Relatively lesser known compared to its European neighbours like Germany or Italy, the nation of Austria does have one ace up its sleeve – its capital Vienna!
One of the most famous cities in the world (ever heard of the Mozart, Freud or the Vienna Convention?), Vienna is both a political and cultural powerhouse of Europe.
From the Holy Roman Empire to the Austro-Hungarian Empire and finally modern Austria, Vienna’s multilayered history can be seen in its many palaces, churches, concert halls and museums.
So how do you get a feel for the Vienna or Wien, as the locals call it?
Let’s find out:
Architecture
A melting pot of Classical, Romantic and Baroque architecture, Vienna is a feast if you’re a fan of architecture or simply selfie spots with great vibes.
Giant columns adorned with saints and angels, marble-white facades looming over vast plazas and the warm curves and colours of art nouveau – every sidewalk, street and plaza here contains some of the finest examples of 19th and 20th century architecture.
For first time visitors, head straight to the Innere Stadt district and the surrounding Ringstrasse road where most of the city’s famous monuments stand.
Schönbrunn and Hofburg
Your first stop should definitely be the twin palaces of Schönbrunn and Hofburg, which served as the summer and winter palaces of the Habsburg dynasty respectively.
At Schönbrunn, first take in its vast Versailles-like grounds and park, before walking up to a gleaming neoclassical exterior of faux columns and innumerable windows; inside, explore just a fraction of its 1,440 rooms, all festooned with opulent gold and white wallpaper, divinely inspired paintings and luxuriously crafted furniture.
As for Hofburg Palace, marvel at the vast complex of residences, churches and imperial buildings that stretch all the way back to the 13th century.
Here in this collection of buildings are the warm, maroon red rococo of the former imperial bedrooms and apartments, the regal gem-encrusted crowns and sceptres of the imperial treasury and best of all – the surreal sight of horses prancing about inside the grand hall of the Spanish Riding School, lit by chandeliers, no less!
St. Stephen’s Cathedral
But if you’re looking for the heart and soul of Vienna, you can’t go wrong with the iconic St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
Located at the heart of Vienna, the church is a unique blend of Romanesque and Gothic styles thanks to rebuilding efforts after parts of it burned down. Its spiky spire looms over a colourful mural roof bearing the Austrian coat of arms alongside diamond and zigzag shapes.
Step inside, and you’ll be greeted with dozens of chapels, ornate triptychs carvings featuring saints, and the solemn tombs of many of Austria’s religious and imperial leaders.
Art
After works of stone and marble, we now move onto the world of canvas and paint with Vienna’s innumerable galleries and museums.
Due to its location at the geographical, political and cultural crossroads of Europe, Vienna has long enjoyed a glowing reputation among artists. Here, a culture has developed where the strange, surreal and groundbreaking fringes of art and philosophy are explored and appreciated.
Crazy About Klimt
And where better to see this than the Belvedere Palace, a former palace turned art museum which features paintings from famous Viennese and international artists. The star of the gallery though, has to be Gustav Klimt, a pioneer of the Art Nouveau movement which emphasized organic forms and warm colours.
He is particularly well known for his use of patterns and gold leaf in vivid, abstract paintings of women, particularly the “The Kiss”.
Another famous Klimt site in Vienna is the Secession Building, a specially built gallery crowned by a “golden cabbage” dedicated to the Art Nouveau movement, which was “seceding” from the traditional arts helmed by Association of Austrian Artists. Its most famous exhibit is the Beethoven Frieze, a remarkable piece inspired by Beethoven’s music which incorporates styles from both East and West.
Swooning Over Schiele
Still can’t get enough of Klimt? Then pay a visit to the Leopold Museum, which not only has a sizable collection of Gustav Klimt’s works, but also that of his disciple Egon Schiele, another artistic giant in his own right.
Famed as an early proponent of Expressionism, which prioritizes a subjective view of the world to highlight emotions, Schiele’s highly stylized self-portraits adorn the walls of the Leopold Museum alongside other Modernist masters of the early 20th century.
For an even further look into the past, then drop by the Kunsthistorisches or Art History Museum, which houses a jaw-dropping collection of works from the Habsburg’s art collection dating from 16th to 17th century inside of a magnificent, palatial setting. The famed Tower of Babel painting by Pieter Bruegel the Elder is also a resident is this must-visit gallery.
Music
As the city where Mozart and countless other musicians lived and performed in, Vienna is simply dripping in classical Western music.
If you’re a Mozart-heads, then you’ll be spoilt for choice in Vienna. Visit his old stomping grounds, listen to live concerts of his symphonies at the Konzerthaus or even stroll through a multimedia experience with Mythos Mozart – a buffet of melodies awaits classical music lovers.
