Terrible Crimes in Vienna: Dark History Tour

Please note: this tour runs in German on Friday and Sunday afternoons and in English on Sunday evenings. Choose the time that matches your language.

This 2-hour dark history tour takes you to more than 10 stops in Vienna's old town and uncovers the crimes, punishments and macabre legends behind the city's elegant facades.

One stop is Palais Bathory, linked by local legend to Elizabeth Bathory, the Blood Countess said to have bathed in blood to stay young. Your guide tells the story as Viennese folklore passed it down and shows where legend and history part ways.

At St. Stephen's Cathedral you hear about the city's standard loaf of bread, a medieval measure said to have been used to punish bakers who cheated their customers. It is one of many stories that show how seriously, and sometimes how brutally, medieval Vienna handled justice.

Between these highlights your guide, a certified local storyteller, mixes true crimes and eerie legends you won't find in a guidebook. The tour suits adults and families who enjoy a dark story.