Choose from 88 Fun Things to Do in Vienna
Essl Museum
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Hallstatt
- 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.
Otto Wagner Pavillon Karlsplatz
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Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Fine Arts)
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Take metro line U3 to Volktheater station, or tram D to the Kunsthistorisches stop.
Heldenplatz
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Remise Transport Museum
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Haydnhaus
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Natural History Museum (Naturhistorisches Museum)
Based on the collected works of Emperor Franz Stefan, husband of Empress Maria Theresia, Rudolph II and Prince Eugène of Savoy, exhibits include a vast assemblage of minerals, rocks, fossils, meteors and flora specimens; a zoological display featuring a series of rare stuffed animals and extinct species; and a Dinosaur Hall, which houses the skeleton of a Diplodocus.
Additional highlights include the world’s biggest collection of human skulls; the largest single topaz, weighting in at 110kg; the 25,000-year old Venus of Willendorf; and the oldest human sculpture, dating back to 32,000 BC.
Mauthausen
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Kunst Haus Wien
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Kursalon Vienna
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Ringstrasse
For visitors to Vienna, following the route of the Ringstrasse is a popular way to take in the sights, starting with the dramatic neo-Gothic Rathaus, or City Hall, set in the landscaped Rathauspark and the neighboring Parliament buildings. The magnificent Burgtheater and Volksgarten park stand opposite, and heading south, the ring road passes Maria Theresa Square and Franz Joseph’s elaborate Kaiserforum, now home to the Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Fine Arts) and the Naturhistorisches Museum (Museum of Natural History). The modern Museum Quarter, the Karlskirche and the world-renowned Vienna State Opera House also make popular stops.
Federal Pathologic-Anatomical Museum
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Kunsthalle Wien
In the Museumquarter, between the Leopold and MUMOK is the Kunsthalle, or Art Hall, a collection of exhibition halls showcasing local and international contemporary art. Its high ceilings, open space and pure functionality have seen the venue rated among the top institutions for exhibitions in Europe. Programs, which run for 3 to 6 months, tend to focus on photography, video, film, installations and new media.
The concept behind the gallery is to foster new and exciting trends and experiments in contemporary art so expect the unexpected..
Practical Info
The metro takes you straight there: lines U2 or U3, stop Volstheater or Museumsquarter.
Historic Center of Vienna
- The streets of Vienna’s First District are narrow and mostly one-way, making car travel difficult. Luckily, the city’s excellent public transport system can take you within a few minutes walk of most attractions.
- Bring a pair of comfortable shoes if you plan to explore the area on foot.
- Credit cards aren’t as common here as in Northern Europe, especially in restaurants, so you may want to carry cash.
Heiligenkreuz Abbey
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Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus)
The Old Town Hall housed the magistrate of Vienna until 1885, but today is home to the Museum of the Austrian Resistance Movement, a museum devoted to the Austrian resistance against the Nazis. One of the city’s most intriguing museums, the fascinating exhibitions include photographs, original documents and personal reports, detailing the work of Austrian resistance fighters and the victims of the Nazi regime.
Rathaus
For sheer grandness, the Neo-Gothic Rathaus, or Vienna City Hall, steals the Ringstrasse show. Completed in 1883 by Friedrich von Schmidt, it was modeled on Flemish city halls. Its main spire soars to 335 ft (102m) if you include the pennant held by the knight at the top. You're free to wander through the seven inner courtyards but must join a guided tour to see the interior, with its red carpets, gigantic mirrors, and frescoes.
Between the Rathaus and the Ringstrasse is the Rathauspark, with fountains, benches and several statues. It is split in two by Rathausplatz, which is lined with statues of notable people from Vienna's past. Rathausplatz is the sight of some of the city's most frequented events, including the Christkindlmarkt (Christmas Market), Musikfilm Festival and the Wiener Eistraum.
Practical Info
Metro line U2 stops at Rathaus. Also trams 1, 2 and D.