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St. Stephen's Cathedral

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St. Stephen's Cathedral

Vienna's Gothic cathedral, with a patterned tile roof and a 136-metre tower to climb.

Tickets & tours Open in Google Maps
Time needed
1 hour
Entry
Free (tours & towers paid)
Best time
Morning
Area
Innere Stadt

Vienna's Gothic heart, famous for its colourful tiled roof.

Where it is & how to get there

Address: Stephansplatz 3, 1010 Vienna

  • U-Bahn: Stephansplatz (U1, U3) is right outside.
  • South tower: 343 steps to the watchman's room.
  • North tower: A lift goes up to the Pummerin bell.

The story of St. Stephen's Cathedral

St. Stephen's Cathedral, the Stephansdom, has stood at the heart of Vienna since the 12th century; most of today's Gothic building dates from the 14th and 15th centuries. Its south tower rises 136 metres.

The roof is covered with about 230,000 glazed tiles forming a double-headed eagle and the coats of arms of Vienna and Austria. Beneath the cathedral lie catacombs with Habsburg burial urns.

Best time to visit

Best season

All year.

Best time of day

Morning, before tour groups.

Services

Tourist visits pause during Mass.

Tips before you go

  • Climb the south tower or take the lift up the north tower.
  • Climb the south tower for views over the old town.
  • See the roof tiles best from the north tower terrace.

Best hotels near St. Stephen's Cathedral

Well-known hotels within easy reach. Check prices and availability for your dates.

Hotel Sacher Wien

Legendary hotel behind the State Opera, home of the Sachertorte.

See prices

Hotel Imperial

Former palace on the Ringstrasse.

See prices

Park Hyatt Vienna

Luxury hotel in a former bank in the old town.

See prices
All hotels near St. Stephen's Cathedral

What's around St. Stephen's Cathedral

  • GrabenElegant pedestrian street.
  • Kärntner StrasseShopping street to the Opera.
  • MozarthausMozart's apartment museum.
  • Hofburg10 minutes' walk.

Questions travellers ask

Is St. Stephen's free?

Entry to the back of the nave is free; tours and towers are paid.

How many steps up the south tower?

343.

What are the catacombs?

Crypts with Habsburg burial urns.

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Schönbrunn Palace

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Belvedere Palace

Belvedere Palace

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Hofburg Palace

Hofburg Palace

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Prater & the Giant Ferris Wheel

Prater & the Giant Ferris Wheel

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Vienna State Opera

Vienna State Opera

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Travel Plan · St. Stephen's Cathedral Travel times, prices and opening hours change. Check official sites before you go. Photos: Unsplash. Privacy & disclosure