Is Vienna Worth Visiting? A Local’s Honest Review

Are you wondering if Vienna is worth visiting? Then I have got the answer for you: yes!

But of course, Vienna is not for everyone. The city is famous for stunning castles, an impressive history, and hearty cuisine.

Naturally, you’ll want to find out if it is your cup of tea before you book your vacation to Vienna.

Luckily for you, I am an Austrian native and spent considerable time in Vienna in the last few years – and I know the city by heart.

In this guide, I’ll take a deep dive into whether Vienna is worth it – and give you my honest and unfiltered opinion about the beautiful Austrian city.

Let’s get to it!

Table of Contents

• Is Vienna Worth Visiting? My Take On It!
• Pros and Cons of Visiting Vienna
  • Pros
  • Cons
• 1. The Sights & Museums
• 2. The Locals
• 3. Food & Restaurant Scene
• 5. Safety
• 6. Nightlife
• 7. Day Trips and Excursions
• 8. Hotels and Accommodations
• 9. Infrastructure
• 10. Festivals and Holidays
• Conclusion: Is Vienna Worth Visiting?
• About the Author

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Is Vienna Worth Visiting? My Take On It!

If you are just here for a quick answer, I got you covered! Vienna is definitely worth visiting. The city is as beautiful as Paris and London – and comes at a much cheaper price point.

I can’t think of anyone that won’t enjoy Vienna. There are stunning museums, impressive castles, cute alleys, and beautiful parks. And the food is so good!

As with any place in the world, there are downsides to visiting Vienna. The locals are pretty unfriendly, Vienna has issues with immigration and some people think it is stuffy.

I have visited most European capital cities, and I think Vienna can definitely compete and is worth checking out.

Depending on which time of the year you visit Vienna, you’ll either see beautiful Christmas markets, lovely spring flowers, or beautiful fall foliage. The city is pretty (almost) year-round.

Pros and Cons of Visiting Vienna

1. The Sights & Museums

My Rating: 10/10

The biggest reason why Vienna is worth visiting for me is the sights. Schönbrunn Palace, Belvedere, and the Stephansdom are truly unique buildings that you need to check out.

Many of these places have a rich history and are now museums and open to the public. Not only are they super photogenic and grand, but also so interesting to see.

I am a huge fan of the late Empress Sisi, and many of these buildings have exhibitions dedicated to her. But you can also see different exhibitions focused on art, history, and nature.

I love that most of the places don’t have long lines and expensive prices. You can usually reserve slots in advance or walk right in. Super relaxed.

The entire Inner City of Vienna is super picturesque and the archtiecture is stunning. I love the vibe.

2. The Locals

My Rating: 2/10

This might sound funny coming from an Austrian person – but the Viennese are super unfriendly and cold. Not only toward tourists but also toward each other.

Austria is typically a country with very friendly people (outside Vienna). Because the Viennese are so untypically unfriendly, we have a special name for their behavior: “Wiener Schnauze” (Vienna Snout).

Obviously, this does not mean that everyone is gonna be mean. There are lots of sweet people around too.

But in general, you shouldn’t expect friendly and happy locals who are happy to show you around.

3. Food & Restaurant Scene

My Rating: 9/10

I really love Austrian food. Schnitzel, Spätzle, and Schweinsbraten are things you absolutely need to try in Austria.

But the Viennese food scene does not only offer Austrian food – you can find literally anything in Vienna. We ate great Japanese food, delicious Italian Pasta, and more.

Overall, the restaurants in Vienna are not too expensive. Compared to other European cities you can get great meals for a great price.

Of course, there are also some fancy places that do charge a lot, but usually, you get amazing service, good food, and a nice view.

5. Safety

My Rating: 8/10

I would rate Vienna as one of the safest cities in Europe. Especially the Inner City is super safe and you can move around freely.

Even as a young girl and at night by myself, I have never felt uneasy or threatened in Vienna.

Of course, there are parts of the city that are not nice and can potentially be unsafe. As a tourist, you’ll most likely not end up there, because there is nothing really to see.

