15 Vienna Hidden Gems You Don't Want to Miss, Austria (original) (raw)

Vienna, Austria, is filled to the brim with historical treasures and monuments.

Once you’ve covered all the essential sites, like Schönbrunn Palace, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the Belvedere Palace, and the Vienna State Opera, it’s time to venture off the beaten path.

Curious what gets left off most people’s Vienna itineraries? Good – us too! Well, we’re going to fill you in on all our favorite hidden gems and secret places in Vienna.

This post is borne out of years of exploring Austria’s capital city together.

From modern architecture and wine cellars to concept stores and palaces, there’s something on this list for everyone. And, if you live in Vienna, you’ll probably discover something new too.

Our list doesn’t include the glorious State Hall of the Austrian National Library, or Palmenhaus, because these two attractions are fairly well-known.

However, if you haven’t visited them, they are definitely worth seeing. And finally, here are our favorite hidden gems in Vienna.

Some of the following attractions are seasonal, so make sure to read the full description, before setting off.

Inside the Otto Wagner Villa, Ernst Fuchs Museum, Vienna Hidden Gems

1. Schlumberger Cellar World

If you love wine

Schlumberger Cellar World, Vienna Hidden Gems and Best Kept Secrets, Austria

If you’ve ever walked into a grocery store in Vienna, you’ve probably seen the memorable Schlumberger Sekt bottles.

They’re the ones with the fairy logo. If you haven’t, please remedy that asap. Or, even better, head to Schlumberger Cellar World and visit Austria’s oldest sparkling wine cellars.

At Schlumberger Cellar World, you can take an audio guide tour through their 300-year old cellars. This excellent self-guided tour navigates you through the process of making bottle-fermented wine – the production method that Schlumberger has employed since the mid-1800s.

It’s the same method used in Champagne, France. As you walk through the cellars, you’ll probably see people riddling (turning and angling) the wine bottles by hand.

What makes Schlumberger sparkling wine especially unique is that all the grapes are sourced from Austrian winegrowers. So, the base wine is made from blends of Austrian varietals like Grüner Veltliner, Welschriesling, and Weissburgunder as well as Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

After the 50-minute tour, you can taste Schlumberger’s famous sparkling wines.

If you’ve opted for Connaisseur tour, you’ll sample (1) Sparkling Brut, (2) Pinot Noir Brut Reserve, (3) Chardonnay Brut Reserve.

In addition, you can try other Schlumberger specialty wines for an additional 5 EUR per glass. Bonus Tip: try the memorable Vintage Blanc de Noirs Brut.

We promise that you’ll leave this Vienna hidden gem with a newfound appreciation for sparkling wine – we certainly did.

Visiting Schlumberger Cellar World Info

The audio guide is available in 8 languages: German, English, Spanish, Italian, French, Russian, Chinese, Japanese.

Opening Hours | Current opening hours

Entrance | 12 – 22 EUR per person depending on the tour selected

How to Get to Schlumberger Cellar World | Take the subway line U4, or U6 to Spittelau station. From Spittelau, it’s a 2-minute walk.

Address | Heiligenstädter Strasse 39, 1190 Wien | Google Maps

2. Burggasse 24

If you love vintage clothing and concept stores

Burggasse 24 Concept Store, Vienna Hidden Gem, Austria

Burggasse 24 is a two-floor concept store with an in-house café in Vienna’s 7th district. The name of the store is also the store’s address. We stumbled upon this unique shop completely by accident.

The retail side of the store features one-of-a-kind vintage clothing items. You can tell that everything has been selected with care. If you love dressing up, hunting for unique pieces, or building your own costume, you’ve got to check this place out.

I (Sabrina) was searching for a ball dress in Vienna and failing miserably to find anything I liked. However, within 10 minutes of being in 24, I found and bought a silk dress, originally made for the Vienna stage.

The other side of the shop is a charming café. The Burggasee 24 Café is a lovely place to curl up with a book or meet your friends. It gets really busy during the weekend (especially during brunch), so make sure to make a reservation. Otherwise, come during the week.

