15 tips for tourists in Vienna
Every big city has its own world fame, its own philosophy, its own “reputation”. Paris is considered the capital of world bohemia. Barcelona is called the city of Gaudi, Valencia is known as the abode of arts and science. Vienna is a city of beautiful architecture, galleries and museums, and music.
The capital of Austria to this day remains imperial in spirit: calm and majestic. But at the same time it is democratic, cozy, and convenient for life. The cleanest water flows in the city water pipes, the streets and parks are well-groomed. For people with limited mobility, a “barrier-free” environment has been created. There is transport adapted to the needs of people with disabilities, and transparent elevators are installed in the buildings. There are no stray animals on the streets, people are polite, helpful and smiling.
Tourists should know about some of the city's features in order to see and learn more and spend less money. Here are some useful tips for visitors to Vienna.
1. Public transport
If you plan to stay in Vienna for more than two days, then you should figure out which travel ticket is more profitable to buy. I wrote about public transport tickets in Vienna and prices.
Please note that the Wochenkarte weekly pass is valid from Monday to Monday. An 8-day climate ticket (8-Tage-Klimakarte) with eight magnetic stripes is designed for 8 trips and is beneficial if you plan to intensively use transport for 6-8 days, or if you come with a family or a group (several people can travel on this ticket , you just need to validate one strip on the ticket for each).
Travel tickets are sold in vending machines near the metro, at train stations, and at Tabak-Trafik kiosks; They apply to all types of transport within the Kernzone.
2. Vienna museums and other attractions
Watch the equestrian ballet of the masters. The snow-white Lipizzaner show can be seen in. Visit, go to a wonderful place. Don't plan too many experiences, rather plan each day of your stay in Vienna.
Often discounted tickets can be found on these sites:
3. City tours
Start your acquaintance with Vienna with a sightseeing tour.
You can take the yellow Hop on Hop off bus, which has 4 route options. It stops in front of the Opera House (metro). For current and detailed information on schedules, routes and prices, see.
The red bus Red Bus City Tours has 3 routes around Vienna. He stops behind the Opera House. See everything about the trip here.
You can take a self-guided tour by tram along the circular route. There are 13 Vienna attractions located along it.
There are two ways to get to the Vienna Opera. Tickets can be ordered online and redeemed with a payment card. Keep in mind: Staatsoper is always sold out. It is better to take care of tickets for the most popular performances several months in advance. The cheapest seats are in the upper galleries; more convenient and inexpensive - in the 1st row of the balcony.
If you are tough enough to stand through the entire performance, buy entrance tickets. Standing places are located behind the stalls, almost opposite the stage. Such tickets are sold for all performances of the Vienna Opera before the start. I wrote in detail about the Vienna Opera and buying tickets.
5. To Bratislava
In Bratislava, take a train ride through the old town, stroll along Plane Tree Square, and try national cuisine.
6. Viennese delicacies
You don't have to order a big and filling one if you're not too hungry. However, it is worth paying tribute to the incomparable.
7. Traveling around Austria
If time allows you, take a train to. And be sure to visit! It is more convenient to view tickets on the Russian-language version of the site. All tariffs are written there in Russian.
8. Housing and food
A room in a Vienna hotel will be quite expensive, but you can always find discounts on.
It’s much more convenient to rent an apartment or studio apartment online on AirBnb. You will get all the benefits of independent living and be able to cook your own food. By the way, about the apartment for only €50.
It is best to buy products in Merkur or Hofer stores.
9. The most important thing
You can read about the sights of Vienna in my guide. If you have enough persistence and strength, climb the tower or any other observation deck in Vienna, and you will see the city from an unusual angle in all its splendor. I wrote about the best viewing platforms in the capital.
10.
- a self-service chain restaurant, it is located in the center. Here you can eat quickly, tasty, inexpensively. The menu is extensive; The cost of lunch depends on the size of the plate. You can take any dishes.
13. Hotel and cafe Sacher
Sights of Vienna. The most important and interesting sights of Vienna - photos and videos, descriptions and reviews, location, websites.
