Top 20 Instagram Spots in Vienna: Ultimate Photo Guide

Looking for the best Instagram spots in Vienna? You’re in the right place! Known for its rich musical history, imperial palaces, and elegant baroque architecture, Vienna is one of the most photogenic cities in Europe. From charming rose gardens to grand landmarks like Schönbrunn Palace and the Vienna State Opera, the Austrian capital offers countless picture-perfect locations.

After visiting Vienna three times, I’ve discovered beautiful corners, hidden gems, and iconic photo locations that are perfect for travel photography and social media. In this guide, I’m sharing 20 of the most Instagrammable places in Vienna, along with photography tips and insider recommendations to help you capture the city at its best. Let’s dive in!

N°1. The Austrian Parliament Building

Located along Vienna’s famous Ringstraße, the Austrian Parliament is a neoclassical masterpiece influenced by ancient Greek architecture. Its grand columns and detailed sculptures make it one of the most beautiful buildings in Vienna especially with its main entrance which is an exact copy of the gate of the Erechtheion on the Acropolis of Athens.

N°2. Hundertwasserhaus

Located in the Landstraße district on the corner of Kegelgasse and Löwengasse, the Hundertwasser House (Hundertwasserhaus) is an apartment house designed by Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser. This funny-looking and colorful house is one of Vienna’s most visited buildings (only from the outside because it is actually an apartment block occupied by tenants!) Definitely one of the most known Instagram spots in Vienna!

N°3. Votive Church (Votivkirche)

The Votive Church (Votivkirche) is a neo-Gothic church located on the Ringstraße. Here is the crazy story of how and why it was created. Following the failed attempted assassination of Emperor Franz Joseph by Hungarian nationalist János Libényi in 1853, the Empeor’s brother, the Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian organized a fund to build a church to thank God for saving his brother’s life and this Church became a votive offering!

N° 4. Palace of Justice

The Justizpalast (Palace of Justice) in Vienna is one of the most gorgeous places in the city. The Neo-Renaissance building houses the Supreme Court of Austria and the Higher Regional Court of Vienna. Aside from checking out the imposing central stairwell and nice decor and architecture, do not forget to head to the rooftop café to get spectacular views of Vienna.

N°5. Graben Street

The Graben is one of the busiest streets in Vienna. It is known as the shopping street in the city. What is famous about it, besides its numerous gorgeous buildings, is the Plague Column (or Trinity Column) located in its middle. Erected after the Great Plague epidemic in 1679, this Baroque memorial is a gorgeous prominent sculpture that you definitely cannot miss!

N°6. Vienna’s City Hall

Vienna’s City Hall (Weiner Rathaus) is one of the most monumental buildings in Vienna and the actual seat of the local government. This Neo-Gothic building features five towers including the central tower with a height of 98 meters!

N° 7. The Belvedere

The Belvedere, one of Vienna’s most popular attractions, is a building complex consisting of two Baroque palaces; the Lower (Unteres) and the Upper (Oberes) Belvedere. This palace complex was built as a summer residence for Prince Eugene of Savoy. Located in the middle of a gorgeous Baroque park, with fountains and sculptures, the Belvedere is a very famous Instagram spot in Vienna.

N°8. Hofburg Imperial Palace

Previously the official residence of every Austrian ruler for six centuries, the Hofburg is now the official seat of the Austrian President. The palace has been expanded over the centuries and consists now of many buildings and courtyards that are in different architectural styles such as Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo, and Gothic.

N°9. Maria-Theresien-Platz

Maria-Theresien-Platz is a large public square surrounded by two almost identical buildings, Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Fine Arts) and the Naturhistorisches Museum (Natural History Museum). A large statue of Empress Maria Theresa is located at its center, given its name to the square.

