vienna

Hello, vienna

Art and culture are embedded in the soul of Vienna: imperial splendour, world-class museums, opera and classical music heritage. Modernist legacy and a cosmopolitan flair add delicious contrast to the old-world charm. Walk down the parks and grand palace-lined Ringstrasse, experience the centuries-old cafe tradition and admire the astonishing architecture of a buzzing modern capital filled with history.

Best things to do in vienna

Plenty of things to do and see

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Museum of Fine Arts Vienna (KHM)

Emperor Franz Joseph constructed the Vienna Museum of Fine Arts for the imperial collections and with its treasures it now ranks as one of the most important museums in the world. Objects from five centuries — from Ancient Egypt and Ancient Greece to the end of the 18th century — are showcased here, beside an extraordinary art gallery with paintings by Rubens, Rembrandt, Raphael, Vermeer, Velázquez, Titian, Dürer and the largest Bruegel collection in the world. Gustav Klimt, in collaboration with his brother Ernst and Franz Matsch, created a series of paintings housed in the magnificent staircase located twelve metres above the museum’s lobby. A cafe can be found in the spectacular domed hall.

Christmas Markets in Vienna

From mid-November until Christmas, a number of markets in the city of Vienna spread Christmas cheer. Mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, music and handcrafted goods sold at the little stalls create a warm and welcoming atmosphere, despite the at times cold Austrian winters. Some of the most exciting Christmas Markets include the Viennese Dream Christmas Market in front of the City Hall, the Christmas Village at Belvedere Palace (Prinz-Eugene Straße) and the Christmas and New Year's Market at Schönbrunn Palace; there are many other smaller markets with similar charm.

Vienna State Opera

The Vienna State Opera is one of the most distinguished opera houses in the world. The magnificent building on Ringstrasse was constructed between 1861 and 1869 by August Siccardsburg and Eduard van der Nüll as Hofoperntheater (Court Opera). You can catch a glimpse of what goes on backstage and admire the architectural magnificence of this neo-Renaissance masterpiece with one of the 40-minute guided tours.

Konzerthaus

One of the focal points of cultural life is the Wiener Konzerthaus in the atmospheric Art Nouveau style. Its musical bandwidth encompasses not only the classical repertoire, but also ranges from Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque music to Jazz, World and the progressive tones of the present day. Check the programme on their official website — there are multiple performances almost every day. Perfect plan for a date on a rainy day! If you are more interested in architecture than in music, take part in the guided tour of the Konzerthaus.