Romantic Things To Do in Vienna (My Top List 2023)

Is Vienna a romantic city? Being an imperial capital in the past, Vienna is filled with gorgeous architecture, royal palaces and glamour. It has everything you need for a perfect honeymoon or a romantic weekend.

Just imagine walking with your loved one on a cobbled alley covered with light snow. Or take a carriage ride through the beautiful city. Or maybe sitting in a chandelier-lit coffee house over a hot cup of coffee and a rich chocolate cake. Vienna has it all!

It’s hard to choose from so many activities for couples. So, to help you with your choice, I made this guide with hand-picked romantic places and experiences in Vienna.

Vienna is a popular destination, but it’s not overrun by tourists like Venice or Paris for example. So, it’s easy to spend a romantic weekend in the City of Music. Take your time and explore the gorgeous palaces, the city’s charming cobblestone streets and beautiful coffee houses. And probably at the end of the day, you’ll be more in love than when you started!

Most romantic things to do in Vienna (for couples)

• Take a romantic horse carriage ride
• Tour Vienna in an electro vintage car
• Attend a Mozart concert at the Golden Hall
• Take a Viennese waltz dance lesson
• Take a stroll in the gardens of Schönbrunn Palace
• Visit the Schlumberger sparkling wine cellars
• Relax at Europe’s biggest city spa
• Ice skating at the Rathaus
• Take a walking tour of Vienna at night
• Take an evening Danube boat cruise
• Have a candlelit dinner on the Giant Ferris Wheel

Is there a more romantic way to see the beautiful Baroque city than taking a horse carriage ride? Forget about the rest of the world as you go back to the 19th century with this unique way of transportation. Enjoy the marvellous architecture on your way through the Old Town, while holding hands with your loved one. 

You can book your horse carriage ride here. The starting point is St. Stephen’s Square and you’ll travel along the gorgeous boulevard known as the Ring.

Another option is to book the Secrets of Fiaker & horse carriage ride tour. It combines a carriage ride with a visit to the original Viennese Fiaker horse stable.

Another romantic way to explore Vienna is on board a royal electro-vintage car. During this nostalgic ride, you’ll discover the city’s highlights, including the Imperial Palace, the Rathaus and the famous Ringstraße. You can even pimp your ride with a bottle of the finest sparkling wine.

You can book your electro vintage car ride here. It’s possible to choose between a 40, 60, or 90-minute tour.

Vienna is the perfect place to enjoy a classical music concert. Spend a delightful evening and soak up in the magical works of Mozart side by side with your partner.

The most romantic setting for such an experience is the Golden Hall of the Musikverein. You’ll enjoy a journey through time while listening to the famous musicians from Mozart Orchestra in period costumes.

If you look for smaller, more intimate concerts, choose between Karlskirche, St. Peter’s Church or St. Anne’s Church. You can find more information in my guide to the best classical concerts in Vienna.

Vienna is world-famous for its Viennese waltz. Danced at 60 bar or 90 beats per minute, this ballroom couple dance is much faster than the English waltz.

Learning how to dance the Viennese waltz is one of the most romantic activities for couples. And it’s so much fun! For one hour you can learn the basics of the waltz while spending a lovely time with your partner.

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Elmayer Dance School offers group lessons every Saturday from 4 PM to 5 PM. Registration is not necessary, just show up with your partner. Of course, you can book private tuition (available in several languages, including English, French, German, and Japanese).

The city is full of beautiful parks, but nothing can be compared to the gardens of Schönbrunn Palace. It’s one of the most romantic places in Vienna. The gardens are open to the public free of charge, and they cover an area of about a square kilometre.

Take a leisurely stroll with your partner and lose yourselves amongst green alleys, flowery parterres and pretty fountains. And don’t forget to take some nuts with you – the squirrels are always very hungry and fearless.

Another way to explore the vast gardens is by taking a ride on a horse-drawn carriage. During this 30min ride, you’ll discover the gardens’ highlights, including the Palm House, the stunning Neptune and Obelisk fountains and the Orangerie.

The 300-year-old Schlumberger wine cellars are the oldest of their kind in Austria. These romantic labyrinthine cellars house over 2 million bottles of Sekt sparkling wine! In fact, the first Sekt in Austria is produced here by Robert Alwin Schlumberger.

This is the perfect romantic experience for every wine lover couple. You’ll discover the secrets of the Austrian sparkling wines and enjoy some wine tasting at the end.

You can book your tickets to the Schlumberger cellars here.

