Tourist guide: what to do and see in Vienna
Where history and the avant-garde go hand in hand
Heir to a glorious past, Vienna continues to exude tradition from its very pores – but traditions of surprisingly eclectic varieties, both manmade and natural, whether you’re spellbound by its grand opera or symphony, green spaces and parks such as the Prater, or café society and culinary treats like the legendary Sachertorte. There’s a very cutting-edge side to Vienna, too, from nightlife to shopping to culture. Whatever you’re looking for, you can find it here.
- Sights
- Shopping
- Leisure
- Dining
- Open air
- Museum
- Sights
- Shopping
- Leisure
- Dining
- Open air
- Museum
Vienna's Christmas market
If you're here at Yuletide, lucky you - this is one of those magical holiday experiences you'll always treasure.
One of Europe's great Christmas markets
Like its fellow Teutonic culture Germany, Austria is especially good at doing Christmas, and by extension Christmas markets. So most of central Vienna but particularly near Schönbrunn and the City Hall square are given over to the Christkindlmarkt for half of November and most of December, with acres upon acres of stalls selling ornaments, crafts, gifts, seasonal goodies, clothing, Nativities, along with rides and an ice skating rink. A very special atmosphere throughout a very special part of the city.
The Spittelberg neighbourhood
A slum renewed offers a cool mix of Baroque architecture and bohemian vibe.
A charmingly gentrified neighbourhood.
During the 19th century, Spittelberg deteriorated into a ghetto, a crime- and prostitution-ridden cesspool, and it remained a seedy "red-light district" well into the 20th. In the 1970s, however, the area started gentrifying, with abandoned buildings turned into shops, restaurants, museums, and other establishments with a kind of boho/alternative vibe. It's an absolutely great way to experience both that side of Vienna as well as some completely lovely old architecture and atmosphere - an interesting juxtaposition indeed. It's also known for its annual Christmas market.
Leiner and the best views of Vienna
Affordable prices and heart-stopping views in a great local location, bon appetit!
Eat in heaven.
Located at 16 Mariahilfer Strasse, the Leiner restaurant is in Vienna heaven. It is a shopping center located in the financial heart of Vienna and dedicated to interior design and finance. However, on the top floor of this building hides one of the best kept secrets in the city: the Leiner restaurant. It may not be the most elaborate cuisine you can find in Vienna, however, its prices are surprisingly affordable. But its importance lies in its viewpoint. Due to its location, this restaurant has the best views. From its windows you can see practically the entire city of Vienna, and the Danube cutting the city in half. It is worth coming here just to find these views. Now, enjoy your food while looking out over this city, you are in Vienna heaven!
Alte Donau
The best way to enjoy the beautiful blue Danube.
Watery frolics in the middle of Vienna.
The Danube of course is the city's - and the country's - most important and defining river, marking their destinies from the beginning. And it was a small fishing village that grew into what is Vienna today. So this closed-off loop that was once part of the Danube is particularly close to the hearts of many Viennese, and especially in warm weather is extremely popular as an idyllic getaway close to the city (reachable by U-bahn), where it's possible to waterski, windsurf, go sailing or kayaking, go to the beach, enjoy waterside dining or picnicking, or any number of activities.
Tiergarten Schönbroon. The oldest zoo in the world
Exciting zoo, for its species, and for its longevity and its history, a must visit for the best of the best!
The best zoo in the world.
In 1752, Emperor Francis I Stephen of Lorraine had the idea of installing what he called the menagerie in his rooms. He dedicated a part of his gardens to the care and study of exotic animals that came from other countries. That was the beginning of this zoo. And therefore the beginning of the oldest zoo in the world. Centuries later, in 1901, this place had evolved and they achieved a milestone in the history of zoos, the captive birth of an African elephant. Later, in 2007, a baby Panda Bear was born for the first time. Currently, the number of exotic species, many of them in danger of extinction, make it one of the most important centers for the maintenance of fauna in the world. Not in vain has it been named three times as the best zoo in the world.
Touring the city by bike
Many miles of bicycle lanes make this a very feasible way of enjoying the city.
Two-wheeling Vienna.
Now here's an interesting (not to mention healthy and ecological) alternative for experiencing Vienna, thanks to the fact that the bicycle has become such a part of local transportation and society. There are now more than 1,200 kilometres (745 miles) of bike lanes running the length and breadth of the city, as well as every conceivable manner of accessory and gadget for transporting kids, pets, and stuff of all kinds along with you. And naturally, there are also a plethora of tour and bicycle hire options. The most ubiqutirous is CityBike, with 80 rental stations throughout the city (they're especially popular in the area of the Prater).
Eisenstadt
A wee city with a big history - and a concert hall with one of the world's best acoustics.
The "city of iron."
A small (pop. 13,000) city on the Hungarian border, capital of the Austrian state of Burgenland, back in the Dark Ages this settlement was fought over by various Celts, Huns, and Germanic tribes, before being conquered by the Romans who built the pillars of what it is today. For much of this millennium it was Hungarian, and the Schloss Esterházy, a palace built by the eponymous ruling family, is one of the most important sites you will find today in the so-called "city of iron" which is the translation of the name Eisenstadt, referring to the history of iron smelting and trade that grew up in the area. In the castle's interior you'll find the Haydnsaal, a concert hall famed for being among the world's most acoustically perfect (it was named for composer Josef Haydn, who was music director for the Esterhazy family).
