Austria — Attractions
Hofburg
The Hofburg Palace, or Imperial Palace, was the home of the Austrian Hapsburgs for 600 years. The first fortifications were erected by King Ottakar Premyst in the 13th century and were added to by every generation until it became the monumental structure it is today. As well as housing the president's offices, the palace now encompasses 22 separate museums, the National Library, a 14th-century Augustinian church, the famous Spanish Riding School and the Royal Chapel, where every Sunday the Vienna Boy's Choir sing Mass (they have performed for the Royal Court since 1498). It will be impossible to even catch a glimpse of everything on display at the Hofburg, so visitors should be selective. The most popular of the museums is the Kaiserappartements, which takes visitors on a tour of the Kaiser's imperial apartments, the Sisi Museum, and the Imperial Silver Collection.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Innerer Burghof 1, Kaisertor
- Phone Number
- (0)1 533 7570
- Email Address
- info@hofburg-wien.at
- Website
- www.hofburg-wien.at
- Transport
- U-Bahn to Herrengasse; tram D, J, 1 or 2 to Burgring; bus 2A or 3A to Hofburg
- Hours
- Daily 9am to 5:30pm (until 6pm in July and August).
- Admission
- EUR10.50 (adults), EUR6.50 (children 6-18); other concessions available.
Spanish Riding School
The Spanish Riding School of Vienna is the oldest and last riding school in the world where classic dressage is still practiced in its purest form. This Institute was founded in 1572 and named for the Lipizzaner horses, which are of Spanish origin. The Imperial Court Stud was originally situated near the village of Lipizza (hence the name of the horses) but since the collapse of the Danube Monarchy in 1920 they have been bred at the Federal Stud in Styria. The horses perform their tricks in the Winter Riding School, which was commissioned by Emperor Karl VI. Performances take place between February and June, September and December but are in high demand and booked up months in advance (details on their website). The easiest way to see the horses is during their training sessions. Tickets are only available at the door, and cannot be booked in advance. Situated in the stables is the Lipizzaner Museum, which displays the history of the school.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Michaelerplatz 1
- Phone Number
- (0)1 533 9031
- Website
- www.spanische-reitschule.com
- Transport
- U-Bahn to Herrengasse, or tram D, J, 1 or 2 to Burgring
- Hours
- Daily 9am to 4pm. Performances Fridays 9am to 7pm.
- Admission
- Prices vary according to season, attraction and seating options; see website for details.
Karlskirche
Karlskirche is the most outstanding Baroque church in the city and its 236-foot (72m) high dome flanked by two columns forms a dramatic landmark on the Viennese skyline. The church was commissioned by Emperor Charles VI after the Black Plague that swept Vienna in 1713 and is dedicated to the patron saint Charles Borromeo who was revered as a healer for plague sufferers. The lavishly decorated interior includes frescoes and visitors can get a closer look by taking the elevator to the roof, which is included in the entry fee.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Kreuzherrengasse 1
- Email Address
- kontakt@karlskirche.at
- Website
- www.karlskirche.at (German only)
- Hours
- Monday to Saturday 9am to 12:30pm, 1pm to 6pm.
- Admission
- EUR6 (adults), free for children under 10yrs. Concessions available.
Schönbrunn Palace
The magnificent Schönbrunn Palace was used as the summer residence of the Hapsburgs from the 18th century onwards. Set amongst superb gardens this vast, symmetrical structure is everything you would imagine an imperial palace to be. A tour of the palace offers visitors the chance to view the superb assortment of Baroque and Rococo State Rooms and to admire the famous ceiling frescoes of the Great Gallery and the Hall of Mirrors where Mozart once played. The vast gardens are popular with locals and tourists alike, and include a zoo, a maze and labyrinth, the Privy garden, and the Gloriette with viewing terrace. Also within the grounds, the Orangery plays host to classical concerts during the summer season.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Schönbrunner Schloss Strasse 13
- Phone Number
- (0)1 8111 3239
- Website
- www.schoenbrunn.at
- Transport
- U4 to Schönbrunn station, trams 10 or 58, bus 10A
- Hours
- Palace: daily 8:30am to 5pm (April to June, September, October); 8:30am to 6pm (July, August); 8:30am to 4:30pm (November to March). Park: daily at 6am (6:30am from November to March), closing times vary according to the season, between 5:30pm and 9pm.
- Admission
- Grand Tour: EUR15.50 (adults), EUR11 (children 6-18). Various other tour options available.
Giant Wheel
One of Vienna's most recognizable attractions, the Giant Wheel is located in a large wooded park and playground known as the Prater. It was built in 1897 by an English engineering firm and is the only one of its era still standing (the ferris wheels in Chicago, London, Blackpool and Paris have long since been destroyed). The wheel with its 15 gondolas takes twenty minutes to maneuver around and offers magnificent panoramic views of the city.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Prater 90
- Phone Number
- (0)1 729 5430
- Email Address
- info@wienerriesenrad.com
- Website
- www.wienerriesenrad.com
- Hours
- Open daily but hours vary seasonally, see website for details.
- Admission
- EUR8.50 (adults), EUR3.50 (children 3-14), concessions available.
Belvedere
The Belvedere consists of two splendid rococo mansions, designed in the early 18th century, which face each other across formal, sloping grounds offering excellent views over the city. From the outside it is Vienna's finest palace complex, built by Prince Eugène of Savoy (1680-1735), the famous general who saved Vienna from the advance of the Ottoman Empire. The museums in the two palaces house some of Vienna's most renowned art galleries, offering excellent examples of Austrian art from the middle ages to present day. Their displays include an unrivalled collection of paintings by Klimt as well as famous works by Schiele and Kokoschka, Renoir and Monet. The Medieval and Baroque works are presented in the Lower Palace where many rooms have been preserved in their original state.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- 27 Prinz Eugen Street
- Phone Number
- (0)1 795 570, or (0)1 79 557 134
- Email Address
- info@belvedere.at
- Website
- www.belvedere.at
- Transport
- Upper Belvedere: Tram D to Schloss Belvedere or Trams 18 or 0 to Südbahnhof; bus 13A or 69A to Südbahnhof
- Hours
- Daily 10am to 6pm; lower Belvedere and the Orangery open until 9pm Wednesdays.
- Admission
- EUR14 (adult), Children free. Concessions available.
Vienna State Opera
The Vienna State Opera performs a repertoire of near-one hundred operas, operettas and ballets every day from September to June. The opera house was founded in the early 18th century (it was rebuilt in 1955 after being all but destroyed in 1945) and makes for a romantic and regal setting in which to enjoy the performances. As seating tickets are not easily available, an alternative is to buy standing-room tickets, which are well priced and can be purchased on the same day (but expect long queues). The State Opera collaborates closely with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, and their famous New Year concert requires advance bookings of up to one year.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Opernring 2
- Phone Number
- (0)1 51444 2250
- Website
- www.wiener-staatsoper.at
- Transport
- Take the U-Bahn lines U1, U2, U4 or the 59A bus to Karlsplatz or Oper stations
- Hours
- Guided tours are offered Tuesday to Sunday; check dates and times online or via telephone
- Admission
- Guided tour: EUR5 (adults), EUR2 (children). Opera tour and Opera museum combination ticket: EUR6.50 (adults), EUR3.50 (children). Other combinations and concessions available.
Hohensalzburg Fortress
The 11th-century Hohensalzburg Castle stands on a rocky outcrop approximately 394ft (120m) above the city. Although originally built by Archbishop Gebhard to repel attacks from the neighboring Bavarians, the present-day fortress was largely rebuilt in the early 16th century by Archbishop Leonhard Von Keutschach who added the grand state apartments. Visitors can walk around the courtyard and outskirts of the fortress at no cost unless they take the guided tour around the state apartments. The tour finishes at two small museums (this is optional) that display a selection of weapons, uniforms and armour together with instruments of torture - such as the Schandmasken - which petty criminals had to don as punishment for their crimes.
- Region/City Name
- Salzburg
- Address
- Mönchsberg 34
- Phone Number
- (0)662 842 430-11
- Email Address
- festung@salzburg.gv.at
- Website
- www.salzburg-burgen.at
- Transport
- It is possible to walk, or there is a funicular.
- Hours
- Open daily 9:30am to 5pm (October to April), 9am to 7pm (May to September).
- Admission
- Fortress Card EUR10.50 (adults), EUR6 (children 6-14 years); other concessions available.
St Peter's Abbey
If you only have time to visit one of Salzburg's many churches, make sure its the 9th century St Peter's Abbey Church (Stiftkirche St Peter), one of Salzburg's most impressive Rococo buildings. The Peterskirche was built at the beginning of the 18th century on the foundations of the former church, which was founded in 792. The ornate interior is more impressive than the exterior with high marble pillars and a magnificent frescoed ceiling. The ancient catacombs that were carved into the rock face by the early Christian inhabitants are accessible only through a short guided tour.
- Region/City Name
- Salzburg
- Phone Number
- (0)662 844 576
- Website
- www.stift-stpeter.at
- Transport
- Bus 5, 6, 55
- Hours
- Open daily 6:30am to 7pm (April to September), 6:30am to 6pm (October to March)
- Admission
- Free
St Stephen's Cathedral
The Cathedral is one of the city's most recognizable symbols and the massive south tower standing at 445 feet (136m) tall is a dominant feature on the Vienna skyline. The 343 steps can be climbed for a fantastic view over the city. St Stephan's Cathedral is the most important religious building in the city and is one of the greatest Gothic structures in Europe, and has been in a state of continual preservation and repair since its original construction in the 12th century due to fire, city sieges and bombardment. The cathedral is built of limestone and has an ornately patterned and richly colored roof covered by glazed tiles. The interior is rich in wood carvings, sculptures and paintings and has numerous chapels and altars, as well as the catacombs, which can be visited on a guided tour. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was married here, had children baptized here, and his funeral was held in the Chapel of the Cross.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Stephansplatz
- Phone Number
- Guided tours: (0)1 5155 23526
- Website
- www.stephanskirche.at
- Transport
- U-Bahn to Stephansplatz
- Hours
- Daily 6am to 10pm (from 7am on Sundays). Various guided tours take place daily.
- Admission
- Free admission to the cathedral. Cathedral Tour: EUR14.50 (adults), EUR12.50 (children). Other packages and concessions available.
