For 600 years, Vienna was the capital of the Hapsburg Dynasty, that ruled a large part of Europe. The pomp and splendour of that time has been preserved.
Most of Vienna’s sights are situated within the Ringstrasse, a wide ring road of about 4 kilometres, that encircles the centre of the city. The Hofburg, the imperial palace of the Hapsburgs, is worth a visit. Schönbrunn Palace, the magnificent St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the Votive Church are undeniably architectural gems. We also advise you to take a walk round the Ring. You will be amazed by magnificent mansions, the State Opera and the large number of museums.
Outside the centre of Vienna, there is also the magnificent Belvedère Palace and the famous Prater Park, an amusement park with the well-known Vienna Ferris Wheel, which is one of the biggest Ferris wheels in Europe. To take a break from all that sightseeing, you can relax in a typical wine cellar or traditional coffee house.
Innere stadt
Introduction
The historic and geographic centre of
Vienna, the First District boasts flagship
stores, gourmet restaurants and cafés.
Hotels
Opulence and tradition
are foremost at the five-star Hotel
Sacher Wien (4 Philharmonikerstrasse,
tel. (0)1 514560, sacher.com, rooms from
€355), where every guest can feel like
royalty. Be sure to indulge in the café’s
trademark sachertorte (chocolate cake).
Restaurants
The peaceful terrace at
Hollmann Salon (3 Grashofgasse, tel.
(0)196 119 6040) is perfect for fine
dining in the summer. The daily-changing
menu offers modern European dishes
bursting with fresh, seasonal flavours.
Shops
Those with high
standards and deep pockets should head
to Kohlmarkt street, where the flagship
stores of the world’s most elegant brands
include Chanel (5), Cartier (1), Gucci (8)
and Burberry (2).
7th district
Introduction
Home to the vast MuseumsQuartier,
the Seventh District is undoubtedly
Vienna’s top spot for culture. But if
museum hopping isn’t your thing, you can head to nearby Mariahilferstrasse
– the city’s main drag for shopping.
Hotels
Full of gorgeous details
and special touches, the Hotel Altstadt
(41 Kirchengasse, tel. (0)1 522 6666,
altstadt.at, rooms from €119) is elegant
and modern, but not over-designed.
Cultural
The Leopold
Museum (1 Museumsplatz) is the most
popular attraction in MuseumsQuartier.
Inside this stark cube you’ll find the
world’s biggest collection of works by
Egon Schiele, as well as other modern
Austrian artists such as Gustav Klimt.
Restaurants
Take a break from schnitzels
at Die Burgermacher (12 Burggasse,
tel. (0)699 1158 9599), serving juicy
organic burgers and thick-cut fries.
Pubs
Both a café and furniture
showroom, Das Möbel (10 Burggasse)
will sell you the designer chair that you’re
sitting on, though a cappuccino and
a slice of quiche is decidedly cheaper.
Shops
For a funky
alternative from Mariahilferstrasse,
try the quartier21 (1 Museumsplatz)
cultural centre, home to forward-thinking
studios, publications, galleries and
fashion boutiques. Gamers should check
out Subotron (address as above), a shop
and museum that presents vintage
videogame consoles and gadgets.
4th district
Introduction
Popular with students and artists, the
Fourth is home to much of the city’s
alternative culture. This could have
something to do with its proximity to
the sprawling Naschmarkt, with its
fabulous fashions and food.
Cultural
The Generali
Foundation (15 Wiedner Hauptstrasse)
is a gallery specialising in mind-bending
conceptual and performance art from
the 1960s to the present day.
Restaurants
Bookshop, open kitchen
and foodie paradise, Babette’s (17
Schleifmühlgasse, tel. (0)1 585 5165)
is a friendly joint for a home-style lunch.
Pubs
Schikaneder (24
Margaretenstrasse) has a laid-back vibe
and bonus indie cinema space next door.
A real local’s haunt, where the intellectual
banter flows as freely as the cheap beer.
Night Clubs
Open since
the 1960s, Roxy (24 Operngasse) has
managed to keep its cool and is the top
destination for urban sounds in Vienna.
Shops
Attracting
trendsetters from far and wide, Flo
Vintage (15a Schleifmühlgasse) is
the best spot in Vienna to pick up
unique threads in mint condition.
Population
Currency
Telephone
Vienna International Airport
Bus: A bus will take you to the city centre in 20 minutes, leaving every 30 minutes, with a return fare of €11.
Train: The City Airport Train (CAT) takes 16 minutes to reach the centre and leaves every 30 minutes. Return tickets cost €16. The regular municipal railway SBahn goes every 30 minutes and takes 24 minutes to reach the city centre. Single tickets cost €3.
Taxi: A trip to the city from the airport costs a standard fee of €31.
Tourist information: Vienna Tourist Office is at 38 Untere Augartenstraße and 1 Albertinaplatz (tel. (0)1 24555, www.wien.info).