Baden
Thermal baths since Roman times, an impressive musical heritage of its own, a refuge for harried Viennese.
Spas and symphonies.
Known for its thermal baths as far back as Roman times, this Biedermeier-style spa town 30 kilometres (18 miles) from Vienna eventually became no slouch in the music department, either. In was here that Beethoven composed the Ninth Symphony, Johann Strauss gave open-air concerts, and Mozart spent long stretches (there's even a palace named after him). And the reason this was so is that Baden was in the 19th century as it is now a favoured destination of Viennese who wished to escape the rigours of urban life to take the waters or simply enjoy a slower pace for a weekend or a week. Its topnotch facilities, dining, shopping, and gracious architecture make an absolutely delightful environment to relax for a day or an overnight.
Linz
A charmer of a daytrip, with history stretching back to the ancient Romans.
A small and charming city.
In the northwest of Austria, the small city of Linz (pop. 200,000) is one of the prettiest daytrips you can take from Vienna, two hours away by train (and while you can do it in a day, an overnight is worthwhile, if you can spare the time). Its origins actually hark back to the origins of the country itself, founded as it was by the Romans as a trade entrepôt; to this day, classical ruins can still be seen in its streets. The city's most important building is the Altes Rathaus (Old City Hall), built in the early 16th century after a fire reduced the city to ashes. Interestingly, one of the main events of the year in this small, ancient, and out-of-the-way city is the site each September of one of the world's most important annual electronic music festivals, Ars Electronica (the reason being that the sponsoring foundation is based here; you can visit its museum year-round).
Excursion to Bratislava, Slovakia
Less than an hour away, Bratislava is a very accessible and interesting city for a daytrip.
Popping across the border for a visit to another country.
A very common, interesting, and affordable daytrip from Vienna is to the capital of neighbouring country Slovakia, less than an hour away by bus or train, a bit longer by boat on the Danube. Bratislava is Europe's smallest capital, with barely 500,000 people, making it very easy to take in with a single day's visit. St. Martin's Cathedral, St. Elizabeth's Church, and the Bratislava Castle are the three principal sights not to miss in the city's old town, and that still leaves plenty of time to get to St. Michael's Gate, the only one of the city's four medieval city gates that remains.
Go out at night. The Bermuda Triangle.
Are you looking for atmosphere in the Viennese night? Start with the Bermuda Triangle, you'll like it!
Vienna has fun too!
It is true that Vienna is known for being a quiet city where cafes and opera reign. However, like any European city, it has a nightlife. Despite the fact that the areas to enjoy the city at night are a bit scattered throughout the city, we give you a few tricks to make the most of it. The first thing you should know is the so-called Bermuda Triangle. This triangle is formed by the narrow streets that make up the old part of the city. Throughout this area, the bars, pubs and discos create a great atmosphere, especially on weekend nights. Another of the liveliest areas is found in the section of the metro line U6 between the Burggasse-Stadthale and Alser Strasse stops. In this area, the metro circulates on the surface and around it there are a large number of highly recommended bars.
Neubaugasse
Near downtown, but off the tourist track, where the vibe is a little more local and edgy.
Younger, trendier shopping and culture street.
Neubaugasse is in Vienna's district 7, aka Neubau, which is not far from the centre yet off the tourist track, more popular with locals and younger, trendier, creative types. And so this street which branches off of Mariahilferstrasse and runs to Lerchenfelderstrasse is filled with shops large and small, a mix of secondhand stores, indie fashion designers, vintage shops, galleries, herbalists, and edgier brands of all kinds.
Vienna's Musikverein concert hall
Famous for its acoustics but also its unforgettable New Year's Eve concert.
One of the world's finest concert halls.
Have you heard of the New Year's Eve concert celebrated in Vienna every year? It's probably the Austrian capital's most important classical music concert of the year - and as the classical music world's capital, that's saying something. Conducted by the Vienna Philharmonic in the building's Great Hall, it is broadcast all over the world. The Musikverein, located at Bosendorferstrasse 12, was inaugurated in 1870 on land donated by emperor Franz Josef I, and it's considered one of the world's most acoustically superior venues. Fortunately, if you book far enough in advance you can find good ticket deals. And if you're a classical music lover, you owe it to yourself not to miss this.
The Museums Quarter
A new arts and fashion quarter in the making.
New museums, galleries, and more.
Vienna's Museumsquartier is an area of some 60,000 square metres (15 acres) on the outskirts of the city, once occupied by the royal stables. Beginning in the late 1990s, some of the existing buildings were renovated and new ones built, and these new institutions have been joined by cafés, boutiques, food shops, and various other businesses to create a still developing district that is becoming one of Vienna's more interesting.
Burggarten
An oasis of green in the big city, with an extraordinary winter garden.
A green break, with butterflies.
