Small-Group History Walking Tour in Vienna: The City of Many Pasts
Overview
Discover Vienna's multi-faceted history on a 3-hour small-group, history walking tour with an expert scholar guide. Marvel at the city's iconic buildings and admire their prestigious history and breath-taking architecture. Admire Stephansdom, Museum Quartier, and many other iconic sites.
Inclusions
- 3-hour guided walk in the company of an historian guide
What to expect
Vienna is not just a city of one past, but a city of many pasts. Delve into Vienna's past and present on an insightful 3-hour walking tour of its colorful history and architecture. Your tour begins at Michaelerplatz, where the Hofburg, the Habsburg’s imperial palace and seat of power since the thirteenth century, dominates the square. Clockwise from the palace is the green and gray Loos House, designed by Austrian architect Adolf Loos (1870 1933).
From there, the tour continues down Kohlmarkt and the Graben, currently one of the city’s most fashionable shopping districts and home to such varied sights as a plague column, a baroque church, grand buildings in many different architectural styles, and the national architectural icon of Austria: Stephansdom.
The tour takes in three areas associated with the Habsburg’s grandiose tripartite burials. While St. Stephen’s Cathedral is the final resting place for their imperial entrails, the humble Capuchin Church nearby houses centuries of sarcophagi of Vienna’s rulers, and St. Augustine’s Church, which contains dozens of silver urns containing the hearts of the Hapsburgs.
Along the edge of the inner city, examine remnants of the old city walls from the 12th century. These walls protected the city from two sieges by the Ottoman Empire (1529 and 1683) but were eventually torn down to make way for the grand circular boulevard of the Ringstrasse (Vienna’s answer to Paris’s grand boulevards).
The walk continues to Schwarzenbergplatz, where a massive fountain and memorial to the Russian soldiers who died liberating Vienna from the Nazis dominates an area where most of the city’s embassies can be found. After a quick detour to the Belvedere Palace, head back towards Karlsplatz and enjoy a stunning view of one of the gold-domed Secession building and the Naschmarkt.
Finally, weave through the Museums Quartier and Maria Theresien Platz, home to the city’s largest concentration of museums, while discussing the present day cultural, political, and economic orientations of Austria and its capital.
From there, the tour continues down Kohlmarkt and the Graben, currently one of the city’s most fashionable shopping districts and home to such varied sights as a plague column, a baroque church, grand buildings in many different architectural styles, and the national architectural icon of Austria: Stephansdom.
The tour takes in three areas associated with the Habsburg’s grandiose tripartite burials. While St. Stephen’s Cathedral is the final resting place for their imperial entrails, the humble Capuchin Church nearby houses centuries of sarcophagi of Vienna’s rulers, and St. Augustine’s Church, which contains dozens of silver urns containing the hearts of the Hapsburgs.
Along the edge of the inner city, examine remnants of the old city walls from the 12th century. These walls protected the city from two sieges by the Ottoman Empire (1529 and 1683) but were eventually torn down to make way for the grand circular boulevard of the Ringstrasse (Vienna’s answer to Paris’s grand boulevards).
The walk continues to Schwarzenbergplatz, where a massive fountain and memorial to the Russian soldiers who died liberating Vienna from the Nazis dominates an area where most of the city’s embassies can be found. After a quick detour to the Belvedere Palace, head back towards Karlsplatz and enjoy a stunning view of one of the gold-domed Secession building and the Naschmarkt.
Finally, weave through the Museums Quartier and Maria Theresien Platz, home to the city’s largest concentration of museums, while discussing the present day cultural, political, and economic orientations of Austria and its capital.
Additional information
- A maximum of 6 people per booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
kendrac875
June 2023
Our tour guide Katarina was very knowledgeable and it was wonderful to walk around Vienna with her historical context.
Our tour guide Katarina was very knowledgeable and it was wonderful to walk around Vienna with her historical context.Alexis_A
June 2023
We were thrilled to have Katarina as our guide on this tour as she was also our private guide at Schonbrunn Palace. She was so knowledgable about the history of Vienna, taking us to the main tourist spots but also to some places off the beaten track. She offered us suggestions for places to eat, ...
We were thrilled to have Katarina as our guide on this tour as she was also our private guide at Schonbrunn Palace. She was so knowledgable about the history of Vienna, taking us to the main tourist spots but also to some places off the beaten track. She offered us suggestions for places to eat, additional places we should check out in Vienna and made sure that we had directions anywhere we needed. Highly recommend!Renata_N
July 2019
Fantastic tour! Historical, great way to start in Vienna! The Guide Angelika was amazing! Brilliant!
Fantastic tour! Historical, great way to start in Vienna! The Guide Angelika was amazing! Brilliant!Ann_P
August 2021
I ended up being the only person on the tour with Annelie Pichler. It was AMAZING. I can't speak highly enough of my time with her. I recommend everyone take her tour. It's one of the most enjoyable ones I've gone on. She is incredibly knowledgeable, great personality, and took me to the famous a...
I ended up being the only person on the tour with Annelie Pichler. It was AMAZING. I can't speak highly enough of my time with her. I recommend everyone take her tour. It's one of the most enjoyable ones I've gone on. She is incredibly knowledgeable, great personality, and took me to the famous and secret places in Vienna. Definitely take this tour.Meehan74
January 2020
We were lucky enough to have Suzanne all to ourselves on a public holiday. She was warm, friendly, extremely knowledgeable and with a sense of humour. We normally feel quite intimidated by guided tours so don't tend to book them. But with only 2 nights in Vienna we needed to make the very best o...
We were lucky enough to have Suzanne all to ourselves on a public holiday. She was warm, friendly, extremely knowledgeable and with a sense of humour. We normally feel quite intimidated by guided tours so don't tend to book them. But with only 2 nights in Vienna we needed to make the very best of our time and Suzanne certainly made that happen and made it a great experience. We were able to ask as many questions as we liked and had a real education. In winter wrap up siper warm - it was bone chillingly freezing after 3 hours almost all outside! Saw lots of important buildings and almost everything was outdoor and in quite a small geographical part of the sprawling Vienna. That was fine by us as it allowed us to get a gauge of our near environs. It was lots about the architecture which isn't something we were familiar with but it really enhanced our break Couldn't recommend more highly.lancey157
January 2020
Such a valuable introduction to the city. Our guide Ilse was fantastic. If you are interested in the history and origins of Vienna, this small group talk is great.
Such a valuable introduction to the city. Our guide Ilse was fantastic. If you are interested in the history and origins of Vienna, this small group talk is great.