Exploring Vienna: Top Attractions And Must-Dos

Vienna is a city that relishes its past, with attractions that showcase its rich history. Here is a list of must-do things when visiting Vienna, Austria:

- Visit the historic city centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and explore the pedestrian streets, churches, and historic buildings.

- Take a tour of the Hofburg Palace, the winter residence of the Habsburgs, and admire the Imperial Apartments and the Sisi Museum.

- Stroll through the beautiful gardens of Schönbrunn Palace, the summer residence of the Habsburg family, and visit the Tiergarten, the oldest zoo in the world.

- Admire the art at the Kunsthistorisches Museum, which features works by Gustav Klimt, Titian, Michelangelo, Vermeer, and Rubens.

- Enjoy a classical music concert at St. Peter's Church, featuring music by Vivaldi, Beethoven, and Schubert.

- Experience the coffeehouse culture at Café Central, a popular meeting place for intellectuals and artists such as Sigmund Freud and Leon Trotsky.

- Indulge in Vienna's signature cake, the Sachertorte, at Café Sacher or Demel.

- Explore the MuseumsQuartier, a cultural hub with museums, trendy bars, and cafes, including the Leopold Museum and the Museum of Modern Art (MUMOK).

- Take a walk along the Ringstrasse, a grand boulevard surrounding the historic city centre, and admire the State Opera House, the Burggarten, and the Parliament.

- Visit St. Stephen's Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece with intricate stonework and panoramic views from its towers.

- Discover the works of Gustav Klimt, including The Kiss, at the Belvedere Palace.

- Wander through the Neubau district, known for its unique boutiques, bars, and restaurants, such as Erich and Ulrich.

- Take a ride on the Wiener Riesenrad, the giant Ferris wheel in the Prater amusement park.

- Sample the local cuisine at a Viennese café or restaurant, such as Café im Kunsthistorischen Museum or Café Schwarzenberg.

- Explore the Austrian National Library, with its stunning baroque architecture and collection of ancient books and globes.

Visit the Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens

Schönbrunn Palace and its gardens are a must-see for anyone visiting Vienna. Here's a detailed itinerary for your visit:

The Palace

Schönbrunn Palace was the summer residence of the Habsburg family and is comparable to the Palace of Versailles in France. The original structure was built in 1696 as a hunting lodge, but it was later expanded under the supervision of Maria Theresa, the only female Habsburg ruler. Today, the palace is recognised as one of the finest examples of Baroque architecture in Europe and was one of the first places in Austria to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.

The interior of the palace is just as impressive as its exterior. A tour of the palace will take you through the opulent state apartments, ceremonial halls, and private rooms of Emperor Franz Joseph, his wife Elisabeth (known as Sisi), and Archduke Franz Karl. Some of the highlights include the Blue Staircase, the Mirror Room, and the Hall of Ceremonies.

The Gardens

The Schönbrunn Palace gardens are just as magnificent as the palace itself. Spanning across a vast area, the gardens feature elaborate fountains, obelisks, and a Roman-style arch known as the Gloriette, which offers stunning views of the palace and the city beyond. The gardens are also home to the Tiergarten, the oldest zoo in the world.

When visiting the palace, it is recommended to arrive early in the morning to avoid the crowds. The palace and gardens usually take around half a day to explore, but you can easily spend a full day here if you want to take your time and enjoy the surroundings.

Getting There

To get to Schönbrunn Palace, you can take the U4 line and get off at the Schönbrunn station. From there, it's about an 8- to 10-minute walk to the palace entrance.

Explore the MuseumsQuartier

The MuseumsQuartier (MQ) is one of the largest cultural quarters in the world, and exploring it is one of the must-do things in Vienna. Located on the edge of the city centre, it was built on the site of the former imperial court stables. The MQ is home to a range of installations, from large art museums to contemporary exhibition spaces and festivals. Here's what you need to do when you visit:

Visit the Leopold Museum

The Leopold Museum is one of Vienna's finest art museums and is home to the world's finest Egon Schiele collection. It also features various works by Gustav Klimt, Oskar Kokoschka, and members of the Wien Werkstätte movement.

