The Best Things to do in Vienna with Kids - Family Friendly Travel Destinations

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Are you planning a trip to Vienna and wondering what to do in Vienna with kids? Vienna is a beautiful city with a rich history, stunning architecture, and plenty of things to do and see. However, if you are planning a family vacation to Vienna, you might be wondering how to keep your kids entertained and engaged. Fortunately, there are many activities and attractions in Vienna that are perfect for families with kids of all ages.

In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the top things to do in Vienna with kids. Vienna is an easy European city to visit with kids, however I will be honest that it was not our favorite! Some cities just immediately draw you in and Vienna didn’t have that effect on any of us. Don’t get me wrong, we are glad to have visited but will not be returning. Read on for the best things to do in Vienna with kids.

How to get to Vienna

Vienna is the capital city of Austria and is well-connected to many major cities around the world. There are several ways to get to Vienna, including by plane, train, bus, or car.

By plane: Vienna International Airport is the primary airport in Vienna, and it’s located about 18 km southeast of the city center. Many international airlines offer direct flights to Vienna from major cities around the world. Since we were coming from Rome, we flew in.
By train: Vienna has excellent rail connections to other major cities in Europe, including Berlin, Prague, Budapest, and Munich. The main train station in Vienna is Wien Hauptbahnhof, which is located in the south of the city.
By car: If you prefer to drive, Vienna is very accessible from many neighboring countries. However, it’s important to note that driving in the city center can be challenging, and parking can be expensive. If you do rent a car, Auto Europe is a great place for rentals and one we have used all over Europe.

Tips for visiting Vienna with kids

Visiting Vienna with kids can be a wonderful experience, but it does require some careful planning and preparation to ensure that everyone has a great time. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your family vacation in Vienna:

Plan ahead: Before you arrive in Vienna, do some research on family-friendly activities and attractions. Make a list of the places you want to visit and check their opening hours, admission fees, and any special events that may be taking place. Some attractions require advance, timed bookings to be sure to check to avoid disappointment.
Get a Vienna Pass: The Vienna Pass is a great way to save money on admission fees. The card offers free admission to more than 70 attractions in Vienna.
Bring a small, portable charger to charge your device on the go.
Take advantage of free activities: Vienna has many free activities that are perfect for families with kids, such as visiting the city’s parks and playgrounds, exploring the historic city center on foot, or attending a free concert or performance.
Bring reusable shopping bags. You will be charged for bags at each store, so it’s best to bring your own. I always carry my reusable shopping bags that fold into a tiny pouch whenever I travel.
Dress appropriately: Vienna can be quite warm in the summer and cold in the winter, so make sure you and your kids dress appropriately for the weather. Wear comfortable shoes for walking and bring a raincoat or umbrella in case of rain. We came in May and while it was only in the 70s, it felt super hot and almost unbearable to walk during the day so I imagine summers here are quite miserable!
Book a family photo session with a local photographer! If you want some ideas of local photographers who work with travelers, we highly recommend Flytogropher!
You won’t need much cash here, we used Apple Pay at almost every single place we have visited making it super easy to pay at restaurants, shops and attractions.
Cigarette smoke, it’s everywhere! I always laugh when people say Vegas isn’t kid friendly because of the smoke yet the same people recommend Europe. We ate outside the entire trip and had a cloud of smoke in our faces through every meal. Everyone around us was chain smoking at every single restaurant. It’s hard to walk down the street without walking through a cloud of smoke. So if you are sensitive or you don’t want your kids inhaling smoke, maybe dine indoors, where smoking is not allowed. This isn’t unique to Vienna but it’s been a while since we’ve been to a European city where we can dine outside due to weather so just something we all noticed. It doesn’t help that the tables are on top of each other so you might as well be lighting up too.

