12 Most Beautiful Churches in Vienna [with Map] - 2024 (2024)

On this page, we embark on a journey to discover the 12 most beautiful churches that grace the streets of Vienna.

The Austrian capital is renowned for its stunning sacred structures, each boasting a unique blend of intricate craftsmanship and spiritual significance.

From the majestic St. Stephen's Cathedral with its soaring Gothic spires to the Baroque beauty of St. Charles Church, these churches offer glimpses into Vienna's rich past and inspire awe with their awe-inspiring beauty.

Join us as we unveil the hidden gemsand explore the spiritual heritage of Vienna through its most beautiful churches.

Let's dive in!

This impressive Gothic building is located in the middle of the old town and is the most famous church in Vienna, probably even in all of Austria.In the imposing interior, which has been changed again and again over the centuries, the early baroque high altar, the medieval church windows, many small chapels and the cathedral treasury are particularly worth seeing.

A staircase with 343 steps leads up to the more than 136 meter high south tower, which offers a fantastic view over Vienna.
In the north tower, which can be reached by elevator, is the Pummerin Bell, the largest church bell in Austria. It is always rung at New Year's Day and was cast from abandoned cannonballs from the second Turkish siege of Vienna.

In the crypt under St. Stephen's Cathedral, in the ducal crypt, are the urns of the Habsburgs, in which the entrails of the ruling family were buried.

Scientists have recently succeeded in revealing the interior of the monumental high tomb of Emperor Friedrich IIIusing an endoscope camera.In addition to the mortal remains of the emperor, his crown, scepter and sword were also discovered.

The nearby Virgil Chapel is an insider tip. The chapel was only discovered in 1973 as part of the construction of the subway and is one of the best-preserved Gothic interiors in Vienna. It is about 12 meters below Stephansplatz. There the floor plan of the chapel is traced at the point under which it is located, it can be visited via the Stephansplatz underground station.

The rear part of St. Stephen's Cathedral is freely accessible, but there is an entrance fee to visit the tower, the crypt and the cathedral treasure.

2. St. Charles Church

St. Charles Church, with its 72 meter high turquoise dome, is one of the most important baroque church buildings in Europe.It was designed by the famous architect, Johann Fischer von Erlach, who based his architecture on the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul and combined Christian and Islamic elements of the sacred building.
The church, completed in 1737, was commissioned by Emperor Charles VI. Dedicated to Saint Charles Borromeo as thanks for the end of a plague epidemic.

The interior is adorned with gold ornaments and marble, and there are elaborate frescoes in the dome.
From the platform at a height of 32 meters, which can be reached with a panoramic lift, you have a breathtaking view of the interior and the frescoes.

A Christmas market is set up in front of the church on Karlsplatz every year during Advent, and there is an open-air cinema in summer.

There is a fee to enter the church.

3. Votive Church

Votive Church, a three-aisled basilica on the Ringstrasse, is considered one of the most important neo-Gothic sacred buildings in the world.It was built in gratitude for a failed assassination attempt on Emperor Franz Joseph. After a construction period of over 20 years, it was consecrated on April 24, 1879, the day of the silver wedding anniversary of Emperor Franz Joseph and Sisi.
Due to its location on Ringstrasse, Votive Church was also called "Ringstrasse Cathedral".

On certain days, the towerof the church can be climbed, from where there is a magnificent view of Vienna.

The view of the church from Sigmund-Freud-Park is particularly beautiful with the blossoming trees in spring and is a popular Instagram motif.

4. Church of St. Augustin

The Church of St. Augustin, also known as the Augustinian Church, is part of the Albertina wing of the Vienna Imperial Palace.In the past, throne celebrations and weddings took place here, for example the wedding of Emperor Franz Josef I with Princess Elisabeth (Sisi) in 1854.

