Top Things to do in Austria
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Top 10 Concerts & Shows in Austria, Austria
As home to majestic mountains, opulent palaces, and high culture, Austria's attractions are classically sumptuous and enduring. But beyond the waltzes, the strudels, the alpine summits, and Habsburg architecture, its modern cities are proof of just how easily Austria combines the contemporary with the historic.
Restaurants in Austria
1. tww – Theater Westliches Weinviertel
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
2. Schubertiade
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5 reviews
Since more than twenty-five years the Schubertiade has accomplished the seemingly impossible: retaining its intimacy while becoming the world’s top Schubert festival.
3. Wiener Staatsoper
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,016 reviews
Vienna's internationally renowned opera offers nearly 300 performances each year.
Reviewed By amandaleenj - Highlands, United States
I am so glad I heard about the Standing Room Tickets for the State Opera in Vienna! €3-€4 for a world class opera is definitely a must do! A few tips: 1-There is a side entrance for the Standing Room Tickets (on the opposite side of the Opera House from the big outdoor screen). Make sure you go in the building unless the line is already out the door. 2-The ticket window opens 80 minutes before curtain, but I was told to get there a full 2 hours before. When I arrived, I was towards the front of the line inside, but there were maybe 50 people in front of me. 3-Dress appropriately! I saw quite a few people turned away for wearing shorts (both men and women) and ripped jeans. Those were the two offenses I heard repeated over and over, so I am not sure if there are any others. 4-Bring something to do in line! I was traveling solo and was so happy to have a book with me. 5-Bring a scarf or something to tie around the railing to secure your place.
4. Wiener Konzerthaus
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 186 reviews
Reviewed By 322avners
Very impressive building that is located in the city center. The acoustic is amazing, and the building is a combination of old with new features that improve the sound quality.
5. Raimund Theater
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 101 reviews
The Raimund Theater was opened in 1893 as a public theater. Since 1987 it belongs to the Vereinigte Bühnen Wien and is the venue for breathtaking musical productions. Currently, the house has to undergo an urgent refurbishment and modernization and is therefore closed for the next months. In January 2021, the theater will be reopened in new splendor.
6. Musikverein
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,205 reviews
Reviewed By 503frederics - Belgrade, Serbia
This review will be on the long side - hoping that as a "regular" I can provide useful info/tips and help people make the best of their visit to the Musikverein. The Musikverein is one of the best classical music venues in the world. Period. Most of the negative reviews here are about the tourist concerts that also take place here on occasion. You have to know that the "real" Musikverein season runs September-June, with a scarcer offering in September and June and during school holidays. When there is no "official" concert, the hall (and part of the staff apparently) is *rented* for tourist-only "Mozart" ou "Mozart and Strauss" concerts of the ubiquitous kind. So if you come during summer, you won't be able to watch a proper concert at the Musikverein - the cultural life has moved to Salzburg or other festivals. Should you go to one of these tourist-only concerts instead? For me, the short answer is "no!". These "concerts" have nothing to do with the Musikverein's fame, and if you know anything about classical music and have ever been to a classical concert before, you WILL be disappointed. Take a guided tour of the building and look for a concert in a church (some will be "mostly for tourist" but of much better/acceptable quality, others will be genuine concerts for locals, like the great summer programme of Baroque music in the quaint Ruprechtskirche). If you know nothing about classical music, should you go? Well I would also answer "no", but if you must do it, know exactly what to expect (overpriced show, unruly audience of tour groups, bored musicians who hate churning the same tunes to an obnoxious audience day after day... READ THE REVIEWS!). The staff will be super rude *of course*: they have to manage hundreds of unruly people, many of them angry because they feel ripped-off. The regular Musikverein ushers are bona fide music lovers (I know this from my conversations with them, and from a complicit exchange once with one of them during a rehearsal, when we both recognized a piece that was *not* on the programme...), and they *hate* the tourist-only concerts. The rest of the staff are summer extras who are not part of the Musikverein and are probably underpaid/exploited. Even if they take pity on you for feeling cheated, there's nothing they can do: your money is in the hands of the "tourist concerts" companies, and will stay there. So AVOID the tourist concerts and if you are lucky to be there during the regular season, go for a real Musikverein concert instead. Availability of tickets