Choose from 151 Fun Things to Do in Austria
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Desert Experience House
The Schönbrunn Zoo in Vienna is widely regarded as one of the best in the world and is certainly the oldest and the most beautiful. Established in 1752 by the Habsburg Imperial Family, the zoo has a circular layout that spirals outwards from an elegant Baroque pavilion and a reputation for successful conservation and breeding of some of the world’s most endangered species, including Siberian tigers, rhinos and giant pandas. In 1904, a glass-and-steel hothouse was built in Art Nouveau style to protect the vast collection of rare tropical plants owned by Emperor Franz Joseph I; over a century later this hothouse has been renovated and transformed into a show-home for cacti and other water-retaining succulents from arid regions across the world. Desert animals and birds such as lizards and humming birds roam free and there are several enclosures containing snakes and bizarre desert mole rats, which resemble a cross between a tiny walrus and a hairless rabbit. Equally eccentric is the Welwitschia tree from the Namibian desert, which has long, droopy fronds and grows in an untidy heap along the ground; it can live for up to 1,500 years.
Practical Info
Schönbrunner Schlossstrasse. Admission adults €4, children under 19 €2.50, aged under 6 free. Opening times are as follows: Jan–Apr, Oct–Dec daily 9am–5pm; May–Sept 9am–6pm. Metro U4 to Hietzing.
Address: Schönbrunner Schlossstrasse, Vienna, Austria
Hours: Jan–Apr, Oct–Dec daily 9am–5pm; May–Sept 9am–6pm
Admission: Adults €4, children under 19 €2.50, aged under 6 free
From $ 68
Belvedere Palace (Schloss Belvedere)
Built in the 18th century as the summer residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy, the magnificent Belvedere Palace (Schloss Belvedere) is among the many treasures of Vienna’s Baroque era and a UNESCO World Heritage–listed monument.
The Basics
Guided tours of the Belvedere Palace include the main palace buildings—the Upper Belvedere, Lower Belvedere, and Winter Palace (the Orangery)—as well as the Royal Stables and the lavish palace gardens. Opt to visit as part of a Vienna city tour; explore independently on a hop-on hop-off bus tour or using a Vienna Card; or combine it with a horse and carriage tour or candlelight dinner in Vienna.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Plan around two hours to visit the palace and gardens.
- Separate or combination tickets are available for the Upper Palace and Lower Palace.
- Visitor facilities include a gift shop, café, and restaurant at both palaces.
- All the palace buildings are fully wheelchair accessible.
How to Get There
Belvedere Palace is located about 1.5 miles (2.5 kilometers) south of Vienna’s historic center, just off the Ringstrasse. It’s easily accessible by tram (Tram D, Schloss Belvedere or Gusshausstrasse station), U-Bahn trains (Hauptbahnhof station), or S-Bahn trains (Quartier Belvedere station).
When to Get There
The palace is open daily year-round, but it can get busy during the peak summer months, so plan an early visit to avoid the crowds. To experience the palace at its most atmospheric, time your visit for the festive season, when a lively Christmas Market is held in the palace grounds, or look out for special evening openings and exhibitions, which offer a chance to admire the illuminated palaces by night.
Art Masterpieces at the Belvedere
The Belvedere houses one of Vienna’s most impressive collections of Austrian art, with the most notable collection on display in the Upper Belvedere. Highlights include the world’s largest collection of Gustav Klimt paintings, including famous works such as The Kiss and Judith; an important display of Viennese Biedermeier art; and works by acclaimed artists including Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh, Oskar Laske, Paul Troger, and Max Beckmann.
Address: Fasangasse 18, Vienna 1030, Austria
Hours: Open daily 10am - 6pm. Open until 9pm on Fridays.