For a break from the big-city side of Vienna, spend some time in one of its lovely, peaceful green spaces, originally laid out in the early 19th century. But besides the pleasures of its leafy pathways, the Burggarten also offers the Palmenhaus, an Art-Deco-style, glassed-in winter garden which in addition to palm trees and a café houses thousands of exotic butterflies flying freely amid a landscape of streams, ponds, and waterfalls.
House of the Sea Aquarium
Sharks in downdown Vienna, and staring down piranhas.
Sharks on the 10th floor!
Ironically, Austria's biggest animal exhibition - more than 4,000 critters of myriad species, housed in a onetime anti-aircraft tower - is smack in the middle of downtown Vienna. And perhaps even more oddly, the actual acuatic habitats are on the tenth floor, so you've got hammerhead sharks swimming around 30 metres (98 feet) above street level. There are also sections called House of the Tropics and Croc-Park, with birds, primates, crocodiles, other reptiles, and all manner of various exotic fauna organised by habitats. And there's also an option called "Grasping Nature," which allows you to touch a shark's teeth or stare right into the mouth of a piranha. There's no danger, but it does take some nerve - are you up for it?
Spanish Riding School
Built around thoroughbreds originally from Spain, this institution maintains and displays exquisite horsemanship.
Exquisitely artistic equestrianism since 1572.
Created as part of the Hofburg Palace in 1572, the Spanishe Hofreitschule has maintained its stables of thoroughbreds and classical dressage traditions at the highest levels ever since. The riding school interior designed by Joseph Emanuel Fischer in 1729 is considered the most beautiful in the world, and certainly makes an impressive backdrop for the impressive shows put on by the famous Lippizaners, a breed originally from Spain (hence the name of the school) which start out black but end up white. Riders are among the world's top equestrian elite, and their training takes many years. Vistors have the option of touring the facilities, watching training sessions, and/or viewing performances.
Stadtpark
A popular, historic park which among other things pays homage to one of Vienna's most famous musical geniuses - in three-quarter time.
Green spaces, statuary, and music.
The Wien River (an offshoot of the Danube) divides this roughly rectangular park, which begins at the historic Innere Stadt's Parkring and ends at Heumarkt street in district 3, an area of about 65,000 square metres (16 acres). Laid out in formal English landscape style in the mid-19th century, it includes various monuments to the great and good of Vienna. But perhaps the most notable was the golden statue raised in 1921 to Johan Strauss, the composer and waltz virtuoso who was perhaps also the most illustrious violinist in musical history. Here, too, you'll find the Kursalon, an 1867 concert hall that still hosts numerous concerts and ballet performances.
Hundertwasserhaus
A city block splashed with colour and vegetation - a creative tour de force.
The maximum opus of an iconic 20th-century artist.
Friedensreich Hundertwasser was one of postwar 20th-century Vienna's most iconic and important artists, and it's worth a trip out to Kegelgasse in district 3 to have a look at his best known, most popular work - an entire city block, invloving an apartment block, more than 250 trees, and various other curious details, with a mix of colors and greenery on the façades that makes it hard to mix. Built between 1983 and 1986, the Hundertwasserhause had a decisive impact on the creative spirit of the city. In the nearby museum you can learn more about the artist's story and check out more of his oeuvre.
Prater. The oldest amusement park in the world
A must if you travel with children. Free admission, its long-lived Ferris wheel will not leave you indifferent.
A whole relic.
The oldest amusement park in the world is located in the Prater. Built on the outskirts of the city by the Habsburg kings in 1895 to celebrate the opening of this huge park to the people, which was once their private hunting ground. Inside is the Giant Ferris Wheel, one of the emblems of the city of Vienna. Since its inauguration in 1897, this monumental 60-meter-high work has become an icon of the city. However, like almost the entire city, this park suffered the devastating consequences of the World War, although miraculously, the Ferris wheel was able to reopen in 1945. Of course, now many of the wagons that could not be restored are exposed in the own park as a trip back in time. The Prater is an important episode in the history of Vienna. By the way, your admission is free!
Café Leopold Hawelka
If walls could talk - a café that has long been an artists' mecca is still going strong.
An indelible fixture of Viennese history.
At Dorotheergasse in Vienna's central Innere Stadt, the Café Leopold Hawelka is less than a century old - it opened in 1939 - but became a famous and indelible part of 20th-century Viennese café society. It had to close for a while during World War II but upon reopening in 1945 gradually became a magnet for the city's artists and intellectuals, reaching its peak of popularity in the 1960s and 70s. It was written about in songs and books, movie scenes were shot here, and hostess Josefine Hawelka, wife of founder Leopold, was muse to many an artist. The café continues to attract artists as well as many others today, and its historic fame is still amply backed up by, among other things, its scrumptious desserts.
Julius Meinl
Viennese cuisine comes together in one sumptuous package in this huge, venerable gourmet shop, restaurant, and bar.
One of Europe's premier gourmet shops.
In Vienna's historic center at Graben 19 you'll find another gastronomic wonderland whose name has spread throughout Europe and beyond. Julius Meinl stocks edible delicacies not just of Austria and Central Europe, but from all over the world, more than 16,000 in all, and if all that food porn makes you peckish, one of the city's most highly esteemed restaurants is also found here on the premises (reservations recommended), as well as a bar with a fine selection of the region's beers and wines, each of whose history is explained here. You truly couldn't ask for a more delicious learning experience.
