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.
It’s challenging to write something about Vienna without using clichés and exaggerating the adjectives. Notwithstanding, the city is simply a marvelous 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 your look, the past has put its lavishly elegant stamp on Vienna. Nonetheless, Austria’s largest city is not only a collection of relics from past greatness 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 who live in Vienna today, must share their city with 6,5 million visitors per year. Austria’s capital is a popular tourist destination for many reasons. Grand architecture, historical and contemporary, just 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 always has been Vienna’s trademark. These highlights are just a few things that you can fill your days in Vienna.
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Relax
Big city holidays can often be stressful. You have a lot to choose from and probably want to experience it all, especially if you are staying only for a few days. Vienna has its share of big-city hustle and bustle, but there are also a few quiet oases to be found. To relax, simply visit some of the city’s many parks. Also, some of the outer districts are rarely visited by mainstream tourists but still offer interesting sights. Moreover, it’s also one of the safest cities in the world. Hence, you can safely venture out and see the city on your own. Crime rates are very low compared to other tourist destinations around the world.
Multinational
Vienna always was 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 a huge myriad of different 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 strong flavor to this great city.
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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 at you. Furthermore, […]
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Markets always add life and color to a city. Moreover, they are a great way to get to know both the people and the culture of a city. There has been a conscious effort in Vienna to preserve some of the traditional markets. Not only as points of sale but also as meeting places for […]
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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 today among the most popular tourist sights in Vienna. It is not just the buildings themselves that are interesting sights. In addition to functioning as public offices, […]
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Vienna is perfect for streetcar sightseeing. I discovered that I could experience many of the city’s different facets within 2-3 hours, with the D-line. You can experience the imperial Vienna, busy shopping streets, workers housing estates, and the Nussberg wine district just to name a few. Taking you from the city’s main railway station (Hauptbahnhof) […]
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A list of suggestions on what to do on a 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 be suitable for most people, no matter their age. Our suggestions are not mere tourist […]
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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 historic city center within Ringstrasse, is a delightful place to discover on foot. Here 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, tram, […]
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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 over the last decades deservedly gained a good reputation among music lovers. 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 Music interested people, no matter what genre or type of music one likes, will […]
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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 that the German army left behind. “The house of the sea”, as it is called in English (Haus des […]
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