The capital of Austria, the city of Vienna, is the largest city in this European state. She is known for her classical music, as well as the names of the composers who created it. This amazing city attracts with its age-old traditions, pretentious architecture, as well as small but very cozy coffee shops offering their guests real Austrian strudel and world-famous cakes.
This is how most people on our planet imagine Vienna. Nevertheless, it is impossible to describe this majestic and beautiful city in two words. The one who comes here, the capital of Austria strikes with its mystery and depth. Vienna attracts travelers and a variety of attractions. Most of them were built in ancient times and have been perfectly preserved to this day. All this gives the city a special charm and charm, making it unique.
For travelers who prefer to get acquaintedwith the history of the cities they visit, it is worth staying longer in the Austrian capital. The fact is that there are about eighty museums in it, in each of which you can get acquainted with the exhibits of the most interesting expositions. Architecture lovers will also like the city. There are quite a few interesting places here. What is a must-see in Vienna for those who came to the city for the first time?
Study tour
Often, tourists traveling around Europe try to visit as many cities as possible in one tour. That is why they come to Vienna for just one day. In this case, you should develop a route in advance and decide on the main attractions that are worth seeing in this wonderful city.
Most of all, travelers tend to get to the First District. It is also called the Old City. This is the place of concentration of the main attractions of Vienna, which is taken under the protection of UNESCO. In the 19th century The Ringstrasse was built around this area. This is a ring street, which will also be of interest to travelers.
What to visit in Vienna in 1 day? For those who are in this city for the first time, it is recommended to take a ride on a sightseeing tram. On his route, which runs along the Ringstrasse, he leaves exactly on schedule. There are 13 sights along the way. Having traveled on this tram, you can see the streets of the city and orient yourself before walking. A multimedia device will help to do this. It is installed right in the tram and allows passengers of this unusual transport to learn everything about those places that are visible.from the window.
Stefanplatz
Among the most interesting and significant places to visit in Vienna, it is worth pointing out the square, which is the historical center of the city. It is from here that it is recommended to start an independent walking tour to explore the sights of Vienna.
Stefanplatz, or St. Stephen's Square, is one of the most beautiful architectural ensembles of the capital of Austria. In its center is the cathedral of the same name. Stock im Ivan Platz adjoins this square. The building of the UniCredit bank rises here, which makes a rather striking impression with its architecture, as well as the postmodern Haas house.
Being on Stephanplatz, you can see the contours of the Virgil Chapel that was here in the old days, which are indicated by mosaic tiles. Once there was a grave of the Krannest dynasty.
Going to the southwestern part of Stephanplatz, you can see Kärtner Strasse. To the west is st. Graben, and in the north - Rogenturmstrasse. Each of them is a unique ensemble of buildings erected in various architectural styles, ranging from baroque to modern. Here converge the most important paths that run through the historical part of the Austrian capital. That is why Stephanplatz is a popular meeting place. And you can sit and enjoy moments of relaxation in one of the many street cafes.
Vienna's central square is also the largest cab stop. A small sightseeing ride on a fiacre (the so-called open wagon drawn by a pair of horses in Austria) can be completed in 20 minutes, driving through the Old Town.
St. Stephen's Cathedral
What are the must-sees in Vienna? On Stephanplatz, tourists have the opportunity to see the symbol of the city and one of the main attractions of the whole country. This is the church of St. Stephen. It is located on the site of the old cathedral, built in 1137-1147. The construction of this religious building was carried out in the 13th-15th centuries.
Today, St. Stephen's Cathedral is one of the most beautiful Gothic churches in Europe. Residents of Vienna consider it the soul of the city. The southern tower of the cathedral reaches a height of 137 m and is the third highest in Central Europe. The Crowns affectionately call her Steffi.
The temple is named after the first Christian saint. Stephen was a Jerusalem martyr who was stoned to death for his faith. That is why the cathedral is considered a symbol of resilience.
Tourists will be interested in the unique stained-glass windows and crucifixes, sculptural compositions, as well as the bishop's pulpit located in the temple. In addition, there are catacombs with the burial places of the remains of the Austrian emperors.
Museum of the Cathedral and Diocese
What to visit in Vienna? On the same Stefanplatz square, not far from St. Stephen's Church, there is the Archbishop's Palace. This is the Museum of the Cathedral and the Diocese. It is a repository of a large number of medieval relics, including a portrait of Rudolf IV. It's a work of artwritten in 1365, is a world-class masterpiece.
Among the exhibits of the museum are objects of religious art that have been created over more than one century. Among these exhibits is the collection of Otto Mauer, a theologian and philanthropist, who collected a collection of almost 3,000 works.
