News/Recommendations
All tourist attractions are within walking distance!
The Viennese State Opera is a must-see. Every year the State Opera is the venue for the Opera Ball and just the architecture of the building alone merits a visit.
In addition, famous artists and directors, staging top performances, are offered which makes the State Opera one of the most renowned operas in the world.
The Musikverein – a resonant name, a scintillating idea. Strictly speaking, it has a twofold meaning: the concert hall on Vienna's Karlsplatz and the society to which this building belongs, the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde (Society of Music Lovers) in Vienna. Two different things which belong inseparably together. What would the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde be without its magnificent concert hall and what would the concert hall be without the society?
The Wiener Konzerthaus has a magnificent reputation as a venue based on three accomplishments: emphasis on tradition and innovative musical styles and attracting new audiences. These are the virtues of the Konzerthaus has since its inauguration.
Belvedere Palace – Prince Eugen commissioned the baroque building consisting of two palaces as a summer residence.
The Upper Belvedere houses the world-largest Klimt collection including the legendary golden painting "The Kiss". Also, there are paintings by Schiele and Kokoschka as well as French impressionist paintings and Viennese Biedermeier art.
The Lower Belvedere boasts the ostentatious rooms of Prince Eugen and is often used for special exhibitions.
The cathedral of St. Stephen is the landmark of Vienna located in the heart of the 1st district and it is Austria's most important Gothic building. The impressing cathedral has a number of art treasures. Climb up the 343 steps to the tower and enjoy the view! Guided tours are from Monday to Saturday at 10.30 am and 3 pm.
Schönbrunn Palace – one of Europe's finest baroque palaces is definitely worth a visit. The wonderful park with the Gloriette and the oldest zoo in the world invite for a walk.
Until 1918 the Viennese Hofburg was the centre of the vast Habsburg empire. Three museums grant authentic historical insights into the court life and the daily life: the Imperial Apartments furnished to the highest standards of historical authenticity, the sensitively designed Sisi Museum and the Silver Collection, a vast collection of objects necessary for the running of the imperial household.
Furthermore, part of the Hofburg are the Spanish Riding School and the Chapel where you can listen to the Vienna Boys' Choir during Sunday Mass.
Classical concerts – Vienna is known for its classical music, therefore a classical concert should be a top priority on your list during your stay in Vienna. Recommendable are concerts in the Musikverein where every year in the golden hall the New Year Concerts of the Viennese Philharmonics take place. On a smaller scale there are also daily concerts with top musicians in the Auersperg Palace. The Schönbrunn Palace Concerts, where Mozart used to perform, are also a must-go.
The Viennese town hall is an impressive neogothic building on the Ring, approximately 15-minute walking distance from the Schubertring, which merits a visit during summer as well as winter. During summer the open-air film festival takes place on the town hall square. During winter there is a big Christmas market and later in the year ice-skating tracks are laid out in front of the magnificently illuminated scenery of the town hall.
The Albertina is an art museum in the Duke Albert Palace in the centre of Vienna.
The Albertina prides itself with the biggest and most important print collections with around 65.000 drawings and more than a million printed sheets. Lenders allow the permanent exhibition of paintings in the Albertina, in various exhibition halls art exhibitions are held across all genres. The name Albertina has its origin in the founder of the print collection, Duke Albert of Saxony-Teschen, son-in-law of Maria Theresia.
In the MAK design is on the agenda. From the middle-ages until comtemporary design the museum shows furniture, glas and china, silver and textiles. Precious craftworks from the Wiener Werkstätte, bentwood furniture by Thonet and highlights from the Art Nouveau era such as the gold leaf design by Gustav Klimt for the frieze of the Stoclet Palace in Brussels are on display.
The Vienna City Park is 20 hectares big and with the multiple monuments, pavilions, green areas and water expanses, steps and walls the park offers an opportunity for a nice walkabout. Monuments of many Viennese personalities (such as Johann Strauß, Hans Markart or Franz Schubert) are in the City Park, a walk through the park is almost a trip through the history of Vienna. The excellent concert halls in the Kursalon are also highly recommended, but you need to book well in advance due to the high demand.
The Museums-Quartier - walking distance of ten minutes - is a must-see. The art and cultural centre is located in the former court stables. The architecture of the MQ blends old and new in a very unique way. Museums such as the Leopoldmuseum, Mumok or the Kunsthalle and several interesting design shops and comfortable restaurants and cafés attract the visitors. The inner court has a special flair with the uniquely designed chairs during the summer.
Culinary delights
The Viennese coffeehouse tradition - Vienna is the only city in the world where the cuisine and tradition are so closely linked. Since the Turkish siege of the city the Viennese have an exclusiv coffeehouse tradition. Enjoy the typical Viennese culinary delights!
In your vicinity there are the following traditional coffeehouses:
- Demel
- Imperial
- Cafe Schwarzenberg
- Cafe Sacher
Exquisite Cuisine
Vienna offers excellent food. The typical Viennese cuisine will be a delight to your palate and you will always return to the most beautiful capital of Europe. How about a glass of Austrian wine in a traditional Viennese Heuriger? The old wine-growing villages on the fringes of Vienna offer an excellent selection of wines together with a breath-taking view of the city.
In your vicinity there are the following popular restaurants:
- Plachutta
- Zum Huth
- Italic
- Zu den 3 Hacken
- Tenmaya
- Sole
- Steakhouse
- Maredo
- Korso
Famous personalities in the Viennese coffeehouses
No other location has a similar tradition! Meeting up in coffeehouses is very popular among the locals.
Shopping in Vienna
Exclusive shopping in Vienna - Use your trip around the city to do some shopping
Shopping with class in Vienna - different shops of all kinds attract with their offers. Especially the Kärtnerstraße, just round the corner, awaits you with luxurious shops.
A visit to Vienna for your shopping is an unforgettable experience. Only a few cities offer so many shopping opportunities for every style and every budget.
Is this your first time to Vienna? Please inform yourself where you can find the suitable shops. We can answer your questions.
Top shopping hot-spots in Vienna:
- Kärntnerstraße, Graben and Kohlmarkt – various perfumeries, jewellers and designer shops
- Mariahilferstraße – you will find here everything you need
- 6th and 7th district – shops by young designers
Vienna information: