Discover &
experience Vienna
As the former residence of emperors, Vienna has much to offer: from St. Stephen's Cathedral to baroque palaces and the Ringstraße, a broad boulevard alongside which many sights can be comfortably reached on foot.
A blend of old and new, traditional and modern, gives this city its very special flair.
Belvedere
Visit Gustav Klimt's legendary painting "The Kiss" and important works by Schiele and Kokoschka. Marvel at the magnificence of the baroque palace itself as well as its broad gardens.
Hofburg
Until 1918, the Hofburg was the center of the giant realm of the Habsburg emperors. Originally conceived as an "imperial forum", the broad grounds are magnificently designed - from the "Alte Burg" dating back to the 13th century to the youngest section of the palace from around 1900. Awaiting you today are more than two dozen collections of world renown.
In the chapel, located in the oldest part of the Hofburg, the Hofmusikkapelle performs works by the old and new masters. Every Sunday, you can even attend a performance with the Vienna Boys' Choir.
Imperial Apartments
You can visit rooms once occupied by officers of the imperial staff, the big audience hall and the conference rooms, where ministers and court counselors used to meet. But also open to the public are the study of Emperor Franz Joseph, the living and bedrooms of his wife, Elisabeth, as well as numerous salons and bathrooms dating back to the palace's glory days.
Silver Collection
The exhibited Habsburg dinner services and cutlery, the table centerpieces and glasses shine just as much today as they did back then. They truly reflect the magnificence of the imperial banquet lifestyle.
Sissi Museum
The Sissi Museum in the imperial apartments of the Hofburg presents myth and reality of this fascinating woman. Highlights include numerous personal items of Elisabeth, as well as the most famous portraits of this beautiful empress.
Spanish Riding School
The Spanish Riding School in Vienna is the only institution in the world, where the classic equestrian skills of the Renaissance have been preserved, unchanged, to this very day.
Vienna Imperial Treasury
In the oldest part of the Hofburg, you will not only find the imperial crown of the Holy Roman Empire and the Austrian imperial crown, but also the treasure of the Burgundians from the 15th century and the treasure of the Order of the Golden Fleece.
Imperial Crypt
The Imperial Crypt is the biggest and most important of its kind. It is located below the Kapuzinerkirche. It is the last resting place for members of the Habsburg imperial family. Amongst others, you will find here the ornate sarcophaguses of Maria Theresia, Emperor Francis I, as well as those of "Sissi" and Crown Prince Rudolf.
Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel
A ride on Vienna's giant Ferris wheel, an emblem of Vienna visible from far afield, is one of those musts of any Vienna visit, as much as a visit to St. Stephen's, Schönbrunn and the Lipizzaner horses.
Ringstraße
5.3 km in length, the Vienna Ringstraße is long enough to have plenty of space for numerous monumental buildings, which were built during the "Historicism" period from the 1860's to 1890's. Buildings such as the State Opera, the Art-History Museum, the town hall, parliament, as well as the Burgtheater and many more, are among the most important sights in all of Vienna.
Schönbrunn Palace
This baroque palace draws visitors with its magical grounds, the Palm House, Gloriette and the world's oldest still-existing zoo. A day spent at Schönbrunn has so much to offer: Visit the magnificent rooms as you take a "Grand Tour with Audio Guide", take a look into the splendid ceremonial rooms and salons filled with valuable decor, and be sure to take a stroll through the maze.
Imperial Coach Collection
From the carriage to the automobile, from a child barouche of a princess to the hearse of an emperor. The gilded coaches of state, in particular, demonstrate the splendor of bygone days.
St. Stephen's Cathedral
St. Stephen's Cathedral, very much an emblem of Vienna and Austria's most important Gothic building, is home to a whole array of art treasures, some of which can only be seen as part of a guided tour.
Augustinerkirche
St. Augustin's served as a church to the imperial court, hosting numerous weddings for members of the imperial household. It was here, on Josefsplatz square, that Empress Maria Theresia married Franz Stefan von Lothringen, Emperor Franz Joseph married Elisabeth, and French Emperor Napoleon his Marie Louise. This house of worship is also home to the so-called "Heart Crypt", where the hearts of 54 Habsburgs are kept in silver urns.
Karlskirche
The most beautiful and most interesting baroque church north of the Alps, treating visitors to impressions that are quite amazing. You can ride the panorama lift up into the dome itself and view the world-famous frescoes by Michael Rottmeyr from up-close.
Otto Wagner Church (Church on the Steinhof)
The church St. Leopold am Steinhof was built between 1904 and 1907, an architectural masterpiece of Otto Wagner and the first modernist church to be built in Europe. Wagner also designed most of the interior, from the lighting features to the pews and altars.
Central Cemetery
Vienna's most important cemetery is the last resting place for people of all religions. We also find there memorial graves to the likes of Johann Strauss (father & son), Gluck, Beethoven, Schubert and many more. The park grounds, with truly impressive flora and fauna, represent a place of relaxation and reflection.
