Vienna Central Cemetery (Zentralfriedhof)

The basics

Because the Vienna Central Cemetery sits on the very edge of the city limits, travelers must set aside time to visit it. Most visitors explore the cemetery independently using one of the printed guides provided at Gate 2, but you can organize a guided tour to maximize your time there. The New Jewish Cemetery inside the cemetery grounds may also be included in tours that explore Vienna’s Jewish history. Expect to spend at least one hour, but more likely several hours, here because of its immense size.

Things to know before you go

• You can rent an audio guide at Gate 2 to learn more about the cemetery and its residents.
• The cemetery's entrances and paths have no steps, and there are wheelchair–accessible restrooms.
• There is a cafe and a sausage stand just inside Gate 2, and cafes and restaurants outside most other main entrances.
• Carriage rides around the cemetery are available from Gate 2 and start at a 30-minute ride.

How to get there

The Vienna Central Cemetery is located in the outer district of Simmering, southeast of the city center. To reach the cemetery from the center of Vienna, take the S7 local train to Wien Zentralfriedhof or the 71 tram, which stops at Gates 1, 2,3, and 4 of the cemetery.

When to get there

Opening hours for the Vienna Central Cemetery change slightly with the seasons, but it is always open daily during regular business hours. Spring and autumn are the best seasons to visit, as the cemetery’s grounds are even prettier when decorated in seasonal colors. The cemetery is so large that crowds here should never be a concern.

Famous names to find at Vienna Central Cemetery

Many visitors come to the Vienna Central Cemetery to find graves of famous personalities. Many of these plots feature Ehrengräber, honorary graves that are more extravagant than regular graves and are maintained by the city, which are meant for distinguished people, such as Beethoven, Brahms, and Salieri. The cemetery also features memorials for people not buried on site, such as composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Hollywood star and inventor Hedy Lamarr (born in Vienna).