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Vienna combines beauty and charm with culture, style and sophistication. It is a blend of traditional elegance of "Mittel-Europa" with all the modern necessities of the 21st century living. Being a cosmopolitan city it offers a friendly and laid back atmosphere, ornate buildings, amazing nightspots, welcoming Viennese coffeehouses and a history that walks side by side with the modern life. |
There is much to see in Vienna, From Gothic St. Stephen’s Cathedral to the Imperial Palace to the Art Nouveau splendor of the Secession, from the magnificent baroque palace Schönbrunn to the Museum of Fine Arts to modern architecture at the MuseumsQuartier. Vienna is full of the imperialist past and an array of cultural institutions. Here is a list of some of the most famous sightseeing attractions in Vienna.
1: Schloss Schönbrunn
Schloss Schobrunn- the summer palace is the biggest attraction in the Western part of Vienna. Also known as the "Versailles of Vienna", the huge Baroque palace has more then 1400 rooms and grand formal gardens. Two guided tour of the palace, are also available. The palace grounds also include a terrific zoo, marvelous tree-covered paths, and Roman ruin Follies.
Open from Nov - Mar, daily 08:30 - 16:30 and from Apr - Oct, daily 08:30 - 17:00.
Schönbrunner Schloss-strasse, A-1130 Vienna
Tel: +43 1 811 13
2: St Stephen's Cathedral
St. Stephen's Cathedral defines the city centre and has been the heart of Vienna for centuries. It is one of the most famous Viennese sights and was built in 1147 AD. St. The Cathedral is Austria's most eminent Gothic edifice and houses a wealth of art treasures, some of which can only be seen during a guided tour including; The red-marble sepulcher of Emperor Frederick III, sculpted from 1467 to 1513 by Niclas Gerhaert van Leyden; the pulpit, a work from 1514-15 by Anton Pilgram (who put his own relief portrait underneath it as his signature); the Altarpiece of Wiener Neustadt (Wiener Neustädter Altar), a Gothic winged altar from 1447 - and the tomb of Prince Eugene of Savoy, dating from 1754.
Open Monday through Saturday, 9-11:30a.m., and 12:30-4:30p.m. Sunday 1-4:30p.m. Tours begin every 30 minutes and cost 40 ATS.
Stephanspl., A-1010 Vienna
Tel: +43 1 515 52526
3: Hofburg (Imperial Palace)
The Hofburg was originally a medieval castle, but today only the castle chapel ('Burgkapelle') demonstrates its medieval past. The Hofburg was extended to a magnificent residence when the Habsburg's power increased. That's why one can find almost any architectural style, from gothic to art nouveau. It now principally contains several museums and points of interest, including "Österreichische Nationalbibliothek" (National Library), "Schatzkammer" (Imperial Treasury), and houses a collection of musical instruments, another collection of weapons, a "Museum für Völkerkunde" (Museum of Ethnography) and famous "Spanische Hofreitschule" (Spanish Riding School).
Open everyday 9a.m. through 5p.m., 60 ATS)
A-1015 Vienna, Austria
4: Donau Insel
This 8 mile long island is located in the middle of the Danube. Originally built for flood control, it is currently dedicated to leisure activities. From here, one can also see the third headquarters of the United Nations. During the summer, Viennese escape the city and head to the island for some sun and fresh air.
A-1015 Vienna, Austria
4: Karlskirche (St Charles' Church)
This famous Baroque landmark dominates Karlsplatz. Emperor Karl IV commissioned Austria's best architect, Fischer von Erlach, to build this monument to the eradication of the plague in 1713.
Karlspl., Vienna
5: Schloss Belvedere (Building)
Lukas von Hildebrandt built this palace for Prince Eugene of Savoy between 1714 and 1723. The structure is actually two baroque buildings separated by 500 meters of gardens. It now stands as a museum displaying the royal apartments, gardens, and art galleries. Many people flock to these buildings, since Klimt, Schiele, and Kokoschka all had a room here.
Open Tuesday through Sunday 10a.m. through 5p.m. Admission to the buildings are 60 ATS.
3 Prinz-Eugen-Strasse 27, A-1037 Vienna
Tel: +43 1 795 570
6: Freud's Apartment
Sigmund Freud moved to this apartment with his family in 1891, and lived here until 1938, when he felt to London. Freud took most of his possessions with him, but the building is still a major point of attraction.
Open July through September, 9a.m. to 6p.m. October through June, 9a.m. to 4p.m. Admission is 60 ATS.
Berggasse 19, A-1090 Vienna
Tel: +43 1 319 1596
7: Kunsthistorisches Museum
With impressive exhibits of Egyptian, Greek, Roman collections, German renaissance, and paintings by Rubens, Velázquez, Rembrandt, and Caravaggio, this museum stands as one of the best in the world.
Open Tuesday through Sunday, 10a.m. to 6p.m., and Thursday 10a.m. to 9p.m. Admission is 100 ATS.
Maria-Theresien Pl., Vienna
Tel: +43 1 525 240
8: Danube Tower - Donauturm
For a magnificent view over Vienna Danube Tower is the right place to go. The Viennese affectionately call the tower "Concrete needle". It is 352 meters high and was built within 20 months. The Danube tower also features the highest bungee center of the world. Danube River also mirrors the skyline and heightens the effect.
Donauturmstraße 4, A 1223, Tel: 263 35 72, Fax: 263 35 72 39, E-mail: info@donauturm.at, Website: www.donauturm.at
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9: Vienna Opera House (Oper) The Vienna Opera House is situated in the first district of Vienna at the southern end of the Kärntnerstrasse. August von Sicardsburg and Eduard van der Nüll built the Court Opera House from 1861 to 1869. The Vienna Opera House has a world-wide reputation for its first-class opera performances and is also known because of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.
Vienna Opera house Opernring 2, A-1020 Vienna |
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10: The Butterfly House
280 sq.m. the Butterfly house contains hundreds of live free-flying tropical butterflies enjoying a full and natural life in a real tropical environment. Wander among the trees and plants of the Burggarten's Butterfly House and one can catch sight of a variety of beautiful specimens from all over the world. Boasting over 400 free flying butterflies in a specially landscaped environment, it's an interesting attraction.
Josefsplatz 1, A-1010, Wien, Tel: 533 8570, Website: www.schmetterlinghaus.at
11: Prater
The Prater is Vienna's most popular fun fair. Enjoy a great view over Vienna from the giant Ferris wheel (erected in 1897), or indulge in sports and relax in vast area reserved for parks, forest land and fields. The Prater is situated near the city centre and is ideal for walking, cycling, jogging or just lying in the grass after an exhausting sightseeing tour of Vienna.
Opening times for most of the attractions in the Prater are from the beginning of March to the end of October - from morning to midnight. Some attractions are open throughout the year. The Giant Ferris Wheel is open from February to November and around New Year´s Eve.
Website: http://prater.at
III., Praterstern, Leopoldstadt
12: Doll and Toy Museum
Housed in a Baroque residence dating back to 1728, the Doll and Toy Museum opened its doors to the public in 1989, having grown from a private collection accumulated over 20 or so years. The oldest piece on display dates back to around 1740, while the majority of the museum's exquisite dolls are from famous manufacturers in Germany and France. Besides dolls other exhibits include bears, dolls houses and numerous mechanical toys. What's more, there's a shop linked to the museum where the visitors can buy antique and rare dolls. Vienna’s unique Doll and Toy Museum is located directly in the heart of the city.
Schulhof 4, A-1010, Wien, Tel: 535 6860,
Website: www.puppenmuseumwien.com
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