Graben Street

Graben Street is one of the most famous and elegant streets in Vienna, the capital of Austria. It is located in the first district, the city center, and it is a pedestrian zone with many shops, cafes and historical buildings. Here are some information and tips for visiting Graben Street:

• Description: Graben Street was originally a trench (Graben) that surrounded the Roman settlement of Vindobona. It was later filled and leveled, and became a residential street in the 13th century. It was also the main route from Am Hof to St. Stephen’s Cathedral. The street was destroyed by a fire in 1327, and rebuilt in the Baroque style in the 17th and 18th centuries. Today, it is a popular shopping destination with many traditional and modern stores, such as Albin Denk (porcelain), Heldwein (jewelry), Nägele & Strubell (perfume), H&M (clothing) and Julius Meinl (gourmet food and coffee).
• Ticket: There is no ticket required to visit Graben Street. You can walk along the street for free and enjoy the atmosphere and architecture. However, you may need to pay for entering some of the shops or cafes, or for using public toilets.
• Open: Graben Street is open all year round, but the shops have different opening hours. Normally, they are open from Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 19:00, and on Saturday from 10:00 to 18:00. Some shops may open earlier or close later, or have different hours on Sundays and holidays. You can check the websites of the individual shops for more details.
• Close: Graben Street is never closed, but some of the shops may be closed on Sundays, holidays or special occasions. You can check the websites of the individual shops for more information.
• Days: You can visit Graben Street on any day of the week, but it may be more crowded on weekends or during peak seasons. If you want to avoid the crowds, you may prefer to visit on weekdays or early in the morning or late in the evening.
• Hours: You can visit Graben Street at any time of the day or night, but it may be more lively and colorful during the day or in the evening when the shops are open and the street is illuminated. If you want to see the street in a different light, you may prefer to visit at dawn or dusk when the sun creates a beautiful contrast with the buildings.
• How to get: You can easily get to Graben Street by public transport or by walking. The nearest metro station is Stephansplatz (U1 and U3 lines), which is right next to Graben Street. You can also take a tram (1, 2 or D lines) or a bus (1A or 3A lines) to nearby stops such as Schwedenplatz, Herrengasse or Michaelerplatz. Alternatively, you can walk from other attractions in the city center, such as Hofburg Palace, Albertina Museum or Rathaus.
• Tips: Here are some tips for making your visit to Graben Street more enjoyable and memorable:
• Don’t miss the Plague Column (Pestsäule), a monumental sculpture that commemorates the victims of the plague epidemic in 1679. It is located in the middle of Graben Street and is one of Vienna’s landmarks.
• Visit some of the side streets that branch off from Graben Street, such as Kohlmarkt, Naglergasse, Tuchlauben and Dorotheergasse. They have more shops, cafes and historical buildings that are worth exploring.
• Try some of the local specialties at Julius Meinl, a gourmet supermarket that offers exquisite Austrian and international food and drinks. You can also enjoy a cup of coffee at their coffee house with a nice view of Graben Street.
• Explore some of the nearby attractions that are within walking distance from Graben Street, such as St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Peterskirche (St. Peter’s Church), Hofburg Palace and Spanish Riding School.
• Tours: If you want to learn more about Graben Street and its history and culture, you can join one of the guided tours that are offered by various companies and organizations. Some examples are:
• Vienna City Walks: This company offers several walking tours that cover different aspects of Vienna’s history and culture, including Graben Street and its surroundings. You can choose from themes such as Imperial Vienna, Jewish Vienna or Music in Vienna.
• Vienna Sightseeing Tours: This company offers several bus tours that include Graben Street as one of their stops. You can choose from themes such as Grand City Tour, Historical City Tour or Vienna by Night.
• Vienna Free Walking Tour: This is a free tour that is led by local volunteers who share their knowledge and passion for Vienna with visitors. You can join them every day at 10:30 or 14:00 at Albertinaplatz (next to Albertina Museum) and follow them to various attractions in the city center, including Graben Street.
• Prohibitions: There are not many prohibitions for visiting Graben Street, but you should respect some basic rules of etiquette and safety:
• Don’t litter or damage any of the buildings or monuments on Graben Street. Use the trash bins or recycling containers that are provided along the street.
• Don’t block or disturb other pedestrians or cyclists on Graben Street. Keep to the right side of the street and watch out for traffic signs and signals.
• Don’t smoke or drink alcohol on Graben Street unless you are at a designated area such as a cafe or a restaurant. Follow the local laws and regulations regarding smoking and drinking in public places.
• What to see: There are many things to see on Graben Street, but here are some of the highlights that you should not miss:
• Plague Column (Pestsäule): This is a Baroque sculpture that was erected in 1693 by Emperor Leopold I as a thanksgiving for surviving the plague epidemic in 1679. It depicts various saints and angels interceding for Vienna with God.
• Palais Equitable: This is a Neo-Renaissance palace that was built in 1891 by Drexel & Co., an American banking firm. It has a richly decorated facade with sculptures and reliefs depicting scenes from American history.
• Anker Clock (Ankeruhr): This is an Art Nouveau clock that was built in 1914 by Franz von Matsch, a painter and architect. It has twelve figures representing different historical personalities from Vienna’s past who move across the clock face every hour.