A solo female traveler’s guide to Vienna

Solo female travel in Vienna

Vienna, Austria’s picturesque and vibrant capital, is a destination that promises to enchant and inspire every solo female traveler.

The historic streets and famous coffee culture are just a few of the things that make the capital one of the best places to visit in Austria. Whether visiting Vienna is part of a trip backpacking in Austria or you just fancy a long weekend getaway, the Austrian capital is the ideal destination for traveling solo.

So, grab your passport, pack your sense of adventure, and follow our Vienna travel guide for tips and recommendations for solo travel, Vienna-style.

Must see places in Vienna

Often the best thing to do in Vienna is to simply walk around and enjoy the beautiful city – especially if it’s your first time visiting. There’s lots of noteworthy architecture to feast your eyes upon, especially in the historical center and the Ringstrasse, which is a UNESCO world heritage site. Here are a few sights you won’t want to miss:

• Schönbrunn Palace: designed by Baroque architect Johann Fischer von Erlach, the palace took over 40 years to be built and was finally completed in the mid-18th century. The grand and distinctly yellow structure is situated on the grounds of an impressive park that you can enter for free.
• St. Stephen’s Cathedral: at the very center of the city stands the Austrian capital’s most iconic landmark. You can enter this important Gothic building and admire the cathedral’s interior, catacombs, and rooftop (where you can see the roof tiling up close).
• Karlskirche: this Baroque style church was built in the 18th century and is characterized by its large dome and two enormous columns. Enjoy ornate designs, live concerts, and a panoramic terrace that provides fantastic views of the city. Sometimes contemporary art installations are embedded inside the church, bridging the gap between the old and new.
• Vienna City Hall (Rathaus): the neo-gothic city hall is situated in front of the Rathausplatz square, which is home to a range of annual events and is a popular meeting place for locals and tourists.
• Hundertwasserhaus: seen your fair share of historic architecture? For something a bit different, check out Friedensreich Hundertwasser’s apartment house built in a contemporary, non-conformist fashion. This standout landmark boasts a mosaic of colors and there isn’t a straight line in sight.

Things to do in Vienna

If you’re looking for things to do alone in Vienna, the capital of Austria isn’t short on memorable activities for solo female travelers: 

• Belvedere Museum:  the home of Klimt’s masterpiece “The Kiss”, also displays many other impressive artworks from profound artists both historic and contemporary. The Belvedere is one of the oldest museums in the world and has been the site of many historical moments such as the signing of the Austrian State Treaty. Its stunning gardens are also a treat for the senses and are one of Vienna’s many UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
• Kunsthistorisches Museum: this museum offers an impressive collection of historical artifacts and masterpieces, many from ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome.
• Albertina Museums: venture into both museums to explore a world of Monet, Picasso, and Degas as well as diverse modern and contemporary art.
• Vienna State Opera (die Wiener Staatsoper): this celebrated opera house is breathtaking from the inside and out. You can admire the prestigious building’s exterior, book a guided tour, and, of course, buy a ticket to one of its many world-renowned opera or ballet performances. If you fancy splashing out and listening to Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro” in the city where it was written, this is the place.
• National Library (Österreichische Nationalbibliothek): the national library is everything you want a library to be, tall wooden stairs, ornate details, floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, and hidden doors. The public can use the library and access the library museum.
• Leopold Museum: this modern art museum hosts an important collection of Austrian art from the 19th century and beyond.
• Viennese coffee houses (Kaffeehaus): indulge in a Melange (Viennese Coffee) in one (or several) of Vienna’s coffee houses. It’s thought that coffee houses helped to develop European modernity in the 18th and 19th centuries as they were a place where class divisions didn’t exist. People of different backgrounds came to chat, eat, and read. Now, for the price of a coffee, you can be transported back in time at favorite spots like Café Central or Cafe Hawelka, or more modernized coffee houses such as Café Prückel and Schadekgasse 12.
• Naschmarkt: this lively market area presents around 120 market stands and restaurants from all corners of the world. On a sunny day, enjoy strolling amongst the fresh produce stalls and some alfresco dining.
• Traditional Viennese and Austrian food: many cafes and restaurants across the city will allow you to indulge in some Viennese treats and Austrian classics such as the Wiener Schnitzel, Spargel (white asparagus dish), Sachertorte (chocolate cake), Wiener Wurstel (Viennese Sausage), and Apfelstrudel (Apple Strudel).

For most tourist attractions and cultural sites, you’ll have to pay to enter and even book in advance. We recommend purchasing a Vienna Pass on your first day which will give you the freedom to visit as many attractions as you wish.

Best time to visit Vienna

We can’t think of a time you shouldn’t travel to Vienna! However, if you tend to feel the heat or cold easily, it might be best to consider the season before booking your solo trip to Vienna. Like most of central Europe, it gets piping hot in the summer and very chilly, and often snowy, in the winter. So, if you’re planning on doing a lot of sightseeing, the best time to travel to Vienna might be late spring or early fall so it’s not too hot to walk around the city but you can still enjoy some outdoor fun. 

