The breath of this city stopped in the beautiful buildings, each of which is unique. Cozy streets and cafes, the smell of the famous apple strudel accompany the traveler on a journey through this ancient and beautiful city, the soul of which, like Strauss waltzes, is beautiful and light.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the capital of Austria became the center of the musical, theatrical and scientific community. Musicians Mozart, Strauss, Beethoven aspired here, Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis, lived and worked here. Many talented people found inspiration in this beautiful European city.
St. Stephen's Cathedral
There are many temples in Vienna that were built in different eras and in different styles. Only one of them is considered a symbol of Vienna and Austria. The locals affectionately call him Steffi. Its real name is St. Stephen's Cathedral or Stephansdom. The purity of the Gothic style is 100% expressed here. The spiers of this divine work of architecture, directed to the sky, are visible from afar. As you approach it, a person feels his own smallness and sublimity of the temple. The feeling of proximity to the Middle Ages is difficult to describe in words. It needs to be felt.
In Vienna, all roads lead to St. Stephen's Church. It is located on the central square of the capital. The interior decoration does not leave the visitor disappointed after the external elegance. Amazing stained glass windows, works of art with religious themes and, of course, an organ. Fans from all over the world come here to listen to it. Under the cathedral there are tombs where once reigning persons and members of their families are buried.
Albertine Museum
Duke Albert von Sachsen-Teschen in the 18th century began to collect a collection of works of art, which today amounts to 900 thousand works in the style of graphics and about 50 thousand drawings and watercolors. Now it is a museum of painting and at the same time a gallery where exhibitions are constantly held. This museum, famous throughout Austria, is named after its creator, Albertina. An interesting architectural solution makes a giant titanium plate float in the air in front of the gallery.
Vienna Opera
Hearing the name alone, the imagination draws beautiful pictures of the 19th century, where magnificently dressed ladies and gallant gentlemen flock to this building to attend the triumph of music and voice. Opera from its very birth was called to bring art to the royal court of Austria. Lush balls were held here, which many dreamed of attending.
To the sound of Strauss's Tales from the Vienna Woods, couples whirled in a whirlwind of waltz. Even people who are far from the classics come here and the action taking place here literally fascinates them. A performance at the Vienna Opera is a great honor for any musician. The solemnity of this temple of music, which occupies almost an entire block, continues the luxury and splendor of the interior decoration from the outside.
Schönbrunn Palace
Kings and queens lived here. The wonderful park, which welcomes the visitor into its green embrace, emphasizes the style and sophistication of this royal splendor. Beautiful tunnels with blooming wisterias in May or pink alleys in June, where each flower says thanks to the gentle and hardworking hands of gardeners. The elaborate works of topiary art on the main avenues of the park lead the visitor to the palace itself. Its halls contain unique household items of the Austrian emperors.
The pomposity and solemnity of the internal situation suggests that the fate of the country was decided here. A day is not enough to get around this royal dwelling. In each hall there are works of art, tapestries, elegant interiors in which Queen Elizabeth, Franz Joseph, Maria Theresa and other royal people lived. All the delights of this green and gold miracle of Vienna include the oldest zoo in the world, recognized several times as the best in Europe. The rarity of the planet is the giant panda bear, which looks at small and large visitors with its touching gaze.
Hofburg Palace
Viennese unique transport – a fiacre, harnessed by two horses, “dots” you to the gates of the Hofburg Palace. This winter residence of the Habsburg royal dynasty is a whole complex, the journey through which will take more than one day. Those who have already been here come back again and again in order to see something new. In addition to beautiful well-groomed alleys and squares, this vast territory has many buildings of architectural and historical value. Of particular note is the Habsburg treasury, where the head is spinning from the abundance of priceless jewels and artifacts, decorated with stones of various sizes and colors.
Gazebo
The palace complex of the Austrian capital, with its magnificent external design, fully justifies its name, which sounds translated as “beautiful view”. These buildings (Upper and Lower Belvedere) are considered to be the most majestic and beautiful architectural structures of the city. Now it is a grandiose museum of works of art of the past and present – a container of extraordinary beauty, where everything delights inside and out.
