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Globenmuseum
Part of the Nationalbibliothek (National Library) collection of museums is this small museum dedicated to cartography. Among the plethora of 19th-century globes and maps in the collection are a couple of gems a few centuries older. Look for the globe made for Emperor Karl V by Mercator in 1541 and a map of the world produced in 1551, also for him.
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Greek Orthodox Church
For some, the beauty of the Greek Orthodox Church on Fleischmarkt outshines many of its baroque counterparts. Built in 1861 by Vienna's Greek community, its interior is a glittering blaze of Byzantine design that has left no wall space untouched. The ceiling fresco depicting the prophets surrounded by swirls of gold is topped by a high alter of 13 panels and a doorway to the inner sanctum, each of which features elaborate gilding.
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Haus Der Musik
The Haus der Musik (House of Music) rates among the best museums in the city. Spread over four floors (the fifth is a café and restaurant), it helps explain sound in an amusing and interactive way (in English and German) accessible to both children and adults.
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Haus Des Meeres
The 'House of the Seas' is a rather unspectacular collection of lizards, sharks, crocodiles and snakes, with a few fish and spiders thrown in. Saving graces include the shark and piranha feeding at Wednesday and Sunday, the reptile feeding at Sunday and Thursday, and a glass tropical house filled with lithe monkeys and a small rainforest. It occupies the inside of a Flakturm (flak tower), giving you a chance to see the interior of one of these giant monoliths.
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Haydnhaus
Hayden bought this house in 1793 and then added an extra floor. He didn't move in until the end of 1796, then lived here until his death in 1809. Within that time he composed The Creation and The Seasons . There's not much to see except a smattering of period furniture and the odd piece of memorabilia. This municipal museum also has rooms devoted to Brahms (who lived in Vienna from 1862 onwards), displaying some of his personal items.
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Heeresgeschichtliches Museum
In the wake of the 1848 rebellion, Franz Josef I ordered the Arsenal built; the large barracks and munitions depot was completed in neo-Byzantine style in 1856. Its handsome façade belied its true purpose: It was a fortress built to quash any further uprisings. At the same time, Franz Josef established the Heeresgeschichtliches Museum (Museum of Military History) within the Arsenal, making it the oldest public museum in Vienna.
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Hermesvilla
The Hermesvilla was commissioned by Franz Josef I and presented to his wife in an attempt to repair their failing marriage. Built by Karl von Hasenauer between 1882 and 1886, with Klimt and Makart on board as interior decorators, the villa is suitably plush and has all the hallmarks of a mansion. Empress Elisabeth's bedroom is particularly over the top, with the walls and ceiling covered in motifs of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream .
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Hietzinger Friedhof
Aficionados of Vienna's Secessionist movement will want to make the pilgrimage to the Hietzinger cemetery to pay homage to some of its greatest members. Gustav Klimt, Kolo Moser and Otto Wagner are all buried here, although Wagner's haughty tomb won't impress many. Others buried in the cemetery include Engelbert Dollfuss, leader of the Austro-Fascists assassinated in 1934, and composer Alban Berg.
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Hofmobiliendepot
Covering four floors, the Hofmobiliendepot's furniture collection is incredibly extensive, and ranges from complete rooms to an assortment of various furniture pieces such as mirrors, candleholders, dressers, desks, chairs, tables and the like. Standout one-offs include the cradle of Crown Prince Rudolf and an ensemble of imperial thrones. The Egyptian Cabinet Room and Crown Prince Rudoph's Turkish Room/Opium Den are the height of decadence.
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Hofpavillon Hietzing
Built between 1898 and 1899 by Otto Wagner as part of the public transport system, the Hofpavillon Hietzing was originally designed as a private station for the imperial court. The elaborate wood-panelled interior is suitably regal and was designed by Wagner in conjunction with Josef Olbrich. Its white façade with wrought ironwork is easily spotted just east of the U4 Hietzing stop. It is currently closed for renovation until further notice.
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Hop On Hop Off Vienna Line
Like Cityrama, Vienna Line buses stop at 14 sights in Vienna. Tickets range from one hour to all day, and you can hop on and off the buses as many times as you wish.