The Albertina
The former Hofburg residence today houses one of the largest and greatest graphic art collections in the world with drawings, old master prints and modern graphic works. The museum explores the development of graphic arts since the 14th century and there are over 60,000 works on show, including works by Leonardo da Vinci, Michaelangelo, Manet, Picasso and Cezanne. The Albertina is also one of the most beautiful examples of classical architecture in the world.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Albertinaplatz 1
- Phone Number
- (0)1 53483 525
- Email Address
- tourismus@albertina.at
- Website
- www.albertina.at
- Hours
- Daily 10am to 6pm (until 9pm on Wednesdays).
- Admission
- EUR9.50 (adults), concessions available. Children under 19 free.
Imperial Treasury
The Schatzkammer, located in the Hofburg Palace, houses the greatest treasury in the world spanning 1,000 years of treasures such as relics and vestments from the Austrian Empire and the Holy Roman Empire. Included in the collection are the crown jewels, particularly the priceless imperial crown, which dates from 962, and is studded with precious stones, as well as the Holy Lance was thought to be the lance that pierced Jesus' side while on the cross. Also housed is the Burgundian Treasure, and treasures connected to the Order of the Golden Fleece.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Schweizer Hof
- Phone Number
- (0)1 52524
- Website
- www.khm.at/en/treasury
- Hours
- Wednesday to Monday 9:30am to 6pm
- Admission
- EUR12 (adults), EUR9 (concessions), children under 19 free.
Museum of Fine Arts (Kunsthistorisches Museum)
The Fine Arts Museum across from the Hofburg Palace houses many of the art collections gathered by the Habsburgs and is one of the foremost museums of fine arts and decorative arts in the world. The magnificent building is crowned with a 197-foot (60m) high dome, while the inside is sumptuously decorated with marble, gold leaf and stucco ornaments, a fitting home to the formidable artistic treasures collected over the centuries. The collections range from Ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman relics to medieval art, and Renaissance and Baroque paintings. The museum faces the Natural History Museum across the Maria-Theresian Platz, which has an identical exterior.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Maria-Theresian Platz
- Phone Number
- (0)1 52524
- Website
- www.khm.at
- Hours
- Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 6pm (until 9pm on Thursdays).
- Admission
- EUR12 (adults), EUR9 (concessions); children under 19 free.
Haus der Musik
The House of Music is an interactive, high-tech discovery museum devoted to music and is located in the former Palais of Archduke Charles. Four floors take visitors past the music and memorabilia of the great composers who lived in Vienna, such as Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms and Schubert; discover the top musicians of today; and explore the future of music on computers. Conduct an orchestra, listen to what an unborn child hears in the womb or paint a musical picture. The museum was awarded top prize for its innovative design and allows visitors to experience music using the senses of sight, sound, touch and hearing.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Seilerstätte 30
- Phone Number
- (0)1 51648
- Email Address
- info@hdm.at
- Website
- www.hdm.at
- Transport
- Underground to Karlsplatz or Stephansplatz
- Hours
- Daily 10am to 10pm
- Admission
- EUR11 (adults), EUR5.50 (children 3-12); other concessions available.
Austrian National Library
Situated in the Hofburg Palace, the royal library of the Habsburgs dates from the 14th century and is among the oldest and finest libraries in the world. The six million items stored in the library include papyri, manuscripts, ancient and rare books, maps, globes, portraits, music, photographs and graphics. The Grand Hall is a palatial room topped by a dome, designed in the Baroque style, and is decorated with statues and exquisite frescoes and is regarded as one of the most beautiful library rooms in the world.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Josefplatz 1
- Phone Number
- (0)1 53410-444
- Website
- www.onb.ac.at
Natural History Museum
The impressive Natural History Museum is sited within a neo-Renaissance building that is identical from the outside to the Fine Arts Museum opposite. It is the third largest natural history museum in the world and has some of the oldest exhibits, including early Stone Age artifacts. Visitors can travel through the planet's history ranging from the diversity of nature to the origins of culture.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Maria-Theresien Platz
- Phone Number
- (0)1 521770
- Website
- www.nhm-wien.ac.at
- Hours
- Thursday to Monday 9am to 6.30pm, Wednesday 9am to 9pm
- Admission
- EUR10 (adults), children under 19 free.
Mozart's Birthplace
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in 1756 at his family's home in Getreidegasse. The house has since been converted into a museum displaying exhibits which include the violin played by Mozart as a child, his concert violin and clavichord, a pianoforte and various portraits. The museum was first opened in1880, by the International Mozart Foundation, and restored in 1994.
- Region/City Name
- Salzburg
- Address
- Getreidegasse 9
- Phone Number
- (0)662 844 313
- Email Address
- archiv@mozarteum.at
- Website
- www.mozarteum.at
- Hours
- September to June, 9am to 6pm; July to August, 9am to 8pm.
- Admission
- EUR7 (adult) and EUR3 (child)
Salzkammergut Lakes
The Salzkammergut is a lake area spanning Upper Austria, Salzburg and Styria, and was formerly home to the salt mines of the Hapsburg Empire. The many lakes and mountains in the region lend themselves to a variety of activities such as swimming, golf and hiking, as well as relaxing at the beautiful shore and hillside retreats. Take some time out to enjoy the local kaiserschmarrn(sugared pancakes with raisins), lebkuchen(gingerbread) and krapfen(doughnuts).
- Region/City Name
- Salzburg
Schloss Kleßheim Palace
Dating as far back as the 17th century, Schloss Kleßheim Palace was used by Adolf Hitler during World War II and today serves as a casino with an elegant atmoshere and beautiful gardens. The palace also featured in the 1965 film The Great Racestarring Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis and Peter Falk. The casino also has some historical interest, as the eagles displayed at the palace entrance are reminiscent of the Third Reich.
- Region/City Name
- Salzburg
- Address
- 2.5 miles (4km) west of Salzburg in Wals-Siezenheim
- Phone Number
- (0)662 854 455
- Website
- www.casinos.at
Wiener Prater
This large public park is a great place for families to enjoy a day in the sunshine. Stroll along the Hauptallee where chestnut trees line the way, or visit the Planetarium and the Prater Museum, both located inside the park. The Wiener Prater also has a small amusement park witha Ferris Wheel. There is plenty of open space here for kids to run around.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Wurstelprater 9
Vienna Woods
With beautiful tree-lined paths and exquisite scenery, the Vienna Woods are a fantastic place to go for a walk with the kids and get out into the great outdoors for some fresh air. The miles of open space is perfect for more active kids and walking or riding through this breathtaking scenery is a must for everyone.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
Minopolis City of Children
Minopolis is Europe's first theme park featuring a city that was specifically designed for children with buildings, doors, cars, etc reduced to children's size. Children can pretend to be adults and go about their daily life in the city if Minopolis working as whatever their hearts desire - a journalist, fire-fighter, policeman, doctor or dentist. Children can discover their dream jobs in a fun and safe environment. There are over 80 professions for children to try their hand at.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Wagramer Straße 2
- Phone Number
- 0810 970 270
- Email Address
- office@minopolis.at
- Website
- www.minopolis.at
- Hours
- Open Fridays from 2pm 7pm. Saturday, Sunday, Public and School Holidays from 10am - 6pm
- Admission
- Fridays: EUR4 (adults); EUR8 (children). Other: EUR6 (adults); EUR15 (children)
House of the Sea
Boasting more than 3,500 animals, the House of the Sea (Haus des Meeres) features a terrarium where children can marvel at crocodiles and snakes, or for the more impressive creatures, the tropical seawater section features piranhas, sharks and sea turtles. The crocodile park is another attraction, while the tropical house features free-flying birds and monkeys who have free reign over everything.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Esterházypark
- Phone Number
- 587 14 17
- Email Address
- office@haus-des-meeres.at
- Website
- www.haus-des-meeres.at
- Hours
- Open daily 9am-6pm. Thursdays 9am-9pm.
- Admission
- EUR12.90 (adults); EUR5.90 (children)
BOGI Park
BOGI Park is Austria's largest indoor playground, featuring a climbing volcano, quad train, a trampoline area, slides, ball pools and much more. Children will love exploring the magic cave and train rides as well as meeting other children. BOGI Park also features a restaurant where parents can unwind while the kids are at play.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Gutheil-Schoder-Gasse 17
- Phone Number
- 01 23 000 00
- Email Address
- wien@bogipark.at
- Website
- www.bogipark.at
- Hours
- Open daily 10am7pm
- Admission
- EUR3.50 (ages 1 3 years); EUR8.90 (children 3 16 years); EUR4 (adults). Prices differ in the evening.
Freud Museum
One of Vienna's most famous residents, Dr Sigmund Freud revolutionised the study of psychology with his ideas. Though many have been discredited, the term 'Freudian slip' and other ideas are still widely known and debated today. The Freud Museum in Vienna houses a number of antiques and mementos of the good doctor inside the offices he practiced in from 1891 to 1938. Guided tours are available, and the museum has a giftshop offering photos and other memorabilia as well as books written by Freud.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Berggasse 19
- Phone Number
- +43 (1) 319 159
- Email Address
- office@freud-museum.at
- Website
- www.freud-museum.at
- Transport
- Take Tram D to Schlickgasse.
- Hours
- Daily 9am to 5pm (closes 6pm from July to September). Guided tours from 10am to 4pm.
- Admission
- EUR7 adults, EUR2.50 children 12-18; other concessions available.
Swarovski Crystal World
Guarded by a water-spouting giant, Swarovski Crystal World is one of the most popular attractions in Tirol. The museum is underground, featuring14 interconnected rooms with an eclectic multimedia gallery showcasing dazzling work by Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, Salvador Dali, and Marc Chagall, among others, all featuring the distinctive glint of the famous Austrian crystals. Another popular sight is the largest crystal in the world, located in the first room. Just a 15-minute drive from Innsbruck, Swarovski is one of the city's most popular excursions. The Swarovski Crystal World gift shop has an equally sparkling array of souvenirs available at lower prices than in town, with the opportunity for a tax rebate for foreign visitors.
- Region/City Name
- Innsbruck
- Address
- Herzog-Friedrich-Strasse 39
- Zip Code
- 6020
- Website
- kristallwelten.swarovski.com
- Hours
- Closed for renovations until August 2011.
