How long does it take to walk the Third Man route in Vienna?

The walk typically takes between 90 and 120 minutes. This includes time to stop at major landmarks like the Ruprechtskirche and Morzinplatz, though you may want to allow extra time if you visit the Third Man Museum at the start.

Is the Third Man Museum worth visiting?

Yes, it is highly recommended for anyone interested in the film or post-war history. It houses an extensive private collection of original artifacts, including the famous zither and set pieces, though it is usually only open on Saturdays.

Where is Harry Lime's apartment located in Vienna?

The exterior used for Harry Lime's apartment is Palais Pallavicini, located at Josefsplatz 5. It is a stunning Baroque palace that stands directly across from the National Library.

Can I see the sewers from The Third Man on this walk?

This specific walk focuses on surface locations in the Innere Stadt. While the sewers are a famous part of the film, they require a separate specialized entry and are not part of this independent street-level route.

Is the Third Man walk difficult to navigate?

The route is moderate and mostly flat, though it does include some cobblestone streets. It is easily walkable for most fitness levels, covering approximately 2.5 kilometers through the city center.

What is the best time of day for a noir-themed walk?

To capture the noir atmosphere, late afternoon or evening is best. The long shadows and city lights at dusk mirror the cinematography of the film, making it a favorite time for photographers.

Are there many stops with public transport nearby?

Yes, the route is well-connected. It starts near the U4 Kettenbrückengasse and ends near the U2 Schottentor, with several tram and bus lines accessible along the Ringstrasse.

Zigway - The Guide Follows You

About This Tour

Step into the flickering shadows of post-war Vienna with this atmospheric self-guided walk through the locations that inspired and hosted the 1949 cinematic masterpiece, The Third Man. As you navigate the cobblestone streets of the Innere Stadt, you will uncover a city that was once a fractured landscape of four-power occupation, black markets, and Cold War espionage. This neighborhood stroll captures the noir aesthetic of a Vienna rebuilding itself from the rubble of World War II, transitioning from the imperial grandeur of the Habsburgs to a gritty world of international intrigue. This walking route is designed for film enthusiasts, history buffs, and photographers looking to capture the moody essence of the city. You will begin at the dedicated Third Man Museum, providing the perfect historical context for the film's production and the reality of life in the 1940s. From there, the route takes you into the heart of the First District, where you will stand before the elegant Palais Pallavicini, known to film fans as the exterior of Harry Lime’s apartment. As you explore independently, you will visit the Hoher Markt and the ancient Ruprechtskirche, where the narrow alleys still echo with the tension of the famous chase scenes. This audio walk also touches on the darker history of the era at Morzinplatz, the former site of the Gestapo headquarters, before concluding at the iconic Mölker Bastei. Whether you are a fan of Orson Welles or simply interested in the geopolitical history of the Cold War, this self-guided walk offers a unique perspective on the Austrian capital. This walking tour Vienna experience allows you to pause whenever you like, perhaps for a coffee in a traditional Viennese café, while soaking in the same atmosphere that captivated director Carol Reed and novelist Graham Greene.

Highlights

Visit the Third Man Museum to see original film artifacts and 1940s memorabilia.

Stand before Palais Pallavicini, the filming location for Harry Lime's apartment.

Explore the ancient Ruprechtskirche and the moody alleys of the 'Bermuda Triangle'.

Learn about the four-power occupation and the reality of the post-war black market.

See the Mölker Bastei, the site of one of cinema's most famous character reveals.

Trace the history of the former Gestapo headquarters at Morzinplatz.

Tour Stops (6)

Third Man Museum

Begin your self-guided adventure at this remarkable private museum, which serves as the ultimate introduction to the film and its era. This is not just a collection of movie props; it is an immersive dive into the social and political reality of Vienna between 1945 and 1955. You will find original scripts, the zither used by Anton Karas to create the haunting theme music, and even one of the original projectors from 1949. The museum also painstakingly documents the hardships of the 'rubble years,' explaining how the city was divided into American, British, French, and Soviet sectors. Understanding this fractured reality is essential to appreciating the shadows you will walk through today.

Palais Pallavicini

Located at Josefsplatz, this stunning Baroque palace served as the exterior of Harry Lime’s apartment in the film. While the interior scenes were shot in a studio, the grand entrance and the statues flanking the doorway are instantly recognizable to fans. Notice the contrast between the palace's aristocratic elegance and the shady dealings of the film's characters. In 1948, when filming began, many of these grand buildings were damaged or neglected. Director Carol Reed used 'Dutch angles'—tilting the camera—to reflect the psychological unease and the literal instability of a city in ruins. Imagine the black market deals being whispered in the doorways of such magnificent estates.

Hoher Markt

As you enter one of Vienna's oldest squares, you are standing in an area that looks vastly different today than it did in the late 1940s. The Hoher Markt was heavily bombed during the war, and in The Third Man, it appears as a landscape of skeletal buildings and mountains of bricks. Today, it is famous for the Art Nouveau Anker Clock, but for a history-focused walking route, it represents the resilience of the city. This square was a hub for the black market trade in penicillin and cigarettes, a central plot point in the film. The ruins provided the perfect hiding spots for the 'shadow people' moving between the city's sectors.

Ruprechtskirche (St. Rupert's Church)

Perched on a hill overlooking the Danube Canal, Ruprechtskirche is widely considered the oldest church in Vienna, dating back to the 8th century. Its ivy-covered stone walls and narrow, winding staircases provided the perfect backdrop for the film's tense foot chases. The area around the church, known locally as the 'Bermuda Triangle,' is a maze of medieval alleys that retain a heavy, historic atmosphere. At night, the long shadows cast by the streetlamps here recreate the high-contrast noir look that defined the movie. It is easy to imagine the sound of running footsteps echoing against these ancient stones as characters vanished into the night.

Morzinplatz

This stop marks a somber chapter in Vienna’s history. During the war, the Hotel Metropole, which stood here, was converted into the headquarters of the Gestapo. After the building was destroyed by Allied bombing, it was never rebuilt; instead, a memorial now stands here to honor the victims of the Nazi regime. In the context of the Cold War shadows, Morzinplatz was a site of transition from one form of surveillance and control to another. The film hints at this atmosphere of constant observation and the lack of trust between the occupying powers. It serves as a reminder that the noir tension of the screen was rooted in very real human tragedy.

Mölker Bastei

Conclude your stroll at one of the most iconic locations in cinematic history. The Mölker Bastei is a remnant of the old city walls, elevated above the Ringstrasse. It is here, in a darkened doorway across from the house where Beethoven once lived, that Harry Lime is first revealed to the audience by a sudden beam of light. The architecture here is beautifully preserved, offering a glimpse of 'Old Vienna.' As you stand by the ramparts, you can look down toward the university and the Votivkirche. This spot perfectly encapsulates the theme of our walk: the intersection of high culture, ancient history, and the dark, lingering shadows of the Cold War.

Frequently Asked Questions

For film enthusiasts, the Third Man walk is the most iconic. This self-guided route explores the exact locations used in the 1949 film, including Harry Lime's apartment at Palais Pallavicini and the Mölker Bastei, while providing historical context about Vienna's Cold War era.