Things to do in Austria
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Gustav Klimt Vienna Combo: Belvedere Palace, Vienna Card and Optional Albertina Museum
Flexible (Departs Vienna, Austria)
by Viator
See the work of Austrian artist Gustav Klimt with this Vienna combo, which also includes a Vienna Card, offering discounts at attractions and restaurants across…Not LP reviewed
from USD$63.68 -
Wallfahrtskirche
St Wolfgang’s impressive Wallfahrtskirche is a spectacular gallery of religious art, with glittering altars (from Gothic to baroque), an extravagant pulpit, a fine organ and countless statues and paintings. The most impressive piece is the winged high altar, created by celebrated religious artist Michael Pacher between 1471 and 1481 – it’s a perfect example of the German Gothic style, enhanced with the technical achievements of Renaissance Italy.
reviewed
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Welcome to Vienna - Vienna Card, Hop-on-Hop off Tour, Morning Tea and Lunch or Dinner
Varies (Departs Vienna, Austria)
by Viator
Vienna, a city of culture, of music, and classical architecture. So whether you prefer museums or galleries, cathedrals or palaces - Vienna has it all. Welcome…Not LP reviewed
from USD$154.66 -
Schonbrunn Palace Evening: Dinner and Concert
4 hours (Departs Vienna, Austria)
by Viator
Enjoy a royal evening at Schonbrunn Palace, the former summer residence of the imperial family. Schonbrunn is considered one of the most beautiful Baroque…Not LP reviewed
from USD$93.57 -
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Stift Klosterneuburg
This large Augustinian abbey dominates the small town of Klosterneuburg. Founded in 1114, the abbey's baroque face-lift didn't begin until 1730 and wasn't completed until 1842. The plans actually called for something far grander, but fortunately these were not realised, leaving large sections in their original medieval style. The abbey's museum is an eclectic mix of religious art from the Middle Ages to the present day. If you've ventured this far, however, you're better off including a guided tour on your itinerary, which takes in the cloister and the church (tours in English require advanced notice). The tour's highlight is the Verdun Altar in St Leopold's Chapel, an…
reviewed
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Hofburg
Nothing symbolises the culture and heritage of Austria more than its Hofburg (Imperial Palace). The Habsburgs were based here for over six centuries, from the first emperor (Rudolf I in 1273) to the last (Karl I in 1918). The Hofburg owes its size and architectural diversity to plain old one-upmanship; new sections were added by the new rulers, including the early baroque Leopold Wing , the 18th-century Imperial Chancery Wing, the 16th-century Amalia Wing and the Gothic Burgkapelle (Royal Chapel). The oldest section is the 13th-century Schweizerhof (Swiss Courtyard), named after the Swiss guards who used to protect its precincts. The Renaissance Swiss gate dates from…
reviewed
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5-Day Sightseeing Tour from Vienna to Budapest
5 days/4 nights (Departs Vienna, Austria)
by Viator
Travel the picturesque route from Vienna to Budapest and marvel at beautiful landmarks along the Danube River on this round-trip, five-day tour of Austria's…Not LP reviewed
from USD$427.58 -
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Karlskirche
Karlskirche (Church of St Charles Borromeo) rises at the southeast corner of Resselpark and is the finest of Vienna’s baroque churches. This dramatic structure was built between 1716 and 1739, after a vow by Karl VI at the end of the 1713 plague. It was designed and commenced by Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach and completed by his son Joseph. The enormous twin columns at the front are modelled on Trajan’s Column in Rome and show scenes from the life of St Charles Borromeo (who helped plague victims in Italy), to whom the church is dedicated. The huge oval dome reaches 72m. The highlight is the lift to the dome for a close-up view of the intricate frescos by Johann…
reviewed
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Vienna Sightseeing Tour with Danube Boat Ride
3 hours 30 minutes (Departs Vienna, Austria)
by Viator
For the best introduction to the beautiful city of Vienna, tour the sights by coach and boat. As you travel along the Danube you'll pass the Prater and…Not LP reviewed
from USD$50.69 -
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Hofmobiliendepot
Ostensibly, the Hofmobiliendepot is storage space for furniture not displayed in the Hofburg, Schönbrunn, Schloss Belvedere and other Habsburg residences, plus a smattering of late-20th-century furniture thrown in. Covering four floors, the collection is a highlight for those whose first love is furniture design; for the rest of us it’s very interesting and worthwhile. Biedermeier aficionados will gravitate to the 3rd floor, where over a dozen rooms are beautifully laid out in the early 19th-century style, and a few dozen chairs from the era can be tested by visitors. In all, it’s the most comprehensive collection of Biedermeier furniture in the world. The 4th floor…
