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Belvedere Palace
Vienna
Vienna is the capital of Austria, the cradle of classical music, the home of the rich Habsburg heritage, and one of the world's most livable cities. The city center is skyscraper-free, pedestrian-friendly, dotted with quiet parks, and traversed by electric trams. Many buildings still reflect the elegance of the 18th and 19th centuries, when the city was at the forefront of the arts and sciences. Compared with most modern European urban centers, the pace of life here is slow.
At a Glance
▲▲▲ Hofburg Imperial Apartments Lavish main residence of the Habsburgs.
▲▲▲ Hofburg Treasury The Habsburgs' collection of jewels, crowns, and other valuables — the best on the Continent.
▲▲▲ St. Stephen's Cathedral Enormous, historic Gothic cathedral in the center of Vienna.
▲▲▲ Vienna State Opera Dazzling, world-famous opera house.
▲▲▲ Kunsthistorisches Museum World-class exhibit of the Habsburgs' art collection, including works by Raphael, Titian, Caravaggio, Rembrandt, and Bruegel.
▲▲▲ Schönbrunn Palace Spectacular summer residence of the Habsburgs, rivaling the grandeur of Versailles.
▲▲ World Museum Vienna Several collections, including armor, musical instruments, ancient Greek statues, and ethnographic treasures in the elegant halls of a Habsburg palace.
▲▲ Albertina Museum Habsburg residence with state apartments and world-class modernist classics (Monet, Picasso, etc.).
▲▲ Kapuzinergruft Crypt for the Habsburg royalty.
▲▲ Haus der Musik Modern museum with interactive exhibits on Vienna's favorite pastime.
▲▲ Natural History Museum Big, beautiful catalog of the natural world, featuring the ancient Venus of Willendorf.
▲▲ Belvedere Palace Elegant palace of Prince Eugene of Savoy, with a collection of 19th- and 20th-century Austrian art (including Klimt's The Kiss).
▲ Spanish Riding School Prancing white Lipizzaner stallions.
▲ St. Peter's Church Beautiful Baroque church in the old center.
▲ Leopold Museum Collection of 20th-century Austrian modernists including Schiele, Klimt, and Kokoschka.
▲ Wien Museum Excellent (and free) city history museum, housing 2,000 years of Viennese statues, art, and artifacts.
▲ Academy of Fine Arts Painting Gallery Small but exciting rotating exhibits spanning centuries.
▲ The Secession Art Nouveau exterior and Klimt paintings in situ.
▲ Naschmarkt Sprawling, lively outdoor market.
▲ Museum of Military History Huge collection of artifacts tracing the military history of the Habsburg Empire.
▲ Kunst Haus Wien Modern art museum dedicated to zany local artist Hundertwasser.
▲ Vienna Furniture Museum Eclectic collection of Habsburg furniture.
Plan
Photos
Watch
Read
- A Classical Way to See Europe
- Austria Delights Music Lovers
- Café Chitchat and Chocolate Cake: Sensing the Soul of Vienna
- Child’s Play in Europe
- Comfort and Company in Europe’s Cafés and Pubs
- Finding Peace in Europe’s Overlooked Sights
- Going to the Dogs (and Other Animals) in Europe
- Musical Bridges to European Culture
- My Favorite Vienna
- Sunday Morning, Vienna-Style
- Tasting High Culture in Vienna
- The Habsburg Splendor of Vienna
- Touched by History: Meeting a Witness to WWI Assassination
- Vibrant Vienna: Thematic Sights Make It a Class Act
- Vienna’s Monument Against War and Fascism
- War Rooms: Europe’s Military Museums
Vienna
Listen
- Art Outside the Museums (30:10)
- Composer Sites in Europe (11:32)
- End of the Orient Express (11:28)
- Music Appreciation for Travel: Part I (11:35)
- Music Appreciation for Travel: Part II (17:24)
- Vienna à la Fred Plotkin (17:58)
- Vienna: Habsburg Capital (34:11)
- Vienna's Ball Season (11:50)
- Visiting Vienna (12:02)
- Walking Vienna (18:16)
- World War I Travel Sites (18:19)
Vienna Audio Tours
- Ringstrasse Tram Tour
Listen or Download | Download map - St. Stephen's Cathedral Tour
Listen or Download | Download map - Vienna City Walk
Listen or Download | Download map