Vienna Historical Hitler Walk: Glimpse into Austria’s darkest era with Skilled Historians

Uncover the origins of Hitler and explore Vienna’s darkest era on a 2.5-hour walking tour. Discover the scars of World War II and visit the only surviving synagogue from the Holocaust.

Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Vienna State Opera - On May 25, 1869, the opening was celebrated in the presence of Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth with a premiere of Don Juan by Mozart. But than after 1938 everything changed including the cultural life in Vienna changed.After the “Anschluss” of Austria, Adolf Hitler visited the State Opera on June 19 and October 27, 1938. The period of National Socialism saw the departure, persecution and murder of artists and employees. For several works there was a ban on performance.
  • Memorial Against War & Fascism - The Memorial against War and Fascism is the work of Austrian sculptor Alfred Hrdlicka. It has stood since 1988 on Vienna’s Albertinaplatz - named after Helmut Zilk in 2009. The memorial it is intended to serve as a reminder of the darkest era in Austrian history. It is dedicated to all victims of war and fascism.
  • Akademie der bildenden Kunste - Art school that didnt accept Hitler as a student
  • Heldenplatz - Heldenplatz on March 15, 1938
    Hitler’s speech from the balcony of the Neue Hofburg has become the epitome of the National Socialist seizure of power and the broad approval of it - and the trauma “Heldenplatz” for the Second Republic.
  • Judenplatz Holocaust Memorial - Mahnmal für die österreichischen jüdischen Opfer der Schoah

Memorial for the Austrian Jewish victims of the Shoah
Detail Memorial for the Austrian Jewish victims of the Shoah
In memory of the more than 65,000 Austrian Jews who were murdered by the National Socialists between 1938 and 1945.

  • Morzinplatz - Memorial at Morzinplatz
    Detail memorial at Morzinplatz
    The former luxury hotel “Metropole” became one of the most brutal Gestapo headquarters in the Third Reich.

  • Stadttempel Synagogue - The “Seitenstettentempel” is hidden behind a tenement building.
    The main synagogue of Vienna is located at Seitenstettengasse 4. According to the regulations in force at that time, non-Catholic places of worship had to be hidden and could not be visible from the street. Therefore, the synagogue stands behind a five-story apartment building. Above the entrance gate of the street building is the inscription: “Come to his gates with thanksgiving, to his courts with praise!”

What's Included
  • Licensed and knowledgeable guide
What's Not Included
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Gratuities for the guide (optional)
  • Food and drinks
Additional Information

Join our intimate crew of 4 history buffs seeking to shine a light on how rapidly things can evolve! This 2.5-hour walking tour of the historical heart of Vienna offers insight into Hitler’s formative years and beginnings. Throughout this tour, you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of Austrian and European history from 1900 to 1955. Guided by our expert, unravel the mysteries behind how a mere Austrian postcard artist became universally loathed. Where could have Hitler and Stalin possibly crossed paths? See the lasting marks of World War II and stop by the singular synagogue that survived the Holocaust. Take an in-depth journey into Vienna’s darkest eras.

  • Due to many cobblestones on our route, not recommended for guest within a wheelchair
  • Please wear comfortable shoes and clothes
  • Due to Vienna’s unpredictable weather, please bring water, sunblock, raincoat or umbrella
Location
Albertinaplatz
Albertinaplatz 1, next to Albertina Museum, next to the fountain and sausage stand with the green rabbit on the roof, behind the opera and opposite the tourist information - just look out for our green umbrella! Take the underground lines U1, U2 or U4, disembark at Karlsplatz, take the “Oper” exit.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.8
(505 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Jfurber
Jul 28, 2024
Do not miss this tour!! - We enjoyed the tour immensely. Michael was knowledgeable, entertaining, punctual, and made every effort to keep us cool on a very hot day. His knowledge of World War I and World War II was amazing and he brought history to life with his enthusiasm. We would definitely recommend this tour to family and friends. Gloria and Joe Canada.
Review provided by Viator
Anders_n
Jul 26, 2024
Great experience - Very competent guide. Clear that she knows her stuff and it was very interesting to learn about Austria in the Second World War.
Review provided by Viator
Lenka
Jul 24, 2024
Amazing experience - very good english and tour was very informative. Also thx to this tour weve found parts of wien which we’d easily miss. Nice touch was that it was also about historical context so for someone not so familiar with the Austrian history it was easy to understand.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sonja_p
Jul 23, 2024
Excellent - Liked the personal history that Dieter gave. Happy to answer questions. Charming and engaging. Would recommend
Review provided by Viator
B189jveriks
Jul 18, 2024
I Cannot Recommend This Tour Enough - My partner and I did this tour on 13 July with Sigi (forgive me if I have misspelt her name!) and it was excellent. The two-and-a-half hours flew by, during which time Sigi relayed the information in way that was concise yet detailed, and of course questions get you more and more detail. The content focuses on Vienna's relationship to Adolf Hitler and the Third Reich more broadly, and you visit a variety of locations that had a part to play in those events. Aside from the history, you also visit a number of lovely locations and neighbourhoods you probably wouldn't without knowing about them already, such as Judenplatz and the memorial there. All in all, I would wholeheartedly recommend going on this tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dannybc6757ne
Jul 18, 2024
A generational victim visit - Dieter was comprehensive and informative. I appreciated his tone and sincerity. As a descendant and victim of this regime the talk and walk was very well contextualised and expansive in its explanation I commend this to others with Viennese legacy backgrounds
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sharona_s
Jul 16, 2024
Hitler tour in Vienna - Wonderful tour and tour guide. We learned so much I would highly recommend this tour if you are in Vienna. Important part of our history
Review provided by Viator
Jean_c
Jul 15, 2024
Highly recommended!!! - Guide was so knowledgeable! Amazing stories shared and she was engaging! We learnt a lot through walking around the 1st district of Vienna. Suitable for families too!
Review provided by Viator
Maps05773777449
Jul 15, 2024
Dieter is great! - Dieter was so knowledgeable (with great English too) and it was by no means one of those boring tours that you instantly regret booking once you get started. He was very fluid with answering questions and sticking to points of interest. It doubled as a great walking tour to see the city. I had been to Vienna many, many times and I still got to see some things I hadn't seen before (like where Adele Bloch-Bauer---the real woman in gold--lived) and would be perfect for people who aren't super familiar with the city. We also visited the present day site of the medieval Jewish District area, the former Gestapo Headquarters right by Schwedenplatz subway stop, and stuff like that. Learned a lot about Vienna during the war too. It was all around fascinating. Would highly recommend it! If you are interested in this sort of thing I also recommend you visit the Jewish Museum at Judenplatz (there are a couple Jewish Museums and they are both good), which is also right where the Holocaust Memorial is because if you go downstairs in the museum you will see the remains of the old synagogue, destroyed in 1421. They have a very cool computer animated thing where you can change the year and focus on aspects of the old synagogue and it shows you what it would have looked like. Lots of the artifacts they found when excavating this building are in the museum. I've been twice and equally enjoyed it both times. So get your history on and do this walking tour and visit the Jewish Museum at Judenplatz. :) You can easily do both of these in the same half day period.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sydnee_n
Jul 14, 2024
Deter was an AMAZING tour... - Deter was an AMAZING tour guide! So knowledgable about everything he showed us, and I loved the personal addition he had at the end of the tour when he highlighted his article he wrote.
Review provided by Viator
Select Date and Tickets
up to 15 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Today