Hofburg
The Hofburg Palace, or Imperial Palace, was the home of the Austrian Hapsburgs for 600 years. The first fortifications were erected by King Ottakar Premyst in the 13th century and were added to by every generation until it became the monumental structure it is today. As well as housing the president's offices, the palace now encompasses 22 separate museums, the National Library, a 14th-century Augustinian church, the famous Spanish Riding School and the Royal Chapel, where every Sunday the Vienna Boy's Choir sing Mass (they have performed for the Royal Court since 1498). It will be impossible to even catch a glimpse of everything on display at the Hofburg, so visitors should be selective. The most popular of the museums is the Kaiserappartements, which takes visitors on a tour of the Kaiser's imperial apartments, the Sisi Museum, and the Imperial Silver Collection.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Innerer Burghof 1, Kaisertor
- Phone Number
- (0)1 533 7570
- Email Address
- info@hofburg-wien.at
- Website
- www.hofburg-wien.at
- Transport
- U-Bahn to Herrengasse; tram D, J, 1 or 2 to Burgring; bus 2A or 3A to Hofburg
- Hours
- Daily 9am to 5:30pm (until 6pm in July and August).
- Admission
- EUR10.50 (adults), EUR6.50 (children 6-18); other concessions available.
Spanish Riding School
The Spanish Riding School of Vienna is the oldest and last riding school in the world where classic dressage is still practiced in its purest form. This Institute was founded in 1572 and named for the Lipizzaner horses, which are of Spanish origin. The Imperial Court Stud was originally situated near the village of Lipizza (hence the name of the horses) but since the collapse of the Danube Monarchy in 1920 they have been bred at the Federal Stud in Styria. The horses perform their tricks in the Winter Riding School, which was commissioned by Emperor Karl VI. Performances take place between February and June, September and December but are in high demand and booked up months in advance (details on their website). The easiest way to see the horses is during their training sessions. Tickets are only available at the door, and cannot be booked in advance. Situated in the stables is the Lipizzaner Museum, which displays the history of the school.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Michaelerplatz 1
- Phone Number
- (0)1 533 9031
- Website
- www.spanische-reitschule.com
- Transport
- U-Bahn to Herrengasse, or tram D, J, 1 or 2 to Burgring
- Hours
- Daily 9am to 4pm. Performances Fridays 9am to 7pm.
- Admission
- Prices vary according to season, attraction and seating options; see website for details.
Karlskirche
Karlskirche is the most outstanding Baroque church in the city and its 236-foot (72m) high dome flanked by two columns forms a dramatic landmark on the Viennese skyline. The church was commissioned by Emperor Charles VI after the Black Plague that swept Vienna in 1713 and is dedicated to the patron saint Charles Borromeo who was revered as a healer for plague sufferers. The lavishly decorated interior includes frescoes and visitors can get a closer look by taking the elevator to the roof, which is included in the entry fee.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Kreuzherrengasse 1
- Email Address
- kontakt@karlskirche.at
- Website
- www.karlskirche.at (German only)
- Hours
- Monday to Saturday 9am to 12:30pm, 1pm to 6pm.
- Admission
- EUR6 (adults), free for children under 10yrs. Concessions available.
Schönbrunn Palace
The magnificent Schönbrunn Palace was used as the summer residence of the Hapsburgs from the 18th century onwards. Set amongst superb gardens this vast, symmetrical structure is everything you would imagine an imperial palace to be. A tour of the palace offers visitors the chance to view the superb assortment of Baroque and Rococo State Rooms and to admire the famous ceiling frescoes of the Great Gallery and the Hall of Mirrors where Mozart once played. The vast gardens are popular with locals and tourists alike, and include a zoo, a maze and labyrinth, the Privy garden, and the Gloriette with viewing terrace. Also within the grounds, the Orangery plays host to classical concerts during the summer season.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Schönbrunner Schloss Strasse 13
- Phone Number
- (0)1 8111 3239
- Website
- www.schoenbrunn.at
- Transport
- U4 to Schönbrunn station, trams 10 or 58, bus 10A
- Hours
- Palace: daily 8:30am to 5pm (April to June, September, October); 8:30am to 6pm (July, August); 8:30am to 4:30pm (November to March). Park: daily at 6am (6:30am from November to March), closing times vary according to the season, between 5:30pm and 9pm.
- Admission
- Grand Tour: EUR15.50 (adults), EUR11 (children 6-18). Various other tour options available.
Giant Wheel
One of Vienna's most recognizable attractions, the Giant Wheel is located in a large wooded park and playground known as the Prater. It was built in 1897 by an English engineering firm and is the only one of its era still standing (the ferris wheels in Chicago, London, Blackpool and Paris have long since been destroyed). The wheel with its 15 gondolas takes twenty minutes to maneuver around and offers magnificent panoramic views of the city.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Prater 90
- Phone Number
- (0)1 729 5430
- Email Address
- info@wienerriesenrad.com
- Website
- www.wienerriesenrad.com
- Hours
- Open daily but hours vary seasonally, see website for details.
- Admission
- EUR8.50 (adults), EUR3.50 (children 3-14), concessions available.
Belvedere
The Belvedere consists of two splendid rococo mansions, designed in the early 18th century, which face each other across formal, sloping grounds offering excellent views over the city. From the outside it is Vienna's finest palace complex, built by Prince Eugène of Savoy (1680-1735), the famous general who saved Vienna from the advance of the Ottoman Empire. The museums in the two palaces house some of Vienna's most renowned art galleries, offering excellent examples of Austrian art from the middle ages to present day. Their displays include an unrivalled collection of paintings by Klimt as well as famous works by Schiele and Kokoschka, Renoir and Monet. The Medieval and Baroque works are presented in the Lower Palace where many rooms have been preserved in their original state.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- 27 Prinz Eugen Street
- Phone Number
- (0)1 795 570, or (0)1 79 557 134
- Email Address
- info@belvedere.at
- Website
- www.belvedere.at
- Transport
- Upper Belvedere: Tram D to Schloss Belvedere or Trams 18 or 0 to Südbahnhof; bus 13A or 69A to Südbahnhof
- Hours
- Daily 10am to 6pm; lower Belvedere and the Orangery open until 9pm Wednesdays.
- Admission
- EUR14 (adult), Children free. Concessions available.
Vienna State Opera
The Vienna State Opera performs a repertoire of near-one hundred operas, operettas and ballets every day from September to June. The opera house was founded in the early 18th century (it was rebuilt in 1955 after being all but destroyed in 1945) and makes for a romantic and regal setting in which to enjoy the performances. As seating tickets are not easily available, an alternative is to buy standing-room tickets, which are well priced and can be purchased on the same day (but expect long queues). The State Opera collaborates closely with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, and their famous New Year concert requires advance bookings of up to one year.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Opernring 2
- Phone Number
- (0)1 51444 2250
- Website
- www.wiener-staatsoper.at
- Transport
- Take the U-Bahn lines U1, U2, U4 or the 59A bus to Karlsplatz or Oper stations
- Hours
- Guided tours are offered Tuesday to Sunday; check dates and times online or via telephone
- Admission
- Guided tour: EUR5 (adults), EUR2 (children). Opera tour and Opera museum combination ticket: EUR6.50 (adults), EUR3.50 (children). Other combinations and concessions available.
Hohensalzburg Fortress
The 11th-century Hohensalzburg Castle stands on a rocky outcrop approximately 394ft (120m) above the city. Although originally built by Archbishop Gebhard to repel attacks from the neighboring Bavarians, the present-day fortress was largely rebuilt in the early 16th century by Archbishop Leonhard Von Keutschach who added the grand state apartments. Visitors can walk around the courtyard and outskirts of the fortress at no cost unless they take the guided tour around the state apartments. The tour finishes at two small museums (this is optional) that display a selection of weapons, uniforms and armour together with instruments of torture - such as the Schandmasken - which petty criminals had to don as punishment for their crimes.
- Region/City Name
- Salzburg
- Address
- Mönchsberg 34
- Phone Number
- (0)662 842 430-11
- Email Address
- festung@salzburg.gv.at
- Website
- www.salzburg-burgen.at
- Transport
- It is possible to walk, or there is a funicular.
- Hours
- Open daily 9:30am to 5pm (October to April), 9am to 7pm (May to September).
- Admission
- Fortress Card EUR10.50 (adults), EUR6 (children 6-14 years); other concessions available.
St Peter's Abbey
If you only have time to visit one of Salzburg's many churches, make sure its the 9th century St Peter's Abbey Church (Stiftkirche St Peter), one of Salzburg's most impressive Rococo buildings. The Peterskirche was built at the beginning of the 18th century on the foundations of the former church, which was founded in 792. The ornate interior is more impressive than the exterior with high marble pillars and a magnificent frescoed ceiling. The ancient catacombs that were carved into the rock face by the early Christian inhabitants are accessible only through a short guided tour.
- Region/City Name
- Salzburg
- Phone Number
- (0)662 844 576
- Website
- www.stift-stpeter.at
- Transport
- Bus 5, 6, 55
- Hours
- Open daily 6:30am to 7pm (April to September), 6:30am to 6pm (October to March)
- Admission
- Free
St Stephen's Cathedral
The Cathedral is one of the city's most recognizable symbols and the massive south tower standing at 445 feet (136m) tall is a dominant feature on the Vienna skyline. The 343 steps can be climbed for a fantastic view over the city. St Stephan's Cathedral is the most important religious building in the city and is one of the greatest Gothic structures in Europe, and has been in a state of continual preservation and repair since its original construction in the 12th century due to fire, city sieges and bombardment. The cathedral is built of limestone and has an ornately patterned and richly colored roof covered by glazed tiles. The interior is rich in wood carvings, sculptures and paintings and has numerous chapels and altars, as well as the catacombs, which can be visited on a guided tour. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was married here, had children baptized here, and his funeral was held in the Chapel of the Cross.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Stephansplatz
- Phone Number
- Guided tours: (0)1 5155 23526
- Website
- www.stephanskirche.at
- Transport
- U-Bahn to Stephansplatz
- Hours
- Daily 6am to 10pm (from 7am on Sundays). Various guided tours take place daily.
- Admission
- Free admission to the cathedral. Cathedral Tour: EUR14.50 (adults), EUR12.50 (children). Other packages and concessions available.