will depend on the concert - some will be sold out months in advance, some (also good) will have tickets on sale up to the start of the performance. In any case, use the official box office on the left side of the building or the official website (musikverein.at). Agencies take a hefty commission - only use them if they happen to re-sell tickets for a sold-out concert you really want to attend. Even then, you might be better off waiting in front of the Musikverein before the concert with a homemade sign asking for a ticket, in case someone is reselling theirs... Or asking the box office again and again for returned tickets, you might get lucky. As for the seats, you get what you pay - be aware that second and third rows on the balcony will have restricted view. The "Orgelbalkon" is a bargain for music lovers BUT it comes with NO VISIBILITY at all (it's above and behind the stage). This is strictly for hardcore music lovers who cannot afford a seat with a view (and don't care). Only choose them if you are fully aware of this! Finally there are the standing tickets, a real bargain at 5 to 7 euros but the standing area is a flat room between columns in the back of the parterre, not very comfortable. In my view, it's fantastic IF AND ONLY IF you manage to secure a spot in the front, next to the railing and between two columns. Achieving this requires some planning. For some concerts without any big names it might be OK to arrive just 40 minutes or even 30 minutes before the concert, but for concerts that will draw a larger crowd 2 hours are more advisable! First you wait in front of the building (doors open 60 minutes before the show), then below the stairs either on the left or on the rights (two separate lines). You HAVE to bring your coat and bags to the cloakroom downstairs (Euros 0.85 per piece). Don't argue about this, it's compulsory everywhere in Vienna. Just do it! If you are a group, take turns to check the coats while others keep your spot in the line. If you are alone, have a friendly chat with your neighbours and/or the ushers so that they agree on your spot in the line (they will). 35 minutes or so before the concert, you will be herded upstairs and wait in line once more at the gate of the Golden Hall until the bell rings - upon which you make a run for the best spot (don't linger! the front row fills up in a matter of seconds...). That's it! If you followed these rules you should have on of the "good" standing spots for a world-class performance, at 6 euros + cloakroom fee. Can't beat that! Lastly: contrary to what some have written here, the ushers are NOT unfriendly or rude and DO NOT treat standing tickets holders as second-class citizens. The standing area regulars are a valued audience - but the system does not exist for the tourists - it's first and foremost designed for local students, retirees and music fanatics. Tourists *are* welcome, but must earn respect and show they are not the usual disruptive and casual visitor (aka "nuisance") only looking to tick a box on their to-do list. The Musikverein would do perfectly well with only the regulars and no tourists at all - so tourists are expected to do their homework and to know and heed the house rules and traditions. (For example, photo is OK only until 5 minutes before the concert - spontaneously turn off your cellphone after that because the staff is super tired of having to do the cellphone police non-stop and will not be very polite about it...). Now it's time for great music! Enjoy! :)
7. Volksoper
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 388 reviews
The Volksoper Wien, located just ten minutes outside the city centre, stages operettas "Die Fledermaus - The Bat", "Merry Widow", etc.) as well as operas ("The Magic Flute", "La Traviata", etc.), classical musicals ("My Fair Lady", "The Whizard of Oz", etc.) and ballet ("The Snow Queen", etc.). The season, which runs from September to July, consists of some 300 performances divided among some 35 different productions and revivals from previous years. Vienna and operetta - people from far and near will join the two whenever one comes up. Intriguing melodies, swirling dancers, the joy of life - all come together in the classical Viennese Operetta. Much of the music known and loved the world over from composers such as Johann Strauß, Franz Lehár, Emmerich Kálmán ... come from operettas such as "Die Fledermaus", The Merry Widow", "Countess Mariza".
Reviewed By sarahmcole - New York City, United States
I saw The Magic Flute at the Volksoper two evenings ago and it was absolutely fantastic. The formality was slightly relaxed compared to past Opera house visits creating great atmosphere for anyone looking to take in the beautiful art without the pomp and circumstance. Also I was able to get 4th row center tickets for just €120
8. Volkstheater
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 90 reviews
9. Stadttheater Modling
10. Schloss Esterhazy
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 245 reviews
Esterházy Palace in Eisenstadt is one of the most beautiful baroque palaces in Austria and presents a fascinating view of the resplendent life once lived at the court of the Princes Esterházy But the palace is still the hub of the cultural scene today and regularly provides the picturesque backdrop for festivities and social events
