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Vienna's original free tour · since 2016Free Tour Vienna: the original free walking tour, every day
Two hours through the historic centre with a licensed local guide – St. Stephen's, the Hofburg, the State Opera. Book free, tip what it was worth at the end.
⏱ 2 hEN ES DE IT👥 max. 35 (Spanish tour: 45)✓ Free to book · tip-based
4.6 Google · 2,615 reviews4.4 Tripadvisor · 1,617 reviews1,000,000+ guests
How the free tour in Vienna works
- Reserve your free spot online. No prepayment, no booking fee – just pick a time and language.
- Meet your guide under the yellow umbrella. Helmut-Zilk-Platz next to the Albertina, 10 minutes before the start.
- Walk two hours with a local. Licensed guides who live here, with real stories, fun facts and tips for the rest of your stay.
- Tip what it was worth. There is no ticket price. Most guests give €15–20 per person – our guides live from these tips.
A free tour (or free walking tour) is a guided walk you don't pay for in advance: you decide the price at the end. We brought the idea to Vienna in 2016, and it is still the easiest way to start your first day in the city.
Free tour times & languages
The free tour runs every day. These are the start times for the next three weeks, straight from our booking system:
| Language | Start times | Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 11:00 · 15:00 · 18:00 |
| Book |
| Spanish | 09:45 · 10:45 · 14:30 · 16:30 · 17:15 |
| Book |
| German | 11:00 |
| Book |
| Italian | 11:30 · 15:30 |
| Book |
Times can shift slightly with the season – the booking box always shows the next real departures.
Meeting point of the free tour
Helmut-Zilk-Platz, 1010 Vienna
Next to the Albertina, at the Monument against War and Fascism – a 5-minute walk from metro station Karlsplatz (U1, U2, U4) and the State Opera. Your guide waits with a yellow PRIME TOURS umbrella.
Please be there 10 minutes early. The tour ends at St. Ruprecht's Church near Schwedenplatz (U1, U4).
What you'll see on the free tour
- Albertina & Monument against War and Fascism – Where we meet – and where Vienna's 20th century comes into view.
- Hofburg & Heldenplatz – The Habsburgs' winter palace, Sisi and Franz Joseph, and the balcony of 1938.
- Spanish Riding School – The white Lipizzaner horses and their 450-year-old tradition.
- State Opera, Sacher & Demel – The opera house – and the long fight over the original Sachertorte.
- Kärntner Straße & Graben – Vienna's grand shopping streets, full of legends and people-watching.
- St. Stephen's Cathedral – Vienna's Gothic landmark, with medieval measuring rods right on its wall.
- St. Ruprecht's Church – The oldest church in town – the tour ends here, in the Bermuda Triangle bar district.
Full route, photos and reviews: Free Walking Tour Vienna – Historical City Center.
Why book the original free tour
4.6★Google · 2,615 reviews
4.4★Tripadvisor · 1,617 reviews
2016Vienna's first free walking tour
1,000,000+guests since then
- Locally owned and run in Vienna – not a franchise or a booking platform
- Licensed, state-certified local guides
- Book direct with the local team – no booking platform in between
What guests say about the free tour
“First glimpse into Vienna. Me and my friends did a Free Tour with Jan. It really was a great experience. The guide was always very welcoming and nice. Had a great speech, calm and understandable, in a great english. The explanations were clear, interesting, presented on a nice, easy (sometimes even funny) way and Jan managed to envolve the whole group with s…”
“Elizabeth was amazing! Very interesting tour which kept our interest the whole time despite the freezing cold on that day! Elizabeth explained the history of Vienna focusing on key landmarks with humor. Would definitely recommend. Thank you for the wonderful experience Elizabeth!”
“We had an interesting walking tour on Saturday with Katerina. She told us much about historic places and dates, showed most of the city centre. She was helpful and professional)”
“Stephan was a fantastic guide! I've done 3 different guided tours this week, and Stephan's was by far my favourite. He was funny and very enthusiastic. It was a cold day but I had such a good time on thr tour regardless of the weather. Highly recommended!”
Seen the old town already?
All free walking tours in ViennaMore free tours in Vienna
Free Walking Tour Vienna at Night
Free walking tour of Vienna at night: a 2-hour evening walk with a licensed local guide past illuminated landmarks, hidden gems and fascinating stories. Tip-based.
Next: Tue 3 Nov, 18:00
Freetip-based
Book now
Hitler and the New Vienna 1900 Tour
Join our Hitler Vienna tour, a free walking tour exploring Adolf Hitler's Vienna years alongside Klimt, the Secession and Vienna 1900. Tip-based, 2 hours.
Next: Fri 6 Nov, 15:00
Freetip-based
Book nowFAQ
Free tour Vienna: questions & answers
Is the free tour in Vienna really free?
Yes. Booking costs nothing and there is no prepayment and no booking fee. At the end of the two hours you tip your guide what you think the tour was worth – our guides live from these tips.
How much should I tip on a free tour in Vienna?
There is no fixed amount and no pressure. Most guests give €15–20 per person, and many give more when they loved it. If money is tight, give what you can.
Where does the free tour in Vienna start?
At Helmut-Zilk-Platz in 1010 Vienna, next to the Albertina and the Monument against War and Fascism, a few minutes' walk from metro station Karlsplatz (U1, U2, U4). Look for the yellow PRIME TOURS umbrella and be there 10 minutes early.
Which languages does the free tour run in?
Every day in English and Spanish, plus German and Italian tours on set days. The times table and the live box on this page show the next departures in each language.
Do I need to book the free tour in advance?
Yes, please reserve your free spot online. Groups are capped so everyone can hear the guide, and guests with a reservation have priority at the meeting point.
How long is the free tour and where does it end?
About two hours at an easy pace, with no break. It ends at St. Ruprecht's Church, Vienna's oldest church, in the middle of the Bermuda Triangle bar district.
Can I bring a group on the free tour?
Up to 5 people can book online. For larger groups, school classes or companies we arrange a private tour with your own guide at a fixed price.
What if I can't make it?
Cancel through the link in your booking confirmation – it is free and gives your spot to another traveller. If we ever have to cancel, we email you at least 4 hours before the start.
Who runs the free tour?
Prime Tours, a locally owned Vienna company that started the first free walking tour in Vienna in 2016. More than 1,000,000 guests have joined our licensed local guides since then.