Vienna General Tips by Krystynn

Favorite Thing: visit the magnificent Schönbrunn Palace.

Here's a historical account of how this palatial palace came into being. Thanks (or, no thanks??) to Emperor Leopold 1, Ruler of the then Austro-Hungarian Empire and the grandiosity of his vision, he actually commanded the great Bernhard Fischer von Erlach, the greatest architect of the Baroque era, to design a palace larger than Versailles. But fortunately for the Austrian Treasury, the Emperor balked when the architect's estimate costs came in and the Habsburg Family then settled for a more MODEST dwelling abode with ONLY 1,441 rooms!! Ahem. :-)

Well, when Empress Maria-Theresia ascended to the throne sometime in the mid-1700s (can't remember the exact date... sorry!), she had Schönbrunn Palace expanded and redecorated in French Rococo style over a half decade period. Today, the restored palace is the pride and joy of Austria and a National Monument. This palace is also an apartment house for a number of lucky Viennese. Oh, how I envy them!

Photo Below: The beautiful Schönbrunn Park.

Fondest Memory: Take the Metro/ subway (U4) .... but DO NOT get off the train until you reach the station called 'Hietzing'. I was told that this is the much nicer side for here you can enter the extensive gardens through the charming 'Hietzing Gate'. Once in here, you'll come immediately face-to-face with the historical glass-and-steel Palm House. Very nice!

For some morning exercise (and don't we all need some), clamber up to the Gloriette pavilion where you can catch a panoramic view of the magnificent Palace!

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Favorite Thing: attend a church service here at the glorious St Stephen's Cathedral.

This cathedral is surely not your everyday kind of cathedral. It is another pride and joy of Vienna!
The Stephansdom, or St. Stephen's Cathedral, is an island of Gothic magnificence surrounded by a sea of baroque and 19th Century architecture.

Sadly, this Cathedral was severely damaged in a fire caused by Allied bombings in 1945. However to the untrained eye (er... I guess that would be me huh?), it is almost impossible to distinguish restoration work from the original!! Don't just believe me... take a look at it for yourself. :-))

Fondest Memory: HOT TIP!

Try climbing the 343 steps to the Tower-Keeper's Room at St. Stephen's and enjoy a breathtaking view from up there.

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Fondest Memory: Ah... and who can ever miss this? The world famous Straus Monument.

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Favorite Thing: drop by Beethoven's Apartment... Can you see his apartment located on the 4th level? Yes, THAT one with the window opened.


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Favorite Thing: explore the grounds and garden of the famed Belvedere Palace - Prince Eugene of Savoy's palatial residence. Yes, this Baroque era Palace and its amazing combination of royal apartments, gardens AND art galleries is a must-see when visiting Vienna. Grab your cameras now and strike your best poses!! :-)) Oh, and please note it's opening hours too (very important!):

Open: Tuesdays through Sundays; from 10:00AM - 05:00PM.


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Favorite Thing: catch a glimpse of the awesome Rathaus. Noticed the Rathaus' Middle Tower? Well, it stands at almost 100 meters high and it's topped with a 3.40-meter 'Rathausmann'. Very interesting!

Fondest Memory: Ah, Rathaus Park is also worth seeing with two spouting fountains and several monuments built in honor to Waltz composers, Johann Strauss and Joseph Lanner amongst others.

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Fondest Memory: Have you ever wondered what it feels like to live like a true Royal? Yeah, me too.

Well, why don't you join a guided tour through the beautiful Hofburg Palace, the Imperial residence of Empress Elizabeth and Emperor Franz Joseph? Better to go on a guided tour and get all the inside scoop on past and current palace intrigues and gossips than to wander around aimlessly here. Whatever your decision, it'll surely leave you spellbound for sure!

Today, this palace is a treasure trove of museums, apartments... and it also includes a portion of the Spanish Riding School. Enjoy your visit!

And to drive my point home, here's a lovely pic of the Main Entrance to the Hofburg Palace as seen from Michaelsplatz.

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Favorite Thing: check out the Vienna Opera House.

Fondest Memory: For non-opera fans... hey wait! Don't run away just yet... The one thing you really shouldn't miss is to see the world famous Vienna Boys Choir in concert. You can actually catch a glimpse of these young boys by attending Sunday Mass. Don't panic! It's alright. :-) They are just merely following an age old tradition where the Vienna Boys' Choir sings the Sunday Mass over at the Chapel of the Hofburg. Don't miss it.

P.S. You need to buy tickets to see them.

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Favorite Thing: explore Neue Burg - the grand Palace of Austria's famed Hapsburg rulers!


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Favorite Thing: explore the entire Ringstraße area... and see the many magnificent buildings located there. Amongst those not-to-be-missed landmarks include the Parliament, City Hall, Burgtheater and Kunsthistorisches Museum.

Photo Below: Here's a photo of the City Hall. Nice!

Fondest Memory: Did you know that the Austrian Parliament Building was designed by Danish architect, Theophil von Hansen, using a Greek temple as his inspiration?

Today, it is definitely one of the most magnificent buildings on the Ringstraße. Don't miss the eye-catching Pallas Athena Fountain in front of the building's driveway. Cool.

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