Ringstrasse Tour

Tour Details

About the Tour

Category: History
Duration: 2.5 hours
Location: Vienna

Photos & Highlights

Learn the stories behind Ringstrasse’s palatial buildings
Led by local cultural historian or scholar
Ringstrasse, Palais Coburg (exterior), Parliament exterior, and Palais Königswarter (exterior)

Tour Description

Few other streets in the world display such a range of styles and personalities as Vienna’s famous Ringstrasse, which was created in 1865 to replace the old city walls. On this Ringstrasse tour with a local historian, we’ll look at this hallmark of Vienna’s urban landscape through the eyes of the prominent, wealthy families who once lived here. As we wind along the street, stopping at striking venues and cafés along the way, we’ll gaze up at the Ringstrasse's palaces and paint a picture of life in Vienna as its society accelerated towards the 20th century.

Look closer at the Ringstrasse—beyond the genteel boulevards and sweeping buildings that line its walkways—and this roadway gives away hints about the breakdown of social boundaries across Europe during a key historical moment in the mid-19th century. On this walk we'll dive into that moment in Vienna’s history—which, in turn, helps to contextualize so much about the next century and its wars.

Looking for a more look at Vienna's history? Try our Vienna Walking Tour.

Opulence and Elegance

Our journey starts at the magnificent Palais Coburg, which retains parts of the old city wall. The removal of the former city defenses paved the way for the palaces and promenades we see today, including this one, with its stunning façade of gleaming white columns.

We’ll then take a look at notable buildings such as Palais Erzherzog Wilhelm, named for the eponymous archduke of the Habsburg dynasty; Palais Königswarter, the address of Emperor Franz Joseph's lover, Katharina Schratt; and Palais Todesco, where we’ll discuss the importance of Jewish families in Vienna—an important theme throughout the walk. There may also be an opportunity to jump on one of Vienna’s iconic trams to ride the entire length of the historical thoroughfare and watch the seemingly endless rows of grand buildings stream by.

Looking for more Habsburg decadence? Try our Schönbrunn Palace Tour.

An Era of Prosperity

At the end of our time together, we’ll not only have a deeper appreciation of the singular structure and architecture of the Ringstrasse, but also the fascinating stories of the people who have inhabited it for the last century and a half. From society scandals to the development of the cityscape, this street gives us a snapshot of Vienna at one of its greatest peaks.

FAQ

What is a private tour?

Our private tours are limited exclusively to travelers in your party. They are designed to provide a learning experience that is completely tailored to you and your traveling companions. Private tours give you more flexibility with scheduling (you decide when the walk best fits in your trip), the ability to tailor your itinerary (we'll work to match the itinerary to the interests and dynamics of your group), and more personalized time with your guide.

Can this walk be booked for other times of day? For example, in the late afternoon?
Yes, certainly! This walk can be booked on a private basis for any day, any time. In winter (November-February) it's better not to start later than 1:30-2:00 pm because it gets dark by 3:30-4:00 pm.

Does this tour go inside any sites?
Our Ringstrasse tour is an entirely outdoors walking tour, so we will only look at the exteriors of the venues mentioned. If you would like to go inside one of Vienna's beautiful palaces, we recommend our tour of Schönbrunn Palace.

What if it’s raining?

Tours operate rain or shine. The majority of this walk is outside, so please be prepared with either an umbrella or a hat/sunscreen.

Where You'll Start

Tour Experts

Katharina

Katharina was born in Vienna into a family of three generations Viennese. She studied art history, psychology and cultural studies in Vienna and Rome, graduating with a Master's degree (summa cum laude) on the relationship between sound and image. Her field of research is how the modern came into being and the forces that shaped it. She has worked as a program curator in one of Vienna's most renowned discussion spaces, focusing on art and cultural politics, for galleries and museums in Vienna, Rome, London and Amsterdam. She gave talks on art and music and has an ongoing relationship as a researcher with the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna, currently working on a project on the history of the Institute for Composition, Electroacoustic and Tonmeister Education. Katharina is mother of two bnand since 2014 also a licensed Austria Guide.

Robert

A true Viennese, Robert was born, raised, and continues living in the city today. After finishing school, he worked in the airline industry at the Vienna Airport and still finds airplanes fascinating, but his passion has always been history. After completing his studies in history, Robert began working at the renowned Viennese auction house Dorotheum where he spent 12 years immersing himself in material historical culture. After two further years of training, Robert successfully passed the official exam to become an Austria Guide in the spring of 2019 and since has taken great pleasure in guiding guests through Vienna.