Many guided tours of the city and the Ringstrasse include the Rathaus, Vienna's city hall, which is one of the boulevard’s gems. The seven interior courtyards of the Rathaus are free to visit, but you’ll need to join a tour to go inside. Richly decorated with state pomp, the space is impressive, from the Council Chamber to two Coat of Arms Halls. Free guided tours offered by the city are in German, and complementary audio guides are available for visitors who want to follow along in other languages.
Located at Friedrich-Schmidt-Platz 1 on the Ringstrasse, Rathaus is easy to reach using public transportation. The nearby underground stop Rathaus is on the U2 line, and multiple trams stop nearby, including 1, 71, and D (Stadiongasse/Parlament); 2 (Rathausplatz/Burgtheater); and 1, 43, and 44 (Landesgerichtsstrasse). A city bike station is located at 108 Friedrich-Schmidt-Platz.
A guided tour of the Rathaus interior is offered Monday, Wednesday, and Friday in the early afternoon. Tours are canceled for public holidays and special events, as well as on Good Friday (the Friday before Easter), Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Tours can fill up during the busiest periods, so plan to arrive early to ensure you get a spot.
Vienna’s biggest Christmas market happens right in front of Rathaus, with stalls selling roasted chestnuts, steaming mugs of mulled wine, and plenty of seasonal treats. The nearby park is decked with lights, and there’s an ice skating rink where you can rent a pair of skates. While the Rathausplatz Christmas market is open throughout the day, it’s worth coming at night to enjoy the full effects of the twinkling Christmas lights.
