Exploring Vienna: Top Attractions And Must-Do Activities

Vienna is a city that relishes its past, and it has the attractions to prove it. The historic city centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and whether you're interested in the long-reigning Habsburg family, music composed by Vienna's own Mozart, Beethoven, or Schubert, or the city's rich coffeehouse culture, there's plenty to see and do. Here are some must-do things in Vienna, Austria:

- Visit the Schönbrunn Palace, a grand hunting lodge that later became the official Habsburg summer residence.

- Explore the MuseumsQuartier, which includes the Leopold Museum, home to the world's largest Egon Schiele collection, and the MUMOK, which features contemporary art by Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein.

- Check out the Sigmund Freud Museum, located in Freud's former apartment and practice, for a fascinating window into life during Vienna's intellectual golden age

- Try the Sachertorte, Vienna's signature cake, a luxurious combo of chocolate sponge, dark chocolate ganache, and apricot jam.

- Stroll through the Hofburg Palace, the former winter residence of the Habsburgs, which now serves as the official residence of the Austrian president.

- Wander along the Ringstrasse, a grand boulevard constructed in the 19th century that showcases some of the city's most impressive buildings, including the State Opera House, the Burggarten, the Hofburg, and the Austrian National Library.

- Visit St. Stephen's Cathedral, a massive cathedral that has stood in the heart of Vienna since the 13th century.

- Take in the view from one of Vienna's many rooftop bars, such as Lamée Rooftop, which offers a unique perspective of the Stephansdom cathedral's single tower.

- Explore the Belvedere Palace, which houses Austrian art by renowned artists such as Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele, and Oskar Kokoschka, as well as beautiful gardens.

- Indulge in Wiener schnitzel, a traditional Viennese dish made of thinly pounded veal, dipped in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs, and fried to golden perfection.

- Experience the vibrant Naschmarkt, an open-air market in the Mariahilf District, where you can find fresh produce, local food items, and small eateries.

Visit the Schönbrunn Palace

Schönbrunn Palace is a must-see for anyone visiting Vienna. This opulent Baroque palace was the main summer residence of the Habsburg rulers and is one of the most important architectural, cultural, and historic monuments in Austria. Here's what you need to do when visiting:

• Explore the Palace's Rich History: The palace has a long and fascinating history that spans over 300 years. It was originally built as a hunting lodge for Crown Prince Joseph, who later became Emperor Joseph I. It then grew into a grand imperial residence during the reign of Empress Maria Theresa, who received it as a wedding gift. The palace became the glittering focus of court life, hosting Europe's leading statesmen. After the downfall of the Habsburg monarchy, it became the property of the Austrian Republic and was preserved as a museum.
• Admire the Architecture and Interiors: The palace is a stunning example of Baroque architecture, with 1,441 rooms decorated with intricate details. Take a tour of the state rooms, private apartments, and grand halls. Admire the precious 18th-century interiors, including the Blue Staircase, the Mirror Room, and the Hall of Ceremonies.
• Visit the Gardens and Gloriette: The palace is surrounded by vast gardens that were designed as an extension of the palace's magnificent interiors. Stroll through the Great Parterre, admire the statues, and explore the Roman Ruin, a set of follies that symbolize the decline of great powers. Don't miss the Gloriette, a stunning Roman-style arch overlooking a pool, located at the crest of the hill behind the palace.
• Discover the Tiergarten: Located within the palace grounds is the Tiergarten, the oldest zoo in the world. It features a diverse range of wildlife, from polar bears to pandas, and offers engaging animal interactions and spacious enclosures.
• Enjoy a Concert: The palace often hosts classical concerts, allowing visitors to enjoy masterful music by Mozart and Strauss in the beautiful palace setting. The Schoenbrunn Palace Orchestra performs regularly, providing a fine selection of music for visitors.
• Dine Like Royalty: Indulge in a luxurious dining experience at the palace. Enjoy a three-course dinner or sample traditional Austrian specialties and local wines while taking in the opulent surroundings.
• Book Tickets in Advance: Due to the high number of visitors, it is strongly recommended to book your tickets online in advance. This will help you avoid long waiting times and ensure you don't miss out on your desired time slot.

Explore the MuseumsQuartier

The MuseumsQuartier (MQ) is a 22-acre cultural hub in Vienna's seventh district, housed in the former imperial court stables. It is one of the largest cultural quarters in the world, with around 60 cultural institutions, 50 resident cultural initiatives, and nine artist-in-residence studios.

MQ is home to a range of installations, from large art museums to contemporary exhibition spaces and festivals. It includes the Leopold Museum, which houses the world's largest collection of Egon Schiele works, as well as pieces by Gustav Klimt, Oskar Kokoschka, and Richard Gerstl. The Leopold Museum is part of the excellent MuseumsQuartier Wien and offers an overview of the Viennese Secession, the local style of art nouveau.

MQ also features the MUMOK, Vienna's largest museum of modern and contemporary art, with works by Andy Warhol, Max Ernst, and Rene Magritte. The Kunsthalle Wien showcases contemporary art, while the Architekturzentrum Wien focuses on architecture.

The Tanzquartier is an international centre for dance, and the MQ hosts festivals such as the Wiener Festwochen, ImPulsTanz Vienna International Dance Festival, and Coded Cultures.

MQ's courtyard is a popular gathering space, and the area is known for its lively restaurant and bar scene. The MQ Libelle rooftop terrace offers excellent city views.

