Situated in the eastern part of the country close to the Danube River, Vienna is Austria’s capital and one of the most important cities focusing on art, culture, and music. It was the home of a number of famed musicians like Mozart and Beethoven. The city is filled with art galleries, heritage buildings, Baroque palaces, quaint restaurants and cafes, and more! Vienna is one for those who love culture. Read on to check out the things to do in Vienna!
Located in Hietzing, Vienna, Schönbrunn Palace acted as the primary summer residence of the Habsburgs. Travelers can expect this beautiful Baroque structure to awe with its opulent interiors and magnificent architecture. Apart from the palace itself, tourists may take a leisurely stroll through its gardens, book an audio guide for a comprehensive tour, or head to Vienna’s oldest zoo. It is best to visit when it’s not as crowded, during March or November.
Found in the heart of the city, The Hofburg is one of the Vienna attractions tourists just have to visit! Apart from it being the official residence and workplace of the Austrian president, this magnificent structure is also brimming with history, as it was built during the 13th century. Travelers can venture into the famous Royal Apartments, filled with extravagant furnishings and architecture. The Hofburg is best visited just before the summer or the holidays to avoid crowds.
A must-see in Vienna is definitely Belvedere Palace, a building complex built in the famed Baroque style. It consists of two Baroque structures named the Orangery and the Palace Stables, and was also the summer residence of Savoy’s Prince Eugene. Apart from visiting this location’s lovely gardens and grandiose palaces, travelers must also visit the museum here, which houses the largest Gustav Klimt collection, which includes the renowned The Kiss. Drop by in the mornings before lunch, around 10:00am, to avoid too many tourists.
An icon of Roman Catholicism and religion in Vienna, St. Stephen’s Cathedral stands strong and majestic in the Innere Stadt district. This Gothic cathedral is vast, with an extraordinary treasury collection and historic catacombs to explore. Every inch of this place is covered with ornate furnishings and detailed architecture that will surely take every traveler’s breath away at first glance. Mornings are also the best time to visit this iconic structure.
Set in Vienna’s second district, Prater is a large amusement park that both children and adults can enjoy. First timers can choose to ride the park’s iconic Ferris wheel, head to the wax museum, embark on the ghastly ghost train, and more! If rides aren’t your thing, feel free to just stroll or bike through the park, since entrance to the place itself is free. Avoid crowds around February and visit within 1:00-4:00pm so the park won’t be as busy.
Home to some of the finest opera and ballet performances, Vienna State Opera is known as one of the most important opera houses in the whole world. Its halls have been witness to one-of-a-kind performances, including many musicals and operas by Mozart. Travelers can opt to take the guided tour in order to learn all about its long history and explore different parts of the place, like the auditorium, salons, and even backstage.
Found along Ringstraße, Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien is a haven for any lover of fine arts. Built in an octagonal dome structure, the building houses the Habsburgs’ art collections and other antiquities. It would normally take an entire day or more to finish circling the entire place, and travelers may view work from Bruegel, Klimt, Rubens, Vermeer, and more! The building itself is a feat, with architecture that is just as beautiful as the art it holds. Thursday evenings are usually when the place is least crowded.
Another attraction located in Innere Stadt is Albertina, a museum housing varied works of art from contemporary, modern, post-modern, and other eras. Art fans will definitely appreciate viewing pieces made by popular masters themselves, such as Monet, Picasso, Van Gogh, Chagall, and Hering among others.
Found on Rathausplatz in the Innere Stadt district, the Vienna City Hall, also known as Wiener Rathaus in German, is the house of the local government in the city. It currently hosts balls, markets, festivals, and other prominent activities. It is best to visit during the holidays when the famous Christmas market is in the area, with a huge ice skating rink right in front. Tourists can also choose to go on guided tours inside the building itself and appreciate its Neo-Gothic architecture.
Set in the center of Vienna, MuseumsQuartier is a cultural complex that has numerous modern art galleries such as the Leopold Museum, Mumok, ZOOM Kindermuseum, and more. If you’re not looking for galleries to go to, you can simply just hang out around the square and explore the rooftop bar and terrace where you can view the square from a nice height.
The capital of Austria is best known for its art and culture, the center of famed residents such as Beethoven, Mozart, and Sigmund Freud. It is packed with colorful buildings and quirky architecture, as well as quaint restaurants and sidewalk cafes. Travelers ought to go to Vienna’s famed Christmas markets, watch an opera, or take a cruise along the iconic Danube River. The city is also filled with beautiful parks and trails for tourists to cycle or hike at.
Summer and December would be the times when Vienna is busiest. If travelers want a less crowded city, November is a good time to go, with sunny weather and moderate accommodation prices. Popular events include the Opera Ball (February), an upscale affair with dances, the Life Ball (May), a charity gala, and the Vienna Festival (May-mid June), an event with performing arts.
Vienna’s old town called Innere Stadt is a good central area for tourists. The place is close to St. Stephen’s Cathedral and has numerous upscale stores and coffee shops. Visitors may also head to the number of art galleries and restaurants scattered throughout this location for a taste of Viennese culture.