Vienna capital city of the Republic of Austria retains a distinctive charm and flair in their cosmopolitan atmosphere. Baroque streetscapes and imperial palaces set the stage for Vienna's artistic and musical masterpieces alongside its coffee house culture and vibrant epicurean. Vienna has enough to keep you entertained for days.
TOP 8 PLACES TO VISIT
1.SCHONBRUNN PALACE AND GARDENS
Built in the 18th century the castle is worth visiting for its magnificent architecture and beautiful park-like setting. The Baroque palace contains more than 1,441 rooms and apartments, including those once used by Empress Maria Theresa. Highlights is Imperial Apartments (Emperor Franz Joseph's Walnut Room and his Bedroom), Empress Maria Theresa's rooms (the richly furnished and decorated garden apartments, along with her Breakfast Room with its floral artwork created by her daughters), the Baroque gardens and the 1883 Palm House.
2.THE VIENNA STATE OPERA HOUSE
Hosted many of the world's most prominent composers, conductors, soloists, and dancers the opera house is one of the worlds largest theaters. Notable for its French Early Renaissance style the current opera house was built in 1869. Interior highlights such as a grand staircase leading to the first floor, the Schwind Foyer, and the Tea Room with its valuable tapestries. The Opera House is also home to the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.
3.PRATER PARK AND THE GIANT FERRIS WHEEL
Once a royal hunting ground, has long been one of Vienna’s most popular recreation areas. There's something for everyone, from thrills and spills, a dinosaur park for the kids, taking a ride on the famous Giant Wheel, the Prater Ziehrer Monument, a Planetarium; and the Liliputbahn miniature steam railroad traversing a four-kilometer line near the main avenue. You can horseback riding in the park, swimming in the stadium pool, football, cycling, tennis, and bowls.
4.HUNDERTWASSERHAUS
Designed by painter Friedensreich Hundertwasser and completed in 1985, this brightly colored landmark is famous as Vienna's "nature and human-friendly" house. The houses is occupied by artists, intellectuals, and creative types. You can also explore the nearby Kunsthaus Wien, a complex of apartments containing a terrace café where you can rest while soaking up the ambience.
5.THE IMPERIAL CRYPT AND THE CAPUCHIN CHURCH
The Church is best know for its Imperial Vault, home to the Habsburg family vault containing the the remains of 145 members of the family - Austrian Emperors are buried here since 1633.Highlights is the final resting place of Emperor Matthias (1619) and Empress Anna (1618) in the Founder’s Vault, The Maria Theresa Vault, a domed chamber dominated by a double sarcophagus in the Rococo style and numerous reliefs depicting scenes from Maria Theresa's life.
6.MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS
The museum opened to the public in 1891 with an extensive of collection art. On exhibit in the museum is a range from ancient Egyptian and Greek objects to masterpieces by numerous European masters, including Titian, Velasquez, Van Dyke and Rubens.
7.MUSEUM JUDENPLATZ
It was originally designated in the 13th century as a Jewish Ghetto. The small branch of the Vienna Jewish Museum details the role Viennese Jews played in the development of city life, leading up to when they became the targets of violence during World War II. Below the museum you will find the Mittelalterliche Synagogue constructed in the 13th century that gives you a more authentic look at the history of Jewish life in Vienna.
8.ST. JEROME, THE FRANCISCAN CHURCH
The 17th century Roman Catholic Church is unique with its Renaissance façade and delightful Baroque style interior. Highlights is the High Altar from 1707, a painting of the Madonna and Child from 1550, a painting of Capristan a church patron saint, the carved Baroque organ from 1643 and the carved artifact known as the Madonna with the Axe which was carried by Austrian soldiers during their campaign against the Turks in Hungary, and credited for their victory.
OTHER PLACES TO SEE
- St. Stephen’s Cathedral
- Naschmarkt
- Holocaust Memorial
- House of Music
- MuseumQuartier
- Tiergarden
- Architecture Center
- Esterhazy Palace
- Vienna City Hall
- Donner Foutain
- Maltese Church
- Natural History Museum
- Kindermuseum
- Hofburg Palace
- Belvedere Palace
- The Spanish Riding School
- Plaque Pillar
- Collegial and Parish Church of St. Peter
- Liliputbahn
- Miniature Steam Railroad
- Prater Museum
- Danube Park
The best way to get around Vienna is by bus, tram, trains and taxi.
The best time to visit Vienna is from April to May or September to October. Most visitors aim to enjoy the warm, sunny weather that Vienna experiences in the summer months.
