Anyone who thinks you can only have fun in Vienna when the sun is shining is very much mistaken! Our capital city has plenty of things to do in rainy weather, so you have no excuse to stay at home. So get off the sofa and head out into the city, there’s plenty to experience, both alone and with your friends or family. These are our tips for rainy days in Vienna.
1. browse through a book café
When the rain is pattering against the window outside, there’s nothing better than getting cozy with a good book and a coffee. To make sure the ceiling doesn’t fall on your head, head to one of Vienna’s many beautiful book cafés. You can spend a few pleasant hours between the tomes and browse through the selection, which covers pretty much all genres. No wishes will be left unfulfilled.
2. watch a movie in the cinema
Let’s be honest, who still goes to the movies regularly in times of streaming? You should! Because you can’t even come close to the quality and atmosphere that you get at the movies in your own four walls. The rich sound, the big picture, no pixels or buffering if the internet doesn’t play along. Plus cozy armchairs and warm, fragrant popcorn that you can’t prepare in your microwave. For a real movie experience, you should definitely check out Vienna’s cinemas on rainy days.
3. painting ceramics
Painting ceramics is all the rage at the moment and is a nice relaxing activity that you can do with friends or on your own. You can usually choose between different types of tableware, such as cups, plates or bowls, and small decorative pieces. Choose your colors and then let your creativity run wild. The finished painted piece remains in the store to dry and seal and you can pick it up at a later date. The self-designed ceramic is a wonderful gift, but you can of course also keep your new treasure.
4. go to the museum
Vienna has numerous museums and if you want to visit them all, it will take a few rainy days to get through them all. And as soon as you’ve done that, there will probably be new exhibitions in the ones you’ve already visited. This means one thing above all for you: Variety! A visit to a museum is always worthwhile and can be educational or inspiring, sometimes perhaps just curious. Many of the museums are interactive or offer workshops to join in and learn. Visit the Chocolate Museum, the Gaming Museum, the Natural History Museum, the Hofburg or the Albertina. The choice is almost endless and there is something to suit every interest.
5. go bowling
Bowling is the perfect group activity for rainy days in Vienna. You can compete against each other in a friendly competition to see who can throw more strikes. If you get bored of bowling, you can switch to one of the pool tables, which most bowling centers also have. If you get hungry, you can have a bite to eat in the bistro before you play the next round.
6. swim in the indoor pool
Swimming fun and rainy days are not mutually exclusive. Whether you want to swim a few laps, look for action on the slides or treat yourself to some wellness in the sauna area – Vienna’s indoor pools have it all. Families with children as well as adults of all ages will find exactly what they need when the weather is bad. Especially when it’s wet and gray outside, a dip in an indoor pool or thermal bath can be beneficial.
7. attend a musical
Vienna offers you a wide range of musicals and will soon have another stage. The plays on offer range from funny to tragic to touching. What they all have in common is the rousing music and thrilling dance numbers that make the stage shake. Be inspired by what’s on offer and visit a musical play on a rainy day in Vienna.
8. play indoor mini golf
Mini golf is probably associated with summer for most people, but you can also swing a club on rainy days. Maneuver your balls through adventurous courses and always try to hit the bullseye. Black light mini golf, where the courses and balls glow in neon colors, provides an extra dose of fun. The limited visibility immediately increases the level of difficulty and ensures excitement.
9. puzzle in the escape room
If you want to put your brains to the test, head to an escape room together. Your goal is to escape within 60 minutes. You will have to solve various puzzles that will gradually provide you with new clues. An exciting storyline and themed rooms provide the right level of immersion. If a puzzle is too difficult for you, you can receive a hint from the game masters via radio.