Vienna Wine Hiking Day 2026: Hiking, Heuriger & Wine in Vienna

Vienna has palaces, coffee houses, museums and an impressive public transport system. But it also has something you might not expect from a European capital: vineyards. Lots of them.

Wine has been produced here for a very long time. The Celts were already making wine in the area, and when the Romans settled in Vindobona, they brought new wines and expanded local wine production. There was a practical reason for that too: wine was part of a Roman soldier’s pay, and producing it locally was considerably easier than transporting it all the way from Italy.

The Romans are long gone. The wine stayed.

No time to read? Jump straight to the routes.

Event details can change, especially for outdoor programs. Check the official website shortly before your visit.

The Heuriger

Today, Vienna has around 600 hectares of vineyards, stretching across hills such as Nussberg and Bisamberg and wine-growing areas including Mauer. And somewhere between those vineyards and the city grew one of Vienna’s most enjoyable traditions: the Heuriger.

Vienna Wine Hiking Day 2024 – vineyard views over Vienna and a well-earned break between walks.

A Heuriger is a traditional wine tavern where local winemakers serve their own wine. The word heurig means “this year’s” and can refer both to the young wine and to the tavern where you drink it. Look for a bundle of pine branches and the word Ausg’steckt (“open for serving”) outside – traditionally, that tells you the Heuriger is open.

You may also come across the word Buschenschank, a traditional wine tavern where producers serve wine and other drinks made from their own harvest. And no, you don’t have to drink wine. Depending on the producer, you may also find Most (grape or fruit must), grape juice and other fruit juices. So you can enjoy the vineyards even if wine isn’t your thing.

And since the Vienna Wine Hiking Day takes place during harvest season, keep an eye out for Sturm – partially fermented grape must that sits somewhere between grape juice and finished wine (according to Google, because I’m definitely not a sommelier).

Once a year, Vienna makes exploring this part of the city particularly easy.

Vienna Wine Hiking Day 2026

The Wiener Weinwandertag, or Vienna Wine Hiking Day, takes place on the last weekend of September. In 2026, that’s September 26 and 27, from 10:00 to 18:00.

And the best part?

It’s free.

Four official routes lead through Vienna’s wine-growing areas, with plenty of wineries, Heuriger and food stops to visit during the walk. You can walk an entire route or join and leave at different points, so there’s no requirement to turn your wine tasting into an endurance sport.

There are also marked sections suitable for families with strollers, and playgrounds can be found along the routes.

Vienna Wine Hiking Routes

Route 1: Neustift am Walde – Nussdorf

If this is your first Vienna Wine Hiking Day and you want the full experience, this is probably the route to choose.

It starts in Neustift am Walde and takes you through some of Vienna’s best-known wine areas, including Sievering, Cobenzl and Grinzing, before finishing in Nussdorf.

You don’t have to walk all 10.8 kilometres. The route has several access points, including Sievering, Cobenzl and Grinzing, all connected by public transport.

One of the highlights is Cobenzl, where the vineyards open up to wide views across Vienna. From there, the route continues downhill through the vineyards towards Grinzing before eventually reaching Nussdorf.

This is the longest route, but considering the number of wine stops waiting for you, speed probably shouldn’t be your main concern.

Route 2: Strebersdorf – Stammersdorf

Route 2 takes you north of the Danube to the vineyards around Bisamberg, ending in Stammersdorf, one of Vienna’s traditional Heuriger areas.

Compared with the famous vineyards around Grinzing, this part of Vienna often feels much further removed from the city than it actually is. Vineyards, fields and old wine lanes dominate much of the walk.

One of the stops worth knowing about is Magdalenenhof on Bisamberg. Families can also visit the children’s farm here, making this an especially good option if you’re doing the Weinwandertag with children.

And once you reach Stammersdorf, there is absolutely no reason to rush home. The area is known for its traditional Heuriger, particularly around the old wine lanes.

Route 3: Ottakring

Not in the mood for ten kilometres?

Ottakring has you covered.

At around 2.4 kilometres, Route 3 is the shortest of the four official wine hiking routes. It follows the Paulinensteig towards Schloss Wilhelminenberg, with plenty of opportunities to stop for food and wine during the walk.

The hilltop location is also one of the main reasons to choose this route. From Wilhelminenberg, you get a wide view over Vienna, with the city stretching out below and the surrounding hills in the distance.

This is a good option if you want to experience the Weinwandertag without dedicating most of the day to hiking.

