Vienna · SELF-GUIDED TOURS
Good self-guided tours fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Explore Mozart’s only preserved Vienna apartment, where he lived from 1784 to 1787 and composed Figaro. A self-guided audio tour covers his Vienna years across three exhibition levels. Audio is offered in 13 adult languages and 8 children’s languages. Add Haus der Musik for a broader, interactive music visit.
“Awesome! If you are a Mozart fan like me, book this!!!”
Enter the New Hofburg at Heldenplatz and follow a self-guided audio tour through Habsburg history, the Imperial Armoury, historic musical instruments, and the Weltmuseum Wien. You’ll see armor, weapons, Mozart’s fortepiano, and a wax bust of Joseph Haydn. Audio is offered in nine languages.
“it was very hot inside the building but the display was amazing”
Visit Schlumberger Kellerwelten in Vienna for a 60-minute self-guided audio tour through historic cellars, learn how sparkling wine is made, try hand-riddling bottles, and finish with a choice of sparkling, rosé, or mixed tasting set.
“The tour is self guided (the audio guide was something similar to a watch) the explanations are pretty good, but it is a little uncomfortable (if you don’t have earbuds wired you need to hold it near the ear all the time). The wine is enjoyable; however, please note that only one standard glass is included, with additional glasses costing 3 euros for regular and 5 euros for premium. It was a good experience but it can be improved in my humble opinion.”
This self-guided Vienna scavenger hunt sends you through the historic center with 16 sealed envelopes, riddles, directions, and city facts. Start at St. Stephen’s Cathedral, continue past Graben, Heldenplatz, the Hofburg, City Hall, and the Burgtheater, then pause whenever you like for coffee, photos, or Sacher cake.
“Es war super. Die Rätsel konnte man dank guter Beschreibung super lösen. ich kann es nur weiterempfehlen und würde es in jeder anderen Stadt wieder machen.”
Use your smartphone to follow a self-guided story through central Vienna, solving clues at St. Rupert’s Church, Griechenbeisl, Stephansplatz, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the Albertina, and the Hofburg. The private game lasts about 90 minutes, but you can pause for coffee, museums, or extra sightseeing.
“Great way to see the city and see hidden gems I would have never known about! Me and my friend did it and it was a great afternoon activity”
Follow a self-guided Vienna route from Stephansplatz using 29 narrated recordings, an offline map, and landmark illustrations. You’ll pass Gothic churches, Habsburg monuments, grand cafés, museums, and music landmarks. The route is listed at about 2.5 hours, but its 7-kilometer circuit may suit two relaxed days better.
“Well narrated & interesting details. The digital updating map with red line & us as a blue dot were easier than expected to follow. And fun. We also appreciate the freedom to pause & look more or have a coffee. Next want to try the food tour.”
Use Clio Muse Tours’ English audio guide to walk from Palais Schwarzenberg through Vienna’s Baroque center, passing Karlskirche, the State Opera, Maria-Theresien-Platz, Hofburg Palace, and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Download the offline maps, text, and narration before you arrive.
“Thanks for your rating! Hope to guide you again in the future! Best, Angie,”
Use the VoiceMap app to follow a one-kilometer audio walk from the Vienna State Opera to Stephansdom. Hear stories about the Albertina, wartime memorial, Capuchin Church, and Habsburg crypt while moving at your own pace. The tour works offline and includes music and sound effects.
“Lors de la prise des billets il n'était pas précisé que l'on ne pouvait pas visiter l'intérieur de l'opéra. Arrivés sur place, une demi heure avant la visite, il nous a été dit que ce jour là , pas de visites !!!. Nous avons dépensé 33.- € pour 5 personnes, qu'en est-il ? aurons nous un remboursement ? Merci de nous informer.”
Use a downloadable booklet to walk Vienna’s Old Town independently, from St. Stephen’s Square through cafés, churches, palaces, museums, and historic streets. You’ll get a marked map, opening hours, ticket advice, coffee recommendations, and access in 15 languages, but no guide or attraction entry is included.
“Very easy to follow - took us to great places in the town”
Use the Questo app to follow a self-guided Vienna mystery from St. Stephen’s Cathedral to the Sigmund Freud Museum. Solve puzzles tied to Mozart, Beethoven, Sisi, and Freud, pause whenever you like, and play offline after downloading. The route takes about one to two hours and admission tickets are not included.
“Unable to get purchase into Questro app. No support when requsted. I then had to go to Questro and purchase again.”
Use the World City Trail app to walk 3.5 km through Vienna’s historic center, solving light riddles at ten outdoor sights. Start anytime, pause for coffee or sightseeing, and follow audio and text commentary in six languages. Bring a charged phone, mobile data, and comfortable shoes.
“A great, fun and inexpensive way to see the city with awesome tidbits of history and culture! Will definitely do one again!”
Use the TravelMate app to explore Vienna independently, with 43 audio tracks covering sights from Stephansdom and Hofburg to Schönbrunn and Prater. Listen online or offline in seven languages, read each script, and replay the guide for up to 1035 days after activation.
Use a local beer expert’s booklet to visit three selected beer halls and breweries in Vienna’s Old Town. Taste six Austrian beers, from Märzen to IPA, match them with local snacks, and choose your own route. Drinks, food, transport, and a live guide are not included.
Follow a spy-themed trail through central Vienna with your private group. Using a mobile access code, you solve 15 puzzles at Rathaus, Hofburg, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the Opera, and more. The game is in English, takes about 80 minutes, and can be paused or played offline.
“Directions put us in the heart of Vienna. Great way to view the city and the amazing history. Sometimes the tracking was a bit confusing for the kids, but overall it’s a fun way to walk the city.”
Start at the University of Vienna and follow an app-guided route through central Vienna. Solve riddles, read short facts, and pause when you like. The private activity takes about 2.5 hours, supports six languages, and suits groups of up to three with internet access.
“First of all this app is not very good. Second, the information was so basic and pretty uninteresting. The cell service in Vienna is very spotty so the images would not load a few times. Over all pretty disappointed with the experience.”
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