9 of the Best Views in Vienna and Where To Find Them

You don’t need to stray far from the city center for great views in Vienna, as St. Stephen’s Cathedral (Stephansdom) stands in the heart of Vienna’s historical center. The exterior of this 12th-century cathedral is a highlight of city walking tours, but the real views begin when you climb up one of its two towers. The cathedral’s south tower offers a superior view as it is higher—only reachable by climbing up 343 stairs—but the north tower is more accessible thanks to its elevator, allowing you to pick the best option for you at this must-visit attraction.

If you want to see the Danube River in all its glory, head for the hills—specifically Kahlenberg, which is on the very edge of the city. On Kahlenberg, terraces provide sweeping outlooks over the vineyards of Grinzing, the channels of the Danube, and Vienna’s cityscape in the distance. It’s arguably the best Vienna viewpoint, even if you don’t come in spring or summer when the landscape is lush and full of life.

Insider tip: Head across to neighboring hill Leopoldsberg if the terrace at Kahlenberg is getting too crowded.

Schönbrunn Palace is famous for its dazzling scenery, from glamorous royal apartments once used by the Habsburgs to the equally lavish gardens that surround it. Following a guided tour of the palace and gardens, climb the deceptively high hill behind the palace to reach the Gloriette. The views from the crest of the hill are nice, but you'll need to keep going to the top of this large monument to really see the best of the gardens and Vienna’s skyline. It’s one of the most scenic spots in Vienna, so don’t let the incline put you off.

Combining movie trivia, history, and a relaxed approach to seeing Vienna’s skyline is the Wiener Riesenrad. Even though this city icon and staple of Vienna travel guides was built in 1897, the giant Ferris wheel still reaches an impressive 212 feet (65 meters), letting passengers get plenty of clearance above the Vienna Prater (Wiener Prater) amusement park to see Vienna’s cityscape. So don’t worry, you don’t need to have seen The Third Man for a ride on this classic attraction to be worthwhile. For a seamless experience, you can grab your tickets in advance to save time.

Reaching 820 feet (250 meters) and with outdoor and indoor viewing terraces, the Danube Tower (Donauturm) is the best place to see Vienna from above. This Vienna observation deck, which is 492 feet (150 meters) off the ground, lets you enjoy uninterrupted city views, including parts of Vienna you may not be able to see elsewhere. Visitors can also reserve a table at the tower’s revolving restaurant to maximize the view, or book tickets to the observation deck to save time.

Insider tip: Many hop-on hop-off buses stop at the Danube Tower, making this an easy addition to a sightseeing day.

Rooftop bars in Vienna aren’t that common, making Sky on Kärntner Strasse something special. The venue is hidden away above the Steffl department store in the heart of Vienna’s historical center, and from the street, you’d have no hint that it’s up there. But take the department store’s elevator up to the seventh floor, and you can see Vienna’s historical center from a new perspective, including a clear look at the roof tiles on St. Stephen's Cathedral.

Another palace that serves as one of the top places for photos in Vienna is the Belvedere Palace, and not for the reason you might think. Certainly, this site’s architecture and its gardens—home to parterres, fountains, and reflecting pools—create a brilliant backdrop for vacation photos while visiting on a city tour or exploring the palace on a museum tour to see Gustav Klimt’s The Kiss. But stand at the top of the sloping gardens, and you can see over the gardens to Vienna’s rooftops, with towers and hills emerging above.

Sea creatures and reptiles aren’t the only things to see at Vienna’s aquarium, the Haus des Meeres – Aqua Terra Zoo. This unusual aquarium occupies one of Vienna’s old concrete World War II flak towers, and at its top you’ll find one of the best hidden viewpoints in Vienna. You don’t even need to visit the aquarium to enjoy it; just take the elevator up to its rooftop restaurant and bar, 360° OCEAN SKY, and look out over the city’s rooftops while sipping on a drink.

The UNESCO–listed Vienna Woods (Wienerwald) wrap around much of the city’s western edge, but one part that’s easy to visit and also offers fantastic scenery is the Lainzer Tiergarten. This former royal hunting ground is now a wildlife preserve with woodland walking trails. Best of all, though, are its grassy hilltop clearings where you can take a break with views of Vienna, or even set up a picnic if it’s a nice day out.