Fiaker-ing around Wien and other Vienna, Austria Things to Do Tips

At 40E for a 20 minute ride in a horse and buggy around a busy city I took about a nano-second to decide that I didn't want to take a 'Famous Fiaker' to see the sites. They look pretty though and obviously enough people are willing to fork out a small fortune to keep these guys in bowler hats :)

There are other options of 40 minutes for 65E or a WHOLE hour for 95E!!!!

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Address: By St Stefan's Dom
Directions: Central

This looks like a lovely way to spend a leisurely couple of hours or even longer! A river cruise is always a great way to see the sites of any city and Vienna is no exception.

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Address: SchwedenPlatz
Directions: Take the tube or tram to the boarding station at SchwedenPlatz (U2, U4)
Website: http://www.ddsg-blue-danube.at/en_fahrplan_som.htm

This beautiful Gothic cathedral has thousands of visitors every year and they all seemed to be there on the day I visited. They were all milling around outside the cathedral on a hot Saturday August afternoon with the ubiquitous street artists and performers found in most cities - but inside it was cool and shady and quiet. Entrance is free but of course donations are always gratefully accepted.

The foundations of this cathedral date back to 1147 and the tiled roof (250,000 tiles to be exact!) was constructed with the design of the Hapsburg coat of arms in 1490. It was restored after fire damage in WWII.

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Address: St.Stephens cathedral
Directions: St Stephans Platz
Website: http://www.stephansdom.at/data/news/index.php

This huge gateway to the Cathedral was called 'The Giant's Door' because during it's construction in the 15th Century a mammoth's bone was dug out of the earth on the spot where the doorway was being built!

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Address: St.Stephens cathedral
Directions: St Stephan's Platz
Website: http://www.stephansdom.at/data/news/index.php

This beautiful building designed in the Art Nouveau style by Otto Wagner in 1898 is situated just a short walk from my hotel at the U-bahn stop "Kettenbrueckengasse" on Linke Wienzeile. The building is decorated with glazed tiles of green leaves and pink roses and blue flowers... and it is absolutely gorgeous - don't miss this!! It is a private apartment building so obviously not open to the public. I saw it early on a sunny Sunday morning and it was just stunning!

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Address: Linke Wienzeile 40
Directions: Kettenbruekengasse U-bahn (U4)

I had been very keen to see this fabulous building for several years of first learning about it's existence. I took the first opportunity to go and see it for myself. I wasn't disappointed... it was amazing. Designed in 1986 with onion spired roofs, multicoloured exterior and trees and shrubs growing out roof gardens and balconeys, it's a great improvement on the usual dull social housing found in most cities!

There were dozens of other tourists looking at this private apartment block designed by the late Austrian artist/architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser on the morning I was there. It is not possible to go inside but there is a terrace cafe where you can have a drink and some torte if you need it.

There is a little shop on the ground floor selling posters, postcards, calendars and other gifts and things related to Austria's celebrated son!

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Address: Kegelgasse/Loewengasse
Directions: Landstrasse U-Bahn
Website: http://www.hundertwasserhaus.at/1st.html

I went to the Leopold Museum to see the work of Austrian artists Egon Schiele, Klimt and Oskar Kokoschka... Klimt being one of my favourites.

It was a fabulous exhibition and the work is well displayed on 5 floors - all with lift access. There is a very good cafe serving refreshments with waiter service throughout the day and live music is played on Thursdays Fridays, Saturdays and Sunday evenings throughout August.

Entry to the Museum is 9E for adults.

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Address: Museumplatz 1 Wien
Directions: Museum Quarter
Website: http://www.leopoldmuseum.org/english/index.html

No visit to Vienna is complete without a visit to the KunstHausWien... permanent home to the prolific and beautiful works of Austrian artist Hundertwasser.. and this building is not just any mundane art gallery... it is exciting and different.... floors are uneven and it has a homely and vibrant atmosphere... check it out!

It is open daily from 10am-7pm.

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Phone: + 44 (1) 712 04 91
Address: Weissgerberstrasse 13, 1030 Wien
Directions: Take the U1 or U4 to Schwedenplatz
Website: http://www.kunsthauswien.com/

During the week this market sells fruit and veg but on Saturdays it's fleamarket day and there are all the usual stalls selling secondhand bits and bobs - old clothes, and toys and bric-a-brac etc etc etc!

Open Mon - Fri 6am-6.30

Saturdays 6am-7pm

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Address: Between Karlsplatz and Kettenbruekengasse
Directions: Take the U4 line to Kettenbruekengasse

Another Otto Wagner Art Nouveau style building is right next door to the Majolika Haus. It is 6 floors tall and decorated with golden medallions, female heads, peacock feathers and golden palm leaves - stunning!

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Address: Linke Wienzeile