Karntner Straße (Carinthian Street), Vienna

Karntner Straße (Carinthian Street), Vienna

Some may regard Carinthian Street as Vienna’s answer to the question: “What if shopping felt like strolling through a history book with a platinum credit card?” As one leg of the city’s so-called “Golden U” (alongside the Graben and Kohlmarkt), this pedestrian paradise isn’t just about luxury bags and pastry breaks—it’s a street with serious pedigree.

Indeed, its roots are deep. We’re talking Roman-deep. First mentioned in 1257 as Strata Carinthianorum, it once served as a vital lifeline between Vienna’s city center and the Carinthian Gate, just around where the Vienna State Opera raises its curtain today. Back in the day, this was the road to the Mediterranean, linking traders to port cities like Venice and Trieste. So yes, shopping here has always had a bit of flair.

Named after the southern Austrian state of Carinthia, the street has worn many hats over the centuries. But it hit its architectural stride in the 19th century when Vienna said, “Let’s go big or go baroque.” The street was expanded, lined with palatial buildings, and decked out in full historicist regalia—dramatic façades and a flair for the ornate.

Then came World War II, and with it, devastation. Carinthian Street was badly damaged and later rebuilt with a sleek, modernist look—minimalist, functional, and, let’s be honest, a little less theatrical. But Vienna being Vienna, it didn’t stay plain for long...

In 1974, the city waved goodbye to cars and hello to café-lined promenades as Carinthian Street was reborn as a pedestrian zone, perfectly synced with the arrival of the U-Bahn below.

Today, it’s the city’s cultural catwalk. You’ve got the Vienna State Opera, Todesco Palace, Equitable Palace, the legendary Hotel Sacher (home of that devilishly good chocolate cake), and quieter gems like the Maltese Church and Esterházy Palace.

So whether you’re here for the architecture, the fashion, the music, or just a slice of Sacher Torte (that could bring a tear to your eye), Carinthian Street offers you Vienna in its full, glamorous stride. Just keep walking...

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Vienna. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Karntner Straße (Carinthian Street) on Map

Sight Name: Karntner Straße (Carinthian Street)
Sight Location: Vienna, Austria (See walking tours in Vienna)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Vienna, Austria

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Vienna's Historical Music Venues

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Mozart Walking Tour

Mozart Walking Tour

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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
Old Town Chocolate Stores

Old Town Chocolate Stores

Vienna is famous for its love for sweet indulgence. And when it comes to chocolate, it stands tall among other locally-made mouth-watering confections.

Vienna's chocolate scene is deeply rooted in a rich culinary tradition. It has been sustained by several historic chocolate houses, located in the Old Town, that have been serving decadent treats for generations.

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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Vienna's Art Nouveau Architecture Tour II

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Around the turn of the 20th century, the Austrian capital caught the Art Nouveau fever and decided that straight lines, drab walls, and historical imitation simply wouldn’t do anymore. Instead, it took to ornamental swirls, flowing curves, floral flourishes, and enough decorative detail...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
Famous Homes of Vienna

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Throughout centuries, the Austrian capital has been home to numerous famous individuals, from creative people of arts to thinkers, scientists, and politicians. Vienna's illustrious history is closely intertwined with the abodes of its celebrated residents, where artistic virtuosos and luminaries of their time found solace and inspiration.

The often modest apartments of Vienna's famous...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
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Throughout the entire 19th century, Vienna was a hub of cultural and musical activity, particularly in the realm of classical music, to which Johann Strauss and his father, Johann Strauss Sr., contributed greatly.

Strauss, the son had a personal connection with Vienna deeply rooted in its cultural fabric. Not only was he born here and spent most of his life, but also he achieved tremendous...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles

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