Check out the MUMOK

The MUMOK (Museum of Modern Art, Ludwig Foundation, Vienna) is Vienna's premier contemporary art museum. It features works by renowned artists such as Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, and Picasso.

Hang out in the courtyard

Even if art isn't your thing, the MQ courtyard is still worth a visit. Hang out with locals on the eye-catching geometric blocks or enjoy a drink at one of the outdoor cafes.

Take in the view from the MQ Libelle rooftop terrace

For some of the finest views of the city centre, head to the MQ Libelle rooftop terrace.

Explore the Tanzquartier

The Tanzquartier is an international, state-of-the-art centre for dance, featuring production studios for new media and artist studios for artists-in-residence.

Discover the Architekturzentrum Wien

The Architekturzentrum Wien (Az W) is Austria's only architecture museum. It showcases both Baroque buildings and modern architecture by Laurids and Manfred Ortner.

Enjoy the nightlife

The MQ also has a vibrant nightlife scene, with trendy bars and restaurants to explore.

Take a coffee break at Café Central

Vienna is known for its coffeehouse culture, and there's no better place to experience this than Café Central. This grand coffee house has been serving up coffee and cakes since 1876, and has played host to many famous patrons, including Sigmund Freud, Leon Trotsky, and Stefan Zweig.

Café Central is known for its opulent decor, including cathedral-like domed ceilings, and its delicious cakes and pastries. The menu includes Austrian classics such as potato soup, apricot jam pancakes, and Apfelstrudel with vanilla sauce.

The coffee house is located in the Innere Stadt, the historic centre of Vienna, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The area is rich in beautiful architecture, including Baroque castles and gardens, and the Ringstrasse, a grand boulevard lined with monuments and parks.

Café Central is a must-visit destination for anyone wanting to experience the traditional Viennese coffee house culture. It's the perfect place to relax, enjoy a delicious treat, and watch the world go by.

Sample the Sachertorte

Sampling the Sachertorte is a must-do when visiting Vienna. This decadent dessert is a dense chocolate cake with a layer of apricot jam and a coating of dark chocolate icing. It is said to have been invented by Franz Sacher, a 16-year-old pastry chef, for Prince von Metternich in 1832. Today, it is one of the most famous Viennese culinary specialties and can be found in almost every coffee house in the city. Here is an in-depth guide to the Sachertorte and the best places to try it in Vienna:

The History of Sachertorte

The Sachertorte is a chocolate cake, or torte, of Austrian origin. According to Franz Sacher's son, Eduard, the cake was invented by his father when he was an apprentice under Prince Metternich's chef, Chambellier. The story goes that the chef fell ill, and Franz stepped in to create a novel cake for the prince's guests. Eduard later modified the recipe, and today, the Sachertorte is known worldwide and celebrated on National Sachertorte Day in the USA on December 5th, which is also Franz Sacher's birthday.

The "Original" Sachertorte

Only one place can claim to serve the "original" Sachertorte: the Hotel Sacher, opened by Eduard Sacher himself in 1876. The hotel closely guards the recipe, which is said to lie in the unique combination of three special types of chocolate in the icing. The cake is presented in a wooden box with golden corners, a wood engraving of the hotel, and distinctive burgundy wrapping paper. It can be purchased at the hotel's Vienna and Salzburg locations, as well as at Café Sacher branches in Innsbruck and Graz, the Sacher Shop in Bolzano, and the duty-free area of Vienna airport.

The "Eduard-Sacher-Torte"

In 1934, the Demel pastry shop began selling the "Eduard-Sacher-Torte," sparking a legal dispute with the Sacher Hotel over trademark infringement. Demel claimed that it was their bakery, which dated back to 1786, and not the Hotel Sacher, that created the original Sachertorte. The dispute was eventually settled in favour of the Hotel Sacher, granting them the exclusive right to call their version "the original." Nevertheless, Demel continues to sell its version of the Sachertorte, which is said to be served the customary way with unsweetened whipped cream.

