Vienna is Austria’s cultural, economic, and political center. It is a city famous for its cultural events, historical buildings, museums and its charm. In 2001, the city center was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Official language:
German. English is not universally spoken compared to the northern European countries, therefore travelers who do not speak German may require a bilingual dictionary or a traveler’s phrase book.
When to visit Vienna:
The best time to visit Vienna is during the summer which is usually between the months of June to August. The weather during the summer is warm and pleasant.
Getting around:
Vienna has an excellent transport system which includes rail, underground, buses, taxis and trams. If you are staying for a few days and plan to do a lot of sightseeing, you should purchase the Vienna Card (Wien Karte) or Vienna Pass which gives you unlimited public transit within Vienna for a certain period. The card also gets you discounts to many attractions and shops.
For more information on the Vienna card and Vienna Pass click here and here.
Where to stay:
You can find a complete range of hotels depending on which part of the city you want to spend time in. The transport system in Vienna is good and you can get to the city center within minutes.
The most central area is the inner city (the 1st district) with easy walking distance to restaurants, bars, shops and major tourist attractions. If you plan to stay in this area, you should search for an accommodation with a postal code of 1010 – the First District. Vienna is considered a very safe city and you can walk on the streets in the evening.
Gourmet guide:
Wiener Schnitzel is one of the best known specialties of Viennese cuisine and a national dish of Austria. It is a very thin, breaded and pan fried cutlet made from veal.
Things to do in Vienna;
Take the hop on and hop off bus tour: explore the major landmarks and learn about the history of the city. There are several companies that provide this service.
Visit the State Opera House: this is one of the leading opera houses of the world, with a history dating back to the mid-19th century.
Explore Schönbrunn Palace: this stunning castle is one of the most visited sites in Vienna. It is part of the UNESCO World heritage sites and is located in the Outer West district.
Take the Vienna old town evening walking tour: explore the City on foot and meet new friends.
Visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral also known as Stephansdom: this is the most important religious building in Vienna. It is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vienna and the seat of the Archbishop of Vienna.
Explore the Museum of Fine Arts also known as Kunsthistorisches Museum: this museum was built in 1891 and is the largest arts museum in Vienna. The interior is lavishly decorated with marble, stucco ornamentations, gold-leaf and paintings and numerous major art works of European art history are housed in the paintings gallery.
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