📍 Location: Stephansplatz 3, 1010 Vienna, Austria
🕰️ Opening Hours: Daily, 6:00 AM–10:00 PM (shorter hours for tower/crypt tours)
⏳ Visit Duration: 1.5 to 3 hours
Entry: Free to enter the main church; separate tickets for towers, catacombs, and treasure chamber
Built in 1137, expanded into a Gothic masterpiece by the 14th century
Survived major wars, including WWII, and was restored meticulously
Hosted significant events, such as Mozart’s wedding and funeral
Symbol of Vienna’s resilience and religious heritage
Features Austria’s second-largest free-swinging bell — “Pummerin”
Climb 137 meters (no elevator) for panoramic views over Vienna
Spiral staircase: Not for the faint-hearted but worth the climb!
Houses the massive Pummerin Bell (21,000 kg)
Accessible by lift — easier option with great city views
Guided tours into the crypts beneath the cathedral
See the remains of over 11,000 people, including bishops, royals, and plague victims
Fascinating and eerie insight into medieval burial customs
Located above the sacristy
Displays ornate chalices, religious garments, and relics
High Altar (1647): Stunning baroque design
Pulpit of Pilgram: A gothic marvel carved with symbolic figures and lizards
Tomb of Emperor Frederick III: Red marble tomb from the 15th century
Baroque organ loft with nearly 12,000 pipes
Stephansplatz – for capturing the cathedral façade and tiled roof
South Tower lookout – for top-down shots of Vienna’s rooftops
Interior nave – especially early in the morning when it’s quiet and sunlit
Experience | Price (approx.) |
---|---|
South Tower Climb | €6 |
North Tower Elevator | €6 |
Catacombs Tour | €6 |
Cathedral Treasure Museum | €5.50 |
All-Inclusive Pass | €20 |
Guided tours available in multiple languages
Masses are free to attend (but no photography allowed during services)
Small church gift shop with rosaries, candles, and replica tiles from the roof
Luxury boutiques, cafés, and chocolate shops surround Stephansplatz
Café Demel or Aida – Famous for cakes like Sachertorte and classic Viennese coffee
Do & Co Stephansplatz – Upscale rooftop dining with a cathedral view
Trzesniewski – For quick, traditional Viennese sandwiches and beer
U-Bahn: U1 or U3 to Stephansplatz
By Foot: Central pedestrian zone; near Kärntner Straße and Graben
Hop-On Hop-Off Stop: Many tours include a stop here
Go early or late in the day to avoid large tour groups
Climb both towers for varied views — south for height, north for comfort
Look for the “toothache window” in the pulpit — a quirky medieval detail
The cathedral is beautifully illuminated at night — great for evening photography