Schönbrunn Palace
Vienna is known for its opulent palaces, and Schönbrunn is probably one of the most opulent of them all. Originally serving as a summer palace for the Habsburgs, the Schönbrunn estate was given to Empress Maria Theresa as a wedding gift. The palace you see today was mostly constructed in the 1740s-50s.
The grand, Rococo-style palace has many rooms on display for visitors to see, with more rooms available at higher admission prices. A walk through the Schönbrunn is walk through the history of the Habsburg family, most notably Franz Joseph. While marveling at the palace's decadent furnishings and massive rooms, you also discover the significance of one of Europe's most powerful royal families.
The visit to Schönbrunn doesn't stop at the palace, either. The gardens and orangery are a delight to amble through as well. With the striking Neptune Fountain, maze through the French garden, various sculptures and Roman ruins, the grounds at Schönbrunn could merit a visit all on their own.
Prater
The large public park Prater is home to an amusement park, the Wiener Riesenrad Ferris wheel, and dreamy tree-lined walkways. Tourists at Prater will find all the theme park staples - carnival games, rides, fun houses, and food stalls. But the eateries might serve schnitzel instead of corn dogs.
If fun parks aren't your thing, don't worry, Prater has plenty more to enjoy. Get a bird's eye view of Vienna from the top of the historic Riesenrad, originally built in 1897. Or rent a pedal carriage to leisurely cycle through Prater and enjoy the park's peaceful yet bustling atmosphere.
St. Stephen's Cathedral
St. Stephen's Cathedral has become an important symbol in the history of Vienna. Located in the middle of Stephansplatz, the church combines Romanesque and Gothic architecture with construction dating back to the 12th century.
Almost as a testament to its importance, St. Stephen's Cathedral has the tallest church tower in Austria. The monolithic church dominating Stephansplatz is already impressive, but the interior is even more opulent. Much like Vienna's palaces and other historical landmarks, St. Stephen's is notable for its rich, decorative interior. It's no wonder, as the cathedral played an integral role in the history of the Habsburg reign.
Albertina
The Albertina museum is in the heart of Vienna's city center, in the 1st district. It houses one of the largest collections of graphic and print art in the world. Albertina also boasts an exhibition of Impressionist painters from the early 20th century, as well as some works of the famous Art Nouveau painter Gustav Klimt.
Albertina is just down the road from the Hofburg and nearly adjacent to the large Burggarten park. Just beyond that is sprawling Maria-Theresien-platz. With so many of Vienna's major tourist sites nearby, a visit to Albertina shouldn't take visitors out of their way too much. Not to mention it's one of Vienna's best museums.
Spanish Riding School
The riding school established under the Habsburg rule has remained a long-standing tradition in Austria. The Spanish Riding School is considered one of the four most prestigious classical riding academies in the world. Horses and trainers from the school sometimes go on world tours to perform, but they usually train at the school inside the Hofburg in Vienna.
The training sessions are open to the public with an admission fee. For horseback-riding aficionados, the riding school is a must, but it's also a treat for non-riders. Steeped in tradition and held to the highest standards, the Spanish Riding School is a stalwart of Austrian heritage.
Naschmarkt
When you get tired of eating schnitzel (and you might, at some point), head to the Naschmarkt for a variety of cuisines. Indeed you'll find traditional Austrian fare, but you'll also see everything from Mediterranean to East Asian culinary styles too. There's enough for all tastes at Naschmarkt.
And if you don't want to dine at Naschmarkt you can just browse the cheeses, sausages, produce, and many other fresh foods for sale. The famous open-air market, situated between Karlsplatz and Kettenbrückengasse, dates back to the 16th century. If you head there on a Saturday you might also score some rare finds at the 400-stall flea market. Tourists and residents alike are drawn to the Naschmarkt and it's not to be missed.
The Hofburg Palace
The Hofburg is the centerpiece of Vienna. It was the former palace of the Habsburgs and today is the official seat of the President of Austria. The palace complex and area has been gradually expanded since it first served as the seat of government in the 13th century. It now includes several wings with an imperial library, chapel, many residences, the Burgtheater, and the Spanish Riding School.
As such an iconic symbol of Austria's history and current affairs, the Hofburg should be one of your first stops in Vienna. Visitors can marvel at the expansive Heldenplatz the palace sits on before going on a tour of the imperial residences inside. With so much to explore at the Hofburg, you'll stay busy for half a day or more.
Sachertorte
Sachertorte is the signature cake of Vienna. It's a chocolate sponge cake with dark chocolate ganache and apricot jam, served in many of Vienna's charming, trademark coffeehouses. The two most famous bakeries that create this delicious cake are Hotel Sacher and Demel, and they are in fierce competition with each other!
Stopping to taste the sachertorte - along with many other famous Viennese pastries - is a must on your trip to Vienna. For the optimal experience, head to a classic coffeehouse for a mid-afternoon coffee and pastry. Even Vienna locals partake in "kaffee und kuchen" so you'll fit right in.
Vienna State Opera House
No trip to Vienna would be complete without listening to some Mozart, or another classical composer. What better place to hear works of the masters than at the grandiose Vienna State Opera House?
Almost totally destroyed during World War II, the Opera House was faithfully reconstructed with the help of Austrian architects and reopened in 1955. The Opera House hosts over 300 performances of ballets and operas each season, with a wide variety of works in the mix. If you can't land a ticket to a performance inside, then head to a free, outdoor screening during the summer months.
The Vienna Zoo
The Tiergarten Zoo is technically part of the Schönbrunn grounds. It was started as a menagerie and expanded into a full-fledged zoo with the addition of both classical and modern buildings. The animals are well-cared for by expert zookeepers, who give frequent lectures and presentations each day.
If you haven't spent your whole afternoon wandering around Schönbrunn palace or getting lost in the maze in its gardens, then head over to the zoo. It's a delight for people of all ages.