A relaxed day at the spa with your loved one is always a good idea! The Spa Therme Wien is the biggest city spa in Europe. It features 26 naturally heated pools and 24 Finnish saunas and steam baths. Treat yourselves to a massage, a spa procedure or just relax in any of the heated pools.

You can book your tickets to Spa Therme Wien here.

If you’re visiting Vienna in December, don’t miss the ice rink in front of the Rathaus. With fairy lights among the trees and Christmas carols, it’s the perfect romantic atmosphere. All you need is to put on the skates and have fun with your partner.

Also, don’t miss to explore the numerous fairytale Christmas markets. You can find all the needed information in my guide to Vienna in December.

The city is more than glamorous at night. Most of the attractions are illuminated, creating a magical atmosphere. Thus, take your most comfortable shoes and of course your loved one and go for a long romantic walk.

The State Opera, Hofburg, Karlskirche, Belvedere Palace, Rathaus and Stephansdom are a must-see at night.

There is nothing more delightful than gliding along the river while sipping wine and watching the night falls. It’s the ideal way to end a romantic day in Vienna.

Take an evening boat cruise along the Danube and enjoy the beautifully lit skyline of the city. Watch the world go by while cruising and see the highlights of Vienna. A sparkling aperitif and a lovely dinner are included in the package.

Taking a ride on the iconic Giant Ferris Wheel is a must-do while in Wien. The Ferris Wheel does only one slow turn (a 20min ride) during which you can enjoy the beautiful city views. The best time to do that is after dark when the city is all lit up and looks spectacular.

If you look for a truly romantic experience, surprise your partner with a dinner on the Giant Ferris Wheel. You can rent a cabin for the two of you for a special dinner. The dinner package includes a 1h30min ride and it’s possible to choose from different menus.

Schönbrunn Palace – it’s one of the most popular attractions with long queues. Buy your tickets in advance from the official website or use Vienna Pass to skip the line.

Spanish Riding School – one of the most popular activities in Vienna, so book tickets in advance here.

Giant Ferris Wheel – if you don’t have a Wien Pass, book tickets ahead to avoid waiting in line.

Attend a classical music concert – tickets for the most popular concerts sell out fast, so book as early as you can (see all concerts here).

For a special vacation, you’ll need a special place to stay in. When it comes to figuring out where to stay in Vienna as a couple, my advice is to choose the Innere Stadt (Vienna’s old town). There you’ll find plenty of romantic hotels set in gorgeous historic townhouses. Plus, you’ll be just a short walk from nice restaurants and bars.

Still wondering in what area to book a hotel? Check out my guide to where to stay in Vienna, Austria.

Here are some of my recommendations for the most romantic hotels in Vienna.

Housed in a historic building from the 17th century, the hotel features an authentic Viennese atmosphere. It’s like a small Baroque palace! The rooms are beautifully decorated in traditional style, with comfortable beds and huge bathrooms. Plus, the location is ideal for sightseeing, just a few minutes’ walk from the State Opera.
Why book – 600m from Stephansdom, excellent breakfast, 24 hours free coffee at reception

This boutique 5-star hotel is perfect for a romantic holiday. It has an excellent location opposite the Museum Quarter with plenty of restaurants nearby and a metro stop. Rooms are spacious and feature elegant interior design.
Why book – next to Maria-Theresien-Platz, fabulous breakfast, amazing spa with an indoor pool

If you look for a truly unique place to stay, then the grand suite at the Schönbrunn Palace is the ideal choice. Stay in this former imperial palace and enjoy the same view as Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth once enjoyed!
Why book – located in Schönbrunn Palace, fantastic views towards the gardens

If you’re looking for a romantic restaurant in Vienna, you’ll be spoiled for choices. From sumptuous coffee houses and elegant restaurants to awesome rooftop bars, just name it! To help you plan a special evening, I picked some places, that will ensure you have a great time with your significant other.

Café Central is one of the most sumptuous coffee houses in the city. This 19th-century historic café is the perfect place for some delicious Viennese cakes.

Address: Herrengasse 14, 1010 Wien
www.cafecentral.wien

This small intimate restaurants with red damask walls and crystal chandeliers evoke the feel of old Vienna. And with live piano music, it’s just the right place for a special dinner with your partner.

Address: Philharmoniker Str. 4, 1010 Wien
www.sacher.com

The restaurant is set in the vestibule of the famous Burg Theatre, from where comes its name. And if you look for a classical fine dining experience, this is the place to go.

