This tour was excellent. Truly provided historical context. Interesting and thorough
Freud in Vienna Tour: Freud Museum and City of Dreams
Follow Freud from family story to intellectual legacy
The Finer Details
For most of his life, Sigmund Freud called Vienna home. His work in the field of psychotherapy remains highly influential across a range of philosophies and disciplines, and his legacy was so significant that Vienna even became known as the “City of Dreams” for a time. During this 2.5-hour walking tour of Vienna, we'll dive deep into Freud and his time, seeking out the places where Freud lived and worked. Along the way, we'll paint a portrait of early 20th-century Vienna. (For a more art-focused look at this period, check out our Vienna Architecture Tour.)
Freud Walking Tour
Our time together will begin with a biographical sketch of this fascinating and innovative man. We’ll travel from his family’s immigration to Austria when he was just a boy, through his studies and eventual lecturing at the University of Vienna, up to the height of his career, when the Nazis came to power, marking the beginning of the end of his illustrious time in Vienna. As a Jew, Freud was not untouched by the anti-semitism that bubbled up as European politics became increasingly heated in the 1930s, chasing his family to eventually flee to London in 1938. For many of Austria’s Jews, however, such an escape was not possible. We’ll spend time discussing the trauma that so many Austrian citizens suffered during World War II and the attempts afterwards to come to terms with this dark period of history—a process which continues to this day.
"Our docent did a fantastic job at bringing Freud's world alive! As a practicing psychotherapist, I had learned a lot about Freud's theories in school, but little about how his familial and social worlds had affected his theoretical development. Our docent gave rich details about the chronology of Freud's life as we saw the places he worked, lived, trained, and taught at throughout the city. This tour was definitely one of the highlights of my time spent in Vienna."
Freud House
Our walk proper starts at the Sigmund Freud Museum, the city center apartment where Freud lived and worked for 47 years. Here, surrounded by walls steeped in stories, we’ll consider the history of psychoanalysis and stand in the waiting room that Freud’s patients once occupied. From there, we’ll visit the campus of the Vienna General Hospital, where Freud began his career. Passing by the Narrenturm—a looming 18th-century insane asylum and the first building created uniquely for accommodating mental patients—our narrative will contextualize the history and development of attitudes towards mental illness.
Neighborhood Haunts
After a stroll through Sigmund Freud Park, we’ll finish up our walking tour at Cafe Landtmann, one of Freud’s frequented local spots and a hub for turn-of-the-century intellectualism. When we finally part ways, we’ll have a better sense of the complexities of Freud’s personal and working life and how his influence is still intertwined with Vienna’s sense of identity today.
Where You’ll Go
From iconic landmarks to tucked-away local favorites, these are the places you’ll explore and experience firsthand with your Expert.
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Sigmund Freud Museum
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Cafe Landtmann
What’s Included As Standard
Here’s a look at what your tour covers, plus anything you’ll want to consider arranging separately, so you can plan with confidence.
Included
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English-speaking expert guideTours led in English, offering you unbroken understanding throughout.
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Intentionally sized groupsA smaller group means more time for conversations and questions.
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Tickets and entrance feesAll entry tickets included (unless clearly stated otherwise).
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HeadsetsHeadsets are included on tours that need them, so every word can be heard.
Not Included
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GratuitiesWe encourage tipping as a way to thank your guide after your experience.
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Food and drinkRefreshments are only included during a tour when clearly noted.
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Transportation to and from the meeting pointUnless noted, pre- and post-tour transport isn’t included - this service can be added by request.
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Hotel pickup or drop-offUnless noted, travel to or from accommodation isn’t included - this service can be added by request.
Where You'll Explore
Make the Most of Your Tour
Some helpful advice for getting the most from your experience, from practical prep to small on-the-day tips.
Dos:
- Wear comfortable footwear
- Check the weather and dress appropriately
- Bring a bottle of water (no glass)
- Feel free to ask your Expert anything
Don'ts:
- Bring firearms or weapons
- Bring sharp objects (e.g. knives, swiss army knives, switchblades, hiking sticks)
- Dress inappropriately to enter religious sites or sacred monuments
Any questions? You can always
contact us.
Don’t just take our word for it
I can't thank Reinhard enough for making this such an engaging and enjoyable experience. His extensive knowledge and ability to explain clearly the concepts of Freud and his world made this a unique time. Reinhard's way of weaving Freud into the broader context of the history of ideas was wonderful.
It was a pleasure to take the Sigmund Freud tour with Reinhard. Although I have a Master’s Degree in Psychology, I learned so much from Reinhard about Freud, both as a person and as a psychoanalyst, that I did not know previously. Reinhard is not only very knowledgeable about the history of both Vienna and Freud, he is also an absolute delight to chat with as you go about your tour with him. Many, many thanks Reinhard and Context Travel! Jenifer M., Toronto, Canada
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