5 summer highlights

1. Marvel at the world’s most famous hare

© Albertina, Wien

Vienna’s major exhibition museum, The Albertina, is celebrating its 250th anniversary in 2026 with an extensive festival program. The anniversary exhibition, titled “Collecting for the Future. 250 Years of the Albertina” runs from June 19 to October 11, 2026, and explores the beginnings and history of the Albertina. Famous works such as Albrecht Dürer’s Young Hare and drawings by Egon Schiele are, of course, a must. Seeing Dürer’s world-famous hare brought out of storage is quite a sensation. The work from 1502 can only be put on public display very rarely for conservation reasons. And by the way, the museum is a pleasantly cool temperature!

2. Explore a Viennese Grätzel (neighborhood)

© WienTourismus/Paul Bauer

The neighborhood around the Old General Hospital (Altes AKH) is steeped in medical history. The former hospital is now a lively campus owned by the University of Vienna. Across a total of ten courtyards, you’ll find hidden green oases and plenty of places to eat and drink that are well worth a visit. Home to the Narrenturm, this area also houses the world’s largest collection of pathological anatomy specimens. The neighborhood around the Altes AKH has even more to see, from the Votive Church to the Shoah Names Wall Memorial. This memorial commemorates Jewish men, women and children from Austria who were murdered during the Nazi era. You’ll find even more tips in the Grätzel portrait.

3. Discover Vienna from the water

© WienTourismus/Paul Bauer

Discovering Vienna from the water is a great idea during the summer months. Rent a boat on the Old Danube, dip your feet into the cool water, and enjoy a sightseeing tour with a twist. Chances are you’ve never seen Vienna from this perspective. After your boat trip, we recommend stopping by one of the idyllic beach restaurants on the Old Danube.

4. Enjoy Viennese cuisine

© Restaurant Vestibül / Fotograf Gerhard Wasserbauer

The Vestibül restaurant at the Burgtheater is a Viennese institution that has reinvented itself this year to mark its 25th anniversary with a new concept called “Schank & Tafel”. The Tafel in the Marble Hall (pleasantly air-conditioned when it's hot) is the heart of the restaurant, offering Viennese cuisine at top-toque level in a spectacular setting. Old favorites meet new interpretations here – from Grammelknödel, stuffed cabbage rolls and Viennese fried meat to the signature dish, a Szeged-style lobster and cabbage stew. If you prefer something more casual, just stop by without a reservation and enjoy little Viennese dishes and house wine in the front section of the restaurant, the Schank (bar). And yes, there’s also a lovely outdoor patio with views of Vienna’s Ringstrasse and Vienna City Hall.

5. End the day at a rooftop bar

© Setchaos - Anna Herzig

The best way to wrap up a perfect summer day is with a sundowner at a rooftop bar. Sit back with a cocktail in hand, take in Vienna’s skyline, and watch the sun set. A great place for this is the Organics Sky Garden. The bar is a green rooftop oasis in the heart of the city, serving creative drinks, bar-scene classics, and trendy Spritz variations, accompanied by Italian antipasti.