Admission: Varies
From $ 20
Federal Pathologic-Anatomical Museum
Located in the first psychiatric hospital ever to be built in Austria, Vienna’s Federal Pathologic-Anatomical Museum is a creepy old tower that formerly housed the mentally ill and the criminally insane. The ‘Narrenturm’ (‘mad tower’) was built under Emperor Joseph II in 1784, next to the site of the old Vienna General Hospital, which is part of the University of Vienna’s campus today. The Narrenturm still has the same cells, barred doors, and chains that once restrained the unfortunates living there. After the psychiatric hospital closed in 1866, the tower was used as doctors’ and nurses' quarters, and for university clinics and workshops. The Federal Pathologic-Anatomical Museum has been stationed in the Narrenturm (which is now owned by the University of Vienna) since 1971. The museum has an unusual collection including wax molds of different body parts, organs, and diseases; created for medical students to study from in the prephotography era. This offbeat museum presents a fascinating, and slightly disturbing, side of Vienna’s scientific history.
Practical Info
Guided tours in German are available every hour, on the hour, and allow access to an additional floor of the museum that the general entrance fee does not. The last tour leaves at 5 p.m. on Wednesday and at noon on Saturday. Tours cost 6 € (plus the museum’s admission fee). To get to the Narrenturm on public transit, you can take the U6 to Alser Strasse or the U2 to Schottentor. Enter the University of Vienna’s campus from VanSwieten Gasse to access the museum.
Address: Spitalgasse 2, Vienna 1090, Austria
Hours: Wednesday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.; Closed on public holidays.
Admission: 2 €
From $ 68
Graz Schlossberg
The Graz Schlossberg is a public park on a hill in the center of the city of Graz that has been home to fortifications as far back as the 10th century. A fortress stood on the hill from the middle of the 16th century to the 19th century, with only the clock tower and bell tower spared by an invading Napoleon. The remains of the castle became a public park in 1839 including the two towers, a cistern and a couple bastions from the destroyed castle.
A great walking tour of the Schlossberg starts at the bottom of the hill at Schlossbergplatz, from where visitors can take the 19th century Schlossbergbahn funicular or the newer Schlossberg lift to reach the top of the hill. Once at the top, check out the bell tower, climb to the top of the clock tower for scenic views of the Old Town and relax at one of the several cafes. If you’re lucky, you may even be able to catch a concert in what was once the cellar of one of the old bastions. Head back down to the Schlossbergplatz via one of several footpaths or staircases and then check out the extensive system of tunnels underneath the Schlossberg that was created during World War II.
Practical Info
The Schlossberg is in the center of Graz and easily accessible from the Schlossbergplatz in the Old Town. Visitors can either follow one of several paths or staircases to the top or take the Schlossbergbahn funicular or the Schlossberg lift.
Address: Schlossberg, Graz, Austria
From $ 14
Austrian Theater Museum
The Austrian Theater Museum is found in the delightfully Baroque Lobkowitz Palace, steps away from the Schloss Schönbrunn, and is part of the Kunsthistorischen museums complex. Dating from the late 1690s, the Lobkowitz was one of the first urban palaces built in Vienna after the Imperial Family made the city its main home. It was here that Beethoven premiered his ‘Third Symphony’ and here that many glittering society balls were held over the years.
During its Imperial years, Vienna was packed with theaters, many of which – such as the Burgtheater and the Volkstheater – are still going strong. Being avid collectors of just about anything, the Habsburg emperors began to hoard theater artifacts back in the 18th century. Today these are artfully brought together among the gilt, stucco and delicate ceiling frescoes of the Lobkowitz Palace; an unrivalled collection of hundreds of stage sets, props and costumes from across three centuries as well as more than 70,000 theatrical images dating from the early 20th century onwards. Great names such as Oskar Kokoschka and Pablo Picasso had a hand in designing some of the costumes, there are flyers for concerts played in 1713 and autographs from famous musicians such as Wagner, Strauss, Mähler and of course, Beethoven.
Classical concerts are held in the Eroica Hall and summer sees the cultural action move outside to the courtyard of the Lobkowitz Palace; tickets for these events always sell out fast so book well ahead of time.
