Parks and the outdoors in Vienna

Parks and the outdoors in Vienna

1. DrinkInnere Stadt

   Alt Wien

   This cafe/restaurant/bar is on a very medieval-looking lane in the central district and is a time warp of another kind: its folky-bohemian atmosphere could convince you that you're in North Beach or Greenwich Village, circa 1967. Liveliest late.

2. DoHietzing

   Bikepath Vienna river

   Wienfluss Radweg

   A short ride of 7km is available without any traffic crossings.

   on day light

3. SeeOuter East

   Blumengärten Hirschstetten

   The Flower Gardens of Hirschstetten are run by the City of Vienna. The Gardening Department fosters their plants, which are then used in public gardens and parks. In the public section, several themed gardens (Chinese, Mexican, etc.) are installed; there is a preserved farm with petting zoo, an educational beehive, some turtles, owls and wild cats. For children, there is a big insect-themed playground available. Between Oct and March, only the orangerie is open for public. In front of the orangerie, there are popular Christmas and Easter markets during the weeks before the respective holidays.

   end of Mar - mid Oct: Tue-Sun 08:00-18:00; Jun-Aug Fri-Sun 08:00-20:00·Free

4. DoOuter South

   Bohemian Prater

   Böhmischer Prater / Familienprater

   A small historic amusement park dating back to the second half of the 19th century. Some of the rides are more than 100 years old. There is also a 21-m-high Ferris wheel. It is a lovely place to go for a longer walk. There is a BMX dirt circular track, plus a running checkpoint meet.

   Apr-Oct: Sat Sun and holidays 08:00-21:00; May-Sep: also on weekdays 09:00-12:00, 14:00-19:00

5. SeeLandstraße

   Botanischer Garten

   Botanic Gardens

   Established in 1754 by Empress Maria Theresia as a garden for medicinal plants and granted to the University of Vienna, which has maintained it since. The gardens contain a number of rare plants, including alpine specimens.

   Hours vary by season and weather, generally 10:00-15:00/18:00·Free

6. SeeInnere Stadt

   Burggarten

   It has the form of an English garden, and is directly adjacent to the Hofburg. It has a statue of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. In the summertime students like to hang out in middle of the trees.

7. DrinkHietzing

   Cafe Gloriette

   Inside the Gloriette with good view over to the Schönbrunn palace serves early breakfast, café and cakes. One has to climb up the hill of the Schönbrunn park to reach it.

   Daily 09:00-18:00

8. DrinkMargareten

   Café Rüdigerhof

   The Rüdigerhof is a typical Viennese café, hence expect rude waiters (treat them with humor) and have enough time to chill out. It offers nice seats outdoor under trees next to the Vienna river. Indoor can be very smoky.

   Open now · closes 2 am tomorrow

9. SeeOuter East

   Fatty George Jazz Museum

   Honouring the jazz musician Fatty George (1927-1985), a small museum about his life and jazz in general was opened in his native village Essling, now part of Vienna. It was installed inside a historic toilet building in a park. The park was renamed Jazzpark and a sculpture depicting jazz (the musical style) was erected in 2005 by Leopold Grausam. On the opposite side of the street one can find another park memorializing another jazz musician, Bill Grah (1928-1996).

10. SeeInner East

    Flaktürme VII

    Flak towers

    This is a pair of anti-aircraft defense towers/bunkers, built by the Luftwaffe during World War II. During construction multiple rail tracks were laid across the park, and it is believed that hundreds of war victims were buried in mass graves on the grounds, still undiscovered. At 55 m high, the round Gefechtsturm (G-Tower, or gun tower) is the highest flak tower built during the war. The pair have proven nearly impossible to remove, and are now protected because of their historic value.

    Daylight hours

11. EatAlsergrund

    Flein

    On the French ground of the French culture institute this restaurant serves good food. The lunch menu consists of two choices with one being vegetarian. Dogs are not allowed. In the nice season one can enjoy the garden. The wine selection is good and the Austrian beer is from Schrems.

