Here’s our Anti-Tourist Guide to Vienna to make sure you take the best of it while feeling like a local

Ditch the typical sightseeing spots and get a real sense of what it’s like to live in Austria’s stunning capital, Vienna. Whether you’re an art or music enthusiast, an architecture lover, a history buff, or simply someone who wants to have a great time, this city truly has something for everyone. From the moment you arrive, Vienna never stops impressing. There’s a good reason why it’s considered one of the most liveable cities in the world. Nevertheless, once you’ve checked off the must-sees, it’s time to dig a little deeper. We’ve handpicked a few hidden gems that capture the true essence of the city. The kinds of places locals love but visitors often overlook. Follow this anti-tourist guide to experience the real Vienna!

Before we dive in, let’s answer some of the key questions about traveling to Vienna so you can make the most of your visit.

How many days should I save to visit Vienna?

Tricky question! You could easily spend weeks exploring all the art exhibitions, cafés, and museums that Vienna has to offer — just like in many other European cities. However, if you’re backpacking or Interrailing and your travel time is limited, three to four days is enough to cover the must-see spots and most of Vienna’s anti-tourist gems. Of course, you can always add a few extra days to immerse yourself even more in the city’s culture.

I recommend staying at St Christopher’s Inn Vienna. It’s perfectly located. Close to the Belvedere Palace and right next to a metro station that makes getting around the city a breeze. Now, let’s move on to our three handpicked anti-tourist spots in Vienna!

Three anti-tourist parks in Vienna 

Besides the well-known green areas such as Schönbrunn Palace and the Botanical Garden, there are plenty of other parks that are very popular among locals. They’re the perfect places to relax, enjoy a picnic, or simply meet up with friends. From there, you can let the afternoon take you wherever your mood leads. And honestly, each of these spots is great if you want a quick escape from the busy city center.

Pötzleinsdorfer Schlosspark

This park completely blew me away. It’s so large that you feel as if you’ve stepped into a village of its own. There’s so much to explore. From playgrounds and ponds to beautiful statues. There’s even a small farm-like animal area!
The best part: it’s super easy to reach. Just take the bus from Schottentor and in about 20 minutes you’ll arrive at Pötzleinsdorf.

Setagayapark

Compared to Pötzleinsdorfer Schlosspark, this spot is the complete opposite; though equally beautiful. It’s a small Japanese garden with a lot to admire. The cherry blossoms are of course stunning around April. The city takes great care of the garden, yet the entrance remains free, which I greatly appreciate.

Liechtensteinpark

This is a true anti-tourist gem in Vienna and you’re going to love it. It’s located in the northern part of the city, yet still close to the center. The whole place radiates royal charm, especially with the picturesque pond in front of the palace.

By the way, you can also visit the Liechtenstein Palace itself. However, the tickets are a bit pricey (about €30), so it depends on whether you want to splurge on the full experience or simply enjoy the stunning park for free.

Palaces, Churches & Museums

There’s no doubt that Vienna’s architecture and art are absolutely stunning. Many of the major tourist hotspots are crowded for a reason. For example, I will always recommend heading to the Belvedere Palace. I’ve already been to Vienna twice, and both times I made sure to visit this museum since it’s simply incredible. The roof painting moved me the most.

If you want to admire even more art without spending a cent, I highly recommend checking out the following free spots:

Jesuit Church

This Baroque church from the early 17th century is located very close to St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Since you’ll most likely visit (or at least admire from outside) the cathedral, I strongly suggest walking just a few minutes further.

From the outside, the Jesuit Church may look rather unassuming, but the moment you step inside, its breathtaking beauty reveals itself. The highlight is definitely the fresco by Andrea Pozzo. It’s a masterpiece you won’t forget.

Ballroom in the Academy of Sciences

Right next to the Jesuit Church, you’ll find this hidden treasure. The Austrian Academy of Sciences is home to one of the city’s most important historical ballrooms. Even Beethoven once stood here. Entrance is completely free, but keep in mind that it’s only open during the Academy’s office hours.

Palais Daun-Kinsky

Another palace well worth a visit especially because it’s free to enter and admire the dreamy, fairy-tale interiors. You might feel a little awkward to walk inside just to enjoy the art, and honestly, I felt slightly out of place too… but that didn’t stop me. And it shouldn’t stop you either!

Bonus tip for more anti-tourist spots beyond Vienna

Take advantage of Viennas centra location in Europe and continue your journey! Whether you are planning your following trip or where to go next, we have a gift for you. Famous Hostels is on a journey to promote sustainable tourism, pushing train and bus travel as opposed to flying.

For that, we partnered with Flixbus & Eurail and created a calculator that compares your carbon emissions if you are traveling by train or bus versus plane and converts it into a direct discount at over 54 hostels in Europe.

Discounts go from 5% to 20% based on the distance you go.

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