Karntner Straße (Carinthian Street), Vienna

Karntner Straße (Carinthian Street), Vienna

Kärntner Straße (Carinthian Street) serves as Vienna's primary shopping hub and has a rich history dating back to Roman times. Originally named Strata Carinthianorum, with its earliest recorded mention dating back to 1257, this street used to connect the city center to the city wall. Although most of the historic buildings from that era were lost during World War II, a few have managed to survive.

Today, Kärntner Straße stretches from Stephansplatz to Karlsplatz and boasts a plethora of charming old buildings, traditional shops, and flagship stores of well-known international luxury brands. Some of these stores are tucked away in the adjacent side streets. Along the way, the street is adorned with historical treasures, including the Winter Palace of Prince Eugene and Neuermarkt. Amidst the modern retail outlets that surround it, the Maltese Church stands as a striking anachronism. Finally, at the end of Kärntner Straße, one encounters the majestic Wiener Staatsoper, also known as the Vienna State Opera House.

In 1974, Kärntner Straße was transformed into a fully pedestrianized area, much to the delight of both local residents and tourists who frequent the street for shopping, leisurely strolls, and overall enjoyment.

Why You Should Visit:
Great for shopping, people-watching, and admiring Vienna's baroque architecture.

Tip:
Can get pretty crowded, especially during peak tourist season.

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.

Download The GPSmyCity App

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

Create Your Own Walk in Vienna

Create Your Own Walk in Vienna

Creating your own self-guided walk in Vienna is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Mozart Walking Tour

Mozart Walking Tour

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart spent a significant portion of his life in Vienna. Here, he achieved recognition, and the city holds enormous historical and cultural significance for his legacy. Mozart first visited Vienna as a child prodigy in 1762, and in 1781 came here to stay.

The city met the composer with a vibrant and cosmopolitan atmosphere brought about by some of the top musicians and artists...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
Vienna's Art Nouveau Architecture Tour I

Vienna's Art Nouveau Architecture Tour I

Among the plethora of other things, the capital of Austria, Vienna, is renowned for its contribution to Art Nouveau – the popular art movement emerged and flourished at the turn of the 20th century. Stemming from it the Viennese Secession movement, also known as the Austrian Art Nouveau, or Jugendstil (in German), gave rise to a number of architectural marvels.

By far the most colorful of...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Vienna Old Town Walking Tour

Vienna Old Town Walking Tour

Encircled by the grand Ringstrasse, otherwise known as the Ring, the historic Old Town of Vienna (Innere Stadt) is a designated World Heritage Site.

At the heart of it all lies Saint Stephen's Square (Stephansplatz), a bustling hub surrounded by iconic landmarks and vibrant street life.

Mozarthaus, once home to the legendary composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, is a delightful stop for...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles
Klimt Paintings Tour

Klimt Paintings Tour

"I have the gift of neither the spoken nor the written word, especially if I have to say something about myself or my work. Whoever wants to know something about me - as an artist, the only notable thing - ought to look carefully at my pictures" – Gustav Klimt.

Klimt's name is indelibly linked to Vienna. The renowned symbolist painter was a prominent figure in the city. As a...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Vienna Introduction Walking Tour II

Vienna Introduction Walking Tour II

Vienna, the former capital of the once mighty Austro-Hungarian Empire, is the second largest city in the German-speaking world after Berlin. Steeped in history, today's Vienna is still much revered for its cultural grandeur. The abundance of it, manifested in imperial palaces, diverse museums, and historic churches, beckons annually over 6 million guests from around the world.

One of the...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Old Town Churches Walking Tour

Old Town Churches Walking Tour

"Vienna is the city of miracles and music" – Whoever said that must have emphasized Vienna's close association with the Christian faith. The intertwining of Christian heritage and artistry in the Austrian capital finds expression primarily in its magnificent churches.

Sitting at "the crossroads of Christian traditions", Vienna is home to various Christian...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip


Top 16 Austrian Things to Buy in Vienna

Top 16 Austrian Things to Buy in Vienna

Vienna stool, Viennese schnitzel, Viennese waltz, Vienna sausage, Viennese apple strudel... There's so much Vienna to it, that you might think you've heard it all. Luckily, chances are that you haven't and there's much more in store left to be discovered about this fascinating...
7 Ultimately Austrian Foods to Taste in Vienna

7 Ultimately Austrian Foods to Taste in Vienna

Once the center of the vast Hapsburg Empire, stretched from France in the West to Russia in the East, Austria has embraced many ethnic influences in its cuisine over the course of centuries. Many of the country's distinctive dishes reflect its multinational heritage. Coffee culture, for...