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Albertina
"Albertina" is a famous museum in the historical center of Vienna, considered to have one of the world's largest collections of printed graphics. The museum's fund includes about 900 thousand works in graphic style and approximately 50 thousand drawings and watercolors.
The very best UNESCO museum card
Schönbrunn Palace
Schönbrunn Palace is the Viennese residence of the Austrian emperors, one of the most important architectural structures of the Austrian Baroque. In addition to the palace itself in Schönbrunn, the Palm House, the Glorietta Pavilion, a wonderful park, a labyrinth, and the oldest zoo are also interesting.
The best thing is closed in winter
Kreuzenstein Castle
The very picturesque medieval castle Kreuzenstein is located just 17 km from Vienna in the quiet village of Leobendorf. The owner of Kreuzenstein was a very romantic and spiritual person and wanted to build a castle in the spirit of Neuschwanstein - which he successfully succeeded in doing.
The very best
Ringstrasse
“The Ringstrasse is like the Moscow Ring Road, only in Vienna,” - this is probably how the monarch Franz Joseph the First explained to his subjects in 1857 what the essence of his large-scale plan was. Today, tram tracks are laid along the entire Ringstrasse, and not taking a tram ride along the “Vienna Ring” while in the capital of Austria is simply bad manners.
The very best
St. Stephen's Cathedral
St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna is a Catholic cathedral, the national symbol of Austria and the symbol of the city of Vienna. This grandiose Gothic cathedral on the central square of Vienna is literally “filled” with wonderful relics: crucifixes, church utensils and world-class works of art.
Tower of Madmen in Vienna
“The faint of heart are asked not to look” - such a motto would be fitting for the Vienna Tower of Madmen (Narrenturm), within the walls of which one of the most controversial and terrifying museums in the world is located. Those who decide to try their luck in the Tower of Madmen are invited to see a lot of unusual exhibits.
University of Vienna
One of the main attractions of the capital of Austria is the world famous University of Vienna. The main building of this educational institution is located in the very center of Vienna - on Ringstrasse. So, when you get to Vienna, you definitely won’t pass by it. The remaining buildings are scattered throughout the city.
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Museum lovers, of which there are about eighty in Vienna, should come here for at least two weeks. The varied displays, ranging from unique painting collections to medical instruments, will captivate anyone. The magnificent royal residences will appeal to fans of everything related to palace and park architecture. Even a trip to a local eatery can turn into a small excursion to memorable places, since here too there are establishments similar to the favorite gathering place for talents of various stripes in Rome, the famous Antico Cafe Greco cafe.
You can join the Austrian food and drink culture and visit historically important places by visiting one of the oldest drinking establishments in Vienna, now the Greichenbeisl restaurant. Once upon a time, many famous people came here: Strauss, Beethoven and even the American writer Mark Twain. Café Landtmann, opened in the 19th century, was visited by equally famous people. The founder of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud, and the great actress Marlene Dietrich graced these walls with their attention.
Ten must-see attractions in Vienna
If you are passing through Vienna and have practically no time for a long and thoughtful acquaintance with the city, then a list of the ten main “must-sees” of the Austrian capital will help you navigate among the imperial splendor of the city. First of all, you need to remember that the so-called Old Part, the concentration of many architectural masterpieces, protected by UNESCO, geographically coincides with the modern borders of the first district of Vienna. There are twenty-three districts in total. The Ringstrasse or Ring Street, created in the 19th century, encircles the oldest, central part and is also an object of tourist attention.
Palaces
First on the list is Schönbrunn Palace, the former royal residence of one of the most powerful dynasties in Europe, the great Habsburgs, who ruled Austria and parts of other European territories for about six hundred centuries. Like many grandiose buildings, the palace is closely connected with a beautiful park. Schönbrunn will remind you of similar, but still different royal residences: the French Versailles, which was taken as a model during construction, the Russian Peterhof, etc. It is also partly connected with Versailles by the history of its creation. Initially, there was a hunting lodge on this site, which later turned into a palace and park complex. From a similar small estate intended for hunting, Louis XIV created his favorite brainchild. Another palace that is definitely worth a visit is the winter residence of the Habsburgs, the Hofburg, which includes several objects. The premises of this architectural ensemble house several museums. Among them are the Imperial Apartments, the Sisi Museum, the Silver Museum and the Museum of Art History.
