Europe Travel Guides

Points of interest

Schloss Schönbrunn

This sumptuous baroque palace is one of Vienna's most popular attractions. It has 1441-rooms-worth of imperial splendour (of which 40 can be visited), complete with a classically landscaped garden. Additional attractions (with separate entrance fees) include a maze and the world's oldest zoo.

The pinnacle of finery is reached in the Great Gallery. Gilded scrolls, ceiling frescoes, chandeliers and huge crystal mirrors create the effect. Numerous sumptuous balls were held here, including one for the delegates at the Congress of Vienna (1814-15).

The Mirror Room is where Mozart (then six) played his first royal concert in the presence of Maria Theresa and the royal family in 1762. His father revealed in a letter that afterwards young Wolfgang leapt onto the lap of the empress and kissed her.

The Round Chinese Room is over the top but rather ingenious too. Maria Theresa held secret consultations here: a hidden doorway led to her adviser's apartments and a fully laden table could be drawn up through the floor so the dignitaries could dine without being disturbed by servants.

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Riesenrad

Dominating the Prater is the Riesenrad (Ferris Wheel), one of Vienna's eternal symbols. Built in 1897 by Englishman Walter B Basset, the 65m-high wheel takes about 20 minutes to rotate its 430-tonne weight full-circle, ample time to snap some fantastic shots of the city. It survived bombing in 1945 and recently received a make-over including dramatic lighting and a café at its base.

Think you're experiencing déjà vu? The big wheel achieved celluloid fame in The Third Man and also featured in the James Bond flick The Living Daylights.

Admission includes entry into the Panorama, a collection of disused wheel-cabins filled with models depicting scenes from the city's history, including Roman Vienna and the Turkish invasions. Joint tickets for the Lilliputbahn (adult/child around EUR 9 .50/3.50), Donauturm (adult/child around EUR 10 70/5.10) and Schönbrunn Tiergarten (adult/child Euro14.50/5.90) are available.

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Central Cemetery - Zentralfriedhof

Despite its name, this cemetery is out in the suburbs. It's an ideal place to rest in peace for a while. There are impressive memorials to the famous composers (Beethoven, Brahms, Schubert, Mozart, etc) and to post-war Austrian presidents.

In 1784 the huge Zentralfriedhof (Central Cemetery) was opened, because there was simply no more space in the city cemeteries. To try to persuade the populace that their future dearly departed would rest better in this new location, they shipped the coffins of famous composers to the Zentralfriedhof, where they now rest together in group 32A. An unusual method was contemplated for transporting bodies to the suburban site: engineers drew up plans for a tube, many kilometres long, down which coffins would be fired using compressed air. However, the high cost of this scheme (one million florins) led to its abandonment.

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Sigmund Freud Museum

The apartment where Sigmund Freud lived and worked from 1891 until his forced departure from Vienna with the arrival of the Nazis in 1938 is now a museum devoted to the father of psychoanalysis. A number of his possessions are on display, and his obsessions - travelling, smoking and antique collecting - are well represented by Egyptian and Buddhist statues. Only a handful of his many portraits capture him without his trademark half-smoked cigar.

Overly detailed notes (in English) illuminate the offerings and audio guides are available at the ticket desk, but neither offers any real insight into Freud's theories. The newly opened second floor is used for temporary exhibitions.

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Judenplatz

The old Jewish quarter, Judenplatz, is just off the northeast corner of Am Hof. Here you'll find an attractive square underneath which are excavations of a medieval synagogue, a museum documenting the tumultuous history of Jews in Vienna, and a memorial to Austrian Jews who perished in the Holocaust.

The Jewish museum in the Judenplatz focuses on excavated remains of a medieval synagogue (1420) that once took pride of place on Judenplatz. The basic outline of the synagogue can still be seen and a small model of the building helps to complete the picture. Documents and artefacts dating from 1200 to 1400 are on display, and spacey interactive screens explain Jewish culture. On Judenplatz is Austria's first Holocaust memorial, the 'Nameless Library'. This squat, boxlike structure pays homage to the 65,000 Austrian Jews who were killed during the Anschluss.

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Schikaneder

Most of the colour in Schikaneder comes from the regularly projected movies splayed across one of its white walls - the students and arty crowd who frequent this grungy bar dress predominantly in black. But that's not to detract from the bar's atmosphere, which exudes energy well into the wee hours of the morning.

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Palmenhaus

Housed in a beautifully restored Victorian palm house complete with high arched ceilings, glass walls and steel beams, Palmenhaus occupies one of the most attractive locations in Vienna. The crowd is generally well-to-do, but the ambience is relaxed and welcoming. The outdoor seating in summer is a must, and there are occasional club nights.

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Futuregarden Bar & Art Club

With white walls, an open bar and basic furniture, it's hard to find a simpler place in Vienna. Its one piece of decoration - apart from the occasional art exhibition by local artists - is its rectangular disco 'ball,' which swings from the ceiling. Futuregarden attracts a 30s crowd with a cool atmosphere and electric sounds.

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Kantine

An upbeat café-bar housed in the former stables of the emperor's personal steeds, Kantine is the most laid-back spot to eat in the MuseumsQuartier. If the fresh daily menu - typically an Asian or Viennese dish with a vegetarian or fish choice thrown in - is sold out, meat- and salad-filled pita breads will fill the gap. Grab a cocktail from the extensive list and make good use of the outdoor patio on MQ's main square.

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Café Hawelka

At first glance it's hard to see what all the fuss is about: dirty pictures, ripped posters, brown-stained walls, smoky air and cramped tables don't look too appealing. But a second glance explains it - the convivial vibe between friends and complete strangers. A traditional haunt for artists and writers, it attracts the gamut of Viennese society.

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Café Landtmann

Landtmann attracts both politicians and theatre-goers with its elegant interior and close proximity to the Burgtheater, Rathaus, and Parliament. The list of coffee specialities is formidable and the dessert menu features classics like the Sacher Torte and Apfelstrudel. There's a huge selection of newspapers to read, and live piano music on Sunday evenings.

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Events

Naturally enough, in Vienna the cycle of music festivals is unceasing. In January, New Year concerts consist of lavish balls. February brings Fasching (Carnival), which celebrates the return of spring with masked processions and dances. Corpus Christi (the second Thursday after Whitsun) is heralded with more carnivals, some held on lakes in the Salzkammergut. The Wiener Festwochen (Vienna Festival Weeks, from May to mid-June) has a wide-ranging programme of arts and is considered the highlight of the year. At the end of October the Viennale, the country's biggest film festival, satisfys many a film buff with independent films from around the world.

National Day on 26 October involves lots of patriotic flag-waving. St Nicholas Day, on 6 December, marks the beginning of the Christmas season with parades. Public holidays also include Christmas Day and St Stephen's Day (26 December).

official holidays