One of the most vibrant and fast-growing cities in Europe, Vienna is steeped in history, culture, food and music. Its entire city center comprises a UNESCO World Heritage site where visitors can explore everything from art galleries, museums and opulent Baroque palaces to traditional public markets and award-winning restaurants.

PHOTO: © MARKUS SCHIEDER | DREAMSTIME.

Today more than 2 million people live in this bustling metropolis. Vienna’s storied history blends tradition and innovation, and its prime location astride the Danube River between trading routes in Italy and northern Germany plays a key role in the evolution of its economic success. The city’s top-notch infrastructure and 26 higher education institutions, coupled with consistently ranking as one of the world’s most livable cities, make it a very attractive destination for business and investment. Vienna also hosts many European headquarters for international companies.

As one of Central Europe’s major business destinations, Vienna boasts main economic sectors including life sciences, creative industries, financial services, and information and communication technology. (It’s one of Europe’s top centers for ICT.) Every 52 minutes a new company is founded here, according to vol.at; close to 11,000 new companies were founded in Vienna last year, up 9.2 percent over the previous year. The city makes up one-quarter of Austria’s gross domestic product.

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Vienna’s tourism sector boasted a record-breaking showing in 2025, topping 20 million visitor overnight stays, an increase of 6 percent. This year, the city expects to top that with many world-class events bringing tourists to town. In May Vienna hosted the 70th Eurovision Song Contest, the world’s longest-running international music competition. The city will also celebrate its rich culinary scene with Vienna Bites: Cuisine, Culture, Character, with more than 500 participating establishments.

With 450 hotels — 60 percent in 4- and 5-star categories — and about 42,400 rooms, Vienna is well-equipped to handle large conferences. In 2026 five international meetings coming to town will host more than 10,000 attendees, along with 50 smaller corporate events.

PHOTO: © MARTINA SIEBENHANDL

CHECKING IN WITH HELENA STEINHART
Media Relations Manager (U.S., U.K., Canada), International Media Relations, Vienna Tourist Board

What’s new in Vienna in terms of development?
Vienna continues to position itself as a dynamic and future-oriented destination across tourism, economic development and international business. From a tourism perspective, the city continues to see strong performance, with record overnight stays and growing tourism revenues underlining its global appeal.

Vienna is also strengthening its position as a leading destination for major international events and congresses, hosting numerous international meetings each year and reinforcing its role as a hub for global exchange. A key highlight earlier this year was Vienna hosting the Eurovision Song Contest, the world’s biggest live music event, further showcasing the city on an international stage.

In terms of economic development, Vienna continues to attract international companies and foreign investment, supported by a stable business environment and targeted initiatives that facilitate market entry and growth. At the same time, Vienna is investing in sustainable urban development, digitalization and innovation, positioning itself as a forward-looking European capital that combines economic strength with a high quality of life — key factors for both tourism and foreign investment.

Overall, Vienna’s integrated approach — linking tourism, business and urban development — continues to create new opportunities for international partners, investors and industry stakeholders alike.

How will new development affect tourism, business and investment opportunities?
Looking ahead, Vienna is focusing on high-quality, sustainable growth through its “Optimum Tourism” strategy which prioritizes quality over quantity, cultural tourism, the meetings industry, and targeting high-value visitors while ensuring a balance between visitor satisfaction and residents’ quality of life. We’re using data-driven management to guide sustainable development.

New developments will spread tourism beyond the city center into new districts, Danube areas and event infrastructure while improving visitor flow and creating new business and investment hot spots across the city. Overall, this approach strengthens high-value tourism, long-term investment and livability, ensuring growth benefits both residents and businesses.

DIVERSIONS
No visit to Vienna is complete without taking in the music for which the city is famous. The Vienna State Opera near Kärtner Street offers shows most nights between September and June. For an unforgettable experience, try to catch a Mozart concert. Vienna’s churches also host many concerts, especially during the summer months and Christmas holidays, when Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons is a hot ticket. Don’t miss Musikverein, Vienna’s most famous center for classical music.

For history and art lovers, Vienna hosts a wealth of wonderful museums, especially in the 7th District, home to the Museum Quarter. Wien Museum provides a great overview of the city’s history. The Leopold Museum showcases Austrian modern art and boasts the largest Egon Schiele collection in the world. In the 9th District, Sigmund Freud Museum honors the psychoanalyst’s life and work. And in the 3rd District, one of the city’s best-known art museums, Belvedere Palace, features a huge collection of works by Gustav Klimt.

Families will love visiting the 260-year-old Prater Wien amusement park and Wiener Riesenrad (Giant Ferris Wheel — the world’s oldest continuously running Ferris wheel). Or visit one of Europe’s top zoos, Schönbrunn Zoo, to see more than 6,000 animals.

For foodies, wandering Naschmarkt, Vienna’s largest open-air food market, is a dream come true with 120 stands, restaurants and a flea market on Saturdays. There’s also a guided tasting tour available to book.

Classic coffee houses are plentiful throughout the city. Try Café Sacher or Café Landtmann and indulge in warm apple strudel or a slice of Sachertorte, a decadent chocolate cake with a layer of apricot jam. The city’s sausage culture is so adored, its Würstelstande earned a UNESCO World Heritage designation in 2024.

© BORIS BREYTMAN | DREAMSTIME

Dozens of architectural wonders dot the city. A few not-to-be-missed stops include St. Stephen’s Cathedral, a Romanesque- and Gothic-style structure built in the 12th century and famous for its intricate, colorful roof made of 230,000 glazed tiles. Schönbrunn Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site — originally a 17th- century hunting lodge, then home to generations of emperors — remains one of Vienna’s most popular sites with its grand halls, magnificent gardens and more than 1,400 rooms (only 40 open to the public).