OFFBEAT

Top 10 Things To Do In Vienna

Prachi Joshi

Last updated: May 21, 2019

Author Recommends

Want To Go ?

Few cities in the world glide so effortlessly between the past and the present as Vienna. The capital of Austria has a thriving art and culture scene with numerous concert halls, museums and theaters, as well as impressive palaces and buildings that give you a peek in to the city’s glorious past. Here’s our pick of the top 10 things to do in Vienna.

The Parliament

The Greek-style entrance, the Pallas Athena fountain and sweeping driveways – you’d be forgiven for thinking that it’s another palace. But Vienna’s Parliament Building is worth a visit, especially at night when strategic lighting gives it an otherworldly feel. You can visit some parts of the building via the visitors’ centre. The building is the seat of the National Council and Federal Council of Austria.

Hofburg

The erstwhile seat of the Habsburg Empire is as impressive as it gets. Vienna’s 13^th century Hofburg Palace is a sprawling complex of imposing buildings and museums. You can get a glimpse of the royal life in the palace’s Imperial Apartments. In the Sisi Museum, you can see personal items once belonging to the longest-reigning empress of Austria, Empress Elisabeth, wife of Franz Joseph I.

City Hall

Vienna’s Rathaus or Town/City Hall is the seat of the City Council. Built in the late 19^th century in the neo-Gothic style, the Rathaus was the most expensive of all monumental buildings erected then. Its soaring tower topped with the statue of a knight holding a lance is one of its attractions. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, you can get a free tour of the building at 1 p.m. The square in front of the Rathaus (Rathausplatz) hosts several festivals and events throughout the year, including the annual Christmas market.

Golden Hall of Musikverein

Wiener Musikverein is a concert hall where music and opulence come together beautifully. Its Golden Hall or Great Hall is said to be the finest concert hall in the world owing to its impeccable acoustics. The hall can accommodate around 2,000 people and is the venue of the famous annual New Year Concert. Catch a performance of the renowned Vienna Philharmonic in the shimmering golden glow of the Great Hall; it will be an experience to remember.

Schönbrunn Palace

The Schönbrunn Palace is amongst the top things to do in Vienna. It is a World Cultural Heritage Site and the most-visited monument in Austria. Baroque architecture, landscaped gardens, authentically furnished rooms – Schönbrunn is a treat to the eyes. Most of the property is in original condition from the time of the Habsburgs and gives you an insight into the past of one of Europe’s richest monarchies.

Museum of Fine Arts

Kunst Historisches Museum or the Museum of Fine Arts is a must-visit in Vienna. Housed in a palace on the Ring Road, the dome-topped museum building itself is quite impressive. The formidable Habsburg art collection is on display here and includes works of several celebrated artists such as Raphael, Rembrandt, Vermeer and Tintoretto to name a few. You will also find galleries housing Egyptian artefacts as well as Greek and Roman antiquities.

State Opera House

Wiener Staatsoper or the State Opera House stands tall on the Ring Road and is one of the busiest opera houses in the world – some 50 operas are staged here every year, not to mention numerous ballets and other performances. Catching an opera at the Staatsoper is amongst the top things to do in Vienna. Try and book tickets online or you can get standing room tickets for just €4, which become available 90 minutes before the start of the performance. The opera is also telecast on a huge screen outside the Staatsoper, so you can watch it for free!

Café Culture

Number five in things to do in Vienna is to experience the city’s café culture, which has been around for decades. The city’s coffee houses have a unique charm; an old-world ambience, complete with chandeliers, marble-topped tables and newspaper holders – the coffeehouses have been the public living rooms for the Viennese. Cafe Central, the grandest of Vienna’s coffeehouses is worth a visit as is the literary Cafe Bräunerhof. Young Viennese flock to Alt Wien, which resembles an English pub. You can also make your way to Kleine’s located in the charming cobble stoned Franziskanerplatz, Vienna’s old quarters. Order a coffee (or a beer or wine) and linger over it as you people-watch.

Wine Taverns

Along with the cafes, the Heuriger or the wine tavern is an indispensable part of Vienna’s culture. Typically these taverns serve wine that has been harvested from vineyards in and around Vienna. Here, you will usually get to sample the new wine from grapes harvested in the current year. Many of the taverns also create their own blends. Check out Hengel-Haselbrunner, which has been around since the 17^th century or the cosy Buschenschank Schöll. Sip some wine, nibble on some cheese and let the live musicians entertain you as you raise a toast to fine Viennese wine.

Burgtheater

Located close to the Rathaus is the Imperial Court Theatre known as Burgtheater. It was built when the then Empress Maria Theresa wanted a theatre next to her palace. An hour-long tour will give you a fascinating insight into the world of theatre and opera. It boasts of a sweeping staircase and several remarkable ceiling frescos.

Ready to soak in Vienna’s old-world charm and experience the top 10 things to do in Vienna? Check out MakeMyTrip’s Best of Austria package and book your flight tickets today!

Prachi Joshi

Food, Travel & Lifestyle Writer with various publications. I read, I eat, I travel and I write about it!

Comments

putu | on 10 March 2018

Wow your experience in Vienna is very interesting and very fun. Lots of new things to get in vienna. Well, I want to share your experience with you. I was once a libuan with my family in Bali. Tourist destination that I visit is Sanur Beach and many more other tourist destinations. Then I tried one of the villas, I am very comfortable when occupying the villa and I think the quality is also very good indeed. If you want to try also you can open the website at KOASurferHotel.com