Vienna
Visited in April 2014
At a glance
- Country
- Austria
- Region
- Austria
- Population
- 2 million
- Best time to go
- April to June, September to October
- Main airport
- Vienna International (VIE)
- Coordinates
- 48.21°N, 16.37°E
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Overview
Vienna wears its imperial past with ease: palaces, grand boulevards and the Ringstrasse wrapped around a compact old centre. It was home to Mozart, Beethoven, Klimt and Freud, and music and art are still part of daily life.
It is also a city of small pleasures. Long afternoons in a coffee house with cake and a newspaper, and evenings at a wine tavern on the edge of the vineyards.
Things to see
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Photo: C.Stadler/Bwag, CC BY-SA 4.0 Schönbrunn Palace
The Habsburgs' summer palace, with grand state rooms and formal gardens climbing to the Gloriette.
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Photo: C.Stadler/Bwag, CC BY-SA 4.0 St Stephen's Cathedral
The Gothic heart of the city, with a tiled roof; climb the south tower for the view.
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Photo: C.Stadler/Bwag, CC BY-SA 3.0 at Hofburg
The sprawling imperial palace in the centre, home to the Sisi Museum and the Spanish Riding School.
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Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0 Belvedere
Two baroque palaces facing each other across a garden, home to Klimt's The Kiss.
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Photo: Hubertl, CC BY-SA 4.0 Kunsthistorisches Museum
One of the world's great art museums, with the largest collection of Bruegel paintings anywhere.
Tickets and tours
Things to do
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Photo: Theo Zasche, Public domain Coffee house culture
Order a Melange and Sachertorte and linger as long as you like; nobody will hurry you.
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Photo: Wiener Staatsoper GmbH, CC BY-SA 4.0 Night at the State Opera
Standing places are sold on the day, a famous way to see world-class opera on a budget.
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Photo: Rudolf Alfred Höger, Public domain Wine at a Heuriger
Simple wine taverns in Grinzing and the outer districts serve the new vintage among the vineyards.
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Photo: Thomas Ledl, CC BY-SA 4.0 Ride the Riesenrad
The historic Ferris wheel in the Prater amusement park, with slow views over the city.
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Where to stay
Innere Stadt
The historic first district, ideal for a first visit with everything on foot.
Hotels in Innere StadtNeubau
Creative and lively, near the MuseumsQuartier with independent shops and bars.
Hotels in NeubauLeopoldstadt
Across the canal, close to the Prater and with a more local feel.
Hotels in LeopoldstadtWieden
Central but calmer, near the Naschmarkt and Belvedere.
Hotels in Wieden
Getting around
The U-Bahn, trams and buses are excellent and run on one ticket. The centre is easy to walk.
The S-Bahn reaches the centre in about 25 minutes, or the City Airport Train takes around 16 minutes.
When to go
Spring and autumn are pleasant for walking. Summer is warm with outdoor festivals, and December brings Christmas markets in every square.
Plan your trip to Vienna
- HotelsBooking.com
- Tours and ticketsGetYourGuide
- FlightsKiwi.com
- Attraction ticketsTiqets
- Airport parking, lounges and transfersHoliday Extras
- Car hireAuto Europe
- Mobile data (eSIM)AiraloCode DAN9406 for money off
- GuidebooksAmazon
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Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.