The Albertina
The former Hofburg residence today houses one of the largest and greatest graphic art collections in the world with drawings, old master prints and modern graphic works. The museum explores the development of graphic arts since the 14th century and there are over 60,000 works on show, including works by Leonardo da Vinci, Michaelangelo, Manet, Picasso and Cezanne. The Albertina is also one of the most beautiful examples of classical architecture in the world.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Albertinaplatz 1
- Phone Number
- (0)1 53483 525
- Email Address
- tourismus@albertina.at
- Website
- www.albertina.at
- Hours
- Daily 10am to 6pm (until 9pm on Wednesdays).
- Admission
- EUR9.50 (adults), concessions available. Children under 19 free.
Imperial Treasury
The Schatzkammer, located in the Hofburg Palace, houses the greatest treasury in the world spanning 1,000 years of treasures such as relics and vestments from the Austrian Empire and the Holy Roman Empire. Included in the collection are the crown jewels, particularly the priceless imperial crown, which dates from 962, and is studded with precious stones, as well as the Holy Lance was thought to be the lance that pierced Jesus' side while on the cross. Also housed is the Burgundian Treasure, and treasures connected to the Order of the Golden Fleece.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Schweizer Hof
- Phone Number
- (0)1 52524
- Website
- www.khm.at/en/treasury
- Hours
- Wednesday to Monday 9:30am to 6pm
- Admission
- EUR12 (adults), EUR9 (concessions), children under 19 free.
Museum of Fine Arts (Kunsthistorisches Museum)
The Fine Arts Museum across from the Hofburg Palace houses many of the art collections gathered by the Habsburgs and is one of the foremost museums of fine arts and decorative arts in the world. The magnificent building is crowned with a 197-foot (60m) high dome, while the inside is sumptuously decorated with marble, gold leaf and stucco ornaments, a fitting home to the formidable artistic treasures collected over the centuries. The collections range from Ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman relics to medieval art, and Renaissance and Baroque paintings. The museum faces the Natural History Museum across the Maria-Theresian Platz, which has an identical exterior.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Maria-Theresian Platz
- Phone Number
- (0)1 52524
- Website
- www.khm.at
- Hours
- Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 6pm (until 9pm on Thursdays).
- Admission
- EUR12 (adults), EUR9 (concessions); children under 19 free.
Haus der Musik
The House of Music is an interactive, high-tech discovery museum devoted to music and is located in the former Palais of Archduke Charles. Four floors take visitors past the music and memorabilia of the great composers who lived in Vienna, such as Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms and Schubert; discover the top musicians of today; and explore the future of music on computers. Conduct an orchestra, listen to what an unborn child hears in the womb or paint a musical picture. The museum was awarded top prize for its innovative design and allows visitors to experience music using the senses of sight, sound, touch and hearing.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Seilerstätte 30
- Phone Number
- (0)1 51648
- Email Address
- info@hdm.at
- Website
- www.hdm.at
- Transport
- Underground to Karlsplatz or Stephansplatz
- Hours
- Daily 10am to 10pm
- Admission
- EUR11 (adults), EUR5.50 (children 3-12); other concessions available.
Austrian National Library
Situated in the Hofburg Palace, the royal library of the Habsburgs dates from the 14th century and is among the oldest and finest libraries in the world. The six million items stored in the library include papyri, manuscripts, ancient and rare books, maps, globes, portraits, music, photographs and graphics. The Grand Hall is a palatial room topped by a dome, designed in the Baroque style, and is decorated with statues and exquisite frescoes and is regarded as one of the most beautiful library rooms in the world.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Josefplatz 1
- Phone Number
- (0)1 53410-444
- Website
- www.onb.ac.at
Natural History Museum
The impressive Natural History Museum is sited within a neo-Renaissance building that is identical from the outside to the Fine Arts Museum opposite. It is the third largest natural history museum in the world and has some of the oldest exhibits, including early Stone Age artifacts. Visitors can travel through the planet's history ranging from the diversity of nature to the origins of culture.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Maria-Theresien Platz
- Phone Number
- (0)1 521770
- Website
- www.nhm-wien.ac.at
- Hours
- Thursday to Monday 9am to 6.30pm, Wednesday 9am to 9pm
- Admission
- EUR10 (adults), children under 19 free.
Mozart's Birthplace
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in 1756 at his family's home in Getreidegasse. The house has since been converted into a museum displaying exhibits which include the violin played by Mozart as a child, his concert violin and clavichord, a pianoforte and various portraits. The museum was first opened in1880, by the International Mozart Foundation, and restored in 1994.
- Region/City Name
- Salzburg
- Address
- Getreidegasse 9
- Phone Number
- (0)662 844 313
- Email Address
- archiv@mozarteum.at
- Website
- www.mozarteum.at
- Hours
- September to June, 9am to 6pm; July to August, 9am to 8pm.
- Admission
- EUR7 (adult) and EUR3 (child)
Salzkammergut Lakes
The Salzkammergut is a lake area spanning Upper Austria, Salzburg and Styria, and was formerly home to the salt mines of the Hapsburg Empire. The many lakes and mountains in the region lend themselves to a variety of activities such as swimming, golf and hiking, as well as relaxing at the beautiful shore and hillside retreats. Take some time out to enjoy the local kaiserschmarrn(sugared pancakes with raisins), lebkuchen(gingerbread) and krapfen(doughnuts).
- Region/City Name
- Salzburg
Schloss Kleßheim Palace
Dating as far back as the 17th century, Schloss Kleßheim Palace was used by Adolf Hitler during World War II and today serves as a casino with an elegant atmoshere and beautiful gardens. The palace also featured in the 1965 film The Great Racestarring Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis and Peter Falk. The casino also has some historical interest, as the eagles displayed at the palace entrance are reminiscent of the Third Reich.
- Region/City Name
- Salzburg
- Address
- 2.5 miles (4km) west of Salzburg in Wals-Siezenheim
- Phone Number
- (0)662 854 455
- Website
- www.casinos.at
Wiener Prater
This large public park is a great place for families to enjoy a day in the sunshine. Stroll along the Hauptallee where chestnut trees line the way, or visit the Planetarium and the Prater Museum, both located inside the park. The Wiener Prater also has a small amusement park witha Ferris Wheel. There is plenty of open space here for kids to run around.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Wurstelprater 9
Vienna Woods
With beautiful tree-lined paths and exquisite scenery, the Vienna Woods are a fantastic place to go for a walk with the kids and get out into the great outdoors for some fresh air. The miles of open space is perfect for more active kids and walking or riding through this breathtaking scenery is a must for everyone.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
Minopolis City of Children
Minopolis is Europe's first theme park featuring a city that was specifically designed for children with buildings, doors, cars, etc reduced to children's size. Children can pretend to be adults and go about their daily life in the city if Minopolis working as whatever their hearts desire - a journalist, fire-fighter, policeman, doctor or dentist. Children can discover their dream jobs in a fun and safe environment. There are over 80 professions for children to try their hand at.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Wagramer Straße 2
- Phone Number
- 0810 970 270
- Email Address
- office@minopolis.at
- Website
- www.minopolis.at
- Hours
- Open Fridays from 2pm 7pm. Saturday, Sunday, Public and School Holidays from 10am - 6pm
- Admission
- Fridays: EUR4 (adults); EUR8 (children). Other: EUR6 (adults); EUR15 (children)
House of the Sea
Boasting more than 3,500 animals, the House of the Sea (Haus des Meeres) features a terrarium where children can marvel at crocodiles and snakes, or for the more impressive creatures, the tropical seawater section features piranhas, sharks and sea turtles. The crocodile park is another attraction, while the tropical house features free-flying birds and monkeys who have free reign over everything.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Esterházypark
- Phone Number
- 587 14 17
- Email Address
- office@haus-des-meeres.at
- Website
- www.haus-des-meeres.at
- Hours
- Open daily 9am-6pm. Thursdays 9am-9pm.
- Admission
- EUR12.90 (adults); EUR5.90 (children)
BOGI Park
BOGI Park is Austria's largest indoor playground, featuring a climbing volcano, quad train, a trampoline area, slides, ball pools and much more. Children will love exploring the magic cave and train rides as well as meeting other children. BOGI Park also features a restaurant where parents can unwind while the kids are at play.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Gutheil-Schoder-Gasse 17
- Phone Number
- 01 23 000 00
- Email Address
- wien@bogipark.at
- Website
- www.bogipark.at
- Hours
- Open daily 10am7pm
- Admission
- EUR3.50 (ages 1 3 years); EUR8.90 (children 3 16 years); EUR4 (adults). Prices differ in the evening.
Freud Museum
One of Vienna's most famous residents, Dr Sigmund Freud revolutionised the study of psychology with his ideas. Though many have been discredited, the term 'Freudian slip' and other ideas are still widely known and debated today. The Freud Museum in Vienna houses a number of antiques and mementos of the good doctor inside the offices he practiced in from 1891 to 1938. Guided tours are available, and the museum has a giftshop offering photos and other memorabilia as well as books written by Freud.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Berggasse 19
- Phone Number
- +43 (1) 319 159
- Email Address
- office@freud-museum.at
- Website
- www.freud-museum.at
- Transport
- Take Tram D to Schlickgasse.
- Hours
- Daily 9am to 5pm (closes 6pm from July to September). Guided tours from 10am to 4pm.
- Admission
- EUR7 adults, EUR2.50 children 12-18; other concessions available.
Swarovski Crystal World
Guarded by a water-spouting giant, Swarovski Crystal World is one of the most popular attractions in Tirol. The museum is underground, featuring14 interconnected rooms with an eclectic multimedia gallery showcasing dazzling work by Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, Salvador Dali, and Marc Chagall, among others, all featuring the distinctive glint of the famous Austrian crystals. Another popular sight is the largest crystal in the world, located in the first room. Just a 15-minute drive from Innsbruck, Swarovski is one of the city's most popular excursions. The Swarovski Crystal World gift shop has an equally sparkling array of souvenirs available at lower prices than in town, with the opportunity for a tax rebate for foreign visitors.
- Region/City Name
- Innsbruck
- Address
- Herzog-Friedrich-Strasse 39
- Zip Code
- 6020
- Website
- kristallwelten.swarovski.com
- Hours
- Closed for renovations until August 2011.
