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Vienna Walking Tour with a Homeless Guide

See another side of Vienna on a tour guided by a homeless local. Discover the multiple shades of homelessness, learn about the challenges, and hear stories of living and surviving on the streets.
Duration 2 hours
Private tour available in English, German
Private tour pricing from 15 EUR per person
Group tour available in English
I got to see a different perspective in Vienna and think about bigger problems we face as humans. The stories I heard were moving and action provoking. It was probably the most important thing I did in that city during that week.

Highlights

Have an unusual, insightful, informative and emotional experience

Discover an unseen world well off the typical tourist path

Learn about the complexity of homelessness and how the local social system works

Make a difference for you and your guide

Description

Want to experience something new? See a completely different side of Vienna on an unforgettable tour with a homeless local guide.

This authentic, professional and insightful tour will draw you into a mostly unseen world. During the two hours, your guide will share a mix of facts and personal stories that illustrate the complexity of homelessness.

Itinerary
After a brief check-in round, your guide will introduce you to the topic of homelessness. What challenges do homeless people face? How does the Viennese social system work? How do social institutions help?

Background information
An estimated 10,000 inhabitants of Vienna are considered to live in a vulnerable situation, of which 2,000 live on the streets.

These tours give the homeless guides an opportunity to reintegrate into society. In addition to providing you with an insightful experience, they can earn an income and gain motivation and self-esteem to help them on their way out of homelessness and poverty.

Shades Tours was founded in 2015. We cooperate with the city council and different social institutions, and aim to have a positive social impact.

What’s included & not included

Homeless local guide,2-hour tour

Tip

Meeting point

Heldenplatz

Reviews from travelers (5)

5.00/5
Realization hit me like ton of bricks
I got to see a different perspective in Vienna and think about bigger problems we face as humans. The stories I heard were moving and action provoking. It was probably the most important thing I did in that city during that week.
Engaging, informative and horizon widening
I believe I've never learnt as much on a tour... Shades Tours has opened my eyes (and heart) to a social issue that we literally face almost on a daily basis and yet all, or at least most of us, consciously and automatically decide to ignore: homelessness. On the tour, my prejudices and misinformation were challenged, my notions of what it meant to be homeless replaced by factual knowledge and my attitude towards homeless people radically changed. I have developed a deeper understanding of how different organisations (i.e. charities, NGOs, etc.) help and why their help is required. As the name itself suggests, these tours are about understanding the nuances in life and society, and about challenging black & white preconceptions.
Good - But Not a tour
Our guide provided a great insight to the resources available to homeless people in vienna but it wasn't a really a tour. We moved around a little but the locations were not very relevant or interesting. I love the concept but i think the tour either needs to be more relevant to the locations or be set up as a round table or picnic discussion.
Vienna
Heldenplatz
+4319971983
vienna@shades-tours.com
SHADES TOURS
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