The name of the Sisi Museum is given in honor of Empress Elisabeth of Bavaria, whom close relatives called for short Sisi (Sisi is more often used in literature). The tragic life of this woman is reflected in many works of art. In particular, in cinema.
Museum lovers, of which there are about eighty in Vienna, should come here for at least two weeks.
If the Hofburg is a mixture of different styles, then another palace complex in Vienna, Belvedere, is a bright representative of the Baroque movement. Initially, the Belvedere served as the summer residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy, but later came into the possession of the Habsburgs. The local garden, with its symmetry, fountains and sculptural compositions, will again remind you of France. The most interesting thing is that the premises of the palace serve as a refuge for the greatest works of art. The local gallery is a well-known museum, the exhibition of which includes works of art from both past centuries and modern painting.
Cathedrals
One of the symbols of the city and the main tourist attraction is St. Stephen's Cathedral, located on the square of the same name. This wonderful monument of religious architecture is named after the saint who is the patron saint of Vienna. The cathedral was built in the 12th century and carefully preserves important evidence of history: a cannonball that hit the building during the siege by the Turks, standards of medieval measures, ancient catacombs. Before the construction of St. Stephen's Cathedral, the church administration was located in the Church of St. Rupert, the oldest in Vienna. The construction dates back to the 7th-8th centuries. Generally speaking, Rupert was the patron saint of Salzburg, however, he was also believed to be the guardian of the Viennese salt merchants.
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If you're traveling to Austria, combine your holiday with sightseeing tours of Vienna. The Austrian capital boasts many ancient and original architectural monuments, an abundance of museums and entertainment parks. Neither adults nor children will be bored here.
Our article is intended primarily for independent travelers. We will tell you about the most remarkable places in Vienna, help compile a list of attractions for those who come for one day, and also wander around the outskirts of the Austrian capital.
Self-guided tour of Vienna – what to see
It takes weeks to explore Vienna thoughtfully and extensively. But what should travelers do, whose time limit is limited to a couple of days? In this case, you will have to compile a kind of “must-see” list, a kind of “gentleman’s set” for a self-respecting tourist. So, where can you go if you only have 1 day to spare?
Your path runs to the Old Part of the city, which coincides geographically with the boundaries of the first district of the Austrian capital. There are a total of 23 of these districts.
A good destination for a one-day excursion would be the Museum Quarter, a huge complex spread over a 60-kilometer area. Here's what's there:
- Kunsthalle;
- Leopold Museum;
- Children's Zoom Kindermuseum;
- Tobacco Museum;
- Museum of Modern Art.
The complex has been welcoming visitors since 2001. Tired of wandering through the museum halls, you can have a snack in one of the local restaurants. In order not to overpay, it is better to immediately purchase a combined ticket - a pass to all points of the quarter.
Be sure to visit the Museum Quarter.
Local museums are open from 10.00 to 19.00. Take the U2 metro to Museumsquartier station. Further - on foot.
Five best places to see in Vienna in two days
In this list we have included the most interesting places in Vienna. It’s easy to explore them yourself in 2 days – the main thing is to plan your schedule.
Children's attractions
When going to any city with little travelers, you need to think about their interests. Below we provide a list of places that are worth seeing with children.
If you can’t visit the capital of Austria with young tourists this time, then you should find out in advance. Surprise your baby.
There are several places in Vienna where you can connect to the Internet for free. Among them is the Prater amusement park.
Vienna from the Ferris wheel
The video clearly shows Vienna surrounded by greenery and all kinds of attractions in the park. So you can discuss the plan for “landing” in the Prater with your child in advance.
Expanding the program: three unusual places
So, we visited the main attractions, entertained the children, but the “Vienna in 3 days” program has not yet been fully implemented. We recommend devoting the third day of your Viennese “vacation” to exploring unusual places.