Hofburg
The Hofburg Palace, or Imperial Palace, was the home of the Austrian Hapsburgs for 600 years. The first fortifications were erected by King Ottakar Premyst in the 13th century and were added to by every generation until it became the monumental structure it is today. As well as housing the president's offices, the palace now encompasses 22 separate museums, the National Library, a 14th-century Augustinian church, the famous Spanish Riding School and the Royal Chapel, where every Sunday the Vienna Boy's Choir sing Mass (they have performed for the Royal Court since 1498). It will be impossible to even catch a glimpse of everything on display at the Hofburg, so visitors should be selective. The most popular of the museums is the Kaiserappartements, which takes visitors on a tour of the Kaiser's imperial apartments, the Sisi Museum, and the Imperial Silver Collection.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Innerer Burghof 1, Kaisertor
- Phone Number
- (0)1 533 7570
- Email Address
- info@hofburg-wien.at
- Website
- www.hofburg-wien.at
- Transport
- U-Bahn to Herrengasse; tram D, J, 1 or 2 to Burgring; bus 2A or 3A to Hofburg
- Hours
- Daily 9am to 5:30pm (until 6pm in July and August).
- Admission
- EUR10.50 (adults), EUR6.50 (children 6-18); other concessions available.
Spanish Riding School
The Spanish Riding School of Vienna is the oldest and last riding school in the world where classic dressage is still practiced in its purest form. This Institute was founded in 1572 and named for the Lipizzaner horses, which are of Spanish origin. The Imperial Court Stud was originally situated near the village of Lipizza (hence the name of the horses) but since the collapse of the Danube Monarchy in 1920 they have been bred at the Federal Stud in Styria. The horses perform their tricks in the Winter Riding School, which was commissioned by Emperor Karl VI. Performances take place between February and June, September and December but are in high demand and booked up months in advance (details on their website). The easiest way to see the horses is during their training sessions. Tickets are only available at the door, and cannot be booked in advance. Situated in the stables is the Lipizzaner Museum, which displays the history of the school.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Michaelerplatz 1
- Phone Number
- (0)1 533 9031
- Website
- www.spanische-reitschule.com
- Transport
- U-Bahn to Herrengasse, or tram D, J, 1 or 2 to Burgring
- Hours
- Daily 9am to 4pm. Performances Fridays 9am to 7pm.
- Admission
- Prices vary according to season, attraction and seating options; see website for details.
Karlskirche
Karlskirche is the most outstanding Baroque church in the city and its 236-foot (72m) high dome flanked by two columns forms a dramatic landmark on the Viennese skyline. The church was commissioned by Emperor Charles VI after the Black Plague that swept Vienna in 1713 and is dedicated to the patron saint Charles Borromeo who was revered as a healer for plague sufferers. The lavishly decorated interior includes frescoes and visitors can get a closer look by taking the elevator to the roof, which is included in the entry fee.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Kreuzherrengasse 1
- Email Address
- kontakt@karlskirche.at
- Website
- www.karlskirche.at (German only)
- Hours
- Monday to Saturday 9am to 12:30pm, 1pm to 6pm.
- Admission
- EUR6 (adults), free for children under 10yrs. Concessions available.
Schönbrunn Palace
The magnificent Schönbrunn Palace was used as the summer residence of the Hapsburgs from the 18th century onwards. Set amongst superb gardens this vast, symmetrical structure is everything you would imagine an imperial palace to be. A tour of the palace offers visitors the chance to view the superb assortment of Baroque and Rococo State Rooms and to admire the famous ceiling frescoes of the Great Gallery and the Hall of Mirrors where Mozart once played. The vast gardens are popular with locals and tourists alike, and include a zoo, a maze and labyrinth, the Privy garden, and the Gloriette with viewing terrace. Also within the grounds, the Orangery plays host to classical concerts during the summer season.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Schönbrunner Schloss Strasse 13
- Phone Number
- (0)1 8111 3239
- Website
- www.schoenbrunn.at
- Transport
- U4 to Schönbrunn station, trams 10 or 58, bus 10A
- Hours
- Palace: daily 8:30am to 5pm (April to June, September, October); 8:30am to 6pm (July, August); 8:30am to 4:30pm (November to March). Park: daily at 6am (6:30am from November to March), closing times vary according to the season, between 5:30pm and 9pm.
- Admission
- Grand Tour: EUR15.50 (adults), EUR11 (children 6-18). Various other tour options available.
Giant Wheel
One of Vienna's most recognizable attractions, the Giant Wheel is located in a large wooded park and playground known as the Prater. It was built in 1897 by an English engineering firm and is the only one of its era still standing (the ferris wheels in Chicago, London, Blackpool and Paris have long since been destroyed). The wheel with its 15 gondolas takes twenty minutes to maneuver around and offers magnificent panoramic views of the city.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Prater 90
- Phone Number
- (0)1 729 5430
- Email Address
- info@wienerriesenrad.com
- Website
- www.wienerriesenrad.com
- Hours
- Open daily but hours vary seasonally, see website for details.
- Admission
- EUR8.50 (adults), EUR3.50 (children 3-14), concessions available.
Belvedere
The Belvedere consists of two splendid rococo mansions, designed in the early 18th century, which face each other across formal, sloping grounds offering excellent views over the city. From the outside it is Vienna's finest palace complex, built by Prince Eugène of Savoy (1680-1735), the famous general who saved Vienna from the advance of the Ottoman Empire. The museums in the two palaces house some of Vienna's most renowned art galleries, offering excellent examples of Austrian art from the middle ages to present day. Their displays include an unrivalled collection of paintings by Klimt as well as famous works by Schiele and Kokoschka, Renoir and Monet. The Medieval and Baroque works are presented in the Lower Palace where many rooms have been preserved in their original state.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- 27 Prinz Eugen Street
- Phone Number
- (0)1 795 570, or (0)1 79 557 134
- Email Address
- info@belvedere.at
- Website
- www.belvedere.at
- Transport
- Upper Belvedere: Tram D to Schloss Belvedere or Trams 18 or 0 to Südbahnhof; bus 13A or 69A to Südbahnhof
- Hours
- Daily 10am to 6pm; lower Belvedere and the Orangery open until 9pm Wednesdays.
- Admission
- EUR14 (adult), Children free. Concessions available.
Vienna State Opera
The Vienna State Opera performs a repertoire of near-one hundred operas, operettas and ballets every day from September to June. The opera house was founded in the early 18th century (it was rebuilt in 1955 after being all but destroyed in 1945) and makes for a romantic and regal setting in which to enjoy the performances. As seating tickets are not easily available, an alternative is to buy standing-room tickets, which are well priced and can be purchased on the same day (but expect long queues). The State Opera collaborates closely with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, and their famous New Year concert requires advance bookings of up to one year.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Opernring 2
- Phone Number
- (0)1 51444 2250
- Website
- www.wiener-staatsoper.at
- Transport
- Take the U-Bahn lines U1, U2, U4 or the 59A bus to Karlsplatz or Oper stations
- Hours
- Guided tours are offered Tuesday to Sunday; check dates and times online or via telephone
- Admission
- Guided tour: EUR5 (adults), EUR2 (children). Opera tour and Opera museum combination ticket: EUR6.50 (adults), EUR3.50 (children). Other combinations and concessions available.
Hohensalzburg Fortress
The 11th-century Hohensalzburg Castle stands on a rocky outcrop approximately 394ft (120m) above the city. Although originally built by Archbishop Gebhard to repel attacks from the neighboring Bavarians, the present-day fortress was largely rebuilt in the early 16th century by Archbishop Leonhard Von Keutschach who added the grand state apartments. Visitors can walk around the courtyard and outskirts of the fortress at no cost unless they take the guided tour around the state apartments. The tour finishes at two small museums (this is optional) that display a selection of weapons, uniforms and armour together with instruments of torture - such as the Schandmasken - which petty criminals had to don as punishment for their crimes.
- Region/City Name
- Salzburg
- Address
- Mönchsberg 34
- Phone Number
- (0)662 842 430-11
- Email Address
- festung@salzburg.gv.at
- Website
- www.salzburg-burgen.at
- Transport
- It is possible to walk, or there is a funicular.
- Hours
- Open daily 9:30am to 5pm (October to April), 9am to 7pm (May to September).
- Admission
- Fortress Card EUR10.50 (adults), EUR6 (children 6-14 years); other concessions available.
St Peter's Abbey
If you only have time to visit one of Salzburg's many churches, make sure its the 9th century St Peter's Abbey Church (Stiftkirche St Peter), one of Salzburg's most impressive Rococo buildings. The Peterskirche was built at the beginning of the 18th century on the foundations of the former church, which was founded in 792. The ornate interior is more impressive than the exterior with high marble pillars and a magnificent frescoed ceiling. The ancient catacombs that were carved into the rock face by the early Christian inhabitants are accessible only through a short guided tour.
- Region/City Name
- Salzburg
- Phone Number
- (0)662 844 576
- Website
- www.stift-stpeter.at
- Transport
- Bus 5, 6, 55
- Hours
- Open daily 6:30am to 7pm (April to September), 6:30am to 6pm (October to March)
- Admission
- Free
St Stephen's Cathedral
The Cathedral is one of the city's most recognizable symbols and the massive south tower standing at 445 feet (136m) tall is a dominant feature on the Vienna skyline. The 343 steps can be climbed for a fantastic view over the city. St Stephan's Cathedral is the most important religious building in the city and is one of the greatest Gothic structures in Europe, and has been in a state of continual preservation and repair since its original construction in the 12th century due to fire, city sieges and bombardment. The cathedral is built of limestone and has an ornately patterned and richly colored roof covered by glazed tiles. The interior is rich in wood carvings, sculptures and paintings and has numerous chapels and altars, as well as the catacombs, which can be visited on a guided tour. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was married here, had children baptized here, and his funeral was held in the Chapel of the Cross.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Stephansplatz
- Phone Number
- Guided tours: (0)1 5155 23526
- Website
- www.stephanskirche.at
- Transport
- U-Bahn to Stephansplatz
- Hours
- Daily 6am to 10pm (from 7am on Sundays). Various guided tours take place daily.
- Admission
- Free admission to the cathedral. Cathedral Tour: EUR14.50 (adults), EUR12.50 (children). Other packages and concessions available.
