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Vienna (Wien in German) is the capital of the Republic of Austria. It is situated on the banks of the Danube River in the valley of the Vienna Woods, very close to the beginning of the Alps.
With almost 2 million inhabitants, it is one of the oldest capitals in Europe. During the 18th and 19th centuries it was one of the great musical capitals of the world. It was home to some of the greatest composers in history, such as Strauss, Mozart and Beethoven.
Visiting Vienna and not sure where to start? Don’t worry. Here are some things to see and do in Austria’s capital.
As always, we recommend traveling with good health insurance. IATI is a specialist in travel insurance and, for being our reader, you have a 5% discount.
01. Schloß Schönbrunn
Schloß Schönbrunn was commissioned by Emperor Leopold from the Baroque architect Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach at the end of the 17th century.
It was originally intended as a hunting lodge for his son Joseph I. It was to become a palatial residence in the course of the 18th century.
The park at Schönbrunn Palace was opened to the public around 1779 and has provided a popular recreational facility for the Viennese population ever since. It stretches 1.2 km from east to west and approximately one kilometre from north to south.
It was placed together with the palace on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1996.
You can visit the palace on your own or with a group guide. We did it on our own and it has the advantage that, when you join a group in a room, you can wait a bit and continue while we could take it more calmly. You don’t have the explanation of the guide but in all the rooms there are explanatory panels with all the information.
There were a lot of people but the good thing was that most of them were in groups. The pity is that it is strictly forbidden to take photographs and it is very controlled.
The truth is that the palace is amazing. They say it is very similar to Versailles but with much less people and more comfortable to visit.
The gardens are just as spectacular as the palace and are immense, with many fountains and sculptures that will take you a very long time to walk through.
At the top end is the Orangerie, which was a greenhouse ordered to be built by the emperor’s widow, Wilhelmina Amalia, along with orange trees that she also had planted.
Today there is a café and spectacular views of the gardens and palace.
Main ticket options:
1. Grand Tour: The Grand Tour takes you through the entire piano nobile of the palace: in addition to the private flats of Franz Joseph and Elisabeth, the south-facing reception rooms and the state flats, you can also see the rooms occupied by Maria Theresa.
Price: Adults 29 € / Children 21 €. Duration: 60 min.
2. Imperial Tour: The Imperial Tour takes you through the flats of Franz Joseph and Elisabeth and the south-facing reception rooms overlooking the palace gardens.
Price: Adults 24€ / Children: 17€. Duration: 40 min.
3. State Apartments: As a brief tour highlight, here we can see unique interior ensembles with grand salons and exquisite cabinets, which will give you an impression of the courtly display in Maria Theresa’s time, as well as an insight into the personal tastes of the monarch.
Price: Adults 20€ / Children 13€. Duration: 25 min.
Opening times:
Winter: from 8:30 to 17:00. Summer: 8:30 to 17:30.
How to get there:
Underground: line U4 to Schönbrunn. Tram: line 10 and 60 to Schloß Schönbrunn. Bus: 10 A to Schloß Schönbrunn.
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2. Stroll through the gardens of Schloß Belvedere
The Belvedere Palace is a Baroque palace complex commissioned by Prince Eugene of Savoy.
It consists of two palaces. The Lower, built between 1714 and 1716 and the Upper, built between 1721 and 1723.
The Lower Belvedere was built on land acquired by Prince Eugene of Savoy in 1697. Designed by Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt, it was built as a summer palace with extensive gardens.
The Upper Belvedere was built with the idea of hosting large parties. This is where Eugene of Savoy had his famous art collections and library.
Empress Maria Teresa I acquired the palace after Eugene’s death. She renamed it Belvedere because of the beautiful view of the city from here.
On 15 May 1955 the Austrian State Treaty is signed here. This signifies Austria’s independence after ten years of Allied occupation following World War II.
Today the palaces house the Museum of Austrian Baroque Art, the Museum of Austrian Medieval Art and the Austrian Art Gallery (Österreichische Galerie Belvedere).
How to get there: Schloss Belvedere tram station, lines D and U2Z.
Opening hours: Upper Belvedere from 9.00 to 18.00 / Lower Belbedere from 10.00 to 18.00.
The Ringstrasse is the most important avenue in Vienna. It is a large circular boulevard on which we can find most of the architectural jewels of the city.
It was built in 1857 after the destruction of the old medieval city walls.
The best way to get around it is by tram. You can use public transport lines 1 and 2 or the Vienna Ring Tram, which is a tourist tram with 13 stops and multilingual information about the sights.
It runs between 9am and 6pm (7pm in summer) and has various price ranges:
24H Ring Tram: €15 / Under 15s €5. It is valid for 24 hours. 24H Vienna: €14. Valid for the Ring Tram and the entire transport network for 24 hours. Ring Tram: €8 / Children under 15 €4. Valid for 30 minutes, one ride without getting off.
