Best known for its giant Ferris wheel and amusement park, the Prater, a long stretch of woods and meadows between the Danube and its tributaries, originally served as the imperial hunting grounds. The park was opened to the public in 1766, and its giant Ferris wheel at a height of 67 meters and weighing 430 tons, was erected in 1896. The construction was used as a watchtower during World War I and was badly damaged in World War II. The Ferris wheel was immortalized in Orson Welles' The Third Man. Nowadays, the funfair is full of high-tech rides ranging from bumper cars to ghost trains, although some of the quainter elements still remain. To escape the noisy part of the Prater, walk along the quiet Hauptallee through the rolling meadows until you reach Lusthaus, a restaurant serving authentic Austrian dishes.
Contact Information: Prater 9, Wiener Praterverband, 1020 Vienna, Austria +43 1 728 0516
The "Steffl" is arguably one of the world s most enchanting Gothic cathedrals. A 12th-century construction at heart, it was renovated in Gothic style between 1304-1433. Its Northern Tower, standing at a height of 70m, was redesigned according to Renaissance aesthetics in 1579 and the interior was given a baroque slant following the Counter Reformation. St. Stephen's Cathedral's famed bell, the "Pummerin," weighing no less than 21 tons, suffered considerable fire damage in World War II. It has since been repaired and is now used to mark special occasions, such as to ring in the new year. It also houses remains of 11,000 people in the catacombs, which can be seen by the visitors.
Dr. Sigmund Freud is well known as a forefather of psychoanalysis and is regarded as perhaps the most famous Jewish Viennese citizen ever. His office and private rooms are now a museum, which contain original furniture, documents, letters and photographs, some of his personal belongings and even some pieces from Freud's collection of antiques. Freud lived and worked in this house from 1891 to 1938, before he was forced to leave Austria because of the Nazi regime. Contemporary international artists such as Jenny Holzer, Ilya Kabakov, and Joseph Kosuth have been invited to dedicate their work to Sigmund Freud.
The huge Hofburg (Court Palace) is the most important secular building in Vienna, once the center of the powerful Habsburg Empire. The old Hofburg, with its many different sections and courtyards, was built (and renovated many times) between the 13th and the early 19th Centuries. The Neue Burg (New Palace) was developed in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, despite the dwindling power of the Habsburg Empire. Today, the Hofburg is home to various museums (Völkerkundemuseum, Schatzkammer, Nationalbibliothek, Albertina, Theatermuseum, Prunksaal, Lippizanermuseum, Spanische Hofreitschule and Kaiserappartments) and the library, as well as the offices of the Austrian President. At the Chapel, choir of the Vienna State Opera performs mass. The Imperial Treasury houses the Emperor s Crown of the Holy Roman Empire and the Austrian Emperor s Crown. The furniture and the other collections truly spell class and luxury. In January, the glamorous Wiener Ärzteball takes place here.
Contact Information: Michaelerplatz, 1010 Vienna, Austria +43 1 533 7570
Located near Hofburg palace in Burggarten park, the wonderful art-nouveau Palm House (erected in 1901) is home to one of the world's most fabulous collections of butterflies. The Butterfly House, heated to a temperature of 26 Celcius and 80 per cent humidity, contains hundreds of different species, all flying about freely. Some creatures have a wingspan of 30cm, almost all boast wonderful patterns and vivid colors. After exploring the Butterfly House, visitors should take a break in the lovely café in the same building.
Visitors are invited to partake in the many performances given by students at the Spanish Riding School. The horses and their riders are put through two years of aggresive equestrian training and the performances are the spoils of their hard work. The horses are available for adoption (annual donations) and tours are offered as well.
Schönbrunn Palace in its present form is one of Vienna's most popular tourist attractions, hosting thousands of visitors a week. This rococo Palace was finished in 1700 under Leopold I, and is a much diminished version of an incredible Imperial project first planned by Johann Fischer von Erlach. The Palace was renovated and extended under Maria Theresia, and at that time had 2,000 rooms, a chapel plus its own theatre. Like all the imperial buildings associated with Maria Theresia, the Schönbrunn complex is today painted in rich yellow. Napoleon lived here from 1805 to 1809 and Emperor Francis Joseph I, who was born here in 1830, spent the last years of his life in the palace. Usually the complex only served as a summer residence to the Habsburgs. Take at least one day for this trip through the palace and the vast surroundings.
