We listed only a few sights below. If you would like to explore Vienna in detail, please refer to Vienna Tourism.
St. Stephen's Cathedral, Austria's most eminent Gothic edifice, houses a wealth of art treasures, some of which can only be seen during a guided tour:
The red-marble sepulcher of Emperor Frederick III, sculpted from 1467 to 1513 by Niclas Gerhaert van Leyden; the pulpit, a work from 1514-15 by Anton Pilgram (who put his own relief portrait underneath it as his signature); the Altarpiece of Wiener Neustadt (Wiener Neustädter Altar), a Gothic winged altar from 1447 - and the tomb of Prince Eugene of Savoy, dating from 1754.
Tipp: Climb the 343 steps to the tower-keeper's room of St. Stephen's and enjoy a breathtaking view...
(credits: www.wien.info/en)
View location on google maps.
Schönbrunn Palace, the former summer residence of the imperial family, is one of Europe's most impressive Baroque palace complexes. The palace and garden complex built here from 1696, after the Turkish occupation, was redesigned from the ground up by Maria Theresia after 1743. For most of the year, the Habsburgs resided in the countless chambers that a large imperial family needed in addition to the formal state rooms.
Emperor Franz Joseph, who later married the enchanting Sisi and reigned from 1848 to 1916, was born here in 1830. The monarch spent his last years entirely in the palace, which became the property of the new Republic of Austria only two years after his death. Today, the palace is part of UNESCO’s cultural heritage due to its historic importance, its unique grounds and its splendid furnishings.
The rooms, shown to the public on guided tours, are mostly decorated in Rococo style. Most of the walls and ceilings are covered with white-lacquered surfaces with ornamentation covered with gold leaf.
Bohemian crystal chandeliers and white porcelain tile stoves are also part of the harmonious design. The living quarters and offices used by Emperor Francis Joseph are simple and very unpretentious; by contrast, the state rooms and guestrooms are much more lavish. In 1772, six-year-old child prodigy Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart gave a concert in the Hall of Mirrors.
In the Round Chinese Room, Maria Theresa held secret conferences with her Chancellor, Prince Kaunitz. Napoleon met with his generals in the Vieux Laque Room. In the Blue Chinese Salon, Emperor Charles I signed his abdication of the crown in 1918, marking the end of 640 years of Habsburg dominion in Austria and the demise of the monarchy.
The Room of Millions, paneled with rosewood and decorated from floor to ceiling with priceless Indian and Persian miniatures, is probably the most magnificent Rococo room anywhere in the world. The Congress of Vienna danced in the Grand Gallery in 1814-15; today, the Austrian government gives state receptions there when important heads of state come to Austria for official visits.
(credits: www.wien.info/en)
View location on google maps.
Until 1918, the Hofburg was the center of the gigantic Habsburg empire. Originally planned as a lavish “Imperial forum”, the grounds were built up majestically by the Habsburg emperors – from the 13th century "Alte Burg" to the most recent addition from around 1900. Today, the Hofburg in Vienna is the official seat of the Austrian President.
Here you can visit the Imperial Apartments, the Sisi Museum, the Spanish Riding School, and marvel at the Imperial Silver Collection and Treasury.
(credits: www.wien.info/en)
View location on google maps.
The Giant Ferris Wheel is open year round and is one of the most frequented attractions in the Danube metropolis. Ferris Wheel Square was redesigned in 2008. Now this entrance to the Prater amusement park is a nostalgic theme world reminiscent of the Prater in the year 1900.
Today, the Giant Ferris Wheel offers an attractive adventure world: at the entrance area, a "Panorama" tells the history of this monumental ferris wheel and the City of Vienna – with nostalgic installations that drift past you in giant ferris wheel cars.
At the Riesenrad Shop, you can buy exquisite Viennese porcelain and crystal, models of the Riesenrad and high-quality textiles in the Riesenrad-Look. A café-restaurant provides culinary delights and pampers you in a cozy ambiance with Viennese specialties.
The Giant Ferris Wheel was built in 1896/97 by the British engineer Walter Basset and wasn’t the only one of its kind back then: Basset built similar panorama wheels – extremely popular at the end of the 19th century – in Chicago, London, Blackpool and Paris as well.
(credits: www.wien.info/en)
View location on google maps.
Vienna’s exciting art complex near the Imperial Palace offers not only renowned museums such as the Leopold Museum, with its numerous works by Schiele, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Kunsthalle: a lively array of restaurants, cafés and bars make this museum district even more attractive. See and be seen is the motto – and above all: enjoy...
(credits: www.wien.info/en)
View location on google maps.
The Vienna International Center, also known as the UN City, is one of the four official locations of the United Nations, in addition to New York, Geneva and Nairobi. Multilingual guides from different countries inform you about the work of the United Nations and the many tasks of the organizations located here.
Drug Control and Crime Prevention are part of this as well as the peaceful utilization of space and aid for refugees. Special organizations deal with industrial development, the peaceful use of atomic energy and the embargo on nuclear testing.
(credits: www.wien.info/en)
View location on google maps.