Practical Info
Lobkowitzplatz 2. Admission adults €8, children under 19 free. Open Wed–Mon 10am–6pm. Metro U1, U2, U4 to Karlsplatz or U3 to Stephansplatz.
Address: Lobkowitzplatz 2, Vienna, Austria
Hours: Open Wed–Mon 10am–6pm
Admission: Adults €8
From $ 20
Hallstatt
Set between Hallstätter See (Lake Hallstatt) and the snowy summits of the Dachstein Mountains, Hallstatt has long been attracting visitors—including prominent public figures such as Emperor Franz Josef—with its Alpine good looks. The UNESCO World Heritage–listed town is known for its picturesque churches, chalets, and Charnel House, which is packed with painted skulls.
The Basics
The Austrian town of Hallstatt is a very popular half-day or full-day tour destination for visitors based in Salzburg. Hallstatt tours typically include round-trip transportation from Salzburg by coach or private vehicle. Many tours give participants the chance to take a boat ride out on the lake, visit to the 7,000-year-old Hallstatt Salt Mines, and ride the Dachstein Krippenstein cable car up to the free 5 Fingers viewing platform.
Full-day trips may include stops at other locales in west-central Austria, such as Schloss Fuschl castle, St. Gilgen, and Russbach. You can also visit Hallstatt as part of day tours from Vienna, which often stop at attractions such as Ort Castle in Gmunden along the way.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Hallstatt is a must for scenery seekers.
- For more information, visit the Hallstatt tourist office, which is situated on the lakefront Seestrasse.
- Wear comfortable footwear; hilly Hallstatt is best explored on foot.
- Most Hallstatt attractions are not accessible to wheelchair users.
How to Get There
Hallstatt is situated within Austria’s Salzkammergut (Lake District), about a 75-minute drive from Salzburg. Take the train from Salzburg to Attnang-Puchheim, then switch to the local train to Hallstatt. From the Hallstatt train station, take a ferry into town, which is across the lake.
When to Get There
The best time to experience Hallstatt is between May and late October. Many of Hallstatt’s main attractions—such as the boat rides and salt mines—are closed in winter. Check the various attractions’ websites for opening dates and times.
Lake Activities
This part of the Austrian Alps is known for its scenic lakes, and Hallstätter See is no exception. Take a ferry ride out on the water to admire the towering peaks that surround it, or venture out on paddleboats or kayaks instead. If you’d rather stay on dry land, take a stroll along the lakefront, where you might encounter swans swimming near the shore.
Address: Hallstatt, Austria
From $ 67
Berchtesgaden & Eagle's Nest
Just an hour’s drive outside of Salzburg lies the alpine town of Berchtesgaden and the historic Eagle’s Nest (Kehlsteinhaus), Adolf Hitler’s mountaintop chalet and the former southern headquarters of the Nazi party. Perched atop Mt. Kehlstein, Eagle’s Nest offers a dark history and panoramic views of Germany’s Bavarian Alps.
The Basics
To reach the chalet, an opulent elevator decorated with brass, leather, and Venetian glass rises through solid rock to the summit. At the top, visitors can explore almost-untouched rooms, visit underground bunkers, and dine at the site’s cozy panoramic restaurant and beer garden. Take a day trip from Salzburg or Munich to relax and enjoy the scenery on your way to Eagle’s Nest, and learn about the site’s history from an expert tour guide. Visitors who want to get an overview of the region can opt for a combo tour to see Eagle’s Nest along with nearby highlights such as King’s Lake and the 450-year-old Salzburg Salt Mines.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Bring comfortable shoes, sun protection, and dress in layers; weather can change quickly at high altitudes.
- The Eagle’s Nest restaurant and beer garden is open to the general public. Reservations are not required for individuals, but groups should book in advance.
- The restaurant and parts of the garden terrace are wheelchair accessible; accessible ticket options are also available.
How to Get There
Berchtesgaden and the Eagle’s Nest are located on the Austria–Germany border, roughly one hour from Salzburg and two hours from Munich by road. Parking is available at the Hintereck parking area near Obersalzberg; from there, visitors can hike two hours to the summit or take a paid shuttle bus.
