Stephansplatz is a square in the heart of Vienna, Austria, that is named after the Stephansdom (St. Stephen’s Cathedral), one of the most important landmarks of the city. The square is a popular tourist destination and a starting point for exploring the historic center of Vienna.
To visit the cathedral, you need to buy a ticket that costs 6 euros for adults and 2.50 euros for children. The ticket includes access to the main nave, the catacombs, the treasury, and the towers. You can also book a guided tour for an extra fee. The cathedral is open every day from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., but the opening hours of the different parts may vary.
To get to Stephansplatz, you can take the subway (U-Bahn) lines U1 or U3 and get off at the station with the same name. You can also take the tram (Straßenbahn) lines 1, 2, or D and get off at Kärntner Ring/Oper or Schwedenplatz. From there, you can walk to the square in a few minutes.
Some tips for visiting Stephansplatz are:
- Avoid peak hours and weekends if you want to avoid crowds and queues.
- Wear comfortable shoes and clothes as you will have to climb stairs to reach the towers and the catacombs.
- Respect the silence and the dress code inside the cathedral. No shorts, skirts above the knee, sleeveless tops, or hats are allowed.
- Don’t miss the Pummerin, the largest bell in Austria, that is located in the north tower of the cathedral. It rings only on special occasions such as New Year’s Eve or Easter.
- Enjoy the view from the south tower, which offers a panoramic view of the city and the surrounding mountains.
Some prohibitions for visiting Stephansplatz are:
- No smoking, drinking, or eating in the square or inside the cathedral.
- No pets allowed, except for guide dogs.
- No bicycles, skateboards, or rollerblades in the square.
- No photography or filming inside the cathedral without permission.
Some attractions that you can see near Stephansplatz are:
- The Mozart House, where the famous composer lived from 1784 to 1787 and wrote some of his masterpieces.
- The Graben, a pedestrian street with elegant shops and cafes that leads to Kohlmarkt, another shopping street with luxury brands.
- The Plague Column, a Baroque monument that commemorates the end of a plague epidemic in 1679.
- The Hofburg Palace, the former imperial residence of the Habsburgs that now houses several museums and offices.
