What to See in Vienna, Points of Interest in the Austrian Capital

Vienna, the capital of Austria, is reflected in the Danube and, with its one million six hundred thousand inhabitants, boasts a heritage of history, art, architecture, customs, and curiosities that make it warmly recommended for more than one visit.

Vienna is today a cosmopolitan and international city: the constant eastward expansion of the European Union’s borders is an event that works in its favor, carving out an increasingly strategic role.

In the shadow of its majestic imperial palaces, a rich world of creativity and innovation has developed, ranging from artistic avant-gardes to ethnic and high-level cuisine.

Things to Do and See in Vienna

Vienna, the capital of Austria, presents itself with a stern appearance and majestic architecture. The things to do and see in Vienna are numerous because the Austrian capital is the stronghold of a past that is now increasingly evolving thanks to its vibrant cultural and intellectual life. Let’s see what to see and what to do in the grand capital of Austria.

1 Vienna what to see in 1 minute

For an overview of Vienna, it is advisable to start from the historic center enclosed in the large tree-lined ring called the Ring. To see the St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the Hofburg, residence of the Habsburgs, with the imperial apartments and a remarkable treasure of gold and silver, the Spanish Riding School, the Kapuzinerkirche with the Habsburg tombs, the State Opera, the Albertina Museum, the Graben and other streets and squares rich in charm and history. Beyond the Ring are the new MuseumQuartier, the Belvedere Castles with their art treasures, the Church of St. Charles, the Secession Building, the Prater with the Ferris wheel, the Schönbrunn Palace with its beautiful park. At a dance pace, to the notes of a Viennese waltz, one sets off at the end of this beautiful tour of Vienna towards the metro pavilions designed by Otto Wagner, in Karlsplatz.

2 Vienna Sehenswürdigkeiten, die man nicht verpassen sollte

• Um die Atmosphäre der Stadt zu erleben, empfiehlt es sich, sofort eines der traditionellen Wiener Kaffeehäuser aufzusuchen, vielleicht in den Straßen der Altstadt, die für ihre Eleganz und das gepflegte gesellige Leben der Lokale bekannt sind.
• Da ist das Opernhaus, da ist das Kunsthistorische Museum, da ragen die Bajuwaren Türme empor gegenüber dem großartigen Stephansdom.
• In dieser Gegend darf das Symbol der Habsburger nicht fehlen, nämlich die Imperiale Hofburg (Hofburg), die im Laufe der Jahre zum Kunsthistorischen Museum wurde, eines der wertvollsten Museen für bildende Kunst und eines der 10 größten Museumsensembles der Welt. Für Liebhaber der modernen Kunst stehen die Türen offen im MUMOK sowie im Leopold Museum.
• Sehr sehenswert sind auch die Lipizzaner Pferde, die in den Stallungen der Spanischen Reitschule ihre Shows geben.

3 St. Stephen’s Cathedral

La St. Stephen’s Cathedral, in Vienna, is the largest of its kind in all of Austria. Built in the Gothic style between the 12th and 13th centuries, the cathedral is considered a true attraction for those who come to Vienna. The South Tower standing 137 meters tall is visitable. The North Tower features a Renaissance-style spire that complements the pre-existing Gothic architecture. Inside the St. Stephen’s Cathedral is the tomb of Frederick III, made of red marble.

4 Ringstrasse

La Altstadt (Città Vecchia) ist vom Ringstrasse umgeben. Es handelt sich um einen Umfang, der die mittelalterliche Stadtzone vom restlichen Teil trennt, der sich in den folgenden Jahrhunderten entwickelt hat.

5 Opera House

The Vienna Opera House, located in the old part of the city, has witnessed performances by giants of classical music such as Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms. Vienna, after all, just like the rest of Austria, has given birth to illustrious figures of fame not only nationally.

6 Imperial Palace and Museums Quartier

The Imperial Palace of Vienna was an important place during the Austro-Hungarian period. After the First World War, it was transformed into the headquarters of the Museums Quartier, which includes several cultural venues and is considered one of the largest cultural spaces in the world. Other points of interest not to be missed:

• Spanish Riding School that preserves the history of horses. It is also possible to attend training sessions (morning) and visit the stables;
• Kunsthistorisches Museum which houses extensive collections of the Habsburgs;
• MUMOK Museum of Modern Art where you can find Pop Art, Warhol, George Brecht, and many other artists representing modern and contemporary art;
• Leopold Museum which contains the largest collection of Egon Schiele in the world;
• Schloss Schonbrunn, a baroque-style palace and UNESCO heritage site;
• Sigmund Freud Museum, the house where the psychoanalyst lived which houses objects, documents, and photographs.