In fact, you could almost say that the music never stops in Vienna. One day you might be giving a standing ovation at the Musikverein, where the esteemed 182-year-old Vienna Philharmonic orchestra regularly performs to packed galleries. The next, you might me gripping the edge of your seat at a dramatic climax at the Vienna State Opera.
Another Vienna specialty when it comes to music are its venues. Far from your soulless, minimalist concert halls, the Viennese prefer classical theatres straight out of 19th-century period dramas. As you approach these grand Baroque masterpieces such as the Theater an der Wien or Burgtheater, you almost feel like a Viennese noble heading off to enjoy a night out. The interiors are no less impressive too, with grand chandeliers, opera boxes and the signature Viennese flair!
But don’t think that Vienna is always stuck in the past! Modern day genres like rock, jazz, pop also feel right at home in the cultural capital’s many bars, jazz clubs, clubs and dance halls.
Cuisine
Vienna is not just the home of giant monuments and theatres, but also tinier attractions – namely their cuisine!
And one of the best places to find said cuisine is the revered Viennese coffeehouse.
Cozy Coffeehouses
Open from dawn to midnight (with some even open until 2am), these celebrated cafes have long been the favourite haunts of writers, artists and philosophers such as Freud and Trotsky, fuelling their creativity and passions with affordable, amazing coffee and a café culture that promotes reading, relaxing and long discussions.
From the classic Café Central with its vaulted ceilings and Roman columns to the cozy senior-run Vollpension Café, there’s sure to be a table and cup with your name on it!
Don’t forget the coffee!
And boy, do the Viennese have plenty to fill your cup with! Your first taste of coffee here definitely has to be the iconic Wiener Melange, where coffee and milk are topped with foamed milk to create an addictive blend. There’s also the Einspänner with its esperesso blend topped by a thick layer of whipped cream; its name was supposedly inspired by the drivers of horse-drawn carriages who appreciated the thick cream that kept the coffee warm and prevented it from spilling out of long, tall glasses. Don’t forget to enjoy the complimentary glass of Alps-sourced drinking water too!
…and a little bit of dessert
Besides coffee, Viennese cafes also offer snacks and dishes such as bread with butter or chives, goulash stew and especially cakes!
Speaking of cakes, Vienna has got you covered there too! Sachertorte or “Sacher Cake” is a sinfully delicious chocolate cake with apricot jam in the middle and dark chocolate for its sides served with whipped cream.
For something a little more heavier, definitely check out the iconic Wiener Schnitzel which is named after Vienna itself! This chicken chop-like dish is basically a plate of fried meat (traditionally veal) served with parsley and a slice of lemon – that’s it! Paired with other sides like French fries or salads, the Wiener Schnitzel is a simple and filling staple of Viennese cuisine.
Nature
So you’ve seen monuments, gazed at art, heard music and sipped coffee, how about the great outdoors?
As Europe’s most liveable city of 2023 according to the Economist, Vienna boasts a huge variety of green spaces in the form of gardens, parks and woods. During summer, they are remarkably pleasant for a stroll, some light sports and even a picnic.
One of these parks if the Volksgarten, a large lawn promenade and garden attached to the Hofburg Palace. Its rose garden is filled with almost every kind of rose imaginable alongside a replica of the Greek Temple of Hephaistos in Athens!
Another lovely Vienna green space, particularly for those who appreciate space or who have families, is the Kurpark Oberlaa. Rolling hills of green, play areas for kids and a large lake in the middle make for a fun day out! For picnic and sunbathing fans, try out the sweeping lawns of Burggarten Park.
But, for a truly wild experience, check out the Lainz Game Reserve. Formerly the hunting grounds of Austrian royalty, it is now a freely accessible wildlife preserve with swathes of thick forest, trails meadows and playgrounds. But best of all, you have a pretty good chance of spotting some of the local wildlife such as wild boars, deers and woodpeckers! Another excellent choice is the Vienna Woods, which has hiking trails that take you through dense fir trees filled with diverse wildlife.
Feeling a little thirsty from all that walking? Then head on over to Vienna’s vineyards, which are all within the city itself! Walk among the rows of vineyards before taking the time to sip on a glass while taking in the surrounding landscapes, including a gorgeous view of the city itself.
Sources and References
Vienna Tourism Board
https://www.wien.info/en
Austria Tourism Board
https://www.austria.info
Visiting Vienna
https://www.visitingvienna.com
Encyclopedia Britannica
https://www.britannica.com
Written with information collated by Rin Matsumoto.
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
