How to get there: 12 minutes on foot from Hotel Appartements Riemergasse, or ride trams Nos. 1 or 2 and get off at the Burgring stop (12 minutes).

Back in the 13th century, the Vienna Hofburg was only a simple castle, but one which underwent constant expansion and remodeling in the centuries to follow. For over 600 years, the Hofburg was the main Vienna residence and centre of Habsburg rule. Today, the Hofburg is a symmetrical structure, one which is some 240,000 m² in area. In its entirety the building consists of 18 wings, 19 courtyards and 2,600 rooms.

The oldest part of the building is referred to as the Alte Burg or "Old Castle" and was known from the 19th century on as the Swiss Wing, since it was the Swiss Guard who guarded the gates to the palace. Due to ongoing expansion of the Vienna Hofburg, it became necessary to remove the towers, along with portions of the castle moat and the drawbridge.
One of the few Renaissance monuments in Vienna is the Schweizertor, or "Swiss Gate", which was designed by Pietro Ferabosco in 1552. Located in the Swiss Wing is the Treasure Room, where the treasures of the Holy Roman Empire and  the Austrian monarchy are stored. In the palace chapel, which dates from 1449, the Vienna Boys Choir sings at Sunday mass. In 1559, the Stallburg was added as a new residence, serving as stables for the famous Lipizzaner horses from the 18th century on.

Since 1946, the official residence of the Austrian President has been housed in the magnificent  chambers which date from Maria Theresia's days. The wine cellars of the Habsburgs were located three floors underground.
The National Library was built from 1723-1735 to hold the valuable book collections of the Habsburgs. The library's "Prunksaal" with its astonishing Baroque interior is fairly reckoned amongst the world's most beautiful reading rooms.

To this day, visitors can enjoy performances by the Spanish Riding School presented in the Winter Riding School.