Best for
Architecture and political-history enthusiasts
Time needed
45–75 minutes for a tour; a few minutes for the exterior
Worth it?
Yes — free, well-run, and a change of pace from imperial-era sights
Skip if
You haven't pre-booked and only have last-minute availability
About Austrian Parliament Building
The Austrian Parliament Building was designed by Theophil Hansen — the same architect behind the Musikverein and the Academy of Fine Arts — and built between 1874 and 1884 in a deliberately Greek Revival style, evoking ancient Athenian democracy as a visual argument for the young constitutional order of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The dramatic Pallas Athena Fountain out front, added in 1902, has become one of the most photographed statues on the Ringstrasse.
The building has housed Austria's National Council and Federal Council since the empire's collapse and the founding of the Austrian republic, surviving WWII damage and a major multi-year renovation completed in the early 2020s that modernised the interior while preserving its historic halls.
Read the full storyShow less
Free guided public tours run daily (advance online booking required, up to 28 days ahead) and take visitors through the building's grand halls and chambers — one of the more substantial free things to do on the Ringstrasse, and a useful counterpoint to the imperial-era sights that dominate the rest of central Vienna.
What to See: Highlights
- 1Theophil Hansen's Greek Revival architecture
- 2The Pallas Athena Fountain, one of the Ringstrasse's most photographed statues
- 3Free daily guided tours (advance booking required)
- 4Recently modernised interior after a multi-year renovation
- 5Working seat of Austria's National and Federal Councils
Skip the Queue — Book Tickets Online
Same admission, instant confirmation. Compare prices across platforms.
Affiliate disclosure — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Insider Tips
Book your free tour online up to 28 days ahead — it can only be reserved in that window
Check for closure dates in late July/August before planning your visit
The Athena Fountain outside is worth photographing even without a tour ticket
Combine with a Ringstrasse walk taking in the Rathaus and Burgtheater nearby
Thursday's extended hours (until 21:00) offer a later option
Book a Guided Tour
Get the most from your visit with a local expert guide.
Affiliate disclosure — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Getting There
Dr.-Karl-Renner-Ring 3, 1010 Wien
Open in Google Maps →- 1U-Bahn U2, U3 to Volkstheater or U2 to Rathaus, both a short walk. Tram 1, 2, D to Parlament.
Where to stay
Hotels in Vienna
Compare prices across hundreds of hotels near this attraction — from budget hostels to luxury stays. Free cancellation on most rooms.
Affiliate disclosure — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Powered by Booking.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before you visit.
Is Austrian Parliament Building worth visiting?+−
How long does a visit to Austrian Parliament Building take?+−
Who is Austrian Parliament Building best for?+−
Do I need to book anything in advance to visit Austrian Parliament Building?+−
Is Austrian Parliament Building included with the Vienna city pass?+−
Should You Visit?
Visit if...
- You're interested in Austrian political history and democratic institutions
- You appreciate Greek Revival architecture
- You've booked a free tour slot in advance
- You're walking the Ringstrasse's landmark cluster
Skip if...
- You haven't booked ahead and can't get a same-week slot
- You're visiting during the late-July/August closure period
- Political and legislative history isn't of interest
Ready to Book Your Visit?
More to See in Vienna
Vienna City Hall (Rathaus)
A vast neo-Gothic town hall on the Ringstrasse, its square hosting Vienna's Christmas market, summer film festival and ice-skating rink through the year — free guided tours three days a week.
Burgtheater
Austria's national theatre and one of the German-speaking world's most prestigious stages — a grand Ringstrasse building with Klimt ceiling paintings above its staircases.
Volksgarten
A formal 19th-century rose garden between the Hofburg and the Ringstrasse — the Theseus Temple, a monument to Empress Elisabeth, and one of the most fragrant free stops in central Vienna.