The Upper Palace, which used to serve as the reception room of its creator, the Prince of Savoy of Austria, is now the Art Museum. Its exhibits are paintings by great painters from French Impressionists to Austrian artists of the 19th-21st centuries. The Lower Palace is the Museum of Medieval Art, the halls of which delight with their luxurious decoration.
The museum is open: Upper Belvedere, every day from 10 am to 6 pm.
Lower Belvedere and greenhouse: every day, 10.00-18.00, Wednesday – until 21.00.
Gardens: daily, all daylight hours throughout the year.
Front stable: 10.00-18.00, on Wednesdays: 10.00-21.00.
Liechtenstein Palace Museum
The museum-palace, named after the famous princely family of Austria, is a repository of various kinds of masterpieces, including brilliant paintings by Rubens, van Dyck, Rembrandt, samples of exclusive furniture, unique sculptures, antique porcelain, handmade tapestries. The magnificent building of the Palace is surrounded by a beautiful garden, in which, as in the main Baroque Hall, the most important celebrations are held. On Sundays there are music concerts, themed exhibitions and cooking shows with lunch for 30 euros. Traditional is the New Year's concert with the participation of the Vienna orchestras (symphony and philharmonic).
Opening hours: Friday-Tuesday, from 10.00 to 17.00.
tower of lunatics
The gloomy-looking tower is located on the territory of the university and before it really was a lunatic asylum, as evidenced by its internal structure. Now here is an institution that resembles a cabinet of curiosities: here, in different rooms, individual human organs and body parts, disfigured by some kind of pathology such as gene mutation, are kept in alcohol form. Visitors experience a sensation similar to that of watching sinister thrillers. In fact, this is the Pathological Anatomical Museum, which contains the physiological defects of the human body.
Open for visits: Wednesday – 10.00-18.00, excursions – 13.00 and 14.00;
Saturday – 10.00-13.00, excursion – at 10.00 and 11.00.
Entrance ticket (in euros) – 2: under 19 years old – free of charge; with ex. – 6 and 4.
Burg Theater
It was opened as the Royal Theater at the palace on the initiative of Maria Theresa in 1748, by analogy with the Paris Comédie Francaise, so the repertoire and artists were French. In 1988, a new, luxurious theater building was erected in the Renaissance style with many decorative elements: statues of ancient gods, sculptures and bas-reliefs, busts of world-famous playwrights.
Restored after the destruction of 1945, the theater is beautifully decorated: rich boxes, roomy, velvet stalls; bright lighting, ultra-modern technical equipment, classical repertoire attract viewers from all over the world. The whole theater is a kind of work of art that adorned the boulevard ring – Ringstrasse.
Viennese Concerthaus
The walls of this concert hall remember the famous Richard Strauss, composer and conductor, namesake of the no less famous Johann Strauss; renowned jazz and rock artists. The opening of the Konzerthaus in 1913 was a real celebration, where members of the imperial family arrived. Now it is the most popular concert venue in Vienna: various music festivals are held here all year round, its 4 halls are never empty.
Each of them has capacious stages, magnificent decoration of walls, ceilings and parterres. It has wonderful acoustics, excellent lighting technique. The Konzerthaus is a real Temple of Art, beloved not only by the Viennese, but also by tourists.
Vienna Woods
Who is not familiar with the famous Strauss waltz “Tales of the Vienna Woods”, not accidentally called the king of waltzes?! This enchanting place full of charms is called the “lungs of Vienna”. Schubert and Beethoven, Strauss and Lehar, Balzac and Zweig walked here under the shady crowns of cozy alleys. The famous forest is located on a hill (893 m) and covers an area of 1250 sq. m. Picturesque hills, overgrown with oak, beech, coniferous trees, a lake, rocks – the landscapes of the forest are very diverse. There are many cycle and walking paths along it, along which comfortable benches are placed. The Hinterbrühl underground lake is the forest‘s most visited attraction.
Hundertwasser House
The author himself calls the original house ecological, because the trees in it grow inside it, stretching their branches right out of the windows, turning green with crowns against the background of multi-colored walls of an asymmetric configuration. Unusual design elements: a fountain with a mosaic finish, columns with surrealistic drawings, arched spans, a large number of windows.
