Known as the capital of classical music, Vienna is home to the world’s most famous composers such as Mozart, Schubert, Strauss, and Beethoven. With a blend of imperial tradition, ambulant street food, staggering art galleries, and endearing charm, it is a city that inspires you with its old and new alike1. Architecturally, the city is characterized above all by its majestic buildings along the famous Ringstrasse spanning many epochs from Wilhelminian to Baroque and Art Nouveau2.
Here is our Top 10 Things to See in Vienna:
1. Stephansplatz and the St. Stephan’s Cathedral
Inner City, Stephansplatz, 1010 Vienna, Austria
The Stephansplatz is the main square in the heart of the city of Vienna. It is named after its most prominent building, the Stephansdom Cathedral, also known as one of the tallest churches in the world. Stephansplatz is an important square and pedestrian boulevard that connects to the Kärntner Strasse, Graben, and many famous landmarks such as the Vienna State Opera, the Albertina, and the Hofburg Palace. With a great variety of premium restaurants, bars, sidewalk cafés, and plenty of shopping opportunities, this should be your first stop to getting yourself acquainted with the Viennese culture.
2. Heldenplatz and the Hofburg Imperial Palace
Inner City, Michaelerkuppel, 1010 Vienna, Austria
For centuries the iconic Vienna Hofburg was the jewel of the Habsburg empire. Today, the palace houses several museums which offer you historic insights into the traditions and everyday life of the imperial court such as The Imperial Apartments detailed with original furnishings and decoration, the Sisi Museum, and the Imperial Silver Collection containing a comprehensive range of tableware and other utensils used at the imperial court. Tip: the Heldenplatz square also connects you to the Austrian National Library (Österreichische Nationalbibliothek) known to be the most beautiful library in the world with more than 12 million items in its collection.
3. Vienna State Opera
Inner City, Opernring 2, 1010 Vienna, Austria
The Vienna State Opera is considered one of the most prominent opera houses in the world, in particular, it is the house with the largest repertoire. The Wiener Staatsoper is one of the busiest opera houses in the world producing over 50 operas per year in approximately 200 performances, often with a different opera being produced each day of a week.4
4. Albertina
Inner City, Albertinaplatz 1, 1010 Vienna, Austria
The Albertina Art Gallery contains one of the largest art collections in the world with approximately 65,000 drawings and approximately 1 million old master prints, as well as, more modern graphic works, photographs, and architectural sketches. Here you will find a variety of works from Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso, Da Vinci, Raphael, and Michelangelo, to Duerer, Rembrandt Marc Chagall, and many more. The Albertina is most definitely a bucket list item you shouldn’t miss out on.
5. Art History Museum
Inner City, Maria-Theresien-Platz, 1010 Vienna, Austria
The Kunsthistorisches Museum (Art History Museum) was built in 1891 near the Imperial Palace. Here you will find the extensive collections of the Habsburg imperial family.4 Often referred to as the Twin Museums, it is an identical mirror image to the neighboring Natural History museum. The Vienna Museum of Natural History is one of the most important natural science museums in the world. Its earliest collections are over 250 years old.
6. The Vienna Naschmarkt
Naschmarkt, 1060 Vienna, Austria
The Naschmarkt dates as far back as the 16th century. Vienna’s best-known outdoor market has around 120 food stands and restaurants. A feast for both your eyes and your appetite. For a colorful culinary experience ranging from Viennese to Indian, and from Middle-Eastern to Italian, the Naschmarkt has developed into a meeting point for young and old. The Flea Market on Saturday is already a cult event.5
7. Stadtpark – City Park
Inner City, Parkring 1, 1010 Vienna
Stadtpark Vienna is one of the main municipal parks in the city stretching across an area of 65.000 m² and spanning across two districts: the 1st district being the Inner City and Landstrasse of the 3rd district. Stadtpark is a popular recreational spot well liked by tourists and locals alike. Scattered throughout the park are statues of famous Viennese artists, writers, and composers, including Hans Canon, Emil Jakob Schindler, Johann Strauss II, Franz Schubert, Anton Bruckner, and many more. Tip: the opulent Kursalon building on Johannesgasse, with its broad terrace that reaches into the park, is a site of popular waltz concerts.6 Another bucket list item you shouldn’t miss out on.
8. Vienna City Hall
Friedrich-Schmidt-Platz 1, 1010 Vienna, Austria
The Vienna City Hall (Rathaus) is one of the tallest historic buildings in Vienna. This impressive building was constructed from 1872 to 1883 in a Neo-Gothic style and was overseen by the architect Friedrich von Schmidt. It features five towers including the central tower spanning 98 meters heigh.
Fun fact: mounted on top of the main tower is the so called ‘Rathausmann’ (the City Hall Knight) which has become one of the main symbols of Vienna. He stands on the rooftop of the City Hall to watch over the people and the ruling parties of the city. The Rathaus also accommodates the historic ‘Wiener Rathauskeller’ restaurant. The traditional restaurant consists of several baroque halls, offering small traditional Viennese delicacies. Through the year, the square in front of the Rathaus turns into a popular outdoor venue for various events like the Film Festival, the famous Christmas markets, the Vienna Ice World, and the Roncalli Circus.
9. Belvedere Palace
Prinz Eugen-Straße 27, Wien 1030 Österreich
The Belvedere Museum consists of two Baroque palaces (the Upper and Lower Belvedere), the Orangery, and the Palace Stables. It is one of the most important museums and a UNESCO World Heritage Site7. It offers 700 years of art history and a unique cultural experience. Its home to one of the most famous Austrian paintings, The Kiss (Lovers) by Gustav Klimt, the highlight of the permanent collection at the Upper Belvedere.
10 Schloss Schönbrunn & The Gloriette
Schlosstraße 47, 1130 Vienna, Austria
Schönbrunn is the largest palace and one of the most important and most visited cultural assets in Austria. The palace and the approximately 160-hectare park have been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. A main attraction in the palace park is the oldest zoo in the world still in existence, the Schönbrunn Zoo. The palace and park are among the main tourist attractions in Vienna.8 Tip: snap an Instagram worthy picture at the Gloriette in the palace garden of Schönbrunn. It is the largest of all Gloriettes and thus the most famous.
Find our full list on Tripadvisor: https://www.tripadvisor.at/Trips/109746625/Top-must-see-attractions-in-Vienna-Austria