Free self-guided walk · Vienna

Old town from St Stephen's to the Hofburg

A free self-guided walk through Vienna's old town, from St Stephen's Cathedral along Graben and Kohlmarkt to the Hofburg and the State Opera.

Distance
2.1 km
Walking time
28 min
Allow
About 2 hours with stops
Stops
7

Open the route in Google MapsVienna city guide

About this walk

This walk follows the old town's grandest streets to the Habsburg palace and out to the Ringstrasse.

Coffee houses line the route, so stop for coffee and cake on the way.

  • Terrain: Flat and paved throughout.
  • Best time: Morning, or in the evening when the old town is lit.

Route map

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Route and stop positions © OpenStreetMap contributors. North is up.

The stops

  1. St Stephen's Cathedral

    Start at the Gothic cathedral and its patterned roof.

  2. Graben

    Walk along the broad pedestrian street to the Plague Column.

  3. Kohlmarkt

    Turn into the street of luxury shops leading to the palace.

  4. Michaelerplatz

    The square at the Hofburg's domed gate, with Roman remains.

  5. Heldenplatz

    Walk through the palace to the great square of the Hofburg.

  6. Albertina

    Pass the art museum on the old city bastion.

  7. Vienna State Opera

    Finish at the opera house on the Ringstrasse.

Tips

  • The south tower of St Stephen's can be climbed by stairs; the north tower has a lift.
  • Trams 1 and 2 run along the Ringstrasse if you want to see more of it.
  • Standing-room opera tickets are sold on the day at low prices.

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Sources and review date

This walk was last reviewed on 2026-10-28. Distance and walking time come from OpenStreetMap's walking router and don't include time at stops. Opening hours and access change; please check before you go.