4. Stroll through the Wiener Stadtpark
The Stadtpark opened in 1862 as Vienna’s first public park. It contains more monuments and sculptures than any other park, including the famous Johann Strauss memorial statue.
The statue was made of bronze in 1921 and gold-plated in 1990.
How to get there: Stadtpark station, U-Bahn line U4 / Weihburggasse station, tram line 2.
05. Domkirche St. Stephan, St. Stephan’s Cathedral
Construction began in 1137 in the Romanesque style, although 100 years later it became late Romanesque.
From 1304 onwards, Gothic details began to be added, such as the choir, the side chapels and the spire of the south tower. During the 17th century extensions were made in the Baroque style, such as the high altar.
How to get there: Stephansplatz station, U-Bahn lines U1 and U3.
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 9.30am-11.30am and 1.00pm-4.30pm / Sundays 1.00pm-4.30pm.
Price: 7€ / Children under 14 years 2.50€ / All-included-ticket 25€ for entry to the cathedral, the two towers, the catacombs and the cathedral museum.
ESSENTIAL VISIT
6. Wiener Staatsoper, the Vienna State Opera
Opened in 1869, it is one of the most famous opera houses in the world.
Between 1938 and 1945, during the annexation by Nazi Germany, many members of the house were expelled, persecuted and killed. Many works were also banned.
On 1 September 1944, Joseph Goebbels ordered the closure of all theatres in the Reich.
During a bombing raid on 12 March 1945, the stage, the auditorium and almost all the scenery were destroyed, along with more than 150,000 costumes. Fortunately, the main façade, the grand staircase and the foyer with Schwind’s frescoes survived the fire.
The building was under reconstruction for 10 years. It began on 24 May 1945 and lasted until its reopening in November 1955.
How to get there: Karlsplatz station, U-Bahn lines U1 and U4 / Wien Oper station, tram lines 1, 2, 62 and D.
Opening times: guided tours are available. See the timetables on the official website. They are conducted in several languages, including Spanish.
Price: 13€ / Under 27s 7€ / Under 6s free / Over 65s 9€.
ESSENTIAL VISIT
7. Hofburg Wien, the Imperial Palace
From here we walked to Hofburg Wien, the Imperial Palace. Construction began in the 13th century, with additions being added until the 20th century. It was the official residence and centre of government of the Habsburg emperors until 1918.
This is one of the largest palace complexes in Europe. It houses the former imperial apartments, several museums, a chapel and a church. The Austrian National Library, the Winter Riding School and the office of the President of Austria.
The tour of the Hofburg Palace is conducted with an audio guide in English.
Sisi Museum
Here you will find numerous objects that belonged to the empress, which will help you to understand her intense and rebellious life.
Court silverware
Luxurious glassware, silver and porcelain objects, kitchen utensils and table linen from the imperial kitchen are on display in the museum.
Imperial Apartments
Here you can visit 19 rooms that were inhabited by the Habsburgs for more than 600 years. You will see the official rooms as well as the private rooms where Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth lived.
How to get there: Herrengasse station, U-Bahn line U3 / Burgring station, tram lines 1, 2 and D.
Opening hours: September to June 9.00 am – 5.30 pm / July to August 9.00 am – 6.00 pm.
Price: 15 € / Students from 19 to 25 years 14 € / Children from 6 to 18 years 9 €.
ESSENTIAL VISIT
8. Kapuzinerkloster and the Royal Chapel
It is the Capuchin monastery, in which the Imperial Crypt is located.
The monastery was founded in 1618 by Empress Anna, the wife of Emperor Matthias. The foundation stone was laid on 8 September 1622 at the flour market. Due to the Thirty Years’ War, the work was delayed and could not be completed until 1632.
Since 1618 the Capuchin Crypt in Vienna has been the most important Habsburg family burial place. The remains of 12 emperors and 19 empresses of the House of Habsburg and their families are buried here. Through various extensions and alterations over the course of four centuries, the crypt has been enlarged to a total of ten rooms.
The sarcophagi on display are true works of art.
How to get there: Stephansplatz station, U-Banh lines U1 and U3.
Opening hours: 10.00 to 18.00 (Thursdays from 9.00). Closed on 1 and 2 November.
Price: 8€ / Students and over 65s 7€ / Under 18s 4.80€.
ESSENTIAL VISIT
9. Austrian Parliament
Built between 1873 and 1883, this is one of the most important historicist buildings in Vienna. Theophil Hansen designed it based on the style of ancient Greece.
It was here that the republic was proclaimed after the fall of the Habsburg Empire in 1918.
Part of the building was destroyed after World War II. Its reconstruction was completed in 1956 in keeping with its original appearance.
Today, the Parliament houses the National Council and the Federal Council. A guided tour of the interior is available in several languages, although we do not recommend it.
