Sightseeing in Vienna is dominated by beautiful historic attractions and cultural treasures. With everything from palaces to 'flying horses', this splendid city has hundreds of interesting sites and attractions to explore. With lovely summers for sightseeing and snowy winters for skiing, Vienna's seasons are just as accommodating. The Imperial Palace is home to the Schatzkammer, which is the greatest treasury in the world and holds treasure from as far back as the Holy Roman Empire. The Fine Arts Museum across from the palace houses many of the art collections gathered by the Habsburgs and is sumptuously decorated with marble, gold leaf, and stucco ornaments.
See the world famous Lipizzaner stallions, which appear to fly in their superb performances. Another of Vienna's most recognisable attractions is the Giant Wheel, located in a large wooded park. And for those with song and dance in their hearts, the Vienna State Opera performs a vast repertoire of operas, operettas, and ballets. Vienna has been home to some of classical music's greatest composers, and visitors can easily spend a day touring the residences where Beethoven wrote his 5th Symphony, Haydn composed The Creation, and Strauss wrote the Blue Danube Waltz. No musical tour would be complete without seeing the Mozart Memorial.
Most of the city's attractions are encompassed by the Ringstrasse, which makes them easily accessible, especially on foot or by bike. The Vienna Card is handy for reduced fares when using public transport in the city. With so many beautiful areas, cultural attractions and historic sites, Vienna is definitely a city to spend plenty of time in.
Hofburg
The Hofburg Palace, or Imperial Palace, was the home of the Austrian Hapsburgs for 600 years. The first fortifications were erected by King Ottakar Premyst in the 13th century and were added to by every generation until it became the monumental structure it is today.As well as housing the president's offices, the palace now encompasses 22 separate museums, the National Library, a 14th-century Augustinian church, the famous Spanish Riding School, and the Royal Chapel, where every Sunday the Vienna Boys Choir sing Mass (they have performed for the Royal Court since 1498).It will be impossible to even catch a glimpse of everything on display at the Hofburg, so visitors should be selective.
The most popular of the museums is the Kaiserappartements, which takes visitors on a tour of the Kaiser's imperial apartments, the Sisi Museum, and the Imperial Silver Collection.Situated in the Hofburg Palace, the royal library of the Habsburgs dates from the 14th century and is among the oldest and finest libraries in the world. The six million items stored in the library include papyri, manuscripts, ancient and rare books, maps, globes, portraits, music, photographs, and graphics. The Grand Hall is a palatial room topped by a dome, designed in the Baroque style and decorated with statues and exquisite frescoes. It's regarded as one of the most beautiful library rooms in the world.
Spanish Riding School
The Spanish Riding School of Vienna is one of the oldest surviving riding schools in the world where classic dressage is still practised in its purest form. This institute was founded in 1572 and named for the Lipizzaner horses, which are of Spanish origin. The Imperial Court Stud was originally situated near the village of Lipizza, hence the name of the horses. But since the collapse of the Danube Monarchy in 1920, they have been bred at the Federal Stud in Styria.The horses perform their tricks in the Winter Riding School, which was commissioned by Emperor Karl VI. Performances take place between February and June, and September and December. But they are in high demand and booked up months in advance (details on their website). The easiest way to see the horses is during their training sessions. Tickets are only available at the door and cannot be booked in advance. Situated in the stables is the Lipizzaner Museum, which displays the history of the school.
Karlskirche
Karlskirche is the most outstanding Baroque church in the city and its 236-foot (72m) high dome flanked by two columns forms a dramatic landmark on the Viennese skyline. The church was commissioned by Emperor Charles VI, after the Black Plague that swept through Vienna in 1713, and is dedicated to the Saint Charles Borromeo who was revered as a healer for plague sufferers.The lavishly decorated interior includes frescoes and visitors can get a closer look by taking the elevator to the roof, which is included in the entry fee. Although the lift carries visitors most of the way up, there are some steps to be climbed to get to the very top of the dome.
