The Peterskirche stands on Petersplatz, just off the Graben in the heart of the old town, and its green copper dome is one of the most beautiful pieces of Baroque architecture in the centre of Vienna. Built in the early eighteenth century on a much older site, it has a richly decorated interior with an oval dome painted with a fresco by Johann Michael Rottmayr, gilded altars and a sense of theatre that suits a musical evening perfectly. The church hosts classical concerts that have become one of the most popular music experiences in the city, rated 4.7 from nearly two and a half thousand reviews on this booking page, an exceptional record that reflects the combination of a stunning setting, a reasonable price and a programme designed to please. The repertoire commonly draws on well-loved Baroque and classical works, and the performance is given by musicians and sometimes a soloist, with the church's acoustics lending a warm resonance. Check the programme for your date when you book, since the line-up changes, and note that a church concert is a different experience from the polish of a concert hall: it is more atmospheric, a little less formal and, in cooler months, calls for a warm layer. For many visitors the venue is the main attraction, and the location means that dinner and a walk on the Graben are part of the same evening. If your time is short, this is one of the most efficient ways to hear live classical music in a beautiful building without paying opera prices.
Planning the visit
The church is at Petersplatz 6 in the first district, between the Graben and Stephansplatz, a minute's walk from the underground at Stephansplatz. Choose your date and seating category, and check the start time and the programme. Arrive early to enjoy the interior before the concert begins, and expect the venue to be cooler than a modern hall in winter. Seating categories differ in view and proximity; consider the front sections if the musicians' faces matter to you.
Getting the most from it
Look up at the dome before the music starts, and walk around the nave to see the side altars and the pulpit. Programmes of this kind usually include some of the best-known works in the repertoire, so there is rarely an obscure evening. If you are staying nearby, walk home through the lit lanes of the old town afterwards. Church concerts typically do not allow flash photography, so respect the rules and keep your phone away during the music. Bring a light scarf or jacket in the colder months.
Who it suits
First-time visitors, couples, and families with older children who can sit through an hour of music. It is an easy choice for travellers who want a concert but have limited time, and it offers a more atmospheric alternative to a formal concert hall. For orchestral grandeur, look to the Musikverein; for intimate chamber music, look to Singerstrasse; for the grandest imperial setting, the Orangery at Schonbrunn. Pair the evening with the Graben, the cathedral and a late coffee.
What to expect
The experience
A classical concert in a Baroque church in the old town, with a programme of well-known Baroque and classical works.
Best time
Evenings; arrive early to see the dome fresco and the interior before the concert.
How long
Around an hour; check the length for your date when you book.
Tips
Bring a warm layer in cooler months. Choose a seating category with a good view. Arrive early to see the dome. Keep phones away during the music.
Quick picks
- Best for
- A highly rated classical concert in one of the most beautiful Baroque churches in the old town.
- Families
- Suitable for older children who can sit quietly through an hour of music.
- Couples
- Excellent: a candlelit-feeling evening in the old town with dinner before or after.
- Pair with
- The Graben, St Stephen's Cathedral and dinner in the old town.
- Time needed
- Around an hour.
Good questions
Where is the Peterskirche?+
On Petersplatz in the first district, a minute from the Graben and close to Stephansplatz station.
What music is played?+
Programmes commonly draw on well-known Baroque and classical works. The line-up changes, so check the details for your date when you book.
Will I be cold in winter?+
Church interiors can be cooler than modern concert halls, so bring a warm layer in the colder months.
Is it a good alternative to the Musikverein?+
They offer different experiences: the Peterskirche is atmospheric and intimate in a Baroque church, while the Musikverein offers a famous concert hall. Both are popular with visitors.
How long is the concert?+
Typically around an hour. Confirm the length for your chosen date when you book.
