And even going for a coffee can be a regal affair at the likes of chandelier-lit Café Central, where all the 19th-century bigwigs once hung out.īut Vienna isn’t all about show. The music of Mozart, Beethoven and that old romantic devil Strauss reverberates in some of the world’s most feted and opulent concert halls: the Musikverein and Staatsoper. The pomp and splendor can be almost overwhelming, as you waltz through vast, exuberantly gilded palaces like the Hofburg and Schönbrunn, tour Klimt-filled galleries like the Upper Belvedere, stroll grand baroque streets, and saunter past follies and Greek gods in landscaped gardens that gaze down upon the city with a kindly eye.
Viennaįew cities move so effortlessly between past and present as Vienna, where Hapsburg emperors ruled the roost for 600 years. Here's our take on the 12 best places to visit in Austria. Whether you are heading gleefully high into the glaciated mountains of Hohe Tauern National Park, tuning into the latest tech wizardry in future-focused Graz, hiding away in the little-visited wilds of the Bregenzerwald, or tripping along the vineyard-draped wine roads of southern Styria, which have more than a whisper of Tuscany about them, Austria richly rewards those who dare to deviate from the well-trodden track. But there is far more to this pocked-sized, landlocked country than at first meets the eye. And if this is your first visit, you’ll undoubtedly want to see all the whole darned lot and more besides. So it's hard not to be tempted to stop in a site known as the House of Music ( Haus der Musik) during your time in the city.Imagine Austria and your mind might well drift to the lavish palaces and coffeehouses of Vienna, the snow-white peaks of the Tyrolean Alps, the serpentine romance of the Danube and Mozart symphonies ringing out in the baroque concert halls of Salzburg.
It was here that renowned composers, such as Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn, Mahler and Strauss lived, composed and performed. Vienna has long been a musical epicenter. Many suggest visiting first thing in the morning to avoid the congested atmosphere. Travelers say the grounds are beautiful, the tour is insightful and the zoo is entertaining for the whole family, but many warn about how crowded this attraction gets. Located within the grounds is Tiergarten, the oldest zoo in the world. Also plan to spend at least an hour in the gardens, which are connected by shaded promenades that extend diagonally from the Gloriette, a stunning Roman-style arch overlooking a vast pool.
Other highlights include the Blue Staircase, the Mirror Room and the Hall of Ceremonies. A tour will lead you through apartments belonging to Maria Theresa as well as Emperor Franz Joseph, his wife Elisabeth, and Archduke Franz Karl. Under the supervision of Maria Theresa (the only female Habsburg ruler), Sch önbrunn evolved into an expansive paradise with ornate rooms and vast elaborate gardens comparable to King Louis XIV of France's palace at Versailles. Originally constructed in 1696 as a hunting lodge, Sch önbrunn Palace later became the official Hapsburg summer residence. Visitors call this one of those "must-visit" attractions in Europe, praising the gorgeous church and its surroundings. Before you leave, you should climb the 343 steps to the top of the South Tower or use the elevator to reach the lookout terrace at the North Tower – you'll be treated to a spectacular view. Move on to the gruft, or vault, where numerous urns contain the remains of members of the Hapsburg royal family. Today, this stunning cathedral remains an active house of worship, a national icon and a top tourist attraction.Īfter you've toured the main section, head underground to the catacombs where many victims of the Great Plague of Vienna were laid to rest. And it weathered attacks from both German and Russian armies during World War II. Stephen's doors to post his farewell edict. It was here that mourners came to pay their respects to Amadeus Mozart in 1791. The Gothic structure standing today was built in the early 1300s and has survived the Turkish siege of 1683. Stephen's has stood in this very spot since the early 12th century, but little remains of the original aside from the Riesentor (Giant's Gate) and the Heidentuerme (Towers of the Heathens). Towering above the streets of the Innere Stadt, this massive cathedral is the true centerpiece of Vienna.
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