Vienna – by far not the largest, nor the most important capital in Europe. Nonetheless, the capital of Austria is an amusing, fascinating, and engaging place to visit.
Writing something about Vienna without clichés and exaggerating the adjectives is challenging. Notwithstanding, the city is simply a marvellous travel destination. Austria’s capital is fascinating for anyone who loves history, architecture, culinary delights, music, art, or simply people-watching. With this in mind, the first thing that strikes you when you arrive in Vienna is the grandeur of the architecture. It is never-ending. Wherever you look, the past has put its lavishly elegant stamp on Vienna. Nonetheless, Austria’s largest city is not only a collection of relics from the past but also a very modern home to 1,9 million people.
Long history
It all started as a Celtic outpost, which, over the centuries, grew into the Roman Vindabona. Remains of the Romans can still be seen at the Michaelerplatz and under Hoher Markt. Vindabona flourished under the Romans and, at its peak, had 15-20.000 inhabitants. A consequence of the fall of the Roman Empire was that Vindabona sank into oblivion. Not until the German king Otto I won a battle against the Magyars (Hungarians) in 955 AD did Vienna start to rise out of its political indifference again. In 1145, the Babenberg family, who ruled parts of what today is Austria, moved their capital to Vienna—from there on, the city started its way to fame and glory when the Habsburg dynasty came to town in the 13th century. They ruled their ever-growing empire from Vienna for more than 600 years.
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Major tourist destination
Then again, it took a while to grow its population. In 1754, Vienna had a population of “only” 175.000. At its peak, the city was home to 2 million people in 1910. Moreover, at the height of the Austrian Empire, Vienna was the capital city for about 50 million people. The 1,9 million people living in Vienna today must share their city with 6,5 million visitors annually. Austria’s capital is a popular tourist destination for many reasons. Grand architecture, both historical and contemporary, to mention a few. Equally important is the abundance of cultural events. Last but not least, an enormous choice of eateries that reflect not only the Austrian culinary culture but also the multicultural environment that has always been Vienna’s trademark. These highlights are just a few things to fill your days in Vienna.
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Relax
Big city holidays can often be stressful. You have much to choose from and probably want to experience it all, especially if you stay only for a few days. Vienna has its share of big-city hustle and bustle, but you can still find a few quiet oases. To relax, visit some of the city’s many parks. Also, some of the outer districts are rarely visited by mainstream tourists but still offer exciting sights. Moreover, it’s also one of the safest cities in the world. Hence, you can safely venture out and see the city alone. Crime rates are very low compared to other tourist destinations around the world.
Multinational
Vienna has always been and still is a multinational melting pot. The city has attracted people from different cultures throughout its history. During the Habsburg Empire, its 50 million inhabitants came from many ethnic groups. They all put their stamp on the city in one way or another. Out of today’s 1,9 million inhabitants, 460.000 are foreign citizens. Vienna has been named “World’s top city for quality of life” several times. Not only because but also because it houses numerous large international institutions. Consequently, many cultural aspects of the Austrian capital are markedly influenced by its multicultural people. Notwithstanding, the genuine Austrian culture adds a solid flavour to this great city.
Highlights of Vienna
- Imperial Architecture: Marvel at iconic landmarks such as the Hofburg Palace, Schönbrunn Palace, and St. Stephen’s Cathedral, showcasing Vienna’s rich imperial heritage.
- Cultural Events: Experience world-renowned events like the Vienna Opera Ball and the annual New Year’s Concert by the Vienna Philharmonic, celebrating the city’s vibrant cultural scene.
- Art and Museums: Explore the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Belvedere Palace, and the Albertina, housing masterpieces from renowned artists, including Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele.
- Culinary Delights: Indulge in traditional Viennese cuisine at historic coffeehouses and sample local specialities like Wiener Schnitzel and Sachertorte.
- Music and Performance: Enjoy performances at legendary venues such as the Vienna State Opera and the Musikverein, cementing Vienna’s status as a global music capital.
- Beautiful Parks: Stroll through the lush gardens of the Prater, the Stadtpark, and the Schönbrunn Palace Gardens, perfect for relaxation and leisure.
At the end of this article, you will find links to all the articles we have written about the sights and sounds of Vienna so far!
