Booking service around the clock +43 676 9179366 [email protected]
Book a tour
Wien ThemenführungGeschichteStadtführung

Spittelberg and Biedermeier: Vienna in the Good Old Days

Lanes, house concerts and the spirit of 1815 to 1848

Spittelberg and Biedermeier: Vienna in the Good Old DaysTopicWien
Duration
2.0 hours
Languages
German, English

This private tour of Vienna's Spittelberg takes you into a quarter of Biedermeier houses and cobbled lanes. You discover how the Viennese lived between the Congress of Vienna and the 1848 revolution.

In the 18th century the Spittelberg in the 7th district had a rough reputation, full of taverns and soldiers. Today its lovingly restored baroque and Biedermeier houses hold small galleries and cafes.

The Biedermeier era from 1815 to 1848 was marked by censorship and surveillance under Chancellor Metternich. Many people retreated into private life: house concerts, salons, light wooden furniture and trips to the countryside. Franz Schubert played at Schubertiades among friends, while Ferdinand Raimund and Johann Nestroy filled the suburban theaters.

Your guide shares the everyday life behind the facades, from the Congress of Vienna to the revolution of 1848, and shows where the Biedermeier spirit still lives on in Vienna.

Highlights

  • Biedermeier houses in cobbled lanes
  • Metternich, censorship and private life
  • Schubertiades and house music
  • Raimund, Nestroy and suburban theater
  • The road to the revolution of 1848

The route

  1. 1
    MuseumsQuartier

    Start at the former imperial stables.

  2. 2
    Spittelberggasse

    Biedermeier houses and their stories.

  3. 3
    Gutenberggasse

    Old suburban life and its taverns.

  4. 4
    Siebensterngasse

    Crafts and trade in the suburbs.

  5. 5
    Ulrichsplatz

    Finish at a baroque suburban church.

Who this tour is for

For romantics and history fans looking for cozy Vienna beyond the Ringstrasse.

Frequently asked questions

Are entrance fees included?

No, entrance fees are never included in the tour price. When you book, we are happy to tell you which admissions apply to your group.

How is the price calculated?

This is a private tour for your group only. The price is per group, not per person, which makes it great value for families and friends traveling together.

When is the Spittelberg at its best?

The Spittelberg is charming all year. In Advent there is a small Christmas market, and in summer the outdoor cafes invite you to linger.