Vienna Highlights
Sightseeing in Vienna
Vienna, the Danube metropolis, captivates its visitors with its wealth of landmarks. You should start your Vienna tour at St. Stephan’s Cathedral – ‘Steffl’ to the Viennese – in the heart of the city. From here, you can enjoy a magnificent view over Vienna and numerous other famous sights – for example the Hofburg Palace, where the Empress Elisabeth of Austria, affectionately known as Sisi, once resided. The Hofburg also houses the renowned Spanish Riding School, where the famous Lipizzaner horses are trained. In the immediate vicinity of the Hofburg are the Kaisergruft and Kapuzinergruft [Imperial and Capuchin Crypts].
Dotted around the Ringstrasse – the grandiose street that surrounds Vienna’s 1st District – is a series of historic buildings: the Art History and Natural History Museums, the Austrian Parliament, the Rathaus [Town Hall], and the Albertina museum. Your best option is to take one of the trams that circle the Ring all day long – sightseeing for individualists. You ought to stop to marvel at the Vienna State Opera, directly opposite the famous Hotel Sacher. Here the annual Vienna Opera Ball is held, the ultimate event in Vienna’s social calendar.
A trip to the beautiful Schönbrunn Palace is a must; it is also home to Schönbrunn Zoo, which is highly popular with families. Here, you can wander around in historic parks several hundred years old – you’ll soon feel like an emperor! Another fantastic experience for both little and big kids is the Prater, an amusement park with a giant Ferris wheel, the Riesenrad, as its emblem.
Vienna City Centre
Hofburg Imperial Palace (Wiener Hofburg)
| Hotel | Walking distance |
|---|---|
| Hotel Stefanie | ca. 15 minutes |
| Hotel City Central | ca. 15 minutes |
| Hotel Capricorno | ca. 12 minutes |
| Hotel Am Parkring | ca. 8 minutes |
| Hotel Erzherzog Rainer | ca. 20 minutes |
The impressive Hofburg Imperial Palace served as a residence for the Habsburgian emperors of the Austrian-Hungarian monarchy. From here, emperors and empresses like Franz Josef or Maria Theresia reigned their empire, which at the time reached across wide stretches of Europe. Selected parts of the Hofburg Imperial Palace are open to visitors.
More information: http://www.hofburg-wien.at/
Spanish Riding School
| Hotel | Walking distance |
|---|---|
| Hotel Stefanie | ca. 15 minutes |
| Hotel City Central | ca. 15 minutes |
| Hotel Capricorno | ca. 12 minutes |
| Hotel Am Parkring | ca. 8 minutes |
| Hotel Erzherzog Rainer | ca. 20 minutes |
Unique in all the world: At the Spanish Riding School the classic art of horsemanship in the tradition of the “haute école” of the Renaissance has been cultivated unchanged for fully 430 years. The elegant horses – white Lipizzaners – and their riders are an international symbol for Viennese culture. Be sure not to miss a Lipizzaner show!
More information: http://www.spanische-reitschule.com/
Imperial Crypt (Kaisergruft)
| Hotel | Walking distance |
|---|---|
| Hotel Stefanie | ca. 15 minutes |
| Hotel City Central | ca. 15 minutes |
| Hotel Capricorno | ca. 12 minutes |
| Hotel Am Parkring | ca. 8 minutes |
| Hotel Erzherzog Rainer | ca. 20 minutes |
Particularly impressive about the Imperial Crypt containing the bodies of the Habsburg rulers are its quiet splendour and its expression of imperial power. Fans of the empress Elisabeth – lovingly called Sisi by the people – may view her last resting place in the Imperial Crypt. Apart from Sisi’s honorary grave, visitors can view numerous other graves of popular rulers from the Austro-Hungarian monarchy.
More information: http://www.kaisergruft.at/
St. Stephen's Cathedral (Stephansdom)
| Hotel | Walking distance |
|---|---|
| Hotel Stefanie | ca. 10 minutes |
| Hotel City Central | ca. 10 minutes |
| Hotel Capricorno | ca. 5 minutes |
| Hotel Am Parkring | ca. 10 minutes |
| Hotel Erzherzog Rainer | ca. 15 minutes |
The “Dom zu St. Stephan,” one of Vienna’s landmarks, awaits you directly in the heart of the city. Lovingly called “Steffl” by the Viennese, it is an impressive sacral masterpiece. The services at St. Stephan’s Cathedral are initiated by the so-called “Pummerin” – the dome’s distinctive bells. From the South Tower of St. Stephen’s Cathedral you can enjoy an unforgettable view of Vienna.