Where to stay in Vienna with kids

There are many family friendly neighborhoods and accommodations in Vienna. Vienna has many great neighborhoods that are perfect for families with kids. Here are some of the best areas to stay in Vienna with kids:

Innere Stadt: Vienna’s historic city center, known as the Innere Stadt, is a great place to stay with kids. This area is home to many of the city’s top attractions, including St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the Hofburg Palace, and the Spanish Riding School. There are also many restaurants and cafes in the area, as well as plenty of green spaces for kids to run around in.
Leopoldstadt: Located just outside the city center, Leopoldstadt is a vibrant and family-friendly neighborhood that is home to the famous Prater amusement park. This area also has many restaurants, shops, and cafes, as well as the beautiful Augarten Park.
Landstrasse: Landstrasse is a quieter neighborhood located to the east of the city center. This area is home to the famous Belvedere Palace, as well as many parks and playgrounds. Landstrasse is also well-connected to other parts of the city by public transportation.
Neubau: Neubau is a trendy and bohemian neighborhood located to the west of the city center. This area is home to many art galleries, boutiques, and cafes, as well as the famous Naschmarkt food market. Neubau also has many parks and playgrounds, making it a great place to stay with kids.

When choosing accommodation in Vienna, look for hotels or apartments that are close to public transportation, have family-friendly amenities like cribs and high chairs, and offer plenty of space for kids to play. Many hotels and apartments in Vienna also offer special family packages and discounts, so be sure to shop around to find the best deal.

Since we are a hotel family, we chose to stay at the Renaissance Wien Hotel. While not in the city center, it was right by the metro, making it easy to get anywhere in the city in minutes. The neighborhood surrounding the hotel was super cute with lots of locals. We had a suite with a separate living room that had a sleeper sofa for our daughter.

If you’re looking for a different area or an apartment, check out the map below for some rental suggestions.

How to get around Vienna with kids

Getting around Vienna with kids is easy and convenient thanks to the city’s excellent public transportation system. Here are some of the best ways to get around Vienna with kids:

Metro: Vienna’s metro system, known as the U-Bahn, is fast and efficient, and it’s a great way to get around the city with kids. The U-Bahn has six lines that cover most of the city, and trains run every 2-7 minutes during peak hours. We used the metro for the majority of our stay, it was directly across the street from our hotel and super easy to figure out.
Trams: Vienna’s tram system is another great option for getting around the city with kids. The trams run on a network of 28 lines and cover many of the city’s main tourist areas. Riding the tram is also a great way to see the city’s sights and attractions. We took this to a mall one day and saw lots of local neighborhoods on the way.
Buses: Vienna’s bus network is extensive and covers areas that are not served by the metro or tram. Buses run frequently and are a great option for getting to some of the city’s more outlying attractions.
Walking: Vienna is a great city for walking, and many of the main attractions are located close to each other. Walking with kids can be a great way to explore the city and get some exercise at the same time. We saw lots of little kids on micro scooters around the city as well, great option if you don’t want to bring a stroller for the preschool crowd!
Taxis and ride sharing services: Taxis and Uber/Bolt are widely available in Vienna, but they can be expensive. If you need to take a car with kids, make sure to request a child seat or bring your own.

No matter which mode of transportation you choose, Vienna is a safe and family-friendly city to get around. With a little planning and preparation, you and your kids can enjoy all that the city has to offer.

What to do in Vienna with kids

Wondering what to do in Vienna with kids? You’re in luck! Vienna is a very family friendly city and there are lots of things to do in Vienna with kids.

Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens

Schönbrunn Palace is one of Vienna’s most famous landmarks, and it’s a must-visit destination for families with kids. The palace was once the summer residence of the Habsburg monarchs and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Kids will love exploring the palace’s 45 of the 1,441 rooms and admiring the ornate decorations and furnishings. The palace’s extensive gardens are also a great place to let your kids run around and burn off some energy.

There is also a kids museum section, where your kids can learn all about the history in a fun way. For this reason, this is one of the best things to do in Vienna with kids. Since we didn’t really want to wander around 45 rooms, we opted to only go inside the children’s museum. It’s really cute and interactive and a great way to learn about the history of the place.

Vienna Zoo

Vienna Zoo, or Tiergarten Schönbrunn, is the oldest zoo in the world and is located next to the Schönbrunn Palace. The zoo is home to more than 700 species of animals, including pandas, tigers, and elephants. Kids will love watching the animals and learning about their behaviors and habits. There are also playgrounds and other activities for kids to enjoy. This is one of the top things to do in Vienna with kids.

Prater Park

Prater Park is a popular destination for families in Vienna and one of the best places to visit in Vienna with kids. The park is home to the famous Wiener Riesenrad, a giant Ferris wheel that offers stunning views of the city. There are also plenty of other attractions at Prater Park, including a roller coaster, bumper cars, and a ghost train. Kids will love spending the day here, and there are plenty of food vendors and picnic areas for families to enjoy.

