Travelling to Vienna can be one of the most spectacular visits when touring Europe; for a reason it is one of the most visited cities on this continent. This is mostly due to its charm, its rich history, and its splendid location on the banks of the Danube River.
Vienna continues to attract visitors with its many historical sightseeing opportunities, legendary art collections, gleaming palaces, and exceptional musical heritage that is still preserved in concert halls and one of the world’s great opera houses.
The best plans to enjoy when Travelling to Vienna
In Vienna you will have many options to enjoy during your visit. Let’s see some of the main tourist attractions and things to do when Travelling to Vienna.
See Hofburg Palace when Travelling to Vienna
Hofburg Palace is perhaps the most historic of Vienna’s palaces. Being the official seat of the Austrian president, this sprawling complex consists of numerous buildings reflecting various periods, including architectural flourishes from the Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Rococo movements.
In total, this vast complex covers 59 acres with 18 groups of buildings, including 19 courtyards and 2,600 rooms. Its main attractions are the Imperial Apartments, the Sisi Museum and the Silver Collection.
Visit Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens
This is one of the main tourist attractions in Vienna. This beautiful Baroque palace has more than 1,441 rooms and apartments, including those once used by Empress Maria Teresa.
Schönbrunn Park and Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is another must-see here. With its expansive views and sumptuous Baroque gardens, the park is one of the many free places to go in Vienna, though you will have to pay to enter the labyrinth and some of the adjoining buildings, such as the 1883 Palm House. If you are Travelling with children, visit the Children’s Museum for a chance to see them dressed up as a prince or princess.
Go to St. Stephen’s Cathedral when Travelling to Vienna
This is the most important Gothic building in Vienna and the cathedral church of the archbishopric since 1722. St. Stephen’s Cathedral (Stephansdom) is located in the historic centre of Vienna.
Visiting highlights include climbing the 343 steps to Steffl’s Surveillance Room for spectacular views, and the North Tower, home to the massive Pummerin Bell. Other notable features are the 14th-century catacombs and the Cathedral Treasury, which contains many of the cathedral’s most important artefacts.
Belvedere, Vienna
It’s among the most popular attractions when Travelling to Vienna. The highlights of the Upper Palace include the Ground Floor Hall with its statues and the Ceremonial Staircase with its rich stucco relief and frescoes.
It is also worth seeing the Marble Hall, an impressive two-story hall with numerous period sculptures, paintings, and ceiling frescoes. The Lower Palace also features a Marble Hall, which is notable for its oval plaster medallions and a rich ceiling fresco, as well as a Marble Gallery built to house a collection of historical statues.
The Österreichische Galerie Belvedere is an art museum in Belvedere Palace, known for its extensive collections, including a rich variety of sculptures and panel paintings from the 12th to 16th centuries.
Go to the Vienna Zoo
With many of its original Baroque buildings still intact, it is one of the most pleasant zoos in Europe to visit. The highlight of the more than 750 species at the zoo are its giant pandas, including bear cubs, as well as the many fascinating creatures housed in the interactive Rainforest House and Aquarium.
If you are going to travel to Vienna with kids, be sure to check the zoo’s official website for details on feeding times; it’s always a fun family experience. It is also worth checking the availability of special themed and behind-the-scenes guided tours.
Tour Prater Park
Visiting the Prater, a large natural park between the Danube and the Danube Canal, is like entering another world. Covering 3,200 acres, this sprawling park has long been one of Vienna’s most popular recreation areas.
There is something for everyone here, from thrills with its old-fashioned theme park rides and dinosaur theme park for the kids, to dinners and dances. The highlight for tourists is taking a ride on the famous Giant Wheel, a Viennese landmark that has provided beautiful views of the city since 1896.
Visit the Vienna State Opera
This is one of the largest and most splendid theatres in the world. The Vienna State Opera has hosted many of the world’s leading composers, conductors, soloists and dancers. Opera and ballet performances are held at least 300 times a year, fuelled by an obsession with music dating back to 1625.
The Museum of Natural History
Best known for its massive Dinosaur Hall and the world’s largest meteorite exhibit, this is a fascinating place to visit. Its 39 showrooms trace topics such as the origins and development of human beings and the evolution of human culture from prehistoric times such as the Venus of Willendorf.
The museum’s newest feature is its full-dome projection digital planetarium. In addition, a variety of fun workshops and guided tour options are available.
Visit the famous Demel: the best coffee in Vienna
Founded in 1786, the famous Demel is not only the oldest café and bakery in Vienna, it is perhaps the most memorable dining experience to have in this wonderful city.
This exquisite café serves dishes and cakes carefully prepared by hand with centuries-old traditional recipes.
Climb the Danube Tower
Taller than any other building in the city, and indeed the tallest structure in Austria, the Danube Tower is 252 meters high. The highlights of a visit include the quick elevator ride to the observation deck 150 meters away, from where you can also choose from many of Vienna’s top attractions.
The other big draw here actually combines two of a traveller’s favourite things: enjoying incredible views and participating in world-class dining experiences. In fact, the Danube Tower is home to two restaurants, one fine dining and the other a casual café-style establishment.
Visit Kärtner Strasse and the Donner fountain
Kärntner Strasse is the most elegant street in Vienna. It is a fun pedestrian area to stroll thanks to its lime trees, outdoor cafes, trendy shops, elegant boutiques and busy shopping galleries.
Some notable buildings are the Palais Esterházy, built in 1698 and now home to an upscale restaurant, while nearby buildings are home to high-end clothing stores. Also noteworthy is the exquisite Donner Fountain, built in 1739 by Georg Raphael Donner to reflect the “attentive and wise” city government. It was, of course, commissioned by those who ran Vienna at the time.
ALFA