Tips for Visiting Burggasse 24 | Bring cash and don’t come on a Sunday. While the café is open on Sunday, the store is not.

Store Hours | Monday – Friday from 11 am – 7 pm. Saturdays from 11 am – 6 pm

Café Hours | Daily from 10 am – 10 pm

Address | Burggasse 24, 1070 Wien | Google Maps

Read Next: Best Coffee Houses in Vienna

3. Hermes Villa

If you love palaces and Habsburg history

** seasonal **

Hermes Villa Interior, Vienna, Austria

Hermes Villa is a palace, located in Lainzer Tiergarten, the former imperial hunting area of the Habsburgs. Most Habsburg-related historical treasures are centrally located in Vienna. Hermes Villa is the exception, a true Vienna hidden gem.

The villa was a gift from Emperor Franz Joseph to his wife, Empress Elizabeth (aka Sisi). Sisi abhorred court life and preferred to travel.

In giving it to her, he hoped that she would spend more time in Vienna. She called Hermesvilla her Palace of Dreams (Schloss der Träume).

The architect Carl von Hasenauer designed the villa and it was constructed between the years 1882 and 1886.

He also designed the Museum of Fine Art and the Museum of Natural History along the Ringstrasse. The interior is decorated with murals by Gustav Klimt, Hans Makart, and Victor Tilgner.

Today, Hermes Villa is a museum. You can tour the interior and see the exhibition “Sisi’s Castle of Dreams – The Hermes Villa and its History.”

Entrance | 8 EUR / 6 EUR reduced. Insider tip: Free admission every first Sunday of the month.

Hermes Villa Opening Days and Hours |

How to Get to Hermes Villa | The easiest way to get to to the Villa is by entering Lainzer Tiergarten at the Lainzer Tor: Hermesstraße, 1130 Wien | Google Maps

4. Lainzer Tiergarten

If you love parks

Lainzer Tiergarten, Vienna

Wildlife park Lainzer Tiergarten (where Hermes Villa is located) is one of Vienna’s best-kept secrets.

If you’re craving the outdoors and a long walk, this is where you should come. Just don’t be alarmed when free-roaming boars cross your path. Lainzer Tiergarten was formerly the hunting area for the Habsburg nobility.

Other areas of the park feature spacious animal enclosures of red deer, fallow deer, and wild sheep. There are also forest playgrounds for children.

Lainzer Tiergarten Opening Times | The opening times of the park change throughout the year. Consult this Stadt Wien page before heading out.

How to Get to Lainzer Tiergarten | There are six gates to the Lainzer Animal Park. We recommend going to the Lainzer Tor (Gate), located at Hermesstraße, 1130 Wien | Google Maps

5. Otto Wagner Church at Steinhof

If you’re a viennese secessionist at heart

Kirche am Steinhof, Otto Wagner Church, Vienna, Austria

Built between 1904 and 1907, Kirche am Steinhof (aka Church of St. Leopold) is a Viennese Art Nouveau masterpiece. It was designed by architect Otto Wagner, one of the leaders of the Vienna Secession movement. The church was further enhanced by the glass mosaic windows of Koloman Moser and the angelic sculptures of Othmar Schimkowitz.

Otto Wagner was commissioned to design a church on the grounds of the former Steinhof Psychiatric Hospital (today’s Klinik Penzing). As this Catholic church was intended for patients with mental illnesses, Otto Wagner’s designs reflected the special needs of the patients as well as their nurses and doctors.

The interior is a resplendent white space, with polished marble walls and tiled floors. Though somewhat sterile, I find it exceedingly harmonious. The space is illuminated by gold chandeliers. The most eye-catching element is the gold altar coupled with the large mosaic backdrop.

The exterior features a marble facade with gold ornamentation, a gilded dome, and statues of praying angels.

Due to its limited opening times and remote location in Vienna’s 14th district, Kirche am Steinhof is rarely visited by tourists.

The Otto Wagner church is open between mid-March and the end of October at select times. You can find additional information about opening times and admission prices at wien-museum.at.

