Vienna
A Treat for the Senses
The romantic capital of Austria, Vienna effortlessly melds the part and the present. Here you'll find grand imperial palaces of the Hapsburg Empire, ornate Baroque interiors and museums set in magnificent squares, the famed Spanish Riding School, the blue Danube and the Vienna Woods. The city of Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn, Schubert, Strauss, Brahms, Mahler and Schonberg is also a music lover's banquet beyond compare.
The 'old town', or city centre, is encircled by the Ringstrasse (Ring Road), a grand boulevard constructed along the old city walls, which were torn down at the end of the 19th century. Along the Ringstrasse are many famous and grand buildings, including the Rathaus (Town Hall), the Austrian Parliament, the Hofburg Palace, the Natural History Museum, the Museum of Art History and the State Opera House. Get a bird's eye view of the city by taking a ride on the giant ferris wheel.
Grand Habsburg palaces, superb Baroque architecture, fabulous Kaffeehaus and a rich musical tradition make Vienna a real treat for the senses. Discover some of the delightful features of Vienna and visit the Imperial Crypt, the burial place of the Habsburgs, where Empress Elizabeth 'Sisi' is also buried.
Insiders' Tips
- An Evening at Strauss & Mozart at Kursalon: The Salonorchester Alt Wien- one of the best-known interpreters of classical Viennese music, presents an evening full of Viennese charm with the lifting sound of waltzes, polkas and duets at this concert hall.
- Sunset on the Danube: Experience a sunset while cruising through Vienna by boat, floating down the famous Danube.
- Spanish Riding School: See the oldest classical dressage riding school in the world, featuring the famous Lipizzaner horses, with their origins dating back to the 16th century.
More Information
For maps, days tours and accommodation options, visit the Vienna chapter in our online Europe brochure here.