When to Get There
Due to the region’s harsh winters, the Eagle’s Nest is only open from May through October. The site can be quite crowded in the summer, so make sure to book your tour in advance.
The Eagle’s Nest, Then & Now
The lodge was built in 1939 to celebrate Hitler’s 50th birthday, and was originally intended to serve as a retreat and meeting house for the Nazi Party. It was seldom used for its intended purpose, however, due to the outbreak of World War II. Today, visitors come from all over the world to learn about German history and enjoy summer weather at the on-site restaurant and beer garden (biergarten).
Address: Kehlstein Busabfahrt Hintereck, Berchtesgaden 83471, Austria
Hours: Open daily May through October
Admission: Free
From $ 52
Augarten Porcelain Factory
The Augarten Porcelain Factory, founded in 1718 as the second oldest porcelain manufactory in Europe, has been making and painting porcelain by hand for nearly three centuries. One wing of the factory houses the Augarten Porcelain Museum, where visitors can see one of the company’s original kilns stretching across both floors of exhibition space.
Beginning on the upper floor, guests make their way through galleries illustrating the history of Augarten and Viennese porcelain. The more than 150 pieces on display show the evolution of the art over the years, while hands-on displays let guests touch samples of porcelain ingredients: kaolin (clay), feldspar (stone) and quartz. The first floor of the museum focuses on the company’s porcelain-making history through the 20th and 21st centuries.
Practical Info
Guided tours of the factory and museum are available on weekdays at 10:15 and 11:30am, taking visitors behind the scenes to see every step of the intricate porcelain-making process.
Address: Gaußplatz 11, Wien 1020, Austria
Hours: Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Closed Sun & Public Holidays, Guided Factory Tours Available Weekdays 10:15am & 11:30am
Admission: €6
From $ 68
Graz Clock Tower (Uhrturm)
One of the most notable landmarks in Graz and a must for any visitor, the Graz Clock Tower may be best known for its confusing clock faces, featuring long hands for the hours and short hands for the minutes. Dating back to medieval times, the tower stands 28 meters high and has a clock face on each side, each about five meters in diameter. The 18th century clockworks still operate, but are now electronic. In addition to the famous clock, the tower is also home to three bells, the oldest of which dates back to 1385 and still rings on the hour. Another bell from around 1450 was used during executions and later to remind people of the city curfew.
Once used to watch for fires in the surrounding area, the tower today offers visitors 360 degree views of Graz and its environs. Visitors should also look for the three painted coats of arms on the walls of the tower and the walled-in stone armchairs that were added in the 16th century.
Practical Info
The Graz Clock Tower, also called the Uhrturm, is located in the Schlossberg in the center of Graz. To get there, take the Schlossbergbahn funicular or walk 260 steps up the hill. To get to the foot of the hill, take tram 4 or 5 to the Schlossbergplatz/Murinsel stop.
Address: Schlossberg, Graz, Austria
Hours: 24/7
From $ 14
Bergisel
On the outskirts of Innsbruck, the slopes at Bergisel have been the home of Tyrolean ski jumping competitions since 1927. To celebrate this, British Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid designed a towering ski jump stadium, which was completed in 2002 and can seat 28,000 people. In 2008 Pope John Paul II gave Mass here and it has quickly became a year-round Innsbruck attraction as it soars 820 feet (250 meters) above the city and offers superb views over the Inn Valley and surrounding Alps.
The Tyrol Panorama, featuring a massive, century-old painting of the heroic Tyrolean revolt against Napoleon, is found at the foot of the sculptural stadium. From here, the top of the tower rises to 165 feet (50 meters) and is reached by funicular – or 455 steep steps – plus elevator. Here you’ll be rewarded with 360° views over the city and coffee and cakes in the Panorama Restaurant. Breakfast is served here daily until 11am; enjoy a glass of prosecco and scrambled egg while watching the sun light up the Alps.