These areas might include parts around train stations or some outer districts. Try to avoid the districts  2, 10, 11, 12, 15, and 20.

Vienna is multicultural – which is both good and bad. You can see lots of (illegal) immigrants and refugees lingering around which can give you a bad feeling as a younger girl.

6. Nightlife

My Rating: 6/10

Vienna has decent nightlife. There are a couple of famous clubs and bars where you can dance the night away.

The city is not especially famous for its nightlife, and there is nothing that stands out about it. What’s cool is that in Vienna in summer you can party on the side of the Danube River.

My favorite way to party in Vienna is definitely during ball season. Think fancy dresses and awesome venues.

Vienna is not a famous nightlife destination, like Prague or Budapest. But you can still have a lot of fun in places like Volksgarten or the Prater Dome.

7. Day Trips and Excursions

My Rating: 10/10

One of the coolest things about Vienna is that it has an awesome location. From Vienna, you can explore all of Austria.

Vienna is an awesome base for a longer trip or a great starting point for road trips through Austria as well.

If you have the time, I definitely suggest you visit:

⛰️ Hallstatt

⛰️ Salzburg

⛰️ Graz

⛰️ Wachau

⛰️ Green Lake in Tragöß

8. Hotels and Accommodations

My Rating: 9/10

Vienna has lots of awesome hotels in every price range. I think you can get great deals on luxury hotels if you travel off-season as well.

Make sure to book a hotel in the Inner City, so you have everything worth seeing within walking distance. We usually stay at the Steigenberger Hotel Herrenhof or the Le Meridien Vienna.

Vienna also has lots of hostels and Airbnb’s for budget travelers – you’ll definitely be able to find something great.

A lot of hotels in Vienna are designed in the fashion of Imperial times. I definitely suggest staying at a place like that.

9. Infrastructure

My Rating: 10/10

I might be biased but I think Vienna has an amazing infrastructure. Nowhere around the world was it easier for me to find my way – and Austrian healthcare is one of the best.

You can get anywhere with public transport and it is super cheap. Roads are in great condition, so you can also venture out with a rental car.

I absolutely miss the healthcare system in Austria. Whether you need a pharmacy, doctor or dentist, you won’t have trouble in Austria.

10. Festivals and Holidays

My Rating: 8/10

One of the best things to see in Vienna is the Christmas market. Vienna is absolutely magical in winter, and you shouldn’t miss it for the world.

The biggest and most famous Christmas market in Vienna is located on the Town Hall Square. It is absolutely stunning, and you can do anything there. From eating chestnuts to sipping hot mulled wine, they have a stand for everyone.

There are also a lot of other festivals throughout the year. Most of them are pretty “artsy” and not fully my taste – but there is a lot happening for sure.

Conclusion: Is Vienna Worth Visiting?

To sum it up: yes, Vienna is definitely worth visiting. The city is beautiful, there is a lot of art and history there, and it is pretty cheap compared to other European cities.

One big downside of Vienna are the people: the locals are not friendly for the most part. Also, there are a lot of immigrants from the Middle East in Vienna, which results in a huge influx of shabby stores and restaurants that kinda ruin the atmosphere for me a bit.

But an awesome infrastructure, beautiful day trips and charming festivals totally make up for that.

I hope you enjoy Vienna as much as I did. If you need more information for planning your trip to Austria, keep on reading:

Looking for more Austria inspiration? Check these:

🇦🇹 Winter in Vienna, Austria – amazing things to do

🇦🇹 Christmas in Austria – the ultimate Bucket List

🇦🇹 A beautiful day in Hallstatt, Austria – winter and summer

🇦🇹 The most beautiful places of Styria, Austria

🇦🇹 How to plan the perfect road trip in Austria

🇦🇹 Vienna in Summer – Amazing Things to Do!

🇦🇹 10 Best Hotels Near Red Bull Ring

🇦🇹 Discover: Hallstatt Christmas Market and Activities in Winter

🇦🇹 Vienna to Hallstatt One Day Trip: Local’s Guide

🇦🇹 One Day in Salzburg Itinerary

🇦🇹 Best Time To Visit Vienna – Local’s Guide