While those with young families may think a city like Vienna doesn’t have much to offer in terms of child-friendly attractions and activities, in fact, this lovely city is actually a wonderful destination for youngsters. And, with a little research, it doesn’t have to blow out the hard-earned holiday budget.
Top Attractions for Kids
For a city so renowned for its highbrow attractions, Vienna actually has just as much to offer its young visitors. Not surprisingly, many of them very cleverly disguise the art, history and culture of the city, packaged and presented in very child-friendly terms. Shhh, they’ll never know…
Zoom Kinder Museum
Absolutely perfect for tiny hearts, minds and hands, Zoom is a fabulous sensory museum designed to stimulate young imaginations through touch, sound, sight and play.
“Zoom Kindermuseum MQ Wien” by Max Wittmann licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
Kids can visit the Zoom Ocean and crawl their way through a simple (but fun) tunnel of mirrors and water mattresses, and there are plenty of other interactive play exhibits, including one teaching all about life in the “olden days” (Medieval times). Minopolis is their very own pint-sized town where kids can “work” in shops, banks and restaurants.
Find it: Located at Museumsplatz 1, open Tues-Fri, 8.30am-4pm. Free admission.
Prater Amusement Park (Wurstelprater)
Show me a child who doesn’t like an amusement park and I guarantee it’ll be one who’s never been to Prater! Suitable for kids (and adults) of all ages, the park’s 250 attractions include a ghost train, Ice Mountain and, everyone’s favourite, the interactive ride that gets you up close and personal to penguins and polar bears! The 4km ride on the light railway called the Liliputbahn is another popular ride for youngsters.
An iconic feature of the city’s landscape since 1897, the 200-ft Ferris wheel of the Prater provides a thrilling finish to the day’s fun, and the opportunity to show kids the other famous landmarks of the city from a safe distance!
Find it: Prater Wien, head for the Ferris wheel – you can’t miss it! Open 24/7, entrance to the park is free. Individual rides and attractions cost from €1.50 to €5.00.
Schönbrunn Palace
It may be steeped in royal history, but the Schönbrunn Palace is not the kind of staid and stuffy palace where kids will get bored of being told “don’t touch” or “be careful”. While there certainly is a lot for adults to enjoy as well, it seems almost purpose built for youngsters, with the inclusion of lovely gardens, a zoo and its own children’s museum on site.
The zoo at the palace is the oldest in the world, home to a host of exotic animals including bears, lions and tigers, as well as many marine species that can be viewed in their glass enclosures.
In the gardens, the fabulous Maze Labyrinth will keep the entire family busy, as will the fun climbing pole and giant kaleidoscope, while the Children’s Museum is filled with fun, interactive exhibits and activities – including imperial dress-ups! Now there’s a secret history lesson in itself…
Find it: Schloss Schönbrunn (bus 10A, tram 10 or 58). Open daily 8.30am-5pm. Family passes including all attractions from €46.
The Perfect City for Children
The entire city is extremely well facilitated for young families and even the most popular high-profile attractions are surprisingly welcoming and accessible. Other sites not to miss include:
Haus der Musik – An interactive museum that pays homage to the city’s musical legacy, which introduces kids to the magic of Mozart.
Vienna State Opera – Not just for adults, there is a programme of special children’s operas designed to cater for the youthful attention span.
Belvedere – Another adult-friendly historical palace dressed down as a kid’s playground, where the young members of the family can get involved in the fun Art Detective Trail while mum and dad appreciate the finer Baroque details.
Murmok – Vienna’s Museum of Modern Art offers a wealth of activities suitable for children, including workshops on sculpting, model making and filmmaking.
More than Meets the Eye
You certainly won’t run short of things to do on a family holiday in this beautiful city. It’s the perfect opportunity to open young eyes to a wonderful new culture abroad, while not being too intimidating – and the bonus is, it doesn’t have to cost the earth.
Tip: If you’re planning a special occasion or second honeymoon without the kids (guilt-free of course!), once you’ve fallen in love with Vienna the first time, you’ll be itching to get back – and this time, you can do things your way!
How to Get to Vienna
Getting to a European destination with the whole family in tow doesn’t have to cost a fortune. There are a number of budget carriers that operate regular daily flights from various UK destinations to Vienna Airport, including easyJet, Austrian, airberlin and British Airways. Online deals are available from as little as £49 one-way.
Once you land at the airport, the best way to get the family directly to your city accommodation, without the hassle of trying to navigate public transport with luggage, is on a fixed price airport transfer with Shuttle Direct. The journey will take just 30 minutes, so there’s no time for the children to get restless.
If you plan on turning your break in Vienna into a family adventure, you can travel by high speed rail from London to Vienna in one day, for as little as £75. A Shuttle Direct transfer service can meet you at the train station and take you and your luggage to the door of your accommodation.
Where to Stay:
Hotel Terminus: With a quiet location within a short walk of the city centre, the Hotel Terminus is the perfect budget accommodation for a family. The light, comfortable rooms include a private bathroom, satellite TV and free Wi-FI, and the kids will love the generous breakfast buffet and proximity to all the city attractions. Buses and trams are on the doorstep.
Pension Liechtenstien: The family run Pension Liechtenstien is the perfect place to enjoy your family holiday with hosts that understand your needs. With bright, modern rooms, free in-room Wi-Fi and within easy access of trams and city attractions, Pension Liechtenstien provides a genuine, warm welcome to every member of the family.
Drei Kronen Hotel Wien City: You can’t get more convenient than the Drei Kronen Hotel Wien City, set right in the heart of the city, within walking distance of many of the top attractions. Children will love the amazing traditional breakfast buffet and free Wi-Fi, while parents will appreciate the spacious rooms, friendly service and accessibility to everything.
About Shuttle Direct:
Shuttle Direct is the most trusted name in Europe for family travellers looking for fast and friendly airport transfers. With the convenience of both shared and private services, we can cater to any group size and budget.
Make an easy online booking and your arrangements will be set in place before you leave home. With services to any airport, train station or cruise port, no matter where your travel takes you, we’ll be there as well.
Book with us and let Shuttle Direct’s friendly, experienced team take care of all your family’s onward travel details.
