Charisma, culture, charm and cakes
When I reminisce about Vienna, my immediate thoughts drift to palatial palaces, exquisite fountains and squares and elegant cafés. Austria’s capital city just exudes style and has a classy culture to match.
Vienna is nestled along the shores of the River Danube, and if you are after a city-break with that little something special, then Vienna is the one.
When you stroll around the historic streets, the architecture is so striking. It is such a pleasure that there is an absence of towering buildings, distracting from what is truly a beautiful city.
Visiting any city, there is always a degree of compromise on what you can fit in. With Vienna, you’ll definitely want to try one of their delicious Viennese cakes. I’ve put together a list of the things Gary and I enjoyed during our visit to Vienna. As usual, there is always a good helping of history and culture.
![The Pin image for our post - '10 things to do in the chic city of Vienna, Austria'](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/10-things-to-do-in-the-chic-city-of-Vienna-Austria-Pin6.jpg)
![A sweeping path up to Austria’s parliament building in Vienna. The huge building was built in the late 19th century in a Greek revival style.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Austrias-parliament-building-in-Vienna-Things-to-do-in-Vienna-Austria-V5.jpg)
Our List ...
![The front of the Vienna State Opera on the Opernring on a bright sunny day.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/The-Vienna-State-Opera-Things-to-do-in-Vienna-Austria-V5.jpg)
The programme is continually changing as they have 58 different operas and 21 ballet productions to choose from. The opera house can seat just over 1,700 people.
You may also recognise it from the Tom Cruise movie, Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation.
![The view of the Schönbrunn Palace and its gardens from Neptune’s Fountain on the hill.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/The-Schonbrunn-Palace-Things-to-do-in-Vienna-Austria-reasons-to-visit-vienna-discover-vienna-V5.jpg)
The stunning 1,441 room Rococo palace was built for the House of Habsburg as a summer residence, and it really does have an impact. Once you’ve taken a tour of the palace, step outside to the beautiful Baroque gardens.
The gardens are amazing, colourful and immaculately kept. Dotted around the grounds are life-size sculptures of Greek gods and mythological figures.
Prior to heading up Gloriette Hill, you come to Neptune’s Fountain, which was built around 1780. Take a stroll around the back, and you’ll get a wonderful view of the palace.
![The Gloriette, an ornate pavilion, overlooking the Schönbrunn Palace from Gloriette hill. The neo-classical structure is now home to a cafe & restaurant.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/The-Gloriette-Things-to-do-in-Vienna-Austria-V5.jpg)
As you gently wind your way up through the gardens, the Gloriette emerges more and more into view. Sitting high on the hill you’ll get incredible views of Schönbrunn Palace and the rooftops of Vienna in the distance.
If you fancy heading into to Schönbrunn Palace and like the idea of skipping the line grab your ticket here.
I must admit I wasn’t going to embark on a horse-drawn carriage tour, somehow it just didn’t appeal.
However, after a couple of days of watching them trot at a graceful pace passing the historical monuments, I was won over.
![The view from the back of a horse-drawn carriage, at night, in front of Saint Peter's Church in the centre of Vienna](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Out-on-our-evening-horse-drawn-Carriage-Things-to-do-in-Vienna-Austria-V5-1.jpg)
We headed off on fiaker tour as the sun was setting and it was a beautiful way to see the city in all its glory.
I would highly recommend it.
If you've yet to discover the beautiful architecture and the delicious cakes in Vienna, you're in for a treat. I found this DK Top 10 Pocket Travel Guide invaluable, they're extremely informative, easy to follow, and the pictures and maps tempt you into discovering more.
We used a previous version of this book to plan our Vienna adventure, now you can grab the revised copy.
![The Neue Burg, a crescent-shaped neoclassic building that overlooks Heldenplatz, or heroes square.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Neue-Burg-the-crescent-shaped-building-overlooks-Heldenplatz-Things-to-do-in-Vienna-Austria-V5.jpg)
The Hofburg has been extended over the centuries with several elegant wings being added. The eye-catching crescent-shaped Neue Burg overlooks the Heldenplatz (Heroes Square).
Passing under arches continuing through the charming complex is the Spanish Riding School. Also here is one of my favourite squares in Vienna which was St. Michael's Square. Especially when the sunset and the arch were illuminated.