Despite its unconventionality, the house is residential: the apartments are occupied by residents who do not experience any inconvenience, except for the invasion of curious tourists clicking camera lenses. Next door is the Kunsthauswin (House of Arts) – another brainchild of the architect, which organizes daily exhibitions of contemporary artists, from 10.00 to 19.00.
Tourist Card: discounts and free transport – 17 €
Hop-on hop-off bus tour – 22.40 €
Mozart concert in the Golden Hall of the Vienna Philharmonic – 50 €
Tourist card for 1, 2, 3, or 6 days – 59
€ ferris wheel – 10 €
Entrance tickets to the Belvedere – 13 €
Kreuzenstein Castle
The famous architectural monument of the Habsburg era, built on the site of the ruins of an ancient Roman fortress in the 13th century, is located 17 km from the city. After 3 centuries, during the Thirty Years' War, ruins remained from the castle, on the site of which, in the 19th century, through the efforts of the wealthy landowner Wilczek, the castle complex was painstakingly restored to its original form.
Being on a hill surrounded by lush green forests, the castle with its numerous domes and roofs seems fabulously beautiful. Now it houses a museum, which presents the most interesting exhibits in the form of knightly armor, a rich collection of weapons, luxury items, old books. Tourists not only inspect the historical site, but also take part in falconry, those who wish can have a wedding ceremony in the chapel at the castle.
Opening hours: from 01 04 to 01 11 – daily, on weekdays – 10.00-16.00; sunday – until 17.00. Excursions are group only, organized hourly. Entrance fee 10 euros.
Liechtenstein Castle
Repeatedly subjected to reconstruction and restoration, the unique castle is located in the picturesque Vienna Woods at an altitude of 817 m above sea level. This is a fortified medieval castle with narrow loophole windows, massive thick walls, where the premises of the 1st floor are carved into the rock, which gives strength to the entire structure. In it, the main attraction is the chapel of St. Pancratius, built by a distant ancestor of the ruling dynasty of Liechtenstein. Here, the attention of everyone is attracted by a true masterpiece of painting – the Crucifixion of Christ, captured in red chalk (13th century). Services are held in the chapel, bells sound. The entire castle is open to sightseers and hosts annual festivals.
Open: March-October – 10.00-16.00, July-Aug. – until 17.00, in winter – 10.00-15.00.
Museum of Art History
One of the most popular and richest museums in Vienna is housed in a beautiful Renaissance building of 3 floors. The 1st floor is occupied by the Kunstkamera – collections of ancient musical instruments, works of art and household items of Ancient Egypt, ancient Greeks and ancient Romans. The 2nd floor is a magnificent collection of masterpieces of painting by brilliant European artists. On the 3rd – a huge collection of coins from different times and peoples – the largest numismatic collection in Europe.
The Museum of Natural History, located opposite, is part of a single museum complex, its most interesting expositions can be visited with one ticket. Opening hours: Tuesday-Wed, Friday-Sun. – 10.00-18.00; thurs. – from 10.00 to 21.00.
Order a private transfer from the airport to your hotel for 2 759 RUB
Prater park
Occupying 6 thousand square meters. m area, the park is conditionally divided into 2 parts: Narodny Prater and Green. In the 1st there are rides, cafes, pubs, for which he was nicknamed “sausage”; 2nd – a shady park with old mighty trees, with many cozy alleys and paths. In the “Narodny” they ride on carousels, the Ferris wheel, relax in a cafe, restaurant. From the high Ferris wheel (60 m) a beautiful picture of the city opens up. And in the “Green” roller-skating, cycling, running and walking. This part of the park is very loved by residents who come here with their families, walk, sit on benches, read. Cleanliness and order reign here, the observance of which is strictly monitored.
Open for visits: from 15 03 to 31 10 every day, 10.00-00.00.
Entrance to the Prater is free.
town hall
The new Vienna City Hall appeared on Schmidt Square in 1883 according to the project of the famous German architect Schmidt. The neo-Gothic façade impresses with its magnificence. The total height of the building is 105 m. The town hall is decorated with a tower (its height is 97.9 m) with the figure of the “Iron Keeper of the Town Hall” holding a flag. The observation deck of the tower will become accessible after overcoming 256 steps. On both sides of the town hall there are 4 towers of smaller height. The appearance of the town hall resembles a luxurious palace due to seven courtyards. The largest of them is the Arcade Yard.
