Are you planning to visit Vienna with children? Check out our 20 tips on things to do in Vienna with kids so you can enjoy your trip to Vienna with the whole family.
Vienna is a city full of magnificent palaces, museums and cafes. You can enjoy a delicious strudel, enjoy the view from Austria’s tallest building and spend a perfect time with your children. There are plenty of places in Vienna that will keep kids and parents entertained, and today we’ll take a look at some of them.
Tip: Looking to save money when visiting Vienna? With a tourist card Vienna City Card you get free transport and discounts to more than 200 places in Vienna. I wrote about the card detailed article so you can see if the card is worth it for you.
The other option is the Vienna Pass, which includes free entry to most places in Vienna for 1, 2, 3 or 6 days. An alternative is the Vienna Flexi Pass, where you choose the number of attractions you want to visit. More about the Vienna Pass and Vienna Flexi Pass in the previous article.
20 tips on things to do in Vienna with children
1. Schönbrunn Castle
Schönbrunn Palace is a huge complex where you can enjoy a day of relaxed fun. With your children you can visit the children’s museum, where children will learn about what life was like under the Habsburgs in the 18th century. They will try on period costumes, play with toys from an earlier time, pose in a throne, etc.
From the museum you can head to the gardens of Schönbrunn Palace, where there is a wonderful maze with various play elements, or take a ride on the train. There is a lot to do here, so with smaller children be sure to take a stroller or baby carrier.
Also beautiful is the Palmenhaus, where there is a spiral staircase and children will feel like they are in a jungle at times.
Admission to Schönbrunn Palace depends on what you want to visit. There is a lot to choose from – I recommend you choose on official websiteexactly what you want to see.
2. Schönbrunn Zoo
The oldest zoo in the world cannot be missing here. A place where you can see giant pandas.
The zoo at Schönbrunn Palace is on the radar of most parents planning Vienna with their children. And no wonder – the zoo has been named the best zoo in Europe five times in a row.
Don’t miss the rainforest house, which mimics the climate of the rainforest and has birds and bats flying freely, or the aquarium with its underwater tunnel and large coral reef display.
Admission: full admission to the Tiergarten Schönbrunn is 27 € and reduced admission is 15,50 € (children, youth and disabled over 50%). Children up to 6 years of age are admitted free of charge. For tickets to Schönbrunn Zoo click here .
Opening hours vary by season:
- January 9:00-16:30
- February 9:00-17:00
- March 9:00-17:30
- April-September 9:00-18:30
- October until the end of summer time 9:00-17:30
- October-December 9:00-16:30
3. Danube promenade
Vienna’s Danube area is well laid out – there’s a sandy beach, seating areas, attractions for children and bars for adults. Especially in summer, it’s lively, when locals swim in the Danube, go for a boat ride or just enjoy relaxing and walking around the Danube and Donauinsel Island.
4. Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum is one of the best museums in Vienna for children, where younger and older children alike will enjoy themselves.
The museum is spread over several floors and sections, which are divided thematically. It will entertain lovers of birds, butterflies or those interested in geology, world history and living things.
Children can see polar bears, sea lions and giraffes up close. You can experience how a volcano erupts or how you would look in prehistoric times. The highlight for most kids is the Dinosaal with skeletons and a moving dinosaur.
Admission to the Naturhistorisches Museum is 16 € and reduced 12 € (students, disabled). Children under 19 years of age are admitted free of charge. You can buy tickets book online .
Opening hours: open Thursday to Monday 9:00-18:00 and Wednesday 9:00-20:00. Closed on Tuesdays. The last entry is one hour before the end of opening hours.
5. For a view of St. Stephen’s Cathedral
Head to St Stephen’s Cathedral for the best views. Impressive Romanesque-Gothic buildings from the 13th century. century, which dominates most Viennese photographs.
The cathedral has a colourful roof that glistens beautifully in the sun. Entrance to the cathedral is free, but you have to pay extra for a view of one of the towers. A better view of Vienna and the roof is from the South (higher) Tower.
Admission to the North Tower is €7 and a reduced price of €2.50 for children aged 6-14. The tower is open from April to December from 9:00-20:15 and the rest of the year from 9:00-17:30. You will be taken up in the lift.