Tip | Admission is free on the first Sunday of every month.

Address | Baumgartner Höhe 1, 1140 Vienna | Google Maps

6. WUK

If you love alternative venues

Statt-Beisl, WUK, Vienna's Hidden Gems and Best Kept Secrets, Austria

Statt-Beisl

WUK (Workshop and Culture House) is an entertainment venue and alternative cultural center in Vienna’s 9th district.

This is an awesome space to hear indie and jazz bands and attend themed-parties and art exhibitions.

Most importantly, WUK is a gathering place for everyone. Check out their calendar of events. We’ve attended public viewing events here as well as progressive LGBTQ dances.

You’ll also find the restaurant-bar Statt-Beisl in WUK, a true hidden treasure in Vienna.

They have 11 beers on tap and you can order a beer flight of 4 beers. Their menu features Austrian classics as well as burgers.

Address | Währinger Straße 59, 1090 Wien | Google Maps

7. Krypt Bar

If you love speakeasies

Krypt Bar, Vienna Hidden Gem & Best Kept Secrets, Austria

Krypt is a speakeasy-style bar in the 9th District. The bar is so well hidden that you might have a difficult time locating it (at least we did).

Krypt’s inconspicuous entrance adds a bit of excitement to the experience, or frustration (depending on who you ask).

When we arrived on a weekday, we had to ring the doorbell to be let in. However, on the weekends, there’s probably a bouncer. As soon as you enter, you can hand over your heavy coats, before proceeding downstairs.

The bar is stylish and well-designed. Dim lighting warms up the interior brick walls. A striking modern painting serves as the backdrop of the working mixologists.

And, along wooden table extends from the bar, providing guests with a communal-like seating arrangement.

As you sip your inventive cocktail, you’ll relish Krypt’s secretive atmosphere. And, perhaps, you’ll be inspired to linger all evening.

Address | Berggasse, Wasagasse, 1090 Wien | Google Maps

8. Justice Palace

If you love Renaissance architecture and rooftop views

Justizpalast, Justizpalast, Vienna Hidden Gem, Austria

The Palace of Justice (Justizpalast) is a beautiful Neo-Renaissance building in Vienna and serves as the seat of the Supreme Court of Austria.

The stunning interior features a glass ceiling, symmetrical arches, a melting staircase and a statue of Lady Justice.

Though the building is open to the public, you‘ll have to pass a security check. So, most people never venture inside this Vienna hidden gem.

After admiring the interior, head to the top floor to the Justizcafé for a bite to eat, or a drink. The cafeteria-style Justizcaféalso offers a great view of Vienna.

When to Go | Monday – Friday between 7:30 am and 3:30 pm

Address | Schmerlingplatz 10-11, 1010 Wien | Google Maps

9. Weinstube Josefstadt

If you love wine taverns and secret gardens

**seasonal**

Josefstadt Weinstube, Vienna's Best Kept Secrets and Hidden Gems, Austria

This lovely wine establishment is tucked away from the street. The only indication that the wine tavern is open is by the illuminated lantern hanging above the entrance.

We found this Vienna hidden gem by accident, and we’re so glad we did. While many restaurants and cafés in Vienna feature outdoor seating, most dining spaces are located along the street.

Weinstube Josefstadt has a beautiful outdoor seating area in an urban garden environment. Come here for wine, or beer and heuriger-style food. They only accept cash payments!

When to Go: Open daily from 4:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. (16 bis 24 Uhr) in Spring, Summer, and Fall. Closed during winter months: January, February & March.

Address | Piaristengasse 27, 1080 Wien | Google Maps

10. High Mass at Augustinerkirche (Sundays)

If you love choral music

Augustinerkirche High Mass, Top Hidden Gems in Vienna

Augustinerkirche (the Augustinian Church) is a parish church located at Josefsplatz, next to the Hofburg. On Sundays, you can experience the Catholic High Mass. In this type of service, almost everything is sung.

We recommend attending a solemn high mass at Augustinerkirche, because of the incredible orchestral and choral music. The church choir, orchestra, and organ elevate the service to a work of art.