The total area of the town hall is 113.000 m² (length 150 m, width 137 m). It contains 1575 rooms, more than 2 thousand windows. Exhibitions and concerts are held in the main hall of the Town Hall (its length is 71 m, width is 20 m). Now the town hall serves as the seat of the city authorities. Sessions of the Senate and Parliament are held here. Separate rooms of the building are occupied by two libraries. Guided tours of the Town Hall run three days a week. You can get to it by metro (Rathaus stop), by tram to Rathaus Stadiongas.
Church Karlskirche
The Catholic church stands out above the surroundings with a majestic dome located between the columns. The height of the building is 72 m. An elevator leads to the top of the painted dome, there is an observation deck accessible to tourists. The architecture of the unusual church consists of elements from different eras and styles, although it belongs to the baroque style typical of Vienna. The church was built in 1737 in gratitude to the patron of the city Borromeo, who protected him from the plague.
The main entrance of the church is decorated with sculptures of angels, symbolizing the 4 main virtues (Mercy, Faith, Humility, Repentance). On the pediment of the church there are images of citizens suffering during a terrible plague. Inside there are many frescoes, rich decorations, stucco figures, the main altar, and luxurious painting of the dome. The church has a museum (there are only 20 exhibits) dedicated to Charles Borromeo. Karlskirche is located at Kreuzherrengasse 1, 1040 Wien.
Church Votivkirche
In the building you can hear the extraordinary sound of the organ (Great Organ), created in 1878. The acoustics of the church hall (with very high ceilings) helps to create unusual music. Concerts and competitions of organ music performers are often held here. You can listen to the organ during Mass. Getting into the church is not easy. Excursions to it are held once a month (last Saturday) for a group of 25 people. The “Vow Church” (as the name of the building is translated) was erected in honor of the salvation of Emperor Joseph I from injury (neo-Gothic architectural style).
April 24, 1879 is considered to be the birthday of the church (the ceremony of the “marriage for the silver wedding” of the imperial couple was held). Inside there are beautiful stained-glass windows created by paintings from biblical scenes, the main altar, chapels, and a museum. It houses the Antwerp Altarpiece, an example of Flemish woodcarving. You can get into the museum by appointment. You can see a beautiful, functioning, Catholic church during the service. The church is located on Maria Theresa Street (you can get there by metro to Schottentor station).
St. Peter's Church
In one of the ancient Catholic churches of Vienna, which has acquired a modern look since
1137, services and ceremonies are now being held. The beauty of the building (Baroque style) is admired by tourists. The most beautiful church in the city appeared on the site of a medieval Gothic building at the initiative of the emperor. It is dedicated to the Trinity, which is reflected in the numerous elements associated with the main sacrament of the Catholic faith, made with extraordinary sophistication and luxury.
Sculptures of angels, saints, frescoes, gilded stucco, side altars, organ are imbued with an atmosphere of antiquity, unusual grandeur. Particular attention is drawn to the painted dome (outside the dome has an emerald color), a glass coffin with the relics of St. Benedict, the main altar depicting the process of healing by the apostles. The church is located in the central part of the city. You can get here by metro line U1 to Stephansplatz station.
Mozart House Museum
You can plunge into the world of Mozart, feel the inner wealth of a brilliant personality who filled the house with an unusual atmosphere, in the Mozart Museum. The Museum was opened in honor of the 150th anniversary of the composer's death. It received its modern look after restoration in 2006 (in connection with the 250th anniversary). The museum building was expanded to six floors. On the second floor is Mozart's apartment restored to its original form. In it, he lived with his wife from 1784 to 1787, created the famous work “The Marriage of Figaro”, and many other masterpieces.
By the way, tours of the Museum are accompanied by the melodies of this opera. Of the numerous apartments and houses where Mozart lived in Vienna, only this house has survived. The Museum stores documents, artifacts related to the life and work of Mozart. Modern interactive equipment has been installed, allowing you to hear many of the composer's works and watch videos of his concerts. In the underground floor there is a meeting room, conferences. The museum is located on Domgasse street 5.
