Vienna

Vienna, the picture-perfect capital of Austria, bears all the imprints of its long history, including its time as the seat of the great empire that enveloped Prague, Budapest, and Milan. Medieval churches such as the glorious Stephansdom mix with Secessionist landmarks like Otto Wagner’s Jugendstil Postal Savings Bank (now the Wagner: Werk–Museum Postsparkasse), while a grand procession of Hapsburg-era palaces, theaters, and government buildings weave along the 150-year-old Ringstrasse. The city’s museums hold riches worthy of a metropolis many times its size, and everywhere there are references to the composers, thinkers, writers, and artists—from Gustav Mahler to Sigmund Freud to Stefan Zweig to Egon Schiele—who have made it a cultural epicenter.

Things to do

Schönbrunn Palace

Standing since the 1600’s and holding a major role of cultural importance in Austria, the Schonbrunn Palace is a colossal 1441 room structure and complex that is the main tourist attraction in Vienna.

The Habsburgs have held residence here for many years and indeed emperors of Austria have been born in the palace too.

The palace itself is an immense building and designed in a Baroque style with a symmetrical main building that has hundreds of windows and statues on the rooftop.

Inside the palace are an assortment of rooms all fully furnished and decorated in the original style – You can enjoy a tour through the rooms and admire the sumptuous furnishings and see how Austrian royalty lived.

St Stephen’s Cathedral

This monolithic structure stands proud in the Stephensplatz and has been the most important church in Vienna and Austria since its construction.

The beauty of this building is undeniable and its huge tower dominates the Vienna skyline and stands as the tallest church tower in Austria.

Everything about St Stephen’s Cathedral oozes opulence – From the Romanesque and Gothic design of the exterior, to the dominating pointed tower, and the intricately decorated main roof complete with hundreds of coloured tiles forming an intriguing pattern.

Inside the church there are a total of 18 altars, several smaller chapels, and even some tombs and catacombs.

Vienna State Opera

Opera and fine architecture is synonymous with Vienna, and the Vienna State Opera provides both in abundance.

This outstanding building is located centrally in the Innere Stadt district and is considered one of the finest Opera Houses in the world.

The exterior has a Neo-Renaissance style and is characterised by its many arches and arched windows, while the interior is extremely decadent and feels more like a palace than a place of musical celebration.

Daily guided tours are available which last around 40 minutes and give a good overview of the building.

What to eat

Wiener Schnitzel

This surely has to be top of any lists of what to eat in Vienna, and even what to do in Vienna. Also written without the space in Austrian German, Wienerschnitzel is one of Austria’s national dishes and is a thin veal cutlet, which is breaded, and pan-fried. In Vienna, the Wiener Schnitzel varies in size and is often large enough for two people to share.

Sachertorte

The classic chocolate cake, Sachertorte is a chocolate cake, topped with a thin layer of apricot jam and a smooth chocolate topping. The cake was first created by Franz Sacher, who was instructed to create a new dessert for Prince von Metternich in 1832.

Apfel Strudel

Apple strudel is one of the most famous deserts in Austria, and all around this part of Europe. Made with pastry stuffed with apples, raisins, and flavoured with cinnamon and a sprinkling of sugar, apple strudel, or apfelstrudel as it is called here, makes for a great dessert, or as a sweet snack with your coffee.

Where to stay

Hotel Imperial

There’s a true sense of occasion arriving at the palatial Hotel Imperial, the fairest of all Vienna’s grand hotels, built for the Prince of Württemberg in 1863. Here you can experience a slice of royal life and Michelin-starred dining right on the city’s monumental Ringstrasse boulevard.

Do & Co

In the shimmering, postmodern Haas Haus, Do & Co makes a spectacular leap between old and new Vienna, with front-row views of St Stephen’s Cathedral, a happening lounge-bar gazing out over the city, urban-chic design, flawless service and phenomenal food. It’s an all-round class act.

The Guesthouse

Sharing the same square as the Albertina, Opera House and Sacher Hotel, this property is a favourite among the hotel offerings in the city centre. It is remarkable what happens to a youth hostel in the hands of Sir Terence Conran. The transformation has succeeded on every level.