Travelling to Austria? Discover the best guided tours in Vienna, a city of art and heritage.
To visit Vienna is to discover an art of living, a unique refinement and an exceptional heritage. All preserved in a modern, dynamic urban setting. The people of Vienna are proud of their reputation, and do everything in their power to maintain it. Vienna is a jewel at the crossroads of Germanic, Slavic and Latin culture. What better starting point to discover a whole part of our history? To discover all that this radiant city has to offer, we’ve selected the best ideas for guided tours in Vienna. Ready to embark on an unforgettable journey?
Vienna in a nutshell
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Located in the west of Austria, Vienna is nevertheless the country’s focal point. It is marked by the eminent role it has played over the centuries. As a result, Vienna boasts an incredible, prestigious and imperial heritage. Despite the wounds of war, the city has managed to rebuild itself and regain its unrivalled prestige.
Today, Vienna is characterized by a dynamism that juxtaposes historic architecture with ultramodern, not to say futuristic, concepts. But in the end, this is what gives it its character as an imperial city open to the world. There are very few cities in Europe that can boast such a wealth of heritage, art, culture and even gastronomy.
Visit Vienna in French
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Vienna offers a wide range of guided tours, many of them in French. So, whether you buy your tickets on specialized activity platforms or use private service providers (lecturers, independent local guides), Vienna is within your reach. There are many ways to discover a city, so choose the one that suits you best… in French!
Heritage in Vienna
Iconic monuments combined
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If there’s anything worth visiting in Vienna, it’s its historic buildings. St. Stephen’s Cathedral (Stephansdom), Hofburg Palace, Schönbrunn Palace, Belvedere Palace, Parliament, Opera House, Mozart’s House… So many Viennese magnificences that we highly recommend. Many of Vienna’s guided tours offer combinations of these monuments.
Of course, you won’t be able to see everything, unless you stay for a very long time. Vienna is a rich city, and one in which you need to take the time to linger. A guided tour is the perfect way to learn a lot in a short space of time.
Visit building by building
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Here’s another way to discover Vienna’s heritage: linger on one place, then another. But if it takes you longer, it has the advantage of allowing you to discover a place in its entirety. For example, if you choose to visit Schönbrunn Palace, you’ll spend almost four hours there, but imperial history will hold no secrets for you.
The Capuchin Crypt
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The Capuchin Crypt in Vienna is a very special place. It’s where emperors, empresses and members of their families rest in peace. The tombs are impressive, and the light contrasts sharply with the darkness. Be warned, however, that a place like this can be unsettling for some people.
Nevertheless, the Crypte des Capucins is a place where you can learn a great deal about imperial history and its protagonists.
Art and culture in Vienna
Gustav Klimt, idol of a country
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If in France we have iconic artists like Cézanne, Renoir and Matisse, Austria has Klimt. Gustave Klimt is an Austrian artist whose work can be found all over Vienna. It’s an intriguing craze, and one that prompts us to discover his story!
In fact, almost all souvenir stores sell items featuring his art, so if you’d like to take a little gift home…
Classical music concert
Long considered the capital of music, Vienna is the ideal place to attend a classical concert. Many musical composers have lived in the Austrian capital. In particular, the famous Mozart, Beethoven and Schubert… Pay tribute to them, and treat yourself to a few moments of classical influence!
Gastronomy in Vienna
Food Tours in Vienna: wine and strudel
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Viennese gastronomy is a veritable institution, and the locals know it. That’s why there are guided tours in Vienna based on culinary discovery. Take a tour of the wine cellars, at the end of which you’ll be treated to a tasting! Alternatively, visit Schönbrunn Palace and enjoy a strudel with a chocolate or coffee that only the Viennese know the secret of!
A unique culinary experience: making chocolate!
Photo credit: Facebook – Chocolate Museum Vienna
Combined with a visit to the Musée du Chocolat, this is a unique experience: become a chocolatier! Learn how to handle chocolate, and create personalized products. You’ll have professional tools at your fingertips, and you’ll be able to take your creations home with you (or eat them straight away).
Guided tours from Vienna
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Vienna has the geographical distinction of being very close to two other major capitals: Bratislava (65 kilometers) and Budapest (250 kilometers). As a result, day trips to Slovakia or Hungary are easy. What’s more, some of these tours include a gastronomic option: lunch or coffee and traditional cake.
An opportunity to discover a little more about Central Europe, through these capitals, all three crossed by the Danube.
And for those who can afford it, you can choose to sail from Vienna to Bratislava or Budapest. So, for a day, travel in a different way and treat yourself to an unforgettable, fun-filled river trip, right at the heart of your holiday.
The different ways to visit Vienna
On foot
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As a capital city on a human scale, it goes without saying that Vienna can be visited on foot. It’s a city to behold, with historic and modern architectural structures. Whether you opt for a private or group walking tour, discover the best of Vienna from its streets, accompanied by a local guide who will tell you all there is to know.
By bus
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As in any self-respecting big city, there are plenty of opportunities for guided bus tours, from multi-level to multi-stop, to suit all tastes and budgets. These services have the advantage of taking you to the vast majority of Vienna’s points of interest. But above all, it gets you away from the crowds and gives you time to get a good look at the buildings.
By bike
Photo credit: Unsplash – Norbert Levajsics
Vienna is an incredible city, and being able to discover it by bike is an added bonus. With a local guide, conquer the imperial city. However, interior tours of the buildings are rarely included. In reality, the aim is to offer you a pleasant experience, so that you can get the most out of the city. The ideal way to admire part of the city, right down to the banks of the Danube.
In a retro electric car
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Dmytro Khlystun
Why not take a step back in time and visit Vienna? Then let yourself be tempted by the retro electric car! What’s more, an accompanying guide will help you discover the city and its history. The itinerary is carefully planned to show you Vienna’s points of interest. In small groups of no more than five people, discover the secret of Vienna in a fun, carbon-neutral and silent car!
By boat
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Dmytro Khlystun
Vienna is crossed by the Danube, a 3000-kilometer river that crisscrosses Central Europe, from Germany to Romania. There are a number of cruises that allow you to discover river Vienna aboard tourist or private vessels. The advantage is that you can talk to the captain if you have any special wishes. So let yourself be tempted by a guided tour offering a unique angle on the city.
Map of hotels and accommodation – Vienna,at