Rathaus
Rathaus
4.5
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Inner City
In Vienna's best-known district, pedestrian boulevards Kärntner Strasse and Graben connect you with landmarks such as the Wiener Staatsoper (Vienna State Opera), Vienna’s iconic Stephansdom (St. Stephen’s Cathedral) and the vast compound of Hofburg, the Habsburgs’ former Imperial Palace. Peek down side streets such as Annagasse and Weihburggasse, and Graben’s Seilergasse and Habsburggasse, to get a feel for the center. The Imperial Apartments and the refreshingly demystifying Sissi Museum are must-dos at Hofburg. Spacious squares such as Am Hof and Freyung often host beautiful seasonal and antiques markets.
How to get there
- Rathaus • 2 min walk
- Schottentor • 7 min walk
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
4,800 within 3 miles
Attractions
1,063 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- Alessandro SBologna, Italy4,891 contributionsA Flemish-style building, the town hall was built in the late 1800s. It is possible to visit the historic halls with a free guided tour on certain days a week only at 1 pm. Be careful because they take a maximum of 50 people and tickets must be collected on site between 8 and 10 am on the same day of the tour. They do not accept reservations by email or phone. I went at 8.20 and I was already number 20. The tour is done in German but audio guides are available free of charge upon issue of identity document. Very nice ballroom now used for conferences or other that could hold as many as 1700 couples. You also visit the city parliament. InterestingVisited June 2024Traveled with familyWritten June 28, 2024
- Marianna VandorouAthens, Greece55 contributionsWe stayed about 11 minutes from the town hall, so we passed every day before going anywhere and admired the particular building that had in each window some wonderful red flowers that adorned it. Also in summer there are events of various kinds, cinema, music!!!Visited June 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten June 30, 2024
- Viajero_pajareroSpain1,154 contributionsA beautiful building that looks especially spectacular at night with the lighting. Given its location, it is one of those places in the city that you will see on more than one occasion. The largest Christmas market in Vienna is located in its front plaza.Visited December 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten January 5, 2025
- helpfulone1Brighton, United Kingdom65 contributionsThis building is interesting inside and out and of neo-gothic style externally. We did the free tour which was informative and enabled us to see inside the large elaborately decorated rooms. An English audioguide is provided free of charge. The paternoster lift goes up, down and sideways and you can use it. Definitely worth the hour or so it takes.Visited November 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten November 8, 2024
- Odyssey1626357278511 contributionsI visited the Rathaus in Vienna, and it was so beautiful. The Rathaus has beautiful architecture, and I think it’s an impressive building, that you must see if you are visiting Vienna. I visited the Rathaus in February, and there was a huge ice rink, that I also think is a must to try.Visited February 2025Traveled with friendsWritten February 25, 2025
- Mari CarmenLas Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain19 contributionsIt's an especially nice building. Until September 1, the film festival is organized, so on the façade of the city hall there is a huge screen, in which works of opera or theater are projected for free. They have chairs to sit in, and you can take drink (not sure if you also have food). Right in the square next door, you have stalls where they sell food and drink.Visited August 2024Traveled with familyWritten August 24, 2024
- Raintree_ThailandBangkok, Thailand4,462 contributionsConstructed from 1872 to 1883 in a neo-Gothic style, the Vienna Rathaus (city hall) is mind-boggling. The entire structure is on a grand "we-can-be-imposing-too" scale designed to rival the huge city halls of Brussels and the like. The main tower stands 98 meters tall and the building has nearly 3,000 rooms. Now that's a lot of office space... how many people do they need to run the city?Visited May 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten July 31, 2024
- KatielouAustraliaHobart, Australia2,037 contributionsLooks like a church but is actually the town hall. The Neo-Gothic building was built between 1872 and 1883. Free guided tours are available Monday, Wednesday and Friday, at 1 p.m.Visited July 2024Traveled with friendsWritten August 30, 2024
- Laura RGuttenberg, New Jersey398 contributionsWe went at night for the Christmas market. It was the largest one in Vienna. There was an ice skating track, and it was well decorated. The market had many different stalls, though many were the same items we saw in Germany. There was food, and places to sit and relax. The atmosphere was festive.Visited December 2024Traveled with friendsWritten December 30, 2024
- Rob RTredegar, United Kingdom2,704 contributionsA stunningly beautiful place. Great to admire night and day. In the evening the Christmas markets are in full swing and it is a wonderful place to visit and enjoy. Admiring the architecture and soaking up the atmosphere. Definitely one of my favourite locations in Vienna.Visited November 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten November 23, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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5,468 reviews
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Don M
New Westminster, Canada77 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
There are limited number so tickets per day and you need to go there early and get a ticket for the afternoon tour (about 1.5 hours). The building is amazing and looks like a neo-gothic church by design. The tour is in German but we had a small group and the tour was given in English. There is an audio device for the 10 key points of interest. The rooms are huge and elaborate. The hall is also a conference center as well as the city and provincial parliament. There is also a museum of the Austrian revolt of the 1930s. A fascinating feature is a continuous moving elevator that you step in and out of while it is moving. At the top and bottom the car moves sideways and then continues in the opposite direction. One of the highlights of our entire Vienna stay.