Freyung Passage
Browse shops, people-watch, soak up history, and enjoy a Viennese coffee at the Café Central.
A historic covered gallery.
Part of the Palais Ferstel in the Herregasse district, this enormous glass-roofed arcade was designed by prominent architect Heinrich von Ferstel in 1810, and today offers some of the city's priciest and most exclusive shopping, as well as a courtyard with a much loved fountain of a Danube water nymph. As you stroll this busy passageway, you'll come across the Café Central, a unique and historic spot where we recommend you have a seat and enjoy a delicious Viennese coffee whilst people watching and soaking up the history around you.
Sachertorte
You can't leave town without sampling this famous cake - preferably in the hotel associated with the family that invented it.
Vienna's most famous dessert - chocolate cake and apricot jam.
Some folks claim Vienna itself smells like coffee and cake. Well, if it did it wouldn't be surprising, given the prominence of desserts on the local menu. And perhaps the star of this whole sweet show is Sachertorte, a luscious chocolate cake with a touch of apricot jam and several other secret ingredients. The story goes that it was created in 1832 almost by happenstance by an apprentice chef but soon became a culinary sensation. You can order it at many restaurants throughout the city, but the ideal place to try it, at Philarmonikerstrasse 4, is the atmospheric Hotel Sacher, founded in 1876 by the inventor's son.
Typical dishes
Vienna specialises not just in coffee and sweets - try the Wiener Schnitzel and other savoury delights, as well!
Savoury specialities in the vicinity of St. Stephen's Cathedral.
Like many cuisines, that of Austria has been shaped by the peoples and cultures that have passed through and settled here over the centuries - meaning German, Czech, Hungarian, Italian, Turkish, and other influences. The most popular food items of course are the buns and coffee, but there's much more to it than that. The overriding flavour, as it were, is of course German, and that has influenced the preparation of meat in particular. Distinctive dishes include Wiener Schnitzel (breaded, deep-fried veal, usually served with potato salad), Tafelspitz (boiled beef in broth served with horseradish, considered the national dish), and Selchfleisch (a popular type of local smoked meat). To sample these very typical dishes, seek out the traditional inns called beisl, especially in the area around St. Stephen's Cathedral.
Viennese coffee
Viennese café society, its Turkish origins, and Café Landtmann.
Vienna and coffee have gone together for centuries.
The Viennese coffee tradition goes back to 1683, when during the Battle of Kahlenberg the retreating Turks were obliged to leave behind many sacks of coffee - and so a local hero used some of that to open the first documented coffeehouse, the Hof zur Blauen Flasche (House of the Blue Bottle). This set the template for those that would come later - a place not merely for imbibing a hot beverage but for socialising, playing chess, sharing the news of the day, and more. Today of course there's an enormous choice, but one you shouldn't miss is Café Landtmann at Universitätsring 4. It was Sigmund Freud's favorite and it might just become yours, too!
Beisl
Cosy, homey, and woody, these inns are wonderful for local cooking, wine, and beer at affordable prices.
Typical Viennese inns.
A great way to get to know homestyle Viennese cuisine is through the city's Beisl, its inns - similar in many ways to pubs, but more traditional in feel, usually appointed in dark wood with various Viennese motifs and a large bar displaying local wines and beers. The food is tasty, the prices good, and the quality guaranteed. There are Beisl all over the city; a centrally located one we particularly like is next to the Nachmarkt, Gasthau Wolf at Grosse Neugasse 20.
Vienna Danube Tower
An observation tower that's a bit on the outskirts, but well worth a visit for its sweeping views over the city and countryside.
Great views from the Danube Tower.
Vienna's highest structure at 252 metres (827 feet), the Donauturm (Danube Tower) has stood in the outlying Donaupark since 1962, when it was built for a horticultural exposition, of all things. Now in addition to the observatory it has a pair of revolving restaurants serving local cuisine - making this an impressive feast for both the eyes and the palate.
Heuriger and beisl
These quasi restaurants are temporary, charming, and intensely local.
Vienna's special wine taverns.
Heuriger are special, absolutely charming taverns which serve the season's local wines as they are produced, along with a limited menu of homemade local specialties. Often, too, there will be singers performing songs about Vienna. Many of these are located in outlying areas due to the greater space requirements for winemaking, but there are also a few Heuriger scattered throughout central Vienna, such as Mayer am Pfarrplatz, at Pfarrplatz 2.
Scrumptious strudel
While in Vienna, an apple dessert classic you must sample - and can even learn to make.
An Austrian dessert classic.
The earliest recipe on record for strudel, at the Vienna City Library, is from 1696, and it's pretty much been one of Vienna's most popular desserts ever since, a flaky pastry filled most often with apple and cinnamon but sometimes sweet cheese, cherry, poppy, plum, and other fillings. It can be found all over town, but if you are a true dessert devotee, we have a tasty suggestion. The Café Residenz at the Schönbrunn Palace offers a 20-minute class in strudel preparation every hour on the hour - followed, of course, by consumption of your classwork.
