Top Eight Things To Do In Vienna, Austria

Ah Vienna.. the peaceful streets filled with history, art and culture. This article will explore this majestic city and highlight 8 of the many attractions throughout the city.

The Hofburg

The Hofburg was the main palace used during the Habsburg dynasty. Built during the 13th century, it stands as an important historical symbol in the center of the city. In 1946, it was used as a workspace for the President, however this workspace has been used significantly for many other leaders in the country for centuries prior. Through this time, there have also been many prestigious buildings added to the palace including The Chapel, The Treasury and the Spanish Riding School.

Belvedere Palace

The Belvedere Palace, located in the southeastern setting of Vienna, consists of 2 baroque style palaces, the Orangery and the Stables. These palaces are set in an absolutely stunning Baroque park landscape fused today with modern Austrian architecture. The Palaces were built under times of construction meant to house royalty for the previously mentioned Habsburg royalty.

Vienna State Opera

The Vienna State Opera was built in 1861, completed almost a decade later in 1869. It is a functioning opera house and opera company. There are over 1,700 seats in very gorgeously designed Renaissance themed architecture. Many famous performers from across Austria and Europe perform here from the Vienna Philharmonic to the opera itself and of course the Vienna State Ballet, who host the Vienna Opera Ball in carnival season.

MuseumsQuartier

The MuseumsQuartier district of Vienna combines the contemporary Baroque architecture, historical artifacts and modern museums into a very enjoyable excursion in the city. Some of the famous museums in this district include: MUMOK (Modern Art Museum), Kunsthwalle Wien (Historical Art Museum), and Architekturzentrum Wien (Architectural Museum), among many others.

St Stephen’s Cathedral

St Stephen’s Cathedral is the main religious center for the Roman Catholic religion. The cathedral is the seat of the Archdiocese of Vienna and the seat of the Archbishop of Vienna. The gothic style of building in the church was the responsibility of Duke Rudolf IV, and the cathedral was the third and final project idea after 2 churches were torn down, the first opened in 1417. Nonetheless, it is an important symbol for religion across Europe and a notable symbol in the city.

Schonbrunn Palace

One of the most recognizable tourist attractions of Vienna is the Schonbrunn Palace, the summer home for the Hapsburg royalty. The beautiful artistic, architectural, and cultural symbolism used in the design for the environment has been used as an inspiration for many buildings across Europe. This massive palace has over 1441 rooms, and most notably a beautiful garden, which was changed to suit the tastes of the monarchs.

Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien

Some museums like the ones in Vienna, are just amazing inside and out, and the Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien is no exception. This beautifully designed building was built in similarity to the Maria-Theriesen-Platz, and was built between the years of 1871 to 1891. These museums were opened to display the art of the Hapsburg dynasty and make access to Austrian history easier.

Prater

Finally, let’s end our tour of this magical city in Prater, a large public park near the center of Vienna. This park has had many uses since its opening. The name Prater comes from the word prato meaning meadows. In the 1100s the land of Prater was sold to a rich family, then turning into a hunting ground four centuries later. In the late 1700s, it was turned into a public center with shops and cafes. Today, it still stands as a public space with bridges, a canal, and even a theme park by the name of Wurstelprater.