Written September 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
malenarola
Mexico City, Mexico14 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
We had the opportunity to stay on Rathausstraße in a historic building opposite the Town Hall, at number 5.
From there we were able to walk to the University, the Parliament, see two of the most beautiful parks in Vienna, and visit the Museums area.
The recommendation is to stay in places like this, and walk through the streets instead of taking the Metro.
Our host, Jacqueline, found a way to incorporate us into Vienna through design with her furniture, in her apartment, with maps and books about this beautiful City.
Life is inclusive, environmentally friendly and the Rathaus area offers a feeling of being close to the soul of the city.
We were able to see incredible sunsets, like we would never have imagined seeing in Europe. Thanks to Jacqueline's wonderful terrace.
María Elena Rodríguez Lara
CDMX, Mexico.
From there we were able to walk to the University, the Parliament, see two of the most beautiful parks in Vienna, and visit the Museums area.
The recommendation is to stay in places like this, and walk through the streets instead of taking the Metro.
Our host, Jacqueline, found a way to incorporate us into Vienna through design with her furniture, in her apartment, with maps and books about this beautiful City.
Life is inclusive, environmentally friendly and the Rathaus area offers a feeling of being close to the soul of the city.
We were able to see incredible sunsets, like we would never have imagined seeing in Europe. Thanks to Jacqueline's wonderful terrace.
María Elena Rodríguez Lara
CDMX, Mexico.

Written September 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Siobhan L
Belton, TX972 contributions
Dec 2023 • Solo
The market at City Hall is advertised as the largest in Vienna but I actually found it to be quite small- easily walked at a slow pace in less than an hour. The backdrop is the gorgeous city hall building Rathaus constructed in the mid to late 1800's. The ornate details are incredible and you should walk around the building to take it all in. The market had some beautiful decor, lots of lights that provided a magical glow in the evening and a vintage ferris wheel and merry go round. Some good food and drink options as well.
Written January 19, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Neil K
Liverpool, UK824,415 contributions
Dec 2022 • Friends
In a city that's blessed with so many amazing looking buildings the Rathaus is arguably the most beautiful.
Vienna City Hall ( Wiener Rathaus ) is the seat of the local government .
Constructed between 1872-1883 from designs from architect Friedrich Von Schmidt ,it's a wonderful example of Neo Gothic architecture and at one time was the worlds tallest building ,my twin brother Stephen and I were in Vienna for the run up to the Christmas period ,we visited all the Christmas markets in Vienna on our weeks holiday in this most beautiful of city's and the one held on Rathausplatz was the biggest and the busiest ,amazing to wander around enjoying mulled wine and with the stunning Rathaus as a beautiful backdrop ,if you're planning a holiday to Vienna it's a building I highly recommend you check out,it's easy to locate on Friedrich Schmidt Platz .
Vienna City Hall ( Wiener Rathaus ) is the seat of the local government .
