Austria · Europe

Discover Vienna with Rafeek

Vienna is the capital, most populous city, and one of the nine states of Austria.

Seeing Vienna without the story is only half the trip

The problem

Group tours run on someone else's clock, printed signs say too little, and searching for context on your phone pulls you out of the moment. Most travellers leave Vienna with photos but no sense of what they actually saw.

How Rafeek fixes it

Rafeek is a personal audio guide in your pocket. Press play at each landmark in Vienna, listen at your own pace, and keep your eyes on the place instead of a screen. Guides work offline, so no roaming or signal worries.

What you'll discover in Vienna

40 landmarks with their own audio guide — tap any one to read what you'll hear.

Albertina Museum

Housed in a former Habsburg residential palace, the Albertina is home to one of the most important print rooms in the world. The museum also displays impressive permanent collections of modern art, including works by Monet, Picasso, and Kiefer.

Anker Clock (Ankeruhr)

An elaborate Art Nouveau clock that forms a bridge between two buildings on the Hoher Markt square. Each hour, a different historical figure from Vienna's past parades across the clock face, accompanied by organ music, with all twelve figures appearing at noon.

Austrian Parliament Building

A magnificent example of Neoclassical architecture on the Ringstrasse, this building is where the two houses of the Austrian Parliament conduct their sessions. Its most famous feature is the large Pallas Athene fountain that stands before the main entrance.

Belvedere Palace

This historic complex consists of two magnificent Baroque palaces, the Upper and Lower Belvedere, set within a beautiful park. The museum houses an outstanding collection of Austrian art, famously including Gustav Klimt's masterpiece, 'The Kiss'.

Burggarten

Once the private garden of the Emperor, the Burggarten is now a popular public park adjacent to the Hofburg. It is home to a famous monument to Mozart and the Palmenhaus, a beautiful Art Nouveau glasshouse containing a cafe and the Imperial Butterfly House.

Central Cemetery (Zentralfriedhof)

One of the largest cemeteries in the world, the Zentralfriedhof is known for its vast size, Art Nouveau architecture, and the graves of many famous personalities. A special section, the 'Ehrengraber', is dedicated to composers like Beethoven, Brahms, Schubert, and Strauss.

Danube Island (Donauinsel)

A long, narrow artificial island between the Danube and the New Danube, created for flood protection. It has developed into a popular recreational area for swimming, cycling, and skating, and hosts the massive, free Donauinselfest music festival each summer.

Danube Tower (Donauturm)

Standing at 252 meters, the Donauturm is Austria's tallest structure, offering breathtaking 360-degree views of the city and the Vienna Woods. The tower features a rotating restaurant and cafe, providing a unique dining experience.

Globe Museum

Part of the Austrian National Library, this is the only public museum in the world dedicated exclusively to globes. The collection features over 250 terrestrial and celestial globes, some dating back several centuries, as well as related astronomical instruments.

Graben

One of Vienna's most famous and elegant shopping streets, the Graben is located in the heart of the city. This wide, pedestrianized street is lined with historic buildings, luxury boutiques, and cafes, and is dominated by the ornate Pestsaule (Plague Column).

Hofburg Palace

The former principal imperial palace of the Habsburg dynasty, the Hofburg is a vast complex that now serves as the official residence of the President of Austria. It houses several museums, including the Imperial Apartments, the Sisi Museum, and the Imperial Treasury.

House of Music (Haus der Musik)

An interactive sound museum located in the former palace of Archduke Charles. The Haus der Musik offers a playful and scientific journey into the world of music, with exhibits on the great classical composers and interactive installations.

Hundertwasserhaus

A unique architectural landmark, the Hundertwasserhaus is an apartment building designed by artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser. It stands out for its rejection of straight lines, featuring a colorful facade, uneven floors, and trees growing from inside the rooms.

Imperial Crypt (Kaisergruft)

Situated beneath the Capuchin Church, the Imperial Crypt is the final resting place for the Habsburg dynasty. The ornate sarcophagi of emperors, empresses, and other royalty, including Maria Theresa and Franz Joseph I, are on display.

Jewish Museum Vienna

This museum documents the rich history, culture, and religion of the Jewish community in Vienna. It comprises two sites: the main museum at Palais Eskeles and a second location at Judenplatz, which includes a poignant Holocaust memorial.

Kahlenberg

A hill located in the Vienna Woods, Kahlenberg offers one of the most spectacular panoramic views over the city and the Danube River. It is a popular excursion destination for locals and tourists, accessible by public transport and featuring a restaurant and a small church.

Karlskirche (St. Charles's Church)

An outstanding example of Baroque architecture, Karlskirche is dedicated to Saint Charles Borromeo. The church is renowned for its enormous dome and two flanking columns, which are decorated with reliefs depicting scenes from the saint's life.

Kunsthistorisches Museum

The Museum of Art History is an opulent museum on the Ringstrasse, built to house the vast collections of the Habsburg emperors. Its galleries are filled with works by Old Masters like Bruegel, Rembrandt, and Raphael, alongside Egyptian and Greek antiquities.

Leopold Museum

A highlight of the MuseumsQuartier, the Leopold Museum holds one of the world's most important collections of modern Austrian art. It is best known for possessing the largest collection of works by Egon Schiele, alongside masterpieces by Gustav Klimt and Oskar Kokoschka.

