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Worth visiting

Hofburg Palace. Nothing can capture the glorious heritage of the city in the way that the baroque winter royal residence of the Habsburgs can: this was the seat of one of the greatest royal dynasties in Europe from 1273 to 1918. Today it houses the office of the President of the Austrian Republic as well as many museums. Among these, the Sisi Museum stands out: More than 300 personal items of the empress (dresses, jewellery, gloves) unravel the turbulent story of Elisabeth of Austria.

St. Stephen's Cathedral. The Gothic masterpiece of Vienna, the Stephansdom church, dominates the central Stephansplatz square. Built in the 12th century, it impresses visitors with its 230,000 colourful tiles on the roof and the magnificent marble pulpit in its interior. From the observatory of the balcony, the detailed structure and the city view is amazing.

Belvedere Palace. Possibly the most beautiful baroque palace in the world. This is a complex of buildings and gardens on the top of a verdant hill of the city. Built in late 17th century by prince Eugene of Savoy as a summer residence. Romanticism is evident on its wonderful frescoes, including the famous “Kiss” by Klimt.

Schönbrunn Palace. Based on the Versailles palace, the Schönbrunn summer residence of the Habsburgs was completed in 1712. Out of its 1,440 luxurious rooms - which accommodated Maria Theresa, empress Sisi, Marie Antoinette, Napoleon the Great - only 40 are visitable (accompanied by a guide, if you wish). Its vast gardens are definitely worth a visit.

Staatsoper. Only a few opera halls in the world celebrate the renaissance culture the way this one does. Do not miss the chance to watch a show in the first opera and ballet hall of Vienna, to experience its amazing acoustics. You can otherwise enjoy its architectural glamour in a 40-minute guided tour.

Museumsquartier (Museums District). On the south-west end of the historic centre, behind the walls of the old imperial stables, stretches the Museumsquartier , a complex of museums and galleries, housed in historic and modern buildings. United under the same roof, on a total area of 60,000 m² the Leopold, Mumok, Kunsthalle, Architekturzentrum and Zoom museums make up one of the most famous modern art and culture complexes in the world. With a 32 Euro single-admission ticket you can visit all museums of the complex.

Other museums. Vienna is famous for its museum culture and it is advisable that you dedicate a day or two to such visits. The Kaiserliche Schatzkammer (Imperial Treasury), in the Hofburg palace is highly recommended, for its amazing wealth of royal and ecclesiastic treasures.

The Art History Museum, the imposing Kunsthistorisches, dominates the Maria Theresa square.  There, you will see artefacts from Rome, Egypt and the Renaissance and one too many old masters’ paintings (make sure you have at least two hours available for this tour): Rubens, Rembrandt, Caravaggio, Vermeer.

In the Belvedere palace, with the Vienna city horizon as its backdrop, you will find the Oberes Belvedere with its amazing Habsburg’s collection of works of art.

The Secession, in the late 19th century, became the seat of pioneering artists who renounced the classical style. Gustav Klimt was a leading figure in this movement. In the Vienna Museum, 150,000 items unfold the history of the city, from the Neolithic era to the mid-20th century.

In the Haus der Musik (House of Music), less of a museum and more of an interactive laboratory on music and sound, you will learn how sound is created, whether coming from the Vienna philharmonic or the buzz of the city avenues. It is housed in a lovely art nouveau mansion.

The Albertina, a former guest house for imperial guests, currently houses the great Batliner collection which, with its 100 works of art, covers the modernism era, from Monet to Picasso.

The wonderful Heeresgeschichtliches Museum (The Museum of Military History), a former arsenal of the neo-byzantine period, currently houses significant loot from the 30 years' war to the Napoleonic Wars and WWI.

The Naturhistorisches Museum (Natural History Museum) covers millions of natural history, in an amazing, 19th century building.

In the Freud Museum, the house where the father of psychoanalysis lived for 47 years, you will see his manuscripts, personal items and private photographs.

The house of Mozart, the elegant two-storey building of the 17^th century which the famous composer rented in 1784 and used as his home for almost three years, offers theme tours and concerts.

Complete your tour in the Vienna museums with a tasty touch, paying a visit to the Chocolate Museum. Travel to the three thousand year old history of the cocoa tree, from Olmecs’ xocolatl in Mexico to the delicious pralines of the chocolatiers of Vienna.

Rathaus. Even if you do not succumb to a tour, the neo-Gothic city hall of Vienna will catch your eye with its external decoration, the arched windows, the lace-like stone structures and the copper statues.

Austrian Parliament: This 19^th century neoclassical building was based on the model of the Academy of Athens and was decorated with the fountain of Pallas Athena.

Naschmarkt. The rural market of Vienna was established here in the 18th century and holds since the legacy of the most lively section in the city, ready to offer delicious bites to visitors at any time.