Admission to the South Tower is lower (full €6.50, reduced €2), but on the other hand you have to climb over 300 steps. The South Tower is open 9:00-17:30.
Accommodation in Vienna with children 😴
6. Haus der Musik
Haus der Musik, or House of Music, is located in the city centre. An interactive, informative and entertaining museum about music with 4 floors of exhibits of the most famous Austrian composers from Mozart to Schubert, Strauss to Schoenberg.
Children will love the sound gallery and musical stairs or can try their hand at leading their own orchestra.
Full admission to Haus der Musik is €16, reduced admission €12 for children over 12, students under 27 and seniors over 60, reduced admission €7 for children 3-12. It is open daily from 10:00-22:00.
7. Prater Park
Prater is a huge amusement park that has been ranked one of the ten most beautiful city parks in the world. It includes the Wurstelprater, a long area of fairground rides, roller coasters, arcades and refreshment areas.
One of the best attractions is the Wiener Riesenrad (Giant Wheel), which is the oldest Ferris wheel in the world. It may not be as big as the Ferris wheel in Dubai, but it has a great atmosphere thanks to the historic wooden booths. Skip the line and book your ticket in advance.
The Prater Park is freely accessible all year round. However, most traction stations are closed during the winter season from November to mid-March. This does not apply to the Giant Wheel, which is open all year round.
The park is freely accessible. You don’t buy a separate ticket to get into all the attractions. Each attraction is charged separately and usually ranges from €5 and up.
Some attractions are open all year round, others only from spring to autumn. Even if you don’t plan to visit the theme park, you can relax or have a picnic in Prater.
☞ For even more tips, check out the article What to see in Vienna (including practical information and a map).
8. Madame Tussauds museum
Opposite the Giant Wheel is the Madame Tussauds or Wax Museum. The wax museum is always a guarantee of fun. The whole family will have fun here.
Some of the statues represent important Austrian personalities, but you will also see many world-famous names such as Audrey Hepburn, Johnny Depp, Daniel Craig, Lady Gaga and others.
Admission to Madame Tussauds is €24 and a reduced rate of €20 for children aged 4-14. Prices apply to online booking , tickets are € 2 more expensive on the spot. It is open daily from 10:00-17:00.
Next door is the Chocolate Museum. Another great stop, but for us more for older kids.
Accommodation in Vienna with children 😴
9. Spanish Riding School
The Hofburg complex includes the Spanish Riding School, one of the four most prestigious riding schools in the world.
The ticket will take you to morning training of the legendary Lipizzaner stallions. Even better is the show itself, where the horses perform dances and various jumps. It’s often sold out, so get reserve your place well in advance .
10. Butterfly House
Not far from the Spanish Riding School, in the Hofburg Palace complex, the Butterfly House was built a few years ago. A perfect oasis of peace in the middle of Vienna, where the whole family can enjoy a visit. A beautiful greenhouse full of plants, with big butterflies flying around freely.
Full admission is 9,50 €, reduced admission is 7 € for seniors and students up to 26 years old, 5 € for children from 3 to 6 years old and free with a ZTP/P card.
Directly adjacent to the Butterfly House is the beautiful, spacious Burggarten garden. A place full of flowers, greenery and seating.
11. Time Travel Vienna
How to discover the history of Vienna in a playful way? Go to Time Travel Vienna. Through time travel, you will experience how the Viennese nobility lived, hide from bombs during World War II or discover the comical ideas of Mozart.
Step back in time with 5D cinema, virtual reality, animated models and special effects.
Full admission for 15+ is 21€ and reduced admission for children is 17€. You can buy tickets book in advance .
☞ Get inspired by the most beautiful places in Austria.
12. Setagayapark
Setagayapark, a Japanese garden in the middle of the city, is a beautiful, peaceful place with a pond and small waterfalls. You can see various birds and small turtles. The park has limited opening hours from March to the end of October. Admission is free.
13. Danube Tower and Donau Park
At 252 metres high, the Danube Tower offers one of the best views of Vienna. You can go upstairs by express elevator. There are two floors here – one is a restaurant and the other is a café. Both floors rotate on their axes every 26 minutes.
Admission to the observation tower (including the express lift) is €18, reduced €14.40 (over 65, students under 27 and young people 15-19), reduced €10.80 for children 6-14 and reduced €5.40 for children 3-5. Click here to book tickets with skip the line.
