Experience Vienna – your guide to the sights and attractions of Vienna

Vienna boasts a very special flair, which is best experienced on a stroll to some of the world-famous sights of Vienna. And what better starting point for such a promenade than the centrally located Hotel Stefanie? After all, the Hotel Stefanie itself, the oldest hotel in Vienna , is one of the city's most exciting attractions.

The city's second district: Leopoldstadt – Vienna Prater

An island in Vienna: are you ready for an island trip?

The second city district of Vienna, known as 'Leopoldstadt', lies on such an island, an island between the Danube Canal and the Danube river itself.

The second district is well-known to visitors from around the world for one main attraction: the Giant Ferris Wheel . This landmark of Vienna has been turning since 1897 in the 'Wurstelprater', Vienna's large amusement park. From the gondolas of the Giant Ferris Wheel, visitors enjoy breathtaking views of Leopoldstadt and all of Vienna.

Sightseeing tips for the second city district

Visitors to Leopoldstadt will find some of Vienna's most important sights in the second city district: the Augarten, the Prater and many more. The Karmelitermarkt, which is held daily (except on Sundays) on the square in front of the baroque Carmelite Church, is a particularly charming destination. Small shops and cosy cafés are typical of Leopoldstadt.

Recreational delights in Leopoldstadt (second district)

In the southern part of Leopoldstadt you will find expansive green spaces, ideal for jogging or relaxation. The Leopoldstadt district is also home to the Ernst Happl stadium, Vienna's largest football stadium. Right next door the state-of-the-art exhibition centre where Vienna presents itself as a first-class international trade fair location.

Jewish Vienna

The chequered history of the Jews in Vienna

The city of Vienna makes every effort to raise awareness about 'Jewish Vienna' with a range of initiatives. The city's history is very closely linked to the past of the Jewish community in Vienna.

Vienna's current standing as a prominent European metropolis depends to a not insignificant extent on outstanding Jewish individuals in the fields of art, banking and the economy.

Jewish Vienna: a new self-confidence

The period of National Socialist rule was crushing for Jewish Vienna. Two-thirds of the Jewish population were driven from the city and 65,000 Jews were killed in concentration camps. People in Vienna are aware of this tragedy and are actively engaged today in preserving the memory of the victims of that time and raising awareness.

The tragic fate that Jews suffered in the past in Vienna is not a taboo subject. Viennese confront their past with honesty, as you can see from the city's many monuments and memorial institutions. Visit the Jewish Museum in Vienna to learn more about the Jewish Vienna of the past as well as today's small, resilient community! For further information, please visit the website of the Jewish Museum Vienna at www.jmw.at/en or the Jewish Welcome Service at www.jewish-welcome.at/en/.

The museum for Jewish culture in Vienna

The Jewish Museum Vienna was the  first museum in the world to document the Jewish culture of the past and present. It exhibits important collections on the history of the Jews in Vienna.

Apart from private  collections, the permanent exhibition displays important milestones, documents and images from the present day and going back all the way into the distant past.

Jewish Museum Vienna: 'Our City! Jewish Vienna – Then to Now'

In 1895, ten Jewish intellectuals initiated the founding of the Jewish Museum in Vienna. As they came from a wide range of different professional backgrounds, the volume and diversity of historical documents presented was extremely diverse and interesting right from the start. In 1993, the Jewish Museum Vienna reopened. A satellite exhibition space was added in 2000 in the form of the Museum Judenplatz, which exhibits the remnants of a synagogue destroyed in 1420/21 and documentation relating to the Shoa. Since their complete overhaul in 2010 and 2011, the two locations at Dorotheergasse 11 and Am Judenplatz have become places for exploring and encountering Jewish history, culture and religion over the centuries from the Middle Ages to the present day.

Jewish Museum Vienna: important documents of the past

The valuable collections housed in the Jewish Museum Vienna are made up from private donations or provided on loan by foundations. You are welcome to take part in German or English language guided tours of the Jewish Museum in Vienna to learn more about Jewish culture in Vienna. The Jewish Museum Vienna also has an extensive public library and a café where you can relax and linger after your visit to the exhibition.

A luxurious shopping street in the centre of Vienna

With its mix of traditional and international shops, the Kärtnerstrasse shopping paradise attracts locals and international visitors alike. When you go shopping in Vienna, you will experience all the flair of a luxurious shopping street in the heart of the city.

In conjunction with the Graben and Kohlmarkt high streets, the Kärtnerstrasse offers a unique and extravagant shopping experience. The area around the former Hofburg Imperial Residence attracted numerous purveyors to the court, and many of their exclusive shops exist still today. In addition, the 'golden U' shopping district is home to chic boutiques such as Chanel and Louis Vuitton. The varied and high-quality range of products offered on your shopping spree through Vienna are a dream come true for shopping queens.

Shopping in Vienna in the centrally located Kärnterstrasse

Vienna's tradition-steeped shopping street runs from the Opera to St. Stephen's Cathedral. Combine your shopping spree in Vienna with a sightseeing tour! The romantic flair of the historical city centre adds an extra-delightful touch to the shopping experience. In addition to the elegant boutiques of international designers, there are also branch stores of cheaper fashion labels. Even on a tight budget, you can shop to your heart's delight in Vienna!

Culinary delights in the Kärntnerstrasse

Shopping in Vienna is not merely a must-do for fashion aficionados. Fans of the Viennese 'Kaffeehaus' culture can also enjoy themselves to the fullest. If you'd like to enjoy a glass of champagne on your trip to Vienna, don't miss out on a visit to the historical Loos Bar .

