Sat on Vienna’s Ringstrasse, the Austrian Parliament is a sight that you’ll likely stumble on even if you don’t plan to visit it. And given its history and architecture, the building is a staple on many Vienna tour itineraries. You can admire it from the outside on tours by foot, bike, or coach, or during photo shoots and self-guided scavenger hunts.
If you want to head inside, you can book German- or English-speaking tours for free directly with the Austrian Parliament: these last around an hour. Otherwise you can attend a parliament sitting—known as a meeting of the National and Federal Councils—by booking a ticket online. If you arrive without booking in advance, you can still visit by leaving your official photo ID with the visitor center, but you might have to wait.
To attend parliament sittings (known as meetings of the National and Federal Councils), children must be at least 10 years old. Children aged 10-14 must be accompanied by an adult, and they don’t need to register.
There’s an on-site self-service canteen for lunch options, or the sit-down bistro Restaurant Kelsen that’s open all day.
All public areas are accessible to wheelchair users with ramps, elevators, stair elevators, and an accessible restroom.
Everyone knows the Austrian Parliament building, and it’s easy to reach on public transit. By foot, the building is inside the Innere Stadt on the Ringstrasse, easily walkable from the Volksgarten, Rathausplatz, Hofburg Palace, Heldenplatz, and Maria-Theresien Platz. The closest U-Bahn stop is the Volkstheater, just a 2-minute walk away.
The Austrian Parliament is open year-round, from Monday through Saturday, morning until early evening. Register before you go to save time on entering. If you want to attend a parliament sitting to see democracy in action, you should check out the online calendar for available dates and book a ticket. It’s worth walking past the building at night to see it lit up with striking effect.
Occupying a prime spot on the Ringstrasse, the Austrian Parliament is perfectly placed for some Vienna sightseeing. After your visit, continue admiring the landmarks nearby: the Volksgarten is a tranquil green space directly opposite the Austrian Parliament, the Hofburg Palace is less than a 5-minute walk away, or the lesser-visited gem of Palais Epstein is next door.