    Mon–Fri 11:30-15:00, 17:30-23:30·lunch €8-10, €8-19

12. BuyOuter East

    Gewerbepark Stadlau, Gewerbepark Kagran and Shopolis

    Another cluster of suburban malls and department stores can be found west of the motorway S2. The range of shops includes mostly big chains for electronics (e.g. Media Markt, Conrad), furniture (e.g. IKEA), sports (e.g. Sports Direct, Hervis) and DIY (e.g. Obi), among others, garnished with some big supermarkets. If you are not by car, it is not the most pleasant place to access and walk around and you will find the same shops also in different parts of the city and much easier to reach.

13. SeeMariahilf

    Haus des Meeres

    Aqua Terra Zoo

    A marvelous zoo, with a rain forest glasshouse, tiny apes, aquariums with sharks, and terrariums with reptiles and venomous snakes. Other highlights include an interesting exhibit of Mediterranean sea life and the aquarium's beloved sea turtle, "Puppi." The apes and birds are allowed to freely mingle with the visitors, but don't attempt to touch or feed them. It is in one of the surviving air raid defense towers from WWII, a so-called Flakturm. During wartime, the building provided fire control for Vienna's anti-aircraft artillery, housed some of the first radar equipment, and is designed to withstand a direct bomb hit, an earthquake, and wind speeds up to an overpressure of ten bar. Its former gun emplacements are now a platform on top affording nice views over the roofs of Vienna.

    Mon-Wed 09:00-18:00, Thu 09:00-21:00, Fri-Sun 09:00-18:00·€14.20 (adults), €10.90 (concessions)

14. SeeMariahilf

    Haydnhaus

    Haydn's House

    Joseph Haydn spent the final twelve years of his life in this home, during which time he composed the oratorios The Creation and The Seasons. The house has been a museum since 1899, and careful restoration has included the small garden, which is now also open to the public.

    Tue-Sun and holidays 10:00-13:00, 14:00-18:00·€4 (adults), €3 (seniors/students/Vienna Card), free (children/youth under 19), free the first Sunday of every month

15. DoOuter West

    Kahlenberg

    The hill has a beautiful view over the Viennese vineyards and down the Danube. On clear days one clearly sees the Viennese historic center including the cathedral. Many bike or hike trails into the Wienerwald start from here.

16. EatOuter West

    Kent Restaurant

    At first approach, this looks like a greasy kebab joint strictly for Turks, but struggle past the first room and you will find a large garden and huge restaurant serving moderately priced food with an infinite supply of free Turkish bread. Good for veggies and meat eaters alike. Also try the Turkish breakfast. Take out available.

    Daily 06:00-02:00·Expect to pay under €10

17. DoHietzing

    Lainzer Tiergarten

    A beautiful nature reserve which was once the Emperor's private hunting wood; on the grounds is the Hermesvilla, the favorite mansion of Empress Elisabeth. It has several 2-10 km hiking trails. Local recreation area, in summer you can see wild pigs, deer, and many Viennese families.

    Various depending on time of year, see the website, but usually mid Feb-mid Nov 08:00-17:00

18. SeeAlsergrund

    Liechtenstein Museum

    A private collection of the Prince of Liechtenstein is exhibited in his former Viennese residences, which include the Stadtpalais (City Palace) and Gartenpalais (Garden Palace). The richly decorated picture gallery mainly exhibits Baroque paintings, with a nice portion of Rubens. Guided tours on selected Fridays in German only, registration required.

    Gartenpalais: 15:00-16:00 (admission 14:45), Stadtpalais: 17:00-16:30 (admission 14:45)·€25 (Stadtpalais), €20 (Gartenpalais); €38 (single ticket for both palaces); no discounts

19. SeeInnere Stadt

    Maria am Gestade

    This gothic church was used by sailors on the Danube river. Its name refers to the former location near the river. Communion celebrations are held in German, French, and Czech.

20. DrinkOuter West

    Mayer am Pfarrplatz

    A traditional winery since 1683, operating a popular Heuriger (wine garden) and highly-acclaimed restaurant (see listing above).

