Vienna between history, vineyards and green pathways

City history and major cultural attractions

For more than seven centuries, the Hofburg was the seat from which the Habsburg Empire was ruled. The Spanish Riding School returned to its traditional home at Vienna’s Hofburg in 1955. Classical horsemanship is presented to the public at national and international performances. Here, the long history of the residence meets an equestrian tradition that is still presented to the public today.

St Stephen’s Cathedral is Vienna’s largest church and, at 136 metres, Austria’s tallest church. Climb 343 steps to reach the Türmerstube, the tower room. The Vienna State Opera also plays a distinctive role in the city’s cultural life, with a programme of opera and ballet. The Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel was built in 1897 ahead of the 50th anniversary of Emperor Franz Joseph’s reign. It is the oldest surviving Ferris wheel of its design.

The MuseumsQuartier Wien covers 114,310 square metres and is home to 61 cultural institutions, welcoming more than five million visitors a year. Other art destinations include the Kunsthistorisches Museum, with art treasures spanning five millennia and extensive Habsburg collections, and the Upper Belvedere. This Baroque palace represents 800 years of art history and works by artists including Klimt, Schiele and van Gogh. The Belvedere Garden is considered one of Europe’s most important historic gardens and illustrates late Baroque garden design. The Belvedere is easily accessible by public transport; check the most suitable connections for your visit.

Green spaces and pathways

Vienna offers a variety of landscapes and trail networks for outdoor activities. There are eleven urban hiking trails and a route around the city that passes through scenic areas. The Lobau has a well-signposted network of hiking and cycling trails. On Danube Island, a 42-kilometre beach meets a nature reserve in the heart of Vienna. Bathing areas and an extensive network of paths appeal to walkers, joggers, cyclists and inline skaters.

The Green Prater is a large recreational area in the city, used by walkers, runners, cyclists and horse riders. Lainzer Tiergarten offers free access to nature. Check the current access conditions before visiting. The Botanical Garden, Schweizergarten and the parks of Belvedere and Palais Schwarzenberg together are considered the largest inner-city green space. Schönbrunn Palace Park also has its own landmarks: you’ll find fountains, statues, monuments, trees and flowers, as well as the Gloriette.

Wine traditions and everyday life in Vienna

Vineyards shape the landscape on the edge of the city and also serve as a recreational area. About 700 hectares of Vienna’s municipal area are covered with vineyards, and there are around 400 individual vineyards in Vienna. These figures give the city’s wine landscape a character distinct from the major cultural attractions within the city.

Vienna’s Heurigen culture was recognised as intangible cultural heritage for Vienna in 2019. It encompasses social practices centred around Heurigen taverns, most of which are family-run. A genuine Viennese Heuriger serves only wine from its own vineyards. Some Viennese wine taverns and wineries offer guided tours of vineyards and wine cellars, including wine tastings. Vienna’s coffeehouse culture is also part of the local way of life and goes beyond simply enjoying coffee. Vienna’s story thus extends from history and art to the traditions that shape everyday life in the city.

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