Vienna

The new campus of the Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration is an impressive architectural achievement which has soon turned into a landmark of the area nearby the Prater. Conceived and designed by internationally acclaimed architects, this futuristic and yet sustainable complex of innovative buildings is a must-see for architecture lovers. Guided tours are also available.

Brotfabrik, a former bread factory turned contemporary art gallery and photography exhibition hall, is a must for any art lover. Studios, galleries and showrooms have settled around the inner courtyards, creating a real cultural melting pot around the impressive industrial building. The cafe, Magdas Kantine, is run as a social business, employing refugees and those unemployed long-term.

Carol Reed’s “The Third Man” (1949) remains a landmark of film noir, iconic in its atmospheric portrayal of post-war Vienna, the Anton Karas’s haunting zither score, and Orson Welles’s performance as the enigmatic Harry Lime. Voted the greatest British film of the 20th century, it captured a city divided by Allied occupation — a world of shadows, rubble, and moral ambiguity — while showcasing both Vienna’s grand landmarks and its gritty sewers. Operated by passionate private collectors, The Third Man Museum displays over 3,000 artefacts, from original scripts and film props to period documents illustrating Allied-occupied Vienna (1945–1955). The collection spans 16 rooms, offering deep context into the film’s production and its historical backdrop. Guided tours (75 minutes, in English) delve into cinematography, the impact of the zither score, and the city’s complex post-war reality. Note: cash only for entry. The above-ground Third Man Walking Tour, offered by independent guides, visits key filming locations in the Innere Stadt, including Josephsplatz and Mölkerbastei. Using film stills and audio clips, it recreates the film's mood while exploring Vienna’s historic centre. It focuses on the architectural and urban settings that shaped the story, without entering the sewers. Another tour, 3. Mann Tour – Sewer, descends into the functional sewers where the film’s climactic chase was shot. You’ll traverse walkways above flowing wastewater while projections of film scenes play on tunnel walls. It’s an immersive, if somewhat damp, experience. Tours are popular and require advance booking.

Works of art can be seen not only in Vienna’s museums and galleries. Public art can be found in many selected places across the city — from installations to sculptures. Explore The Street Art Passage around MuseumsQuartier, take a stroll along the Danube canal. Real street art lovers can take a guided walking tour to learn about the artworks’ political and social references. You'll get insider info about Vienna from a guide with a passion for urban art, as well as some valuable tips for cool local eateries and bars.

On the western side of the capital, stretching over seven districts, the Vienna Woods are considered the green lung of Vienna. Easily reached with public transportation and perfect for a daytime excursion, the area offers great hiking trails, old castles and monasteries, a rich fauna and plenty of picturesque vineyard villages. Whether you decide to explore the area with one of the guided tours or by yourself, make sure you don't miss the exquisite regional gastronomy and the overwhelming views over the city and the last foothills of the Alps.

The Film Museum in the Albertina is a must in Vienna for every film enthusiast, serving as a cinematheque and an archive for a collection ranging from the origins of film history to the present days; make sure to check the schedule on their website to see what is currently being screened, as this isn't a "museum" in the traditional sense of the word, but more of a historic cinema. National and international films are screened all year round, with changing retrospectives and individual presentations offered to the public. The Film Museum also boasts the widest collection of film literature in the country, as well as a selection of cinema-related photos, posters and periodicals.

Also known as St Leopold's Church, this Art Nouveau masterpiece by Otto Wagner defines Vienna’s architectural cityscape and is recognised as the first example of a Modernist church in Europe. Distinctive components of Art Nouveau style were the ornaments that are especially exposed on the dome of the church and on the altar.

In the 1st district, marvel at a breathtaking light installation by the artist Olafur Eliasson on the façade of the Verbund headquarters. The artwork can be seen on permanent display in Vienna every day at dusk, when 32 fluorescent lamps cast light on the artificial fog climbing up the side of the building and spreading over the pavement. You can visit the exhibition in the Vertical Gallery by appointment (call ahead) every Wednesday at 6:30pm as part of a free art talk.