Beyond Vienna University’s main building, some travelers opt to visit the Natural History Museum Vienna Collection of Anatomical Pathology, housed in the Narrenturm, a cylindrical structure that’s one of the world’s oldest mental health institutions, or the Botanical Garden of the University of Vienna (Botanischer Garten). Main building tours cover architectural and art-historical highlights such as the grand cloistered Arcade Court, the majestic Great Reading Room, and the Main Ceremonial Chamber with its Klimt murals (now copies). Otherwise, admire the spectacular exterior from a Segway, bicycle, e-scooter, or walking tour, from the Ring Tram sightseeing tram, or on a photography excursion by day or night.
The main buildings of the University of Vienna sit on the northwest corner section of the Ring, the grand boulevard that encircles Vienna’s historic center: It’s called the Universitätsring in its honor. It’s walking distance from many Ring and city-center sights, or catch the U-Bahn to Schottentor (U2), less than a 5-minute walk away.
The University of Vienna is a working academic institution, so guided tours usually run on Saturday mornings and Thursday evenings only. It’s worth taking a look at the exterior both by day and when it’s lit up for the evening.
Founded by Empress Maria Theresa to grow herbs and medicinal plants for her personal physician, the University of Vienna Botanical Garden (Botanischer Garten) houses gems including Madagascar orchids, two-century-old ginkgo, and a wheelchair-friendly bamboo grove. The 20-acre (8-hectare) gardens are around two miles (three kilometers) south of the university main building, next door to the Belvedere Palace gardens.
