Vienna is full of Instagram spots and opportunities. Associated with Mozart, Sissy the Empress, and many more, the Austrian capital is one of the most romantic and musical cities in the world! And after having been there three times, I can attest that there is something beautiful at every corner. From stunning baroque architecture to rose gardens and imperial palaces, Vianna is a perfect blend of romance and modernism with a few chocolate pastries on top!
If you’re planning a trip to Vienna and are looking for the best photo locations, I’ve rounded up 20 of the most Instagrammable places in the city that I stumbled across throughout the years. I will also share some photography tips and recommendations for those spots as well… Let’s go!
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1 ● 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.
Photo tip: go in front of the fountain to get reflecting photos of the Cathedral with the palm trees around it!
2 ● 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.
Photo tip: go up to the terrace of the Albertina Museum to admire the State Opera from above!
3 ● The Albertina Museum’s Terrace
Since you are already at the Albertina Museum’s terrace to take photos of the Vienna State Opera, make sure to also take a look around! 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!
Photo tip: use a wide-angle lens to be able to capture the full statue and the Vienna State Opera in the background.
4 ● 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.
Photo tip: do not hesitate to use a wide-angle lens to capture the Upper Belvedere to make it appear taller!
5 ● 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.
Photo tip: the Palace of Justice isn’t open every day, it closes during the weekend. During weekdays you can visit from 8:30 AM until 3:30 PM. Although it is open to the public, you are not allowed to do photoshoots (only take a few photos) and have to be very discreet while taking photos or the security guards will kick you out! Just be respectful and take the time to admire this wonderful place.
6 ● St. Peter’s Church
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.
Photo tip: do not miss visiting the inside of the St. Peter’s Church which is filled with gold, marble, and incredible paintings. The level of detail and craftsmanship that’s gone into the decadent interior is absolutely incredible so it is a must-see!
7 ● 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.
Photo tip: the Schönbrunn Gardens are free to visit but you will have to pay to enter the maze and some of the buildings, such as the Palm House (€7), located inside the botanical garden. Also, do not miss checking out the Gloriette. A beautiful panorama of Vienna can be seen from there and you can take wonderful photos of Schönbrunn from above. You can walk up to the Gloriette for free but to climb up to the viewing terrace it costs €4.50.
8 ● Hundertwasser House
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!
“Today we live in a chaos of straight lines, in a jungle of straight lines. If you do not believe this, take the trouble to count the straight lines which surround you. Then you will understand, for you will never finish counting.” — Friedensreich Hundertwasser
Photo tip: you should also visit the KunstHausWien, a museum exhibiting Hundertwasser’s works, and temporary exhibitions of other artists.
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.
Photo tip: even if the plaza becomes pretty full during the day if you take your photos from an angle in front of the bushes, it is easy to avoid people.
10 ● St. Stephen’s Cathedral
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.
Photo tip: do not forget to see the panoramic view of the city from one of the Stephansdom’s towers. The cathedral is open from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM (Monday to Saturday) and from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM (on Sundays and public holidays). The towers have different opening times so be sure to check them online before going.
11 ● Wurstelprater
The Wurstelprater, often called “Prater”, is an amusement park dating back to the time of the Austrian Empire. The most Instagrammable part of the park is the Wiener Riesenrad, a Ferris wheel, which is one of Vienna’s most popular tourist attractions. It costs €12 to enjoy the attraction or if you have purchased a Vienna Pass, then it is free. 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.
Photo tip: the park is open from 10:00 AM to 1:00 AM every day from March 15 to October 31. The food stands and restaurants and some attractions are also open throughout the year.
12 ● Vienna 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!
Photo tip: every winter, you can enjoy a beautiful Christmas market in front of the Weiner Rathaus. Definitely a wonderful time for a photo op!
13 ● Café Central
Located in the first district of Vienna, the 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!
Photo tip: get the famous Sachertorte, a chocolate cake with apricot filling as a prop for your photos, and eat this wonderful treat as a reward!
14 ● Burggarten
The Burggarten is a park, famous for its Mozart statue, which borders the Hofburg and Albertina palaces. It was built after Napoleon’s army demolished the defensive structures which occupied the area. It used to be a private royal garden for the Habsburg family until the end of the empire in 1918.
Photo tip: at the edge of the Burggarten, is a converted palm house made into an Imperial Butterfly House (Schmetterlinghaus). With more than 400 butterflies roaming freely in this tropical oasis, it is one of the best Instagram spots in Vienna.
15 ● 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.
Photo tip: if you get the chance, go visit its opulent interior, especially its beautiful staircase.
16 ● 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!
Photo tip: the most Instagrammable places at the Sans Souci are the spa, with its 20-meter long pool and crystal chandeliers (the largest hotel pool in Vienna!) and Le Bar, a golden bar famous for its collection of champagnes and its wonderful opulent decor.
17 ● 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.
Photo tip: the ultimate Instagram spot in this Vienna palace complex is the St. Michael’s Gate, located at Michelerplatz. It is very picturesque with all the horse-drawn carriages parked in front of it.
18 ● 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!
Photo tip: if you want to avoid people, the best is to come in the morning before the shops are opened or on Sundays since Austrian law requires most stores in Vienna to close down on Sundays and holidays.
19 ● Votive Church
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.
Photo tip: during spring, you can find blooming magnolias next to the Votive Church, so it is a great photo stop around April-May.
20 ● The Austrian Parliament Building
The Austrian Parliament Building, located on the Ringstraße is home of Austria’s National and Federal Parliament since 1918. Just by looking at it you can see that it was built under many Greek influences, especially with the main entrance which is an exact copy of the gate of the Erechtheion on the Acropolis of Athens.
Photo tip: you can take photos in front of the pretty and imposing Pallas Athene Fountain located in front of the Parliament Building. The four figures lying at the foot of Athena are representations of the four most important rivers of the Austro-Hungarian Empire; the Danube, Inn, Elbe, and Moldau.
Have you been to Vienna? What was your favorite photo spot in the city? Let me know in the comments below!
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Hi Jamie! Thank you so much! It is a paid plugin called Envira 🙂