N°10. The Albertina Museum’s Terrace

Elevated above street level, the terrace has at its center the equestrian statue of Archduke Albrecht. With its amazing views over the Vienna State Opera and the Hofburg Palace, it is one of the most beautiful spots in Vienna’s historic center. Regarding the museum itself, the Albertina houses one of the largest print rooms in the world with approximately 65,000 drawings and 1 million old master prints. A great place to visit if you have some time!

N° 11. Schönbrunn’s Palace, Gardens, Gloriette & Palm House

You cannot go to Vienna without seeing the Schönbrunn Palace! This 18th-century Baroque palace that used to be the main summer residence of the Habsburg rulers, is one of the most important historic monuments in Austria. It is definitely worth visiting for its gorgeous architecture and also for the park surrounding it.

N°12. Vienna State Opera

The Opera’s original name used to be the Vienna Court Opera (Wiener Hofoper) but because of a change in the government, when the First Austrian Republic replaced the Habsburg Monarchy in 1920, the name was changed to the Vienna State Opera (Wiener Staatsoper). Dating back to the mid-19th century, its design is more towards the Neo-Renaissance architectural style. Funny enough, the building was not very popular with the public when it was built. Nowadays, the Vienna State Opera is one of the most famous Instagram spots in the Austrian capital.

N°13. The Burggarten

Nestled between the Hofburg and the Albertina, the Burggarten is a serene city park famous for the Mozart statue and the Imperial Butterfly House (Schmetterlinghaus).

N°14. St. Peter’s Church (Peterskirche)

The St. Peter’s Church (Peterskirche) is a Baroque Roman Catholic church and the first domed structure built in Vienna! There used to be an old church dating back to the Early Middle Ages in its place. Even though nothing remains of it today, it is said to have been the oldest church building in Vienna which was replaced with the Romanesque church that you can see today. Due to the tiny space available on Petersplatz, right next to Graben, it was built in a very compact form which makes it very photogenic.

N° 15. St. Stephen’s Cathedral (Stephansdom)

Famous for its multi-colored tile roof, the St. Stephen’s Cathedral, more commonly known as Stephansdom, is the seat of the Archbishop of Vienna and the most important religious building in the city. This real architectural gem is one of the prettiest Instagram spots in Vienna! Also, its central location makes it that many other tourist attractions are nearby, so you can do everything on foot.

N°16. St Charles’s Cathedral (Karlskirche)

Built in 1737, Karlskirche (St. Charles Church) is considered to be one of the most outstanding baroque churches in Vienna. Sometimes it is even referred to as the Austrian Taj Mahal! It was designed in the Ancient Greek temple style, flanked by two columns based on Trajan’s Column in Rome. The twin columns reference Solomon’s Temple and feature reliefs depicting scenes from the life of St. Charles.

N°17. The Wurstelprater

The Wurstelprater, often called “Prater”, is an amusement park dating back to the time of the Austrian Empire. There are also a lot of various rides, roller coasters, ghost trains and much more. Apart from the rides, you can find many traditional Viennese restaurants and souvenir shops inside the Wurstelprater. There is no entrance fee to get into the park but each attraction has its own price. 

N°18. The Burgtheater

The Burgtheater is the National Theater of Austria and one of the most important German-language theaters in the world. Opened in 1741, it was destroyed in a bombing raid and a fire. After the war, the theater was rebuilt between 1953 and 1955 in the same neo-Baroque style.

N° 19. Hotel Sans Souci

Disclaimer: I was invited by the hotel for this stay but all opinions stated in this article are my own.

Located at the heart of Vienna, next to the Museums Quarter, the Sans Souci Wien is one of the best luxury hotels in Austria! This boutique hotel that was created at the end of 2012, is an extraordinary mix of art, design, and luxury. Because of that, it is full of pretty photo locations. If you get the chance to stay there, do not hesitate to explore it!

N°20. Café Central

Located in the first district of Vienna, Café Central is a traditional Viennese coffee place that used to be a meeting spot of the Viennese intellectual scene in the late 19th century. It is one of those classic experiences you need to have in Vienna!