St. Stephen's Cathedral
Domkirche St. Stephan48°13′ N 16°22′ E
St. Stephen's Cathedral (Stephansdom) is Vienna's Catholic cathedral and the place for Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, and it suits anyone who wants Christmas worship at the heart of the city. Entry is free, with paid towers and tours, and sightseeing stops during services.
Photo Zairon · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0 and others, credited in the gallery
The Gothic cathedral on Stephansplatz stands at the centre of the old town, and more than 6 million people visit each year. The South Tower, which the Viennese call the Steffl, rises 136.4 metres. A lift climbs the North Tower to the Pummerin bell.
At Christmas 2025 the cathedral held Vespers on the afternoon of 24 December, Midnight Mass at midnight and a high Mass at 10:15 on Christmas Day. The Christmas market on Stephansplatz stands right outside.
Worth knowing
- Confession is heard daily from 07:00 to 21:45 at the back of the church.
- The English Mass on Saturdays at 19:00 is the easiest way for English speakers to join a service.
Quick answers about St. Stephen's Cathedral
Is St. Stephen's Cathedral free to enter?
Yes. Entry to St. Stephen's Cathedral is free, though some areas inside, the towers and the tours charge a fee.
Is St. Stephen's Cathedral wheelchair accessible?
Yes, the main entrance through the Riesentor is step-free. The catacombs and the South Tower are not accessible.
Is there an English Mass at St. Stephen's Cathedral?
Yes. St. Stephen's Cathedral holds a Mass in English on Saturdays at 19:00.
In the journal and guides