The Albertina
The former Hofburg residence today houses one of the largest and greatest graphic art collections in the world with drawings, old master prints and modern graphic works. The museum explores the development of graphic arts since the 14th century and there are over 60,000 works on show, including works by Leonardo da Vinci, Michaelangelo, Manet, Picasso and Cezanne. The Albertina is also one of the most beautiful examples of classical architecture in the world.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Albertinaplatz 1
- Phone Number
- (0)1 53483 525
- Email Address
- tourismus@albertina.at
- Website
- www.albertina.at
- Hours
- Daily 10am to 6pm (until 9pm on Wednesdays).
- Admission
- EUR9.50 (adults), concessions available. Children under 19 free.
Imperial Treasury
The Schatzkammer, located in the Hofburg Palace, houses the greatest treasury in the world spanning 1,000 years of treasures such as relics and vestments from the Austrian Empire and the Holy Roman Empire. Included in the collection are the crown jewels, particularly the priceless imperial crown, which dates from 962, and is studded with precious stones, as well as the Holy Lance was thought to be the lance that pierced Jesus' side while on the cross. Also housed is the Burgundian Treasure, and treasures connected to the Order of the Golden Fleece.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Schweizer Hof
- Phone Number
- (0)1 52524
- Website
- www.khm.at/en/treasury
- Hours
- Wednesday to Monday 9:30am to 6pm
- Admission
- EUR12 (adults), EUR9 (concessions), children under 19 free.
Museum of Fine Arts (Kunsthistorisches Museum)
The Fine Arts Museum across from the Hofburg Palace houses many of the art collections gathered by the Habsburgs and is one of the foremost museums of fine arts and decorative arts in the world. The magnificent building is crowned with a 197-foot (60m) high dome, while the inside is sumptuously decorated with marble, gold leaf and stucco ornaments, a fitting home to the formidable artistic treasures collected over the centuries. The collections range from Ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman relics to medieval art, and Renaissance and Baroque paintings. The museum faces the Natural History Museum across the Maria-Theresian Platz, which has an identical exterior.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Maria-Theresian Platz
- Phone Number
- (0)1 52524
- Website
- www.khm.at
- Hours
- Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 6pm (until 9pm on Thursdays).
- Admission
- EUR12 (adults), EUR9 (concessions); children under 19 free.
Haus der Musik
The House of Music is an interactive, high-tech discovery museum devoted to music and is located in the former Palais of Archduke Charles. Four floors take visitors past the music and memorabilia of the great composers who lived in Vienna, such as Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms and Schubert; discover the top musicians of today; and explore the future of music on computers. Conduct an orchestra, listen to what an unborn child hears in the womb or paint a musical picture. The museum was awarded top prize for its innovative design and allows visitors to experience music using the senses of sight, sound, touch and hearing.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Seilerstätte 30
- Phone Number
- (0)1 51648
- Email Address
- info@hdm.at
- Website
- www.hdm.at
- Transport
- Underground to Karlsplatz or Stephansplatz
- Hours
- Daily 10am to 10pm
- Admission
- EUR11 (adults), EUR5.50 (children 3-12); other concessions available.
Austrian National Library
Situated in the Hofburg Palace, the royal library of the Habsburgs dates from the 14th century and is among the oldest and finest libraries in the world. The six million items stored in the library include papyri, manuscripts, ancient and rare books, maps, globes, portraits, music, photographs and graphics. The Grand Hall is a palatial room topped by a dome, designed in the Baroque style, and is decorated with statues and exquisite frescoes and is regarded as one of the most beautiful library rooms in the world.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Josefplatz 1
- Phone Number
- (0)1 53410-444
- Website
- www.onb.ac.at
Natural History Museum
The impressive Natural History Museum is sited within a neo-Renaissance building that is identical from the outside to the Fine Arts Museum opposite. It is the third largest natural history museum in the world and has some of the oldest exhibits, including early Stone Age artifacts. Visitors can travel through the planet's history ranging from the diversity of nature to the origins of culture.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Maria-Theresien Platz
- Phone Number
- (0)1 521770
- Website
- www.nhm-wien.ac.at
- Hours
- Thursday to Monday 9am to 6.30pm, Wednesday 9am to 9pm
- Admission
- EUR10 (adults), children under 19 free.
Mozart's Birthplace
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in 1756 at his family's home in Getreidegasse. The house has since been converted into a museum displaying exhibits which include the violin played by Mozart as a child, his concert violin and clavichord, a pianoforte and various portraits. The museum was first opened in1880, by the International Mozart Foundation, and restored in 1994.
- Region/City Name
- Salzburg
- Address
- Getreidegasse 9
- Phone Number
- (0)662 844 313
- Email Address
- archiv@mozarteum.at
- Website
- www.mozarteum.at
- Hours
- September to June, 9am to 6pm; July to August, 9am to 8pm.
- Admission
- EUR7 (adult) and EUR3 (child)
Salzkammergut Lakes
The Salzkammergut is a lake area spanning Upper Austria, Salzburg and Styria, and was formerly home to the salt mines of the Hapsburg Empire. The many lakes and mountains in the region lend themselves to a variety of activities such as swimming, golf and hiking, as well as relaxing at the beautiful shore and hillside retreats. Take some time out to enjoy the local kaiserschmarrn(sugared pancakes with raisins), lebkuchen(gingerbread) and krapfen(doughnuts).
- Region/City Name
- Salzburg
Schloss Kleßheim Palace
Dating as far back as the 17th century, Schloss Kleßheim Palace was used by Adolf Hitler during World War II and today serves as a casino with an elegant atmoshere and beautiful gardens. The palace also featured in the 1965 film The Great Racestarring Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis and Peter Falk. The casino also has some historical interest, as the eagles displayed at the palace entrance are reminiscent of the Third Reich.
- Region/City Name
- Salzburg
- Address
- 2.5 miles (4km) west of Salzburg in Wals-Siezenheim
- Phone Number
- (0)662 854 455
- Website
- www.casinos.at
Wiener Prater
This large public park is a great place for families to enjoy a day in the sunshine. Stroll along the Hauptallee where chestnut trees line the way, or visit the Planetarium and the Prater Museum, both located inside the park. The Wiener Prater also has a small amusement park witha Ferris Wheel. There is plenty of open space here for kids to run around.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Wurstelprater 9
Vienna Woods
With beautiful tree-lined paths and exquisite scenery, the Vienna Woods are a fantastic place to go for a walk with the kids and get out into the great outdoors for some fresh air. The miles of open space is perfect for more active kids and walking or riding through this breathtaking scenery is a must for everyone.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
Minopolis City of Children
Minopolis is Europe's first theme park featuring a city that was specifically designed for children with buildings, doors, cars, etc reduced to children's size. Children can pretend to be adults and go about their daily life in the city if Minopolis working as whatever their hearts desire - a journalist, fire-fighter, policeman, doctor or dentist. Children can discover their dream jobs in a fun and safe environment. There are over 80 professions for children to try their hand at.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Wagramer Straße 2
- Phone Number
- 0810 970 270
- Email Address
- office@minopolis.at
- Website
- www.minopolis.at
- Hours
- Open Fridays from 2pm 7pm. Saturday, Sunday, Public and School Holidays from 10am - 6pm
- Admission
- Fridays: EUR4 (adults); EUR8 (children). Other: EUR6 (adults); EUR15 (children)
House of the Sea
Boasting more than 3,500 animals, the House of the Sea (Haus des Meeres) features a terrarium where children can marvel at crocodiles and snakes, or for the more impressive creatures, the tropical seawater section features piranhas, sharks and sea turtles. The crocodile park is another attraction, while the tropical house features free-flying birds and monkeys who have free reign over everything.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Esterházypark
- Phone Number
- 587 14 17
- Email Address
- office@haus-des-meeres.at
- Website
- www.haus-des-meeres.at
- Hours
- Open daily 9am-6pm. Thursdays 9am-9pm.
- Admission
- EUR12.90 (adults); EUR5.90 (children)
BOGI Park
BOGI Park is Austria's largest indoor playground, featuring a climbing volcano, quad train, a trampoline area, slides, ball pools and much more. Children will love exploring the magic cave and train rides as well as meeting other children. BOGI Park also features a restaurant where parents can unwind while the kids are at play.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Gutheil-Schoder-Gasse 17
- Phone Number
- 01 23 000 00
- Email Address
- wien@bogipark.at
- Website
- www.bogipark.at
- Hours
- Open daily 10am7pm
- Admission
- EUR3.50 (ages 1 3 years); EUR8.90 (children 3 16 years); EUR4 (adults). Prices differ in the evening.
Freud Museum
One of Vienna's most famous residents, Dr Sigmund Freud revolutionised the study of psychology with his ideas. Though many have been discredited, the term 'Freudian slip' and other ideas are still widely known and debated today. The Freud Museum in Vienna houses a number of antiques and mementos of the good doctor inside the offices he practiced in from 1891 to 1938. Guided tours are available, and the museum has a giftshop offering photos and other memorabilia as well as books written by Freud.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Berggasse 19
- Phone Number
- +43 (1) 319 159
- Email Address
- office@freud-museum.at
- Website
- www.freud-museum.at
- Transport
- Take Tram D to Schlickgasse.
- Hours
- Daily 9am to 5pm (closes 6pm from July to September). Guided tours from 10am to 4pm.
- Admission
- EUR7 adults, EUR2.50 children 12-18; other concessions available.
Swarovski Crystal World
Guarded by a water-spouting giant, Swarovski Crystal World is one of the most popular attractions in Tirol. The museum is underground, featuring14 interconnected rooms with an eclectic multimedia gallery showcasing dazzling work by Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, Salvador Dali, and Marc Chagall, among others, all featuring the distinctive glint of the famous Austrian crystals. Another popular sight is the largest crystal in the world, located in the first room. Just a 15-minute drive from Innsbruck, Swarovski is one of the city's most popular excursions. The Swarovski Crystal World gift shop has an equally sparkling array of souvenirs available at lower prices than in town, with the opportunity for a tax rebate for foreign visitors.
- Region/City Name
- Innsbruck
- Address
- Herzog-Friedrich-Strasse 39
- Zip Code
- 6020
- Website
- kristallwelten.swarovski.com
- Hours
- Closed for renovations until August 2011.