Tostmann's typical Austrian costumes
This traditional Viennese clothing boutique will show you a dirndl good time.
A Viennese folklore tradition.
There's a shop in Vienna's historic centre that's different from any other you'll come across in this city. For Tostmann Trachten still manufactures traditional Austrian clothing and has been doing so for more than a half century - meaning a visit to this boutique is a colourful introduction to generations of this country's sartorial customs and traditions. Appropriately attired salespeople will be inordinately pleased to show and explain their wares. There is also a large selection of books to consult on the origins of the various outfits, particularly with regard to the rural areas of the 18th through 20th centuries. Unsurprisingly, the most popular garments are ladies' dirndls, but there are also plenty of capes, kerchiefs, skirts, vests, hats, and trousers of all shapes, sizes, and fabrics which provide insight into Viennese life and society through its dress.
Swarovski Museum Shop
Design your own baubles in this spectacular, luminous shop where everything's for sale.
World-famous crystal.
Founded in 1895, Swarovski is one of the world's leading crystal producers, finding favour with luxury consumers including celebrities like Michael Jackson and Lady Gaga. Based in Tyrol, the company has since 2009 had a museum shop on Kärntner Strasse in central Vienna, a gleaming spectacle of crystalline light and colour throughout three floors. Furthermore, visitors can even design and manufacture their own jewels! If this sort of thing intrigues you, we recommend you save your visit for after dark, when this place is at its most impressively glowing. Welcome to the world of Swarovski!
Freud, the action figure, beer mugs and crystal balls
Don't know which Viennese souvenir to put back in your suitcase?: Freudian dolls, beer mugs or crystal balls!
Viennese symbols.
If there are three figures that represent the city of Vienna, these are Mozart, Empress Sisi and Sigmund Freud. In fact, you will find all kinds of figures of these three characters. For years the Freud doll has become fashionable, even all kinds of legends fly over it, popular beliefs that it is lucky to leave with this amulet (which is curious and quite contrary to Freudian theories). What is certain is that the cute miniature doctor is a funny and meaningful souvenir from Vienna. There are also two other typical crafts from the area: beer mugs and glass balls. The former do justice to Vienna's great brewing tradition. They usually have a characteristic cover and you will find them with all kinds of Austrian motifs. Crystal balls originate from here, invented in 1900 by Erwin Perzy. You can find them in any street around the cathedral.
Vienna's beer tradition
The local beermarking tradition is a rich one, with distinctive beers a bit on the sweet side; Gold Fassl is a good choice.
Excellent low-fermentation brews.
Vienna has a long and rich beer heritage, with particular expertise in low-fermentation beermaking; it was here in 1841 that Anton Dreher pioneered that variant. Since then, many different types of brews have been developed locally, prominent among them various sweet beers. The local Alpine climate produces beers different from standard lagers. A good example to try is the tasty, popular Gold Fassl, often accompanied by local sweets. On the other end of the spectrum is Eggenberger Urbock, a potent brew habitually quaffed with lunch. And of course you can always have a seat at any café in Prater Park, and enjoy a Gösser with a plateful of snacks as you watch Vienna go by.
Luxury shopping on the Graben
Plenty of interesting strolling, but do not miss the vintage H&M store.
Exploring one of Vienna's most exclusive shopping streets.
The Graben is one of central Vienna's most famous and elegant streets, though it had rude beginnings (Graben is German for ditch, referring to the original ditch in front of the defensive wall during Roman and medieval times). Today it's an elegant commercial boulevard which offers some fine strolling, and one particularly recommendable stop is the H&M department store. H&M bought the building from an exclusive menswear emporium of 19th century vintage under the condition that the interior not be changed, and so to this day you can enter and be amazed by its elegant interior of a century ago.
Shopping near St. Stephens Cathedral
Discovering a more local, authentic, and less touristic side of Vienna shopping.
Exploring Vienna's Innere Stadt.
In shopping terms, Vienna's Innere Stadt, the area around St. Stephen's Cathedral, is not known for great commercial boulevards or famous luxury brands. Here its all about small shops and stands that tend to capture more of the truly local Viennese character and flavour. Examples might include those quintessentially Austrian sweets, Mozartkugeln, or objects recalling the Habsburgs such as figurines of Sisi, the popular 19th-century Empress Elisabeth. You'll also find items such as little Ferris wheels, a nod to the fact that Vienna is home to the world's oldest amusement park.
Mozartkugel
What is it about these chocolates that make them so wildly popular as gifts and souvenirs?
The quintessential elegant edible of Austria.
Invented in Salzburg in 1890, Mozartkugeln - chocolate-covered bonbons made of pistachio marzipan and nougat, wrapped in foil adorned with the white-bewigged countenance of Wolfgang Amadeus - are sold everywhere, and have become a favourite purchase of visitors as gifts or mementos of their visit to Vienna. You'll find them not just in department stores and pastry shops, but at street kiosks, various and sundry small shops, and even street stands. Major brands include Altmann & Kühne, Demel, Heindl, Neuhaus, and Mirabell.