Interesting sights of winter Vienna
During the cold season, parks and outdoor museums lose their relevance, so we will concentrate on indoor spaces. 1 day in Vienna in winter looks like this:
- Cafe Sacher. A cup of hot coffee is what a chilled traveler needs. But the main feature of the cafe is its signature Sacher cake. Many people go to Vienna specifically for this delicacy. The establishment is nestled on Villharmonikerstrasse near the Vienna Opera.
- Vienna City Hall. Head straight to the Inner City to admire the neo-Gothic structure. The Town Hall is equally pleasing to the eye at any time of the year.
It is worth visiting the jazz festival and Christmas market, which are held annually in the Town Hall. - Gazebo. The famous gallery is located in the Lower and Upper Palaces. In summer you can visit the Palace Park, and in winter you can wander through the exhibition halls, contemplating the paintings. Ticket prices range from 8-12 euros (for each tier).
A city map is issued free of charge in hotels.
We stretch the pleasure over two or three days
If you have 2-3 days left, and it’s winter cold outside, you can expand the program. Here is a list of notable “winter” places.
Madame Tussauds recently opened in Vienna and is pleased to present 65 magnificent wax figures to guests. First of all, the museum presents the Austrian emperors Maria Theresa, Franz Joseph and his beautiful wife Sisi, as well as the great composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and artist Gustav Klimt.
Among the Hollywood stars who pose here for visitors are Johnny Depp, Angelina Jolie, Nicole Kidman, Robert Pattinson and Michael Jackson. The quality of work is truly impressive. You will be amazed by the beauty not only of the excellent costumes of the heroes, but also of the expressive eyes of each figure.
Finding Madame Tussauds Vienna is easy: the museum is located in the Prater, near the Praterstern station, next to the Ferris Wheel. You are welcome here every day from 10 to 18:00. The cost of tickets to the museum is cheaper than in other European countries: for adults = 18.5 Euros, for children from 3 to 14 years old = 14.5 Euros. For children under 3 years old admission is free.
Ethnographic Museum
The Ethnographic Museum is a treasure trove of historical monuments of archeology and ancient culture right in the center of Vienna. Here you will find a huge number of exhibits from different parts of the planet, including those that are completely unique. For example, the famous headdress of the Aztec leader, supposedly belonging to Montezuma II. This is a real miracle - it has 450 feathers!
Bronze statues brought from Benin are also interesting. These exhibits were purchased by the museum's management in 1806, and still adorn the rich ethnographic collection.
The museum is located in a wonderful place where the history of Austria was made - this is the imperial Hofburg Palace. Here you can always get acquainted with local cuisine in nearby cafes, as well as buy your favorite souvenirs. Have a nice trip!
What sights of Vienna did you like? Next to the photo there are icons, by clicking on which you can rate a particular place.
Hundertwasser House
The Hundertwasser House is the embodiment of the idea of building ordinary municipal houses in an atypical way. The architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser himself believed that houses, like people, should have their own characteristics and not be similar to each other. Therefore, the facade of the building is a bright palette of colors and a random arrangement of windows. In accordance with the principles of environmental friendliness, the author of the building used natural materials during construction, and also borrowed asymmetrical, irregular natural forms. The floors in the house are wavy, the walls are plastered unevenly, bushes and trees grow chaotically on the stepped terraces and even in the windows. All objects are decorated with ceramic tiles. Despite such a riot of colors and shapes, the house looks very attractive and really pleases the eye.
The Chocolate Museum will allow tourists to learn a lot of new and interesting things about the art of growing cocoa and its processing. The museum's program includes a show of chocolate cinema, three chocolate fountains, a tour of the production and, of course, tastings.
The museum is open directly next to the chocolate producing factory. You can also buy any chocolate product here. Interestingly, the museum presents chocolate of all sorts, as well as shapes and sizes: here you can find both giant bars and tiny chocolate bears that will appeal to young tourists.
The museum is open from Monday to Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The entrance ticket costs 5 euros per tourist. Coupon for visiting the museum shop – 1.5 euros.