January and February see ski jumping and freestyle competitions take place at Bergisel, while the stadium becomes a practice center for the Austrian ski team during the summer. In 2012 the Youth Olympic Winter Games were staged here; the third time Innsbruck has hosted Winter Olympics. The ski jump itself is 395 feet (120 meters) long and skiers can reach up to 60 mph (92 kmh) on take off.
Practical Info
Bergisel is open all year, but closed on Tuesday from November to May. It’s a 20-minute walk from the center of Innsbruck or can be reached by Tram No 1. Tickets encompass entry to the Tyrol Panorama (now part of the Tiroler Landesmuseum) and the stadium as well as the viewing platform.
Address: Bergiselweg 3, Innsbruck 6020, Austria
Hours: Open daily except Tuesdays from November to May 10am - 5pm; Open daily from June - October, 9am - 6pm (last entrance is 30 minutes before closing time)
Admission: €9 (USD$12) for adults; €4 (USD$2.25) for kids 6-9; free for children below 6
From $ 11
Festival Hall (Festpielhaus)
Building started in 1956 on Salzburg’s Large Festival Hall, which was designed by Austrian architect and stage designer Clemens Holzmeister specifically to host the annual Salzburg Festival. The grand green-and white theater is neo-baroque in style and the main auditorium can seat an audience of 2,170; it opened to great fanfare in 1960 with a performance of Richard Strauss’s Der Rosenkavalier conducted by Herbert von Karajan and is renowned for its acoustics; the circular stage has a width of 100 meters (328 feet) and is one of the largest in the world. The interior decor is a monument to 1960s design, with marble statues by sculptor Wander Bertoni, as well as installations by Anton von Webern and notorious Austrian artist Oskar Kokoschka.
As well as hosting the Salzburg Festival, the venue has a full repertoire of year-round performances and also holds concerts during the city’s Easter and Whitsun Festivals as well as carol services at Christmas. It stands next door to another of Salzburg’s great musical venues, the Haus für Mozart (House for Mozart), which was completed in 1925 and was also designed by Clemens Holzmeister.
Practical Info
Located at Hofstallgasse 1, guided tours are available. The Salzburg Festival 2015 runs between July 18 and August 13. Many buses stop outside the hall.
Address: Hofstallgasse 1, Salzburg, Austria
Admission: Varies
From $ 173
Austrian Lake District
Stretching east of Salzburg into the foothills of the Swiss Alps, the Austrian Lake District—the Salzkammergut—is home to some of Austria’s most stunning scenery. This is an idyllic spot for a summer vacation, with picturesque alpine villages, lush green valleys framed by snow-dusted peaks, and dozens of glittering lakes.
The Basics
Salzburg is the gateway to the Lake District, and day trips might include a tour of the Dachstein Ice caves, a boat cruise across Lake Wolfgang, or a visit to the town of St Gilgen, where Mozart's mother was born. Many visitors combine a scenic drive through the Lake District with a sightseeing tour of Salzburg’s UNESCO-listed Old Town or a visit to the Obersalzberg salt mines.
Things to Know Before You Go
- It’s easy to get around in the Lake District; pick one town as your base and explore the others on day trips.
- Most towns have their own Visitor Information centers where you can purchase hiking maps, access free Wi-Fi, and learn more about the region.
- Bring comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, and a swimsuit—you can take a dip in many of the lakes.
How to Get There
Buses and trains link Salzburg with larger towns such as Mondsee, Bad Ischl, and St. Wolfgang, but the most convenient way to explore is with your own transport or on a guided tour. Boats and passenger ferries also link the towns and villages around the Attersee, Traunsee, Mondsee, Hallstätter See, and Wolfgangsee lakes, but most run only in summer.
When to Get There
The most popular time to visit the Lake District is in summer; book tours and hotels in advance if you’re visiting during the busiest months of July and August. At this time of year, you can get your fill of outdoor activities like hiking, sailing, and water sports; in winter, meanwhile, you can hit the ski slopes on the surrounding mountains.
