Jewish History Tour Vienna

A Private Walk Through Jewish Life, Culture & Memory

This Jewish history tour in Vienna is for anyone who is Jewish, has Jewish family roots in Austria, or simply has a genuine interest in Jewish life, culture, and history in Vienna.

Susanne in front of the Anti-Gestapo statue during her private jewish vienna tour

Anti-Gestapo Memorial

As a local Viennese guide, I approach this topic with great respect. My heart goes out to everyone who lost beloved family members in the Holocaust, and this tour aims to remember, understand, and reflect.

Highlights of my Jewish Vienna Tour

  • Discover the medieval Jewish quarter of Vienna
  • Visit Vienna’s main Holocaust memorial
  • Explore the site of the former Gestapo headquarters
  • Learn about Leopoldstadt, the center of Jewish life in the 19th century
  • Hear stories about famous Jewish Viennese such as Sigmund Freud, Felix Salten, and Theodor Herzl
  • Visit Heldenplatz, where Hitler announced the Anschluss
  • See the controversial Holocaust memorial by Alfred Hrdlicka
  • Traditional Viennese  coffee house break in the formerly Jewish  Café Prückel

From the Middle Ages to Modern Jewish Vienna

We begin this Jewish Heritage Tour at the very beginning of Jewish life in Vienna, during the Middle Ages.

Why were Jews so important for the city’s prosperity and development?
This question will guide us as we visit the location of the medieval Jewish town, where today Vienna’s central Holocaust Memorial stands.

Dark Chapters: The Gestapo and the Nazi Period

Next, we visit the site of the former Gestapo headquarters, now an important memorial. Here we reflect on the terror of the Nazi regime and its impact on Vienna’s Jewish population.

From there we also take a look at Leopoldstadt, which became the vibrant center of Jewish life in the 19th century.

Along the way, we will talk about remarkable personalities such as Sigmund Freud, Felix Salten, and Theodor Herzl, whose ideas and works shaped the world.

Heldenplatz, Hitler and the “Anschluss”

We then continue by tram to Heldenplatz, where Adolf Hitler proclaimed the Anschluss of Austria in 1938. Here we discuss the events that followed and the devastating consequences for Vienna’s Jewish community.

Art, Memory and Controversy

Afterwards I will show you the powerful and controversial Holocaust memorial by Alfred Hrdlicka on Albertinaplatz.

Why is it controversial?
That’s something you will discover during the tour.

Viennese Coffee Break

Halfway along our tour we will enjoy a small and meaningful coffee break at Café Prückel, a traditional Viennese coffee house that once had a lively Jewish clientele.

It’s the perfect place to reflect on what we’ve seen and learned — and to experience a bit of authentic Viennese coffee culture.

Languages

German: fluent
French: fluent
English: fluent

★★★★★

“We enjoyed the tour, was very educational and fun. Susanne is a true professional and very personable. She knows her craft.”

  • DURATION

    3 hours

  • MEETING AND END LOCATION

    Meeting location: At Judenplatz (Jewish Square), in front of the New Memorial

    End location: Albertina Square

  • TRANSPORTATION

    Walking and tram

  • ITINERARY

    Am Hof
    Judenplatz – Jewish Square
    Schwedenplatz – former Gestapo Headquarters
    Holocaust Memorial
    Glimpse onto Leopoldstadt, former Jewish Quarter
    tram to Heldenplatz (Heroes Square)
    Albertina Square

  • TOUR PRICE

    285  EUROS

  • LOCAL CASH NEEDED

    15-20 EURO –  for tram, coffee and snack

BOOK THE VIENNA JEWISH TOUR!

Ratings from previous Guests

Our tour was absolutely excellent, full of varied and interesting information that was carefully selected and prepared. The four hour tour remained stimulating and interesting and was a real highlight of our stay in Vienna. I was taking the tour with my 82 year old mother and Suzanne was thoughtful and considerate making everything as easy for her as possible. I would have no hesitation in recommending Suzanne to anyone wishing to learn about history and art in Vienna.

Not only was the tour wonderful it was especially helpful to have Susanne as a private guide in the museum. She gave us much more understanding of the art, the period and the connections between periods. Susanne was delightful and even gave us some help with a medical problem one of us had. Highest recommendation

Susanne was a wonderful guide to Vienna. She was extremely knowledgeable about art and history (our particular interests), energetic, attentive, helpful and warm. We are very happy she was our guide to this beautiful city!

Jewish history of Vienna is a very delicate topic that many tour guides try to avoid. Susanne does a wonderful job in highlighting this important part of Vienna’s past! She was very knowledgeable and thoughtful. I was visiting Vienna with my young daughter and my goal was to share the history of the city with her while highlighting the impact the Jewish community has made on it over many centuries. Susanne was able to accomplish this goal with excellence. We are very grateful for such wonderful experience

Susan is very positive and has good understanding to The need and interest I have on my visit to Vienna . She is one of the best I can recommend to my friends who Will visit Vienna .

Susanne, our tour guide around Vienna was superb. She was very well informed and delivered an insight in to the history; culture and fascinating sights in a truly professional manner. She was very personable and a delight to be with. We would highly recommend her as your tour guide.

Susanne’s knowledge of the subject matters was excellent and the diversity of the tour (museum, market, highlights along the way) was appreciated. She provided us with follow up material to read or watch on the subject matters we were interested in and we really appreciate her attention to details and our wishes. Of yes, she is very personable and considerate as we ranged in ages from 58 to 80. Highly recommend her!!

Our tours were outstanding with Susanne. She is knowledgeable about history, art, Jewish Heritage etc. It was a real learning experience and Susanne was delightful to be with. We are so pleased and will recommend Toursbylocals and Susanne to friends.

If there would have been a six star rating, Susanne would have deserved it all the way ! She is this very special guide who walks the extra mile with pleasure, like: sending beforehand a whole list of links and ideas (movies, music, Youtube interviews, books, …) so one can prepare for the tour properly/extensively; adding extra hidden gem ideas to improve even thisbr brave tour; informing if her guests returned safely home… She actively involved the youngsters in the tour. She is most recommendable !

BEST DAY of our trip! It started with a scenic drive outside of the city on our way to the picturesque Wachau Valley. After an apricot danish in the town of Krems we saw several other quaint towns, and miles of miles of vineyards on our way to our lunchtime cruise down the Danube River and then ended up in the town of Melk and a tour of the Melk Abbey. Susanne planned a simply perfect day – one we won’t forget for quite some time! This was a 10 star tour!