Guided tours of the museum are available in both German and English. Children under 4 years old visit the chocolate museum for free.
St. Stephen's Cathedral
St. Stephen's Cathedral is the symbol of Vienna. It stands out significantly from the general architectural picture of the city, making it even more mysterious.
Construction of the future Austrian Late Gothic monument began in 1137, but fires caused great damage to the Romanesque structure, and construction of the current building began in 1359. During the Second World War, the cathedral was severely damaged, but, thanks to the efforts of the entire Austrian people, it was successfully restored.
Among the cathedral's attractions are the red marble tomb of Emperor Frederick III, made in 1467-1513 by Niklas Gerchert van Leyden, the pulpit built by Anton Pilgram around 1500 and his organ foundation in the northern nave (1513), both works are accompanied by a self-portrait of the master.
Equally noteworthy are the Gothic altar from Wiener Neustadt (1447), the tombstone of Prince Eugene of Savoy (1754) and, of course, the richly carved pylons inside and outside the cathedral.
Jewish Museum
The Jewish Museum of Vienna is inextricably linked with the history of the city, considered the Jewish capital, which is now home to about 7,000 Jews.
The museum was founded in 1993 and is located in a baroque building from the Middle Ages. He talks about the complex history of the Jewish people, about the life of rich Jews of different years, such as Freud, Zweig, Herzl, Schoenberg, Mahler. Here you can also see numerous exhibits dedicated to different areas of the life of the Jewish people, and visit the archive, created with donations from the religious community, which is extremely valuable in relation to scientific research on this issue.
The museum regularly hosts thematic exhibitions from the history of literature, culture, architecture, fine arts and photography, and its display funds are also available to visitors.
Vienna Woods
The Vienna Woods, called Wienerwald in German, is a huge area in the vicinity of Vienna. It is surrounded by magnificent valleys, forests and mountains. Here you can take the most colorful pictures of wildlife. On one side of the Vienna Woods there are mineral resorts, and on the other - the Danube River and vineyards. The Austrians call this place “Lungs of Vienna”.
The main tourist town of the Vienna Woods is Mödling. It surprises with its landscapes and the best local wines. All wine lovers will find here the best haven for studying winemaking and the wine culture of Austria. Famous wine centers of the Vienna Woods, where you can take excursions with educational tastings: Baden, Klosterneuburg, Gumpoldskirchen, Bad Voeslau and Perchtoldsdorf.
The Vienna Woods is a special place with a rich history and unique atmosphere. This is a fabulous, but at the same time very real microstate with mineral springs, villages and cities. A trip here will be good for your health and your horizons.
Are you interested in knowing how well you know the sights of Vienna? .
University of Vienna
The University of Vienna is the third oldest higher education institution in Europe and the oldest in the entire German-speaking area. It was founded on March 12, 1365. Rudolphina Vindobonensis received its Latin name Alma Mater thanks to its founder, Duke Rudolf IV.
Since 1385, the university has been conducting educational activities. Despite military conflicts in this region and the siege of Vienna by the Turks in the 16th century, the university did not close, although sometimes only a few dozen people studied there. In 1897, women were allowed to enter the philosophy faculty. Among the university's graduates there are famous politicians and cultural figures, Nobel laureates, religious figures, and world-famous scientists.
The main building of the modern university was built in the 80s of the 19th century according to the design of the architect Heinrich von Ferstel in the Italian Renaissance style. Opposite it stands a 9-meter obelisk, erected in honor of the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the liberation of Vienna from the Turks. The building houses a library, several institutes, auditoriums and a hall for special events, where graduates are awarded diplomas every year. More than 60 university buildings are scattered throughout the city.
The most popular attractions in Vienna with descriptions and photographs for every taste. Choose the best places to visit famous places in Vienna on our website.
