13 Famous Streets in Vienna You Have to See in Your Lifetime
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Walking the streets in Vienna is one of those travel experiences you never forget.
It is a city stocked full of architecture from various periods and in all styles, a place where you sip a cup of coffee in a building as finely built as an 18th-century church.
We’ve put together a list of the most famous streets in Vienna so you can find and enjoy them in the bustling yet serene Austrian metropolis.
Streets in Vienna
Graben
The foundations for Graben Street were laid way back in Roman times. There was once a trench where the street now lies, but in the 12th century, Austrian knights formulated a scheme to get the money that would pay to fill it.
They kidnapped King Richard the Lionheart and demanded a ransom.
With the king returned and money in pocket, they filled the trench that would become one of the most famous streets in Vienna.
Full of shops, restaurants, and some iconic Vienna sights, the Graben is a hub for history lovers, foodies, and shopaholics alike.
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Ringstrasse
The Ringstrasse is one of those streets in Vienna that you hear about whenever anyone returns from a trip to the city.
It seems that every time you pass one beautiful building on this street, another one, probably in a different, but equally incredible style, pops up to take its place.
On the 3.9 miles worth of Ringstrasse, you’ll encounter the State Opera, the Parliament, City Hall, the Burgtheater, and museums galore.
Set out on foot or rent a bike and see what surprises await you on this cool street in Vienna. Or, if surprises aren’t your thing, you can prepare yourself and listen to a guided tour to get all the historical context for these places.
The Golden Quarter
If you’re looking for the best shopping streets in Vienna, the Golden Quarter is where you can find all the most luxurious shops and restaurants.
Prada, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Emporio Armani, Louis Vuitton, Valentino, Miu Miu, Alexander McQueen, and more have storefronts here. Leiderleitner Home has exquisite home decor.
It is located near all the best Viennese attractions. Just minutes from the Hofburg and St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
Maybe you’ll return home from the city with a new favorite shirt or shining piece of jewelry after a night in the Golden Quarter.
Landstraßer Hauptstraße
This street is likely one of the first you’ll see when arriving in Vienna.
If you’re taking the shuttle from the airport, the Wien-Mitte Station is the first stop, located right at the top of Landstraßer Hauptstraße.
There are also a few prominent subway stations along the street, making it a perfect place to create one of the best shopping streets in Vienna. It accommodates all those coming in or out of the city.
Whether you go north or south on the street, you won’t run out of things to do or see.
Altgasse
Altgasse is close to two of Vienna’s most important attractions: Schönbrunn Palace and Tiergarten.
Tiergarten doubles as the oldest zoo in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
You can walk Altgasse marveling at the architecture of pastel yellow and orange buildings and walls, similar to the nearby palace.
You can also savor Vienna’s coffee culture with the various cafes scattered along the street, or enjoy the old city in its antique shops and traditional pubs.
Favoritenstraße
Named after one of the Habsburgs’ summer residences, the Favoritenstraße has been one of the most famous streets in Vienna since the royal family lived on it.
It is also one of the longest streets in the city. After over 3 and a half miles, the building numbers cap off at 262.
The Habsburgs’ Favorita has now become the Theresianum school and the Diplomatic Academy and it still holds fabulous parties, just like it did when the Habsburgs lived there.
It’s one of those cool streets in Vienna that you’ll be snapping pictures off the entire 3 and a half miles.
Spittelberg
To escape the busyness of the tourist-filled attractions, you need to visit one of the most beautiful streets in Vienna: Spittelberg.
Now, just because it’s not so touristy doesn’t mean Spittelberg isn’t lively. It is full of some of the best restaurants and pubs in Vienna.
Its slower pace comes from the atmosphere. Tranquil gardens and courtyards can be found in the area, perfect for an afternoon stroll or a romantic night out.
During the holiday season, Spittelberg’s already visible magic triples. A Christmas market turns the street red and green and gold.
Join the locals in grabbing a cup of mulled wine from one of the stands to warm up at this time of year.
Herrengasse
Herrengasse is one of the oldest streets in Vienna, recorded as being mentioned for the first time back in Roman times.
Over the centuries, it has been a hub for political and creative movements. It houses the Palais Niederösterreich which has an extensive history in both those regards, as well as being a place you’ll want to take a few pictures of.
Not to mention, some of the classical legends, Liszt, Mozart, and Beethoven, performed here.
From Herrengasse, you can easily access the Hofburg and the Rathausplatz. It also has a prominent subway station, Cafe Central, and more.
Rotenturmstraße
Leading right up to the famous St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Rotenturmstraße is a street where you will find both historical sights and modern-day luxuries.
Being one of Vienna’s most visited areas, a flourishing shopping area has bloomed here. It’s a great place to easily kill a couple of hours and maybe get a souvenir or two.
You can also find all kinds of different cuisine on this street, ranging from Indian to Italian.
Kärntner Strasse
Called the Strata Carinthianorum in Roman times, this is another one of those streets in Vienna that has survived to tell the tale of thousands of years.
Since many of the notable buildings in the city were destroyed during World War II, Kärntner Strasse was rebuilt in the 20th century to become a hub of culture and activity, showing resilience in the face of such tragedy.
It is now only used for pedestrians, giving those walking the city a direct line from the beautiful Karlspaltz to St. Stephen’s.
For fans of Mozart, Kärntner Strasse is the place to go for souvenirs. In 1791, the famed composer passed away in a building that has now become the department store, Steffl.
Mariahilferstraße
Located to the left of the city center, Mariahilferstraße runs horizontally, covering a distance of over 2 miles.
The street is cut into two sections, each equal in length, divided by the Europaplatz and the Westbahnhof.
The Inner Mariahilfer Strasse runs from the Museumplatz to the Mariahilfer Gürtel. It is very connected to the city center and is where you will find most of the restaurants and shops on the street.
The other side, Outer Mariahilfer Strasse, also has some notable attractions, such as the Technology Museum and Auer-Welsbach-Park. There are fewer brand-name stores here, but it is one of the best places to find some really unique local ones.
KohlMarkt
KohlMarkt is not one of those streets in Vienna you shouldn’t frequent if you’re on a budget, but for those looking to drop a pretty penny on the highest quality Viennese products, then this is the place.
Nicknamed the “Golden U,” KohlMarkt is the most prestigious of the shopping streets in Vienna. The Golden Market mentioned above is an extension of this street.
It was once the street that housed the stores of court-appointed jewelers, who are now replaced by the luxurious names known around the world, such as Cartier, Tiffany, and Bulgari.
There are also quite a few local stores that are able to contend with their international counterparts. Stores like Wagner and Bucherer have long held this high-end reputation in Austria.
Wollzeile
Wollzeile is a one-stop shop for a couple of hours in Vienna.
Connecting the Stubentor subway station to the Rotenturmstraße, the central location is ideal for branching out and visiting other attractions that are nearby.
On the actual street, there are adorable authentic shops and traditional restaurants, including the renowned Plachutta and Figlmüller Wollzeile, which has some of the best Wiener Schnitzel in Vienna.
Other storefronts include a honey and truffle shop, a toy store, a bakery, a coffee shop, leather work, and fashion for both men and women.
Final Thoughts: Cool Streets in Vienna
If you don’t know much about Vienna before you visit, it will surprise you.
If you do know much about it, you’ll probably still be surprised. I certainly was.
From the streets in Vienna to the food, you won’t be expecting to love it as much as you are bound to.
It’s a destination for any time and any season. You won’t be disappointed after spending some time in these Viennese streets.
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