Try the Sachertorte cake

Vienna is a city that relishes its past, and it has the attractions to prove it. The historic city centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and whether you're interested in the long-reigning Habsburg family, classical music, or food, Vienna has something for you.

One of the must-try foods in Vienna is the Sachertorte cake. This luxurious combo of dense chocolate sponge, dark chocolate ganache, and a sliver of apricot jam is a true slice of Vienna history. The cake was conceived in 1832 by Franz Sacher, who was instructed to create a new dessert for Prince von Metternich and his companions. The Original Sacher-Torte is still handmade using Franz Sacher's original recipe to this day and is best enjoyed with a dollop of unsweetened whipped cream.

There is a fierce rivalry between the Hotel Sacher and Demel over claims to the original recipe. They even went to court over it! The decades-long tiff was settled in 1963, with Hotel Sacher winning the right to use the phrase "The Original Sachertorte" and Demel allowed to decorate its tortes with a triangular seal reading "Eduard Sacher Torte".

• Hotel Sacher: Undoubtedly one of the best places to sample this coveted dessert. It has a glossy chocolate coating and a smooth texture, but be prepared to queue!
• Café Demel: This upmarket bakery and chocolatier was once the bakery favoured by the House of Habsburg, the Viennese royal family, and Empress Sisi in particular. Their version is decorated with a triangular piece of chocolate that reads "Eduard Sacher Torte".
• Café Central: This impressive coffee house counts Sigmund Freud, Adolf Loos, and Leon Trotsky among its former clientele. Favouring grandeur over cosiness, it has swooping marble arches and polished parquet flooring.
• Diglas Wollzeile: This central café has a charming and lively atmosphere, making it a popular haunt for both locals and tourists. Enjoy a slice of Sachertorte with a strong cup of coffee and live classical piano music in the evenings.
• Aida Café Konditorei: This popular franchise café serves generous portions of Sachertorte, with beautifully light sponge covered in a crisp chocolate outer layer and the characteristic disc on top. Marketed as "better than the original", it's a respectable alternative.

Wander the Ringstrasse

The Ringstrasse is a 5.3-kilometre circular grand boulevard that serves as a ring road around Vienna's historic Innere Stadt (Inner Town) district. Built to showcase the best of the Habsburg empire, it is home to many of Vienna's most famous sights, including grand buildings, monuments and parks.

The Ringstrasse is best explored on foot, by bike, or by tram. Starting at Karlsplatz and ending at Schottentor, you will pass by the following landmarks:

• State Opera House
• Burggarten
• Hofburg
• National Library
• Art History Museum
• Natural History Museum
• World Museum
• Parliament
• Volksgarten
• Burgtheater
• Town Hall
• University

If you're feeling adventurous, you can also walk the full 5.3 kilometres of the Ringstrasse, which surrounds the central area of Vienna on all sides (except for the northeast, where you'll find the Franz-Josephs-Kai, a street that runs along the Donaukanal, a branch of the Danube).

• Schottenring: Named after the Schottenstift, this section is at the northern end of the Franz-Josephs-Kai.
• Universitätsring: Formerly known as Dr.-Karl-Lueger-Ring, this section is named after the University.
• Dr.-Karl-Renner-Ring: Formerly known as Parlamentsring, this section is named after Karl Renner, the first chancellor of Austria.
• Opernring: This section is named after the Vienna State Opera.
• Kärntner Ring: Kärntner Ring gets its name from Kärntner Straße, the road that leads south to Carinthia.
• Schubertring: Named after the composer Franz Schubert.
• Parkring: Parkring is named after the Wiener Stadtpark.
• Stubenring: Stubenring is named after the Stubenbastei fortification, which has been part of Vienna's city walls since 1156.

View the art at the Belvedere Palace

The Belvedere Palace is a must-see for art lovers. The palace is a historic building complex consisting of two Baroque palaces (the Upper and Lower Belvedere), the Orangery, and the Palace Stables. The buildings are set in a Baroque park landscape in the third district of the city, on the southeastern edge of its centre. The Belvedere houses one of Austria's most valuable art collections, with masterpieces by Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele, Oskar Kokoschka, and more.

The Upper Belvedere is home to the world's largest Klimt collection, including his famous painting, "The Kiss". The painting, created in 1908/09, depicts Klimt and his muse, Emilie Flöge, as a couple in love. It is considered one of the world's most recognisable paintings, and thousands flock to the Upper Belvedere each year to see it. The Upper Belvedere also features portraits of women by Klimt, as well as works by Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh, and Auguste Rodin.

The Lower Belvedere, on the other hand, served as the residential palace of Prince Eugene of Savoy, for whom the entire complex was built as a summer residence. The lavishness of the owner is reflected in the Groteskensaal (Hall of the Grotesque), the Marble Gallery, and the Golden Room. The Lower Belvedere also houses medieval art in the stables where the prince's horses once stood.

The gardens of the Belvedere are a highlight, designed in the formal French manner with clipped hedges, gravelled walks, and fountains. The large terraces with ponds connect the Upper and Lower Belvederes, and the Kammergarten (Privy Garden) was originally reserved only for the prince and his closest associates.

When visiting the Upper Belvedere, be sure to book a time slot in advance, especially if you are part of a group of 10 or more people. The palace is open daily from 9 am to 6 pm, and tickets can be purchased online.

Frequently asked questions