Address: Universitätsring 2, 1010 Wien
www.vestibuel.at

This bar is located at the best spot in the city – opposite the St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Thus, you can imagine the gorgeous view you’ll get along with your cocktail. It’s a great spot for a daytime drink or evening cocktails.

Address: Stephansplatz 12, 1010 Wien

There are plenty of romantic places to visit near Vienna – from emerald river valleys to medieval castles and abbeys. So, take your loved one, leave this imperial city for a day and enjoy an adventure.

Stretching between the town of Melk and Krems, the spectacular Wachau Valley is a great option for a romantic day trip from Vienna. The scenic area is filled with picturesque villages, abbeys and idyllic vineyards. And not to forget the medieval castle at Dürnstein, where Richard the Lionhearted was held as a prisoner.

The best way to see the beautiful Wachau Valley is by taking a boat cruise. Explore Dürnstein, Weissenkirchen, Spitz and Melk with an expert wine guide and sample regional wines. The tour includes also lunch at a traditional family-run wine tavern.

If you prefer to explore the Wachau Valley on your own, check out this combined Wachau-Ticket. It includes train and boat tickets plus an entrance to Melk Abbey.

Burg Kreuzenstein is a great day trip for all couples who love castles. Although its story is not so romantic, I promise that you’ll feel like in a dreamy medieval fairytale. 

The history of Burg Kreuzenstein started around the 12th century. Its first owner was Dietrich of Grizanestaine from the Bavarian Formbacher family.

In the 13th century, the Habsburg took possession of the castle for the following 250 years. In 1645, during the last years of the Thirty Years’ War, after a siege, the fortress fell in the hands of the Swedish army. During its retreat, the building was largely destroyed and then abandoned. The following decades brought nothing good to the castle and soon it sank into oblivion.

In 1702 it became a possession of the Wilczek family, Polish nobles, through marriage. And in 1874 Johann Nepomuk Wilczek took the hard task to reconstruct the castle. Johann was a chamberlain at the court of Emperor Franz Joseph I. He was also one of the most famous aristocrats of his era.

During the rebuilding of the castle, the existing ruins were incorporated in the new building. In addition, various original components were used. These components were collected from Wilczek during his research tours through Europe. This gave the authentic and romantic look of Burg Kreuzenstein.

The castle can be visited only on a guided tour (only in German). Don’t worry, sheets with printed information in English are provided. The tour takes place every hour on the hour and lasts about 45-60 minutes. 

How to get to Kreuzenstein Castle
Take the suburban train S3 or S4 to Leobendorf-Burg Kreuzenstein station (30min journey). You have to validate your tickets before boarding. If you have a weekly pass, you have to buy only one ticket for the area outside of Vienna.

When you arrive at the station, head to the centre of the town. After 1km of walking, you will see signs, leading to the castle and the castle itself is visible from a distance. The road to the castle continues through a romantic path in the woods. Just follow the signs and you won’t get lost. You will need about 30-40 minutes (2 kilometres) of walking to reach the castle.

The place is the perfect setting for a romantic day trip from Vienna. No wonder why the famous Empress Elisabeth of Austria (known as Sisi) spent her honeymoon here.

Franzensburg Castle began as a small hunting lodge of the Habsburgs in 1333 (today called Altes Schloss). Later in 1801 Francis II, the last Holy Roman Emperor, commissioned the construction of the castle. It’s built on an artificial island in the middle of a pond, surrounded by a huge park.

Although the gardens are free to visit, you have to join a guided tour to explore the castle.

How to get to Franzensburg Castle from Vienna
Take bus number 200 from Wien Hbf (Busbahnhof Südtiroler Platz) to Laxenburg Franz-Joseph-Platz (a 40min journey). From there it’s about 2.5km to the castle through a park.

Margrave Leopold III founded Klosterneuburg Abbey in the 12th century. According to the legends, he chose this place for the abbey for a reason. On this spot, he found the veil of his bride after it was seized by a strong wind on their wedding day. During the centuries, the abbey served as a royal residence of many Imperial dynasties, including the Habsburgs.

The oldest winery in Austria is also here. You can tour the wine cellar and sample some excellent wines. A perfect activity for couples!

Book your skip the line tickets for Klosterneuburg Abbey here.

How to get to Klosterneuburg Abbey from Wien
Take train S40 to Klosterneuburg Kierling Bahnhof (a 15min journey). From there it’s about 700m to the abbey.

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About the author

	Milena Yordanova
	I’m a full-time travel blogger based in Sofia, Bulgaria. I love to travel and to discover new places, cultures and food. I’m an expert in travel planning and I am here to help you plan your dream vacation.

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