Mozart's House
Which museums to visit in Vienna? Having rounded Stefanplatz square on the left, you can exit to Domgasse street. Here, in house number 5, painted yellow, the great Mozart lived and worked for several years. On three of the four floors of this building, occupying an area of 1000 square meters. m, a real museum is organized. The restorers tried to do everything possible to return the house to the look it had at the end of the 18th century.
This museum has very original tours. Tourists are given the opportunity to see a large number of multimedia fragments that allow you to recreate the atmosphere of those years when the sounds of live music were heard in the house. Among the expositions of the museum are sculptures and paintings, photos and videos about the famous composer and the places where he lived and worked.
Graben and Colmark
What to visit in Vienna? Having passed from Staffanplatz to Stock im Eisen, it is recommended to turn onto the Graben street. In addition to numerous restaurants, shops and fountains, you can admire a 17th-century monument here. It has a frightening name - the Plague Column.
Similar structures were erected in many European cities. They were magnificently decorated columns, on top of which was a statue of the Virgin Mary. Such monuments served as gratitude to the gods for pacifying epidemics of plague and other diseases.
This column was also built in Vienna. It is a terrible reminder of the plague that claimed tens of thousands of lives in 1679.
The grand opening of this monument took place in 1693. It is a column decorated with statues of saints and angels. In its center is a granite letter, on which a text is carved containing words of gratitude to those Viennese who survived after the plague. Many of the elements of this column are covered with a layer of pure gold.
After walking a little further from this place, tourists should turn onto Kohlmarkt. During the Middle Ages, there was a market for coal and firewood. Today the street is a cluster of expensive shops in Vienna.
Hofburg
What to visit in Vienna? Being in the capital of Austria, you must definitely visit the former imperial residence of the Hofburg. It is located on Michaelerplatz, which can be reached along the Kohlmarkt.
The Imperial Residence embodies all milestones in the history of Austria. There are 19 palaces on its territory. They were built at different times. Are part of the complex and about two dozen other buildings and structures. The Hofburg is surrounded by two beautiful parks. These are Volcogarten and Burggarten.
Approaching the palace complex from Michaelerplatz, you can see the majestic empire facade of the building, which creates the first very brightimpression of the Hofburg.
After entering its territory, you can visit the Swiss courtyard. In the 13th c. there was a medieval castle on this site. It belonged to the kings of Austria, who ruled the country until the arrival of the Habsburg dynasty. Today, only one castle chapel remains from this building.
During the reign of the Habsburgs, the Hofburg was constantly reconstructed and expanded. All buildings of the complex acquired their current appearance only after 1913
The treasury is considered the pearl of the residence. It contains all the symbols of power, including crowns and rods, imperial robes that belonged to the rulers of the Roman Empire, as well as Austria-Hungary. You can examine in the treasury cult and household items that were used by members of the royal dynasty. The holy artifact of all Christians, the Necklace of Fate, is also kept here.
There is also a palace library in the Hofburg. It was built by order of Charles IV. Today, this building houses the National Library of Austria.
Maria Theresa Square
What to visit in Vienna? Leaving the Hofburg and crossing the road, tourists get to Maria Theresa Square. It is surrounded by two buildings that house the largest museums in the city - the history of art and natural history. In the center of this square is a monument to Maria Theresa herself. It is the largest of those installed in Vienna by the Habsburgs.
The square is for pedestrians and is considered one of the most popular places for tourists to visit in the Austrian capital. It is decorated with four lawns, in the center of which are the fountains of Neyada and Triton. The period of their construction is 1887-1890
City Hall
What is a must-see in Vienna? Walking from Maria Theresa Square to the north, you can see a huge building with a high tower and lancet windows. This is the City Hall, in which all the city power of Vienna is concentrated. The office of the burgomaster, the municipality, and the local parliament also work in this building. The Town Hall was built after a competition was announced in 1868 for the creation of a new project for the building, intended to accommodate the city authorities. It was won by German architect Friedrich von Schitdt.
The facade of this building is decorated with five towers. At the top of the main one there is an iron figure of the guardian of city privileges of freedoms - an armed man at arms holding a banner in his hands. At his feet is an observation deck, which you can climb by going through 256 steps. Inside there are 1575 rooms, most of which are offices.
Opening days, exhibitions and concerts are held annually on the territory of the Town Hall. Balls are held in the People's and State Halls, and music festivals are held in the courtyards.
Not far from the Town Hall there is a small English park. Tourists who come to the city in winter can visit the largest fair operating here during this period and ride the ice rink.
Belvedere
What to visit in Vienna in 2 days? After the tour of the Old Cityit is recommended to go to the palace complex called Belvedere. It is located on a hill from which you can see the panorama of the Austrian capital and St. Stephen's Cathedral.
Belvedere is a luxurious complex of buildings that were built at the expense of the outstanding commander Eugene of Savoy. Today it is one of the most popular and famous tourist attractions in Vienna. Versailles served as its prototype.
