The magnificently built Vienna Ringstrasse has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in its entirety as the historic centre of Vienna. It is the ideal starting point for exploring the sights of Vienna's old town.
Once the city wall ran through here, today the 5-kilometre-long Ringstrasse is characterised by magnificent buildings from the late 19th century. Its architecture in the style of historicism is so significant that it was given its own name: the Ringstrasse style.
Between the majestic buildings from the imperial era, trees and parks provide greenery. Spacious squares create enough space and invite you to explore the interior of the Ringstrasse - also a UNESCO World Heritage Site in its entirety.
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Town Hall Square (Universitätsring)
Rathausplatz is the centre of numerous cultural events. In summer, culinary delicacies, a film festival and summer cinema attract visitors in front of a gigantic screen, and in winter, the Christmas market and ice-skating rink fuel the anticipation of Christmas.
The City Hall houses the offices of the Mayor and the administration of Vienna. The premises of the city government can be visited during free guided tours .
Article: City Hall and City Hall Square in Vienna
Photo gallery: City Hall and City Hall Square in Vienna
Burgtheater (University Ring)
The Burgtheater in Vienna is internationally one of the most important sites of German dramatic art. Its classical stage and language style served as a model for many other German theatres. A guided tour of the Burgtheater in Vienna offers insights behind the scenes of the famous theatre.
Article: Burgtheater in Vienna
Photo gallery: Burgtheater in Vienna
Votive Church (Schottenring)
City Park (Parkring)
The green oasis of the Vienna City Park between Parkring and Heumarkt was opened to the public in the 19th century. It is designed as an English landscape garden and delights the eye with its blaze of colour almost all year round.
Its two restaurants serve upscale Viennese cuisine and serve as event venues. Also to be discovered in the Stadtpark are several sculptures, statues and monuments, including that of Johann Strauss Sohn - the most photographed statue in Vienna.
Article: City park in Vienna
Photo gallery: City Park in Vienna
Kärntner Straße (Kärntner Ring)
Behind the Parkring is the Schubertring. Past Schwarzenbergplatz, the Hotel Imperial and the Grand Hotel, as well as the shopping centre "Ringstraßen-Galerien", the route continues to Kärntner Straße. It leads from the Kärntner Ring to St. Stephen's Cathedral, the heart of Vienna's old town.
Vienna's most famous shopping street was the city's first pedestrian zone . Hidden among the numerous shops are also historical sights, including the traditional Hotel Sacher with its famous Sacher cake, Mozart's death house and the oldest nail tree in the world.
Article: Kärntner Street in Vienna
State Opera (Opernring)
At the end of Kärntner Straße is the Vienna State Opera. It is one of the most beautiful and best opera houses in the world, but is not only worth seeing because of its performances.
The magnificent façade of the State Opera House already hints at the splendour that continues inside. Once a year it is the venue for the famous Vienna Opera Ball, the largest event in the country with 12,000 visitors.
Article: State Opera in Vienna
Photo gallery: State Opera in Vienna
Maria-Theresien-Platz and Museums (Burgring)
Article: Natural History Museum in Vienna
Article: Museum of Fine Arts in Vienna
Photo gallery: Maria Theresien-Platz in Vienna
Photo gallery: Natural History Museum in Vienna
Photo gallery: Museum of Fine Arts in Vienna
Heldenplatz and Hofburg (Burgring)
Behind the outer castle gate, the magnificent Heroes' Square opens up, also as part of the former Imperial Forum. Flanked by two impressive equestrian statues, ceremonies, parades and events take place here.
The largest castle in the world s its enthroned directly on Heldenplatz. The Hofburg was once ruled by the Habsburgs and today houses the offices of the Federal President. Apart from that, you can visit the Imperial Treasury, the Austrian National Library, the Spanish Riding School and the Albertina Art Museum.
Article: Heldenplatz in Vienna
Article: Hofburg in Vienna
Photo gallery: Heldenplatz in Vienna
Photo gallery: Hofburg in Vienna
Volksgarten (Dr.-Karl-Renner-Ring)
Parliament (Dr.-Karl-Renner-Ring)
Behind the architecturally imposing walls of the Vienna Parliament, guided tours explain the Austrian state system. In addition to the marble-clad entrance hall, the meeting rooms and the plenary sessions of the National Council are open to the public free of charge.
Article: Parliament in Vienna
Photo gallery: Parliament in Vienna
