This coffeehouse and restaurant is situated in a beautifully refurbished, huge greenhouse right behind the Hofburg. The location is the perfect place to sit under palms and relax after visiting the various museums, which are just around the corner (Natural History Museum, Kunsthistorisches Museum). Excellent contemporary Viennese cuisine is offered for dinner here; or just coffee and a tasty classic Viennese pastry will fuel you up for more museum viewing.
The Demel is world famous for its superb cakes and gateaus, its artfully decorated display windows, its prestigious decor, its high prices, and last but not least, for its unhelpful staff (do not take it personally—it is a Viennese tradition and everybody is treated the same). Moreover, the recent refurbishment has added a very nice conservatory in the courtyard, so the Demel is definitely worth a visit.
Cafe Central is probably the most famous coffeehouse in Vienna, which is saying a lot in a city known for its coffeehouses. At the turn of the century, it was a meeting place for intellectuals such as Victor Adler and Otto Bauer, writer Peter Altenberg and even, Leon Trotsky. After that heydey, it lost popularity and closed for many years. Reopened in 1986 as the Central, its gothic vaults and quality coffee once again brought the back both locals and visitors to see the most architecturally interesting coffeehouse in Vienna.
The Sacher is an authentic 19th century café with paintings from this era and piano music in the entrance hall. The authentic Sachertorte began its conquest of the gourmet world from this coffee house. The recipe for this brilliant combination of chocolate and apricot jam remains a secret of the Hotel Sacher. Only they are allowed to call their Sachertorte the "original." So, enjoy a delicious slice of the authentic one.
The Belvedere Palace, designed in baroque style in the early eighteenth century by Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt for Prince Eugene of Savoy, is home to the Austrian Gallery. The Upper Belvedere houses pieces of Austrian art from the 19th and 20th centuries. The remarkable collection contains paintings by Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller, Hans Makart, Oskar Kokoschka, Egon Schiele, Gustav Klimt, Richard Gerstl and many others. The Museum of Medieval Art and the Baroque Museum are situated in the Lower Belvedere. Romanesque and gothic wood sculptures and altar panels and a comprehensive collection of works by Maulbertsch, Messerschmidt and Donner can be visited in the splendid summer residence of this former military commander. After visiting the Museum, don't miss a walk through the elegant parks and also the Alpine Gardens.
The Belvedere comprises two magnificent baroque mansions facing each other across a sloping formal garden. Prince Eugène of Savoy, whose campaigns against the Turks enabled the Habsburg Empire to reclaim Hungary, purchased some land beyond the city walls in 1693, upon which he ordered a park with elaborate water features and fountains to be built. In 1714, the Prince had Lukas von Hildebrandt build the Lower Belvedere for his personal use with its beautiful Marmorsaal (marble hall), the Prunkgalerie and the marvelous Spiegelsaal (mirror hall). In 1721, Hildebrandt started with the construction of the Upper Belvedere, purposely built for the prince's lavish masked balls, receptions and firework displays. The Audienzsaal (reception room), Spiegelkabinett (mirror cabinet), Kunstgalerie (arts gallery), Konferenzsaal (conference hall) and Kaffeezimmer (coffee room) can all be visited today. The complex of the Upper Belvedere now houses one of Austria's most popular galleries (Galerie im Oberen Belvedere) with a huge collection of paintings by Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele and Oskar Kokoschka.
The Viennese cooking here has a modern twist and more than a perceptible Mediterranean slant. The items on its menu are to be recommended if you would like to eat traditional Austrian cooking that is not too heavy. The surroundings are cozy Beisl atmosphere and yet elegant, although slightly lacking in space. For starters, try its appetitizers made with the famous Styrian pumpkin oil. Fabulous dishes cooked with local game make a memorable main course choice. An impressive wine list is on hand, featuring a number of good Austrian wines.
Love it or hate it, this brightly colored, off-centre, eco-minded transformation of a drab council block by Austrian hippy artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser in Vienna's Third District is now as much a tourist attraction as the Hofburg or Stephansdom. By declaring war on the straight line and pledging to repay a debt to nature, Hundertwasser covered the facade in a chequerboard of primary colors, added onion domes and ceramic cladding, and planted lawns and trees on the rooftops. Inside, the 50 flats were given the disconcerting feature of undulating terracotta floors. Don't miss the nearby Kunsthaus Wien, another Hundertwasser transformation, housing a permanent collection of his art.
