Vienna Attractions

Attractions and Things to do in Vienna

European Rail Guide to Vienna
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The heart of Vienna is the Innerestadt and at its center point is the Graben; a large square and home to many shops and cafes. At the square’s eastern end is the commanding Stephansdom (St Stephen’s Cathedral).

The Imperial Palace or Hofburg is an immense and vast complex incorporating many buildings and courtyards as well as a number of museums and a chapel. One of the most impressive attractions here is the Schatzkammer (Imperial Treasury). In this opulent display of the power and wealth of this once great empire you can view the crown jewels as well as the crown of the Holy Roman Empire, which is over one thousand years old!

The Schloss Belvedere (Belvedere Palace) consists of two separate buildings one at the foot of a hill the other on top overlooking the city. On the Tram D line, the Oberes Belvedere houses an art collection, which includes the world famous painting by Klimt, ‘The Kiss’.

Schloss Schoenbrunn (Schoenbrunn Palace) often compared to France’s Versailles is a majestic golden-yellow palace where many rooms are open to the public. The surrounding gardens are magnificent; in fact the whole site is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The grounds also boast the world’s oldest Zoo (Tiergarten). Such illustrious figures as Maria Theresa and Napoleon inhabited this baroque Palace and a six-year-old Mozart once played here!

For something completely different the Prater is an enormous park and fairground site and the location of one of Vienna’s world famous sights - the old Riesenrad (giant ferris wheel). (Take S/U-Bahn to Praterstern). Alternatively wander through the Naschmarkt (Produce Market) or the Flohmarkt (Flea Market) located in the sixth district.

Just wandering along the Ringstrasse will take you past some of this city’s most beautiful buildings, including the Staatsoper (State Opera House), the Parlament (Parliament), and the Rathaus (City Hall) as well as two of Vienna’s museums, the Naturhistorisches Museum (Natural History Museum) and the Kunsthistorishes Museum (Museum of Fine Arts). The latter of these contains an enviable art collection including work by Raphael, Rembrandt and Rubens.