Traveling with Tanya
20th April 2022
Best Places to Visit in Vienna
Vienna, the capital city of Austria, a metropolis of charm, classic architecture, grandeur and vibrancy. Vienna, also known as “WIEN” in German is a UNESCO World Heritage Sight and is brimming with Imperial History and Baroque Architecture. We had clubbed our Budapest and Vienna Trip and after exploring the gorgeous town of Budapest we headed to Vienna , for a 48 hour stay. Vienna which is also situated on the banks of river Danube. We tried our best to explore all the beautiful facades this historic town has to offer. So come and lets experience together this city of romance, culture, music and art.
How to reach Vienna:
Since we were traveling from Budapest, we decided to take a flix bus, which was one of the best and most budget friendly options to reach the city. The travel time was around 3.5 to 4 hours. Vienna has very good connectivity and can be easily reached by train, car or flight. However, it’s always best to leave your car behind and explore the city on foot and through the extensive network of the public transport.
Where to stay in Vienna:
Vienna is a hub for tourists and offers plenty of stay options with cute, scenic Airbnbs to grand, lavish hotels. If it’s your first time in Vienna, then I would highly recommend you to book your stay in the Vienna District 1 as the Innen Stadt (Inner City) is the best neighborhood to explore the city easily on foot. Even if you plan to stay in the outskirts of the town, don’t worry, the city is very well connected through trams, trains and buses.
Since we were mostly going to be outdoors, we decided to book a cute little Airbnb, right in the heart of the old town.
Places to Visit in Vienaa
Hmm! Where to start from. Everywhere you look around, every little corner of the city offers a kaleidoscope of ornamental design. When we first headed out to explore the town, in the initial few minutes itself we were awestruck and all smitten by the charm and glory of this historic, cultural town. We visited the city during the Easter breaks and during the day the most of the sightseeing destinations were bustling with tourists, so we also planned to get up early the next day in the morning to witness and enjoy the beauty of these places.
Hofburg Imperial Palace:
Did you know that Vienna Imperial Palace is one of the biggest Palace complexes in the world! It has been the Heart of Power in Vienna since 1279 and the Habsburg Empire was ruled from the Hofburg Imperial Palace.
Once here, I couldn’t stop marveling at the magnificence and architectural brilliance of the Palace. You will also find a lot of horse driven carriages here, that make this place all the more beautiful and takes you back in time. Here you will also find the Sisi Museum, which is dedicated to the enigmatic Empress, Elisabeth. She was known for being unconventional and high spirited for those times and was tragically assassinated in 1898. The museum is extremely popular amongst the tourists here and you will find a lot of souvenirs and gift items related to Sisi.
Graben Street:
Graben Street is one of the most popular streets in the Vienna Old Town and dates back to Roman times. It is a pulsating shopping street and is full of alleys, gourmet pleasures and elegant tradition. It is the perfect spot for a stroll at all evenings and seasons of the year. One of the most prominent parts of the street is The Plague Column or the Trinity Column, constructed back in the 1600’s by Austria’s most renowned architects.
Another site here you can’t miss is the H&M store! Yes, it is hands down one of the most gorgeous & elegant stores you will ever walk in with bright crystal chandeliers and the velvet staircase.
St. Stephen’s Cathedral:
The Cathedral also known as Stephansdom is the most important religious building in the city. It is a Gothic cathedral with Baroque fittings and an iconic multicolored tiled roof. The initial stone foundation of the church dates back to the 1100’s. The entry to the Church is free of cost. You can also visit several small altars with pews for prayer and light a votive candle. .
Vienna State Opera:
This is one of the leading Opera houses in the World, with the largest repertoire and its past is steeped in tradition. It was built back in the 1860’s and the opening was done by the famous Empress Elisabeth and the Emperor Franz Joseph. That evening the premier of -Don Juan- composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, was performed. It is one of the most prominent landmarks of the town. The Opera House faced dark chapters under the Nazi Regime and was heavily destroyed in the American Bombardments during the World War. It was then renovated after the war which took around 10 years. You can enjoy and watch the daily Opera Performances, Ballet Shows and sometimes the concerts too. I would highly recommend the Opera house guided tour to admire the Pompous Interiors at just a price of 12 Euros PP.
St. Charles Cathedral ( KARLSKIRCHE):
Did you know that St. Charles Cathedral is also referred to as the Austrian Taj Mahal. Very close to the Opera House, this magnificent Church is known for its striking, powerful dome and giant two pillars. It is one of the most important and prominent Baroque Structures in Vienna. The exterior of the church has enough white space making it look subtle and a pleasant sight to watch. Once inside the church, you will witness decorative delights, rich marble work, carvings and wall paintings. There is also a panorama lift that leads you up to the ceiling for some of the best views.
Belvedere Palace:
A haven of Baroque and Austrian Art, the Belvedere Palace has the World’s largest & valuable collection of Gustav Klimi’s Paintings, including The Kiss. The Baroque palace complex was built as a summer residence for Prince Eugene of Savoy. This Baroque jewel is a World Heritage Site. It consists of two palaces; the Upper Belvedere and the Lower Belvedere. The Upper Belvedere is all about the representation and the grandeur while the Lower Belvedere was the actual residence of the King. The gardens of the Belvedere are a highlight of Baroque landscape architecture.
St. Peter’s Church:
Also known as the Peterskirche, this was the first ever Dome structure in Vienna! The church dates back to the Early Middle Ages. It is said to be standing here mighty since 792!! The most unique feature of the church is that it is nestled quietly in a compact space, very close to the busy Graben Street. The interiors of the Church are a treat to the eyes and are filled with marble, decorative paintings and gold.
The Burg Theater:
The Burg Theater is Europe’s second oldest theater and essentially Austria’s National Theater.it has its roots back to 1741 The famous painter Gustav Kilmi has worked on Interior Decors and you can see some of his famous ceiling paintings. The institution has a rich history itself of emerging emperors, wars and fan fiction. You can take the guided tours of the theater and the Grand Staircase inside is absolutely worth a visit.
Austrian National Library:
The library is the biggest Baroque library in all of Europe. It is in the Neue Burg Wing of the Hofburg Palace, right in the heart of Vienna and dates back to the 18th Century. Once inside the library, make sure to visit the Baroque State hall. The ceiling paintings on the oval dome are breath-taking and have magnificent interiors. You can take photos inside to your heart’s content, without turning on the flash.
The Butterfly House:
Imagine yourself being in a beautiful glass Palm house, with hundreds of free-flying tropical butterflies around. To add to the beauty of the scenic views, are the wooden bridges, small ponds, waterfall and lush, rich greenery. The Butterfly House is also known as the Schmetterlinghaus and is located in Burggarten Park. It feels as if you are walking into a forest. You can see bananas and fruits kept on plates, so that the butterflies can come and feed. And you can take some really lovely pictures all around. You can easily spend an hour and a half here.
Hundertwasser Haus:
This place is actually an architectural highlight in Vienna and stands out incredibly from what the rest of Vienna has to offer. The houses have bright, colorful exterior facades and attract a lot of tourists all year round. With hundreds of shrubs and trees growing around, the place looks like a green oasis. Right opposite to the Hundertwasserhaus is the Hundertwasser Village, which is more like a shopping square where you can buy many gift items, souvenirs, Vienna Merchandise and much more.
