Once one of Europe’s great Imperial cities, Vienna still bears the hallmarks of its glory years: opulent baroque palaces, prestigious opera houses, and high society balls held during its annual Carnival celebrations. The Austrian capital remains an enchanting place, elegant but not showy, romantic but still reserved, and oozing with old-world charm. The most striking monuments are congregated in the historic center of Vienna—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—and along the Ringstrasse, the historic ring road that loops around the Old Town and Museum Quarter (MuseumsQuartier). Impressive buildings abound, from the grand Rathaus, or Vienna City Hall, to the Austrian Parliament Building and the Gothic St. Stephen’s Cathedral, to the magnificent halls of the Burgtheater and the Vienna Opera House (Staatsoper). Just outside of the center, the imperial palaces of Schonbrunn Palace (Schloss Schonbrunn) and Belvedere Palace (Schloss Belvedere) are the city’s most prized attractions, while the legendary Spanish Riding School shows off Lipizzan horses. Vienna’s strategic location, close to the borders of Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic, makes it a great base for exploring other European cities on day trips to Bratislava, Budapest, Salzburg, and beyond. Closer to home, opt for a romantic Danube River cruise, enjoy wine tasting in Wachau Valley, or take a hiking or bike tour through Vienna Woods.
Winter is a magical time to visit Vienna, with its UNESCO-listed palaces lit up with festive illuminations, atmospheric Christmas markets, and the New Year’s Eve Imperial Ball marking the start of the ball season. After a long winter, spring is the time for sipping Viennese coffee at a terrace café and strolling beneath the cherry blossoms in Stadtpark.
The best way to get around Vienna is by public transportation. The city and its suburbs are well connected by bus, streetcar, U-Bahn (metro), and S-Bahn (commuter train). You can purchase a 1-, 2-, or 3-day transportation pass that will give you access to public transportation in Vienna’s central "core zone" or choose a pass that includes attractions, as well as unlimited transport access. Note that this does not include airport transportation.
Vienna has long been celebrated for its rich desserts, the most famous of which is the Sacher torte, a rich chocolate cake laced with apricot jam. While variations of the treat are available at cafes and supermarkets across the country, The Hotel Sacher claims to have the original recipe, which they guard carefully. You can try Sacher torte by the slice at the hotel’s Café Sacher or by an entire prepackaged cake to bring home with you.
Local Currency Euro (€) | Time Zone CEST (UTC +1) | Country Code +43 | Language(s) German | Attractions 97 | Tours 820 | Reviews 29,308 |
Three days in Vienna will give you enough time to see many of the city's highlights and still have time left over to check out a classical music concert, spend time sampling coffee drinks in local cafes, and take a day trip out into the Austrian countryside.
...MoreThe two things Vienna is perhaps best known for is its baroque architecture and its long association with classical music. Baroque highlights include the famous Schönbrunn Palace and the Belvedere. The city is also a great place for classical concerts, with regular live performances at the famous Musikverein and at churches across the city.
...MoreWhile Vienna proper is a great place to explore by bike, fans of outdoor recreation who want something a bit more vigorous will find better cycling still in the narby Wachau Vallwy, a popular spot for bicycle wine tours. Not far from Vienna, the Ötscher-Tormäuer Nature Park is a great spot for summertime hiking.
...MoreVienna is full of free things to do, from wandering Schönbrunn's Palace Park to visiting the interiors of St. Stephen's Cathedral. Many of the city's top museums are also free on the first Sunday of the month, including the Wien Museum Karlsplatz and the Römermuseum (Roman Museum).
...MoreVienna is absolutely worth visiting, particularly if you're a fan of architecture and the arts. It's full of museums, historical palaces and churches, and entertainment options (particularly of the classical music variety) and makes an excellent base for visiting other nearby spots such as Bratislava and Salzburg.
...MoreWhile Vienna merits plenty of time, two days is definitely enough to get a sense of the city. You’ll have enough time to visit the historic Schönbrunn Palace and Hofburg Imperial Palace, see “dancing” Lipizzaner horses at the Spanish Riding School, and check out a museum or two.
...More