![The beautiful horse-shoe shaped St. Michael's Square with the floodlit white stone Hofburg, with its verdigris dome decorated with gold features.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/St.-Michaels-Square-Things-to-do-in-Vienna-Austria-V5.jpg)
![The side entrance of the Burgtheatre, the Austrian Nation theatre of a neo-classical design in a cream stone.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/The-Burgtheatre-Things-to-do-in-Vienna-Austria-V5.jpg)
![The Kunsthistorisches Museum, another grand classically styled building from the 19th century. The building sandstone catches the golden light of the evening in Vienna.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/The-Kunsthistorisches-Museum-in-Vienna-Things-to-do-in-Vienna-Austria-V5.jpg)
The two museums looked identical both have a 60-meter-high dome and were both opened in 1891. They look across at each other in the gardens of Maria-Theresien-Platz and form part of the Imperial Palace.
Keep a lookout for the ever-changing exhibitions.
![The Hundertwasserhaus, an apartment house styled by an abstract artist where the formality of Austrian architecture is morphed into abstract coloured blocks.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/The-Hundertwasserhaus-Things-to-do-in-Vienna-Austria-V5.jpg)
Where to stay in Vienna
![The top of Karlskirche in Vienna with its green copper-topped dome set on the white stone church. Either side are 2 decorative columns, also in white stone, topped gold trimmings and copper domes.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Karlskirche-Things-to-do-in-Vienna-Austria-V5.jpg)
![Looking up at St. Stephen’s Cathedral on a bright sunny day with clear blue skies. The detail in the gothic architectures is impressive with its coloured tiled roof.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/St.-Stephens-Cathedral-Things-to-do-in-Vienna-Austria-V5.jpg)
The place of worship that stands out like no other in Vienna is St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
Constructed on the ruins of two previous churches, one of which was consecrated in 1147.
![Looking towards the roof of St. Stephen’s Cathedral on which Vienna's city motif of a doubled headed eagle is depicted in the tiles.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Doubled-headed-eagle-on-the-roof-of-St.-Stephens-Cathedral-Things-to-do-in-Vienna-Austria-V5.jpg)
The cathedral that stands today in St. Stephansplatz is so striking, particularly its ornately coloured tiled roof.
There are 230,000 glazed tiles that cover the roof and are displayed as the Royal and Imperial double-headed eagle, the coat of arms of the city of Vienna.
Did you know?
![Inside the elegant Café Central in Vienna with it's high vaulted ceiling and decorative lighting. In front of us is a pastry counter serving the elegant patisseries these cafés are renown for.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Inside-the-elegant-Cafe-Central-Things-to-do-in-Vienna-Austria-V5-1.jpg)
However, in a city like Vienna, when there are quite a few places out of town, then these tours make it so easy to reach them.
Also, you see a lot of other locations along the way that you may not have otherwise seen.
So, don’t dismiss it out of hand, take a peek at what is on offer on the multi-lingual Big Bus tour.
The big bus tour
![A scooter sits in front of the entrance to a Heuriger, a local restaurant, in the Grinzing region of Vienna. The archway leads to a courtyard which serves traditional Viennese food, local wine and beers.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Wine-growing-region-Grinzing-Things-to-do-in-Vienna-Austria-V5.jpg)
![A view from the courtyard of a Viennese wine restaurant in the Grinzing region of Vienna. The historic cobbled courtyard and the lane that leads to the exit is lined with tables, chairs & benches.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/In-the-courtyard-of-a-Heuriger-in-Grinzing-Things-to-do-in-Vienna-Austria-V5.jpg)
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Looks like they brushed up Hundertwasserhaus since our last visit, Janis. When we were there it was very badly maintained, with paint falling off the walls and the black residue of exhaust fumes dulling all the beautiful colours. Nice to see it in its beauty on your photos.
So you recommend the Fiaker tour, that s good to know. Ellie tries to pressure me into taking her on a tour every time we are in town… Perhaps next time I will let her have it her way haha..
I think the Hundertwasserhaus is an acquired taste; however, we enjoyed visiting.
Yes, I do recommend the Faiker tour, I must admit it is not usually the sort of thing that we do, but it was my birthday and I thought let’s do something a bit different. It was lovely doing it at dusk too.