Arguably, there is no better film than Before Sunset for showing off the beauty of Vienna.
Set against the city's winding alleyways, parks, coffeehouses, museums and river paths, the 1995 Richard Linklater movie starring Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy is the first in the famous 'Before' romantic trilogy.
It follows American tourist Jesse and French student Céline after they meet on a train and decide to get off in Vienna and spend the day and night together.
They have no idea how it will go or where it will take them – but they get to experience the beauty of the Austrian capital and create a life-changing connection with each other.
How to do a Before Sunrise walk in Vienna
It's no wonder that fans of the cult classic have flocked to Vienna to try and capture some the movie's magic.
Today it's even easier to tour the iconic locations. In 2025, the Vienna tourist board launched a walk on its ivie city guide app to mark the 30th anniversary of the film release.
A spokeswoman for the Vienna Tourist Board told the Local that the walk is the most viewed on its app. In May 2026 the app, which has more than 30 walks and guided tours curated by WienTourismus on it, surpassed two million downloads. The app also includes information on practical facilities such as public toilets, Wi-Fi hotspots and drinking fountains.
"With the Before Sunrise walk in the destination app ivie, visitors and locals can step into the world of Richard Linklater’s beloved 1995 film and experience Vienna through the eyes of Céline and Jesse," the spokeswoman said.
"From Westbahnhof to the giant ferris wheel, the walk brings the magic of the film to life, leading through romantic streets, iconic cafés and some of Vienna’s most atmospheric landmarks."
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Here's a look at some of the locations you can visit:
Wien Westbahnhof
Jesse and Céline start chatting on the train from Budapest. When they arrive in Vienna, Jesse asks Céline if she wants to get off and spend the day and night together exploring the city before his flight the next morning. Céline says yes, and their adventure in Wien begins at the Westbahnhof.
They have no destination in mind on their city tour; instead, they let themselves drift through the streets of Vienna, chatting about everything and anything.
According to the Vienna Tourist Board, not all of the train station scenes in the film were filmed at Westbahnhof. Some were filmed at Südbahnhof, which no longer exists today.
READ ALSO: Everything you need to know about travelling by train in Austria
Spittelberg, 7th district
Next on the walking tour (and later in the movie) is Spittelberg in the 7th district. This is where our couple encounter a belly dancer performance.
Although it's unlikely you'll see this, Spittelberg, the former red-light district, is worth visiting to wander the alleyways and take in the charming architecture. The Biedermeier quarter near the MuseumsQuartier is also a great place for bar- and restaurant-hopping.
You'll also find a popular Christmas market here in winter.
Teuchtler Schallplattenhandlung, Windmühlgasse
Wander down to Windmühlgasse to see another famous Before Sunrise location: the record store. This is where the pair cosy up in a booth to listen to the song Come Here by Kath Bloom. The actors heard the song for the first time during filming, which helped create an authentic, intimate moment.
You'll spot the record cover created for the film hanging on the store wall. But sadly, there is no listening booth! That was made especially for the film.
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The record store was founded in 1948. At the time, the business was located in Schottenhof in the 1st district.
Café Sperl, Gumpendorferstraße
Vienna is famous for its coffeehouses, so it's apt that Jesse and Céline get their special moment in one.
The movie captures the buzzing atmosphere of the historic Café Sperl. We see locals chatting enthusiastically about art, smoking and reading the newspaper.
Then we see Jesse and Céline's famous telephone role-playing scene, where they pretend to call friends to talk about each other. It's clear that our couple is falling hard for each other.
READ ALSO: Five unusual cafes in Vienna you should not miss out on
Albertina, Albertinaplatz 1
Another stunning spot on the locations tour is the front of the Albertina Palace and Art Museum, where Jesse and Céline continue their deep talks.
Head there to enjoy views of the Staatsoper opera house and the luxurious Hotel Sacher (it makes a great photo opportunity).
The Albertina is also home to fantastic exhibitions and artwork, including Albrecht Dürer's 'Young Hare'.
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Maria am Gestade, Salvatorgasse 12
Our couple stop by one of Vienna's oldest churches: the Maria am Gestade, which dates back to 1158.
Feeling contemplative, the pair talk quietly in the candlelight about religion, life and death.
Film lovers may also recognise the Gothic church and its steps from The Third Man, which appears in the film, including during a chase scene through Vienna.
Kleines Café, Franziskanerplatz 3
No visit to Vienna is complete without a stop at Franziskanerplatz, just a few moments from St Stephen's Cathedral but much more tranquil.
Our youthful couple sits outside enjoying a coffee, before they're approached by a fortune teller played by the late Austrian actress Erni Mangold.
The cafe is an institution in Vienna and is well worth checking out to relax and enjoy a drink.
Wiener Riesenrad, Prater
Head to the big wheel at the Prater amusement park for one of the movie's most pivotal scenes: Jesse and Céline's first kiss.
Again, this is a location known to film lovers, especially for the nail-biting scene in The Third Man.
In Before Sunrise, the kiss takes place at sunset. But due to lighting issues, it was impossible to film it then. The crew rescheduled and came back early in the morning to film the kissing scene on the Riesenrad.
READ ALSO: Q&A: How to make the most of Vienna's coffee culture
Donaukanal / canal-side area
If you're a fan of the film, you'll be familiar with the "milkshake" poem scene.
This is when Jesse and Céline encounter a poet on the street who offers to compose a poem for them with a word of their choice.
Chanel the couple and wander along the Donaukanal to take in the atmosphere. You'll find buskers there today as well as friends socialising, families or people enjoying alone time with a book.
Friedhof der Namenlosen (Cemetery of the Nameless), Simmering
Although it's a little out of the way, it's worth visiting one of the more unusual filming locations: the Cemetery of the Nameless.
"An off-the-beaten-path highlight is the mysterious Cemetery of the Nameless on the Danube, a place that captivated Linklater and became known worldwide through Before Sunrise," the spokeswoman from the Vienna Tourist Board told The Local.
In the film, Céline tells Jesse about visiting the cemetery as a teenager and the impression it left on her.
Located on the banks of the Danube River, bodies of people who washed up from the river were buried here. The cemetery became well-known because of the movie.
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