Eurovision on a Budget: Free Highlights and Cheap Eats in Vienna

The first item on our free list for Eurovision week is the Wien Museum MUSA—a brilliant complex featuring a museum, the „Startgalerie,“ and an Artothek, located right behind City Hall. Even though people walk past it all the time, many don’t even know this spot exists. We were genuinely surprised by how much is on offer during our first visit. The best part? Admission is completely free for everyone!

In the rotating exhibitions, you can dive deep into the world of contemporary art. The „Startgalerie“ is particularly exciting, as it showcases young Viennese artists taking their first steps into the professional art world. With a collection of over 35,000 objects, the artistic range is massive.

Another bonus: Public guided tours don’t cost you a cent either. But take note: spots are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so make sure to get there early!

• Read more: Wo ihr in Wien gratis ins Museum kommt (German)

If you’re looking for a fuss-free snack between Eurovision events, you should definitely drop by Kolar Beisl in the charming Kleeblattgasse. Tucked away in the heart of the first district, you can enjoy fluffy flatbreads, freshly prepared just for you in their dreamy courtyard garden.

For this location, the prices are unbeatable, ranging between €7 and €12. There’s a filling for every taste: from savory options like garlic curd, tomatoes, or turkey ham to sweet treats like Nutella. It’s the perfect spot if you’re hunting for cheap eats in Vienna but still want to soak up that unique Old City atmosphere. Grab a cold drink to go with it, and you’re all set for the next ESC night.

• Read more: Günstig essen in Wiens 1. Bezirk (German)

An excursion destination you can visit completely free of charge year-round is the Botanical Garden of the University of Vienna. Located right next to Belvedere Palace, this urban oasis boasts an incredible variety of plants that will make you momentarily forget you’re actually in the heart of Vienna.

Established back in 1754, the garden spans about eight hectares and is home to roughly 11,000 different exotic plant species. It’s an ideal slice of nature that also offers plenty of shade thanks to its towering trees—perfect for taking a quick breather before the next Eurovision Song Contest Public Viewing.

• Read more: Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna: The Best Places for Public Viewing

If you’re craving roast pork, fried chicken, or curd dumplings (Topfenknödel) but want to skip the stiff tavern atmosphere or the high restaurant prices of the 1st District, Schachtelwirt on Judengasse is exactly where you need to be. The team serves up traditional Austrian dishes with a twist, inspired by the modern food truck trend.

Their rotating weekly menus are creative and offer high quality at great prices — perfect if you’re roaming the city center and want a proper meal on the go. Whether it’s chanterelle mushrooms (Eierschwammerl) or pan-fried classics, you get the full load of Viennese cuisine served straight in a box. The concept adds a real kick to the Old City and proves that budget eats in the city center are anything but boring.

• Read more: Unser Guide für den 1. Bezirk in Wien (German)

As the perfect counterpart to the historic Schönbrunn Zoo — where admission costs over €20 — the Lainzer Tiergarten is the ideal alternative for anyone who would rather save their budget for the next Eurovision party. At the Lainzer Tiergarten, entry is completely free, and the scenery is at least as impressive as an elaborate stage production.

In this massive nature reserve, you’ll encounter an incredible variety of wildlife: everything from stags and deer to wild boar can be found here. If you’re looking for some exercise to balance out the ESC hustle and bustle, your best bet is to pack a picnic basket and hike up to the Hubertuswarte. Once you reach the top, you’ll be rewarded with a dreamlike view over the entire city of Vienna.

• Read more: Tolle Ausflugsziele am Wiener Stadtrand (German)

Lena and Mate have transformed a former Trafik (tobacco shop) right by the Donaukanal into Budapest Bägel—a small, bright, and hip standing café dedicated entirely to the love of bagels. They brought the idea straight from Budapest to Vienna, and the bagels are even sourced from the original Hungarian bakery, freshly baked on-site every day.

The selection ranges from classics like Caprese or tuna spread to more extravagant versions like the Brie bagel with homemade onion jam. You’ll also find vegan and gluten-free options, as well as sweet bagels with peanut butter or Nutella. Since there’s always something happening along the Donaukanal, it’s the perfect spot for a quick, affordable snack on the go while you soak up the colorful hustle and bustle by the water.

• Read more: Die besten Bagels in Wien (German)

If you’re looking to eat on a budget, you simply can’t miss Der Wiener Deewan. This place is a local legend, and its philosophy fits the communal spirit of the Eurovision Song Contest perfectly: you help yourself to the Pakistani curry buffet and, at the end, you pay whatever you can and whatever the meal was worth to you—following the „Pay-as-you-wish“ principle. This ensures everyone gets a warm meal, even when the budget is a bit tight.

Every day, there are five different curries on offer (three vegetarian/vegan and two meat-based), served with rice, salad, fresh naan bread, and sweet semolina desserts. You can now find Deewan at three locations: in the 9th, 2nd, and 12th districts. And if you’re in a rush, you can also grab their curries as a takeaway for a set price. The spot in the 9th district is very close to the Eurovision Village at Rathausplatz!

• Read more: All you can eat Restaurants in Wien (German)