Private Vienna Highlights History Walk — WWII and Post War Vienna
Overview
Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
Vienna is a mirror: a city with imperial muscle memory, catastrophic misjudgment, and a remarkable post‑war reinvention.
This private walk connects Vienna’s highlights with the turning points that shaped modern Austria - from the Anschluss to liberation, occupation, neutrality, and the city’s role as a bridge between East and West. Belvedere Hill, the Soviet Memorial, Heldenplatz, the Hofburg, Judenplatz, and St. Stephen’s Cathedral anchor a route that blends beauty with context.
For cineasts:
The Third Man, Lady in Gold, Mission: Impossible, Rogue Nation, Red Sparrow - four different windows into Vienna’s wartime scars and Cold War shadows.
Why travelers choose this walk:
• From your doorstep - stress‑free meeting and orientation in your temporary home
• Public transportation - sustainable, empowering, part of our Vienna experience
• Three personal hours with a local - close‑up, conversational, never scripted
• Explore Vienna with a Viennese - nuance, context, and lived perspective
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Pets are not permitted in certain areas visited
What To Expect
Jardines de Belvedere
At Upper Belvedere we begin with Vienna’s most generous panorama. Built by Prince Eugene, a military genius who never ruled, the palace became the symbolic birthplace of Austria’s Second Republic in 1955. From imperial ambition to post‑war neutrality — the shift is visible right from the terrace.
Lower Belvedere
Belvedere Gardens & Lower Belvedere - descending the baroque garden axis, we read the landscape as a political statement: order, hierarchy, and the aesthetics of power.
Options
Morning or Afternoon Tour
Duration: 3 hours Pickup included
What‘s Included
Private licensed Austria Guide - from doorstep/pier/train station
Hotel pickup
Public transport to/from attractions
Food and drinks
Hotel drop-off
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
32 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
The tour guide did a...
Susan D,Jun 19, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The tour guide did a fabulous job showing us sites we did not see and also incorporating sites we had seen and putting the history altogether. It was enjoyable and informative. We appreciate his changing the schedule so we ended up at our last separate tour for the day. Great job all around.
Brilliant tour
Sonia G,May 22, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Walter was a brilliant guide - knowledgeable, personable and with a great sense of humour. He brought Vienna and its history to life and we have a great tour. Highly recommended.
10/10! Brigitte is Amazing!
Patrick A,Oct 13, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We had an incredible walking tour of Vienna with Brigitte! She was warm, friendly, and made the city come alive with her deep knowledge of its history and culture. Brigitte gave us great local tips on where to eat and what to see, and her food and restaurant recommendations were spot on. She made us feel like we were exploring the city with a good friend who knows every corner. Highly recommend booking with her if you want to experience Vienna through the eyes of a true local.
Friendly and Informative Tour of Vienna
Sriram S,Aug 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We are a family of 4 from London and visited Vienna, Budapest and Prague in August 2025. We went on a private walking tour of Vienna with Schindl tours. Alex, our tour guide communicated proactively prior to the trip. He picked us up from the hotel, showed us around the must see locations in Vienna, shared some great stories and history. Alex was mindful that we had a gentle walker in our group and adjusted the pace and itinerary accordingly. I have no hesitation in recommending Alex and his company to take you around Vienna.
A wonderful time
Rosa T,Dec 30, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Vienna is stunning and our guide, Alex, brought it to life for us. Alex was fun to be with, is very knowledgeable and went out of his way to find the answer to a question I had that wasn't related to the tour. Thanks for a lovely time!
Excellent tour
Andrea S,Nov 14, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Walter is a very kind and informative person. I recommend his visit it was my big pleasure to know him Your friend Soufiane Fès MOUNANA
Having time for a coffee!!
George D,Jun 22, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Walter was knowledgeable and very organized. In 3 hours we managed to see the major sightseeing spots of Vienna, having the time for a coffee also! Really happy to have chosen this tour! Thnx Walter!!
Brigitte. Was our guide...
Gretchen W,Dec 27, 2023
- Review from Viator
5.00Brigitte. Was our guide for a tour of Hidden Gems in Vienna. She pivoted the tour to show us the wonderful hidden gems in Vienna. She was so knowledgeable and thoughtful in the tour. She answered our questions with great patience and humour. Her insights into the history, art and culture of Vienna were incredible. She shared anecdotal facts for so many of the interesting sites we visited. From the Jesuit church, to the Jewish memorial. From the Anker (anchor) insurance company building to the Anker clock . She also showed us amazing passageways which connected different areas of interest around Vienna. We learned and saw so much more of Vienna than we ever could have done on our own. Brigitte took the time to ensure we had a proper dinner on Christmas Day. She stopped at a restaurant and booked us a table for our Christmas dinner (when most restaurants were closed).. Lastly, she even hopped on the subway train with us to show us the route back to our hotel. Being with Brigitte was one of our most memorable experiences in Vienna. Thank you Brigitte for your expert guidance through fascinating areas of Vienna.
Fantastic Tour of Vienna
Steve T,Dec 17, 2023
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide, Walter, was fantastic. Born and revised in Vienna, with a decade in the US, we knew every aspect of the city, its history and the significance to the West. He started with a conversation about what we had already seen and how long we were going to be in Vienna and what else we were scheduled to do. Walter taylored our tour to see everything else as well as knowing the history and culture. He was a master of the subway, trains and trolleys so we got to see the whole city which is amazing. He was own time and reminded of an old world gentleman. A fantastic experience that I highly recommend.
Fantastic tour!
Nancy58 13,Nov 12, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Walter was amazing! We had a fabulous city tour with my group of 6, and everyone enjoyed Walter's knowledge and humor! Lots of fun and very interesting. Highly recommend and can't wait to return!
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Operated by SCHINDL Local Services & Day Tours