More information: http://www.stephansdom.at/
Albertina
| Hotel | Walking distance |
|---|---|
| Hotel Stefanie | ca. 15 minutes |
| Hotel City Central | ca. 15 minutes |
| Hotel Capricorno | ca. 10 minutes |
| Hotel Am Parkring | ca. 10 minutes |
| Hotel Erzherzog Rainer | ca. 12 minutes |
The Albertina museum houses one of the most important art collections in Europe. Its most famous exhibit is the works of Albrecht Dürer. Also worth viewing is the museum’s architecture, which unites tradition with modernity.
More information: http://www.albertina.at/
Vienna State Opera
| Hotel | Walking distance |
|---|---|
| Hotel Stefanie | ca. 15 minutes |
| Hotel City Central | ca. 15 minutes |
| Hotel Capricorno | ca. 10 minutes |
| Hotel Am Parkring | ca. 10 minutes |
| Hotel Erzherzog Rainer | ca. 7 minutes |
The Opera Ball is held annually at the Vienna State Opera. Nevertheless, throughout the year the name of the game is not high society but traditional opera: Nicolaus Harnoncourt, Anna Netrebko, Thomas Hampson, Riccardo Muti, Claudio Abbado and Sir Simon Rattle are only some of the stars to be found giving guest performances at the Vienna State Opera, the Chamber Opera and the Volksoper.
More information: http://www.wiener-staatsoper.at/
Sightseeing Places around the Ring
Museum of Art History (Kunsthistorisches Museum) and
Museum of Natural History (Naturhistorisches Museum)
| Hotel | Walking distance |
|---|---|
| Hotel Stefanie | ca. 20 minutes |
| Hotel City Central | ca. 20 minutes |
| Hotel Capricorno | ca. 10 minutes |
| Hotel Am Parkring | ca. 10 minutes |
| Hotel Erzherzog Rainer | ca. 15 minutes |
The Museum of Art History in Vienna is considered among the most important painting collections in the world. On display are masterpieces from Titian, Rubens, van Dyck, Caravaggio, Bosch, Dürer, Raphael and Rembrandt – just to name the most popular artists. By contrast, the Museum of Natural History is all about minerals, animals and archaeological findings – the Venus of Willendorf or a dinosaur skeleton, for instance. All in all, the Museum of Natural History contains an incredible 20 million objects!
More information: Museum of Art History http://www.khm.at/
Museum of Natural History http://www.nhm-wien.ac.at/
Parliament (Parlament)
| Hotel | Walking distance |
|---|---|
| Hotel Stefanie | ca. 20 minutes |
| Hotel City Central | ca. 20 minutes |
| Hotel Capricorno | ca. 12 minutes |
| Hotel Am Parkring | ca. 15 minutes |
| Hotel Erzherzog Rainer | ca. 15 minutes |
The building where the Austrian Parliament meets is nearly as opulent as the imperial palaces of yesteryear. The Parliament was only recently extensively renovated and is not only magnificent from the outside: A guided tour through the federal building is definitely worthwhile!
More information: http://www.parlinkom.gv.at/
Town Hall (Wiener Rathaus)
| Hotel | Walking distance |
|---|---|
| Hotel Stefanie | ca. 15 minutes |
| Hotel City Central | ca. 15 minutes |
| Hotel Capricorno | ca. 10 minutes |
| Hotel Am Parkring | ca. 15 minutes |
| Hotel Erzherzog Rainer | ca. 20 minutes |
Simultaneously near the Votive Church and located on the Ring, the Rathaus is worth a visit, particularly in winter. Why? During the holiday season there’s the impressive Christmas Market (Christkindlmarkt) and from mid-January onwards an ice skating rink that appeals not only to children...
City Park (Stadtpark)
| Hotel | Walking distance |
|---|---|
| Hotel Stefanie | ca. 15 minutes |
| Hotel City Central | ca. 15 minutes |
| Hotel Capricorno | ca. 10 minutes |
| Hotel Am Parkring | ca. 1 minutes |
| Hotel Erzherzog Rainer | ca. 15 minutes |
The city park is situated directly opposite the Schick Hotel Am Parkring and represents a pleasant green oasis in the centre of Vienna. The historic park extends over an area of 65,000 m² and includes numerous playgrounds, promenades and areas where dogs are free to run.
