Vienna is a city full of art, culture and history. Whether you're here for a day or longer, there are plenty of things to see and do.
If you're an art lover, make sure to visit the Albertina Museum. It's home to one of the largest collections of art in Austria.
Graben Street
A street of shopping and cultural landmarks, Graben Street is a must-see for visitors to Vienna. Originally a trench in the Roman encampment of Vindobona, the area was filled in to become one of the city's first residential streets in the 12th century.
Today it's one of the city's most prestigious addresses. It's a popular tourist destination with its 17th and 18th century buildings, which give the street an air of sophistication.
It's also home to the Kohlmarkt, a shopping district with a wide variety of stores that include many luxury labels such as Prada and Tiffany & Co. There's also a number of traditional shops such as KuK Hofzuckerbackerei Demel, which is known for its traditional confectionery.
A little further down is the Favoritenstrasse, another upscale shopping street, which houses many shops and restaurants. It is also a great place to find the Viktor Adler market, which has a number of small bars.
Parliament Building
One of the things to see in Vienna is the Parliament Building, a huge white neoclassical style palace. This building has an enormous importance as it is home to the Austrian Parliament, where they conduct the sittings.
The architect was inspired by ancient Greece and gave the building a templelike design. The entrance is framed by Corinthian columns and a pediment which showcases allegorical carvings.
76 marble statues are arranged along the roofline, including quadrigas (horse-driven chariots) steered by Nike. On the two lower ends of the ramp are bronze horse tamers.
The Parliament Building was built between 1874 and 1883 by Danish-Austrian architect Theophil Hansen. His designs were very classical and the building is a perfect example of this type.
Burgtheater
Located on the Ringstrasse, the Burgtheater is one of many historical landmarks that adorn Vienna’s main boulevard. It’s also the country’s national theatre, an institution with a long history that stretches back to the emperors and wars.
Today the theater is a premier venue for classical and modern German plays. It has a long tradition of attracting famous actors.
It’s a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. Visiting the Burgtheater is an excellent way to experience Austria’s rich theatre heritage.
Another interesting museum to visit is the Third Man Museum (Third Mensch Museum), which is modeled after and houses exhibits from the movie “The Third Man”. The film was filmed in Vienna in 1948.
Opera
If you’re an opera fan then you’ll love catching a show in Austria’s capital. The stunning spaces in which the performances are held make them a truly magical experience.
The Vienna State Opera has been the city’s premiere venue for performing arts since 1869. It’s still home to numerous concerts and performances each year.
You can get a glimpse of the building’s history by taking a guided tour. It lasts about 40 minutes and costs around 13 euros.
In the early 1900s a new style of opera developed in Vienna. This was a lighter form of the art that aimed to be more accessible to the general public. It was a big step away from the more serious and complex stories that are found in traditional opera.