Schönbrunn Palace
The magnificent Schönbrunn Palace was used as the summer residence of the Hapsburgs from the 18th century onwards. Set among superb gardens, this vast symmetrical structure is everything you would imagine an imperial palace to be.A tour of the palace offers visitors the chance to view the superb assortment of Baroque and Rococo State Rooms and to admire the famous ceiling frescoes of the Great Gallery and the Hall of Mirrors where Mozart once played.The vast gardens are popular with locals and tourists alike, and include a zoo, a maze, and labyrinth, the Privy garden, and the Gloriette with a viewing terrace. Also within the grounds, the Orangery hosts classical concerts during the summer season.
Giant Wheel
One of Vienna's most recognisable landmarks, the Giant Wheel is located in a large wooded park and playground known as the Prater. It was built in 1897 by an English engineering firm and is the only one of its era still standing (the Ferris wheels in Chicago, London, Blackpool, and Paris have long since been destroyed).The wheel's 15 gondolas take 20 minutes to manoeuvre around and offer magnificent panoramic views of the city. Cautious visitors need not worry about the age of the Giant Wheel as it has been very well maintained over the decades! This is a fun attraction for the whole family and will delight children
Belvedere
The Belvedere consists of two splendid rococo mansions, designed in the early 18th century, which face each other across formal, sloping grounds offering excellent views over the city. From the outside, it is Vienna's finest palace complex, built by Prince Eugène of Savoy, the famous general who saved Vienna from the advance of the Ottoman Empire.The museums in the two palaces house some of Vienna's most renowned art galleries, offering excellent examples of Austrian art from the middle ages to the present day. Their displays include an unrivalled collection of paintings by Klimt, as well as famous works by Schiele, Kokoschka, Renoir, and Monet. The Medieval and Baroque works are presented in the Lower Palace where many rooms have been preserved in their original state.
Vienna State Opera
The Vienna State Opera performs a repertoire of nearly one hundred operas, operettas, and ballets every day from September to June. The opera house was founded in the early 18th century (it was rebuilt in 1955 after being all but destroyed in 1945) and makes for a romantic and regal setting in which to enjoy the performances.As seating tickets are not easily available, an alternative is to buy standing-room tickets, which are well priced and can be purchased on the same day (but expect long queues). The State Opera collaborates closely with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and their famous New Year concert requires advance bookings of up to one year. The building is beautiful and of interest in itself, even if visitors are unable to catch a show.
St Stephen’s Cathedral
The cathedral is one of the city's most recognisable symbols and the massive south tower, standing at 445 feet (136m) tall, is a dominant feature on the Vienna skyline. The 343 steps can be climbed for a fantastic view over the city.St Stephan's Cathedral is the most important religious building in the city and is one of the greatest Gothic structures in Europe. It has been in a state of continual preservation and repair since its original construction in the 12th century due to fire, city sieges, and bombardment.The cathedral is built of limestone and has an ornately patterned and richly coloured roof covered by glazed tiles. The interior is rich in wood carvings, sculptures, and paintings, and has numerous chapels and altars, as well as the catacombs, which can be visited on a guided tour. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was married here, had children baptised here, and his funeral was held in the Chapel of the Cross.
The Albertina
The former Hofburg residence today houses one of the largest and greatest graphic art collections in the world with drawings, old master prints, and modern graphic works. The museum explores the development of graphic arts since the 14th century and there are more than 60,000 works on show.Artists featured include Leonardo da Vinci, Michaelangelo, Manet, Picasso, and Cezanne. The Albertina is also one of the most beautiful examples of classical architecture in the world. There is a pleasant cafe for refreshments while the museum is beautifully conceived, with each room decorated to complement the art on display.
Museum of Fine Arts (Kunsthistorisches Museum)
The Fine Arts Museum across from the Hofburg Palace houses many of the art collections gathered by the Habsburgs and is one of the foremost museums of fine arts and decorative arts in the world.The magnificent building is crowned with a 197-foot (60m) high dome, while the inside is sumptuously decorated with marble, gold leaf, and stucco ornaments, a fitting home to the formidable artistic treasures collected over the centuries.The collections range from Ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman relics to medieval art, and Renaissance and Baroque paintings. The museum faces the Natural History Museum across the MariaTheresian Platz, which has an identical exterior.
