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“Vienna, Vienna, only you should always be the city of my dreams,” one of the lyrics says. It is a dream of bygone times in the old city. Horse-drawn carriages clatter along the pavements, waiters in coffeehouses always wear black and white uniforms, and couples waltz at balls like princesses and princes of past monarchies. Naturally, this museum touch, enriched with modern elements, makes the metropolis a place that millions of tourists long for every year. The Austrian capital received high marks for its high level of security, good public facilities and rich cultural opportunities in the list of the world’s ten most livable cities prepared by the British “Economist” group.
10 tips for your next trip to the Danube metropolis
The city was shaped architecturally and psychologically by the Habsburg noble family, which held power from 1278 to 1918. Originally from Habsburg in Aargau, the Habsburgs founded their empire from Vienna. An empire that partially covered large areas of Europe. The last major victory before the Habsburgs were expelled at the end of World War I in 1918 was the Imperial and Royal Monarchy of the Greater Austro-Hungarian Empire. Vienna’s current magnificence is due to the construction activities of that period: the Hofburg, Belvedere Palaces and Schönbrunn Palace are real jewels. You should not miss these ten highlights when visiting “On the Beautiful Blue Danube”:
one. Hofburg
The magnificent Hofburg has been Vienna’s center of power for 700 years. The Habsburgs ruled their huge empire from here until 1918; today it is the seat of the Austrian Federal President. The most famous member of the Habsburg family was Empress Elisabeth of Austria-Hungary, better known as Sisi. The fashion-conscious empress was the style icon of the late 19th century. You can immerse yourself in the world of the tragic ruler at the spectacular Sisi Museum. Don’t miss: the treasury and imperial offices, where the glory of the past is still alive.
2. Spanish Riding School
Galloping back to the Renaissance: Since 1562, white Lipizzaners have been dancing, quad-cycling and strutting around the riding arena of the Spanish Riding School in the Hofburg. The art of dressage is one of the best in the world. It is quite difficult to get tickets for the shows. Our recommendation: visit to the morning training session and an informative barn tour.
3. Albertina
Luxury rabbit barn: Duke Albert’s former city palace now houses the Albertina Museum, world famous for Albrecht Dürer’s 1502 painting “The Rabbit”. If you like more modern art, you’ll also find works by Monet, Picasso and Klimt. And besides all the paintings from around the world, you can also admire the Habsburg state rooms.
4. Schönbrunn Castle
Absolute crowd pleaser One of the tourist streams is the fairy-tale Schönbrunn Palace, the summer residence of the Habsburgs at the gates of Vienna. Do you want to feel like an emperor? Since Easter 2014, you can sleep like emperors in the 167 square meter luxury suite. Royal overnight accommodation starts from 1,400 euros, imperial service from 3,900 euros.
5. Viennese coffee houses
American chains such as Starbucks and McCafé We conquered the world, the cafe was invented in Vienna! Living room, pool of ideas, artist’s studio: Viennese coffee is a way of life. Viennese coffeehouses have rightfully been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2011. You can find the famous coffee house atmosphere, for example, at Café Central and Cafè Diglas in the old town.
6. Schnitzel
Wiener Schnitzel They live a miserable, greasy existence in the buffets of the world. Completely wrong! Original breaded beef steak is a light and airy treat. Traditionally, you eat schnitzel in a Beisl, a simple bar (for example, at the Steman inn in the 6th arrondissement). The golden brown culinary marvel is also available in a Michelin-starred version: for lunch at the star restaurant Steirereck in the city park.
7. Quality of life
Vienna is one of the most livable cities in the world – as polls have shown time and time again. Yet the Viennese have a particularly close relationship with death. The central cemetery is the second largest church cemetery in Europe and a popular local recreation area. You can go to the graves of famous people such as Beethoven, Brahms, Curd Jürgens or rock legend Falco by horse carriage. And if that’s not enough, you can get even closer to death at the Vienna Funeral Museum.
8. Vienna Old Town
Driving around Vienna’s old town in the Fiaker, a two-horse carriage, is a pure tourist sight, but in traditional vehicles you feel like you’re in Empress Sisi’s Vienna. Places can be found at tourist attractions in the old town. Tip: Be sure to book a long city tour (about 40 minutes).
9. Prater
The Prater, actually the Wurstelprater, is the most famous amusement park on the planet; especially since it was once the largest Ferris wheel in the world. Prater is a must for families. By the way: Prater will be 250 years old in 2016! Partiers and night cats will find an unusual club nearby: Fluc-Wanne is a dance hall located in a former underpass.
10. Hundertwasser
An alternative to the glitz and glamor of the Habsburgs is the colorful, sloping residential complex of the eccentric Viennese artist Friedensreich Regentag Dunkelbunt Hundertwasser (1928 – 2000) in Vienna’s 3rd district. The coffeehouse “Kunst und Café” allows you to take a look inside. There is a permanent exhibition of the artist’s paintings in the nearby Kunst-Haus Wien.
The best addresses in Vienna
- Café Drechsler – Viennese coffee house in 21st century style. (Linke Wienzeile 22, Vienna)
- Forest Vienna – Theater house for young audiences in the Museumsquartier. (MuseumsQuartier Vienna, Museumsplatz 1, Vienna)
- Apple pie show – Delicious, original handmade Viennese apple pies are baked every hour in the demonstration oven of the Café-Restaurant Residenz. (Universitätsring 4, Vienna)
- Siegmund Freud Museum – Get to know the life and work of the world-famous psychoanalyst in Freud’s former living and practice rooms. (Berggasse 13, Vienna)
- Bar Mormat- Want a glass of wine after shopping? It’s great to have fun in the completely renovated Trendloka. (Mühlgasse 20/2a, Vienna)
- Babette’s – Spices and Books for Cooks More than 2500 cookbooks and spices (Am Hof 13, Vienna)
- spa – Vienna is Europe’s most modern and largest urban thermal spa with 26 water pools, 24 saunas and steam cabins, four slides and much more. (Kurbadstrasse 14, Vienna)
- Danube Island – Just relax and enjoy
- Vienna Ringstrasse – Remarkable architectural forms from past periods: State Opera, Parliament and City Hall.
- Augarten Porcelain Factory – Traditional production with contemporary design collections. (Obere Augartenstrasse 1, Vienna)
- Villon wine cellar – The wine cellar located in the city center is 500 years old. (Habsburgergasse 4, Vienna)
- Sky Bar – You can sip your cocktails while listening to lounge music on the top floor of the Steffl store. (Kärntner Str. 19, Vienna)
Source : Blick
I am Dawid Malan, a news reporter for 24 Instant News. I specialize in celebrity and entertainment news, writing stories that capture the attention of readers from all walks of life. My work has been featured in some of the world’s leading publications and I am passionate about delivering quality content to my readers.