Albertina Gallery
In the historic center of the city, behind the walls of an extraordinary palace (of the Habsburg dynasty, and then Duke Alberto), there is a famous museum that stores one of the largest collections of paintings in the world. Here are works of art from the Gothic era to the present (the Museum's fund includes over 900 thousand works of graphics, 50 thousand watercolors, drawings). The initial basis for the formation of the fund was a private collection of works of art collected by Alberto. After restoration work in 2003, the riches of the gallery became available to visitors.
Every day throughout the year they can enjoy paintings by Leonardo da Vinci, Rubens, Raphael Santi, Dürer, Picasso, contemporary artists, and interesting photo exhibitions. The building with ancient, luxurious halls of the gallery houses a library with a large number of interesting publications. Souvenir shop, restaurant, jewelry shop. The view of a huge 64-meter titanium slab, standing at the entrance to the gallery, completes the impression for visitors.
Sigmund Freud Museum
Here you can understand the way of thinking, at least for a moment plunge into the atmosphere of the psychoanalytic session of the great scientist, who managed to penetrate into the secret corners of the human psyche. Despite the fact that the main artifacts of his work are in London (Freud himself took them with him during his flight from the Nazis), the Museum contains many things that belonged to Freud. The library containing the largest number of books on psychoanalysis (about 38,000 volumes) among libraries in Europe. Figurines of ancient gods, keeping the wisdom of ancient times. They took part in sessions, scientific experiments, helped to solve problems associated with the treatment of the psyche of patients.
In the House of the Founder of Psychoanalysis, you can see living rooms (the family lived here for 47 years), offices, a psychiatrist's waiting room, personal belongings, work tools. All artifacts, furniture were used during the life of the doctor. There is a beautiful 5-storey building in the center on Berggasse street, 19. You can get here simply by metro (U2 Schottentor, U4 Roßauer Lande stations), bus number 40A, stop. Berggasse, tram number 37, 38, 42, stop. Schlickgasse.
Leopold Museum
The whimsical layout, the original shape of the building, whose windows offer stunning views of Maria Theresa Square, the Hofburg, keeps treasures of works of art in its halls. Outside, the building is lined with white shell rock. The interiors have an extravagant interior with oak parquet floors and numerous brass fittings. They house a collection of paintings by Egon Schiele (a representative of the direction of expressionism in Austria), Gustav Klimt (modernist), exhibits of famous masters of Vienna (from Hoffmann to Moser). The basis for the creation of the museum's collection was a private collection of paintings by the family of Rudolf Leopold (an ophthalmologist).
It included the works of Egon Shilo, who lived only 28 years and created the richest legacy of works (he can be seen in the halls of the Museum). Along with the permanent exhibition, the Museum often hosts special exhibitions. It houses the Leopold Cafe and the Leopold Museum Shop. The building is located in the Museum Quarter. You can get here by metro U2, st. Museumsquartier, U3, Volkstheater, tram 1, 2, D, stop Karl-Renner-Ring.
Danube tower
You can look at the old city, the Vienna Woods, the beautiful Danube from the observation deck of the tallest building in Vienna – the Danube Tower. The architectural structure, which became the symbol of the city, was built in 1964. Together with the Danube Park (Donaupark), the tower represents a harmonious ensemble created before the 1964 International Horticultural Exhibition. The height of the tower is 252 m. The observation deck is located at a level of 150 m. Two high-speed elevators are used to get to it (in 35 seconds). A device for lovers of extreme high-altitude jumps (bungee) is also equipped here.
At an altitude of 165 m there are revolving restaurants “Danube Waltz and Panorama”. The speed of rotation of the platform is equipped with several modes of passing one revolution (for 26, 39, 52 minutes). The Danube Tower is located at Donauturmstrasse 4 between metro stations. Kaisermuhlen-VIC – UN campus and Alte Donau on the U4 branch. Neue Donau on U1 and (Kaisermuhlen-VIC – UN campus).
Ringstrasse street
The most beautiful boulevard in the world is the living history of the city, reflected in the extraordinary buildings that appeared at different times. The circular ring in an original way (for the period of 1865) connected all the buildings of the city center. The richest people built palaces on it, laid out parks (in the style of eclecticism). The length of the street is 5.3 km. It is considered an important transport artery of the city, a meeting place, a promenade, a trade zone.
