By Vicky · Published Sep. 18th, 2025 · Updated Sep. 23rd, 2025
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Follow this self-guided walking tour around the Ringstrasse to discover some of Vienna’s most impressive buildings and museums.
Page Contents:
Location
This self-guided walking tour starts from the Museum of Applied Arts on the Ringstrasse, near the centre of Vienna. It’s right next to the Stubentor transit stop, which is on tram, bus and underground lines. It’s also less than 10 minutes walk from Stephansdom.
Ringstrasse Walking Tour Map
Tips
- Several of the museums on the Ringstrasse are open late (until 9pm rather than 6pm) on either Tuesday or Thursday. Many are closed on Mondays, though the Museum of Natural History is closed on Tuesdays.
- Explore different areas of Vienna on our other walking tours: Belvedere & Around, Central Vienna, and Schönbrunn Palace Grounds.
- Check out other walks and hikes in our Austria Guide.
Popular Vienna Tickets & Tours
Top Sights along the Ringstrasse
On this self-guided walking tour you’ll see the main sights and along the Ringstrasse. It could take you anywhere between a few hours and several days to complete this tour, depending on how many of the museums and tours you go on. If you want to visit just a couple of places, I’d recommend a tour of the Opera House and a visit to the Kunsthistorisches Museum.
- Museum of Applied Arts
- Stadtpark
- Opera House
- Museums & Museum Quarter
- Austrian Parliament
- Burgtheater
- Vienna City Hall
- Votivkirche
Ringstrasse Walking Tour Route
This self-guided walking tour starts from the Museum of Applied Arts.
1. Museum of Applied Arts
Key Information: Open Tue-Sun and public holidays, 10am-6pm (until 9pm on Tuesdays). Tickets cost €16, you can buy them online in advance*.
The Museum of Applied Arts opened in 1871 in a specially designed Neo-Renaissance building. There are exhibits on design, architecture, arts and crafts and much more. Other themes include sustainable design and the difference/interaction between design and fine art. It’s definitely worth visiting if you have time, and slightly different from the many fine art museums in Vienna.
Directions: On the other side of the road, you’ll find the Stadtpark, or City Park.
2. Stadtpark
The Stadtpark is a fairly standard city park, with a concrete-channelled river running through it. Some highlights include statues of famous composers, a flower-clock and a peaceful lake.
Directions: Leave the Stadtpark at the far end, by the river. Cross the road and continue on the road with the small section of greenery in the middle. You’ll pass a Beethoven Statue on the right, and the grand Wiener Konzerthaus on your left. At the next large junction, turn right, then take the first left at the Ringstrasse, another large road. You’ll soon reach the next stop.
3. Opera House
Key Information: Tours cost €15 and last 40 minutes. Book online in advance, or at the box office 30 minutes before your preferred tour time. Note that these tours sell out quickly, so it’s much better to book in advance. The tours are also only available on certain days. Another way to see inside the Opera House is at a performance – check the schedule.
The Vienna Opera House is one of the grandest buildings in the city, which is saying quite something. The architectural style is Neo-Renaissance, from the second half of the 19th century, like a lot of the elegant buildings in Vienna. Operas, musical performances and plays take place here throughout the year (check the schedule). For all performances, you can choose English or German subtitles.
Tours of the Opera House last about 40 minutes (arrive 15 minutes in advance) and often sell out in advance. You get to see not only the main auditorium but also many of the ceremonial rooms, with a guide (English or German) explaining the history and significance of the building.
Directions: Continue walking along the Ringstrasse. Take a break in the Burggarten, a relaxing park behind the Hofburg (explored on our Central Vienna Walking Tour). If you’re hungry or thirsty, the upscale Brasserie Palmenhaus is very elegant, with great views from the outside terrace. Continue walking along the Ringstrasse.
4. Museums & Museum Quarter
On and around this section of the Ringstrasse, you’ll find many large, important museums. To your right is the Weltmuseum, while to your direct left are the Kunsthistorisches Museum and the Museum of Natural History. Beyond these is the Museum Quarter with many more museums.
Weltmuseum
Key Information: Open Tue-Sun, 10am-6pm (until 9pm on Tuesdays). Tickets cost €16, and €5 more for an audioguide – or you can use a free app as a guide.
The Weltmuseum is a large ethnological museum with artefacts from around the world (mainly outside Europe). It takes a couple of hours to visit, or much longer to take in all the details. The museum is well organised with nicely curated exhibits, and it’s definitely worth seeing if you have time.