The Sound of Music tours
The Austrian Lake District is perhaps most famous for its starring role in the musical “The Sound of Music” and visitors still come from all around the world to visit the film’s scenic locations. Sound of Music tours typically visit the magnificent Schloss Leopoldskron and Schloss Hellbrunn; the gazebo at Schloss Hellbrunn, where Liesl von Trapp sang “Sixteen Going on Seventeen”; the Mondsee church where Captain Von Trapp married Maria; and, of course, the green meadows where the iconic opening scene, starring Julie Andrews, was shot.
Address: Austria
From $ 52
Augarten
Vienna’s Augarten is a public park in Leopoldstadt, home to a former Imperial palace of the same name and several other buildings of note. The grounds themselves cover 52.2 hectares and are Baroque in design, remodeled from previous gardens in the early 18th century for the ever-acquisitive Habsburg Emperor Joseph II. The court architect Isidore Canevale was responsible for planting hundreds of trees that now provide the shady pathways as well as the layout out the formal flowerbeds. Facilities for visiting families in the gardens today include paddling pools, sports fields and a couple of restaurants, including Décor, rather fabulously sited in a former Nazi anti-aircraft bunker.
Other attractions in Augarten include the spectacular Baroque palace, now the winter home of the world-famous Vienna Boys Choir; a contemporary art gallery that is an outpost of the Belvedere; a film archive; and a Jewish study center. The star attraction of the park, however, is the Augarten Porcelain Museum, housed in a wing of a factory founded in 1718 and still going strong today. Exhibits include elaborate and historic pieces commissioned by the Imperial Family alongside more contemporary figures in Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles.
Practical Info
Obere Augartenstrasse 1, Leopoldstadt. The park is open from dawn until dusk; the gates close at sunset, when a siren is sounded. Porcelain Museum: open Mon–Sat 10am–6pm, admission €7, concessions €5. Metro line U2 to Taborstrasse.
Address: Vienna, Austria
Admission: Fee to visit museum
From $ 20
Austrian Parliament Building
The Austrian Parliament Building, a Greek-revival style building completed in 1883, is where the two Houses of the Parliament of Austria conduct their sittings. It is located in Vienna’s city center, close to the Hofburg Imperial Palace and the Palace of Justice. Despite sustaining heavy damages during WWII, most of the building’s interior has been restored to its original impressive appearance.
The parliament building is one of the largest structures on the Ringstraße. It was originally built to house the two chambers of the Austro-Hungarian Empire’s Reichsrat (Austrian legislature). Today, it is the seat of both the Nationalrat (National Council) and the Bundesrat (Federal Council). The building contains over 100 rooms, including the chambers of the national and federal councils, the former imperial House of Representatives, committee rooms, libraries, lobbies, dining-rooms, bars, and gymnasiums. It is a working government building, and the site of state ceremonies – most notably the swearing-in ceremony of Austria’s president and the state speech given annually on National Day (October 26).
Practical Info
The Austrian parliament offers guided tours giving insights into day-to-day political work, historical details, and architectural features. The tours take about an hour, and are catered to different interests and age groups. Visitors wishing to access the parliament building on their own must have an appointment, and carry photo ID. Visitor Service staff is available for information and registration Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
The visitor’s center is open for the public free of charge Monday – Saturday from 9:30 a.m – 4.30 p.m. The parliament building’s working hours are Monday – Friday from 6.30 a.m. – 7.00 p.m., and Saturdays from 9.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m.