MAK Museum for Applied Arts (Museum für Angewandte Kunst)
| Hotel | Walking distance |
|---|---|
| Hotel Stefanie | ca. 15 minutes |
| Hotel City Central | ca. 15 minutes |
| Hotel Capricorno | ca. 10 minutes |
| Hotel Am Parkring | ca. 2 minutes |
| Hotel Erzherzog Rainer | ca. 15 minutes |
This museum presents craftsmanship and design from many epochs. The various exhibits from legendary Viennese workshops are truly unique.
More information: http://www.mak.at/
Belvedere Palace (Schloss Belvedere)
| Hotel | Walking distance |
|---|---|
| Hotel Stefanie | ca. 25 minutes |
| Hotel City Central | ca. 25 minutes |
| Hotel Capricorno | ca. 20 minutes |
| Hotel Am Parkring | ca.10 minutes |
| Hotel Erzherzog Rainer | ca. 5 minutes |
At the beginning of the 18th century, Prince Eugene of Savoy originally planned the Belvedere as a garden palace. But there’s nothing modest about the imperial palace, which consists of the Upper and the Lower Belvedere in addition to a grand park: The palace is lavishly adorned and houses important artistic treasures from the Austrian Republic. Since 1903 the Belvedere Galleries have also been accommodated in the palace’s impressive rooms.
In 1955 a historic event took place here, when the treaty ending the occupation after World War II was signed at the Belvedere Palace. The gallery is well-known far beyond Austria’s borders, most especially because it is home to significant works of Gustav Klimt.St. Charles's Church (Karlskirche)
| Hotel | Walking distance |
|---|---|
| Hotel Stefanie | ca. 15 minutes |
| Hotel City Central | ca. 12 minutes |
| Hotel Capricorno | ca. 5 minutes |
| Hotel Am Parkring | ca. 2 minutes |
| Hotel Erzherzog Rainer | ca. 5 minutes |
The magnificent St. Charles’s Church contains one of the most beautiful and interesting Baroque domes north of the Alps. The impressive chapel was founded by Emperor Charles as a sign of gratitude to God for the end of the plague in Vienna. In this marvellous church, designed by nobleman and master builder Fischer von Erlach, can be found influences of classic Roman architecture, Greece and the Orient. Ride the panorama elevator in comfort up to the impressive cupola and admire Michael Rottmayr’s world-famous frescos.
Museums in Vienna
MuseumsQuartier
| Hotel | Walking distance |
|---|---|
| Hotel Stefanie | ca. 20 minutes |
| Hotel City Central | ca. 20 minutes |
| Hotel Capricorno | ca. 15 minutes |
| Hotel Am Parkring | ca. 10 minutes |
| Hotel Erzherzog Rainer | ca. 10 minutes |
The MuseumsQuartier was opened in 2001. It houses the Leopold Collection, the MUMOK, the KUNSTHALLE (Arts Centre) Wien as well as numerous further arts and culture initiatives. Due to its big open spaces and the great number of cafes, it is very popular as a leisure oasis in the middle of the city, especially in summer.
More information: http://www.mqw.at/ und http://www.mumok.at/
Hundertwasser House
The famous Austrian painter and architect Friendsreich Hundertwasser was responsible for the planning of this extraordinary museum. Besides the museum the Hundertwasser House also disposes of numerous private flats.
You can reach the Hundertwasser House by using public transport at best.
Crime Museum (Kriminalmuseum)
| Hotel | Walking distance |
|---|---|
| Hotel Stefanie | ca. 3 minutes |
| Hotel City Central | ca. 3 minutes |
| Hotel Capricorno | ca. 7 minutes |
| Hotel Am Parkring | ca. 15 minutes |
| Hotel Erzherzog Rainer | ca. 20 minutes |
A walk through the Crime Museum brings back to life the “dark Vienna” of the last 300 years. Not only legendary cases like the poison murderer Hofrichter but also a trip through the history of the justice and police system is impressive. Housed in one of the oldest buildings of Leopoldstadt, the so-called Seifensiederhaus, the visitor of the Crime Museum will be shown an architectural jewel from the historic outskirts.
