Vienna

Vienna wears its imperial past with elegant ease. The former seat of the Habsburg Empire is a city of grand palaces, gilded concert halls and storied coffee houses, where the music of Mozart, Beethoven and Strauss still fills the air. Refined yet relaxed, it consistently ranks among the world's most liveable cities.

Top Things to Do in Vienna

Tour the opulent Schönbrunn Palace, the Habsburgs' summer residence, and its sweeping formal gardens. In the centre, the Hofburg palace complex, St Stephen's Cathedral and the world-class Kunsthistorisches Museum are all within walking distance.

An evening of Mozart and Strauss at a historic concert hall is a quintessential Vienna experience, and no visit is complete without a slice of Sachertorte in a grand café. The Spanish Riding School's Lipizzaner horses are another unique draw.

Tours Worth Booking

• Schönbrunn Palace skip-the-line tours
• Classical concerts of Mozart and Strauss
• Historic centre and Hofburg walking tours
• Wachau Valley and Melk Abbey day trips

Best Time to Visit

April–May and September–October offer mild weather and fewer crowds. Summer is warm and lively with open-air events; December is enchanting, with some of Europe's finest Christmas markets and a full classical-concert season. Vienna is a true year-round city.

Getting Around

Vienna's public transport — U-Bahn, trams and buses — is fast, clean and comprehensive, and a single ticket covers all of it. The historic centre is compact and walkable, while the vintage Ring trams offer a scenic loop past the grand boulevards.