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Vienna is an amazing city, where the architecture is as impressive as the city itself. Even if you're not an architecture buff, the city's stunning buildings, both historic and modern, will leave you breathless.

Several contemporary buildings showcase Vienna's embrace of modern design. These include the new campus of the Vienna University of Economics and Business at Welthandelsplatz 1, 1020 Vienna; the striking Haas House located at Stephansplatz 1, 1010 Vienna; and the soaring Uniqa Tower at Untere Donaustraße 21, 1020 Vienna.

Of course, no exploration of Viennese architecture is complete without mentioning iconic landmarks like St. Stephen's Cathedral, Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna City Hall, Hofburg Palace, the Belvedere, and Karlskirche. If you have a love for architecture, Vienna should definitely be on your travel bucket list!

However, Vienna is much more than that, it is a city that is buzzing with culture, delectable cuisine, beautiful places to see and lots of things to do. What is even more impressive is that there are many free things that you can do while visiting this European gem.

You can spend the day or maybe the week visiting some of the most amazing places by just taking a stroll or hike around the city. Of course you will have to pay to enter some of the places we have mentioned, but you can just enjoy them from the outside. Absolutely Free!

Bridges

Did you know Vienna boasts over 1,700 bridges, four times more than Venice? These numerous bridges, along with the many water fountains dotting the streets, contribute to the city's visual appeal.

Bridge enthusiasts won't want to miss the Hohe Brücke, also known as High Bridge, connecting both sides of the Wipplingerstraße.

The Reichsbrücke, considered one of the city's most famous bridges, offers a classic Viennese landmark experience. Train enthusiasts can delve into Vienna's transportation network with the Northern Railway Bridge and Stadtlauer Eastern Railway Bridge.

Water Fountains

Vienna boasts some of the most refreshing and historically significant water fountains in Europe. The oldest, the Vermählungsbrunnen fountain, graces the Hoher Markt square and is a must-visit for history buffs. The Vermählungsbrunnen, meaning "Marriage Fountain" in German, dates back to the 16th century and features intricate sculptures depicting scenes from Roman mythology.

For a masterpiece of Baroque art, head to Neuer Markt Square to admire the Donnerbrunnen fountain. This dramatic fountain features Neptune, the Roman god of the sea, surrounded by playful nymphs and seahorses. Don't miss the Pallas-Athene Fountain and the Hochstrahlbrunnen, two other notable water features in Vienna.

Museums

Free Museum Gems in Vienna
For a budget-friendly cultural experience, head to these free museums: the Money Museum (museum of the Oesterreichische Nationalbank), MUSA, and Geldmuseum. MUSA offers a unique experience with exhibition space, a platform for emerging artists (Start Gallery), and an "art library" (Artothek) where you can borrow artwork for your home.

First Sunday Free Museums

On the first Sunday of every month, you can explore these museums for free: Heeresgeschichtliches Museum (Military History Museum) Uhrenmuseum (Clock Museum) Hermesvilla Haydn House Otto Wagner Hofpavillon Hietzing Otto Wagner Pavillon Karlsplatz Pratermuseum Virgil Chapel Wien Museum Karlsplatz Römermuseum (Museum of the Romans).

Parks and Gardens

The majority of the parks in Vienna are free to the public. Some of the ones that you should check out include the Botanical Garden of the University of Vienna (which was established in 1754 and now houses over 11,000 species of plants from around the world. The garden is a facility of the Faculty of Life Sciences).

The Donaupark (the park has a lily garden, nation's garden, rose garden, a Paracelsus herb garden and a moorland garden. However, one of its most impressive feature is the 250 meters tall Danube Tower, which offers breathtaking views of the city.

If you love Japanese garden, then you should definitely visit Setagayapark, which was designed in 1992 by Japanese landscape gardener Ken Nakajima. The garden is about 4,000 square metres in size and is home to a Japanese tea house, several stone sculptures, a fountain and a "Yukimi style" stone lantern. The blossoms of the plants and flowers are breathtaking, which is due to the large variety of plants in the garden.

Other noteworthy and spectacular parks and gardens include Augarten, Kurpark Oberlaa, Kongreßpark, Volksgarten, Rathauspark, Schweizer Garten, the Prater in Vienna, Shakespeare Garden, Stadtpark and Pötzleinsdorfer Schloßpark.

Monuments

Maria Theresia Monument, Monument To Emperor Franz, Leonardo monument, Mozart Memorial Statue, Gloriette, Plague Column, Anker Clock are some of the monuments that you should definitely check out.

The monument of Maria Theresia is located in the Maria Theresien Platz, which is a large square in the Ringstrasse. You will also find the Naturhistorisches Museum (Natural History Museum) and the Kunsthistorisches Museum (Art History Museum) close by. The monument, which is classified as a World Cultural Heritage site, features empress Maria Theresa with her right hand extended and a document in her other hand.

