Vienna: The Classical Capital at the Heart of Europe

This picturesque city at the heart of Europe boasts a charm and beauty unlike no other, with a strong reputation and history in the classical arts. From the extravagant baroque palaces to the ear-pleasing, exalted sounds of classical opera, a visit to Vienna will inspire each and everyone into feeling like a high-class citizen.

1. Schonbrunn Palace

This magnificent, awe-inspiring structure was long used as a summer residence for the ruling family in Vienna, Austria. The palace consists of five main sections: the main building of the palace, its attached gardens, the inner courtyard, botanical gardens and a zoo. With over 1400 rooms, the size of this building is breathtaking and serves as one of the most iconic and important landmarks in both Austria and across Europe.

2. Hofburg Imperial Palace

The Hofburg Imperial Palace was once the seat of the empire of Habsburg, the country's most important dynasty. First built in the thirteenth century, the palace has been extended several times. Nowadays the building is used as the official residence and headquarters for the President of Austria.

3. Donauinsel

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Donauinsel is an islet in the south of the city and one of the most beautiful nature reserves in Europe. The island was actually developed as part of Vienna's sophisticated flood protection system in case of flooding from the Danube which cuts through the city. Apart from enjoying the nature and greenery of the island, there are several recreational activities you can partake in such as skiing, water boating, relaxing on the beach and much more.

4. Prater Amusement Park

A public park and amusement park in Vienna's 2nd district, it was once an ancient hunting ground during rule of the Austrian Empire until 1766 when it was used to build one of the first amusement parks in the world . The city regularly holds events in the park such as horse racing, annual concerts as well as a puppet theater. You'll also find a Ferris wheel, roller-coaster, planetarium and light railway that travels around the park. Be sure to also check out the Schweizerhaus, a restaurant famous for its pork knuckles.

5. St. Stephen's Cathedral

St. Stephen's Cathedral has a history of over 700 years standing in the heart of the city since the middle ages. For many Austrians the cathedral is a strong and iconic symbol of the city. You can climb up the stairs in the south tower to enjoy a spectacular view of the entire city of Vienna.

6. Austrian National Library

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The Austrian National Library is one of the most beautiful libraries in the world, not only because of its collection of rare and important books and folders, but also because of the splendor of the structure and its historical, picturesque architecture. The construction of the library was ordered by Emperor Charles VI (1685-1740) of the Habsburgs. It's composed of several wings, the most famous of which is the front wing with a theme of religious, life and military issues. At the top of the library, a famous dome rises to a distance of 30 m with inscriptions from King Charles III.

7. Danube Tower

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The Danube Tower is the tallest structure in the city of Vienna. It offers direct access to Vienna's most important tourist attractions such as the Old Town, the Danube, and Vienna Park. The height of the tower is 252 meters, with two elevators reaching its the top in as little as 35 seconds. Built in Vienna over 50 years ago, and the construction of the tower took about 20 years to completely finish.

8. Schönbrunn Zoo

Photo by Gerwin Sturm

The Schönbrunn Zoo is famously known as the world's oldest zoo, built on July 31, 1752, by order of Emperor Franz I. The zoo is a little out of the center of Vienna, but worth the trip especially if traveling with children. The zoo has more than 700 different species of animals and around 9,000 animals in total. Apart from the variety of animals in the park, the zoo is also full of beautiful landscapes, green spaces, water fountains and small lakes, so you can relax and enjoy the scenic views.

9. Vienna's Flower Garden (Volksgarten)

Vienna's Flower Garden is one of the oldest parks in the city and was once a favorite place for the aristocratic families who ruled the country. The park is a great place to spend an hour or two walking around and enjoying the greenery and flowers. This garden was originally designed to emulate the famous Luxembourg Garden in Paris and officially opened to the public in 1820.

10. Haus des Meeres

A public aquarium in the city center, Haus des Meeres contains more than ten thousand different species of marine organisms. The aquarium is housed inside what used to be an anti-aircraft tower built by the Germans during World War II. After walking around watching the sea creatures, make sure to head to the top of the building for a 360 view over the center of Vienna.

Conclusion

Whether it's to enjoy the range of classical arts the city has long been famous for, or to visit the stunning architecture dotted around the Australian capital, a visit to Vienna will never disappoint. Book a flight to this magnificent capital of Europe today and you could be sitting in a quaint Viennese coffee house, watching Austrians go about their daily life tomorrow.

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