Where Else to Try the Sachertorte in Vienna

While the Hotel Sacher and Demel are the two most traditional sources for the Sachertorte, there are many other cafes and patisseries in Vienna that serve excellent versions of this classic dessert. Here are some of the best:

• Café Central: Located in the heart of Innere Stadt, this elegant cafe has been a favourite of intellectuals and artists since it opened in 1876. It features arched ceilings, ornate columns, and live piano music in the afternoons. Be sure to try their in-house patisserie team's version of the Sachertorte, served with a dollop of whipped cream. (Address: Herrengasse 14, 1010 Wien, Austria)
• Aida Café Konditorei: This respected franchise has a string of cafes across the city, recognisable by their modern, Instagrammable pink interiors. Their Sachertorte is deliciously dark and can be ordered with a scoop of chocolate ice cream instead of the usual whipped cream. (Address: Wollzeile 28, 1010 Wien, Austria)
• Café Diglas: This Innere Stadt cafe offers a laid-back atmosphere and live piano music in the evenings. In addition to their Sachertorte, be sure to try their authentic Viennese and Austrian dishes, such as the Weiner Schnitzel and seasonal soups. (Address: Wollzeile 10, 1010 Wien, Austria)
• Kleines Café: For a more pub-like atmosphere, head to Kleines Café at the east end of Innere Stadt. This tavern-style cafe is open late and serves a morish Sachertorte with a generous dollop of whipped cream. They also offer a delicious apple strudel. (Address: Franziskanerpl. 3, 1010 Wien, Austria)
• Café Sperl: Just outside the Innere Stadt, Café Sperl offers a traditional olde-worlde coffeehouse experience with moulded ceilings, wood-panelled walls, and ambient pendant lighting. Their Sachertorte is softer and moister than some other versions, and it is best enjoyed with a melange coffee. (Address: Gumpendorfer Str. 11, 1060 Wien, Austria)
• Konditorei Oberlaa: This friendly cafe, located minutes from Stephansplatz, offers a wide variety of cakes, including a sweeter version of the Sachertorte. It is also much more affordable than some of the more touristy cafes, making it a great option if you want to indulge in multiple slices! (Address: Neuer Markt 16, 1010 Wien, Austria)

Tour the Hofburg Palace

One of the world's biggest palace complexes, the Hofburg Palace has been the seat of government since the 13th century and was the winter residence of the Habsburgs. It is now home to many of Vienna's top museums, attractions and galleries, as well as the office of the President of Austria.

The palace is a must-visit for anyone remotely interested in the history of Vienna and the influence of the Habsburg dynasty on Austria. The Imperial Apartments, the Sisi Museum and the Imperial Silver Collection are the three most popular places to visit within the palace.

The Imperial Apartments

The Imperial Apartments are filled with historical fittings and furnishings. This is where Franz Joseph and his famous wife, Empress Elisabeth (Sisi), lived and worked. Wander through the different bedrooms, studies and living rooms that were home to the Habsburgs for over 600 years, including the official and private chambers of Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth. The rooms are perfectly preserved with their original decor and furnishings, offering an incredible testament to the splendour of the dynastic Austrian royal family.

The Sisi Museum

The Sisi Museum is dedicated to Empress Elisabeth, the wife of Emperor Franz Joseph. The museum features numerous objects belonging to the legendary empress, including childhood toys and musical instruments, her watercolour kit, jewellery and lavish outfits. The museum also includes an audio guide, which provides fascinating facts about the incredible life of the beloved Sisi.

The Imperial Silver Collection

At the end of the Habsburg monarchy, the court's impressive silver collection became the property of the Austrian Republic. The museum's exhibitions of luxury crystal glasses, silverware, porcelain and more provide insight into the extravagant dining culture of the former imperial dynasty.

Frequently asked questions