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It is impossible to visit Vienna without experiencing one of the city’s most famous attractions: classical music. The choice of venues and performers is enormous, and it wasn’t easy to decide where to go, but we had a personal recommendation for The Vienna Residence Orchestra. Hence, we bought the tickets and enjoyed a lovely, intimate […]
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Temperatures fall, and the days get shorter, but Vienna never falls asleep. The weather can vary between 10 °C and -15 °C in January. Within a few days, you can experience sun from a clear blue sky to bitterly cold snowstorms. Nonetheless, there are plenty of activities to enjoy whatever nature throws. Furthermore, enjoy a […]
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Vienna, the capital of Austria, is a city where history and innovation intertwine seamlessly. As you wander its streets, you’ll encounter a fascinating array of architectural styles, each telling a unique story. From Gothic cathedrals to avant-garde masterpieces, Vienna invites you to explore its rich heritage. Let’s embark on a visual tour of the city’s […]
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Markets always add life and colour to a city. Moreover, they are a great way to get to know a city’s people and culture. Vienna has made a conscious effort to preserve some of the traditional markets. Not only as points of sale but also as local meeting places. Nonetheless, a few markets, such as […]
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The House of Habsburg ruled Austria for 640 years, from 1278 to 1918 and has left its mark on Vienna forever. The historic buildings they left behind are among Vienna’s most popular tourist sights. However, it is not just the buildings themselves that are exciting sights. In addition to functioning as public offices, many historic […]
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Vienna is perfect for streetcar sightseeing. I discovered I could experience many of the city’s different facets within 2-3 hours with the D-line. You can experience imperial Vienna, busy shopping streets, workers housing estates, and the Nussberg wine district, to name a few. Streetcar line D takes you from the city’s central railway station (Hauptbahnhof) […]
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A list of suggestions on what to do on the weekend in Vienna could easily have been almost endless. Notwithstanding, we have collected a few places and sights in Vienna to show you the variety available. Moreover, our recommendations should suit most people, regardless of age. Our suggestions are not mere tourist traps but activities […]
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Much of what you’ll find at the Wiener Naschmarkt are products not often found in regular supermarkets. The around 170 sales stalls and shops at Naschmarkt work under the motto “What you cannot find on Naschmarkt, you do not need”! Hence, the selection of products is therefore huge. International foods Japanese buffets, Italian grilled specialities, […]
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Innere Stadt, Vienna’s historical city centre within Ringstrasse, is a delightful place to discover on foot. You find everything from narrow alleys, picturesque houses, and small idyllic squares to majestic palaces, sumptuous cathedrals and beautiful parks. The first of our Vienna city walks takes us from Schwedenplatz to Stadtpark. Schwedenplatz, where several buses, trams, and […]
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The best viewing points in Vienna
The view of Vienna from above is something you simply must experience when visiting Austria’s capital. The mixture of historic and modern buildings gives the city a unique skyline. There are several opportunities to enjoy panoramic views of Vienna. We have visited some of Vienna’s best viewing points and are going to add more as […]
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One of the attractions we enjoyed was the Rainforest House, where you are taken through a hot and humid rainforest. Sure, you are on walkways and wooden bridges, but this is as near the real thing as it gets, without travelling to the jungle. Hot and humid Hot and humid and a few times during […]
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Since I grew up in the Meidling district, where you find Schönbrunn Palace, I spent a lot of time as a child in the vast gardens of the imperial palace. As a four-year-old, I was relatively unaffected by the fact that I was playing in the garden of the mighty Habsburg dynasty, which ruled Austria […]
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Austria and Vienna have deservedly gained a good reputation among music lovers over the last decades, mostly through the Vienna Philharmonic’s New Year Concerts or its opera house, and lately for its vibrant contemporary music scene. The soul of the Viennese No matter what genre or type of music they like, people interested in music […]
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There is not much you can use a World War II air defence tower for. Nonetheless, in Vienna, they have managed to make something sensible out of at least one of the six crude concrete towers the German army left behind. “The house of the sea”, as it is called in English (Haus des Meeres), […]
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VIENNA CITY CARD Furthermore, you can design the card for your needs with add-ons, such as airport transfer, hop-on hop-off bus, or both. Airport Transfer: Transfer from and to the airport with your chosen transport (max. seven days). This ticket includes all available transport connections between the airport and Vienna. Hop-On Hop-Off: 24h Hop-On Hop-Off […]
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Going on a day trip from Vienna by public transport is easy. Whether you are in Vienna by plane or have driven here by car, you can quickly go on a journey of discovery just outside the city. We have been on 4 fantastic day trips with entirely different experiences, which you can do in […]
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Are you looking for some excellent ski resorts near Vienna that you can easily access by train? We’ve got you covered! Check out these fantastic ski destinations that offer excellent family-friendly slopes and unforgettable skiing experiences. Hop on a train and get ready for an adventure. Stuhleck ski resort – Spital am Semmering At Stuhleck in […]