Natural History Museum

If your kids love dinosaurs, fossils, and other natural wonders, the Natural History Museum is a must-visit destination in Vienna. The museum is home to a vast collection of specimens, including the world’s largest collection of meteorites. Kids can explore interactive exhibits and learn about the history of our planet and its inhabitants. This is one of the best museums for kids in Vienna.

Haus des Meeres

Haus des Meeres, or the House of the Sea, is an aquarium and zoo located in Vienna’s Mariahilf district. The attraction is housed in a World War II anti-aircraft tower and is home to more than 10,000 animals, including sharks, rays, and sea turtles. Kids will love exploring the different levels of the tower and seeing the animals up close. We were surprised at how active all the animals were here, you really get up close and personal with them here!

And if you want the best views of the city, head to the top floor and look out. You’ll have some stunning views of Vienna.

Take a day trip to Bratislava

Want to visit another country while in Vienna? One of the best day trips from Vienna is to Bratislava, just a one hour train ride away. We have a separate post on visiting Bratislava from Vienna, so I won’t go into details here. Be sure to check it out if you’re planning to take the train from Vienna to Bratislava!

Visit the Naschmarkt

Want to check out a local market? The Naschmarkt is one of the best markets in Vienna, with over 100 food stalls as well as vendors selling everything form souvenirs to household goods. It’s a great place to spend a few morning or afternoon hours. Keep in mind, they are closed on Sunday, like many things in the city.

Wander around Innere Stadt

Vienna’s Old Town is called Innere Stadt and this area is super cute to explore with kids. You’ll see the majestic St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the fanciest H&M in the world and lots of cute shops and restaurants. Most of this area is pedestrian only, so you don’t have to worry about your kids getting run down by a car.

Where to eat in Vienna with kids

Reinthaler

If you’re looking for a traditional restaurant serving Austrian food, then this kid friendly Vienna restaurant is a great place to visit. Tucked away in a quiet alleyway in the busy Innere Stadt, Reinthaler serves the traditional foods locals eat in Vienna. We tried their sausage platter and schnitzel and both were good.

Paolo Bortolotti

In the mood for desserts? Then head to Paolo Bortolotti! We came here because we saw that they had spaghettieis (vanilla ice cream shaped like spaghetti with strawberry sauce on top) but they also have a huge variety of desserts. If you order at the window, they only serve gelato but sit on their outdoor patio and you can order from the huge menu of desserts. This is one of the best dessert cafes in Vienna!

Demel

It’s not a trip to Vienna without trying the famous sachertorte! In 1832, French pastry chef Franz Sacher created this now famous cake in the capital of Austria and many cafes serve it to this day. This cake consists of 3 layers of chocolate sponge cake with thickly spread apricot jam in between and on the top. Demel is a cute cafe that has many other yummy desserts as well, so it’s a great place to visit if others in your party might want something other than sachertorte.

Have a frankfurter from a street vendor

You will see lots of street vendors selling frankfurters and I highly recommend you try them! They cut out a whole in the bread and shove the sausage in, then fill it with whatever toppings you want. We loved these and had them multiple times on our trip.

Rinderwahn

While wandering around the Naschmarkt, we noticed that the biggest line was for this burger restaurant. Their delivery service, Foodora, also had a constant stream of delivery people picking up orders. So, we decided to try it and it was great! They have locations all over the city, so you don’t have to necessarily come to the market one.

Chatanooga

While wandering around Innere Stadt, you will most likely notice this restaurant as the outdoor patio is always packed. We ate here on our last night and the meal was great. Just keep in mind that if you dine outside like we did, every single party around you will be heavily smoking so that’s literally all you will smell. We shared the beef cutlet meal, which came with mashed potatoes. This is something that is popular in Polish cuisine and tasted very similar to how my mom makes it.

As you can see, there are lots of things to do in Vienna with kids. The city has many family-friendly attractions and activities that cater to children of all ages. From world-renowned museums and palaces to amusement parks and zoos, there’s something for everyone in Vienna. Additionally, Vienna is a safe and clean city with excellent public transportation, making it easy to get around with kids.