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More sights of Vienna
Ah, Vienna! Stand at Stephansplatz, admire St. Stephen's Cathedral, then turn onto Domgasse and look into the house of the great Mozart. Walk to the Hoher Markt and enjoy the magic of the “dancing” Anchor Clock. Walk further and appreciate the austerity of the Old Town Hall. Stroll to the Hofburg Imperial Residence and the Vienna State Opera. Stop by Café Sacher. Then turn towards the New Market (Neuer Markt) and go again to Stephansplatz to compare modern and classical architecture using the example of the Haas House. Now put down the typical guidebook. We will open a completely different Vienna for you.
1. Butterfly House
Not a single tourist who comes to Vienna ignores the Hofburg palace complex. But for some reason, few people know about the Butterfly House, which is located in the Burggarten palace park.
Meanwhile, this place is absolutely amazing. There are dozens of species of exotic butterflies from Costa Rica, Thailand, the Philippines and other countries. At the same time, all conditions have been created for tropical beauties: the temperature in the pavilion never drops below 26 degrees, and the air humidity is 80%. In addition, to make the insects feel at home, plants familiar to their habitat are grown there. Butterflies flutter gracefully between hibiscus and lantana flowers.
You can not only enjoy the beauty of this tropical oasis, but also watch how butterflies “drink” nectar, and also see with your own eyes the miracle - the “birth” of a new butterfly from a pupa.
Address:
Schmetterlinghaus Palmenhaus, Burggarten Hofburg
Website: schmetterlinghaus.at
Operating mode: from April to October: Monday-Friday - from 10:00 to 16:45, Saturday, Sunday and holidays - from 10:00 to 18:15; from November to March: Monday to Sunday - from 10:00 to 15:45
2. Coffee Museum
If you ask, what does Vienna smell like? The answer is coffee. This drink plays a special role in the history and culture of the city. The first coffee shops appeared here in the 17th century, after the Turkish siege, and to this day they are not just cafes. These are places for sophisticated relaxation.
Be sure to stop by one of the Viennese coffee shops to feel this atmosphere, and also go to the Coffee Museum to learn the history of the drink.
The Coffee Museum (Kaffeemuseum) was opened in Vienna in 2003. This is the merit of a private collector and big coffee fan Edmund Mayr. It was he who collected most of the collection, which is now housed in four exhibition halls.
In the first of them you will learn the history of Viennese coffee, in the second you will look at ancient coffee utensils (Turks, cups, saucers), and also “get acquainted” with some famous coffee lovers. Among the exhibits, for example, there is a coffee mug of V.I. Lenin. The leader of the world proletariat drank coffee from it while in Finland. In the fourth and third halls you will find all kinds of equipment for making coffee: from coffee machines to coffee grinders.
In addition, the Museum hosts various coffee seminars. So, you can, for example, take a barista master class.
Address: Vogelsanggasse 36
Website: kaffeekompetenzzentrum.at
Vicky: Coffee Museum
Operating mode: Monday-Thursday – from 9:00 to 18:00, Friday – from 9:00 to 14:00
3. Treasury of the Teutonic Order
The Teutonic spiritual-knightly order was founded in the 12th century and quickly developed into an influential political organization. Although it was more reminiscent of a state, because the Order had its own head (Grand Master), Prime Minister (Landmaster), Commander-in-Chief (Marshal of the Order), Minister of Health (High Hospitaller), Minister of Finance (Chief Treasurer), etc.
During the Crusades to Palestine, a chapel was founded in Jerusalem in the name of the Holy Virgin Mary. And the Austrian residence of the modern Teutons, located in Vienna, bears the same name. Brothers and sisters are still united by the motto “Helfen – Wehren – Heilen” (“Help – Protect – Heal”), but, unlike the Middle Ages, they no longer show military expansion and are engaged in purely spiritual matters.
They also conduct excursions for those who want to get to know the history of the Teutonic Order. In the monastery, between the Church of St. Stephen and the Treasury, the Viennese Treasury of the Teutonic Order is located. The museum's exhibition is small, but where else will you see the weapons of the Crusaders, their war trophies from Malaysia and Persia, or the fossilized entrails of goats (the knights believed that they had magical properties)? But the most outlandish item in the Treasury is a “tree” made from shark teeth. With its help, the Teutons determined whether food was poisoned.