If you love monuments and statutes, then these are some of the others that you should check out. Strauss Monument, Mozart Statue, Beethoven Statue, Monument to Empress Elisabeth, The Gates of Violence Monument, Statue of Johannes Gutenberg and Erzherzog Karl Denkmal.

Markets

There are many Viennese markets that you can visit (no! The items are not free) in Vienna. The largest of them is the popular Naschmarkt, which offers both Viennese and international food, fruits, vegetables and more. You can also have a cup of tea or coffee at one of the bistros. You should not miss the flea market, which is held on Saturdays.

The Naschmarkt is opened from Mondays to Saturdays. Karmelitermarkt is another market you should check out. It is located just minutes from the Old Town in the Second District. You will find a lot of bars, restaurants, and galleries there. You can also check out the authentic ethnic food and products they sell. It opens from Mondays to Saturdays.

Other markets worth checking out in Vienna include the Brunnenmarkt (you will find a European and Turkish food and other items. It opens from Monday to Saturday) and Rochusmarkt (you will find flowers, fruits, vegetables, grocery items and a wide selection of cheeses. It is open from Mondays to Saturdays).

Danube Island

While you might have to take a train or some form of transport to get to Danube Island, there are a couple of things that you can do there for free. You can have a bath at one of the family beaches or you can have lots of fun at the 5,000 square meter water playground. There is also a fenced area for children under the age of three.

If you are visiting Danube Island in June you can check out the free open-air party, which is know to have over three million visitors and considered the biggest open air party in Europe. Be sure to also visit Old Danube and Danube Canal a.k.a Little Danube as well.

Hiking

Hiking is a popular recreation in Vienna and is considered one of its traditions. There are many well laid out hiking trails in the city. They are Kahlenberg (path 1). It takes you through vineyards and wooded hills. You will enjoy a breathtaking view of Vienna as well as the Danube. This hike takes about three and a half to four hours.

Leopoldsberg (path 1a). You will get to enjoy the flora and fauna as well as many different views of the Danube. The distance is eleven kilometers and the hike takes between three to four hours.

Hermannskogel (path 2). This hike also takes about three to four hours and you will encounter a lot of leisure and recreational facilities in this popular area. You will also find several restaurants and taverns.

Hameau (path 3). On this four-hour hike you will get an extensive look at the woods of Vienna, as you will walk from Neuwaldegg to the wooded peak of Hameau.

Jubiläumswarte (path 4). This hike takes around three hours. It takes you through Dehnepark to Jubiläumswarte, where on a clear day you can see as far as Schneeberg.

Ottakring (path 4a). This tour takes you from Ottakring centre into the Vienna Woods. It takes about three hours.

Bisamberg (path 5). If you are traveling with kids, they will love going on this hike. When they arrive at Falkenberg (Bisamberg) they can enjoy the play area, which is ten hectares in size. This hike takes about four hours.

Zugberg-Maurer Wald (path 6). The Wotruba church, Sterngarten, an open-air planetarium and the St Georgen-Berg are some of the highlights of this hike. You will pass Zugberg and Wiener Hütte before reaching Maurer Wald. This hike takes around four and a half hours.

Laaer Berg (path 7). This is a long hike, which takes between four and five hours. You get to see the southern parts of Vienna including Kurpark Oberlaa, Laaer Wald and Bohmischer Prater.

Sofienalpe (path 8). The highlight of this hike is that you get to enjoy the beautiful nature of this part of Vienna. The hike takes about four hours.

Prater (path 9). This is another hike your kids will enjoy. This family hike is around four hours and takes you from Praterstern to Freudenau, where you get to explore the Prater recreation park.

Vienna Tours

There are many exciting adventures you can do in Vienna and its surroundings. Check out some of these tours.

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Vienna Tours You Must Check Out.

Melk Abbey and Danube Valley Day Trip from Vienna

Discover the exquisite landscapes of Austria’s UNESCO World Heritage–listed Wachau Valley on this day trip from Vienna along the famed Danube River. Travel by coach through the gorgeous Austrian countryside dotted with imposing castles...

Budapest Day Trip from Vienna - see The main sights.

Take a drive through the enchanting countryside of western Hungary on this guided coach tour to Budapest. A city rich in traditions, it is situated on the banks of the Danube, where you'll be given the opportunity to enjoy lunch and see the main sights of the city.

Croatia Day Trip from Vienna Including Capital Zagreb

Everyone that was there, fell in love with Croatia; its culture, food and people. Visit capital Zagreb and enjoy sightseeing tour with local guide by visiting top sights in Zagreb such as Ban Jelacic Square, Cathedral, St.Mark’s church and much more. This is a small group tour.

Have you ever visited Vienna? We would love to hear about your experience?