Audio Guide: Vienna

The Vienna Audio Guide is a self-guided tour app for the visitor's own smartphone, with a map of the city and audio commentary on 117 points of interest, from Schönbrunn Palace, the Hofburg and the Belvedere to St. Stephen's Cathedral, the Ringstrasse and the Prater. Tapping any marker on the map opens its audio, and the "Take me here" option draws a walking route from the current location.

Once the map and audio are saved on the phone, the guide works offline, so it keeps playing where there is no signal, and the visit runs at the visitor's own pace. Entry tickets to the sites are not included. A smartphone is needed, and headphones help in busy areas.

This suggested walk links the main stops of the audio guide in a loop of about 8 km, from the State Opera through the old town to St. Stephen's Cathedral and the Hofburg, along the Ringstrasse to the Parliament and City Hall, and back across the centre to the Stadtpark, the Belvedere and Karlskirche, a few minutes from the start. It takes about an hour and a half on foot before adding any visits, so it also works split over two days. The red line follows the stops in number order, and the smaller dots mark other places covered by the app. Stops further out, such as Schönbrunn Palace, the Prater and the Hundertwasserhaus, are in the guide too. Sites such as the Hofburg, the Belvedere and the Kunsthistorisches Museum need their own entry ticket.

Open the full-size map

The route: State Opera, Albertina, Imperial Crypt, St. Stephen's Cathedral, Graben, St. Peter's Church, Hofburg, Heldenplatz, Kunsthistorisches Museum, Parliament, City Hall, Am Hof, Hoher Markt, Stadtpark, Belvedere and Karlskirche.

The Vienna Audio Guide runs on the visitor's own smartphone, so there is no device to collect or return.

1. Book online: the download instructions arrive by email right after booking.
2. Download on Wi-Fi: install the app, choose one of the seven languages and save the Vienna map and audio, about 153 MB.
3. Tap a stop on the map: each marker opens a card with a photo of the place and a play button for its commentary.
4. Listen offline: once saved, the guide plays with no signal or mobile data, in any order and at the visitor's own pace.