Located in a grandiose edifice built in the 19th Century, the Kunsthistorisches Museum is in itself a work of art with its beautiful facade, awe-inspiring interiors and artistically decorated ceilings. Once you enter this magnificent museum that is decorated with stucco ornamentations and marble, you will get to see striking historical paintings and portraits that have been preserved in this museum. Besides a vast collection of artwork by revered European artists, the museum also holds a collection of Egyptian artwork and Greek and Roman antiquities and sculptures. Check the website to know more.
Contact Information: Maria Theresien-Platz, 1010 Vienna, Austria +43 1 525 24 4025
Vienna is the capital and largest city of Austria, and its historic city center is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The capital of the Holy Roman Empire during the Middle Ages and the Autro-Hungarian Empire until World War I, and home of Mozart, Freud and Egon Schiele, Vienna is rich in cultural landmarks and history. Stroll and shop the cobbled streets of the Old Town city center, which is ringed by the “Belt” road, visit the city’s many excellent museums and palaces, and include a trip to Schönbrunn Castle, the city’s most visited tourist attraction.
Whether you fancy Viennese pastries or not, you’ll be transported back in time while tasting the famous Sachertorte in the elegant Cafe Sacher, where the dessert was first created. Coffee house culture originated in Vienna too, and many of the classic Kaffeehaussen have yet to be replaced by Starbucks.
This coffeehouse and restaurant is situated in a beautifully refurbished, huge greenhouse right behind the Hofburg. The location is the perfect place to sit under palms and relax after visiting the various museums, which are just around the corner (Natural History Museum, Kunsthistorisches Museum). Excellent contemporary Viennese cuisine is offered for dinner here; or just coffee and a tasty classic Viennese pastry will fuel you up for more museum viewing.
This restaurant was a success right from the start. Design and cooking fit together well here: both are inventive and modern. High rooms, large windows, stylish furniture and paintings show that a professional was at work here. Comfortable sofas create a living-room atmosphere, ideal for a cozy chat. The service is attentive and friendly. The menu offers unusual dishes and ingredients: it's a good opportunity to try chestnut-lentil soup or creations with rosemary or ginger at reasonable prices. Daily specials and a set lunch are available. Drinks include fine Austrian and French wines, spirits and cocktails.
A favorite meeting place for students of the nearby Vienna University, and for other young people and the young at heart, this restaurant and pub is perfect for those who do not want to spend too much money. At Einstein's you will find plenty of hip people to talk to, cool beer and a great selection of good food in generous portions. Good, filling Viennese and international cuisine (a huge variety of noodles, salads, Schnitzel and sandwiches) is available. Try the boiled beef with roast potatoes and horseradish-apple stew or the Exotic Noodle Pan (poultry, red and green peppers, fruits and noodles in curry sauce).
Head to Grinzing, the largest part of Dobling district that also accommodates the tallest hill of Vienna - Hermannskogel. And after you are done with all the sight-seeing, get a taste of the culture especially the wine, and what better place than Hengl-Haselbrunner! This eatery serves up some delectable food and wine. It uses local ingredients in the preparations. The prosciutto-flecked baked noodles is a reliable option, best washed down with some Riesling.
Siebensternbräu is a spacious Bierkeller in the middle of the 7th district that brews its own beer and behind whose facade, you would never expect to find this wonderfully shady courtyard garden. In summer, the garden is very popular— it is advisable to book in advance. This is a good spot in which to relax with a beer or a Gespritzter (white wine spritzer) and taste hearty Viennese fare or one of their excellent black breads with various delicious spreads.
Established in 1916, this huge food market always draws enormous crowds and has a lively atmosphere. Built on a long esplanade over the river, it is a wonderful place to stroll, look, and buy an interesting array of international food. As you approach Karsplatz, the market's most exclusive goods are on offer. Prime quality meats, fish, and produce stalls line the area where the city's well heeled splash out on expensive foodstuffs. Mixed in with these gourmet ingredients are many juice bars and the city's most famous sauerkraut stall. Moving down through the market, the scene changes to Chinese and Indian cuisine supplies. This section's icon is Zur Eisernen Zeit, an eccentric pagoda style bar with equally remarkable clientele. Schleifmuhlgasse crosses the market here and stalls begin to ask more modest prices for their produce.
Contact Information: Linke and Rechte Wienzeile, Kettenbrücke, Wien, Austria +43 1 21 1140 / +43 1 2 4555 (Tourism Board)
