St. Stephen's Cathedral (Stephansdom)

The Basics

Peruse a treasury of medieval goldsmith art, see the Pummerin Bell in the North Tower, delve into a system of underground catacombs, and climb 343 steps to the top of the South Tower. Take a hop-on hop-off bus tour and get off at Stephansplatz for a self guided visit of St. Stephens, or take a tour with an expert guide to learn about the cathedral’s storied history. Most Vienna walking tours stop at St. Stephen’s—a good option if you also want to see other notable city attractions.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Entrance to the cathedral is free, but there is an admission fee to climb the tower.

• The main building is wheelchair accessible, but there is no wheelchair access to the towers or catacombs.

How to Get There

The cathedral’s main entrance is on Stephansplatz, in the Historic Center of Vienna. Car travel is difficult in this section of the city, so it’s best to travel on foot or by public transport. The closest U-bahn (subway) station is Stephansplatz.

When to Get There

The cathedral is open daily, year-round. It can get busy, especially in summer, so plan an early morning visit to avoid the crowds. Worshippers are welcome to attend the daily services, but note that it’s not possible to tour the cathedral while services are in progress.

Architectural Highlights of St. Stephen’s Cathedral

Although it dates back to the 12th century, the cathedral’s Gothic makeover began in 1359 at the behest of Habsburg Duke Rudolf IV, who was nicknamed “The Founder”. Today, the last remnants of the original structure are the Romanesque-styleRiesentor (Giant's Gate) and theHeidentürme (Towers of the Heathens), while the dominating feature is the skeletalSüdturm (South Tower), which was completed in 1433 and stands an impressive 450 feet (137 meters) high.

Ways to explore

While entry to the cathedral itself is free, access to the towers is ticketed, and you can only explore the catacombs on a guided tour. Take a hop-on hop-off bus tour and get off at Stephansplatz for a self-guided visit of St. Stephen’s, or join a guided tour to learn more about the cathedral’s storied history. Most Vienna walking tours stop at St. Stephen’s, and are a good option if you also want to see other notable city attractions. You can also experience the cathedral by attending a concert, joining a bike tour that passes it, or hearing gory tales of the afterlife on a Vienna ghost walk.

Accessibility

The main building is wheelchair accessible, but there is no wheelchair access to the South Tower or catacombs.

Age limits

None

What to pack

If you haven’t prebooked your ticket, bring cash as the cathedral does not take cards.

What to wear

Respectful clothing is encouraged, and men should remove their hats.

Not allowed

Tripods, eating, making phone calls, hats, balloons

Amenities

Gift shop

Address 

The cathedral’s main entrance is on Stephansplatz in the heart of Vienna’s historic center. It’s hard to miss and is within walking distance of many popular attractions.

Driving

Driving can be challenging in this part of the city, so it’s best to travel on foot or by public transportation. Alternatively, join a walking tour or bicycle tour.

Public transportation

The closest U-bahn (subway) station is Stephansplatz, served by lines U1 and U3. You can also walk from many sights within the historic center.

Best times to visit

The cathedral is usually open to visitors from 9am to 11:30am, and 1pm to 4pm Monday through Saturday, and 1pm to 4:30pm on Sundays and public holidays. Visit early in the day, as lines can get long at busier times of year.

Best days to visit

This is a popular attraction, so plan your visit for the working week.

Best months to visit

St. Stephen’s Cathedral is a year-round attraction.

Special events

The Christmas season brings a wealth of Christmas concerts, as well as a Christmas market on the square in front of the cathedral.