The Danube Tower is open daily from 10:00-22:30 (last entry at 21:45).
And the views are definitely worth every euro – see photos below.
There is a beautiful park around the Danube Tower. There is a large playground with several slides, a train, a fountain and benches to sit on.
The colourful train has seen some wear and tear, but the ride is still fun (see photo below). The circuit is about 3 km long and takes less than 20 minutes. You can get off or on at 3 locations.
14. Museum of Military History
The Military History Museum is 15 minutes from Belvedere Palace. It will delight especially boys with its collection from the Middle Ages to the present day – old military houses, uniforms, armaments, decorations, a tank park (from spring to autumn) or a huge anti-aircraft gun. All this in beautiful interiors.
15. Haus des Meeres
Haus des Meeres is a huge aquarium and terrarium housed in an old bulletproof tower. You will find a multi-level tropical house with free-roaming birds and monkeys. And lots of crocodiles, snakes and sharks. Don’t worry, they don’t run free here anymore. 🙂
Guests can refresh themselves in the rooftop restaurant and enjoy panoramic views of Vienna.
Haus des Meeres is open daily from 09:00-20:00. Full admission is €21.90, reduced admission is €16.40 for students up to 26 years and seniors over 65 years (valid Monday to Friday only), reduced admission is €9.80 for children 6-15 years and reduced admission is €6.50 for children 3-5 years. For a better price book in advance .
☞ Get inspired with tips on the most beautiful lakes in Austria.
16. Stadtpark
Stadtpark is a city park in the centre of Vienna where you can keep yourself entertained for hours. There are walking trails, refreshments and activities for children. If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, this place is ideal.
17. Technical Museum
Are children interested in science, physical laws and technology? Visit the Technical Museum, which is housed in a beautiful historic building.
Here they explain everything from the history of technology and human activity in an interactive and funny way. Children will try out how physics experiments work, see steam engines or airplanes and discover many interesting things.
For really young children, there is the “mini” and “miniXplore” section, which consists of large play areas where children can have fun in a variety of creative environments. For older children, the “on the move” exhibition will teach them more about the world of mobility through 30 interactive learning stations.
Admission to the Technical Museum in Vienna is €16, reduced €14.50 for students under 27 and €5 for disabled persons. Children under 19 years of age are admitted free of charge.
The Technical Museum is open from Monday to Friday from 9:00-18:00 and on weekends and holidays from 10:00-18:00.
18. Hundertwasserhaus
The Hundertwaserhaus is an apartment building designed by the artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser. It’s colorful, fun, unique and has over 200 trees on its roof. This makes it a perfect stop for the whole family. You can visit it from the inside, where it is just as entertaining as the outside.
A few steps away from the house is Hundertwasser Village, a former factory that the artist remodeled in the same style as the apartment building. There are a few souvenir shops and cafés.
☞ Find more information on transport and practical tips in the Vienna guide.
19. Volksgarten
Vienna has many beautiful parks and gardens that are ideal for a family walk. Another of these places is the Volksgarten, a beautiful garden full of roses a short walk from the Hofburg. The garden is free to enter, with benches, a fountain and several beautiful buildings.
A short walk from the Volksgarten is the park around the town hall, where there is a children’s playground.
20. Christmas Market
The best time to visit Vienna? Definitely Christmas.
Vienna is famous for its markets. There are 13 of them every year. The most famous is the “Viennese Christmas World” on Rathausplatz with its large ice rink and the magnificent town hall in the background. Every year, handicraft stalls, fragrant Austrian dishes and hot mulled wine attract locals and tourists alike.
Things to do in Vienna with children – MAP
HOW TO USE THIS MAP: Above you will find a detailed map of what to visit in Vienna with children. Click at the top left of the map to see separate layers with highlighted locations. You can hide and show the different layers or click on the icons on the map to see the names of the places I mention in the guide. If you want to save the map, star it. For a larger version, click on the icon in the upper right corner.
Where to stay in Vienna with children?