Hofburg
The Hofburg Palace, or Imperial Palace, was the home of the Austrian Hapsburgs for 600 years. The first fortifications were erected by King Ottakar Premyst in the 13th century and were added to by every generation until it became the monumental structure it is today. As well as housing the president's offices, the palace now encompasses 22 separate museums, the National Library, a 14th-century Augustinian church, the famous Spanish Riding School and the Royal Chapel, where every Sunday the Vienna Boy's Choir sing Mass (they have performed for the Royal Court since 1498). It will be impossible to even catch a glimpse of everything on display at the Hofburg, so visitors should be selective. The most popular of the museums is the Kaiserappartements, which takes visitors on a tour of the Kaiser's imperial apartments, the Sisi Museum, and the Imperial Silver Collection.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Innerer Burghof 1, Kaisertor
- Phone Number
- (0)1 533 7570
- Email Address
- info@hofburg-wien.at
- Website
- www.hofburg-wien.at
- Transport
- U-Bahn to Herrengasse; tram D, J, 1 or 2 to Burgring; bus 2A or 3A to Hofburg
- Hours
- Daily 9am to 5:30pm (until 6pm in July and August).
- Admission
- EUR10.50 (adults), EUR6.50 (children 6-18); other concessions available.
Spanish Riding School
The Spanish Riding School of Vienna is the oldest and last riding school in the world where classic dressage is still practiced in its purest form. This Institute was founded in 1572 and named for the Lipizzaner horses, which are of Spanish origin. The Imperial Court Stud was originally situated near the village of Lipizza (hence the name of the horses) but since the collapse of the Danube Monarchy in 1920 they have been bred at the Federal Stud in Styria. The horses perform their tricks in the Winter Riding School, which was commissioned by Emperor Karl VI. Performances take place between February and June, September and December but are in high demand and booked up months in advance (details on their website). The easiest way to see the horses is during their training sessions. Tickets are only available at the door, and cannot be booked in advance. Situated in the stables is the Lipizzaner Museum, which displays the history of the school.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Michaelerplatz 1
- Phone Number
- (0)1 533 9031
- Website
- www.spanische-reitschule.com
- Transport
- U-Bahn to Herrengasse, or tram D, J, 1 or 2 to Burgring
- Hours
- Daily 9am to 4pm. Performances Fridays 9am to 7pm.
- Admission
- Prices vary according to season, attraction and seating options; see website for details.
Karlskirche
Karlskirche is the most outstanding Baroque church in the city and its 236-foot (72m) high dome flanked by two columns forms a dramatic landmark on the Viennese skyline. The church was commissioned by Emperor Charles VI after the Black Plague that swept Vienna in 1713 and is dedicated to the patron saint Charles Borromeo who was revered as a healer for plague sufferers. The lavishly decorated interior includes frescoes and visitors can get a closer look by taking the elevator to the roof, which is included in the entry fee.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Kreuzherrengasse 1
- Email Address
- kontakt@karlskirche.at
- Website
- www.karlskirche.at (German only)
- Hours
- Monday to Saturday 9am to 12:30pm, 1pm to 6pm.
- Admission
- EUR6 (adults), free for children under 10yrs. Concessions available.
Schönbrunn Palace
The magnificent Schönbrunn Palace was used as the summer residence of the Hapsburgs from the 18th century onwards. Set amongst superb gardens this vast, symmetrical structure is everything you would imagine an imperial palace to be. A tour of the palace offers visitors the chance to view the superb assortment of Baroque and Rococo State Rooms and to admire the famous ceiling frescoes of the Great Gallery and the Hall of Mirrors where Mozart once played. The vast gardens are popular with locals and tourists alike, and include a zoo, a maze and labyrinth, the Privy garden, and the Gloriette with viewing terrace. Also within the grounds, the Orangery plays host to classical concerts during the summer season.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Schönbrunner Schloss Strasse 13
- Phone Number
- (0)1 8111 3239
- Website
- www.schoenbrunn.at
- Transport
- U4 to Schönbrunn station, trams 10 or 58, bus 10A
- Hours
- Palace: daily 8:30am to 5pm (April to June, September, October); 8:30am to 6pm (July, August); 8:30am to 4:30pm (November to March). Park: daily at 6am (6:30am from November to March), closing times vary according to the season, between 5:30pm and 9pm.
- Admission
- Grand Tour: EUR15.50 (adults), EUR11 (children 6-18). Various other tour options available.
Giant Wheel
One of Vienna's most recognizable attractions, the Giant Wheel is located in a large wooded park and playground known as the Prater. It was built in 1897 by an English engineering firm and is the only one of its era still standing (the ferris wheels in Chicago, London, Blackpool and Paris have long since been destroyed). The wheel with its 15 gondolas takes twenty minutes to maneuver around and offers magnificent panoramic views of the city.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Prater 90
- Phone Number
- (0)1 729 5430
- Email Address
- info@wienerriesenrad.com
- Website
- www.wienerriesenrad.com
- Hours
- Open daily but hours vary seasonally, see website for details.
- Admission
- EUR8.50 (adults), EUR3.50 (children 3-14), concessions available.
Belvedere
The Belvedere consists of two splendid rococo mansions, designed in the early 18th century, which face each other across formal, sloping grounds offering excellent views over the city. From the outside it is Vienna's finest palace complex, built by Prince Eugène of Savoy (1680-1735), the famous general who saved Vienna from the advance of the Ottoman Empire. The museums in the two palaces house some of Vienna's most renowned art galleries, offering excellent examples of Austrian art from the middle ages to present day. Their displays include an unrivalled collection of paintings by Klimt as well as famous works by Schiele and Kokoschka, Renoir and Monet. The Medieval and Baroque works are presented in the Lower Palace where many rooms have been preserved in their original state.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- 27 Prinz Eugen Street
- Phone Number
- (0)1 795 570, or (0)1 79 557 134
- Email Address
- info@belvedere.at
- Website
- www.belvedere.at
- Transport
- Upper Belvedere: Tram D to Schloss Belvedere or Trams 18 or 0 to Südbahnhof; bus 13A or 69A to Südbahnhof
- Hours
- Daily 10am to 6pm; lower Belvedere and the Orangery open until 9pm Wednesdays.
- Admission
- EUR14 (adult), Children free. Concessions available.
Vienna State Opera
The Vienna State Opera performs a repertoire of near-one hundred operas, operettas and ballets every day from September to June. The opera house was founded in the early 18th century (it was rebuilt in 1955 after being all but destroyed in 1945) and makes for a romantic and regal setting in which to enjoy the performances. As seating tickets are not easily available, an alternative is to buy standing-room tickets, which are well priced and can be purchased on the same day (but expect long queues). The State Opera collaborates closely with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, and their famous New Year concert requires advance bookings of up to one year.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Opernring 2
- Phone Number
- (0)1 51444 2250
- Website
- www.wiener-staatsoper.at
- Transport
- Take the U-Bahn lines U1, U2, U4 or the 59A bus to Karlsplatz or Oper stations
- Hours
- Guided tours are offered Tuesday to Sunday; check dates and times online or via telephone
- Admission
- Guided tour: EUR5 (adults), EUR2 (children). Opera tour and Opera museum combination ticket: EUR6.50 (adults), EUR3.50 (children). Other combinations and concessions available.
Hohensalzburg Fortress
The 11th-century Hohensalzburg Castle stands on a rocky outcrop approximately 394ft (120m) above the city. Although originally built by Archbishop Gebhard to repel attacks from the neighboring Bavarians, the present-day fortress was largely rebuilt in the early 16th century by Archbishop Leonhard Von Keutschach who added the grand state apartments. Visitors can walk around the courtyard and outskirts of the fortress at no cost unless they take the guided tour around the state apartments. The tour finishes at two small museums (this is optional) that display a selection of weapons, uniforms and armour together with instruments of torture - such as the Schandmasken - which petty criminals had to don as punishment for their crimes.
- Region/City Name
- Salzburg
- Address
- Mönchsberg 34
- Phone Number
- (0)662 842 430-11
- Email Address
- festung@salzburg.gv.at
- Website
- www.salzburg-burgen.at
- Transport
- It is possible to walk, or there is a funicular.
- Hours
- Open daily 9:30am to 5pm (October to April), 9am to 7pm (May to September).
- Admission
- Fortress Card EUR10.50 (adults), EUR6 (children 6-14 years); other concessions available.
St Peter's Abbey
If you only have time to visit one of Salzburg's many churches, make sure its the 9th century St Peter's Abbey Church (Stiftkirche St Peter), one of Salzburg's most impressive Rococo buildings. The Peterskirche was built at the beginning of the 18th century on the foundations of the former church, which was founded in 792. The ornate interior is more impressive than the exterior with high marble pillars and a magnificent frescoed ceiling. The ancient catacombs that were carved into the rock face by the early Christian inhabitants are accessible only through a short guided tour.
- Region/City Name
- Salzburg
- Phone Number
- (0)662 844 576
- Website
- www.stift-stpeter.at
- Transport
- Bus 5, 6, 55
- Hours
- Open daily 6:30am to 7pm (April to September), 6:30am to 6pm (October to March)
- Admission
- Free
St Stephen's Cathedral
The Cathedral is one of the city's most recognizable symbols and the massive south tower standing at 445 feet (136m) tall is a dominant feature on the Vienna skyline. The 343 steps can be climbed for a fantastic view over the city. St Stephan's Cathedral is the most important religious building in the city and is one of the greatest Gothic structures in Europe, and has been in a state of continual preservation and repair since its original construction in the 12th century due to fire, city sieges and bombardment. The cathedral is built of limestone and has an ornately patterned and richly colored roof covered by glazed tiles. The interior is rich in wood carvings, sculptures and paintings and has numerous chapels and altars, as well as the catacombs, which can be visited on a guided tour. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was married here, had children baptized here, and his funeral was held in the Chapel of the Cross.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Stephansplatz
- Phone Number
- Guided tours: (0)1 5155 23526
- Website
- www.stephanskirche.at
- Transport
- U-Bahn to Stephansplatz
- Hours
- Daily 6am to 10pm (from 7am on Sundays). Various guided tours take place daily.
- Admission
- Free admission to the cathedral. Cathedral Tour: EUR14.50 (adults), EUR12.50 (children). Other packages and concessions available.
The Albertina
The former Hofburg residence today houses one of the largest and greatest graphic art collections in the world with drawings, old master prints and modern graphic works. The museum explores the development of graphic arts since the 14th century and there are over 60,000 works on show, including works by Leonardo da Vinci, Michaelangelo, Manet, Picasso and Cezanne. The Albertina is also one of the most beautiful examples of classical architecture in the world.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Albertinaplatz 1
- Phone Number
- (0)1 53483 525
- Email Address
- tourismus@albertina.at
- Website
- www.albertina.at
- Hours
- Daily 10am to 6pm (until 9pm on Wednesdays).