Address: Dr. Karl Renner-Ring 3, Vienna A-1017, Austria
Admission: Guided tour: €5,00; Children: Free
From $ 36
Essl Museum
This peerless art museum is in Klosterneuburg, near the 12th-century Augustinian monastery of the same name in Lower Austria. Housed in a futuristic gallery designed by innovative architect Heinz Tesar and built in 1999, the Essl holds one of the most important private collections of contemporary art in Europe. The lovechild of Agnes and Karlheinz Essl, it has more than 7,000 pieces of artwork, ranging from paintings to sculpture, video, wacky installations and photography, all beautifully arrayed in spacious, light-flooded glass galleries that reflect light back from the River Danube floating past outside. Pieces are rotated on a regular basis, with the museum curating up to ten exhibitions a year and drawing on its repository of great names such as Gerhard Richter, Frank Stella and Georg Baselitz. Despite 40 works being sold off in late 2014 to prop up Karlheinz Essl’s family chain of hardware shops, the collection not been diminished and continues to showcase the very best of post-war European art.
Practical Info
An der Donau-Au 1, 3400 Klosterneuburg. Open Tue, Thur–Sun 10am–6pm, Wed 10am–9pm. Admission is adults €7, aged under 19 free. A free shuttle bus leaves Albertinaplatz from Tue–Sun at 10am, 12 noon, 2pm & 4pm for the Essl Museum, which is 20 minutes outside the city center.
Address: An der Donau-Au 1, Klosterneuburg, Austria
Admission: Adults €7
From $ 139
Beethoven Wohnung Heiligenstadt
An apartment located in Vienna’s suburb of Heiligenstadt, away from the bustle of the city, holds special meaning for many musicians. Here, Ludwig van Beethoven composed many of his famous symphonies and sonatas. In 1802, the composer retreated to this apartment in the countryside and wrote a letter to his brothers. In the famous unsent document, called the Heiligenstädter Testament, Beethoven expressed his despair over his advancing deafness. In the letter, he describes what it was like to be going deaf, he dealt with feelings of deep anger, and ultimately he found a way to continue with his life and his music. Other exhibits at the Beethoven Wohnung Heiligenstadt take a look at the compositions he created in the summer of 1802, and show the visitor what the area of Heiligenstadt was like at that time. Another room in the apartment examines the composer’s last months of life – and his death in the Schwarzspanierhaus (which no longer exists). The apartment’s rooms remain intact, and visitors can really get a sense of why this place was a calm writing retreat for the famous classical composer.
Practical Info
The museum is free to visit on the first Sunday of the month.
Address: 1190 Vienna, Probusgasse 6, Vienna, Austria
Hours: Open Tues-Sun and holidays 10am-1pm and 2pm-6pm
Admission: Adults: 5 €; Children: Free
From $ 68
Austrian Museum of Applied Arts
With an extensive collection, large exhibition halls, themed special exhibits, and a rich program of events, Vienna’s Museum of Applied Arts (commonly called MAK) is a great place to spend an afternoon. The museum is located in the ‘Innere Stadt’ (Vienna’s First District), and combines the applied arts, contemporary art, design, and architecture under one roof. The MAK boasts a unique collection of applied arts and is known worldwide as a first class destination for contemporary art. The museum’s spacious halls in the impressive Ringstraße building have been redesigned by contemporary artists to best showcase the MAK’s permanent collection, keeping the artistic heritage of the building as part of the viewing experience. The windows of the MAK are distinctively illuminated by James Turrell’s light sculpture, which was permanently installed in 2004.
The MAK is more than just a place to view art, though. The museum prides itself on being a ’laboratory of societal knowledge,’ which means it continues to be a hub of collecting, research, preservation, education, and interactive learning – plus it’s a really cool place to have a glass of wine and engage in a little people watching on Tuesday nights.
Practical Info
The museum offers free admission on Tuesdays from 6 – 10 p.m. There is an elevator at the entrance on Weiskirchnerstraße, and accessible toilets for disabled visitors. Unfortunately, there is no wheelchair access to the Permanent Collection Contemporary Art. To get to the MAK by public transportation, you can take the Underground U3 to Stubentor, or the U4 to Landstraße/Bahnhof Wien Mitte. Take the Tram 2, or busses 3A and 74A to Stubentor. The Suburban Railway (Schnellbahn) S1, S2, S3, S4, and S7 to station Wien MitteLandstraße.