The most important buildings of the country are located along the street. These are: the building of the Vienna Opera, the Hofburg, the Town Hall, the Kunsthistorisches Museum, the Parliament, the University, the Burgtheater. The appearance of the street was formed on the basis of the ideas of talented architects (Hansen, Hasenauer, Ferstel, Schmidt). The active life of the city is still connected with this place. On the street are festive demonstrations, solemn events of the city.
Cafe Sacher
Next to the Albertina Gallery is the most famous and beloved cafe in the city. Here you can drink coffee (more than 30 varieties are served), try the national strudel, Sacher-Torte. The tricky cake recipe has been a secret for over 150 years. A chocolate biscuit with cream, apricot jam, an original chocolate medal on top cannot be repeated in any other institution. In summer, it is pleasant to try it on the open terrace, admiring the beauty of the opera house, as if listening to the magical music of Old Vienna.
Popular varieties of coffee Kleiner Brauner, Melange, Grosser, Schwarzer. The cafe is open daily from 8:00 am to 24:00 pm. Cafe address Philharmonikerstrasse 4, Wien A-1010. You can easily get by metro U1 to the station. Karlsplatz.
Schönbrunn Zoo
One of the best zoos in the world first invited guests back in 1752 (a menagerie has existed here since 1570). Since then, he has not stopped his activities. Several times he got the title of the best zoo in Europe. In 1906, a baby African elephant was born here (for the first time in world practice), and in 2007 a panda baby appeared (now there are several of them). A feature of the zoo are enclosures that provide conditions close to natural. This is done for 700 species of animals (giraffes, crocodiles, Siberian tigers, koalas, rhinos, polar bears).
Various pavilions are equipped on the territory of the menagerie: tropical, orangutan, giraffe park, Franz Josef Land pavilion, departments for East African animals, Arctic wolves, various birds, and many others. Of particular interest is the procedure for feeding animals, which can be seen. When visiting the zoo, all the little things are thought out. There are recreation areas. You can get to the zoo (it is considered part of a UNESCO heritage site) by metro U4 st. Hietzing, tram 10, 58, 60, bus 13A, 52A.
Botanical Garden of the University of Vienna
The modern garden appeared at the request of Empress Maria Theresa to create a zone for growing medicinal plants. Now, on an area of about 8 hectares, 22.5 thousand plants brought from different countries grow beautifully. The garden has long been a treasure trove of unique flora. It resembles a well-groomed park with trees of rare species (among them there are unusual representatives of the Chinese flora), unusual colors. Near each plant there is a plate with the name in two languages (in Latin and the language of the plant's homeland). There are many benches for rest in the garden, cleanliness, order.
All plantings are of interest, but constant surprise accompanies a visit to a plantation of cacti, orchids, Australian plants developing in the open air. In modern greenhouses there is a collection of tropical, subtropical plants. Well-known scientists work in the garden, conferences are held. The collection serves not only for viewing by tourists, but also as an important educational base for chemists, physicians, and pharmacists. As a memento of visiting the garden, guests can buy a small pot with a plant. Garden address: Rennweg 14, 1030 Wien. You need to go by tram 71 stop. Rennweg Bahnhst.
Military History Museum
The idea of creating a museum (a symbol of power, the might of Austria) belongs to Emperor Franz Joseph. It was realized according to the ideas of the architect Hansen on the territory of the Arsenal in 1869. In the five main parts of the building, weapons from different times, clothes, and other artifacts are presented, confirming the military history of Austria, the glory of its valiant commanders. Military vehicles, bronze cannons, documents, secret maps, banners, coins, and other attributes of a military theme are included in the museum's exhibitions. Few museums in the world can boast such a rich variety.
Here are historical artifacts of the history of Austrian wars from the period of the Thirty Years to the First World War. There is an interesting marine hall with a unique collection of models of the emperor's fleet. The General's Hall houses a life-size statue of famous heroes of the empire. The Hall of Fame is decorated with interesting frescoes. Separately exhibited a collection of trophies brought from the Turkish wars. An exposition dedicated to France (Napoleonic Wars) was organized. In it you can see a real balloon captured by the Habsburgs in 1796. The museum is open every day except Friday. You have to take the tram, stop. Heinrich Drimmelplatz.