Vienna / 20 photo spots
20 Instagram spots around Vienna
Vienna’s photo spots range from ornate civic buildings and churches to colourful façades, markets and parks. These ideas offer several ways to frame the city.
The first 10 photo spots
Baroque domes, palace gardens and one pink street in April: Vienna is formal and photogenic in equal measure. These 10 spots cover the center and the palaces.
Explore the map
Photo spots on the map
9 of 20 photo ideas have sourced location coordinates. The initial view is for orientation. An area marker does not indicate an exact photo position.
Select a highlighted number to show its sourced location on the map. Every name links to the photo spot.
If the map does not load, use the OpenStreetMap link or the photo spot list.
All photo spots
- PraterApproximate area
- GrabenApproximate area
- Votive ChurchSourced place
- St. Stephen’s CathedralSourced place
- Vienna City HallSourced place
- MichaelerplatzApproximate area
- Maria am GestadeSourced place
- StrudlhofstiegeSourced place
- NaschmarktApproximate area
Map data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.
Destination reference: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Spot coordinates: Wikidata, CC0. Selection, association and some calculations by You, Me, Away.
St. Charles Church
An early-1700s baroque church with a large dome and twin columns. Shoot the full front with its reflecting pool from the park side.
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Francis of Assisi Church
A red-brick church on Mexikoplatz by the Danube with 73-meter towers. The brickwork reads best in direct sun from the square.
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Prater
The old amusement park holds more than 250 rides, including the Giant Ferris Wheel. The wheel cabins give the city panorama; sunset is the popular slot.
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Belvedere castle
An 18th-century palace with gardens stepping down the slope. Shoot from the lower garden for the palace front with the fountains.
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Palace Schönbrunn
Austria's largest palace with formal gardens, a UNESCO site since 1996. Go early; the Gloriette hill gives the palace panorama from above.
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Austrian national library
The state hall forms Europe's largest baroque library room, built in the first half of the 1700s. Shoot down the central aisle between the shelves.
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Graben
A pedestrian shopping street of stone facades in the old town. The plague column at its center gives the foreground for the street shot.
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Vienna State Opera
The opera house on the Ring opened in 1869 and stages premieres including Mozart works. The arched front suits a straight-on evening shot.
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Votive Church
A neo-Gothic church from 1879 near the university, 99 meters tall with two spires. Shoot the twin spires from the park across the street.
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Schlachthausgasse, or “Cherry Blossom Street”
Japanese cherry trees line this downtown street each April. Time the visit for the bloom week; the pink canopy lasts only days.
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Hundertwasser House
The Hundertwasser House stands out with a colourful façade and irregular forms. Photograph it from across the street and include the trees that emerge around the building.
Search Google MapsSt. Stephen’s Cathedral
St. Stephen’s Cathedral rises over Stephansplatz with a tall south tower and patterned roof. A vertical frame lets the roof details and tower share the photograph.
Search Google MapsVienna City Hall
Vienna City Hall’s central tower rises above a long, detailed façade. Step back for a symmetrical front view and leave space above the tower in your composition.
Search Google MapsMichaelerplatz
Michaelerplatz opens onto the domed entrance of the Hofburg. Use the square as foreground and position the dome centrally for a composed architectural photograph.
Search Google MapsMaria am Gestade
The narrow church of Maria am Gestade sits among old town buildings. Use the steps in front as a leading line towards the church and its stone details.
Search Google MapsStrudlhofstiege
The Strudlhofstiege combines curved stairs, green railings and ornate lamps. Photograph from one landing and follow the sweep of the stairway through the frame.
Search Google MapsSecession
The Secession building’s golden leafwork dome stands above its pale façade. A frontal view emphasises the contrast between the simple walls and the intricate dome.
Search Google MapsNaschmarkt
Vienna’s Naschmarkt stretches along the Wienzeile near the Secession. Frame a colourful stall in the foreground and let the market lanes extend into the distance.
Search Google MapsJohann Strauss Monument
The golden Johann Strauss Monument stands amid the greenery of Stadtpark. Include the surrounding trees and path to give the figure space within the park setting.
Search Google MapsDanube Canal
The walls along Vienna’s Danube Canal carry street art beside the water. Compose with a stretch of painted wall and the canal to establish the setting.
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