Drittemantour - The World’s Most Famous Escape Route Beneath Vienna

Join us and step into history of cinema beneath the streets of Vienna. Follow in the footsteps of Orson Welles through the shadowy, atmospheric underworld of post-war Vienna in The Third Man, the iconic film noir written by Graham Greene. This isn’t just a movie tour but a descent into one of the most legendary escape scenes in film history, right into the sewers where Harry Lime vanished into darkness.

You may have seen our review of the Third Man Museum that we reviewed earlier but now it’s time to go deeper. Literally.

The Third Man Tour takes you into the very heart of Vienna’s underground. Enter through the original manhole cover and descend the same staircase seen in the climactic chase scene. Explore a hidden world of arched brick tunnels and rushing water, part of Vienna’s historic 19th-century cholera canal system, untouched since the 1830s.

This is not just a set. This is the real thing but authentic, raw, and unforgettable. When Graham Greene visited Vienna to scout locations, he found a city scarred by war, divided by the Four Allied powers, and humming with black market dealings and espionage. He didn’t just find a film location but a story about moral ambiguity, desperation, and survival for which Vienna’s underworld became the perfect metaphor.

The Viennese sewers have starred in more than The Third Man. TV crime shows like Inspector Rex and cult favorite Kottan ermittelt were filmed here. Even Austrian pop icon Falco shot the music video for his smash hit “Jeanny” in these very tunnels.

For those really interested in the city's infrastructure, the Vienna Museum offers a deep dive into the city’s sewer system, including its surprisingly early history: by 1739, Vienna was the only European city fully sewered within its walls. Today, the entire network is digitally mapped and accessible online, if you’re into that sort of thing.

This tour is not suitable for those with limited mobility or small children in strollers. You’ll descend a narrow spiral staircase (from the film!) and navigate tight, damp passages. Dress accordingly, this is not the place for your favourite outfit. And yes, the famous Vienna sewer scent is included in the price.

There is no café or gift shop underground but don't worry. Once you resurface near Karlsplatz, you’ll find plenty of charming spots to grab a coffee, decompress, and appreciate just how clean your clothes used to smell.

Drittemantour

Karlsplatz/Girardipark, 1010 Vienna

http://www.drittemanntour.at/