Vienna, Austria’s capital, lies in the country’s east on the Danube River. Its artistic and intellectual legacy was shaped by residents including Mozart, Beethoven, and Sigmund Freud. The city is also known for its Imperial palaces, including Schönbrunn, the Habsburgs’ summer residence.
Vienna continues to attract over 17 million visitors (approx.) each year with its many great historical sightseeing opportunities, its fabled collections of art, glittering palaces, and exceptional musical heritage. This appreciation of the nation's rich culture is still very evident in Vienna's magnificent museums, its fine concert halls, and one of the world's great opera houses.
With an unmistakably cosmopolitan atmosphere, Vienna retains a distinctive charm and flair. This is very much accentuated by its fine old architecture; its famous horse cabs, known as Fiakers; as well as its splendid coffeehouses with their famous Viennese cakes and pastries.
Here are the Top 15 Places to Visit in Vienna, which are worth visiting on a Vienna trip:
1. St. Stephen's Cathedral
A magnificent piece of Gothic and Roman architecture, St. Stephen’s Cathedral is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vienna. Famed as one of the monumental places to visit in Vienna, the cathedral’s imposing height, mosaic roofs, elaborately designed exteriors, towers that soar 446 feet up, and the 18 altars inside the cathedral make it the iconic attraction of Vienna."
2. Imperial Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens
The spectacular 18th-century Schönbrunn Palace (Schloss Schönbrunn) is worth visiting not only for its magnificent architecture but also for its beautiful park-like setting. One of Vienna's top tourist attractions, this beautiful Baroque palace contains more than 1,441 rooms and apartments, including those once used by Empress Maria Theresa.
3. The Hofburg
This medieval castle from the 13th century had been the residence of the Austrian sovereigns for more than 600 years. Featuring an expansive complex with 18 wings, 19 courtyards, and 2600 rooms, this majestic palace castle is undoubtedly one of the astounding places to visit in Vienna. Tourists can stroll through the pedestrianized areas and visit top attractions like the Habsburg Palace and Spanish Riding School. Today, the castle is where the President of Austria resides.
4. The Vienna Zoo
Also known as Tiergarten Schönbrunn, Vienna Zoo tops the list of places to visit in Vienna when you are holidaying with kids. This is one of the world's oldest zoos and the best place on the planet to see giant pandas, Siberian tigers, orangutans, elephants, and 700 other species of animals live in action. The zoo is a part of Schönbrunn, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A highlight of the zoo's more than 750 species is its giant pandas, including cubs, as well as the many fascinating creatures housed in the interactive Rainforest House and Aquarium.
5. Belvedere Palace
Among Vienna's most popular attractions, Belvedere Palace is really two splendid Baroque buildings: the Lower (Unteres) Belvedere and the Upper (Oberes) Belvedere. Highlights of the Upper Palace include the Ground Floor Hall with its statues and the Ceremonial Staircase with its rich stucco relief and frescoes. Also worth seeing is the Marble Hall. This stunning two-story hall features numerous period sculptures, paintings, and ceiling frescoes.
6. The Vienna State Opera House
One of the world's largest and most splendid theaters, the Vienna State Opera House (Wiener Staatsoper) has hosted many of the world's most prominent composers, conductors, soloists, and dancers. Operatic and ballet performances are staged at least 300 times a year, fuelled by an obsession with music that goes as far back as 1625 when the first Viennese Court Opera was performed.
7. St. Stephen's Cathedral
Vienna's most important Gothic edifice and the cathedral church of the archbishopric since 1722, St. Stephen's Cathedral (Stephansdom) sits in the historic center of Vienna. The original 12th-century Romanesque church was replaced by a Late Romanesque one in the 13th century, the remains of which are the massive gate and the Heathen Towers (Heidentürme).
8. St. Peter’s Church
Considered to be one of the oldest churches in Vienna, St. Peter’s Church or Peterskirche also happens to be Vienna’s oldest worship site. The church at present is graced by the beauty of Baroque architecture which was designed by the famous Gabriel Montani in 1702. Completed by the famous architect – Hildebrandt, St. Peter’s Church today, stands as one of the best places to see in Vienna.
9. Karlskirche
It is believed that this church was built as a result of the vow taken by Emperor Charles VI in case the disastrous Black Plague was curtailed. Designed and completed by the famous father-son duo of Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach and his son Joseph, the church today is one of the finest Baroque churches. Karlskirche is a mixture of Renaissance, ancient Greek, and Roman styles with Byzantine, and Baroque styles. The columns were crafted by the Italian sculptor Lorenzo Mattielli. The dome of the place is in the style of Peter’s Basilica. There is a lift inside the church which takes you to the top so that you can have the best view of Vienna.
10. Vienna City Hall
Popularly known as the Wiener Rathaus to the locals, the city hall of Vienna was designed and constructed by the eminent architect, Friedrich von Schmidt. Built during the time period between 1872 and 1883, it is believed that around forty thousand cubic meters of natural stones and thirty million bricks were used to build this neo-Gothic structure, which today stands as one of the most crucial landmarks of Vienna.
If you are visiting this city hall, then you will be stunned by the beautiful staterooms and the places where concerts and balls are organized. Speaking of balls one of the famous known as the Life Ball is held here every month of May. Other balls are arranged there in the other months of the year which start from November and stay till Christmas.
11. Museum of Natural History
Best known for its huge Dinosaur Hall and for the world's largest exhibit of meteorites (which includes the Tissint meteorite from Mars that fell in Morocco in 2011), Vienna's Natural History Museum (Naturhistorisches Museum Wien) is a fascinating place to visit. Its 39 exhibit halls trace such subjects as the origins and development of humans and the evolution of human culture from prehistoric times. One of its rarest treasures is the so-called Venus of Willendorf, a pottery figurine dating from between about 28,000 and 25,000 BCE.
12. Donauturm
Built on the northern bank of the Danube River, the Donauturm Tower is one of the breathtakingly beautiful places to see in Vienna. Refurbished in 2018, this is the tallest structure in Austria. Express lifts take tourists to the split-level viewing platform and the 360 degrees view of Vienna city and the adjacent Danube River is sure to surprise you.
13. Demel
Founded in 1786, the famous Demel is not only the oldest café and bakery in Vienna, it's perhaps the most memorable food experience you'll have in this wonderful city. Officially known as Hofzuckerbäckerei Demel – shortened to "Demel" by those in the know – this exquisite café serves dishes and cakes carefully prepared by hand to traditional centuries-old recipes. Reservations can be made in advance online, and are recommended.
14. Wiener Riesenrad
Wiener Riesenrad is a Viennese Giant Ferris Wheel that takes you on an alluring ride giving panoramic views of Vienna city. The giant wheel is located at the entrance of the Prater amusement park. It rises to a height of about 64.75 meters. The Ferris wheel takes you on an amazing circular journey in wooden cabinets with dining options and has become the symbol of the city. Elsewhere in this vast park, there's room enough for horseback riding, swimming in the stadium pool, football, cycling, tennis, and bowls.
15. Kärntnerstrasse
A paradise in Vienna of upscale shopping and fine dining, Kärtner Strasse is a pedestrian-only street that is lined with high-end fashion boutiques and plush restaurants. This street was known as the "Strata Carinthia Forum" during the Roman Age. Today, the street has evolved into a great hangout spot. The international flagship stores are certainly one of the best places to see in Vienna.
Besides this, there is much more to explore in Vienna!!
