Austria's capital Vienna is a fascinating potpourri of nature, culture and architecture. Where is the best place to start? We present the absolute highlights of Vienna's sights.
The imperial city of Vienna is one of Europe's most popular city break destinations and is repeatedly named the world's most liveable city - and quite rightly so! The beautiful core of the former Habsburg stronghold is bursting with magnificent Baroque buildings and elegant boulevards that still exude the charm of its great past. The entire city centre of Vienna is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is on our list of the top 10 sights of Austria.
Cafés and confectioneries tempt with sweet delicacies, sights are lined up along the Ringstrasse, and the Danube Island and the Vienna Woods invite you to go hiking and cycling.
Vienna's streets are safe and clean and the water is drinkable everywhere - in short, the perfect destination for a city break full of culture, enjoyment, adventure and relaxation!
Table of contents
Schönbrunn Palace and Zoo
The baroque Schönbrunn Palace in the Austrian capital Vienna is one of Austria's most popular tourist attractions and of great historical importance. Its more than 1,000 rooms bear witness to the reign of the Habsburgs at that time and to the splendour and glory of the Empire.
The baroque, French-style Schönbrunn Palace Park is also a splendour of the city of Vienna, and its numerous sights are not to be missed. Adjacent to it is the popular Schönbrunn Zoo, the oldest zoo in the world, which impresses with its numerous animal species and historical architecture.
Article: Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna
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St. Stephen's Cathedral
The majestic St. Stephen's Cathedral is considered the landmark of the city of Vienna. Its appearance is captivating with the all-towering south tower and the zig-zag patterned roof. The famous bell in the north tower, the Pummerin, welcomes the new year every New Year's Eve.
Article: St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna
State Opera
The Vienna State Opera is one of the most beautiful and best opera houses in the world, but it is not only worth seeing because of its performances. The magnificent façade of the State Opera already hints at the splendour that continues inside. Once a year it is the venue of the famous Vienna Opera Ball, the largest event in the country with 12,000 visitors.
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Vienna Imperial Palace
The mighty Hofburg on Vienna's Heldenplatz is considered the largest castle in the world and sits enthroned as a magnificent architectural ensemble on Vienna's Ringstrasse. The former seat of the Habsburg rulers is now the seat of the Federal President and houses a multitude of sights.
Among the most important institutions of the Vienna Hofburg are the Imperial Treasury, the Austrian National Library, the Spanish Riding School and the Albertina Art Museum.
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Town Hall and Town Hall Square
Vienna City Hall is one of the most imposing examples of Ringstrasse architecture and is now the centre of numerous cultural events. It houses the city government with the offices of the Mayor of Vienna and the administration of Vienna. The Vienna City Hall can be visited free of charge during guided tours.
Article: City Hall and City Hall Square in Vienna
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Museum Quarter (MQ)
Vienna's Museumsquartier, also known as the MQ for short, combines a diverse range of cultural offerings in architecture, art, fashion, theatre, dance, literature, media and music on its worthwhile site. When it opened in 2001, the Museumsquartier was the eighth largest cultural centre in the world.
Tip: Just a stone's throw away from the Museumsquartier are two other impressive Viennese museums, the Museum of Art and the Museum of Natural History on Maria Theresien Platz.
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Burgtheater
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.
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Vienna Prater
In its peak season from March to October, the Vienna Prater offers its visitors probably the most diverse leisure programme in the city. Fun and action are the order of the day in the amusement park and the Praterdome, while the "Green Prater" focuses on sporting activity and relaxation.
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Danube Island
The 21km long Danube Island is known on the one hand as a local recreation area and on the other hand as a much-visited event location, among others for the famous Danube Island Festival. All year round, the Danube Island attracts visitors with its meadows, woods and water as well as numerous restaurants and sports facilities.
Article: Danube Island in Vienna
Hundertwasser House
The Hundertwasserhaus is one of the most famous buildings in the city of Vienna. Visitors from all over the world flock to Kegelgasse to marvel at the colourful building. The colourful façade and the extraordinary interior of the Hundertwasserhaus were designed entirely by the famous artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser.
Article: Hundertwasser House in Vienna
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