More information: http://www.kriminalmuseum.at/
Jewish Museum (Jüdisches Museum)
| Hotel | Walking distance |
|---|---|
| Hotel Stefanie | ca. 12 minutes |
| Hotel City Central | ca. 12 minutes |
| Hotel Capricorno | ca. 5 minutes |
| Hotel Am Parkring | ca. 10 minutes |
| Hotel Erzherzog Rainer | ca. 15 minutes |
Vienna has always been formed by Jewry and it still is. In numerous temporary exhibitions the museum stages the Jewish history, culture and religion on four floors. Symposia, readings and concerts take place here regularly. The museum in the Palais Eskeles shall be understood as a place of communication and discussion.
More information: http://www.jmw.at/Sigmund Freud Museum
With the help of his daughter, Anna Freud, a place of memorial to the “founder of psychoanalysis” was created in the former living and praxis rooms of Sigmund Freud. Original fixtures, among others the waiting room, give an insight into the biography of Sigmund Freud, his cultural environment as well as his medical achievements. You get to the Sigmund Freud Museum with public transport at best.
More information: http://www.freud-museum.at/Mozart House
| Hotel | Walking distance |
|---|---|
| Hotel Stefanie | ca. 10 minutes |
| Hotel City Central | ca. 10 minutes |
| Hotel Capricorno | ca. 5 minutes |
| Hotel Am Parkring | ca. 10 minutes |
| Hotel Erzherzog Rainer | ca. 15 minutes |
At Domgasse no. 5 there is the only Viennese flat of Mozart that still exists today. At this place the music genius lodged from 1784 to 1787 under quite wealthy circumstances. Primarily, the exhibition about Mozart’s live and works explores his living years in Vienna when he reached the peak of his creative work.
More information: http://www.mozarthausvienna.at/
Shopping in Vienna
Luxury Shopping Streets in Vienna
| Hotel | Walking distance |
|---|---|
| Hotel Stefanie | ca. 12 minutes |
| Hotel City Central | ca. 12 minutes |
| Hotel Capricorno | ca. 5 minutes |
| Hotel Am Parkring | ca. 10 minutes |
| Hotel Erzherzog Rainer | ca. 15 minutes |
The Graben, Kohlmarkt and Kärntnerstraße are the places to go for shoppers seeking fashion and luxury.
Meinl am Graben
| Hotel | Walking distance |
|---|---|
| Hotel Stefanie | ca. 12 minutes |
| Hotel City Central | ca. 12 minutes |
| Hotel Capricorno | ca. 5 minutes |
| Hotel Am Parkring | ca. 10 minutes |
| Hotel Erzherzog Rainer | ca. 20 minutes |
On the Graben, the traditional Viennese coffee roasting facility Meinl runs a luxury supermarket with Viennese specialities and international delicacies. Incidentally, the coffee in Schick hotels and restaurants is also delivered by Meinl am Graben.
More information: http://www.meinlamgraben.at/
Mariahilferstraße
| Hotel | Walking distance |
|---|---|
| Hotel Stefanie | ca. 20 minutes |
| Hotel City Central | ca. 20 minutes |
| Hotel Capricorno | ca. 15 minutes |
| Hotel Am Parkring | ca. 15 minutes |
| Hotel Erzherzog Rainer | ca. 10 minutes |
The shopping street for the young generation and bargain hunters.
More information: http://www.mariahilferstrasse.at/
Sightseeing Places & Local Recreation
Schönbrunn Palace
Schönbrunn represents one of the most important landmarks in Vienna. There are more than 1.5 million visitors to the palace, the enormous parks and the Palmenhaus (palm tree house) each year. The former imperial summer residence fascinates every tourist to Vienna. The vast area includes the palace and numerous side buildings, as well as spacious gardens and parks. The impressive Baroque Gesamtkunstwerk was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
More information: http://www.schoenbrunn.at/
Schönbrunn Zoo (Tiergarten Schönbrunn)
The zoo is housed in the spacious parks of Schönbrunn Palace and counts among the world’s oldest zoos. The historic zoo was carefully adapted so that visitors today can observe predatory cats, pandas, apes, reptiles, elephants and penguins in a naturalistic environment. On your family holidays in Vienna be sure not to miss a visit to the Schönbrunn Zoo!
More information: http://www.zoovienna.at/
Prater
To the Viennese, “Prater” does not only mean the world-famous historic amusement park in Vienna, it also refers to the huge recreational area surrounding the adventure park. Take a ride on the roller coasters, or enjoy the view from the giant Ferris wheel… or walk through the park or go for a run. It’s all up to you – everything is possible at the Prater!
More information: http://www.prater.at/
