An urban adventure in Vienna puts travelers in one of the cultural meccas of Europe where Schonbrunn Palace saw Mozart give his first performance; St. Stephen’s Cathedral welcomed monarchs, and the Konzerthaus concert hall is ushering in a new era of classical music. Not only known for its old-world charm, today’s Vienna sports a vibrant style with a hip art scene, modernist architecture, cutting-edge shops, and innovative restaurants.
Explore
Vienna’s main highlights are divided into five districts. The first is the place to discover the classic historic landmarks, the second is the place to shop and eat; the third is known for its stately streets, and the fourth and fifth are where cafes and quaint restaurants still fly under the radar from tourists.
Hofburg Palace is one of two residences of the Hofburg royalty in Vienna. The complex has a vast array of apartments, museums, the national library, and is currently home to the current president of Austria. Visiting on tours takes you through the lavish lifestyle and royal history of the former seat of power for central Europe.
Built, rebuilt, and added onto in the different styles of the ages for 700 years, the
St. Stephen’s Cathedral is one of Austria’s most cherished landmarks. Four towers rise above the intricately tiled roof of the building housing a collection of religious artifacts that date back through the centuries. The towers are the highest of any religious building in the world and those who climb the three hundred stairs to their top are rewarded with a stunning view over the capital and the river below.
Starting in the 17th century, Schoenbrunn Palace was the summer home for royalty until the downfall of the Habsburg monarchy in November 1918. Today, tours take visitors through banquet halls, ballrooms, royal apartments, and wings of the massive 1441 room complex and include the lavish gardens that include a riding school.
Opened in 1913, the Konzerthaus Concert Hall is considered one of the premier venues in Vienna. The hall is home to the Vienna Symphony Orchestra and hosts over 750 concerts a year with their focus on, but not limited to, classical music.
Danube River cruises offer backstage tours and excursions to performances depending on the season.
Active Adventures
A popular hike in Vienna is to hike up the Leopoldsberg hill on the edge of the city. The summit sits at just under 1400 ft. and the views from the top span the city and reach the edge of the Alps and onwards to Bratislava.
For an adventure on two wheels, join a guided bike tour that skirts the banks of the Danube River to Klosterneuburg Monastery. The trail leads out of Vienna to the 900-year-old structure where a museum, the main church, the wine cellar, and the Imperial apartments of Emperor Charles VI are some of the areas that can be explored.
Eat, Shop, Relax
- Second District- Leopoldstadt
Leopoldstadt is the spot in Vienna that has been transformed after being destroyed in WWII into a hip neighborhood where gourmet restaurants sit next to outdoor cafes and ice cream shops. For shoppers, graffiti-clad buildings lead the way to fashion boutiques and shops selling artisan chocolate, honey, and gourmet mustard.
The fourth and fifth districts of Vienna bring a different side of Vienna to light where a variety of shops and indie cafes mixes with a 400-year-old market serving international and traditional food alongside tea stalls and Mediterranean and Middle Eastern fare.
A Heuriger is one of the local’s favorites to visit on a sunny day-the word is roughly translated to wind farm. On the outskirts of the city, but still within the boundaries are wineries that welcome guests to come and sample their wares amid the grapevines. Cold meat and Vienna’s best wines are served on picnic tables amid friends.
For more information about Danube River cruises that take you into the heart of the capital,
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