Highlights of Vienna
As the capital and largest metropolis of Austria, Vienna attracts tourists from all over the world every year. Its history dates back to ancient times and its numerous historical monuments make it one of Europe’s greatest cities. You can admire here edifices built in almost all styles – from Romanesque to Modernist. A tour of Vienna is therefore a real treat for history and architecture lovers. But lovers of museums, nature, music and excellent coffee will also find something to their liking!
What are Vienna’s main attractions? They certainly include St. Stephen’s Cathedral, which dates back to the turn of the 14th century. It is an impressive Gothic-style church, one of the largest in the world. Its four towers dominate the city, the highest of them is 136 metres high! Inside the cathedral you can see many Gothic and Baroque works of art – including more than a dozen intricately carved altars. St. Ruprecht’s Church is also worth a visit. It is the oldest church in the city; some of its elements date back to the 11th century.
Vienna – tours of the Austrian capital
When touring Vienna, make sure you visit the beautiful neo-Gothic city hall with its characteristic towers and arches. In front of it stretches a square with monuments commemorating important figures from Vienna’s history. When strolling through the city centre, it is also worth stopping by the so-called Plague Column. This is a Baroque monument to the Holy Trinity, erected by order of Emperor Leopold I after the end of the plague epidemic in the 17th century. Vienna’s parliament building is also worth seeing. Although it suffered damages during the Second World War, it was restored and you can now once again admire its facade inspired by ancient Greek art.
Vienna is also home to a number of palaces. One of them is Schloss Schönbrunn, the former imperial summer residence. Its interior can be visited and is certainly worth the effort. The numerous frescoes, beautiful stucco, extensive French-style gardens and Rococo decoration will impress everyone. The palace was frequented by personalities such as Napoleon Bonaparte and Mozart, and in its Great Gallery balls were held during the famous Congress of Vienna. Other palaces worth visiting in Vienna are the Augartenpalais, the Belvedere, the Kinsky Palace and the Hofburg. The latter was the residence of Austrian rulers for many centuries. The former royal rooms of Franz Joseph and his wife Elisabeth (known as Sisi) now house a popular museum.
Free walking tour – Vienna with a professional guide
Make sure you don’t miss any noteworthy sights during your stay in the Austrian capital and join our free walking tour of Vienna. An experienced Walkative! guide will lead you to the most beautiful corners of the city and tell you about its rich history. Importantly, it is you who decides how much to reward your guide’s commitment, passion and hard work! Book your place in advance and get to the meeting point – that is all you have to do! Free walking tours are ideal for small groups of friends, families or couples who want a guided tour of Austria’s most important metropolis. On the Walkative! website, you will find free walking tours of Vienna, as well as many other European capitals – including Budapest, Bucharest, Prague or Warsaw.