Vienna, Austria

Vienna Austria

Vienna (Wien) is the capital and largest city of Austria, located on the Danube River in the eastern part of the country. For centuries, it was the capital of the Habsburg monarchy and later the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The city features imperial palaces, art museums, cafes and played an important role in the history of classical music.

Main Landmarks

Belvedere (Schloss Belvedere) – Baroque palace with an art gallery in the Upper Belvedere, including works by Gustav Klimt – map | tickets
Hofburg (Hofburg) – former imperial palace of the Habsburg dynasty, home to the Sisi Museum and the official residence of the President of Austria – map | tickets
Heldenplatz (Heldenplatz) – large square in front of the Hofburg with equestrian monuments – map
St. Stephen's Cathedral (Stephansdom) – Gothic cathedral in the centre of Vienna with a distinctive tiled roof and tower views – map | tickets
Schonbrunn Palace (Schloss Schönbrunn) – summer residence of the Habsburgs with extensive gardens – map | tickets
Schonbrunn Zoo (Tiergarten Schönbrunn) – oldest operating zoo in the world, located in the grounds of Schonbrunn Palace – map | tickets
Karlskirche (Karlskirche) – Baroque church with a large dome and twin columns – map
Vienna State Opera (Wiener Staatsoper) – one of the world's leading opera houses – map
MuseumsQuartier (MuseumsQuartier) – large cultural complex with several museums, galleries and courtyards – map
Albertina (Albertina) – art museum with paintings by Monet, Picasso and other major artists – map | tickets
Natural History Museum (Naturhistorisches Museum Wien) – museum with collections of minerals, dinosaurs and prehistoric finds – map | tickets
Kunsthistorisches Museum (Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien) – art museum with collections of European paintings, antiquities and decorative arts – map | tickets
Spanish Riding School (Spanische Hofreitschule) – traditional riding school with performances by Lipizzaner horses – map | tickets
Vienna City Hall (Rathaus) – Neo-Gothic building housing the city government and hosting public events – map
Austrian Parliament Building (Parlamentsgebäude) – Neo-Classical building with the Athena Fountain in front – map
Giant Ferris Wheel (Wiener Riesenrad) – panoramic Ferris wheel in Prater amusement park – map | tickets

Day trips from Vienna

Wachau Valley (Wachau) – scenic region along the Danube River with vineyards, castles and monasteries, 90 km away – map

Melk Abbey (Stift Melk) – Baroque abbey above the Danube River with an impressive library and church – map | tickets
Aggstein Castle Ruins (Burgruine Aggstein) – medieval castle ruins above the Danube River with panoramic views – map | tickets
Duernstein Abbey (Stift Dürnstein) – Baroque abbey in the scenic riverside town of Dürnstein – map | tickets

Laxenburg (Schlosspark Laxenburg) – palace park with lakes, gardens and Franzensburg Castle, former summer residence of the Habsburgs, 20 km away – map | tickets
Eisenstadt (Eisenstadt) – small town with Esterhazy Palace and links to composer Joseph Haydn, 60 km away – map
Bratislava (Bratislava) – capital of Slovakia with an Old Town and Bratislava Castle, 80 km away / 1 hour by train/bus or boat – map