Or if your definition of a wine hike places slightly more emphasis on the wine than on the hike. No judgement.

Route 4: Mauer

The fourth route takes you south to Mauer, another of Vienna’s historic wine-growing areas.

At 4.6 kilometres, it’s a comfortable middle ground between the short Ottakring route and the longer routes in Döbling and Floridsdorf.

The most unusual sight here isn’t actually related to wine at all.

The route passes the Wotruba Church, officially the Church of the Most Holy Trinity. Designed by sculptor Fritz Wotruba and architect Fritz Gerhard Mayr, it consists of 152 exposed concrete blocks arranged into a building that looks unlike any traditional church in Vienna.

Mauer itself has around 44 hectares of vineyards and a long wine-growing tradition, so there are plenty of opportunities to return to the actual purpose of the day after your architecture break.

*The route maps shown in this guide are screenshots from the official Stadt Wien 2025 brochure and will be updated as soon as the 2026 brochure is released.

Which Vienna Wine Hiking Route Should You Choose?

If you only want a quick answer:

For the classic Vienna wine experience: Route 1 – Neustift to Nussdorf

For vineyards and a more rural atmosphere: Route 2 – Strebersdorf to Stammersdorf

For the shortest and easiest option: Route 3 – Ottakring

For wine with a side of unusual architecture: Route 4 – Mauer

There isn’t really a wrong choice. And because you can enter and leave the longer routes at several points, you don’t have to commit to the full distance.

A Few Things to Know Before You Go

You Don’t Have to Walk the Whole Route

This is probably the most useful thing to know.

The routes have several entry and exit points that are accessible by public transport. If you’ve had enough after a few kilometres – or found a Heuriger you have no intention of leaving – you can simply end your hike there.

Wear Proper Shoes

You don’t need serious hiking equipment, but these are vineyard paths rather than perfectly flat city streets. Comfortable shoes with decent grip are a much better idea than dressing for a normal afternoon at a wine bar.

Bring Water

Yes, there will be wine.

Wine is not water.

Vienna’s tap water, on the other hand, is excellent, so bring a reusable bottle.

Bring Some Cash

Card payments are common in Vienna, but smaller stands and temporary stations aren’t always as predictable. Having some cash with you can save you from discovering this just as you’ve chosen what you want.

Start Earlier

The official program runs from 10:00 to 18:00.

If you’re planning to walk one of the longer routes, starting earlier gives you enough time to stop at wineries without constantly checking how many kilometres are still ahead.

And stopping is very much part of the experience.

Look Out for Sturm

If you’re visiting Vienna in September, you’ll probably see Sturm written on signs at Heuriger and wine stands.

Sturm is partially fermented grape juice – somewhere between grape juice and finished wine. It’s sweet, cloudy, slightly fizzy and only available for a short period around harvest season (according to Google, because I’m definitely not a sommelier).

It is also very easy to drink.

This information becomes increasingly relevant after the second glass.

If you don’t drink alcohol, look for Traubensaft (grape juice), fruit juices or other non-alcoholic drinks instead.

Is the Vienna Wine Hiking Day Worth It?

I think the Weinwandertag shows a side of Vienna that’s easy to miss if you spend your entire visit around the historic center.

One moment you’re on a tram or bus surrounded by ordinary city traffic. Not much later, you’re walking between rows of vines, looking down over Vienna with a glass of something produced a few meters away.

And you don’t need a car, a tour or even an entrance ticket to experience it.

Come for the hike, stay for the views – and don’t be surprised if “one quick stop at the Heuriger” adds an hour to your route.

Not in Vienna This Weekend? No Problem

Not in Vienna on September 26–27? You can still experience Vienna’s wine country.

The vineyards and walking trails don’t disappear when the Vienna Wine Hiking Day is over. You can explore areas such as Nussberg, Kahlenberg, Cobenzl, Grinzing, Stammersdorf or Mauer at other times of the year and stop at a Heuriger for local wine, food or a non-alcoholic drink.

The main difference is that you won’t have the special Wine Hiking Day program and all the additional wine and food stops. Heuriger also have individual opening days and seasonal schedules, so check where Ausg’steckt before heading out.

You may miss the official Wine Hiking Day, but the vineyards and the views are still there.

If you’d rather explore Vienna’s wine culture with a local guide, you can also join a wine tasting, vineyard tour or Heuriger experience.

If you want to discover more of Vienna, take a look at my guide to free things to do in Vienna in summer, go on a lion hunt through the city or start with my Vienna travel guide if this is your first visit.