Vienna: City of Music Private Walking Tour

Vienna , Austria

Vienna: City of Music Private Walking Tour

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About this experience

Listen to highlights of Vienna’s musical masterpieces on headphones along with expert commentary from your music historian guide on a walking tour that helps you discover the world’s most famous composers: Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven among others. This 3-hour Vienna music tour takes you by the major sites where these legends lived and performed. You’ll explore monuments built to honor them in the “City of Music.” As a counterpart, we examine the impact of the Habsburg family’s patronage on Vienna’s development into the world capital of classical music.

Visit Stephansdom, performance venue for Haydn and Mozart, Salieri and Vivaldi. Stroll by Mozarthaus where Mozart wrote many of his famous operas and instrumentals. Pass by Beethoven’s monument and explore his erratic life, living in sixty apartments in Vienna. Pass by the palace where Archduke Rudolph took piano lessons with Beethoven. Consider the musical dominance of Vienna at the legendary State Opera House and Musikverein.

Available options

Vienna: City of Music Private Walking Tour

Pickup included

What's included

Pick Up at Your Central Hotel or Flat

Expert Licensed Guide

Detailed itinerary

Stop 1

Visit Stephansdom, discovering how this Vienna's iconic cathredral served as an important performance venue in previous centuries for Haydn and Mozart, Salieri and Vivaldi.

Stop 2

Stroll by Figaro House (or Mozarthaus) where Mozart resided from 1784 to 1787, writing many of his most famous operas and instrumental pieces.

Pass by Beethoven’s monument and explore his erratic life, living in sixty different apartments throughout Vienna.

Stop 4

Consider the continued musical dominance of Vienna today outside the legendary State Opera House, one of the great contemporary opera stages and the Musikverein concert hall, home to world-famous Vienna Philharmonic.

Pass by of Beethoven’s many flats, to the Pasqualati-House at the Mölker-Bastei, which is located directly opposite of the University of Vienna. Beethoven had a restless life in Vienna, changing residence almost sixty times. His music symbolizes the apex of the Classic and heralded many important developments of the Romantic era

Stop 6

Though Beethoven's relationship with the high aristocracy was often strained, he called Archduke Rudolph, the youngest son of Emperor Leopold II, one of his best friends. The circuit of the walk is completed at the residence where Rudolph took piano lessons with Beethoven, one of his most profound supporters and patrons. Among other compositions, Beethoven dedicated his Missa Solemnis to Archduke Rudolph, a piece that represents the profound interaction between the Habsburg family and the most important musicians in Vienna during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Throughout this 3-hour Vienna Music tour, we pause to listen to selections of Vienna’s musical masterpieces on headphones while exploring the major sites.

Available languages

Guide guide

Reviews breakdown

Viator 5.0

3 reviews

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Tripadvisor 5.0

12 reviews

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Important information

Wheelchair accessible

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Public transportation options are available nearby

Transportation options are wheelchair accessible

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Important notes

When you have booked your tour, we send you your historian guide's photo, phone number and bio.

About Vienna

Vienna, the capital of Austria, is renowned for its rich imperial history, vibrant arts scene, and stunning architecture. Known as the 'City of Music', it has been home to legendary composers like Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss. The city's elegant cafes, grand palaces, and world-class museums make it a cultural treasure trove.

Top Attractions

Schönbrunn Palace

A former imperial summer residence, Schönbrunn Palace is a stunning example of Baroque architecture. The palace and its gardens are a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Historical/Architecture 2-3 hours €18 for Imperial Tour, €24 for Grand Tour

St. Stephen's Cathedral

A masterpiece of Gothic architecture, St. Stephen's Cathedral is a symbol of Vienna. The cathedral's multi-colored tile roof is iconic.

Religious/Architecture 1-2 hours Free entry, €6 for tower climb, €7 for treasury

Belvedere Palace

A historic building complex with two Baroque palaces, the Belvedere houses the largest collection of Gustav Klimt paintings, including 'The Kiss'.