Haus der Musik
The House of Music is an interactive, hi-tech discovery museum devoted to music and is located in the former Palais of Archduke Charles. Four floors take visitors past the music and memorabilia of the great composers who lived in Vienna, such as Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, and Schubert, and allow visitors to discover today's top musicians, as well as explore the future of music on computers.Visitors can conduct an orchestra, listen to what an unborn child hears in the womb, or paint a musical picture. The museum was awarded top prize for its innovative design and allows visitors to experience music using the senses of sight, sound, touch, and hearing. A glorious combination of fun and education!
Natural History Museum
The impressive Natural History Museum is situated within a neo-Renaissance building that is identical from the outside to the Fine Arts Museum opposite. It is the third largest natural history museum in the world and has some of the oldest exhibits, including early Stone Age artefacts. Visitors can travel through the planet's history, ranging from the diversity of nature to the origins of culture. Guided tours, lectures, and workshops on a variety of interesting themes are offered regularly at the museum
Wiener Prater
This large public park is a great place for families to enjoy a day in the sunshine. Stroll along the Hauptallee where chestnut trees line the way, or visit the Planetarium and the Prater Museum, both located inside the park.The Wiener Prater also has a small amusement park with a Ferris Wheel, a rollercoaster and a number of other fun rides and diversions, as well as food stalls and games booths. There is plenty of open space here for kids to run around and the cheesy, innocent fun of the amusement park is enjoyable for the whole family. Entrance to the park is free but individual rides must be paid for.
Minopolis – City of Children
Minopolis is Europe's first theme park featuring a city that was specifically designed for children, with buildings, doors, cars, and other objects reduced to children's size. Children can pretend to be adults and go about their daily life in the city of Minopolis, working as whatever their hearts desire: a journalist, fire-fighter, policeman, doctor, or dentist.Children can discover their dream jobs in a fun and safe environment. There are more than 80 professions for children to try their hand at. The theme park is designed with children aged between four and 12 in mind. Although a visit is lots of fun for kids, they also learn a lot about life in a safe and friendly environment, where they are under the supervision of trained coaches, most of whom are qualified teachers.
Freud Museum
One of Vienna's most famous residents, Dr Sigmund Freud revolutionised the study of psychology with his ideas. Though many of his theories, once wildly popular, have been discredited, the term 'Freudian slip' and other ideas are still widely known and debated today.The Freud Museum in Vienna houses a number of antiques and mementos of the doctor inside the offices he practised in from 1891 to 1938. Guided tours are available and the museum has a gift shop offering photos and other memorabilia, as well as books written by Freud. This attraction will be very exciting for those interested in the great man and his work, and it will provide a good introduction for those unfamiliar with Freud.
Kids Attractions Overview
Boasting wonderful scenery and amazing outdoor activities the whole family can enjoy,
Vienna is a great place for children on holiday. From walks to bike rides and hikes, there is
plenty to see and do in Vienna that will keep active children entertained for hours on
end.Take a walk through the breathtaking Vienna Woods, or pack a picnic and head out for
the day to the Wiener Prater, where the kids will have ample space to run around and let off
some steam in the amusement park with its famous Ferris wheel. When the novelty wears off,
head to the Planetarium, which is also located here.Kids will love watching the world famous
Lipizzaner stallions as they 'fly' through the air. But parents should note that the Lipizzaner
shows must be booked long in advance, and often the training sessions, which are open to the
public, are the best option for seeing the incredible horses.When the weather is cold and wet,
why not explore BOGI Park, Austria's largest indoor playground. Children will be beside
themselves with the choices here and the opportunity to meet other kids. And if the children
aren't scared of clowns, the Circus and Clown Museum is also worth a visit. Minopolis, a
mini children's city where kids can try their hand at various professions, is also a great
favourite.
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Climate
Vienna has a temperate continental climate, with warm, sunny summers, and cold winters. The average temperature range in winter (December to February) is between 23°F and 34°F (-5°C to 2°C), while in summer (June to August), temperatures range between 75°F and 91°F (24°C and 33°C). Thunderstorms occur frequently in summer and snowfall is common in winter. Spring, autumn, and the beginning of summer are perhaps the best times to travel to Vienna.
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