As the soloists’ voices rise up to fill the cavernous space, there’s something really moving and celestial about the experience. We attended the Dreikönigshochamt (Three Kings High Mass) and heard J. G. Rheinberger’s Missa solemnis C-Dur (C-Major).

You don’t have to be a Catholic or Christian to appreciate the music and the performative ritual of the ceremony. You also don’t have to stay for the whole service, which can last 1:30 – 2 hours.

Just take a seat towards the back of the church, so you can exit easily. If you want to have a seat, we recommend showing up 20 minutes before the mass begins. We read that you should show up an hour before (which we did), and that wasn’t necessary.

Schedule | High Mass Schedule at Augustinerkirche. Here you can see what masses (music) are being performed on which days. E.g. WA Mozart: Small Credo Mass, J. Haydn: Nicolaimesse, G. Puccini: Messa di Gloria.

Time | 11 am on Sundays

Entrance | Free. The church asks for a donation of 8 EUR to support the music and ongoing costs of maintaining an orchestra, soloists, organist, and conductor.

Address | Augustinerstraße 3, 1010 Wien (Josefsplatz) | Google Maps

Read Next: How to Get Standing Tickets for the Vienna State Opera

11. Tichy Eissalon

If you love old-fashioned ice cream parlors

**seasonal**

Tichy Eissalon, Vienna

Tichy is a family-run ice cream parlor in the 10th District (Favoriten) and arguably Vienna’s best-kept secret.

Tichy occupies a special place in the city’s collective heart. Here, dessert is the main course and you’re invited to spend a whole afternoon indulging. The old-fashioned interior is reminiscent of the 1960s.

Tichy’s menu features an extensive list of specialty ice cream sundaes. However, it’s the original ice cream- apricot dumplings that locals go nuts for.

Opening Hours | Daily from 10 am to 11 pm. Tichy is closed in Winter. Depending on the weather, Tichy is open approximately from Mid-March to the end of September.

Address | Reumannplatz 13, 1100 Wien | Google Maps

12. WU – Vienna University of Economics and Business

If you love modern architecture

WU - Vienna University of Economics and Business, Vienna's Hidden Gems

Vienna is renowned for its Art Nouveau and Baroque architecture. It’s definitely not celebrated for its modern architecture. But, we have another Vienna hidden gem for you.

The WU campus is one of the most impressive modern building complexes we’ve ever seen.

Walking on the campus, you’ll see a myriad of different shapes and designs that seem to play off each other. It’s a visual feast of color and texture that seems to go on forever.

Standout buildings are the Library & Learning Center (LC), Teaching Center, and D3 Department and Administration building.

The WU campus was designed by 6 architects. If you want to learn more about the buildings, you can request an Architecture Tour.

It looks like tours are only available for groups, but you can reach out to office@atours-vienna.at for custom tours.

How to get to WU | Take the subway U-2 to Messe.

Address | Welthandelsplatz 1, 1020 Wien | Google Maps

13. Gasthaus Quell

If you love traditional Austrian food

Gasthaus Quell, Vienna

Gasthaus Quell is the perfect place to go if you want to eat traditional Austrian food in a very authentic restaurant.

The interior is warm and cozy and the service is always friendly. If you’re in Vienna during a weekday, this is a great place for lunch.

We hit up this Vienna hidden gem everytime we’re in the city, and our experience is always exceptional. Without fail, Kati always orders the Augsburger gegrillt mit Rösti & Salat, which is a sausage paired with hashbrowns (Rösti) and a side salad.

Opening Hours | Monday – Friday: 11 am – midnight. The kitchen is open from 11 am to 10:45 pm. Closed on weekends and holidays.

Address | Reindorfgasse 19, 1150 Wien | Google Maps

14. Ernst Fuchs Museum (Otto Wagner Villa)

If you love art nouveau architecture

Otto Wagner Villa, Ernst Fuchs Museum, Vienna, Austria

The Ernst Fuchs Museum occupies the fanciful Otto Wagner Villa in Vienna’s Penzing district.