reviewed
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Vienna City Walking Tour
2 hours 30 minutes (Departs Vienna, Austria)
by Viator
See Vienna's greatest sites and hidden gems on a classic Vienna City walking tour! Your expert guide will treat you to a 2.5-hour walking tour around Vienna,…Not LP reviewed
from USD$19.49 -
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Schwarzenbergplatz
Forming a square that crosses the Ringstrasse and spills into the Landstrasse district, Schwarzenbergplatz is dominated in the north by a statue of Karl von Schwarzenberg, leader of the Austrian and Bohemian troops in the Battle of Leipzig (1813). The southern stretch of the square sports the stony fountain Hochstrahlbrunnen and behind this is the Russisches Heldendenkmal (Russian Heroes’ Monument). The fountain was commissioned in 1873 to commemorate Vienna’s first water mains; a dedication in Russian on the monument reads: ‘Eternal glory to the heroes of the Red Army who fell in battle for the freedom and independence of the people of Europe against German-Fascist…
reviewed
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Vienna City Segway Day Tour
by Viator
Imagine cruising effortlessly through the beautiful parks and along the Ring while receiving great orientation, informative historical and current-day…Not LP reviewed
from USD$90.97 -
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Stift Klosterneuburg
Founded in 1114, the abbey’s baroque facelift didn’t begin until 1730, and wasn’t completed until 1842. The plans actually called for something much more grand, but fortunately these were not realised, leaving large sections intact in their original medieval style. The abbey’s museum contains an eclectic mix of religious art from the Middle Ages to the present. It closes in winter to individual visitors, but tours of are conducted almost hourly all year (tours in English require advanced notice). The highlight of the ‘Der Sacrale Weg’ tour is the Verdun Altar in St Leopold’s Chapel, an annexe of the church. Made in 1181 by Nicholas of Verdun, it is an…
reviewed
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Secession
In 1897, 19 progressive artists broke away from the Künstlerhaus and the conservative artistic establishment it represented and formed the Vienna Secession ( Sezession; ). Their aim was to present current trends in contemporary art and shake off historicism. Among their number were Klimt, Josef Hoffman, Kolo Moser and Joseph M Olbrich (a former student of Wagner). Olbrich was given the honour of designing the new exhibition centre of the Secessionists. It was erected just a year later and combined sparse functionality with stylistic motifs. It served as a hospital during WWI and was torched by the retreating Germans during WWII (the gold dome survived the fire). The…
reviewed
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Nationalpark Donau-Auen
Established in 1996, the Donau-Auen National Park covers around 9300 hectares and runs in a thin strip on both sides of the Danube, extending from the edge of Vienna to the Slovakian border. About 60% is forested and approximately 25% comprises lakes and waterways. The park was created to protect an environment threatened by a hydroelectric power station in Hainburg. You’ll find plentiful flora and fauna, including 700 species of fern and flowering plants, and a high density of kingfishers (feeding off the 50 species of fish found in the waterways here). A Nationalparkhaus (National Park Office) is situated on the northern entrance to the park and offers a series of…
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Donauinsel
The svelte Danube Island stretches some 21.5km from opposite Klosterneuburg in the north to the Nationalpark Donau-Auen in the south and splits the Danube in two, creating a separate arm from the main river known as the Neue Donau (New Danube). It was created in 1970 and is Vienna’s prime aquatic playground, with long sections of beach (don’t expect much sand) perfect for swimming, boating and a little waterskiing. The tips of the island are designated FKK (Freikörperkultur; free body culture) zones reserved for nudist bathers, who also enjoy dining, drinking, walking, biking and in-line skating au naturel; it’s quite a sight. Concrete paths run the entire length of…
reviewed
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Vienna's Schonbrunn Zoo and Giant Ferris Wheel
Flexible (Departs Vienna, Austria)
by Viator
Combine a visit to Schonbrunn Zoo, which houses more than 4000 animals from each continent, with a ride on the world-famous Giant Ferris Wheel for a memorable…Not LP reviewed
from USD$23.39 -
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Graben
Branching off from Stock-im-Eisen-Platz (a small square adjoining Stephansplatz), Graben literally began life as a ditch dug by the Romans to protect Vinodoba. In 1192 Leopold V filled in the ditch and built a defensive city wall that ended in Freyung, using as finance the ransom paid by arch-rival Richard the Lionheart, who at that time was being kept under lock and key in a castle near Dürnstein, on the Danube.
