Exploring Vienna: 10 Best Things to Do

Vienna, Austria’s capital, is full of incredible history and cultured architectural beauty. The imperial town retains the spirit of imperial heritage and the artsy scene that attends to the taste of modern visitors. So, here’s the ten best things that you must do when you visit Vienna:

1. Visit Schönbrunn Palace

Today Schönbrunn Palace is one of the major cultural sights in Austria and is included in the UNESCO list. Originally it had been Villa Habsburg which was the summer house of Habsburgs, it has more than 1,441 rooms and a lovely garden. So you can tour the magnificent staterooms rich in the history of the Habsburgs, and take a walk in the gardens while the Gloriette is a scenic viewing over the beautiful city of Vienna.

Tip: Spend at least half your day seeing everything about the palace and the gardens.

2. Visit Kunsthistorisches Museum

Kunsthistorisches Museum or Art History Museum is only one of the most remarkable art museums in the whole world. Their councils existed long before the Renaissance by at least 7,000 years and the pieces that made the exhibit were from Egypt, Greece, and Rome. Among others are masterpieces of the famous painters Vermeer, Rembrandt, and the masterpieces of Titian.

Fact: Here can be found the largest collection of paintings by Bruegel in the whole world.

St. Stephen’s Cathedral

While in the middle of Vienna, St. Stephen’s Cathedral is an architectural marvel that displays Romanesque up to Gothic. It began in 1137 and today stands as a symbol of this beautiful city. To see some panoramic views climb up the 343 steps of South Tower.

Did you know? The cathedral has witnessed so many historical events, including the 1529 Siege of Vienna.

4. Visit the Belvedere Palace

The gorgeous palace complex comprises two Baroque palaces designed with fabulous gardens. It serves as a huge museum of the Austrian artistic heritage: from Gustav Klimt’s famous painting “The Kiss” to works at the Upper Belvedere from the Middle Ages up to contemporary art.

Visitor Insight: The gardens are a hidden oasis from the noise of the city.

5. Wiener Staatsoper

Wiener Staatsoper is one of the most famous theatres for opera performances as well as for its excellent performances and extraordinary construction solutions. Many tourists can make guided tours to look at more of this institution’s history, or even organize a visit to come to watch a performance.

Remark: The opera house performs about 300 performances during one season.

6. Wallking around Museums Quartier

MuseumsQuartier is a place that overflows with culture: museums, cafes, and shops. Among the institutions, it’s worth mentioning are Leopold Museum which modern Austrian art, and the Museum of Modern Art, MUMOK. Just the place for someone looking to enter fully into the spirit of contemporary culture.

Fun Fact: MuseumsQuartier is one of the biggest cultural complexes in the world.

7. Enjoy Prater Park

Prater Park is famous for its big Ferris wheel, the Wiener Riesenrad, which offers spectacular views of Vienna. The park itself is very large and features plenty of cycling and walking routes.

Visitor Tip: Go at sunset, when the light is golden and romantic from the Ferris wheel

8. Discover Viennese Coffee Culture

Vienna’s coffee house culture is an Intangible Cultural Heritage recognized by UNESCO. Traditional coffee houses such as Café Central are in themselves a great place to have your coffee and some pastries amidst all the history. Be sure to try Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel.

Coffee House Historical Significance: The place was long considered to be for mind-lifting discussions on intellectual matters and also the source of inspiration among artists.

9. Albertina Museum

Albertina Museum possesses the biggest print rooms in the world, holding works by Dürer and Monet among others. Besides these collections, the museum also holds collections of modern art, like Picasso, and Schiele.

Fact: This was once the palace of the empires and therefore held great historical importance.

10. Take a Walk Around Ringstrasse

Ringstrasse: The Grand Avenue-Forming Circular Boulevard of Vienna’s Historic Center

This is the grand boulevard that circumscribes Vienna’s historic center and has the most important buildings such as Vienna City Hall, Parliament, and some museums on it. Walking down this avenue lets people appreciate Vienna’s architectural diversity.

FACT:  The Ringstrasse was built in the middle of the 19th century during the implementation of the city expansion plans, the first stage of which was the demolition of the city walls.

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Festivals/Events to Go to in Vienna

1. Vienna Carnival

The Vienna Carnival is a huge fiesta in February, marked with parades, masked balls, and several celebrations all over the city. The event is vibrantly colorful with its costumes and folk music that gives people an insight into local traditions. The carnival comes to a close with a huge parade of locals and tourists.

2. Music Film Festival at City Hall Square

Running from late June to early September, the Music Film Festival transforms City Hall Square into an open-air cinema. With over 30 years of musical highlights ranging from opera to pop and rock, with concomitant culinary delights, admission is free- making it a very accessible way to enjoy music and film under the stars.

3. Kultursommer Wien

Kultursommer Wien takes place from early July to mid-August, featuring about 2,000 artists at venues around Vienna. The festival includes free open-air performances including concerts of many different genres; theater performances; dance shows, and more, and therefore gives the audience a flavor of such a huge variety of cultural expressions.

4. Africa Days Vienna

Africa Days Vienna will take place in mid-August, when the Danube Island will be filled with celebration of African culture through music, art, and food. The events involve several concerts, and performances including various renowned African artists. Therefore, the event keeps in store a lively atmosphere pervaded by cultural exchange.

5. Popfest Wien

Popfest Wien is a music festival with over 50 acts on and around Karlsplatz in late July. It’s all about local talents with free entry. It is an extraordinary opportunity to discover new music together with a lively surrounding.

6. Vienna International Dance Festival

This is the biggest dance event in Europe and is held from mid-July through mid-August. It includes performances from international dance companies and workshops of all skills and levels. This happens to be the most viable method of being associated with the world of dance and being in the presence of innovative performances by leading artists.

7. Vienna International Festival Weeks or Wiener Festwochen

Even the Vienna Festival Weeks is one of the multidisciplinary art festivals and is held from May through June with the participation of theater, music, dance, and visual arts. Such a festival supports innovative works, together with international artists next to local ones. Such a festival is one of the leading cultural events in Vienna: an event for experiments in artistic forms.

8. Genuss Festival

In May, the Genuss Festival supports the Austrian diet with over 200 companies showcasing food and beverages from across Austria in Stadtpark. This food carnival allows the guests to taste regional foods and food and beverages in a seller environment where foods and beverages are sold.

9. Donauinselfest

The Donauinselfest is one of the biggest open-air festivals in Europe. It takes place in late June on the island of the Danube. As many stages where rock/pop and other types of music, it can attract millions of people per year with such a vibrant atmosphere, food stalls, and entertainment.

10. Christmas Markets

Vienna becomes a winter wonderland through its Christmas markets during the holiday season. During the last month of the year, until Christmas Eve, late November markets are available to see handcrafted gifts, festive foodstuffs such as roasted chestnuts, and wine in mulled form at Rathausplatz and other markets for live music performances. These markets would be a good place to get direct experiences of Viennese holiday traditions.

Conclusion

The best thing about the experience of Vienna is the sheer richness, representing both the glorious past and the vibrancy of the present. It has its majestic palaces, legendary coffee culture, or whatever else you may want in this incredible city. If you’re an art lover searching for hours of fascinating history, here are ten attractions you can’t miss when traveling around Vienna.