- Austria Trend Parkhotel – four-star hotel in traditional style right next to Schönbrunn Palace and Schönbrunn Zoo
- Superbude Wien Prater – design hotel with excellent value for money just a short walk from Prater Park
- The Social Hub – Playful and modern accommodation, with full facilities a short walk from the Prater
- JUFA hotel – comfortable and clean family-friendly hotel, including games room and playground, 15 minutes by public transport to the centre
Accommodation in Vienna with children 😴
How to save in Vienna with children?
Vienna City Card
One way to save money when visiting Vienna is to Vienna City Card . It is the official Vienna Card, offering unlimited travel around Vienna and discounts to more than 200 places.
Families with children will also save significantly on the card. One child under 15. birthday is entitled to free travel with every card purchased.
If you are travelling with 4 people – 2 children and 2 adults, you only need 2 cards and the children travel free on your cards. Children also get reduced admission to many sights (some even free), so they don’t need a Vienna City Card. Adults save money on admission thanks to the card.
You can buy a card for 24 hours for €17, 48 hours for €25 or 72 hours for €29.
The Vienna City Card covers almost all sights and places of interest in Vienna. Discounts are most often in the range of 10-30%. Below you will find discounts on the most popular places to visit in Vienna with children – how much is the discount in percentages and how much in euros will you save:
- Danube Tower 20 %
- Giant Ferris Wheel Prater 8 %
- Haus der Musik 25 %
- Museum of Military History 29 %
- Schönbrunn Children’s Museum 12 %
- Schönbrunn Zoo 15 %
- Schönbrunn Maze 20 %
- Natural History Museum 25 %
- Technical Museum 20 %
- Madame Tussauds Museum 30 %
- Spanish Riding School 11 %
- Chocolate Museum 20 %
- Time Travel Vienna 20 %
- Butterfly House 11 %
- …and many more (see the app for a complete list of locations)
I wrote a detailed article about the card where you can see if it pays off for you.
Vienna Pass and Vienna Flexi Pass
The Vienna Pass and Vienna Flexi Pass are other tourist cards that can help you save money in Vienna. They work on a different principle than the Vienna City Card:
Vienna Pass is a tourist card that gives you free entry to most of Vienna’s sights (Schönbrunn Palace including the train, the children’s museums and the zoo, the House of Music, the Natural History Museum, the Danube Tower, the Giant Wheel in Prater Park, the Spanish Riding School and more). It also includes a boat cruise on the Danube and a sightseeing bus ride for the duration of the card, which you can use instead of public transport in Vienna.
The Vienna Pass is valid for a selected number of days – you can choose between 1, 2, 3 or 6 days.
Vienna Flexi Pass includes similar attractions to the Vienna Pass, but differs in that you purchase a number of attractions.
I wrote a detailed review about both cards here including prices, whether they’re worth it, and a list of the places the cards cover.
The best booking resources for visiting Vienna
Via Booking.com we search for all accommodation. It is the largest accommodation portal in the world and you will find everything from modern hotels, cosy guesthouses to seaside villas.
Get Your Guide is a huge booking system for buying tickets, guided tours and all sorts of activities. In one place you can read other travellers’ experiences and book tickets to the Vatican Museums, a cruise in Greece or a desert safari in Dubai.
These were the best things to do in Vienna with kids, including practical information. Do you have a question? We’ll be happy to answer it in the comments below. Have a safe journey!
More information about Austria
VIENNA: Check out our itinerary for 3 days in Vienna. In the article Things to do in Vienna, you will find 40 places to see, including information on entrance fees and opening times.
The guide to where to stay in Vienna offers tips on the best neighbourhoods and accommodation in Vienna, including practical information.
The Vienna City Card is one of the most popular ways to save money in Vienna. Or take a look at the comparison between the Vienna City Card and the Vienna Pass.
AUSTRIA: Here are the most beautiful places in Austria. Are you planning a visit to the Austrian lakes? Take a look at the most beautiful lakes in Austria.
AUSTRIAN ALPS: Get inspired by our tips on what to do in the Austrian Alps (hiking routes, excursions).
Tyrol is one of the most popular parts of the Austrian Alps, as is the Dachstein mountain range. If you want to enjoy the beautiful untouched nature of the High Tauern National Park, take a look at what to visit in the Hohe Tauern.
THINGS TO DO WITH CHILDREN: London is another city full of family-friendly activities. You can also enjoy a great holiday in Barcelona with children or in Amsterdam with children.