Constructed between 1872-1883 from designs from architect Friedrich Von Schmidt ,it's a wonderful example of Neo Gothic architecture and at one time was the worlds tallest building ,my twin brother Stephen and I were in Vienna for the run up to the Christmas period ,we visited all the Christmas markets in Vienna on our weeks holiday in this most beautiful of city's and the one held on Rathausplatz was the biggest and the busiest ,amazing to wander around enjoying mulled wine and with the stunning Rathaus as a beautiful backdrop ,if you're planning a holiday to Vienna it's a building I highly recommend you check out,it's easy to locate on Friedrich Schmidt Platz .
Written January 31, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SopiNepi
Kawasaki, Japan9,200 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
If you head north along the street where the tram that leads to the Hofburg Palace runs, you will see a stately European-style building on your left. There appears to be a park in front, but when we went in early July, there seemed to be some kind of event going on, and it was full of stall tents. Behind that is the city hall. There is a tall tower in the middle and two slightly lower towers on either side. It really does look like a city hall. Just as I was taking a photo in front of it, an elderly couple from Romania asked me if they could take my photo for me. As I spoke to them, feeling a little wary, they said, "We want to travel to Japan next," and "We've heard that all Japanese people are kind." It was a little travel memory.

Written September 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Patrick N
Guerande, France108 contributions
Sep 2023 • Friends
We went there and were able to visit it from the outside, it is a very beautiful monument. to visit the interior there are specific days and it is better to find out beforehand, which we did!! and we were told to show up the next morning and surprisingly we were told that it was not possible because there was an important meeting and not open to the public??? Not very friendly and not very well organized in terms of their planning. So be careful when visiting....

Written September 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
al77do
7 contributions
Dec 2022 • Family
Ice skating - absolutely amazing interconnected areas with narrower tracks connecting larger rinks. Very reasonably priced skate session and hire. Best was the ticket being valid for 4 hours and you come in and out as many times as you liked. Lockers also available for €3. 10% discount if you book in advance.
Location - close to the city centre, easily walkable and lovely setting in front of the Rathaus
Martket stalls - very friendly stallholders and felt a bit more varied than other markets in Vienna. Also had an under cover restaurant which was a welcome chance to warm up.
Location - close to the city centre, easily walkable and lovely setting in front of the Rathaus
Martket stalls - very friendly stallholders and felt a bit more varied than other markets in Vienna. Also had an under cover restaurant which was a welcome chance to warm up.
Written December 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Giacomo G
126 contributions
Apr 2022 • Couples
Located 5 minutes by walk from the Volkstheater metro station. The palace is externally magnificient. The problem is that can't be visited inside and also the internal court is not reachable. Before the covid, only visits on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 10:00 with pre-registration on site at 8:00 were possible. It's a pity, the management of visitors should be completely revised.
Written April 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alexander S
San Francisco, CA84 contributions
Dec 2019
Vienna City Hall (or Rathaus) is the living history of Vienna. Beside magnificence of 19th century's building, this building is located right nearby other main attractions of Vienna city. So definetely recommend to see this place as it makes you to understand European culture deeper. You can walk right into the internal yard of the building, guards are very polite and will help you navigate throughout the building complex. After finishing your tour, please visit The Cafe Votiv which is conveniently located on the corner block, it has relaxing atmosphere and nice view to VotivKirche Church. Enjoy:-)
Written April 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ldgp14
Telford, UK3,455 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
We've seen some pretty spectacular city halls on our travels but the Rathaus is easily the best. One of what seems an infinite number of stunning buildings in Vienna it is a can't miss on your trip to what has to be up there for most beautiful cities. There is currently a film festival on at the Rathausplatz outside the building with a food festival so enjoy some food, drinks and one incredible view.
Written July 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
is there entrance fee to visit the inside part of the Rathus?
Written December 14, 2019
Good morning, sorry I don't know, I visited the Rathaus only outside.
Written November 26, 2019
How much does it cost to visit and can you visit without guided tour?
Written September 3, 2019
to see the building from out is open all times which is great by it self .
to tour inside the building , its need a guide.
tours are free of charge , and happen on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 13:00
Written September 6, 2019
Non so ma vai sul sito e troverai tutte le risposte
Written May 4, 2019
Helenka Č
Martin, Slovakia
Dobrý večer,chcela by som sa opýtať aké je vstupné,ďakujem :)
Written October 11, 2017
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