Private tour of historical Vienna with Jan
Gallery image 2
Gallery image 3
Gallery image 4
Gallery image 5

Private tour of historical Vienna with Jan

Active
(40 reviews)
2h - 3h
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Manual confirmation
Mobile or paper ticket accepted

About this experience

This private tour gives you an insight into the history of Vienna and Austria through a leisurely stroll in the city’s old town. The stories and topics are many, and all equally fascinating:

Learn about one of the greatest dynasties in the world, the Habsburgs. Witness how their influence shaped Vienna and understand why the city is a baroque centrepiece in History. Uncover some of their biggest stories and the Grande Finale as their Empire came to a disastrous end a bit more than 100 years ago. It was a Golden age for Vienna, but also a schizophrenic one; modern, progressive, but also antisemitic and nationalistic.

Surrounded by stunning art and architecture, and with these stories and more to guide you, I bring life to these ancient monuments and make this an immersive and unforgettable experience.

Available options

Private tour of historical Vienna with Jan

Pickup included

What's included

The tour is guided by a qualified and state licensed guide.

Detailed itinerary

1
Stop 1

This tour explores the history of Vienna and Austria through the many cultural and historic monuments and buildings in Vienna's old town. You will also get acquainted with the eating and shopping opportunities as well as an insight as to what exactly make Vienna the most livable city in the world. Listed bellow are some of the highlights included in the tour.

2
Stop 2

The Hofburg is the former grand palace of the rulers of Austria. It is a patchwork of different wings and palace buildings from different periods by different rulers. We explore the palace's outer courtyards and tell story of the Habsburg dynasty, which is an essential part of the Austrian heritage.

3
Stop 3

The Hero's square is one of the best places to capture the grandeur of Viennese historic architecture. Great stories about the heros of the Austrian Empire will immerse you in the past and the mighty National Library palace will impress you with its size.

4
Stop 4

Flanked by the two impressive twin museums, Natural and Art History, stands a memorial to one of the most important Habsburg rulers: Maria Theresia. Under her rule Austria began its long enlightened modernization process which ultimately led the centralized state and the rise of a new middle class,: the bureaucrats. Her tale is one of overcoming challenges and successfully strengthening the Habsburg rule in Europe.

5

A break is in order to enjoy some of the immateriell sides of the Austrian culture like cakes and coffee. Sluka is a traditional Viennese coffee house with a beautiful end-of-the century Art Nouveau interior.

6
Stop 6

The spiritual and geographical heart of Vienna is the great St. Stephen's Cathedral. It's construction spans many decades and different styles. The story of its post war reconstruction is one of a positive and co operational spirit and reflects a people torn by war, but eager to come together for a successful future for both people and nation.

7

This is one of the finest but least visited baroque church in Vienna. There is no better place to immerse oneself with the incredibly flamboyant Austrian baroque.

8

Hugging the southern part of the great Ringstrasse boulevard of Vienna lies an elegant park dedicated to the many painters, musicians and politicians of Vienna's golden age. We escape the narrow streets of the old town to get a respite in this fresh and lush green space.

9

These are the high end shopping streets of Vienna's old town. Dominated by famous luxurious brands and coffee houses these streets offer shopping like no other place in Vienna.

Graben street is particularly interesting due to the impressive baroque plague column that commemorates the surviving of a devastating plague that raged across the country at the end of the 17th century.

What's not included

Gratuity

Available languages

Guide guide
NO EN PL FR

Reviews breakdown

Viator 5.0
18 reviews
5★
18
4★
0
3★
0
2★
0
1★
0
Tripadvisor 5.0
22 reviews
5★
22
4★
0
3★
0
2★
0
1★
0

Important information

Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Specialized infant seats are available
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Meeting point

The guide will meet you in front of the main entrance to the St. Stephen's cathedral, right next to a bronze model of the cathedral.

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
From $25 per person

Price varies by option

Booking requirements:
  • Min travelers: 1
  • Max travelers: 10
Secure booking
Free cancellation available

Similar Experiences

Similar on Klook