17 Unique Date Ideas to Try in Vienna

If you’re looking for more than just cute, fun ideas of what to do in Vienna, check out this extensive list of tours for the best activities and tours!

The ‘green lung’ of Vienna is undoubtedly one of its most romantic spots. Wander around the wooded areas and spot some wildlife – or, if you are near Heiligenstadt, stop off for a glass of Viennese wine at Weingut Wailand.

Courtesty of the Vienna Tourist Board

Watching a gig is an ideal date if you’re feeling a bit nervous, giving you the option to have some quiet time and watch the music if things get a little awkward. Free gigs take place every week at B72, one of the city’s most popular venues for indie rock, showcasing many new and exciting bands. Alternatively, you could try a free outdoor screening of ballet or opera outside the State Opera House.

Most tourists will likely be unaware of this site as it lies beyond the city limits in the suburban area of Ottakring. Take the U-Bahn to Hütteldorf and then the 52B bus to find this destination. In order to reach the tower, you have to wander through a great expanse of wooded areas, graced with plenty of romantic spots to stop off at, such as duck-filled ponds or benches perched upon grassy hills. The dazzling view from the top of this observation tower is well worth the trek and is sure to impress your companion.

Vienna’s vineyards are located in the rolling hills on the outskirts of the city. Particularly beautiful in the autumnal months, when the wooded areas explode with colours of gold, rust and orange, these vineyards make a perfect location for a dreamy date. After walking around the area, be sure to head to a heuriger (a wine tavern) for some tasting sessions.

At the outskirts of Vienna | © Courtesy of Wien Tourismus/Popp & Hackner

If your date is an artsy type, take them along to the Museum of Applied Arts (more commonly known as the MAK) on a Tuesday evening, when entry is free of charge. There is a variety of fascinating permanent exhibitions that are sure to spark up some conversation, and the building itself is a romantic, low-lit setting, perfect for a date.

The Museum of Applied Arts at night | © Vienna Tourist Board | © Vienna Tourist Board

Vienna is a paradise for film lovers in the summer, with lots of open-air cinemas opening up in the city’s squares. Why not catch a rom-com and bring along a bottle wine?

Wander along Vienna’s 16th-century market and sample some authentic Austrian cuisine. Then, head to one of the market’s many restaurants to relax with a glass of wine or two.

Naschmarkt in Vienna | © Österreich Werbung/Volker Preusser | © Österreich Werbung, Photographer: Volker Preusser

The courtyard of the Museum Quartier is a great place to hang out during summer evenings – there is always a buzzing atmosphere. The huge range of cultural sites in this area means you shouldn’t be short of things to talk about, but there are plenty of trendy bars to get a drink if the conversation does runs dry.

Coffee houses are Vienna at its most romantic and are one of the city’s defining characteristics. Among the most charming and date-appropriate are Café Jelinek, Café Central and Café Alt Wien. Ageing wallpaper and the soothing smell of roasting coffee are a recipe for romance. Share a slice of sachertorte to speed up the seduction.

Cafe Central Morgenstimmung | © Café Central at Palais Ferstel, Vienna

Snow-speckled Vienna is a beautiful sight and exploring the cosy Christmas markets is sure to ignite some romance. Browse the stalls and be sure to treat your date to a mug of hot glühwein afterwards. The most picturesque and traditional market is at Freyung – always elegantly decorated and with a variety of activities to try.

A picnic is never a bad option for dates in the summertime. The Augarten is one of the city’s most picturesque and oldest baroque parks, located in the second district of Vienna. The park was designed in French baroque style, with impressive flower beds and long lines of maple, chestnut, lime and ash trees along the borders. Come in the evening for a sunset tryst.

It worked for the characters in Before Sunrise (1995) – so why not for you? Take a spin on the city’s iconic ferris wheel (candlelit dinners inside the cabs can be organised for the serious daters) or wander through the amusement park to discover what else is on offer. You could even try your hand at the shooting stations to win a cuddly toy – it’s cliché, but effective.

Courtesy of the Vienna Tourist Board | © Vienna Tourist Board

Who could resist being seduced by the beautiful flowing waters of the River Danube? The banks along the canal have, in recent years, become a popular stomping ground for Vienna’s young, who tend to sit in the sunshine with a few cans of beer and watch the sunset. Alternatively, head to the New Danube – its grassy banks attract picnic goers and cosy, sunbathing couples.

Courtesy of the Vienna Tourist Board

Particular sections of the New Danube (or Neue Donau as it’s known in German) feel as if they are miles out of the city, with stretches of seemingly undisturbed grassy patches and plenty of secluded spots for smooching among the foliage. Settle down with a blanket and a picnic on a hot summer’s day, take a boat out or go for a dip in the water if you’re feeling particularly brave.

Renting a bike is free of charge for the first couple of hours, and cheap as chips (€3–4) thereafter. Vienna is ideal for exploring by bike, with wide cycle lanes in the city centre and plenty of leafy routes to explore along the River Danube.

Couple on a cycle date in Vienna | © Vienna Tourist Board

Although located in the rather unromantic setting of a World War II flak tower, the view from the top of this aquarium is a perfect date location and one of the best ways to get a bird’s-eye view of Vienna. Visiting the aquarium is a fail-safe activity – with walk-through tunnels full of curious animals to discover.