Vienna Things to Do Tips by Manara

Tourist flock to this place especially because of the works of art exhibited inside.
However this palace, built at the beginning of the 18th century, deserves a visit for its architecture and its gardens.

Leave a Comment

Address: Rennweg 6, 3rd District
Directions: You can get there with the tram D.
Website: www.belvedere.at

The beautiful Karlskirche is the only church I will mention, for the simple reason that it is not within the Ring. The other most beautiful churches of Vienna are in that area, so they are virtually impossible to miss.
The St. Karl it is dedicated to is actually an Italian, San Carlo Borromeo, from the aristocratic family that owned the beautiful little islands in the Lago Maggiore.

Leave a Comment

Address: Karlsplatz, 4th District

If you want to visit the interiors of Schoenbrunn (which I strongly advise to do) you can get all the details in advance in its official website.
You will find there the same information that are given in the audiotapes distributed to visitors at the entrance.
The website is in German, English and Italian.

Leave a Comment

Address: The palace and its park are in the 13th District
Website: www.schoenbrunn.at

This wing of the Hofburg was built only in the late 19th century, so purists could have ground to question its style. However, its proportions are so elegant and the general effect is so harmonious that even a fastidious lover of architecture like me can love this building.

Leave a Comment

Address: Michaelerplatz

This ferris wheel is a contemporary of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. I see both of them as monuments of late 19th century engineering.
As I love watching the Eiffel Tower from beneath, for the impression of strength and stability it gives me, so my preferred view of the Riesenrad is from inside a wagon looking towards the centre of the wheel.

Leave a Comment

Address: Volksprater
Directions: Praterstern is the nearest stop of the metro (U1).
Website: www.riesenrad.com

This block of flats looks to most viewers (including yours truly) like a big joke, and a funny one by the way!
I like very much Hundertwasser's paintings, but I cannot take him seriously as an architect. I utterly dislike what he did with the Spittelau incinerating plant and his idea of beauty is totally different from mine (I cannot believe you can make an ugly thing beautiful by adding decoration).
Regarding this building, I am glad the city of Vienna decided to build it. In general, I think cities should be a bit adventurous in experimenting with architecture, and this building is fun, and makes a nice addition to the city.
However, if I try to figure out a whole town built in this style, or just a street ... no!

Leave a Comment

Address: At the corner of Loewengasse and Kegelgasse
Directions: In the 3rd District, you can get there with tram N
Website: www.kunsthauswien.com
Other Contact: www.hundertwasserhaus.com