Family-Friendly Activities in Vienna

City getaways can be a great way to teach the kids about different cultures, taking a break from the usual trips to beach resorts. Vienna is an ideal location for a family holiday, as it has so many activities that people of all ages will love – here are just a handful.

Schönbrunn Palace

This decadent example of Imperial architecture is bound to impress children and adults alike. With 1,441 lavish rooms to explore, there’s even an area where kids can dress up in period clothing, while taught about the lives of children back in the 17^th and 18^th century.

Tiergarten Schönbrunn

If you take a stroll with the family though the rest of the beautiful palace grounds at Schönbrunn, you’ll also run into the world’s oldest zoo. It may have had its rococo features perfectly preserved, but these days it focuses on animal conservation, and is one of the few places in the world you’ll find giant pandas.

Vienna State Opera

The local population here are fiercely proud of their musical history, home to many celebrated composers such as Wolfgang Mozart. Why don’t you join them in their favourite past time and book some tickets to a showing at their magnificent opera house? You can easily pick up tickets online before your trip (check out viennaoperatickets.com), and local groups even write shorter, children’s operas too.

Prater

This is a hugely popular tourist spot for families; Prater amusement park has all the carnival rides, games and sweet stalls you could want here, but it’s also home to the famous Wiener Riesenrad. Standing over 64m tall, this Ferris wheel was once the tallest in the world and still cuts an impressive figure across the sky.

MuseumsQuartier

Packed with museums and art galleries, the MuseumsQuartier is the perfect way to introduce children to the arts in an engaging and exciting way. Several buildings make up this complex, from baroque to contemporary architecture, each housing unique collections and exhibitions.

Natural History Museum

If your children prefer science and natural history to fine art, they should feel right at home here. From the origins of the Universe to the evolution of man, your children will be able to explore it all, as well as over 30 million artifacts.

Naschmarkt

If you’re a family of foodies, you’ll find no better activity that walking around the many stalls and cooking demonstrations that happen at Naschmarkt. Full to bursting with the freshest produce in Vienna, you’ll be able to fill up your picnic basket before walking to the local park.

Vienna Woods

If you’re seeking some peace and quiet in a lively city like Vienna, you’ll be pleased to know that the Vienna Woods make for some of the best hiking trails in the country. While the kids take pictures of the city and River Danube, you can take a stroll through the vineyards on the hillside.

If you’ve been to Vienna with the family, tell me about your trip in the comments section!

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