Two fascinating landmarks on Graben are the writhing, towering Pestsäule (Plague Column), and Adolf Loos’ public toilets, which are in the Jugendstil design. The Pestsäule commemorates the end of the plague and was erected in 1692. It was designed by Johann…
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Schottenkirche
At the northern end of Herrengasse, the Schottenkirche (Church of the Scots) was founded by Benedictine monks probably originating from Scotia Maior (Ireland); the present facade dates from the 19th century. The interior has a beautifully frescoed ceiling and terracotta-red touches. Although the main nave can only be entered during services at noon and 6pm to 7pm daily, it’s possible to peek through the gates. A small art and artefacts museum in the adjoining monastery displays religious pieces from the church and monastery, but of more interest is the church shop, which stocks homemade schnapps, honey and jams.
On Fridays Freyung is transformed into a farmers market…
reviewed
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Kaisergruft
The Kaisergruft beneath the Kapuzinerkirche (Church of the Capuchin Friars) is the final resting place of most of the Habsburg royal family (the hearts and organs reside in Augustinerkirche and Stephansdom, respectively). Opened in 1633, it was instigated by Empress Anna (1585–1618), and her body and that of her husband, Emperor Matthias (1557–1619), were the first to be entombed. Since then, all but three of the Habsburg dynasty found their way here: the last emperor, Karl I, was buried in exile in Madeira, and Marie Antoinette (daughter of Maria Theresia) still lies in Paris. The remains of Duc de Reichstadt, son of Napoleon’s second wife, Marie Louise, were transferred…
reviewed
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Vienna State Opera House Mozart Concert in Historical Costumes
2 hours (Departs Vienna, Austria)
by Viator
For a typical Viennese experience, book your tickets for the Vienna Mozart Concert at the Vienna State Opera. Dressed in historical costumes and wigs, the…Not LP reviewed
from USD$58.48 -
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Kunsthistorisches Museum
One of the unforgettable experiences of being in Vienna will be a visit to the Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Art History), brimming with works by Europe’s finest painters, sculptors and artisans. The museum has sculptures from classical times (and some copies) in its Egyptian-Oriental collection, atiques, a coin collection, and decorative curiosities from the Renaissance and baroque epochs (this section was closed for long-term restoration at the time of publication). These alone would be reason to set aside half a day or more for the museum, but the Picture Gallery takes it one echelon higher to offer a breathtaking window into mainly Flemish, Dutch, Italian and…
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Stephansdom
Vienna’s Gothic masterpiece Stephansdom (St Stephen’s Cathedral), or Steffl (Little Stephan) as it’s locally called, symbolises Vienna like no other building. A church has stood on this site since the 12th century, but little remains of the original structure aside from the Riesentor (Giant’s Gate) and Heidentürme (Towers of the Heathens); both features are Romanesque in style. In 1359, at the behest of Habsburg Duke Rudolf IV, Stephansdom began receiving its Gothic makeover and Rudolf earned himself the epithet of ‘The Founder’ by laying the first stone in the recostruction. Much of the nave is closed to the public during mass, which is held up to seven times a…
reviewed
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Flohmarkt
One of the best flea markets in Europe, this Vienna institution should not be missed. It’s tacked onto the southwestern end of the Naschmarkt on Saturdays, and half of Vienna seems to converge here, either flogging or pawing through tonnes of antiques, Altwaren (old wares) and just plain junk. It stretches for several blocks of stands hawking books, clothes, records, ancient electrical goods, old postcards, ornaments, carpets…you name it. It’s very atmospheric – more like the markets of Eastern Europe – with goods piled up in apparent chaos on the walkway. Try to get there early, as it gets more and more crammed as the morning wears on. Stallholders know the value of…
reviewed