MUMOK

The Museum of Modern Art Ludwig Foundation Vienna, known as MUMOK, is the largest museum for modern and contemporary art in Central Europe. Housed in a striking basalt cube in the MuseumsQuartier, its collection includes major works of Pop Art, Photorealism, and Viennese Actionism.

Museum of Military History (Heeresgeschichtliches Museum)

Housed in the historic Arsenal complex, this museum is dedicated to the military history of Austria from the 16th century to the present. Its most significant exhibit is the car in which Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated, the event that triggered World War I.

MuseumsQuartier

One of the largest cultural complexes in the world, the MuseumsQuartier is a vibrant hub of art and culture. It features a mix of Baroque and modern architecture, housing major institutions like the Leopold Museum and the MUMOK (Museum of Modern Art).

Naschmarkt

Vienna's largest and most famous market is a bustling culinary destination stretching over a mile long. It offers a vibrant mix of Viennese and international specialties, with numerous food stalls and restaurants.

Naturhistorisches Museum

Facing its twin, the Kunsthistorisches Museum, the Natural History Museum is home to a world-class collection of natural artifacts. Its most famous exhibit is the 29,500-year-old Venus of Willendorf, alongside vast collections of minerals, fossils, and dinosaur skeletons.

Peterskirche (St. Peter's Church)

Tucked away in a small square just off the Graben, St. Peter's is a compact but incredibly ornate Baroque church. Its lavish interior features a stunning dome fresco, golden stucco, and intricate altarpieces, offering a moment of tranquility in the busy city center.

Prater

A large public park in Vienna, the Prater is famous for its amusement park, the Wurstelprater. Its most iconic attraction is the Wiener Riesenrad, a giant Ferris wheel that offers panoramic views of the city.

Schmetterlinghaus (Imperial Butterfly House)

Located in a beautiful Art Nouveau palm house in the Burggarten, the Schmetterlinghaus is a tropical oasis in the city center. Visitors can walk amongst hundreds of free-flying, exotic butterflies in a recreated rainforest environment.

Schonbrunn Palace

A former imperial summer residence, this magnificent 1,441-room Rococo palace is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visitors can tour the opulent staterooms and explore the vast gardens, which include the Gloriette, a Roman ruin, and the world's oldest zoo.

Secession Building

An iconic exhibition hall and architectural manifesto of the Vienna Secession art movement, topped with a distinctive golden dome of laurel leaves. The building was designed by Joseph Maria Olbrich and houses Gustav Klimt's monumental Beethoven Frieze.

Sigmund Freud Museum

Situated in the former apartment and practice of the founder of psychoanalysis, this museum at Berggasse 19 documents Sigmund Freud's life and work. Visitors can see his original waiting room and a collection of personal items, letters, and photographs.

Sisi Museum

Located in the Hofburg Palace, this museum offers a fascinating insight into the life of Empress Elisabeth of Austria, affectionately known as Sisi. The exhibits contrast the public myth with the private reality of the empress, showcasing personal items and famous portraits.

Spanish Riding School

Located within the Hofburg Palace, the Spanish Riding School is a traditional institution dedicated to the preservation of classical dressage. Visitors can watch the famous Lipizzan horses perform elegant ballets or attend a morning training session.

St. Stephen's Cathedral

The mother church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vienna, St. Stephen's Cathedral (Stephansdom) is a defining feature of the city's skyline. This masterpiece of Gothic architecture is renowned for its intricately patterned, colorful tile roof and offers stunning views from its south tower.

Technical Museum Vienna (Technisches Museum Wien)

This museum showcases the history of technology and industry, with a particular focus on Austrian contributions. It features a wide range of interactive exhibits, from historic steam locomotives and aircraft to displays on media and energy.

Tiergarten Schonbrunn (Vienna Zoo)

Located on the grounds of Schonbrunn Palace, this is the oldest continuously operating zoo in the world, founded in 1752. It combines its historic Baroque architecture with modern enclosures and is renowned for its successful conservation efforts, including the breeding of giant pandas.

Vienna City Hall (Rathaus)

An imposing Neo-Gothic building on the Ringstrasse, the Rathaus is the seat of Vienna's city government. The building is a major landmark, and its square hosts popular events throughout the year, including the famous Christmas market and a large ice rink in winter.

Vienna State Opera

Considered one of the world's leading opera houses, the Wiener Staatsoper is a cultural institution of the highest order. Its Neo-Renaissance building hosts a different production almost every day, showcasing world-class opera and ballet performances.

Vienna Woods (Wienerwald)

The Wienerwald is a vast forest that forms the northeastern foothills of the Alps, serving as Vienna's green lung. This UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is a popular recreational area offering numerous hiking trails, scenic viewpoints, and traditional wine taverns known as Heurigen.

Volksgarten

Part of the Hofburg Palace complex, the Volksgarten is a beautiful public park known for its meticulously maintained rose gardens. It also features the neoclassical Theseus Temple, a small-scale replica of the Temple of Hephaestus in Athens.

Votivkirche

This towering neo-Gothic church on the Ringstrasse was built to thank God for the survival of Emperor Franz Joseph I from an assassination attempt. Its twin spires and intricate facade make it one of the most important examples of its architectural style in the world.

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About Vienna

Vienna is the capital, most populous city, and one of the nine states of Austria. It is Austria's primate city, with just over two million inhabitants. Its larger metropolitan area has a population of nearly 2.9 million, representing nearly one-third of the country's population. Vienna is the cultural, economic, and political centre of the country, the fifth-largest city by population in the European Union, and the most populous of the cities on the river Danube.