Walk of Fame. Vienna has its own Walk of Fame, at the pedestrian area of the Naschmarkt market up to Saint Stephen's Cathedral. Follow the 70 marble stars of famous people who wrote music history in Vienna (Haydn, Mozart, Wagner, Verdi, Strauss, Tchaikovsky, Karajan, Bernstein and others).

Excursions around Vienna

Wachau Valley. About an hour’s drive away from Vienna stretches the beautiful Wachau valley. This is an area of spectacular natural beauty, bordering the Danube. Picturesque monasteries, large castles and vineyards - renowned for their cuisine. One of the top attractions of the valley is the impressive Benedictine abbey, the Melk Abbey, a building dating back to the 11th century, perched on a verdant hill.

Vienna Woods. The place where kings loved to go hunting and the people chose for their mini escapes. The Kahlenber hill on an altitude of 500 metres offers an amazing view of the city, while the surrounding nature is pure forest and ideal for hiking, with caves and lakes, while the area also features many monuments (mainly monasteries and churches).

Salzburg. Two hours away from Vienna by train lies one of the most picturesque cities in Europe. Surrounded by the Alps and with the Salzach river crossing it, it charms visitors with the majestic baroque buildings of its historic centre, its castle, its cathedral and the magnificent gardens.

Bratislava. It may be on a different country but still, the Slovakian capital is only an hour away from Vienna by train. A city wrapped in medieval mystery, harmoniously blended with soviet-style architecture. Roam the narrow streets of the Old Town, visit its castle with the amazing view, its Palace, walk by the Danube and, if you have time, do visit its most significant museums.

Food and Entertainment in Vienna

It is imperative that your day in Vienna starts in one of the legendary Vienna cafés in the city centre, the historic caffehaeuser, which Mozart and Beethoven used to frequent. There you can enjoy a café Viennois or try the delicious strudels (apple dices, cinnamon, currants covered in dough and served with icing sugar), a slice of the sachertorte chocolate cake (cake filled with apricot jam and coved with chocolate icing) or some lipizzaner stare (sweets with chocolate nougat and almonds).

If you are in Vienna during Christmas, visit the traditional markets to try the festive vanillekipferl, crescent-shaped cookies made of vanilla, sugar and almonds.

Whether you choose to dine in rustic taverns or in heurigers, the traditional city pubs, or the expensive city restaurants, you will certainly experience some of the local recipes. Meat, poultry and vegetables form the basis of the Viennese cuisine. The schnitzel, with its crispy crust, is of course one of the most sought-after dishes, usually accompanied by potato-salad. The schweinsbraten is pork tenderloin covered in a crispy crust, served with vegetables. Despite its Hungarian origin, the goulash stew (meat stew with onions and vegetables) is also popular in Vienna. Accompany the dish with the spicy liptauer cheese and the schinkenfleckerin, a pasta and cold cuts soufflé. Make sure you try the rich variety of Austrian wines: Gemischter Satz, Heuriger and Riesling.

During the day, you can also grab a bite at the shops of the Naschmarkt.

For your nights out, visit the Spittelberg district, the so-called Viennese Μontmartre, a bohemian hangout of city artists in the 70s, with alleys bustling with life, bars and avant-garde galleries.  It may sound tourist-cheesy, but a boat ride on the Danube will further enhance the romantic atmosphere of the city.

Needless to say, music in Vienna does not only mean opera. It’s a whole new century for the hip night spots in Gürtel, at Prater, near the Danube, where the party is on with electronic music, techno, soul, hip hop and R ‘n’ B.

Shopping in Vienna

The “Golden Block” of fashion, defined by the high-end shopping streets Kohlmarkt, Κärnetner Strasse and Tuchlauben, features international haute couture houses and historical jewellery and watch shops of Vienna. Even if you do not intend to buy, a window shopping promenade is a must.

At the seventh district, between the Thaliastraße, Westbahnstraße and Mariahilfer Straße, you will find modern boutiques and design shops. Mariahilfer Straße is the longest and busiest street of the city, full of delicatessens and chocolatiers, boutiques with avant-garde creations, vintage stock houses, shops with textiles and environment friendly materials, innovative collections by young designers.

Near the Museums district and GumpendorferStraße you will find sophisticated souvenirs. It is the street where perfumeries continue their art since the time of the Hamburgs and where you will also find china souvenirs and handmade hats. At the bohemian Spittelberg district, there are many cool concept stores, studios and tasteful small shops.

Transport from the airport to Vienna

Vienna International Airport is located 18 km south east of the city. The fastest way to get to the city is by the City Airport Train, which will take you to the city centre in 16 minutes for 12 euro. Alternatively, you can catch the S-Bahn S7 suburban train for a 25 minute trip and a ticket of 4 euro. Many bus lines are also available, connecting metro stations for a ticket of 8 euro. If you choose to move by taxi, the ride will cost you 35 euro and it will take you about 20 minutes to get to the city centre.