Naschmarkt
One of the oldest and tastiest attractions in town is a must for foodies.
A venerable and mesmerizing outdoor food market.
One of the jewels of the city, this outdoor food market has been in existence since the 16th century, and whether they're here to gawk or pick up an edible souvenir or two, foodies in particular (but anyone who likes to eat) will be in gastronomic heaven here. The very freshest organic meats and produce, as well as spices and baked goods, both reflect the local cuisines of Central Europe and ranging farther afield to more exotic delicacies of Greece, Turkey, Croatia and even farther afield still, to places like China, Japan, and Vietnam. Throughout and surrounding the market are a great variety of cafés and restaurants to satisfy the hunger you're bound to feel after spending time roaming these aisles of temptation.
Mariahilfestrasse
Shops, historic buildings, restaurants, bars, cafés - there's much to explore on this grand downtown shopping boulevard.
The many pleasures of one of Vienna's main shopping thoroughfares.
This huge avenue crosses the centre of the city and continues in both directions for kilometres, but takes its name from the Baroque Mariahilf Church it passes on this central stretch. It will take you past many of central Vienna's distinguished historic buildings and shops, and is largely car-free, making for a comfortable strolling experience. Most of the shops you will see deal in clothing, fashion, and accessories, including most of the major international brands. This is also a wonderful area to sample the local and regional cuisine and tipples, with scores of restaurants, bars, and cafés from one end to the other.
Kaerntnerstrasse, Graben and Kohlmarkt
Vienna may not be a shopping heaven, but it's nothing to sneeze at, either.
Vienna's fashion and shopping triangle.
True, Vienna is not anyone's idea of an A-list shopping destination, but there are several good shopping zones in town, as well as some key products worth considering as souvenirs, purchasable mostly in small mom-and-pop shops scattered throughout the historic center. For luxury, fashion, and international brands, head for three principal streets: Kärntnerstrasse, Graben, and Kohlmarkt, Vienna's so-called fashion triangle. Here, too, you'll find Österreichische Werkstätten, a famed outlet for fine artisan products Austria is known for, such as glassware and enamelware.
Museum Hundertwasser
An artist who championed ecological balance liked to fill building façades with greenery. His museum is an excellent example.
Art meets ecology.
Friedensreich Hundertwasser (1928-2000) was one of Austria's most important 20th-century artists, working in a counterculture vein, famous for his multicolour buildings and championing of ecological balance, and filling building façades all over Vienna with greenery. In the 1990s, this onetime furniture factory at Untere Weissgerberstrasse 13 was turned into a perfect example - on the inside exhibiting a great many of the artist's colourful paintings and other works, along with temporary exhibitions of other artists' work. But perhaps the museum's most striking attributes are found on the façade itself, in Hundertwasser's signature mix of architecture, colours, painting, sculpture, and ecology.
Museum of the City of Vienna
For those who want to truly understand Vienna, an important visit.
Tales from the Vienna past.
The Museum of the City of Vienna is part of the Vienna Museum, a group of halls spread throughout the city which cover historic and other various aspects of the the city and country, such as the Clock Museum. But another of these museums merits special attention: the Vienna Museum Karlsplatz. This focuses on the historical and artistic artefacts that document human activity in this region long before the Habsburgs, to the Roman Empire and even as far back as the Paleolithic era of 5600 BC. If you want to truly understand Viennese history and society, this is a fascinating and necessary stop.
Globe Museum
Especially for geography nerds and folks who like to say they've been to a museum that's unique in the world.
A spin around a most unusual museum.
Let's face it, the Globenmuseum is hardly an absolute must on a visit to Vienna. But if you've got a nerdy streak, or are just curious about a museum that's unique in the world, it also happens to be conveniently located in the lovely, fascinating, and visitworthy Austrian National Library. This gallery displays more than 600 globes amid its planetary and celestial exhibitions and information - some of these true works of art dating back as far as the 16th century, part of the artistic patrimony of the Habsburg dynasty. In addition to the library and globe exhibitions, the very interesting Museum of Papyrus is also here on the premises. Quite the trifecta!
Clock Museum
This collection of 3,000 ingenious antique clocks on Schulhof Strasse will have you all wound up, but…
Have a spot of time for this museum?
Part of the Wien Museum, right in the historic downtown between walls dating back to the Middle Ages, the Uhrenmuseum is certainly one of Vienna's most curious museums. Throughout its three floors you'll find a wealth of watches, clocks, and other methods of keeping time from the 15th century onward. You'll see, for example, the astronomical clock of David, which could pinpoint solar eclipses and the movement of planets, as well as a replica of the clock in the tower of St. Stefan's Cathedral, in order to explain how it functions. And get this - many of these antiques are kept in working order, and every hour on the hour they bong, chime, clang, and so forth at once. Just a heads up... Located at Schulhoff Strasse 2.
Imperial Furniture Collection
Founded by Empress Maria Theresa in 1747, royal accoutrements from thrones to commodes.
Like fancy antique furniture? Welcome to heaven.