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Hundertwasser Haus
This residential block of flats was designed by Friedensreich Hundertwasser, Vienna's radical architect and lover of uneven surfaces. It is now one of Vienna's most prestigious addresses despite only offering rented accommodation and being city-owned. It's not possible to see inside, but you can visit the overpriced cafes and shops of Kalke Village, also the handiwork of Hundertwasser, created from an old Michelin factory.
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Johann Strauss Residence
Strauss the Younger called Praterstrasse 54 his residence from 1863 to 1878 and composed the 'Blue Danube Waltz' under its high ceilings. Inside you'll find an above-average collection of Strauss and ballroom memorabilia, including his grand piano and oil paintings from his last apartment, which was destroyed during WWII. The rooms are bedecked in period furniture. The residence is a municipal museum.
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Josephinum
Also known as the Museum of Medical History, the Josephinum has a bizarre but fascinating collection of 200-year-old ceroplastic and wax models of the human frame, detailing the body under the skin in gory detail. Other exhibits include arcane instruments and detailed accounts of highly unpleasant looking medical operations.
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Jüdisches Museum
Vienna's Jüdisches Museum (Jewish Museum) was founded in 1895, making it the first of its kind in the world. Unfortunately during WWII the museum's original collection was pillaged and only half has since been recovered, but what can be seen today is a poignant reminder of the Jewish influence on the city.
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Kaiserappartements
The Kaiserappartements (Imperial Apartments) were once the official living quarters of Franz Josef I and Empress Elisabeth (or Sisi as she was affectionately named). The rooms are as opulent as you might expect, with fine furniture, hanging tapestries and bulbous crystal chandeliers.
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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 at the will of Empress Anna (1585-1618), 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.
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Karlskirche
At the southeast corner of Resselpark is Karlskirche (Church of St Charles Borromeo), the finest baroque church in Vienna. This imposing creation 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. Although predominantly baroque, it combines several architectural styles.
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Kindermuseum
Schönbrunn's Kindermuseum (Children's Museum) sticks to what it knows best: imperialism. Activities and displays help kids discover the day-to-day life of the Habsburg court and, once they've got an idea, they can don princely or princessly outfits and start ordering the serfs (parents) around. Other rooms devoted to toys, natural science and archaeology all help to keep them entertained. Guided tours available in English by appointment
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Kirche am Steinhof
This distinctive Art Nouveau creation was the work of Otto Wagner from 1904 to 1907; Kolo Moser chipped in with the mosaic windows. The copper-covered dome earned the nickname Limoniberg (lemon mountain) for its original golden colour. The design illustrates the victory of function over ornamentation prevalent in much of Wagner's work. The church is currently closed for renovation - phone ahead to check opening times.
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Kirche Zur Heiligsten Dreifaltigkeit
The stack of concrete blocks forming the Kirche zur Heiligsten Dreifaltigkeit (Holy Trinity Church) is an unusual work of art. An industrial piece with little warmth, some will find it exceptionally ugly while others will see it as a triumph of contemporary over conformity; however, there's no doubting its powerful presence. It's more commonly known as 'Wotrubakirche' after its architect Fritz Wotruba, who completed it in 1976.
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Krieau
Sidling up to the Ernst-Happel-Stadion in the Prater is Krieau, the track where Vienna's trotting meets are held. It's normally only open on Saturday afternoons from September to June.
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Kunstforum
Often forgotten among the palaces and churches lining Freyung, the Kunstforum is a stalwart of the Vienna art scene and hosts a number of temporary exhibitions throughout the year. The overall exhibit theme is not confined to one genre, but leaps and bounds between them with ease.
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Kunsthalle
Between the Leopold and MUMOK is the Kunsthalle (Art Hall), a collection of exhibition halls showcasing local and international contemporary art. Its high ceilings, open space and pure functionality have seen the venue rated among the top institutions for exhibitions in Europe. Programs, which run for three to six months, tend to focus on photography, video, film, installations and new media. Guided tours in German are available.
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Kunsthalle Project Space
Formerly the only home of contemporary art in Vienna, the Kunsthalle Project Space now plays second fiddle to the museums in the MuseumsQuartier. It hosts temporary exhibitions of up-and-coming artists, which are often quite challenging. After the exhibition enjoy some chill-out time at the Kunsthallencafé next door.
