The best unknown places for photographers in Vienna

Urban house formations, architectural masterpieces that constantly change in the light of day and urban postcard motifs that come to life under the voyeuristic eye of the viewer reflect Vienna from the photographer's perspective. Once you have discovered the city on a photo tour, you also capture the sounds and the thoughts of the people with every picture. It is precisely the hidden corners that make the Austrian capital so interesting for photographers. With the right equipment and a penchant for fascinating motifs, you can capture lasting memories with your camera in Vienna.

It all depends on the right equipment

The choice of camera and lenses depends primarily on the photographer and the subject. Since the photo motifs in Vienna are very different in their perspectives, different lenses belong in the luggage. It is also advisable to bring filters and tripods. The photo bags from Oberwerth are an ideal companion. You can safely stow your complete photo equipment in them. The bags not only convince with storage space, but are also lightweight. This pays off when you are on the road all day with your photo equipment. All bags are extremely durable and available in many shapes and colors. The fabric of the bags is water-repellent and thus offers safe protection for camera and lenses even on rainy days. Thanks to the additional compartments, other things such as smartphone or documents can also be conveniently stored.

Exterior views of architectural buildings

Viennese architecture lives from its diversity. It is not uncommon to see buildings from different centuries lined up in just one street. Some have been preserved in their original state, while others have been extensively renovated. It is precisely these contrasts that are so interesting for photographers. The best example is the Florido Palace. It does not fit at all with the architecture of the old walls along the Danube. An ideal starting point for contrasting motifs are Minoritenplatz and Kurentgasse. Baroque and modern also lie very close together in the Spittelberg district. In addition, the cobbled street here adds flair. Even more contrasts can be found when walking through the university quarter. Here, old facades dominate and in the background you can see modern Viennese architecture in parts. The busy corners are best photographed in the early evening. Then many buildings are illuminated and the lights of passing cars create lively photos.

The fascinating interior architecture

In the Austrian capital, it is worth taking a look behind the facades. Among the most famous interior motifs is certainly the ceiling of the Opera House with its magnificent chandelier. But the real beauties are hidden in other buildings. For example, inside the Palace of Justice. As soon as you enter the main hall, fascinating motifs emerge. Behind it stretches a staircase. From here, you can capture the perspective even better. In the university, you can spend several days at once and still find great sceneries. It's the magnificent hallways and staircases that are sometimes still and then extremely vibrant. Many staircases and stairways in the buildings live from their uniqueness. This is also the case at the Hotel Imperial, where the photo of Emperor Franz Josef is enthroned above the staircase and transports visitors to long-forgotten times. In general, a photo stop in public buildings, such as the City Hall or the Parliament, is worthwhile. The interior motifs are almost inexhaustible.

The fascinating nature of the Austrian capital

Hotspots for nature photography can be found in many parts of the city. But some are dependent on the season. In April and May, the Votivkirche park is a mega photo spot. Then the magnolia trees are in full bloom. The church and surrounding buildings are a welcome contrast on sunny days. Schönbrunn Palace attracts millions of visitors from all over the world in summer. Photographers, however, come here only in late autumn. Then the walkways are deserted, the trees bare and the paths are full of colorful foliage. There is no better way to capture the mystical atmosphere of this place. The Temple of Theseus in the Volksgarten is surrounded by rose hedges. The colors of the roses are so intense that you can even convey the fragrance with a photo. Augarten Park is a real insider tip for appealing nature photography. In autumn the park shows its mysterious and eerie side and in spring it is a sea of blossoms. The Palais Lichtenstein is rather a meeting place for wedding photographers. Nevertheless, you can capture peaceful moments in the picture here, especially in the cold season.

Picturesque photography in the backyards

Behind many of the baroque facades stretch quaint backyards. Here, picturesque photo motifs await. Each courtyard is designed differently, and the different incidences of light always produce new motifs. The most beautiful backyards are located in the city center and many are also open to the public. In Weihburggasse you can find backyards overgrown with green and flowering vine plants in summer. The colorful and antique wooden doors also make a wonderful display. Heiligenkreuzerhof is full of beautiful photo motifs that want to be discovered. Here the photo scenery consists of colorful and wooden windows and doors overgrown with roses. If you want to capture the lively atmosphere of the city in a picture, you should take a look at the Palais Coburg. A terrace and an inviting coffee house extend behind the walls.

Coffee houses as a secret photo hotspot

Vienna is full of coffee houses that invite you to linger. Most are unspectacular, but some houses are photo gems. Among them is the café of the Kunsthistorisches Museum. The huge dome immediately catches the eye, and with a wide-angle lens you can even take in the unique floor tiles. The marble columns also provide an excellent contrast to the golden dome. Another hotspot is the Café Central. Not only the interior with its imposing ceilings and columns, but also the exterior facade is worth every photo. This looks especially attractive in rainy weather and in the late evening, when the streets are empty. Café Schwarzenberg creates new photo motifs every minute. This is because the incidence of light from the panoramic windows has a hypnotic effect. The charm of the interior, the imposing chandeliers and the liveliness of the people make for unconventional pictures. Since many coffee houses have soaring ceilings and expansive rooms, you should use a wide-angle lens here as well.

Street photography without a long search for motifs

It's the snapshots that make street photography so unique. Photographers can grab them at every turn. Nevertheless, there are still hotspots that put all other street scenarios in the shade. At Heldenplatz and Michaelerplatz, you should use a zoom lens to capture the Fiakers. Heldenplatz is a hotspot for wedding photography. Sometimes luxurious limousines pull up here and create snapshots in a class of their own. In the Austrian capital, antiquity and modernity have merged. On one side of the street, majestic horses pull an imperial hackney carriage and across the street, the streetcar makes its way. Herrengasse is full of perspective motifs, and Graben is convincing with its past-tense image of street lamps, hackney carriages, and building facades. Street scenes away from the tourist miles can be found on the Danube Canal, around the observatory and at the Uniqa Tower. Another insider tip for street photographers is the Griechengasse.

Panorama photography and snapshots from above

You will look in vain for the eye-catching skyline in Vienna. Nevertheless, there are some hotspots that make the city look dreamlike. If you want to capture the panorama of the city, you have to climb the towers of St. Stephen's Cathedral. The South Tower beckons with spectacular views, especially at sunset. The rooftop bar of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel beckons with a 360-degree view of the city. In summer, the Bank Bar on the Graben is also worth a visit. From here, you can take in the city's rooftops and towers. The Sofitel on the Danube Canal is a prime starting point for capturing the panorama of the old town in pictures. Outside the city lies the Kahlenberg. The hiking area holds many interesting vantage points for photographers with views over the city and the Danube valley.