A visit to the museum will cost you only 4 euros, and for children under 6 years old admission is completely free.
Address:
Singerstrasse, 7
Website:
deutscher-orden.at
Operating mode: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday – from 10:00 to 12:00, Wednesday and Friday – from 15:00 to 17:00
4. Vienna gasometers
At the end of the 19th century, Vienna was heated and lit by coke oven gas. For these purposes, four huge gas tanks, 70 meters high and 60 meters in diameter, and four coke oven gas storage towers (each with a volume of about 90,000 m³) were erected in the capital of Austria.
However, soon, in the second half of the twentieth century, the city switched to natural gas, and gas meters were no longer needed. Therefore, at the end of the century, the city authorities announced a competition for the best project for the reorganization of gas storage facilities, and at the turn of the 21st century a new multifunctional complex appeared in Vienna.
The special equipment was dismantled, a complete reconstruction was carried out inside, but the facade and roofs were left the same, and as a result, gasometers A, B, C and D turned into residential buildings (about 800 apartments + 70 student campuses), shops, a cinema, a concert hall with a capacity of about 3 000 people, office and municipal premises.
You can wander around the territory of the Viennese gasometers on your own or accompanied by a guide, who can be hired on the complex’s website. In any case, you will certainly feel the special atmosphere of this place - the residents of the former gasometers, like community members, live unitedly and amicably.
Address:
Guglgasse, 6
Website: wiener-gasometer.at
Vicky: Vienna gasometers
5. Street art gallery
Vienna is a treasury of world painting. The Belvedere Gallery, the Kunsthistorisches Museum, the Albertina Gallery and the Leopold Museum house thousands of immortal works by great artists. It would seem, where does avant-garde urban graphics come from in this “temple of classical painting”?
You will be amazed, but street art lives and thrives even in strict, sedate Vienna. So, in 2006, Viennese street artists came together to communicate and exchange experiences, and created the Inoperable gallery. Together they created a project for the development of street art that would organically fit into the cultural and historical landscape of the city.
Since then, the gallery has regularly hosted exhibitions of famous street artists, including the famous Australian artist Shida, now living in Vienna, the legendary Tara McPherson and others. In addition, Inoperable often hosts street art festivals and performances.
Address: Burggasse, 24
Website:
inoperable.at
Operating mode: Tuesday-Friday – from 13:00 to 18:00, Saturday – from 13:00 to 17:00
6. WestLicht Photography Center
Another atypical artistic place for the Austrian capital is the WestLicht photo gallery. Even its location can be called original. The center of the photo is in the attic of the house, which was a glass factory until the 1950s. In 2001, a group of photography enthusiasts came together to create WestLicht. Its mission is the development and popularization of photography in Austria.
WestLicht is both a museum and a photo exhibition at the same time. In stands with special lighting there are cameras, flashes, lenses and other equipment; on the walls are the first photographs taken through daguerreotype, as well as works by Elfie Semotan, Peggy Sirota, Mary Ellen Mark and other world-famous artists.
The WestLicht exposition includes about 500 technical devices, from different eras and for different purposes. The evolution of photographic equipment is presented in chronological order. The highlight of the collection is the “forefather” of modern cameras, the “Susse Frères Daguerreotype Camera” from 1839.
A separate part of the exhibition is devoted to reportage tourist photography. This is not an easy collection of photographs, from the mid-19th century to the present day - it is an amazing journey when you simultaneously move through time and space. In addition, there are rooms dedicated to the nude genre, war photography, photojournalism and creepy Viennese actionism.
A ticket to the WestLicht Photography Center costs 6.5 euros, and believe me, this is a small price to pay for the pleasure you will get when visiting it.
Address: Westbahnstraße, 40
Website:
westlicht.com
Operating mode: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday – from 14:00 to 19:00; Thursday – from 14:00 to 21:00; Saturday, Sunday and holidays – from 11:00 to 19:00
7. Lainzer Tiergarten
On the outskirts of Vienna, in the Hietzing district, there is a unique place - the Lainzer Tiergarten nature reserve. Its territory is 2,450 hectares, most of which (1,945 hectares) are occupied by the fabulous Vienna Woods. Majestic oaks and beeches have stood in these places for about 400 years. Just imagine what the air is like there!
