Discovering Vienna: A Journey Through History, Culture and Nature

Located in Western Europe, Austria is a country that was declared a free, independent and neutral state in 1955. Today, Austria is a federal republic that numbers around 10 million inhabitants spread across the country in its nine states (in German: Bundesländer), namely Burgenland, Carinthia, Lower Austria, Upper Austria, Salzburg, Styria, Tyrol, Vienna and Vorarlberg. All the nine states have something in common: they are a combination of the breathtaking Alpine beauty, the historical buildings and the rich cultural experiences.

While all the nine states are worth a visit, in today’s article, we will focus on Vienna and its must-visit destinations. Let this article serve as a guide for all travelers who have already planned to visit Vienna or those who are thinking about visiting the heart of Europe.

What to visit in Vienna?

Vienna is the capital of Austria. It is located in the northeastern corner of the country, and it is home to the Vienna International Airport (Schwechat) which serves as a bridge connection for plenty of international flights on a daily basis. If you are traveling by plane, and especially if you are coming from other continents, you will most likely land in this airport. The city center is reachable by car in 15 minutes, or around 30 minutes by train. In that line, public transportation is highly recommended as it is generally clean, punctual and reliable.

Here’s what to visit  during your time in Vienna:

1.  Schönbrunn Palace

Schönbrunn Palace is definitely one of Vienna’s most magnificent landmarks. As the name suggests, it is a palace that once used to be a home to the Habsburg dynasty. This dynasty is one of the most influential ones in Europe and during its existence ruled many European countries, Austria included. As can be imagined, the palace has a great amount of land where beautiful gardens, a farm and a richly decorated palace building are open to the public. Ultimately, a whole day can be spent in Schönbrunn to take a tour of the buildings, visit the farm and see the animals or just enjoy the sun in one of the park areas while chilling with friends, playing fun games or chatting and eating.

2.  St. Stephen’s Cathedral

St. Stephen’s Cathedral is located in Vienna’s center. It is one of the most important buildings in Vienna and it is often used to represent the city in movies, documentaries and ads. The cathedral as such is 136 meters high and it is possible to go up to the tower and have a panoramic view of the city. One of the most fascinating things about St. Stephen’s Cathedral is its gothic architecture that makes it even more attractive on the outside and people often refer to it as a “gothic jewel”.

Truth be told, St. Stephen’s Cathedral is situated in the heart of Vienna, but it will also steal your heart by just looking at it.

3.  The Hofburg

As widely acknowledged, Europe is steeped in history, which explains the many historical landmarks it offers. Similar to Schönbrunn Palace, the Hofburg is another rich historical palace that Vienna offers to its tourists. The Hofburg, amongst other things, has the rich rooms and apartments that can be seen from near the inside of the palace. Those rooms and apartments show the luxurious settings that once used to be inhabited by the royal family of the Habsburg Empire. Apart from that, Hofburg offers a whole museum dedicated to Empress Elizabeth (otherwise known as Sisi) called “Sisi Museum”.

A fun fact about Sisi is that for three decades straight, she was declared as Europe’s most beautiful queen.

4.  MuseumsQuartier

MuseumsQuartier is a heaven on earth for art lovers. Often regarded as Vienna’s cultural hub, this part of the city offers many museums and artistic places that you will simply love. Amongst others, in MuseumsQuartier you will find Leopold Museum, where modern artwork is exhibited at all times. Then, you can also come across Vienna’s Museum of Modern Art (otherwise known as MUMOK) which exhibits contemporary art from the 20^th and 21^st centuries. Lastly, we recommend you have a look at Vienna’s Kunsthalle, which is a place where new emerging artists express their talent.

All in all, MuseumsQuartier is an awesome place that deserves some of your time to emerge in the artistic life of Viennese, national and international artists.

5.  Viennese Coffee Houses

Viennese Coffee Houses are traditional coffee places in Vienna known for their historical significance. As Vienna is well-known for its coffee culture, those places are the best representation for the coffee and pastries that they offer. We recommend that you visit some of the most famous coffee houses in Vienna, such as, for example, Café Central, Café Sacher and Café Demel. When it comes to coffee making, any type of coffee is well-made in Vienna, so just go for your favorite.

On the other hand, we recommend that you accompany your coffee with one of Austria’s most authentic pastries: Sachertorte (a very dense and delicious chocolate cake), or Apfelstrudel (a flaky pastry filled with spiced apples, raisins, and cinnamon).

Finally, whether this is your first time visiting or coming again to the city, Vienna keeps its doors open for you. Vienna is one of Europe’s must-visit destinations because of the variety of tourist attractions it offers. Lastly, for those wondering, Austria was ranked 3^rd globally from the Global Peace Index for its peacefulness, thus you are guaranteed to have an unforgettable and safe journey in Vienna. Go pack your bags and let’s go to Vienna!