- Admission
- EUR9.50 (adults), concessions available. Children under 19 free.
Imperial Treasury
The Schatzkammer, located in the Hofburg Palace, houses the greatest treasury in the world spanning 1,000 years of treasures such as relics and vestments from the Austrian Empire and the Holy Roman Empire. Included in the collection are the crown jewels, particularly the priceless imperial crown, which dates from 962, and is studded with precious stones, as well as the Holy Lance was thought to be the lance that pierced Jesus' side while on the cross. Also housed is the Burgundian Treasure, and treasures connected to the Order of the Golden Fleece.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Schweizer Hof
- Phone Number
- (0)1 52524
- Website
- www.khm.at/en/treasury
- Hours
- Wednesday to Monday 9:30am to 6pm
- Admission
- EUR12 (adults), EUR9 (concessions), children under 19 free.
Museum of Fine Arts (Kunsthistorisches Museum)
The Fine Arts Museum across from the Hofburg Palace houses many of the art collections gathered by the Habsburgs and is one of the foremost museums of fine arts and decorative arts in the world. The magnificent building is crowned with a 197-foot (60m) high dome, while the inside is sumptuously decorated with marble, gold leaf and stucco ornaments, a fitting home to the formidable artistic treasures collected over the centuries. The collections range from Ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman relics to medieval art, and Renaissance and Baroque paintings. The museum faces the Natural History Museum across the Maria-Theresian Platz, which has an identical exterior.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Maria-Theresian Platz
- Phone Number
- (0)1 52524
- Website
- www.khm.at
- Hours
- Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 6pm (until 9pm on Thursdays).
- Admission
- EUR12 (adults), EUR9 (concessions); children under 19 free.
Haus der Musik
The House of Music is an interactive, high-tech discovery museum devoted to music and is located in the former Palais of Archduke Charles. Four floors take visitors past the music and memorabilia of the great composers who lived in Vienna, such as Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms and Schubert; discover the top musicians of today; and explore the future of music on computers. Conduct an orchestra, listen to what an unborn child hears in the womb or paint a musical picture. The museum was awarded top prize for its innovative design and allows visitors to experience music using the senses of sight, sound, touch and hearing.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Seilerstätte 30
- Phone Number
- (0)1 51648
- Email Address
- info@hdm.at
- Website
- www.hdm.at
- Transport
- Underground to Karlsplatz or Stephansplatz
- Hours
- Daily 10am to 10pm
- Admission
- EUR11 (adults), EUR5.50 (children 3-12); other concessions available.
Austrian National Library
Situated in the Hofburg Palace, the royal library of the Habsburgs dates from the 14th century and is among the oldest and finest libraries in the world. The six million items stored in the library include papyri, manuscripts, ancient and rare books, maps, globes, portraits, music, photographs and graphics. The Grand Hall is a palatial room topped by a dome, designed in the Baroque style, and is decorated with statues and exquisite frescoes and is regarded as one of the most beautiful library rooms in the world.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Josefplatz 1
- Phone Number
- (0)1 53410-444
- Website
- www.onb.ac.at
Natural History Museum
The impressive Natural History Museum is sited within a neo-Renaissance building that is identical from the outside to the Fine Arts Museum opposite. It is the third largest natural history museum in the world and has some of the oldest exhibits, including early Stone Age artifacts. Visitors can travel through the planet's history ranging from the diversity of nature to the origins of culture.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Maria-Theresien Platz
- Phone Number
- (0)1 521770
- Website
- www.nhm-wien.ac.at
- Hours
- Thursday to Monday 9am to 6.30pm, Wednesday 9am to 9pm
- Admission
- EUR10 (adults), children under 19 free.
Mozart's Birthplace
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in 1756 at his family's home in Getreidegasse. The house has since been converted into a museum displaying exhibits which include the violin played by Mozart as a child, his concert violin and clavichord, a pianoforte and various portraits. The museum was first opened in1880, by the International Mozart Foundation, and restored in 1994.
- Region/City Name
- Salzburg
- Address
- Getreidegasse 9
- Phone Number
- (0)662 844 313
- Email Address
- archiv@mozarteum.at
- Website
- www.mozarteum.at
- Hours
- September to June, 9am to 6pm; July to August, 9am to 8pm.
- Admission
- EUR7 (adult) and EUR3 (child)
Salzkammergut Lakes
The Salzkammergut is a lake area spanning Upper Austria, Salzburg and Styria, and was formerly home to the salt mines of the Hapsburg Empire. The many lakes and mountains in the region lend themselves to a variety of activities such as swimming, golf and hiking, as well as relaxing at the beautiful shore and hillside retreats. Take some time out to enjoy the local kaiserschmarrn(sugared pancakes with raisins), lebkuchen(gingerbread) and krapfen(doughnuts).
- Region/City Name
- Salzburg
Schloss Kleßheim Palace
Dating as far back as the 17th century, Schloss Kleßheim Palace was used by Adolf Hitler during World War II and today serves as a casino with an elegant atmoshere and beautiful gardens. The palace also featured in the 1965 film The Great Racestarring Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis and Peter Falk. The casino also has some historical interest, as the eagles displayed at the palace entrance are reminiscent of the Third Reich.
- Region/City Name
- Salzburg
- Address
- 2.5 miles (4km) west of Salzburg in Wals-Siezenheim
- Phone Number
- (0)662 854 455
- Website
- www.casinos.at
Wiener Prater
This large public park is a great place for families to enjoy a day in the sunshine. Stroll along the Hauptallee where chestnut trees line the way, or visit the Planetarium and the Prater Museum, both located inside the park. The Wiener Prater also has a small amusement park witha Ferris Wheel. There is plenty of open space here for kids to run around.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Wurstelprater 9
Vienna Woods
With beautiful tree-lined paths and exquisite scenery, the Vienna Woods are a fantastic place to go for a walk with the kids and get out into the great outdoors for some fresh air. The miles of open space is perfect for more active kids and walking or riding through this breathtaking scenery is a must for everyone.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
Minopolis City of Children
Minopolis is Europe's first theme park featuring a city that was specifically designed for children with buildings, doors, cars, etc reduced to children's size. Children can pretend to be adults and go about their daily life in the city if Minopolis working as whatever their hearts desire - a journalist, fire-fighter, policeman, doctor or dentist. Children can discover their dream jobs in a fun and safe environment. There are over 80 professions for children to try their hand at.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Wagramer Straße 2
- Phone Number
- 0810 970 270
- Email Address
- office@minopolis.at
- Website
- www.minopolis.at
- Hours
- Open Fridays from 2pm 7pm. Saturday, Sunday, Public and School Holidays from 10am - 6pm
- Admission
- Fridays: EUR4 (adults); EUR8 (children). Other: EUR6 (adults); EUR15 (children)
House of the Sea
Boasting more than 3,500 animals, the House of the Sea (Haus des Meeres) features a terrarium where children can marvel at crocodiles and snakes, or for the more impressive creatures, the tropical seawater section features piranhas, sharks and sea turtles. The crocodile park is another attraction, while the tropical house features free-flying birds and monkeys who have free reign over everything.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Esterházypark
- Phone Number
- 587 14 17
- Email Address
- office@haus-des-meeres.at
- Website
- www.haus-des-meeres.at
- Hours
- Open daily 9am-6pm. Thursdays 9am-9pm.
- Admission
- EUR12.90 (adults); EUR5.90 (children)
BOGI Park
BOGI Park is Austria's largest indoor playground, featuring a climbing volcano, quad train, a trampoline area, slides, ball pools and much more. Children will love exploring the magic cave and train rides as well as meeting other children. BOGI Park also features a restaurant where parents can unwind while the kids are at play.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Gutheil-Schoder-Gasse 17
- Phone Number
- 01 23 000 00
- Email Address
- wien@bogipark.at
- Website
- www.bogipark.at
- Hours
- Open daily 10am7pm
- Admission
- EUR3.50 (ages 1 3 years); EUR8.90 (children 3 16 years); EUR4 (adults). Prices differ in the evening.
Freud Museum
One of Vienna's most famous residents, Dr Sigmund Freud revolutionised the study of psychology with his ideas. Though many have been discredited, the term 'Freudian slip' and other ideas are still widely known and debated today. The Freud Museum in Vienna houses a number of antiques and mementos of the good doctor inside the offices he practiced in from 1891 to 1938. Guided tours are available, and the museum has a giftshop offering photos and other memorabilia as well as books written by Freud.
- Region/City Name
- Vienna
- Address
- Berggasse 19
- Phone Number
- +43 (1) 319 159
- Email Address
- office@freud-museum.at
- Website
- www.freud-museum.at
- Transport
- Take Tram D to Schlickgasse.
- Hours
- Daily 9am to 5pm (closes 6pm from July to September). Guided tours from 10am to 4pm.
- Admission
- EUR7 adults, EUR2.50 children 12-18; other concessions available.
Swarovski Crystal World
Guarded by a water-spouting giant, Swarovski Crystal World is one of the most popular attractions in Tirol. The museum is underground, featuring14 interconnected rooms with an eclectic multimedia gallery showcasing dazzling work by Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, Salvador Dali, and Marc Chagall, among others, all featuring the distinctive glint of the famous Austrian crystals. Another popular sight is the largest crystal in the world, located in the first room. Just a 15-minute drive from Innsbruck, Swarovski is one of the city's most popular excursions. The Swarovski Crystal World gift shop has an equally sparkling array of souvenirs available at lower prices than in town, with the opportunity for a tax rebate for foreign visitors.
- Region/City Name
- Innsbruck
- Address
- Herzog-Friedrich-Strasse 39
- Zip Code
- 6020
- Website
- kristallwelten.swarovski.com
- Hours
- Closed for renovations until August 2011.
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PlanetWare.com Travel Guides
- Austria: Austria | Austria Hotels | Austria Attractions
- Vienna: Vienna | Vienna Hotels | Vienna Attractions
- Salzburg: Salzburg | Salzburg Hotels | Salzburg Attractions
- Innsbruck: Innsbruck | Innsbruck Hotels | Innsbruck Attractions
