Start your acquaintance with Vienna with a cup of coffee. Reading a newspaper while having a pastry (who hasn’t heard of the Viennese strudel?) and a strong espresso will give you a real taste of Austrian tradition. Now you can go for a walk and study the architectural styles of this city-museum.
One example of Gothic architecture and unique interior decoration is St. Stephen's Cathedral (Stephansdom), which stands on the square to which it gives it name, Stephansplatz. It is a symbol of Vienna and of Austria in general and houses exquisite relics: church utensils decorated with precious stones, old icons, liturgical books, gold-embroidered bishops' attire, relics of St. Valentine, a piece of the tablecloth from the Last Supper and much more. The cathedral’s towers (you can take the stairs and the elevator) offer an excellent view of Vienna.
To fully experience the grandeur of Imperial style, visit the Hofburg palace complex. Formerly the residence of Austrian monarchs (the Habsburgs), it now houses the offices of the president of Austria. Some of the rooms constitute the Imperial Apartments Museum (Kaiserappartements) with a collection of furniture and tapestries, and the Elisabeth of Bavaria Museum (Sisi Museum), which displays the empress’s personal belongings.
The summer residence of the Austrian monarchs, the Schönbrunn Palace (Schloss Schönbrunn), was built in the Baroque style à la the French Palace of Versailles. It is an enormous palace, with over 1,400 rooms and an equally massive garden with straight lanes, fountains, statues and many romantic corners. The world's oldest zoo (Schönbrunner Schlosspark) is also located here.
Austrian architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser deserves a special mention. At the end of the last century, he designed his most famous buildings in Vienna: the Hundertwasserhaus, the KunstHausWien (Vienna House of Arts) and the Müllverbrennungsanlage Spittelau (a waste incineration plant). Despite the fact that these bold architectural experiments still provoke a great deal of controversy among the majority of architects, they are very popular with those who visit the Austrian capital.
Tired of studying architecture and going to museums? Head to the Prater. Here you can enjoy the scenery while strolling, jogging, rollerblading or riding a bike. The Prater is also an amusement park. Its most famous ride is the giant Ferris wheel, which has been delighting residents since 1897!
Classical music lovers must attend the famous Vienna State Opera (Wiener Staatsoper). If you aren’t able to buy a ticket, don’t worry. With a tour you can see the interiors and the stage and even take a peek backstage.
Hungry? Stop by a restaurant or a cafe; there are plenty of them. Schnitzels, dumplings, strudels and, of course, world-famous Sacher cakes are the mandatory minimum. There is also fast food, Austrian style, such as hot dogs made using Viennese sausages.
Vienna harmoniously combines classical Imperial style, whimsical modern architecture and highly developed infrastructure befitting a capital city. In exquisite and stately Vienna, adorned by the green embankment of the Danube and full of lovely cafes, it’s impossible to get bored!