    Mon-Sat 16:00-closing, Sun and holidays 12:00-closing

21. DoInner East

    Messe Wien

    Run by Reed Exhibitions, who operate fairgrounds throughout Austria, Vienna's fairgrounds are not as known for major events as the ones in Frankfurt, Munich or Hannover, but still play host to many events important to the Austrian, Central European and German-speaking markets. The fairgrounds were completely reconstructed at the turn of the millennium and a new rotunda with a part of the historic Messeturm lattice tower placed on top was built at the main entrance, providing a beacon visible from afar.The fairgrounds are quite large, with four main halls, a congress centre and three entrances, close to U-Bahn stations Messe/Prater and Krieau on the U2. If there is an interesting event there, this may serve as a rainy-day alternative for the Prater amusement park. Most events happen January through May and October/November. Check the calendar if the event is of interest and open to the public.

22. BuyMariahilf

    Naschmarkt Flea Market

    Flohmarkt beim Naschmarkt

    Need used lederhosen? How about a doner kebab at the Naschmarkt or an Austrian war bond from the first World War? This is the place to go on Saturdays. Pick through the detritus of an imperial society, you never know what you will find hidden under that stack of terrible fuzzy sweaters. Couture gowns, communist medals from all the former Eastern Bloc countries, tobacco pipes, broken pocket watches. Worth at least a full morning. Flea markets are the best possible blend of high and low culture, and a way to truly get to know a city. Walk all the way from the flea market end of the Naschmarkt through the food stalls end to arrive at the Secession building, on the left close to the Karlsplatz metro stop. (It is illegal to export antiquities from Austria, even if you legally buy them at a market.)

    Sat and holidays 06:30-18:00

23. SeeOuter South

    Neugebäude Palace

    Schloss Neugebäude

    This 16th-century palace is said to have been built on the spot where Sultan Süleyman camped during the first Turkish siege of Vienna in 1529. After the 17th century the complex fell into disrepair, with parts reused for other building projects, and after 1945 it was converted to a storage facility and factory. Since the 1970s it has been protected, and some portions of the remaining structures have been restored. Visitors can gain access to the palace during one of the events and festivals frequently hosted here, or alternatively can participate in a regularly-scheduled tour. The palace gardens have been newly redesigned on the original garden beds, and are freely open to the public.

24. SeeWieden

    Palais Schönburg

    ehem. Gartenpalais Starhemberg

    The small Baroque garden palace is one of the earlier works of Johann Lucas von Hildebrandt. It was modified in the 19th century, and these days used as an event location.

25. SeeJosefstadt

    Palais Strozzi

    The palace was built in 1702, and once had a garden that extended to Pfeilgasse. Renovations in 1996 led to the rediscovery of old paintings dating to the period of the building's construction.

26. EatInnere Stadt

    Palmenhaus

    Brasserie Palmenhaus

    Good value for money, great ambience with imperial decor. Large mains served with a bowl of salad included. Very high ceilings, full of air and palms. Friendly staff speaks fluent English. Children-safe wide couches. Consider seating at elevated Mezzanine (reservation recommended) which has a special view over park. On warm days one can sit outside.

    Mon-Fri 10:00-24:00, Sat 09:00-24:00, Sun and holidays 09:00-23:00·Full lunch €18 (June 2016)

27. DrinkInner East

    Pratersauna

    Vienna's edgiest hot-spot club deep inside the Prater amusement park, it can be hard to find. Ask directions or take a cab. The club is a former sauna normally with a pool and sauna area depending on the current configuration. There are several dance floors, an outdoor area and a dark room.

28. SeeInnere Stadt

    Rathauspark

    The park is symmectric with a big square in the middle in front of the city hall. The park has on each grassy side a varied selection of woody plants a Japanese pagoda tree or umbrella tree and an old ginkgo.

29. EatOuter West

    Salettl!Salletl!

    Salettl Pavillon

    The restaurant next to the Bodenkultur university sees many students visitors. It has a great view plus romantic garden. It is a smokers place.

    Open now · closes 11:30 pm

30. DrinkInner East

    Schweizerhaus

    Large beer garden, some say they have the best beer in Vienna and they also offer traditional Austrian dishes at moderate prices. Also well-known for its excellent Stelze (knuckle of pork).

