Wiener Schnitzel
You can’t visit Vienna without trying Wiener Schnitzel. It’s one of the city’s best-known dishes, and a national dish of Austria. A thin, breaded, fried veal cutlet served with lemon and often a side cucumber or greens salad. You can find this typical dish almost anywhere as you stroll the beautiful streets of Vienna.
Austrian Beer
Sample the Austrian beer. Wander into any small pub in the city and you’ll most likely find a cozy atmosphere and cold tasty suds to go along with it. Some of the small bars will feel like you’ve been transported back in time, and if you drink too many you’ll really lose sight of what century you’re in.
- Some of our favorite beers: Trumer Pils, Stiegl & Fohrenburger
- Our favorite pub: Pfiff & Co
- Best place to meet travelers: Travel Shack
Donaukanal
Take a walk along the Donaukanal. This water channel passes through the Vienna city center and features some chill hang-out spots during the summer, interesting street art, and graffiti, and is a spot frequented by skaters, joggers, and cyclists. It’s also home to the Donaukanaltreiben Festival where local amateur and professional bands rock out every June along the former arm of the Danube River.
The Graben
The Graben is a pedestrian-only zone and a famous tourist destination in the city center of Vienna. Here you can marvel at the beauty and cleanliness of the city, even in the most populated area. There’s plenty of shopping with upscale stores and eateries, but if you’re looking for things to do in Vienna on a budget, then just enjoy the people watching and the Pestsäule, a sculpture completed in 1694 to commemorate the end of the Great Plague.
Stephansdom
Visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral also known as Stephansdom. This Gothic church was originally completed in 1160 and is the most important religious building in Vienna. A visit to Stephansdom is great for anyone looking for things to do in Vienna on a budget. You can even take a peek at the interior of this elaborate church for free!
Hundertwasserhaus
The Hundertwasserhaus is a colorful apartment complex based upon the ideas of artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser. It is one of the most popular sites in Vienna, and one of the coolest buildings you’ll see anywhere. The artist hated the idea of structured, monotonous, ugly apartment buildings. His vision was to combine nature with man.
There are green roofs, trees growing from the inside of apartments and extending out the windows, and floors that have an uneven pitch, gravitating slightly up or downslope. Add this to the list of free things to do in Vienna on a budget!
Stadtpark
The Stadtpark is a beautiful municipal park where you can escape the hustle and bustle of the city and get up close and personal with Vienna’s historic artists, composers, and writers in statue form. You can enjoy a peaceful day surrounded by beautiful gardens and a peaceful river. Cost: Free-99!
Rathaus
Rathaus is Vienna’s, City Hall. It’s a magnificent Gothic-style building which is home to the office of the Mayor located on Rathausplatz. It’s also home to the Rathausmann perched atop the building standing at about 17 feet tall. After soaking it in and taking some photos, head across to Rathauspark. Cost: Zero Euros.
Burggarten
Say hello to Mozart in Burggarten. This small park is a perfect place to take a timeout and relax from a busy day on your feet. Make sure to visit the famous statue of Mozart! Afterward, you can head across the street to Maria-Theresien-Platz, a large public square.
There’s an impressively large statue of Empress Maria Theresa and this square is located at the foot of the Museumsquartier, where you can find large art museums, exhibition halls, dance centers, and more. Cost of admission for just admiring from the outside: Not a penny.
Street art
Keeping an eye out for street art while exploring is entertaining and it’s good for your budget as it costs you nothing. You can easily spend hours navigating through Vienna by foot finding hidden gems and incredible artwork. There are plenty of murals constantly popping up and changing in the city.
Scales
BROS TIP: It’s hard to spend some time in Vienna without noticing one quirky thing. There are public scales scattered throughout the city. What’s the deal with these you may be wondering? The first ones popped up in 1887 during a commemoration of the 40th anniversary of Kaiser Franz Josef’s ascent to the throne. They represented Austria’s manufacturing successes and are one of the earliest coin-operated machines in history. Even though they aren’t practical for most people these days, they represent an awareness of public health and fitness. And if you’re looking for things to do in Vienna on a budget, it’ll cost you less than a Euro to check your waistline and determine if you need a salad or if you’re ready for another schnitzel!
Pin It For Later!
Heading to Central Europe? Check Out Some Posts Before You Takeoff!
READY TO VISIT VIENNA ON A BUDGET?
**Please note, this post contains affiliate links to products and services. At no additional cost to you, we may receive a commission for purchases made through these links, which helps us keep the blog up and running.
Wow! This is really useful info. We loved our last visit to Vienna. Especially the Sacher Torte, Wiener Schnitzel and Austrian Beer! What’s not to like?
Thanks so much for reading! It’s an amazing city and we’d love to return someday. People need to know about the Sachertorte! Can you imagine going there and not trying it?!