Address: Stubenring 5, Vienna 1010, Austria
Hours: Tuesday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m; Wednesday – Sunday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; closed Monday.
Admission: Adults: 9,90 €; Students and seniors 7,50 €; under 19: free.
From $ 14
Graz Art Museum (Kunsthaus Graz)
Notable for its blob-like architecture, the Graz Art Museum was built as part of the city’s 2003 celebrations as the European Capital of Culture. The museum was constructed as part of the 19th century Iron House building, one of the first cast iron buildings in Europe. The famous exterior is comprised of nearly 1300 iridescent blue acrylic panels with almost a thousand 40-watt lightbulbs, creating a massive screen in the middle of the city. Known to some locals as the Friendly Alien, the museum covers 27,000 square feet and specializes in contemporary art, design, new media, film and photography. It regularly hosts events and exhibitions that highlight worldwide trends in art.
Practical Info
The Graz Art Museum, also known as the Kunsthaus Graz, sits on the west bank of the River Mur in the city’s historical center on the corner of the Südtirolerplatz and the Lendkai. Get there by taking tram 1, 3, 5, 6 or 7 to Sudtiroler Plaz/Kunsthaus. Guided tours in English are conducted on Sundays at 2pm, but an audioguide and an iPad app are also available. The museum café stays open late, to 11pm weeknights and 1am on the weekends.
Address: Lendkai 1, Graz 8020, Austria
Hours: Tues-Sun 10am-5pm
Admission: Included in the 24-hour or 48-hour Universalmuseum Joanneum pass
From $ 11
Graz Old Town (Altstadt)
A UNESCO World Heritage site since 1999, the Graz Old Town is one of the best preserved districts in all of central Europe. In the heart of Graz, the Old Town features a mix of old and new, ranging from the medieval building facades surrounding the Hauptplaz (Main Square) to the modern architecture of the Kunsthaus Graz, which reflects the Old Town in its unique façade. The area includes more than a thousand buildings featuring a variety of architectural styles, including Gothic, Renaissance and Medieval. Visitors will enjoy getting lost among the narrow alleys and cobblestone streets lined with restaurants, cafes and one of a kind boutiques. Any tour of the Old Town is sure to include highlights such as the Hauptplaz and Kunsthaus, as well as the Rathaus (Town Hall), the Landhaus and the hill overlooking the town known as the Schlossberg. The latter is the site of the ruined Dom, a Gothic cathedral that is home to the oldest painting of the city.
Practical Info
The Old Town is best explored by foot or on a bicycle. To get there, take any tram line running along Herrengasse between the main square and Jakominiplatz, the main transport hub in the south of the Old Town.
Address: Hauptplaz 1, Graz, Austria
Hours: Daily
From $ 11
Beethoven Pasqualatihaus
Built into Vienna’s old city fortifications, the Beethoven Pasqualatihaus was named after its 18th-century owner, Josef Benedikt, the Baron Pasqualati. The musical prodigy Ludwig von Beethoven was born in Bonn in 1770 but made his residence in Vienna for 35 years; for eight years from 1804 onwards, the fourth-floor apartment of this whitewashed townhouse was his home. The Romantic composer wrote several symphonies, his opera Fidelio and the famous piece ‘Fur Elise’ while living here. His light, airy suite of rooms have now been transformed into a museum of his life; highlights of the displays include copies of his instruments, various imposing marble busts, manuscripts from the Fifth and Seventh symphonies, personal papers and family paintings as well as the renowned portrait by German artist and musician Willibrord Joseph Mähler in 1804.
Practical Info
Mölker Bastei 8. Open Tue–Sun 10am–1pm, 2pm–6pm; admission adults €4, concessions €3 (also for ticket holders to Haus der Musik and the Mozarthaus Vienna), free aged 18 or under. Take the Metro U2 to Schottentor.
Address: Mölker Bastei 8, Vienna, Austria
Hours: Open Tue–Sun 10am–1pm, 2pm–6pm
Admission: Adults €4
From $ 68