Attractions, museums, tips and flavors in a guide to the enchanting capital of Austria.
Aristocratic, romantic and enchanting in every season, the capital of Austria hides the secret of its timeless allure in splendid Baroque palaces, great museums and historic cafés. Vienna, with its rich history, stunning architecture and musical tradition, is a destination that steals travelers hearts and offers unforgettable experiences. At the same time, it is a modern city renowned for its quality of life, with many green spaces, cycle paths and excellent public transport. Three days are enough to see the most important sights and get a good taste of Austrias capital.
Innere Stadt: The Old Town of Vienna
The soul of Vienna is the splendid Old Town (Innere Stadt). Embraced by the Ringstrasse, the citys iconic circular boulevard, it includes some of the most popular attractions, such as the famous Vienna State Opera, St. Stephens Cathedral (it is open to visitors and offers unique views over the city), the majestic Hofburg Palace (hereEmpress Sisi lived much of her life), the Albertina Museum (with more than 65,000 works of art) and the Austrian National Library.
On your stroll you will see carriages, street performers and famous Viennese cafés, while you will also come across quite a few quiet spots. For a relaxing walk in the heart of the city, head towards the Stadtpark, a small oasis with gardens, ponds and pathways. There you will also see the statue of the composer Johann Strauss.
The Museums Quarter
Stroll through the MuseumsQuartier, the museums district, which emerged in 2001 when the former imperial stables and the riding school were joined. Visit the Leopold Museum with its rich collection of Viennese art from the 19th and 20th centuries, the Museum of Modern Art and the childrens museum Zoom. In the neighborhood you will find small shops for shopping, as well as bars and music venues.
Belvedere Palace
One of the citys top attractions is the imposing Baroque Belvedere Palace, built in the 18th century by Prince Eugene as a summer residence. In addition to beautiful gardens and impressive views over the city, it also holds the largest collection of Klimts artworks, including the famous painting «The Kiss».
The Schönbrunn Palace
Schönbrunn Palace is among the most important and historic palaces in Europe. It served as the Habsburgs summer residence from the 18th century until 1918 and today is a major tourist draw with more than 6 million visitors annually. Of its 1441 rooms, the most famous is the one with mirrors, with white and gold Rococo decoration and crystal mirrors. It is said that Mozart gave his first concert here at the age of 6, for the royal family in 1762.
The historic cafés
You cant go to Vienna and not visit one of the citys historic cafés. A memorable experience is a visit to the Café Central, with its atmospheric Baroque hall with the huge portraits of Empress Sisi. Since 1876, it has been a meeting place for historic figures such as Sigmund Freud, Leon Trotsky and Stefan Zweig. If you want to try the delicious Sachertorte cake (Viennas most famous dessert), then add to your itinerary a stop at the iconic Cafe Sacher.
Food in Vienna
Viennese cuisine traditionally has its roots in the countrys Austro-Hungarian heritage, with popular dishes such as schnitzel, tafelspitz (boiled beef served in a flavorful broth) and goulash (a hearty stew or soup made with meat, onions, paprika and other spices, served with potatoes or noodles). However, the culinary scene of Vienna is constantly evolving. The city also offers interesting street food options. The Naschmarkt, the citys best-known market, is an ideal stop to sample local and international flavors.
Christmas in Vienna
Although Vienna is wonderful in every season, in most travelers minds it is intertwined with Christmas. At this time of year, the city seems straight out of a fairytale. The charm of the Old Town, the festive decorations, the beautifully decorated Christmas markets, melodies from the music of Strauss and Mozart, the fragrant strudels and the historic Viennese cafés give Vienna a magical dimension.
Viennas Christmas markets are in themselves an unforgettable festive experience. One of the most famous is theVienna Magic of Advent, which transforms City Hall Square (Rathausplatz) into a fairytale setting. There you will find more than 150 stalls to buy Christmas gifts and handmade ornaments as well as to try hot drinks and local sweets. The trees with lights around the square, the impressive Christmas tree, the festive melodies, the ice rink and the carousel complete the festive experience. Christmas markets are also set up in front of the Belvedere Palace, Maria Theresien Square, Freyung Square, Schönbrunn Palace, as well as in many other parts of the city.
Tip
The Vienna City Card is a valuable option for visitors to the city, offering unlimited use of public transport and discounts on attractions. For free entry to many of Viennas top attractions there is also the Vienna Pass for 1, 2, 3 or 6 days.