How to get there: Parlament station, tram lines 1, 2, 71 and D / Herrengasse and Volkstheater stations, U-Bahn line U3.
Price: €5 / Students under 25 and senior citizens: €2.50 / Children under 6 free.
The town hall was built in neo-Gothic style between 1872 and 1883 by Fiedrich von Schmidt, the same man who designed the Cologne Cathedral. The town hall houses, among others, the National and Municipal Library (with its extensive Viennese collection) and the Municipal and Provincial Archives.
Both inside and in the park outside, numerous events are held throughout the year, including a Christmas market and an ice rink. We coincided with a music festival where there were also numerous food stalls and lots of young people.
How to get there: Rathausplatz station, Burgtheater, tram lines 1, 2, 71 and D / Herrengasse and Volkstheater stations, U-Bahn line U3.
RECOMMENDED VISIT
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11. Karlskirche, the Church of St. Charles Borromeo
Built in Baroque and Rococo style between 1716 and 1739, it was designed by Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach but completed by his son Joseph Emanuel Fischer von Erlach.
The church is dedicated to the patron saint of the Habsburg imperial family, St. Charles Borromeo.
It is notable for its large dome from which there are beautiful views of the city centre.
How to get there: Karlsplatz U station, tram lines 1 and 62 / Karlsplatz station, U-Bahn lines U1 and U2.
RECOMMENDED VISIT
12. Votivkirche
Votivkirche, the Votive Church of the Divine Saviour, was built in neo-Gothic style between 1853 and 1879. Its architect was Heinrich von Ferstel and it was built as a thanksgiving for a failed attempt on the life of Kaiser Franz Joseph.
How to get there: Schottentor station, tram lines 1, 71 and D / Schottentor station, U-Banh line U2.
13. Albertina
The name Albertina refers to Albert Casimir. Duke of Saxe-Teschen and son-in-law of Empress Maria Theresa. He founded the collection in Pressburg (present-day Bratislava) in 1776, where he resided as Maria Theresa’s representative for the Kingdom of Hungary.
In 1792 he was able to bring a large part of the collection from the Netherlands to Vienna, where he later served as the Austrian monarch’s representative.
The encyclopaedic and universalist collection comprises around one million drawings and prints from the Renaissance to the present day.
How to get there: Oper station, Karlsplatz U, tram lines 1, 2, 71 and D.
Opening hours: from 10.00 to 18.00 (Wednesdays and Fridays until 21.00).
Price: 19.90€ / Under 26 and over 65 years old 15.90€ / Under 19 years old free.
ONLY IF YOU HAVE ENOUGH TIME
14. Hundertwasserhaus
Hundertwasser is a somewhat… peculiar building. A real stonker that you might think is the result of an LSD trip.
Designed by Friedensreich Hundertwasser, it was built between 1983 and 1985. It’s certainly worth a visit.
How to get there: Löwengasse station, tram line 1.
Here you will find the spectacular entrance to the Imperial Palace, with several large sculptures of Hercules and two impressive fountains at either end. The square is also home to the Katholische Kirche St. Michael, the Church of St. Michael built in 1220 and elevated to a parish church in 1288.
In the centre of the square are the ruins of a former Roman military camp.
16. Relaxing at Heldenplatz
On the Heldenplatz are two equestrian statues, one of Erzherzog Karl, Archduke Charles of Habsburg-Lorraine, and the other of Prinz Eugen, Prince Eugene Franz of Savoy.
At one end of the square is the Äußere Burgtor, the outer gate of the castle. Originally built in 1660, it was destroyed by Napoleon’s army in 1809 and rebuilt as we see it today in 1821.
In summer you will find many people relaxing or having a drink on the lawn.
17. Memorial to the Heroes of the Red Army
Denkmal zu Ehren der Soldaten der Sowjetarmee, the Monument to the Heroes of the Red Army. It was built in 1945 to commemorate the more than 17,000 Red Army soldiers who died in the Battle of Vienna during World War II.
How to get there: Gußhausstraße station, tram line D / Am Heumarkt station, tram line 71.
18. Have fun in the Prater
The Prater is a recreation area for the imperial family and was opened to the public in 1766.
The amusement park opened in 1895, making it the oldest in the world. It is home to one of the city’s emblems, its giant Ferris wheel, inaugurated in 1897 during the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Franz Joseph I’s coronation.
How to get there: Praterstern station, U-Banh lines U1 and U2.
Opening hours: The park is open daily from 10am to midnight. Rides are open from 15 March to 31 October.
Price: Admission to the park is free but there is a charge for each attraction.
19. Take a nice ride in a Fiaker
The fiaker are horse-drawn carriages that have been travelling around the old town since 1693. During the ride, the driver will explain the route to you.
The price of the ride is €95 for the 40-minute ride and €120 for the 1-hour ride.
Discover the best activities and tours in Vienna with Civitatis:
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