Historical/Art/Museum 2-3 hours €16 for Upper Belvedere, €14 for Lower Belvedere

Vienna State Opera

One of the world's leading opera houses, the Vienna State Opera offers performances of opera, ballet, and concerts.

Cultural/Entertainment 2-4 hours (performance length) €10-200 depending on performance and seat

Hofburg Palace

The former imperial palace, Hofburg Palace is now home to several museums, the Austrian National Library, and the Spanish Riding School.

Historical/Museum 2-3 hours €14 for Sisi Museum and Imperial Apartments, €20 for Silver Collection

Must-Try Local Dishes

Wiener Schnitzel

A thin, breaded, and fried veal cutlet, traditionally served with lemon and potato salad or dumplings.

Dinner Contains gluten and dairy

Tafelspitz

Boiled beef, usually served with root vegetables, apple sauce, and horseradish.

Dinner Gluten-free, dairy-free

Sachertorte

A famous chocolate cake with a thin layer of apricot jam, covered in dark chocolate glaze.

Dessert Contains gluten and dairy

Apfelstrudel

A thin pastry filled with spiced apples, raisins, and sugar, often served with vanilla sauce or ice cream.

Dessert Contains gluten

Popular Activities

Hiking in the Vienna Woods Cycling along the Danube Kayaking on the Danube Coffee house hopping Spa day at a luxury hotel Strolling through Schönbrunn Palace Gardens Visiting museums and galleries Attending opera or concert performances

Best Time to Visit

May to September

This is the best time to visit Vienna for pleasant weather and outdoor activities. The city hosts numerous festivals and cultural events during these months.

15°C to 30°C 59°F to 86°F

Practical Information

Language

Official: German
Widely spoken: English, Austro-Bavarian dialect
English: Widely spoken in tourist areas, moderately spoken elsewhere

Currency

Euro (EUR)

Time Zone

GMT+1 (CET), GMT+2 (CEST during daylight saving time)

Electricity

230VV, 50HzHz

Safety Information

Overall Safety Rating: Generally safe

Vienna is a safe city with low crime rates. However, as with any major city, petty crime and pickpocketing can occur in tourist areas.

Important Precautions:

• Keep valuables secure and out of sight
• Use licensed taxis or ride-sharing apps
• Be cautious of strangers offering help or services

Getting there

By air

Vienna International Airport • 18 km from city center

By train

Vienna Hauptbahnhof (Main Station), Vienna Westbahnhof

By bus

Vienna International Bus Terminal, Erdberg Bus Station

Getting around

Public transport

Vienna's metro system is efficient and user-friendly, with four lines (U1, U2, U3, U4).

Taxis

Available • Apps: Bolt, FreeNow

Rentals

Car, Bike, Scooter

Neighborhoods

Innere Stadt Leopoldstadt Wieden Hietzing

Day trips

Bratislava

80 km (50 miles) • Full day

The capital of Slovakia, Bratislava is a charming city with a rich history, beautiful architecture, and a vibrant cultural scene.

Salzburg

300 km (186 miles) • Full day or overnight

The birthplace of Mozart, Salzburg is a beautiful city with a rich musical heritage, stunning architecture, and scenic surroundings.

Hallstatt

200 km (124 miles) • Full day or overnight

A picturesque lakeside village in the Austrian Alps, Hallstatt is known for its stunning natural beauty and historic salt mines.

Festivals

Vienna Festival (Wiener Festwochen) • May to June Vienna Opera Ball (Wiener Opernball) • Late February or early March Vienna Christmas Markets (Wiener Christkindlmarkt) • Late November to December 26

Pro tips

Visit major attractions early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid crowds
Purchase a Vienna Pass for unlimited transport and attractions, saving time and money
Explore the city's coffee house culture and try traditional pastries like Sachertorte and Apfelstrudel
Take a day trip to nearby cities like Bratislava or Salzburg for a change of pace
Use public transport or walk to explore the city, as driving can be challenging and expensive