8 Cheap & Free Things to Do in Vienna - The Adventuring Millennial

Vienna swept me off my feet and I was willing to pay for the incredible experiences this city had to offer. The music, the cakes, the museums – all of it felt worth it to me.

But, like any budget traveler, I want to save money where I can. I discovered some cheap and free things to do in Vienna that I would add to any future Viennese itinerary.

Ready to discover some of the more budget-friendly experiences this city has to offer? Let’s dive into these 8 incredible cheap and free things to do in Vienna.

8 Cheap and Free Things to Do in Vienna

Take in the View from the IKEA Rooftop

You know those spontaneous travel experiences that end up becoming highlights of the trip? That was Vienna’s IKEA rooftop for me.

My friend and I decided to explore most of Vienna on foot. Our legs were so tired at the end of each day, but we really got to see the city this way. During one of our longer walks we passed an IKEA right next to the Westbahnhof railway station. We decided to check it out and quickly realized that it was a 7-floor IKEA complete with a hostel and panoramic rooftop.

It’s free to go up to the rooftop and take in the view. And let me tell you – it’s one heck of a view. There’s even a bar and restaurant if you want to soak in the view with a cocktail in hand.

Go for a Run at the Schönbrunn Palace Gardens

Schönbrunn Palace itself doesn’t belong on a list of cheap and free things to do in Vienna. It’s basically Vienna’s Versailles and the 1,441-room historic Habsburg summer palace was worth the ticket fee. (The Hapsburgs were Austria’s royal family from the 15th-20th centuries).

But, you can also get a taste of the Schönbrunn Palace without paying for tickets. The sprawling, 400+ acre gardens are open to the public to explore for free. You’ll be able to admire the Place from the outside or hike up to the Gloriette for a breathtaking view. The gardens open at 6:30am and runners can use the paths for a scenic jog – the Palace website even has a map you can use to plan out your route.

Admire the Hofburg

While we’re on the subject of palaces, you can also visit the Hapsburg winter palace in the heart of Vienna’s Innere Stadt. It’s a short walk from the Albertina Museum and if you’re out and about you can’t miss it.

Today the Hofburg is the Austrian president’s official residence and office. It’s also home to a few paid attractions like the iconic Spanish Riding School, the Sisi Museum, State Hall, and Imperial Apartments.

It’s free to stroll through the pedestrian walkways and courtyard and you can get a sense of the grandeur even from the outside.

Relax in the Volksgarten

Just outside The Hofburg, you’ll find the beautiful Volksgarten. This central park dates to 1823 and is famous for its beautiful rose gardens. It’s a lovely spot to bring a picnic on a sunny day. You might even catch some live music while you’re there.

Join a Pay What You Wish Walking Tour

Walking tours are my favorite way to kick off a trip. Most major cities offer a free walking tour and these are a great way to get introduced to the history and layout of the town.

Free Tours By Foot allows you to book an Intro to Vienna tour in English which covers most of the main sights in the historic city center. I took this tour on my first morning in Vienna and it really helped me get oriented with the city. Plus it was a great way to learn about the Hapsburgs who I kept hearing about during the rest of my trip.

Climb to the Top of St. Stephen’s Cathedral

St. Stephen’s Cathedral is an iconic landmark in Vienna with a history that dates back to the 12th century. It’s the tallest church in Austria and you can pay 5,50 euros to climb to the top of the South Tower for a sweeping view over the city.

You’ll need to climb 343 steps in a spiral staircase to reach the top – so be careful if you are claustrophobic or afraid of heights (like me). Once you reach the top, you’ll be rewarded with an unbeatable view out of four windows facing north, south, east, and west. At each window, you’ll find a labeled map helping you figure out exactly what you are seeing.

Pick Up a Pastry

I can still taste the cakes I had in Vienna and I highly recommend sitting in at least one beautiful cafe (like Demel or Cafe Central) to get the full Viennese experience. But there are also tons of excellent bakeries where you can grab a croissant or kipferl (a traditional Austrian yeasted crescent roll) to eat on the go for just a few euros. Here are a few to add to your list:

Enjoy Some Ice Cream

I’m always going to find an excuse to get ice cream (not that you need an excuse). But there’s something fun about taking an ice cream break on a trip. One of my favorite memories from my time in Vienna was sitting at Vanillas for a late-morning bowl of ice cream. For a few euros, we were treated to the cutest ice cream I’ve ever seen! What could have been a simple scoop was served in an adorable footed ice cream cup complete with a heart-shaped wafer.

That was really what stuck out to me about Vienna. Every cafe and restaurant really seemed to go the extra mile to make every dining experience feel special, even if it was a scoop of ice cream.

I hope you enjoyed reading my list of 8 cheap and free things to do in Vienna. What else should belong on this list? Let me know in the comments below!