If you like to plan your trips around events that take place, then you’ve got plenty to choose from – this lively city has lots of pop-up activities and spectacles all year around:

• Vienna Festival (Wiener Festwochen): throughout May and June this contemporary arts festival springs to life showcasing a range of international experiences from dance to visual arts, theatre to activism. Anyone can buy tickets and some performances are free.
• Danube Island Festival (Donauinselfest): for one weekend in June, a large, open-air music festival pops up on an island on the River Danube – with free entry! While it hosts mostly German-speaking artists, some headliners are also popular international artists.
• Rathausplatz Music Film Festival: from the end of June to the start of September you can watch music films on a big screen outside the city hall. This film spectacle also plays host to a range of culinary delights that pop up with outdoor seating.
• The Kaiser Wiesn: Vienna is one of the best destinations to take part in Octoberfest. If you love beer, live music, and energetic crowds, get yourself to Austria’s capital in late September and October to celebrate the Viennese way.
• Vienna Film Festival (Viennale): cinemas all over Vienna’s historic center take part in the Viennale in late October. It’s one of the most well-known festivals in the German-speaking world and contains a fantastic program of international films as well as interviews and events.
• Vienna’s Christmas Markets (Wiener Christkindlmarkt): don’t miss the warm glow of Christmas lights and the smell of roasted chestnuts at the Christmas Markets. In late November and December, Christmas markets are set up all over the city, with the most famous being the one at Rathausplatz – think fairytale wooden stalls, punch, apple strudel, and crafted Christmas gifts.
• Vienna Ice Dream (Wiener Eistraum): searching for a winter wonderland? Look no further than Vienna’s ice rink. It’s one of the biggest ice rinks in Europe and is open from mid-January to early March.

Getting around Vienna

Vienna has an extensive public transport network of trams, buses, the U-Bahn (underground), and S-Bahn (overground), which makes traveling in Vienna a breeze. Trams are a particularly nice way to see the city and are frequent and well-connected. 

You can purchase single or multi-day transport tickets and we recommend downloading the Wiener Linien app to guide you around the city. If using paper tickets, always remember to validate them to avoid a heavy fine.

Feel like doing a bit of exercise? Vienna offers a public bike-sharing scheme called Citybike Wien, with numerous docking stations located throughout the city.

Accommodation for solo female travelers in Vienna

There are lots of hotels and hostels all over the Austrian capital to choose from. If you stay in Vienna’s center you’ll be very close to most attractions but will pay a steeper price.

All areas of the city are easily accessible by public transport and if you stay outside of the first district you’ll be closer to local cafes and hip bars. Districts one to nine are generally the safest for solo female travelers as they’re better-lit at night and the transport routes are more straightforward. 

By house sitting with TrustedHousesitters you can truly live like a local in one of Vienna’s many districts – with the added benefit of an adorable animal companion! And hey, you could even find yourself yourself house sitting in one of Vienna's incredible historic properties!

Is Vienna safe for solo female travelers?

If you’re wondering “Is Vienna safe to travel alone?”, good news! With Austria being one of the top ten safest places for women according to the Women Peace and Security Index, it’s one of the best places for solo female travel.

To add an extra element of safety, the city has well-lit, lively streets. On Friday and Saturday nights, the U-Bahn runs 24 hours a day and there are also night buses, taxis, and Ubers.

Unfortunately, like any large city, it’s never 100% safe and there are also often pickpockets in crowded tourist areas and public transport.

Meeting people and connecting with locals

There are many ways you can meet fellow explorers and locals. Lots of people from Vienna have good English and there’s a large international community. Attending events is a great way to start, and you can also meet new travel buddies who’re traveling in Austria by using apps like Meetup and Bumble BFF, and also Facebook groups. 

Walking tours and classes are also a great way to get chatting to new people with common interests. 

If you’re a member of TrustedHousesitters, you can join our Community Forum and connect with other pet sitters who may be in Vienna at the same time as you.

Tips from a local

• While many Viennese speak English, learning a few basic phrases in German can go a long way with the locals as it shows your appreciation for their language and culture.
• That being said, Austrian German often differs from Hochdeutsch. For example, as an alternative to saying “Guten Tag” (“good day”), Austrians often formally say “Grϋß Gott” or informally “Servus”.
• Keep in mind that many shops and businesses are closed on Sundays in Vienna, so plan your activities accordingly. However, restaurants, cafes, and tourist attractions remain open.
• Venture beyond the touristy city center to discover lesser-known neighborhoods and hidden gems. Explore Vienna’s districts like Neubau and Leopoldstadt to experience local life and culture.
• Look up! Some of the best things to see in Vienna are above eye level, like the exquisite tiling and ornate balconies of the buildings in the city center.

Vienna for solo female pet sitters

Sharing your Vienna solo travel experience with a new furry buddy? House sitting is one of the best ways for solo female travelers to experience the daily life of a local.

Things to do with dogs in Vienna

If you’re pet sitting a dog why not explore Vienna together? Vienna is a dog-friendly city and there are plenty of activities that you and your new bundle of mischief can get up to together:

• Take a walk in Vienna Woods (Wienerwald): strap on your hiking shoes and walk along scenic woodland paths with your pup pal. We recommend hiking up the Kahlenberg where you can see fantastic views of the entire city from 484 meters high. If you want more of a challenge, you can climb to the peak of the Schöpfl at 893 meters high. While Wienerwald is dog-friendly, visitors are told to keep dogs on a leash.
• Hang out in some of Vienna's parks: Some parks in Vienna allow dogs and have dog areas (Hundezone). Some great places you can take your new four-legged friend are the Vienna Prater dog zone, Angelibad-Park (where there’s also a beach), and Türkenschanzpark. 
• Take a Danube river cruise or walking tour: Many boat and walking tours allow dogs to join, so you can easily see some sights with your local fur pal.

Dog-friendly cafes, bars, and restaurants in Vienna

Most cafes, restaurants, outdoor terraces, and some bars allow dogs so you’ll have no problem taking your furry friend out for a Viennese dining experience. You might want to try Schweizerhaus which is a dog-friendly beer garden at Prater or the dog-welcoming Wiener Grill Haus.

House and pet sits

Are you jumping for joy at the idea of sharing your Austria solo travel experience with a pet chum? At TrustedHousesitters we offer a range of house sitting opportunities to make your Vienna solo female travel experience even more special.