In the late 19th century, the main course of the River Danube was straightened to allow larger vessels to dock. A parallel channel was cut in the 1970s, creating a long, thin artificial island, officially known as "Donauinsel," though often called the Copa Cagrana after Kagran, the 22nd district in which it is situated. The original course of the Danube, to the east of the Neue Donau, was then used to create the semi-circular nub of land known as Kaisermühlen, home to Vienna's UNO-City. To be honest, the Donauinsel (measuring 20km by just 200m) is pretty bleak; nevertheless, it is a paradise for cycling and rollerblading. In summer, the Viennese flock to the beaches here. At night, there are numerous bars, discos, restaurants and food stalls, centered around the Donauinsel underground-station.
Built during the 1320s, the Minoritenkirche, also known as the Gothic Ludwigschor, was the first French cathedral style church in east Austria. It was used as a mausoleum in the 14th and 15th centuries. Inside is an imitation of Da Vinci's "The Last Supper." The painting was ordered to be made by Napoleon I and after changing hands many times, ended up on the north wall of Minoritenkirche.
The "Steffl" is arguably one of the world's most enchanting Gothic cathedrals. A 12th-century construction at heart, it was renovated in Gothic style between 1304-1433. Its Northern Tower, standing at a height of 70m, was redesigned according to Renaissance aesthetics in 1579 and the interior was given a baroque slant following the Counter Reformation. St. Stephen's Cathedral's famed bell, the "Pummerin," weighing no less than 21 tons, suffered considerable fire damage in World War II. It has since been repaired and is now used to mark special occasions, such as to ring in the new year.
Vienna is known for its famous heurigen restaurants, traditional taverns serving local wine and hearty food, often accompanied by live Viennese music. The district of Grinzing is full of such establishments, most of which are beautifully preserved and lend the whole district a magical feel. Authentic heurigen taverns hang a branch of pine above the door to indicate the sale of home-made wine. Traditionally, these taverns were small, intimate and great value for money. Fortunately, this still rings true today. Numerous vineyards are located nearby and make a great place for a walk. Follow in the footsteps of Franz Schubert and Ludwig van Beethoven who both found inspiration in the (then unspoiled) surrounding nature. Composer Gustav Mahler is buried in Grinzing Cemetery. The heurigen offer reasonable meals with good local wines; by law, they can only sell their own wine - but this makes for many interesting tasting.
Schönbrunn Palace in its present form is one of Vienna's most popular tourist attractions, hosting thousands of visitors a week. This rococo Palace was finished in 1700 under Leopold I, and is a much diminished version of an incredible Imperial project first planned by Johann Fischer von Erlach. The Palace was renovated and extended under Maria Theresia, and at that time had 2,000 rooms, a chapel plus its own theatre. Like all the imperial buildings associated with Maria Theresia, the Schönbrunn complex is today painted in rich yellow. Napoleon lived here from 1805 to 1809 and Emperor Francis Joseph I, who was born here in 1830, spent the last years of his life in the palace. Usually the complex only served as a summer residence to the Habsburgs. Take at least one day for this trip through the palace and the vast surroundings.
There has been a wine shop on this site in Grinzig since 1137. Also, the name of the family boasts a long tradition; in the year 1372, the names Hengler and Henglweiner featured in the history books. Between the two parts of the building there is a garden with a playground for children and a courtyard in which to sit. Inside it is considerably spacious, with large rooms and a veranda on the first floor. The guests, who are from all parts of the world, are entertained by accordion players.
The huge Hofburg (Court Palace) is the most important secular building in Vienna, once the center of the powerful Habsburg Empire. The old Hofburg, with its many different sections and courtyards, was built (and renovated many times) between the 13th and the early 19th centuries. The Neue Burg (New Palace) was developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, despite the dwindling power of the Habsburg Empire. Today, the Hofburg is home to various museums (Völkerkundemuseum, Schatzkammer, Nationalbibliothek, Albertina, Theatermuseum, Prunksaal, Lippizanermuseum, Spanische Hofreitschule and Kaiserappartments) and the library, as well as the offices of the Austrian President.