The forest is home to about 94 species of birds, including rare ones, and dozens of reptile species (salamanders, alpine newts). Among the more “serious” representatives of the fauna are bison, wild boars, deer, mouflons and other animals. But feeding and approaching them is strictly prohibited: Lainzer Tiergarten is not a zoo, the animals here are not tamed.
The reserve has several trails for walking and contemplating virgin nature. In addition, several entertainment areas have been created: a children's corner, a picnic area, an observation tower, etc.
But of particular interest is the Villa of Hermes, located on the territory of the reserve. This beautiful palace was built in 1886 by order of Emperor Franz Joseph I. He passionately loved his wife, Empress Elizabeth, and she loved to travel. Therefore, the monarch decided to build a palace from which his wife would not want to leave.
The surprise was a success. The villa turned out to be truly stunning: luxurious interior decoration, a garden with a gazebo and antique statues, a fountain and a stable for the empress’s horses. But the main thing is that it was one of the first buildings in Vienna to have electricity and telephone communications.
Sisi visited Villa Hermes quite often until the anarchist Luigi Luccheni killed her with a knife to the heart in 1898.
Today, Villa Hermes is open to tourists from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Entrance – 4 euros. Admission to the Lainzer Tiergarten is free.
Address: Hermesstrasse
Website: lainzer-tiergarten.at
Vicky: Lainzer Tiergarten
Operating mode: The reserve's opening hours are changing; it is currently open daily from 8:00 to 20:00
8.Tobacco Museum
There are a lot of museums in Vienna. The main ones are, of course, the Museum of Modern Art, the Leopold Museum, the Architectural Center and others. But besides them, in the same Museum Quarter, there are also small, inconspicuous at first glance, but very interesting museums.
One of them is the Tobacco Museum (Österreichisches Tabakmuseum). This is the oldest and largest tobacco museum in the world. Its history began in 1873 and is inextricably linked with the Austria Tabak company.
The museum contains elegant pipes, unique lighters and cigars, paintings and all kinds of thematic printed materials. The pride of the collection is the only tobacco and cigar vending machine remaining in the world.
A visit to the Vienna Tobacco Museum will be interesting not only for smokers, but also for those who have not taken a single puff in their lives. After all, this establishment is not at all a promotion of smoking; it is, first of all, a historical exhibition.
Address: Mariahilfer, 2
Operating mode: Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday – from 10:00 to 17:00; Saturday – from 10:00 to 19:00, Sunday and holidays – from 10:00 to 14:00
9. House of Music
Gaidan, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Strauss, Mahler - this is not a complete list of great composers who lived and worked in Vienna at different times.
Historically, Vienna has been the musical capital of Europe. Therefore, it is not surprising that the House of Music was opened there in 2000.
It is located in the palace of Archduke Charles, where the famous German composer Otto Nicolai, founder of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, also subsequently lived. The House of Music occupies 4 floors and an area of more than 5,000 sq.m. (plus a souvenir shop and restaurant).
The uniqueness of this place is that its exhibition consists not just of ancient musical instruments or music books, but of sounds. So, on the second floor there are several interactive touch screens that allow you to experiment with different sounds. There you will learn how a child perceives sounds in the womb, how paper rustles, how the city “sings.”
On the third floor there are exhibits related to composers of the classical and new Viennese school. But again, the exhibits are “live”. For example, “Virtual Conductor” - Have you ever conducted the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra? ;)
The fourth floor is dedicated to the sounds of the future: what will Music be like in the 21st century? The “Mind Forest” room deserves special attention here, where the trees sing along and the walls react to movements.
It is noteworthy that you will not need an accompanying person to visit the House of Music - the museum is equipped with an audio guide that gives visitors valuable information in several languages, including Russian.
Address: Seilerstätte 30
Website: www.hausdermusik.at
Vicky: House of Music in Vienna
Operating mode: daily from 10:00 to 22:00