In making your way around Vienna's "Museumsquartier," its historic center, the Belvedere and Hofburg palaces, or pretty much any part of the Ringstrasse, you get the feeling that the Habsburg dynasty has been responsible for practically all of the city's historic monuments. And one of the most curious of those monuments is the Imperial Furniture Collection, founded in 1747 by Empress Maria Theresa. On these two floors you can gaze upon the world's largest collection of Biedermeier pieces (a style very characteristic of Vienna). And of course there's also a huge section of furniture that belonged to Austria's most popular empress, Elisabeth (aka Sisi).
Museum of Natural History
Fossils, minerals, nature past and present - and a thrilling rooftop view over Vienna.
An amazing look at our planet.
Vienna's Naturhistorisches Museum is another of the major cultural insitututions found on the Ringstrasse, part of the area known as the "Museumsquartier." This museum building dates from 1889, but the collections were founded by emperor Franz I Stephan of Lorraine in 1750 and over the course of that history, this has become one of the most comprehensive troves of information about our planet in existence, from prehistoric animal and plant fossils to an impressive array of minerals and precious stones. And of course don't miss one of its stars, the Stone-Age Venus de Willendorf figurine. And if you come on Sunday, you can talk a "View From the Roof" tour which includes a narrated spin through the museum finishing up with a spectacular panorama over the city - wunderbar!
The Albertina Museum
Especially if you're a fan of graphic art, you must make time for this museum.
Fruit of an art collector's passion.
In 1760, Albert of Saxony married his cousin Maria Christina of Habsburg, and became a passionate collector of art. After the end of Habsburg rule, his former palace behind the the Vienna Opera became a museum named after him, whose centrepiece is perhaps the world's foremost collection of graphic art. The heart of the museum remains Albert's original collection, so there is a definite Renaissance and Gothic flavour in evidence here, but curators have also expanded the repertoire to include Impressionists, Pop Art, and other more modern fare such as Matisse, Warhol, and Baselitz.
Museum of Art History
A repository of incalculable cultural wealth, with an especially impressive coin collection.
Historic itself, opened in 1891.
Over the centuries, the Habsburg dynasty accumulated incalculable cultural riches, whether because of its rulers' artistic interests, Austria's geographical advantages in having far-flung contacts and trade routes from northern Europe down through the Mediterranean and into the Ottoman Empire, or a combination of all the above. In any case, much of that patrimony, once stored at the Hofburg and Belvedere palaces, was transfered to this, the Kunsthistorisches Museum, upon its construction in 1891. This amazing collection runs from artifacts of ancient Egypt to masterpieces by Tintoretto and Raphael. And don't miss the epic coin collection, with more than 700,000 items ranging from ancient Egypt and Greece to our own era.
Imperial Crypt
The sober Capuchin Church harbours one of city's most impressive artworks - definitely surprising!
One of the city's great treasures.
In Vienna you become accustomed to seeing grandiose monuments announcing grandiose contents. But in this case, the 17th-century Capuchin Church is a sober, unassuming affair indeed, little hinting at an interior which is one of the city's great treasures: the Imperial Crypt. Beneath its floor lies the pantheon of the Habsburg dynasty, the remains of more than 142 royal personages, ending with the emperor Franz Josef I and his sons, empress Elisabeth and her brother Rudolf. Passing among these sarcophagi, some elaborate, some fairly simple, is like walking through history.
Mozart's House
Welcome to Wolfie's world - the house where this eccentric genius was born and composed most of his amazing work.
Learning about the legendary musical genius.
Having arrived in Vienna in 1781, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, the musical prodigy from Salzburg, rented rooms in the 17th-century building at Domgasse No. 5 from 1784 to 1787, during which he wrote The Marriage of Figaro and several quartets, then moved his family to more spacious quarters in the suburbs. But today these three storeys are open daily to anyone interested in learning more about the life, times, and music of this eccentric genius, including artifacts and instruments that belonged to Mozart himself.
City Hall
Tall and neo-Gothic, crowned by a famous statue of a medieval knight and site of many public events.
Another important symbol of the city, civic version.
Also on the Ringstrasse, the Wiener Rathaus is of course one of the city's most important civic buildings, and a perfect example of what you will notice is the Austrian capital's predilection for imposing structures (especially of a neo-Gothic flavour) both secular and religious. These five storeys rise nearly 100 metres (328 feet), crowned by Rathausmann, a statue of a medieval knight, which has become a symbol of Vienna. The square out front tends to be very busy, and many of the city's big public celebrations are held here, such as winters famous Christkindlmarkt, the enormous Christmas market which includes not only acres of stalls but an ice-skating rink.
Votive Church
An iconic church with a peculiar history and a gigantic candle which could keep burning for a century.
An important neo-Gothic site.
Located on the Ringstrasse, Vienna's most significant neo-Gothic church is another reason why this city possesses such monumental gravitas. The Votivkirche with its identical pair of edgy, pointed towers was completed in 1879, designed by Heinrich von Ferstel, commemorates an 1853 assassination attempt on emperor Franz Josef, and was opened on the occasion of the emperor and his wife's silver anniversary. One curious item to look for inside is the Barbarakerze, an enormous candle (some four metres/13 feet tall) which could stay burning for a century.
