Discover Vienna's cult classic: The Before Sunrise Walk for the anniversary!

Discover Vienna's cult classic: The Before Sunrise Walk for the anniversary!

Vienna is celebrating a remarkable anniversary this year: the cult film “Before Sunrise”, which was released in cinemas on June 16, 1995, is 30 years old. To mark this special date, WienTourismus has a digital travel guide on the City Guide app ivy published. This updated app features a special “Before Sunrise Walk” that allows users to explore the film’s 11 original locations.

The app was first launched in 2020 and has since racked up an impressive 1.6 million downloads. Around 500,000 active users access the variety of over 25 curated walks and more than 1,000 information about sights every year. The “Before Sunrise Walk” is available in both German and English and begins at Westbahnhof, with the Vienna Ferris Wheel being the final highlight.

The original filming locations of “Before Sunrise”

The outstanding filming locations include iconic places such as the Spittelberg, the Kleine Café and the Zollamtssteg over the Vienna River. Other important stops include the Teuchtler record store in Neubau, the Café Sperl and the Maria am Gestade church. Even the Cemetery of the Nameless on the Danube is part of the tour and represents the ongoing tourist relevance of the film, which continues to attract audiences three decades after its release.

How Vienna Tourism emphasizes, around ten percent of international travelers from 2017 to 2019 made their travel intentions based on films. This shows how important film backdrops are for the decision to visit Vienna. The “Before Sunrise Walk” is considered part of the city’s cultural heritage and highlights Vienna’s role in film history.

Vienna – a city of literature and films

Vienna is not only known for its film sets, but also for its rich literary history. The city has served as a source of inspiration for numerous stories and famous literary works. The Vienna tourist guide offers special city tours that deal with the connection between literature and film. Popular themes include tours of legendary coffeehouse writers and walks focused on major works of world literature.

The combination of film and literary experiences makes Vienna a special destination for those interested in culture. Over 25 thematic tours as well as readings from Viennese literature are offered to give visitors a comprehensive insight into the city's literary and film heritage. Given the continued popularity of Before Sunrise, it's no surprise that the city continues to be promoted as a major film production location. The Vienna Film Incentive, which has been active since 2022, offers funding rates of up to 30 percent for relevant projects and reinforces Vienna's ambitions as a film city.