A favorite meeting place for students of the nearby Vienna University, and for other young people and the young at heart, this restaurant and pub is perfect for those who do not want to spend too much money. At Einstein's you will find plenty of hip people to talk to, cool beer and a great selection of good food in generous portions. Good, filling Viennese and international cuisine (a huge variety of noodles, salads, Schnitzel and sandwiches) is available. Try the boiled beef with roast potatoes and horseradish-apple stew or the Exotic Noodle Pan (poultry, red and green peppers, fruits and noodles in curry sauce).
Not only is this a sedate and very comfortable restaurant, but the food is also excellent. This restaurant has been a mainstay for discerning diners for decades. The cooking is traditional Viennese with some lighter touches. Drei Husaren is most famous for its trolleys of carefully composed hors d'oeuvres. The rolling carts feature a range of more than 35 items including such dishes as calves' brains on a bed of spinach with a light mustard sauce.
Despite its name, this place is not actually a museum at all, but a restaurant close to St. Stephan's Cathedral. While out and about seeing nearby famous sites, you might want to stop by to taste a local favorite dish. The owners serve up more than 15 different sorts of goulash (a meaty casserole, seasoned with paprika), which originally comes from Hungary but now is considered to be a Vienannese staple. This restaurant is particularly popular with families.
One of the top five restaurants in Austria, Meinl's Restaurant sits on the first floor and offers tables with unique views down the famous Graben and Kohlmarkt. Throughout the day, Meinl’s Restaurant offers a delicious selection of dishes to delight the palate. In the morning, a variety of ways to enjoy breakfast; at lunchtime, a series of light and exquisite set menus; and in the evenings, a full gastronomic journey from delicate entrées to heavenly desserts. Head Chef Joachim Gradwohl's style is both individual and distinctive - rich in Mediterranean influence but strongly grounded in the seasonal nature and high quality of ingredients that is the hallmark of Austrian cooking.
This elegant coffeehouse, right behind the state opera, has been in existence since 1794. Fifty years ago it gained international recognition as a location in the movie "The Third Man". The café has its own pastry shop, so there is a vast variety of cakes and gateaus. Besides the coffee, five different versions of hot chocolate are offered.
The magnificent Opernhaus am Ring, famous first and foremost for its annual high society ball, hosts productions of the very highest quality by the likes of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, the State Ballet Company and a host of world famous opera singers and directors. However, the opera house started its days on a less auspicious note, with architect Eduard van der Nüll committing suicide in 1868 because of intense public criticism of his design. The Opera House opened with Mozart's "Don Giovanni" in 1869, and has been going strong ever since.
Located near Hofburg palace in Burggarten park, the wonderful art-nouveau Palm House (erected in 1901) is home to one of the world's most fabulous collections of butterflies. The Butterfly House, heated to a temperature of 26 Celcius and 80 per cent humidity, contains hundreds of different species, all flying about freely. Some creatures have a wingspan of 30cm, almost all boast wonderful patterns and vivid colors. After exploring the Butterfly House, visitors should take a break in the lovely café in the same building.
Prater
Type: Picnics, Parks & Gardens
Best known for its giant Ferris wheel and amusement park, the Prater, a long stretch of woods and meadows between the Danube and its tributaries, originally served as the imperial hunting grounds. The park was opened to the public in 1766, and its giant Ferris wheel at a height of 67 meters and weighing 430 tons, was erected in 1896. The construction was used as a watchtower during World War I and was badly damaged in World War II. The Ferris wheel was immortalized in Orson Welles' 'The Third Man'. Nowadays, the funfair is full of high-tech rides ranging from 'dodge-em' cars to ghost trains, although some of the quainter elements still remain. To escape the noisy part of the Prater, walk along the quiet Hauptallee through the rolling meadows until you reach Lusthaus, a restaurant serving authentic Austrian dishes.
Visitors really need to put aside a whole day for Schönbrunn because the choice of things to do here is extens
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