The photography guide to
Vienna
Vienna photography guide
Our contributors have added 42 photo spots to this Vienna photo guide. Have you discovered an amazing new location in Vienna?
Introduction
Vienna has a lot to offer for an architectural photographer. Numerous historical buildings, beautiful parks and even modern architecture and skyscrapers.
What I really like is that there are no restrictions like in other European cities. You can use your tripod confidently everywhere and need not be worried about security guys. One exception is Schönbrunn Palace and its gardens. You can shoot there, but only for private reason. So, try not to look too professional! The worst thing that can happen is that they forbid to use a tripod, but I’ve never experienced that.
To avoid people in my frames, I prefer to shoot early morning, before sunrise and for about 2 hours after sunrise, depending on the time of the year and the weather. Alternatively shoot at blue hour in the evening, when the buildings are illuminated.
Most popular Vienna photo spots
1 event
Top Picks
As a tourist visiting a large city there is never enough time to see everything.
When time is a limiting factor I would recommend focusing on these areas: The Prater, a unique area with lots of opportunities; the Museum-Parliament-Volksgarten-Heldenplatz area, as you have a lot of spots within walking distance; and Schönbrunn Palace with its vast gardens.
Travel
The best way to travel in Vienna is by metro or tram. Or rent a bike from more than 120 bike stations (see links below for more information).
Vienna is one of the safest cities in the world and you can photograph everywhere with confidence, day and night, but apply usual common sense when out with your camera gear.
Many places offer free wifi and there is also free public wifi : https://www.wien.info/en/travel-info/faqs/wlan
Events
From a photographer’s point of view there are a few interesting events. One of them is definitely the famous Christkindlmarkt during December in front of the City Hall. But there are more Christmas markets, like the one in front of Belvedere Castle, or Schönbrunn Palace with its huge Christmas tree, and at Karlsplatz, with the Karlskirche in the background.
Links
Animated satellite image of the past hours (the only weather forecast you can rely on)
Weather forecast for Vienna
Public Transport
Google map with the photo spots
City bike rental
Opening hours of the parks (Schoenbrunn and Belvedere Castle)
Christmas markets in Vienna
Explore more photo spots in Austria
If you want to explore beyond Vienna, we have 86 photo spots and 1 event that you can visit in Austria.
Curated By
Rainer Mirau Curator
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