St. Stephen's Cathedral
Its spiky tower is an impressive, very recognisable symbol of Vienna.
A map of Viennese history.
Churches abound in the capital of Catholic Austria, but the Stefansdom is different not just in being the seat of Roman Catholicism in the country but in that it's also a symbol of Vienna city and virtually a map of the city's history. Easily recognisable by its spiky 137-metre (450-foot) tower, it began as a Romanesque church in 1147, undergoing expansion as the centuries went by. Its interior holds many of the mortal remains of Habsburg dynasty members, and was the site of events such as the funeral of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, one of Vienna's most legendary figures.
Austrian National Library
A must for its immense collection and three unusual museums.
Many say the world's most beautiful library.
With more than seven million items, not only is this one of the world's most important and comprehensive library collections, but the Baroque-style structure that houses it has come to be considered by many the world's most beautiful library. It was built during the 17th-century reign of Charles V, and has as its interior centrepiece the so-called Imperial Salon, more than 70 metres (230 feet) wide, filled with marble statuary, works of celebrated international painters, and more than 200,000 books. Also contained within is the Globe Museum, full of globes and items relating to the study of celestial bodies; the Museum of Papyrus, with examples dating back to 2,000 BC; and the Esperanto Museum, which lays out the vicissitudes of history of not only this language but other invented languages (even Klingon!).
Belvedere Palace
Another palatial must-visit, with spectacular façades and a remarkable winter garden.
Baroque grandeur.
Together with the Hofburg and Schönbrunn, the Belvedere completes the trio of Vienna's three most important royal palaces. Built in the early 18th century as the summer palace of Eugene of Savoy, it's a gigantic, one might say megalomaniacal double-construction (called Upper and Lower Belvedere) separated by lovely French-style gardens. The façade of the Upper Belvedere is the more imposing of the two, built with the purpose of demonstrating the power of the ruler who had defeated the Ottoman Turks in 1683 as well as to celebrate the liberation of the people from the yoke of the neighbouring country. Though the most striking views are from outside, you should also not miss a visit to the winter garden, the Orangery.
Hofburg Palace
For a sense of the grandiosity of the Habsburg era, this palace is a must.
The most imperial of imperial palaces.
None of Vienna's palaces give the city more imperial flavour than this, its oldest and most spectacular. From far more modest beginnings in the 13th century, the Hofburg has been expanded with a series of residences, libraries, and other facilities as the seat of the Habsburg dynasty for more than 600 years. Now the official residence of Austria's president, it is also open for public tours of various art and furniture collections as well as areas including the Imperial Apartments, the silver collection, and the interesting Sisi Museum, focusing on the charismatic Elisabeth, empress during the latter half of the 19th century.
Austrian Parliament
A neoclassical symbol of democracy for more than a century.
From empire to war to democracy.
Both wings of this landmark have served as stages for some of this part of the world's most historic moments of the past century. Inaugurated in 1883, it was designed in neoclassical Greek style to symbolise the ideals of democracy, and housed the parliament of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until the last Habsburg, Charles I, stepped away from the throne in 1918. Then it was here that the transition to a republic was ratified. This was also a structure that like many suffered greatly from bombing, shelling, and fire during World War II, but was faithfully reconstructed after the war.
Ringstrasse
The city's most important boulevard is a circular must.
Vienna's famous ring road.
Although not widely remembered today, until the mid-19th century the city of Vienna was encircled by a thick wall built in the 13th century to defend against neighbouring Teutonic and Madyar peoples, but especially Turks from the south, who would attack periodically. But eventually the city's growth led to the demolition of the walls in 1857 and the construction of an enormous circular avenue around the old city centre. This Ringstrasse offers the perfect route to take in many of the historic quarter's top sights, including the city hall, Votive Church, and national parliament and university.
Vienna State Opera
An illustrious institution with a fascinating history.
One of the world's great music houses.
Arguably the world's most important opera house, the Wiener Staatsoper, and the city as a whole, are considered beacons in the world of classical music. But within lies a tragic tale. Built in neo-Renaissance style, it was inaugurated in 1869 as the first phase of a larger plan to remodel the central area of the city, the Ringstrasse. But the public was underwhelmed, and such was the criticism that the architect took his own life. Then, during World War II, the building was devastated by bombing, and was not back in operation till 1955. In the decades since, however, there is no question it has overcome its past misfortunes to become the classical music world's pre-eminent institution.
Schönbrunn Palace
You can't visit Vienna without visiting these gardens and Rococo halls that have witnessed so much history.
UNESCO World Heritage palace.
On the outskirts of the city, this grandiose palace has its origins in the Middle Ages when this land held a mill, a farm, and a farmhouse. It became property of the Habsburg dynasty's rulers, who built their summer palace and gardens on the site in such grand and beautiful style that they were declared a Patrimony of Humanity by UNESCO and are an absolute must for any visitor to Vienna. These grandiose Rococo salons have over the centuries borne witness to some of the great events of history, as when the last emperor of Austria Hungary, Charles I, vacated the throne in 1918 and ushered in the republic - a moment which changed Europe forever.
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