Note (Le Grand Bal): for deeper-pocketed visitors who are in Vienna toward the end of the year, a black-tie festivity called “Le Grand Bal” is held on New Year’s Eve at the Hofburg. Guests can look forward to beautifully decorated state rooms, an incredible artistic programme and an exquisite gala dinner as part of a […]
Hofburg Palace (Michaelerkuppel, Vienna) – this is the one-time winter residence of Hapsburg royalty, located in the heart of Vienna. Its original construction occurred in the 13th century, which each monarch adding to taking away wings since then. These days, less than 2 dozen of the over 2,600 rooms are currently open to the public. […]
Kunsthistorisches Museum (Maria-Theresien-Platz, Vienna) – this museum, which in German means the “Museum of Art History”, was built in 1891 near the Imperial Palace to house the extensive collections of the Austrian imperial family. With its vast array of eminent works and the largest Bruegel collection in the world, it is considered one of the […]
Ernst-Happel Stadion (Meiereistrasse 7, Vienna) – located in the second largest district of Vienna (Leopoldstadt), this is the largest stadium in Austria (with a seating capacity of 55,665). Built in the early 1930s for the second Workers’ Olympiad, it’s the current home of the Austrian national football team. Along with holding those games and UEFA […]
Donau-Auen National Park (Orth an der Donau) – located halfway between the European capitals Vienna and Bratislava (Slovakia), the Donau-Auen National Park preserves the last remaining major wetlands environment in Central Europe. Here, the Danube is still free flowing and is the lifeline of the National Park. It creates a habitat for numerous animals and […]
Danube Tower (Donauturmstrasse 4, Vienna) – known locally as the Vienna Donauturm, this tower (opened in 1964) is the tallest structure on Austria (standing at 252 meters), and is listed as among the 75 tallest towers in the world. Located in Donaupark, it is a popular tourist attraction – with two high-speed elevators to take […]
Castle Herberstein (Buchberg 1, St. Johann bei Herberstein) – located 90 minutes west of Vienna, this castle, built during three epochs – Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque – tells an interesting story of more than 700 years of Styrian history and aristocratic family tradition. Thanks to the enclosed wildlife park the castle developed into a major tourist […]
Burgtheater (Universitätsring 2, Vienna) – built in 1714 by Maria Theresa’s palace, this theater (a.k.a. National Theater, and simply “die Burg”), held a variety of theater productions & operas, such as those composed by famed Austrian musical legend Mozart. It suffered substantial damage by Allied plane bombings during the close of World War II in […]
Belvedere (Prinz-Eugen Strasse 27, Vienna) – this is a building complex that goes back to Austria’s royal period. Originally built as a summer residence of Prince Eugene of Saxony, the Belvedere consists of two Baroque palaces, the Orangery, and the Palace stables. These two palaces (Upper and Lower Belvedere) presently house a museum that displays […]
Augarten Palace (Obere Augartenstrasse 1, Vienna) – in existence since 1718, this palace has actually been a manufacturing facility for Augarten porcelain. Combining sophisticated craftsmanship, artistic design and the latest techniques, Augarten uniquely blends time-honored tradition with contemporary art. The finest porcelain is still produced and painted by hand here. Take a guided tour of […]