Luxury shopping on the Graben

The Graben in Vienna is an exclusive shopping paradise. The glamorous high street owes its reputation to the many renowned and elegant boutiques located along its length.

The Graben initially served as a defensive ditch in front of the wooden palisade protecting the Roman settlement of Vindobona. It was not filled in until the Middle Ages, when it became one of the first roadways in Vienna. Later, the Graben served as Vienna's market place. Today, numerous exclusive boutiques line the popular shopping street.

Luxury shopping on the Graben in Vienna

The Graben is one of Vienna's most exclusive shopping boulevards. Fans of luxury shopping particularly enjoy visiting this elegant and exclusive shopping area. This popular shopping street is practically filled with luxury brand boutiques such as Escada and Herms. The Graben is a must-see highlight on your visit to Vienna.

Tips for your shopping spree on the Graben in Vienna

Numerous former purveyors to the court ('K. u. K. Hoflieferanten') established their shops on the Graben in the vicinity of the Hofburg Imperial Palace, and visitors can still find select and exclusive goods in these stores today:

• Porzellanmanufaktur Augarten: imperial porcelain
• Kniže & Comp.: court tailor
• Nägele & Strubell: court perfumer
• Wilhelm Frick books
• Altmann & Kühne: confectionery

St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna

The heart of Vienna

St. St. Stephen's Cathedral is not merely the landmark of Vienna, it is also considered the national shrine of Austria. A visit to St. Stephen's Cathedral is a must during your stay in Vienna.

St. Stephen's Cathedral is a landmark visible from afar and is widely known as the 'heart of Vienna'. Viennese affectionately refer to the imposing building as 'the Steffl', a local diminutive form of Stephen.

Visiting St. Stephen's Cathedral

The Gothic St. Stephen's Cathedral is the home of countless works of art, which can be admired during a guided or self-guided tour. Particularly noteworthy features include the 'Wiener Neustadt Altar', the tomb of Prince Eugene of Savoy and the opulent sculptural decoration on the inside and the fau00e7ade of St. Stephen's Cathedral. Our suggestion: climb the 343 steps up to the 'Türmberstube' in the South Tower of St. Stephen's and enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of Vienna.

Countless legends and tales centre around St. Stephen's Cathedral. Its inception is rumoured to be linked to a pact with the devil; a crucifix is said to have healing properties. And there's another tale about the master builder of the Cathedral, Hans Buchsbaum: allegedly, you have to circle the Cathedral thrice, each time calling 'Hansl, was machst Du gerade?' (Hans, what are you up to?) The first two times, nothing will happen. But on the third time, a voice is said to respond. Visit St. Stephen's Cathedral and discover these myths and legends for yourself.

Equestrian artistry of the highest order on and above the ground

The Spanish Riding School is the only institution in the world to have have preserved (and still practice) the classic equestrian skills of haute école, unchanged from the Renaissance period to the present day.

Experience unforgettable moments at the Spanish Riding School: gala performances offer the opportunity to admire the unique ballet of the Lipizzaner horses. The movements of horses are perfectly in sync with the music.

Spanish Riding School Vienna: a morning's workout

During the daily morning workout at the Spanish Riding School, you can see the white stallions in training. Their practice routines begin with muscle loosening and then move on to exercises to enhance the perfection of their movements. The classic jumps, or 'airs above the ground', on the other hand, can only be admired occasionally. Each rider is responsible for the training of his horse. A successful exercise is rewarded with a lump of sugar.

Spanish Riding School: the performances

During the gala shows, the horses perform a variety of exercises from the 'haute école on and above the ground'. This includes the 'Pas de Deux', where two stallions mirror each other's movements to classical music. The School Quadrille is also a fixed element of the gala performance. Eight stallions perform for 20 minutes, displaying the world's longest and most difficult quadrille. All lessons shown as part of the 'haute école' are based on the natural movements of the horse. The skill lies in coordinating and combining these movements step by step to create elegant perfection.

For more information, please see www.srs.at/en/

Vienna's Imperial Palace - the Hofburg

Enjoy a cultural exploration as you follow in the footsteps of the Emperor and Empress in the Hofburg, the Imperial Palace of Vienna

For several centuries, the Hofburg in Vienna served as the principal residence of the Habsburg family. Nowadays, it is one of the most important sights of Vienna.

When you visit the Hofburg Imperial Palace during your city trip to Vienna, you will be able to access three top attractions: the Imperial Silver Collection, the Sisi Museum and the Imperial Apartments. The rooms where Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Sisi used to spend their time in days gone by now serve as offices for the Austrian Federal President and several ministers and deputy ministers.

The Imperial Silver Collection

When you take a short trip to Vienna, don't miss the luxury of the imperial dining culture displayed in the Imperial Silver Collection. Apart from elegant china and table centre pieces of up to 30 metres in length, you can also see the legendary Imperial Serviette on display at the Imperial Palace. The technique used to fold this metre-square piece of cloth remains a closely guarded secret among the employees of the Imperial Palace to this day.

The Sisi Museum

Explore the myths and facts surrounding the life of Empress Elisabeth, known as 'Sisi', in a total of six rooms in the Hofburg Imperial Palace. Numerous exhibits of her possessions as well as copies of her magnificent dresses can be admired in the Sisi Museum in the Hofburg Imperial Palace.

The Imperial Apartments

The 19 imperial working, residential and reception rooms in the Hofburg Imperial Palace allow visitors to gain an impression of life at court. In the Imperial Apartments of the Hofburg, visitors can see more of life under the monarchy. For more information, please see the website of the Hofburg Imperial Palace in Vienna: www.hofburg-wien.at/en/