Kunsthistorisches Museum
Key Information: Open Tue-Sun, 10am-6pm (until 9pm on Thursdays). Tickets cost €23 with a slight reduction if you book online. It’s €6 more for an audioguide – you can also join guided tours of specific areas for a similar amount.
The Kunsthistoriches Museum contains historical collections mainly collected by the Habsburg Dynasty, focusing on Europe and the Ancient World. The exhibits span several thousand years, from the ancient Egyptians to the 18th century. It includes everything from Roman antiquities to European fine art and is one of the most popular museums in Vienna.
Museum of Natural History
Key Information: Open Wed-Mon, 9am-6pm (until 8pm on Mondays). Tickets cost €18.
The Museum of Natural History is very large, with displays covering dinosaurs, fossils, animals/birds, meteorites, precious stones and much more. It’s a very nice museum, especially for children.
Museum Quarter
The museum quarter contains another wide array of museums. Highlights include the mumok and the Leopold Museum (both modern art museums), the Architekturzentrum Wien and the ZOOM Kindermuseum. These museums are not as large or famous as the main Vienna museums, so are more for those with special interests.
Directions: Continue walking along the Ringstrasse to the Volksgarten. This is a relaxing park with many roses, benches and even a temple. The Parliament building is on the opposite side of the road.
5. Austrian Parliament
You can go on free guided tours (English or German) of the Austrian Parliament building, or explore many parts of the building by yourself (you can pick up a map from the Visitor Centre). Standard tours take almost an hour and you should book in advance. Note you can’t bring certain items inside, including penknives, stick umbrellas, glass bottles or large camera tripods. It’s quite interesting to see inside, and it’s free, so go if you have time.
Directions: Walk through the neighbouring Rathauspark to the Burgtheater.
6. Burgtheater
Key Information: Tours cost €10 and last 50 minutes. Tours take place a few times per week in English, or more often in German with English handouts. Check the schedule online.
The Burgtheater is one of the grandest theatres in the world. Some interior decorations were even painted by Gustav Klimt. Tours give you an insight into the building’s history, architecture, and cultural significance.
Directions: The Rathaus is opposite the Burgtheater. If you’re looking for a break, Café Landtmann, an elegant and grand old coffee house, is next to the theatre.
7. Vienna City Hall
Key Information: Free tours are available on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1pm. Tickets are available to collect from 8am on the morning of the tour – first come, first served. The tour is in German with an English audioguide.
Vienna City Hall, or the Rathaus, is one of the most prominent Neo-Gothic buildings in Vienna, and it’s very impressive. In the park in front, there are often markets, festivals and skating rinks in winter. If you have time, the tour is very interesting, and you see some of the grandest rooms inside.
Directions: Turn right in front of the city hall (when looking towards the building). Pass the grand university buildings to reach another park with a church in the centre.
8. Votivkirche
Key Information: Open Tue-Fri 10am-4pm, Sat 11am-7pm, Sun 9am-1pm. Closed Mondays. There’s a popular Immersive Light Show at 7pm most evenings. Get tickets in advance* as they often sell out.
The Votivkirche is a very impressive Neo-Gothic building with a detailed interior and beautiful stained-glass windows. The evening light show, accompanied by music, is definitely worth seeing.
This is the end of the self-guided Ringstrasse Walking Tour. From here, you can continue walking 10 minutes to the Sigmund Freud Museum (Tickets €15, open 10-6pm, closed Tuesdays), or head to the nearby Schottentor transit centre, with Bus, Tram, and Underground stops. Alternatively, it’s just 20 minutes walk from here to Stephansdom.
Best Places to Stay in Vienna
There are many places to stay in Vienna for all budgets. However, the best places can book up quickly, so it’s best to book as far in advance as possible.
Apartment: REMA Apartments 1070* have a great location close to the centre, yet are in a quiet neighbourhood. Clean and comfy, with a kitchen and everything you need for a great stay.
Hotel: Pension Neuer Markt* is located in a historic building in central Vienna, yet is fairly good value. There are budget rooms with a shared bathroom plus standard en-suite rooms.
Explore different areas of Vienna on our other walking tours: Belvedere & Around, Central Vienna, and Schönbrunn Palace Grounds. If you’re looking for more walks and hikes, check out our Austria Guide.
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