7 Famous Characters of Vienna

Vienna has been the cradle of famous characters who have made the city’s art, science, and culture shine worldwide: here, Beethoven, Mozart, Schubert, Mahler, Brahms and many others have filled the air with notes; here Sigmund Freud theorized (whose house, turned into a museum, can be visited); here Gustav Klimt painted: the famous canvas The Kiss is exhibited at the Austrian Belvedere Gallery, as well as the work Judith I. Also in the field of painting, Vienna saw the growth of Egon Schiele and many, many other intellectuals and prominent figures.

8 Vienna at Christmas: the markets

The Vienna Christmas Market most famous is the one on Rathausplatz, the square in front of the town hall, which features a huge Advent crown (a full 12 meters in diameter), animated by stalls full of toys, rides, trains and with the trees of the beautiful park studded with lights. But not to be missed are also the market on Freyung square, whose origins date back to 1772, also known as the Old Viennese Christ Child Market, on whose stalls you can find refined handcrafted items, glass decorations, ceramic objects and traditional nativity scenes. And the splendid one, hosted in the honor courtyard of the Schonbrunn Palace, former summer residence of the Habsburgs.

9 Prater Park

At this point, you can take a trip across the Danube River to the Prater Park, which houses old and traditional rides. The Ferris wheel is very famous, built with wooden cabins from which you can admire the city from a spectacular view from above.

10 Sacher torte

After wandering through imposing palaces and works of art, you cannot end the day in Vienna without enjoying a slice of Sacher torte, perhaps right in the café of the Hotel Sacher in Vienna, a temple of Austrian pastry where the Sacher recipe is still jealously guarded today, despite imitations and attempts to emulate its appearance and taste.

11 Surroundings of Vienna

In the surroundings, tourist attractions also include the Donau-Auen National Park at the borders with Slovakia, the elegant spa town of Baden with its Biedermeier style houses, and the Klosterneuburg Abbey, one of the most important in Austria, which houses the precious Verdun Altar. These destinations are also suitable for those who prefer to visit Austria by camper.

12 How to get around Vienna

Vienna can be easily explored on foot but it will be fun to take one of the trams or metro trains, characterized by the Art Nouveau style. Two of these trams, number 1 and number 2, allow you to admire one of the evident symbols of the power of the Habsburgs: the Ring (Ringstrasse or Der Wiener Ring), an avenue that surrounds the old city, inside which are located Vienna’s main attractions. The use of the Vienna Pass is recommended. It allows you to enjoy a series of discounts. The Vienna City Card is valid for 24, 48, or 72 hours. You can thus travel for free on Vienna‘s public transport or on the HOP ON HOP OFF buses of Big Bus Tours and benefit from over 210 advantages, from museums to Heurigers, starting from 17 euros.

13 Where to Have Fun in Vienna

The Austrian capital hosts countless events, places to have fun. Just during the carnival weeks, for example, there are more than 200 balls and neighborhood parties ready to entertain visitors, among these one of the most charming is the one organized at Karl-Marx-Hof (City Hall). Tasty and unusual dishes, extravagant fashion, and young art have made the area surrounding the Karmelitermarkt market one of the liveliest in Vienna.

14 Where to shop in Vienna

In the larger centers, pubs, breweries, irresistible ice cream shops and pastry shops, shopping malls embody a constant attraction for tourists seeking not only monuments and museums, but also tasty attractions and some good bargains. In Vienna, people also go to Loden, Tostmann and Lanz.

15 What to eat in Vienna

In Vienna you certainly can’t miss the Wiener Schnitzel (equivalent to our Milanese cutlet), the Backhendl (breaded and fried chicken) and the Sacher Torte.  Often and mistakenly identified with Viennese cuisine, the Austrian cuisine is an enviable palette of its many regional tables. Here are some tips on what to eat in Austria.

16 Where to sleep in Vienna

The accommodations in Vienna are up to the standards of European capitals. In the chicest areas, star hotels have a not-so-low cost. However, there are hotels, always in the area adjacent to the train, at a good price. As well as offers from non-hotel accommodations: B&B, holiday homes, guesthouses. You just need to know how to choose wisely and take advice.