Otto Wagner (1841-1918) was a visionary architect in the late 1800s. His designs have left an indelible mark on Vienna.

If you’re in the inner city, you’ll likely encounter his work at the city railway stations (Wiener Stadtbahn), the Postal Savings Bank (Postsparkasse), and the residential buildings at Linke Wienzeile, which are next to Naschmarkt.

One of Otto Wagner’s buildings, named Otto Wagner Villa I, is rarely visited. This hidden gem is a fantastic display of the Viennese art nouveau movement.

Today, the Villa houses a collection of Ernst Fuchs’ (1930-2015) paintings and drawings. Fuchs’ art is both beautiful and grotesque. His use of color is almost psychedelic.

He drew great inspiration from the Secession movement and both religious and mythical themes. Though there’s no information about the artist in English in the museum, we still think it’s worth visiting.

On a sunny day, light streams into the villa and illuminates the intoxicating works of Ernst Fuchs.

Entry | Current Ticket Prices

Opening Hours | Tuesday through Sunday 10 am to 4 pm

Address | Hüttelbergstraße 26, 1140 Wien | Google Maps

15. Laolao near Michaelerplatz

If you love takeout

Laolao, Vienna, Austria

Vienna is a formal city steeped in history and tradition. It’s what makes Vienna so attractive to visit. No one comes to Vienna for the cutting-edge food scene or the underground art scene. You come to Vienna to marvel at the gorgeous Art Nouveau, Baroque, and Gothic architecture and to experience Viennese culture.

And while it’s lovely to prance around Vienna as if you’re in a period piece, sometimes you need to satisfy your worldly, modern appetite.

Just steps away from Michaelerplatz, the square in front of the Hofburg with the Roman ruins (which also hosts a Christmas Market), there’s a tiny takeout restaurant called Laolao.

Though extremely small, we love the first district location, because it’s such a pleasant surprise.

First District Location | Herrengasse 6-8/11, 1010 Wien | Google Maps

Get the Vienna City Card

Consider purchasing the Vienna City Card (24/48/72 hours), which includes Public Transportation in Vienna as well as 100+ Attraction Discounts (full list).

With the Vienna City Card, you’ll get discounts on the following hidden gems:

Secret Places to Stay in Vienna

Read our guide where to stay in Vienna for local guidance on the best districts and neighborhoods.

Midrange | The Harmonie Vienna is tucked away in the charming Servitenviertel in the 9th district, walking distance (or quick tram ride) to the inner district. This friendly hotel offers clean and comfortable rooms, a great breakfast (included in the room rate), complimentary afternoon tea with cake, and a gym.

Midrange-Luxury | Hotel Gilbert is a stylish hotel in Neubau, set between Spittelberg and the Museums Quarter. With modern rooms and an atmospheric, vegetarian-friendly restaurant (&Flora), Hotel Gilbert is a great option for a chic getaway in Vienna. Extra Perks: gym, sauna, and bike rental.

Luxury | Hotel Josefine is housed in a Viennese Wilhelminian building on Esterházygasse, near Mariahilferstrasse. Decked in plush velvets, crystal chandeliers, and tiles evocative of the 1920s-1930s, this fashionable art deco hotel with 49 rooms is a unique place to stay in Vienna. It’s also home to Barfly’s Club cocktail bar.

More secret hotels in Vienna: Zola Hotel – Palais de Bohème Adults Only in Stuwerviertel (2nd district) and Austria Trend Hotel Schloss Wilhelminenberg in the 16th district.

Look for accommodation in Vienna.

More Vienna Travel Guides

Coffee Houses | Traditional Coffee Houses in Vienna

Food and Wine | Best Vienna Restaurants and Vienna Heurigen

Opera | How to get Vienna State Opera Standing Tickets

Hiking | Vienna City Hiking Trail 1 and Hiking in the Vienna Mountains

Winter | Vienna in December and Vienna in January

Balls | Vienna Rainbow Ball

Austria Itinerary Starting in Vienna | 2-Week Austria Road Trip

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