The Belvedere includes two palaces - Lower and Upper. Both of them are within walking distance from each other and are separated by a park laid out by the famous Bavarian designer Dominique Gerard in those years. This area, where cascades of fountains, flower beds, intricately trimmed shrubs, magical landscapes, gardens and unique sculptures are located. Today, these palaces house museums, as well as the Austrian Gallery.
Being in Vienna, you should definitely visit the Belvedere and touch its beauty. After all, the most prominent artists and architects worked on the construction of this palace complex in their time.
Museum Quarter
What else is worth visiting in Vienna? While in the capital of Austria, it is recommended to explore the cultural quarter, which is located opposite the Hofburg. Previously, the imperial stables were located here, and now their buildings are occupied by museums and antique shops.
One of the main attractions of the quarter is the Kunsthalle exhibition hall. Also popular with tourists are the children's museum Zoom, the Leopold Museum and the Museumcontemporary art. Various exhibitions, fashion shows and art performances are constantly held here.
Schönbrunn
What to visit in Vienna in 3 days? After visiting the Old Town and museums, it is worth going to Schönbrunn. This is a luxurious summer imperial residence. It is represented by a huge territory, which requires at least four hours to explore.
Tourists can see the palace. Forty rooms are open for visiting. You can see the greenhouse, palm house and pavilion.
What to visit in Vienna for free? A walk in the Schönbrunn park will be a wonderful pastime. A whole day can be spent exploring only one of its territories. There is no need to pay to visit the park. You will only need to purchase a ticket to see some places, such as the hedge maze.
Zoo
What to visit in Vienna with a child? While in Schönbrunn, you can go to the best zoo in Europe, which was opened back in 1752. Today, there are 4.5 thousand birds and animals. There are also rare species among them.
It is very interesting to come to the zoo in the summer when the animals have cubs.
Augustinian Church
What is worth visiting in Vienna? The Augustinian Church is located on Josefplatz. It was built by Duke Friedrich of Austria. For three years he was imprisoned in Trauznitz Castle. There he observed the Augustinian hermits and was impressed by their life. After returning in 1327, Frederick founded a church and a monastery for this order.
For todayday this place is one of the attractions of the capital of Austria.
A visit to the Augustine Monastery and the church in Vienna is a must. There is something to see here. Among its structures are the chapels of Loretto and St. George. The “grave of hearts” is also located here. It is a place where fifty-four hearts of the Habsburg emperors and their relatives are still kept in silver urns.
Free visits
Where in Vienna do you not need to buy tickets? On the first Sunday of every month, some museums in the city are open for free. Every Tuesday from 18:00 to 22:00 you can go to the Museum of Applied Arts without buying a ticket. What to visit in Vienna for free? Entrance to the Ostlicht photo gallery is always free.
Every year at the end of June, those who wish can attend a free concert organized by the Vienna Philharmonic.
Vienna suburbs
Of course, the capital of Austria is a very interesting and beautiful city. However, sometimes tourists have a desire to escape from the endless museums and see another country - measured and sedate, which can surprise anyone with its rich nature.
Which cities to visit near Vienna? Among them:
- Krems an der Donau. This is a small town with a population of only 24 thousand people. This village has perfectly preserved ancient streets, churches, abbeys and other historical sights.
- Puchberg am Schneeber. Only 2 thousand people live in it. It is surrounded by mountains and green meadows. In winter this placeattracts skiers, and in summer tourists enjoy climbing the hiking trails going up.
- Eisenstadt. This small picturesque town has a rich history. In addition, he is the birthplace of Haydn. There you can see the Esterhazy Castle, which was built in the 13th century.
- Baden. This is another tiny town located near the Vienna Woods. Baden is a resort world famous for its high sulfur thermal springs.
Gastronomic routes
The Austrian capital can dazzle anyone with its famous cafés frequented by Freud, Bismarck, Strauss and Mozart in the olden days, restaurants and lavish and noisy beer gardens. There are absolutely incredible coffee shops in the city. Some of them are located at an altitude of 160 m. Their visitors have the opportunity to have a good time admiring the panorama of the city.
Among Vienna's must-see restaurants is the Rote Bar. He works at the Sacher Hotel at the Vienna Opera and is a kind of hallmark of the Austrian capital. Guests of this institution can always count on a chic evening spent. The dishes in this restaurant are mainly classical. However, the main focus is on those that belong to the Austrian cuisine. Rote Bar welcomes its guests in a hall with a stunning imperial interior and offers them live piano music.
Among the restaurants worth visiting in Vienna is the Steirereck. This is the most fashionable institution of this type in the capital of Austria. BesidesSteirereck is a real iconic landmark of the city. This institution is in tenth place in the world ranking of the fifty best restaurants. It offers modern Austrian cuisine, local wines, sophisticated atmosphere, stylish interiors and royal service.
