Hotels in Vienna

From magnificent palaces and the baroque gardens of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy to the architecture of the ring road, art nouveau and Hundertwasser, Vienna offers a wide range of impressive architecture and is ideal for a city break at any time of year. 

The capital's imperial flair is best experienced at Hofburg Palace. The striking ensemble of former imperial residences around the Heldenplatz square comprises buildings from various periods. The main palace building originates from the 16 century. In addition to its Imperial apartments, it also houses various museums such as the Sisi Museum, the Imperial Treasury and the Ephesos Museum. 

You can easily spend a day or more exploring the Hofburg during your trip to Vienna: it is also home to the Albertina graphic works, the Austrian Film Museum, the National Library and, last but not least, the world-famous Spanish Riding School. The Hofburg is surrounded by its palace garden complete with butterfly house, Heldenplatz and Maria-Theresien-Platz squares on which the magnificent buildings of the Natural History Museum and Art History Museum stand.

Vienna reveals a completely different side to itself with its pretty streets, alleys and squares in the Old Town around St. Stephen's Cathedral. Here, Austrian hospitality successfully complements a cosmopolitan way of life. 

The Viennese coffee house culture has become a symbol of this charming style and was even named an intangible World Heritage Site by UNESCO: definitely worth a stop! Enjoy a break at the Café Sperl, Café Central, Café Prückel, Sacher, Mozart, Alt Wien, Hawelka and all the others - there are almost a thousand cafés that still honour the old Viennese traditions to this day!

The most popular attraction in Vienna's Old Town is without doubt St. Stephen's Cathedral. It's a must-see for any sightseeing trip to Vienna. St. Stephen's Cathedral is one of the most important gothic buildings in Austria and its exterior alone is impressive: the tower is 136 metres tall and the colourful roof tiles are 110 metres long. The medieval interior, later renovated in a magnificent baroque-style, is worth a visit. Take a stroll from Stephansplatz square along the Kärntnerstraße – one of Vienna's most popular shopping streets – until you reach the State Opera House on the ring road. The building itself is impressive and a good starting point for a walk around the ring road: the succession of splendid buildings are referred to in architectural teaching books as "Viennese Ring Road Style".

One of Vienna's absolute highlights is Schönbrunn Palace. The baroque residence is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and, with its huge palace, 160-hectare baroque garden and world's oldest zoo, offers plenty to keep you entertained on a day trip. 

Anyone who enjoys palaces and gardens along with admiring art should be sure to visit Belvedere Palace. You can admire art from the Middle Ages to the 21st century in the Austrian Gallery Belvedere housed there. It focusses on fin de siècle and art nouveau paintings including the world's largest Gustav Klimt collection and masterpieces by Egon Schiele and Oskar Kokoschka.

Vienna's art museums offer a great deal of diversity. The Art History Museum is considered one of the most important museums in the world which, together with the Natural History Museum forms an ensemble of buildings. The Egyptian and Near Eastern Collection, Antique Collection and Coin Collection are also housed here alongside the art gallery. Other top-class sites include the Leopold Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, the Secession Building and the Albertina. The Hundertwasser House is a colourful and diverse apartment building that is one of the city's most photographed sites. It's a must-visit during your trip to Vienna!

While we are far from covering all of Vienna's sites, there is one that absolutely needs mentioning: the Prater. This large park is primarily famous for its amusement park and 65-metre-high Ferris Wheel, which has become a symbol of Vienna.

Combine your stay in Vienna with trips to the surrounding areas. Mödling, situated around 15 kilometres south-west of Vienna, offers various attractions such as a walk up to the Husarentempel, a visit to the Mödling castle ruins or Hinterbrühl grotto. Take a boat tour and explore the largest underground lake in Europe, nestled within the caves of the former gypsum mine.

Spend a nice day out in nature around the Peilstein. Enjoy beautiful views of the Vienna Woods from the 716-metre-high limestone mountain. Do up your bootlaces and hike from Schwarzensee or via the Peilstein adventure trail from Nöstach. Two other popular destinations include the Hirschstetten Botanical Gardens and Laxenburg Castle Park with its palace, the Franzensburg, and various ponds, pavillions and bridges.

Vienna is a city full of beauty, diversity and liberalness and is always worth a visit – simply see for yourself!