Spice up your trip to Vienna with a little adventure. Venture outside and do things that although define Vienna, but go far beyond mere city sightseeing.
Last updated: June 9, 2025
Explore Different Side of Vienna
One of the leading cities in Central Europe, Vienna is world-famous for its remarkable architecture and rich cultural heritage. So naturally, the city offers a plethora of splendid landmarks, historic sites, and top-notch restaurants and shops that you need months to give them deserved attention.
We wanted to see different sides of Vienna, do things that go far beyond just mere sightseeing. Things that still have “a pure Vienna style” written all over them, but without a particular place or site attached to them.
You are invited to join us and explore fun things you can do in Vienna without stepping inside its iconic buildings.
5 MUST-DO THINGS IN VIENNA (BEYOND REGULAR SIGHTSEEING)
1. Take a Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride
Horse-drawn carriages are not pure-Vienna, or even Austria, thing. You will find similar activity in historic centers all over Europe. Even New York City with all its chaotic and yellow-taxi vibe adopts this vintage mode for entertainment purposes. Yet only in Vienna, horse-drawn carriages, known as Fiakers, have become a symbol of the city. Riding in one of these 18th-century “cars” is one of the must-do things, especially if it’s your first visit to Vienna.
Carriage Rides: There are different options to try horse carriage rides in Vienna. You can book your horse carriage tour in advance. Usually one coach fits up to four people. The price depends on the program and time you’d like to spend expiring Vienna from the comfort of the carriage.
Alternative Rides: You don’t need to travel to Vienna with all attractions and things you want to do and see planned out beforehand. The prior planning may be necessary for many other activities, but horse-drawn carriage rides. You can easily flag your “ride” almost everywhere in Innere Stadt, the Old Town of Vienna.
TIP: Your best location choice will be the iconic St. Stephen’s Cathedral or the Hofburg. Make sure to familiarize yourself with the prices in case you need to haggle with a driver.
2. Immerse Yourself in Coffee Culture of Vienna
For all coffee drinkers, the capital of Austria is your dream destination. Indulging in different coffee drinks is one of the first things to do upon arrival in Vienna. Widely known for its coffee culture, the city managed to award coffee with its own festival.
Vienna Coffee Festival normally takes place in September and takes you on a wild journey of sampling, discovering, and rediscovering the old and new flavors of coffee and caffeinated drinks. If you are looking for unconventional things to do in Vienna, then this event is your prime ticket into the world of the rich contemporary culture of the city.
TIP: Make sure to learn a thing or two about Vienna’s popular coffee drinks. Ordering just “a coffee” may get you awkward looks and label you as “that ignorant tourist”.
Coffee Drinks: Some of the most favorite drinks include a kleiner or grosser Schwarzer (a single or double espresso) and Verlängerter (an espresso without milk, diluted with hot water). Espresso lovers can furthermore choose between a kleiner or grosser Brauner, which is a single or double espresso with milk or cream on the side. Other popular coffee drink are Einspänner, an espresso topped with whipped cream, and Häferlkaffee, a simple coffee with milk served in a mug.
3. Eat Apfelstrudel (Apple Strudel)
Eating sweets, in particular Apfelstrudel, is one of the must-do things in Vienna that goes so well with the city’s coffee culture. Similar to coffee, this signature pastry is available at any cafe, restaurant, and even street stalls.
Furthermore, many locals make their own homemade Apfelstrudel. The recipe slightly changes from house to house, with the addition of extra spices or vanilla. But the cooking principle and main ingredients stay the same: Vienna’s Appfelstudel is usually stuffed with apples, raisins, sugar, and cinnamon.
READ MORE: Maroni – Roasted Chestnuts in Vienna (Recipe Included)
4. Try Wiener Schnitzel
Another must-try thing from the culinary scene of Vienna is Wiener Schnitzel. This Viennese specialty is a deep-fried breaded boneless veal dish. Usually you garnish it with lemon and fresh parsley and eat with salad, steamed potatoes, or French fries.
Wiener Schnitzel is one of the most popular dishes in the city. It’s one of those delicacies that you can find at most sit-down restaurants and cafés and street food stalls, served in a bread ball as Schnitzelsemmel.
5. Ice-Skate in Front of Rathaus
In the winter, enjoying the Vienna Ice World, one of the largest open-air artificial ice rinks in the world, is one of the things you’ve dreamed about all season long. The ice rink is located in the Rathausplatz and is available from January until March.
While this activity is not free, it’s worth all the money. For several euros, the Vienna Ice World takes you to the winter wonderland filled with fun, joy, and laughter, way far beyond usual sightseeing and guided tours.
Vienna’s Must-See Attractions
If after all these fun things in Vienna, you still have room for some traditional experiences, check out a few gorgeous sites the city is famous for. You might have noticed by now that Vienna is not just a city. It’s a museum-city.
Old Town: The entire Innere Stadt has been recognized as a UNESCO site. Take a walk along these gorgeous streets and admire exquisite architecture, the direct illustration of the rich culture and history of the city.
Popular Landmarks: Other examples of the marvelous architecture are the Rathaus (City Hall), the Parliament Building, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the Hofburg Imperial Palace, and the Vienna State Opera, arguably one of the most visited places in Vienna.
Shopping: For shopping and dining, go no farther than Kärnten Strasse and Graben, known for their upscale shops and trendy cafes.
Beyond the Innere Stadt of Vienna
Some must-see sites are located outside of the walkable Old Town. So, to see the eccentric Hundertwasserhaus, you need to master the U-bahn (metro) and wander through a residential area for another eight minutes.
The same goes for Schönbrunn Palace, the heart and soul of the city. The place is located in Hietzing about 30-40 min away from the historic center (by public transportation).
Where to Eat
Dining can quickly become your biggest money drainer after airplane tickets and accommodation. Furthermore, not all restaurants are able (or willing. Yes, it happened) to accommodate your dietary preferences.
On the other hand, street food is amazing. We had no problem finding delicious vegan and vegetarian dishes at cute small diners and street stalls. Needless to say, this food also costs significantly less than at the majority of the sit-down restaurants.
Language
Language barrier is almost non-existent in the capital of Austria. Even though the official language is German, many locals speak or have some basic knowledge of English.
READ MORE: How Do You Actually Learn a New Language?
