Known as being one of the most beautiful baroque cities in Europe, Vienna is the capital and the largest city of Austria. Home to several UNESCO World Heritage sites, the historical city is the cultural, political, and economical center of Austria and is visited by thousands of people each year.
Getting Around
Spread along both sides of the famous Danube river, Vienna offers stunning architecture, great cafes, quaint cobblestone neighborhoods, a number of musical venues and a wealth of history, amongst other things. There are several different ways to get around Vienna, the most popular being walking. There are so many things to see and do that you’re sure to miss something if you’re travelling around too fast. There’s also a relatively inexpensive subway system that connects each district for those who need to get somewhere in a hurry. There’s a lot to see in the city but most sites are located within the same few districts, making it easier to tour by foot or bike.
Music
Vienna is particularly famous for its musical roots and the city was once home and inspiration to composers like Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, Schubert, Strauss and Brahms. In present day, the most popular musical site in the city is Staatsoper, the city’s opera house. Located on the Ringstrasse, a multi-laned avenue that circles the heart of the city, the Staatsoper is not only a great musical venue but an architectural wonder as well and is open for both performances and tours.
Shopping
For a concentrated dose of culture, make sure to stop by the Naschmarkt, the largest of the city’s market places. Here, visitors will find everything from fresh foods and spices to souvenirs and antiques. There are also several different restaurants and open-air gardens where shoppers can stop to refuel and rest. For more modern and high-end shopping, visit Shopping City Sud, one of the largest malls in Europe. Located right outside the city lines, the mall offers a wide range of brands and stores and is easily accessible by bus.
Museums
Established around 2001, the Museumsquartier (Museum District) offers a number of museums and cultural institutions, including the Museum of Fine Arts, which is set in a palace and offers one of the finest collections of art in the world. The Hofburg Palace is a grand building that houses several different museums as well as the Spanish Riding School, which is popular for its Lipizzaner stallions. Other notable museums in Vienne include the Freud Museum, the Vienna Museum, the Jewish Museum and the Museum of Military History.
Architecture
Architecture buffs should stop by the Karlskirche, a famous baroque church with architectural influences from all over Europe as well as the Hundertwasserhaus, a unique apartment/office complex with a distinctive art nouveau style. There are also several historical architectural wonders in Vienna’s “Old Town,” many of which are on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Dining
There’s a range of cuisine available in Vienna, most of which are offered through side-walk cafes that line the streets. At night, pubs and lounges are popular with the locals, who are made up of a largely younger crowd of students and business people.
Hotels
Most of the hotels in Vienna are offered in the central district, which is within walking distance to most of the city’s attractions. Though accommodation prices are not very cheap, they tend to be less expensive than other hotels in northern European cities. It is also rare to find a non-smoking room or floor at a hotel in Vienna, as smoking in public areas is legal.
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(Photo:Fotolia/Carsten Kykal)