It houses a tomb that served the Augustinians and the high nobility, but is not open to the public.
The "heart crypt" is located in a semi-circular extension in Loreto Chapel in the Augustinian Church.Inside are the urns with the hearts of 54 Habsburgs. In Vienna there was a custom of separate burials for monarchs, princes, dukes and higher-ranking nobles. That is why the corpses of the Habsburgs are in the Capuchin crypt, the entrails in the crypt of St. Stephen's Cathedral and the hearts in the Herzlggräbt in the Augustinian Church.
The Augustinian Church is famous for its church music, concertante masses by Schubert, Mozart and Haydn are celebrated.

5. St. Francis of Assisi Church

The appearance of the church, which is a historical monument, is more reminiscent of a castle than a church.It was built between 1898 and 1910 in the Romanesque style in honor of the 50th anniversary of the reign of Emperor Franz Josef I. It is therefore also called the Kaiserjubiläumskirche (Emperor's Jubilee Church), because it is located on Mexico Square it is also known as the "Mexico Church".
Its location on the banks of the Danube makes it a beautiful photo motif and it is impossible to imagine Instagram without it.

6. Steinhof Church

The copper-covered dome of Steinhof Church in the 14th district of Vienna can be seen from afar.At the request of Emperor Franz Josef, this church was built in 1904 for the nervous and mentally ill patients of the Steinhof Psychiatric Hospital. It is still part of the hospital complex today and can therefore only be visited as part of a guided tour.
The building was designed by Otto Wagner, Vienna's most famous Art Nouveau architect. At that time, the unusual architectural style was very controversial.

7. Ruprechts Church

Ruprechts Church is the oldest surviving church in Vienna and is located in the city center in the 1st district of Vienna.Legend has it that it was founded in 740, the first written mention dates back to 1200. The church has been rebuilt several times, but the old walls date back to the 12th century. In the posh city center, it catches the eye with its idiosyncratic appearance.

8. Greek Church of the Holy Trinity

This orthodox church is located in the former Greek quarter at Fleischmarkt in the 1st district of Vienna. Although Joseph II's patent of tolerance forbade towers and bells on non-Catholic churches, this church was given a bell tower.
Inside, the wooden bishop's throne with 4 steps and the lectern of the chancellery in the form of a Byzantine double-headed eagle, decorated with a Habsburg imperial crown, are remarkable.

Today the church is the cathedral of the Greek Orthodox Metropolitans of Austria. A Greek school and library are housed in the upper rooms.

9. DorotheergasseEvangelical Church

The Evangelical Church in Dorotheergasse dates back to 1783. It was built on the site of a former royal monastery and impresses with its clear lines and simplicity. To this day there are no pictures or a cross in the cross-shaped Renaissance building.
Since 2019, same-sex weddings have also been held here if at least one partner is a Protestant and the civil marriage has taken place.

10. Franciscan Church

The Franciscan church was built using old parts of a former vacant convent of penitents from 1387. The construction of the church was completed in 1607.
The church is Vienna's only sacred building in the Renaissance style, it is adorned with many Gothic elements and stands out with its unusual construction.

The oldest organ in Vienna that can still be played is in the Franciscan Church, the Wöckherl organ from 1642, which can be visited on certain days.

11. St. Peter's Church

St. Peter's Church was first mentioned in a document in 1137, but it burned down completely in a fire in the 17th century.The reconstruction of the baroque church was completed in 1733. The tall houses on either side make it look somewhat hidden.
In recent years, it has become a popular photo and Instagram motif, especially when a carriage also happens to drive by....

12. Karl Borromäus Church (Central Cemetery)

With its more than 58 meter high central dome, Karl Borromäus Church is the towering building in the ViennaCentral Cemetery.The foundation stone for the Art Nouveau church was laid by the former mayor of Vienna, Dr. Karl Lueger, who is also buried here. Therefore it is also called "Dr. Karl Lueger Memorial Church".
In front of the cemetery church you will find a crypt in which the former Austrian Federal Presidents are buried.
Very close to the church are some of the many graves of honor that can be found in the central cemetery, including those of Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms and many more.

If you want, you can combine a visit to the church with a walk in the central cemetery, and if you're lucky, you might even see one of the deer that live in the cemetery grounds.

Map with Locations

(link to map)