    15 Mar - 31 Oct: daily 11:00-23:00

31. SeeHietzing

    Schönbrunn Park

    Schlosspark

    A Baroque garden which has remained fundamentally unaltered since it first opened to the public in 1779, and popular for locals. Highlights include the Gloriette, offering grand views over the gardens, a children's Maze (Irrgarten) and Labyrinth, and the Crown Prince Garden (Privy Garden or Kronprinzengarten).

    Daily, gates open Apr-Oct 06:00, Nov-Mar 06:30; gates close at sundown (varies by month)·Free, except for the Gloriette, Maze/Labyrinth, and Crown Prince Garden (€2.20-€4.50)

32. SeeOuter East

    Seestadt Aspern

    Seestadt

    A new city area under construction. One of the biggest development areas in Europe, it will accommodate 20.000 inhabitants by 2025. 5,000 are living on the grounds of a former airfield. The modern architecture combines high living quality and state of the art building techniques and some notable buildings like the tallest wooden house with 85 m, which is under construction and some sophisticated green space and an artificial lake suitable for swimming.

33. SeeInnere Stadt

    Stadtpark

    Court painter Joseph Selleny and garden director Rudolf Siebeck designed this kind of artificial park with several small landscapes. It opened on the 21 August 1862. It houses the golden statue of Johann Strauss, which is most frequently photographed monuments in Vienna. You can also find the monuments of Franz Schubert, Franz Lehár, Robert Stolz and Hans Makart. The park is very frequently visited by locals and tourists.

34. DoOuter East

    Strandbad Gänsehäufel

    The Gänsehäufel is the biggest open air beach in Vienna, and is operated by the city. You can lie on the grass, swim in the Old Danube or swimming pools including a wave basin and a water slide. There are several other activities available like rope climbing, stand up paddling and miniature golf, but don't expect the level of an upscale waterpark. There is a large nudist section available, too. Besides leisurely activities, the whole bath is noteable for its well-preserved functionalist 1950s buildings.

    May - mid-Sep: daily 09:00-20:00·€5, wide range of reductions available

35. EatOuter South

    Tichy

    A famous Viennese place for ice cream. Famous for its Eismarillenknödel (small dumplings of vanilla ice cream with an apricot core) and Himbeereisknödel (raspberry core, vanilla ice cream, coating of ground poppy seeds). Get the big ice cream coups with waiter service or take an ice cream cone to go and sit in the park. The café has an atmosphere of the 1970s, as it was widely unchanged since.

    Mar-Sep: daily 10:00-23:00; closed in winter

36. SeeOuter West

    Türkenschanzpark

    A lovely park, inaugurated in 1888 by Austrian emperor Franz Joseph. The park is at the site of and named after a Turkish entrenchment ("Türken-Schanze") of the first Turkish siege on Vienna in 1529. It is close to the University of Agriculture, and features a variety of botanic rarities from all continents.

37. DrinkAlsergrund

    Universitats Brauhaus

    Charming beer garden in the Altes AKH campus of the University of Vienna. They serve traditional Viennese pub food as well as excellent BBQ ribs.

38. SeeInnere Stadt

    Volksgarten

    The park is famous for the big variation of beautiful roses and features old platanes. There is a monument for Empress Elizabeth and in the middle a neoclassical Theseus temple.

39. DoInnere Stadt

    Wiener Eistraum

    Vienna Ice Dream

    Every year from late January until the beginning of March a section of the park is transformed into an outdoor ice skating rink, with music. Ice skates can be rented directly onsite, and a baggage check is available. There are also a number of food and drink booths offering warm drinks including punch, mulled wine, and tea, as well as traditional Austrian food.

    Daily 09:00-22:00·€6.50 (adults), €5 (seniors/children)

40. SeeInnere Stadt

    Wiener Rathaus

    Vienna City Hall

    Designed by Friedrich von Schmidt (the architect of the Cologne Cathedral) and completed in 1883, this is the most significant neo-Gothic building in Vienna, with a 103m-high clock tower. There is a very pleasant park with two fountains in front of the building facing the Ring.

    Tours (in German) Mon Wed Fri 13:00, no registration required·Free; audioguides in English/French/Italian/Spanish available with ID

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Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Vienna (CC BY-SA 4.0).