ViennaCapital
Austria · Country profile
Vienna is Austria’s stately, graceful capital, a city of imperial palaces, coffee houses and waltz that feels as refined as the danube it sprawls along. The Schönbrunn and Belvedere palaces, the Kunsthistorisches Museum and a music scene built around Mozart and Beethoven give it world-class culture, while the Naschmarkt and the city’s famous cafés keep things deliciously civilised. Yet Vienna is also a forward-looking, bike-friendly city with a superb metro, green vineyards on its edge and a lively after-hours scene beyond the classical facade. Elegant, safe and endlessly walkable, Vienna is old Europe at its most polished.
About Vienna
Vienna is the capital of Austria. The city's documented population is around 2,040,914 people. For visitors from abroad, the local currency is the Euro (EUR) and German is spoken; the dialling code is +43. It is served by 1 airport in our guide: Vienna International Airport.
Coffee Houses, Imperial Palaces and Standing-Room Opera
Vienna is a stately, elegant capital of imperial palaces, coffee houses and a world-class classical music scene. Everything is refined, reliable and well-organised — a city where the metro runs like clockwork and the cafés are institutions. The cultural payoff is enormous, from the Kunsthistorisches Museum and the Belvedere to the opera and the concert halls. Yet the older, formal image hides a more liveable, bike-friendly and quietly modern city, with green vineyards at its edge. It is a place to slow down, dress well and soak up centuries of high culture with effortless comfort.
Book Early for the Palaces and the Music
Book the Schönbrunn Palace and the main museums for timed slots in peak season — the queues are real and the palaces reward early entry. The city’s public transport is superb, and a single ticket system covers the metro, trams and buses. The cafés are part of the culture — order a coffee and sit, and don’t be rushed. The music scene is a highlight, so book concert and opera tickets well ahead, and dress smartly for the big venues. Summer is warm and crowded; the winter months bring the famous Christmas markets. Card acceptance is widespread, but cash helps in small cafés.
The Ring, the Trams and the Vineyards on the Edge
The metro, trams and buses share one ticket system and are the easy way around — many central sights are within walking distance of the Ring, the grand boulevard that circles the historic core. The opera and concert halls are among the world’s finest; standing room is affordable if you are flexible. The coffee-house tradition deserves time — it is a way of life, not a quick stop. The Naschmarkt is a lively fresh-food market, and the city’s parks and the vineyards on the edge offer a leafy escape. Vienna is safe, formal in the best sense and easy to love on foot.
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- Country
- Austria
- Population
- 2,040,914
- Coordinates
- 48.1103, 16.5697
- Capital
- Vienna
- Region
- Europe
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Languages
- German
- Calling code
- +43
- Country code
- AT
Entry requirements for Austria
Visa status for travellers from common origins visiting Austria for tourism.
Getting to Vienna
Airports we list for Vienna:
Frequently asked questions
Is Vienna the capital of Austria?
Yes — Vienna is the capital of Austria.
What currency do I need in Vienna?
The local currency is the Euro (EUR). Languages spoken in Austria include German.
What is the dialling code for Austria?
The international dialling code for Austria is +43.
Which airport should I fly into for Vienna?
Vienna International Airport (VIE) is the airport we list for Vienna.
Do I need a visa to visit Austria?
It depends on your passport. Among the origins we track, travellers from Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda and Argentina currently enter Austria visa-free for tourism. Use the entry requirements tool to check your own nationality and purpose of travel.
Flying out of Vienna? Check the entry requirements for your destination in our entry requirements tool before you fly.